GB2280602A

GB2280602A - Non-slip rocking clothes prop

Info

Publication number: GB2280602A
Application number: GB9400126A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-07-24
Filing date: 1994-01-06
Publication date: 1995-02-08
Also published as: GB9400126D0

Abstract

A non-slip rocking clothes prop has a means of positively connecting the prop to the line Fig. 2, which prevents the prop detaching from the line or sliding along the line. This comprises a hole 3 through which the line is looped, and a peg (4) around which it is passed. A cylindrical plastic rod Fig 1 (9), connects the upper and bottom sections of the prop together and allows the bottom section Fig. (3) to change direction at an angle in relation to the upper section of the prop, so that it can pivot around itself. At the lowest end of the bottom section Fig. 1 (3) there is a rubber cap fitted Fig. 1 (12) which along with compaction when the washing line is loaded, improves ground traction and acts as a brake. Also the minimal ground contact of the rubber cap prevents the prop walking when the wind rocks the prop. Figs. 10 and 11 (not shown) show alternative methods of attaching to the line. <IMAGE>

Description

NON-SLIP ROCKING CLOTHES PROP A clothes line (or washing line) for hanging cleansed washing on is a singular piece of rope, twine or of a plastic material. It is fastened at both ends over a selected distance to fixed stable points.

Washed clothes are pegged on the line and a straight clothes prop is connected to the line generally in a loose form and in an inefficient way, the prop is then pointed in the direction of the prevailing wind and its base wedged into the ground to prevent it slipping. On a smooth surface the straight and now sloping prop is unable to gain enough traction to prevent it slipping and collapsing when stressed by strong winds, in both cases when used on soft or smooth ground if enough traction with the ground is obtained the continuous vibrative effect of the wind on the washing line and prop causes the prop to collapse by slipping at its base detaching from the line or sliding along the line.

The enclosed details and description of the invention. The non-slip rocking clothes prop' aims to substantially mitigate the above mentioned problems.

NON-SLIP ROCKING CLOTHES PROP DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO FIG. 1 The rocking prop is divided into three sections (1) (2) and (3) and can be made out of any tubular or solid rigid material of any geometric shape, round oval or square, etc. the described prop being made from round Aluminium tube.

The upper section of the prop (1) when in an upright position Fig. 1 is 1225 mm long. Made from 7/8" OD x 18 SWG Aluminium Tube. These measurements could be longer or shorter, wider or narrower, thicker or thinner. At its top most end the tube is flattened (4). The length or width the tube is flattened is governed only by its ability to stay rigid when flattened in relation to the function of the prop. In the described it is flattened for 40mm down the length of the prop. Central in this flattened area there is a hole drilled (5), its size governed only by its ability to pass the double thickness of a washing line through from one side of the prop to the other, in this description it is 13mm in diameter.

In close proximity to this hole and lower down the prop section (1) there is a galvanised bolt (6) fastened through the prop from one side to the other.

The head of the bolt being flat up against the prop section on one side and projecting its exposed thread on the other outer side of the prop section for 15mm. It is at a 900 angle to the prop section. This bolt could be shorter or longer, thicker or thinner, it could be a projecting pin, both pin and bolt could be made from various materials and fastened to the prop in other ways.

At its lower end section (1) it has two holes drilled (7) capable of taking two self-tapping screws.

The middle section of the prop (2) is 1225 mm long made from 7/8 OD x 18 SWG Aluminium tube. These measurements could be longer or shorter, wider or narrower, thicker or thinner.

At its top most end there are two holes drilled (8) capable of taking two self tapping screws.

Its lower end is inserted into and fastened to in a semi or permanent way to a 115 mm long x 40 mm dia plastic rod (9) in this description, the plastic rod is fastened to the tube with a self tapping screw (10). This plastic rod could be made from various other metals, including wood, and be of any other suitable shape.

Section (3) being the bottom section of the prop, its lowest end making contact with the ground. It is 430 mm long made from 7/8" OD x 18 SWG Aluminium tube. It does at its upper end pass through the lower half of plastic rod (9) at an angle of 120 projecting on the other side sufficient to fit a plastic tidy cap. this section (3) could be longer or shorter, wider or narrower, thicker or thinner.

It is held in the plastic rod (9) in a semi permanent way with a self tapping screw (11).

At its ground contact end section (3) it has a rubber cap fitted (12) to aid traction and make minimal ground contact.

This section (3) may be of various lengths and pass through plastic rod (9) at various other angles.

Sections (1) and (2) are connected together at the bottom end of section (1) and the top end of section (2) by means of a 3/4" OD x 18 SWG X 150 mm long length of aluminium tube (13) which inserts in both ends of section (1) and (2) and is held with self tapping screws (7) and (8) [See Fig. 3]; component (9) the 115 mm long x 40 mm diameter plastic rod which connects sections (1) and (2) at its uppermost end and section (3) at its lower end and whose function is to support the above sections of the prop and absorbs the stresses put upon it, whilst effectively changing the direction of the prop from vertical in its upper sections (1) and (2) to an angle of 1200 in its lowest section (3). This component (9) could equally be a bend, elbow or other shape which would effectively change tpe direction of the lowest section (3) through an angle range of 0 to 180U. (Enlarged Component (9) Refer Fig. 9).

NON-SLIP ROCKING CLOTHES PROP DESCRIPTION CONTINUED - REFERENCE FIG. 2 At the top most end of section (1) Fig. 2 we have the flattened end (2). In the centre of this flattened area we have drilled a hole (3) through which we pass the looped clothes or washing line (14). The loop, having passed through the hole is pulled down over the protruding pin or bolt (6).

When clothes/washing are hung on the line, the line tightens around bolt (4) creating a very positive fix, this ensures the prop will not detach or slide along the line.

The prop end (2) can be so designed that the principle of the method can be achieved in various other ways as in Fig 10 and 11.

NON-SLIP ROCKING CLOTHES PROP DESCRIPTION CONTINUES - REFERENCE FIGS. 4,5,6,7 and 8 Ref Fig. 4 We can see from Fig. 4 that if a straight cloths prop can be propped to the left (1) (black line) then it can equally be propped to the right (2) [broken line]. As we look at Fig. 4 we can see that the full extension of the line to the left (3) and to the right (4) and the tops of the clothes posts (5) and (7) forms an arc (6).

Ref Fig. 5 As we look at Fig. 5 we can see that the straight sloping prop (1) can never traverse the required arc (6) because the base of the prop (1) is not in line with the clothes posts (5) and (7). From the broken lines (4) we can see that the prop creates an eccentric arc (8) in relation to the clothes posts (5) and (7) and is in direct opposition to the arc which the line (3) and clothes posts (5) and (7) are trying to form.

In high winds or on smooth surfaces the straight prop is inefficient. In high winds, even on rough surfaces it's ground traction is lost due to the vibrative effect of its eccentric arc on the base of the prop, on smooth surfaces it slides.

Ref Fig. 6 The answer to this problem lies in aligning the clothes posts (5) and (7) with the base of the prop and this is done by bending the prop near it's base so that the base of the prop (9) [we will call the heel] is in line with the clothes posts and by making a positive connection to the line (3) ensuring that the prop (10) cannot detach or slide sideways on the line (3) we then have unified the line (3), the prop (10) and the ground.

Ref Fig. 7 The wind blows the prop (10) and the line (3) over to the right, the heel (9) acting as a fulcrum and no rigid resistance is formed. The wind holds the line and washing over to the right in a stable manner, few vibrative effects are formed. Those that are, are absorbed by the bend in the prop wagging slightly from side to side. This wagging motion, coupled with the small area of contact the heel (9) has with the ground prevents the prop (10) from walking. When the wind releases the line (3) and prop (10) the combined catapult effect of the wind releasing the line and prop and the prop returning to its equilibrium position returns the prop (10) to the left.

Ref Fig. 8 Fig 8 shows that the prop (10) follows the required arc and will continue to do so no matter how much the line (3) stretches.

NON-SLIP ROCKING CLOTHES PROP DESCRIPTION CONTINUED REFERENCE FIG. 12 When the prop is connected to the clothes line in a stationary position (A) and washing is hung on the line, the designed strength of the prop allows the weight of washing to bend the prop. increasing the compaction on the heel (12). When the wind rocks the prop over (B) more stress is put on the prop bending the prop even more, which in turn increases the compaction on the heel (12). This causes the heel (12) to act as a brake. The more stress that is put on the prop, the greater the braking power of the heel (12).

Claims

NON-SLIP ROCKING CLOTHES PROP

CLAIMS Ref. Description Drawings (1) I claim the invention, the non-slip rocking clothes prop, as having novel and innovative features which prevent the clothes prop from slipping at its base, detaching from or sliding along a clothes line.

These features include a method of positively fixing the clothes prop to the clothes line, and a component part into which the base of the upper section of the clothes prop fastens and also into which the uppermost end of a shorter lower section of the clothes prop fastens, which projects at a greater angle than 90U from the component part in relation to the upper section of the clothes prop. (Fig. 1 Description Drawing).
2. A non-slip rocking clothes prop that has at its uppermost end a flattened area with a central hole, through which a looped section of the clothes line is passed. (Fig. 2 Description Drawing).
3. A non-slip rocking clothes prop that has at its uppermost end as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the looped section of clothes line is hooked over a peg, pin or bolt set slightly lower down the prop which retains the clothes line in that position. (Fig. 2 Description Drawing).
4. A non-slip rocking clothes prop as claimed in Claims 2 and 3, whereas these actions prevent the clothes prop detaching from the line or sliding along the line in windy weather.
5. A non-slip rocking clothes prop that approximately half way down the upper section a push fit method of separating the clothes prop for storage and packaging. (Fig. 3 Description Drawing).
6. A non-slip rocking clothes prop that has at the lower end of the upper section a cylindrical component into which the lower end of this section fastens. (Fig. 9 Description Drawing).
7. A non-slip rocking clothes prop that has as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the uppermost end of the lower section of the clothes prop passes through and is secured into the lower end of the cylindrical component, at an angle in relation to the upper section df the clothes prop. (Fig. 9 Description Drawings).
8. A non-slip rocking clothes prop that has at the ground end of the lower section of the clothes prop a rubber cap fitted, the action of this cap is to provide minimum ground contact to prevent the prop walking and to aid traction when the prop is stressed. (Fig 1 Description Drawings Numeral 12).