GB2293405A - Peg-less suspension system. - Google Patents

Abstract

There is described a suspension system (e.g. a washing line) comprising two longitudinal strands disposed in side by side relationship and secured together at predetermined fixed intervals along their lengths to define one or more pinch slots whereby, when the strands are tensioned, the or each pinch slot is capable of receiving and retaining a portion of an item (e.g. of laundry) to be suspended. There is also described a method of suspending an item comprising the steps of providing a suspension system comprising two longitudinal strands disposed in side by side relationship and secured together at fixed predetermined intervals along their length to define one or more pinch slots. Opposite ends of the strands are supported between one or more fixed points and the strands tensioned. A portion of an item to be suspended is then inserted in at least one of the pinch slots so that the item is gripped by that portion of each of the strands which define the pinch slot. <IMAGE>

Description

PEG-LESS SUSPENSION SYSTEM The present invention relates to a peg-less suspension system and in particular, but not exclusively, relates to a suspension system for use as a washing line.

In the past washing lines have comprised a single strand typically of plastics or plastics coated material which is supported between two fixed points which are separated by a distance sufficient to lift the strand clear of the ground. Clothes or other items which are to be dried or aired are then hung on the strand and secured by means of one or more pegs.

The use of pegs not only represents an additional expense to the user of the washing line but also necessitates additional storage space when the washing line is not in use. Futhermore, the act of hanging various items on a washing line and securing them by means of pegs is a time consuming process which is most noticeable when it starts to rain and the user wishes to detach the items from the washing line in a hurry to prevent them from getting wet. In addition the clamping action, which is exerted by the pegs and which serves to secure the various items to the washing line, can also result in the items becoming creased or damaged at the point of attachment. The present invention seeks to address these problems associated with the prior art by providing a peg-less suspension system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a suspension system comprising two longitudinal strands disposed in side by side relationship and secured together at predetermined fixed intervals along their lengths to define one or more pinch slots whereby, when the strands are tensioned, the or each pinch slot is capable of receiving and retaining a portion of an item to be suspended.

Advantageously one or both of the strands may be provided with a roughened outer surface.

Advantageously, the strands may be secured together by being fused together at fixed intervals along their lengths.

Advantageously, the suspension system may further compromise means for tensioning the strands.

Advantageously, the means for tensioning the strands may comprise a resilient member mounted at one end of the strands for attaching the suspension system to a fixed point.

Advantageously, the or each pinch slot may have a length of between approximately 0.05m and 0.15m.

Advantageously, each strand may be formed so as to have at least an outer coating of polymeric material.

Advantageously, the strands may be formed of plastics material. Preferably, the strands may be formed of polythene reinforced with polyester fibres.

Advantageously, the suspension system may comprise one or more additional strands which extend longitudinally in side by side relationship with said two longitudinal strands, said one or more additional strands being secured to one or both of said two longitudinal strands at predetermined fixed intervals along their length to define one or more additional pinch spots. Preferably, said one or more additional strands may be secured to said two longitudinal strands at the same points at which said two longitudinal strands are secured to each other.

Advantageously, the suspension system may find use as a washing line. Under these circumstances the suspension system may be supported between two fixed points or alternatively may be supported by the frame of a rotary washing line.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of suspending an item comprising the steps of providing a suspension system comprising two longitudinal strands disposed in side by side relationship and secured together at predetermined fixed intervals along their length to define one or more pinch slots; supporting opposite ends of the strands between one or more fixed points; tensioning the strands; and inserting a portion of the item to be suspended in at least one of the pinch slots so that the item is gripped by that portion of each of the strands which define said pinch slot.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a suspension system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention which is supported between two fixed points spaced by a distance sufficient to tension the suspension system; Figure 2 is a schematic view of one of the pinch slots formed in the suspension system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating one way in which the pinch slot of Figure 2 may be opened sufficiently to insert a portion of an item to be suspended; Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating the insertion of a portion of an item to be suspended into the pinch slot of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a schematic view of a portion of the item to be suspended being pulled through the pinch slot of Figure 2;; Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the item and pinch slot of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a further cross sectional view of the item and pinch slot of Figure 5 once the item has been released.

Referring initially to Figure 1 there is shown a suspension system 10 comprising two longitudinal strands 12 and 14 which extend parallel to each other in side by side relationship. The two longitudinal strands 12 and 14 are supported at opposite ends 16 and 18 between two fixed points which are separated by a distance sufficient to tension the strands. In the example shown these two fixed points are represented by eyelets 20 and 22 and in order that the suspension system 10 may be supported between these eyelets, the opposite ends 16 and 18 of the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 are each provided with a respective hook 24. It will be apparent however, that the present invention is not limited to this particular means of attaching the suspension system 10 between two fixed points and that any suitable attachment means may be used.

A coiled spring 26 is formed integrally with the hook 24 provided at one end 18 of the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 in order to provide additional tensioning of the strands and to enable the suspension system 10 to be supported between various pairs of points which are spaced apart by a range of distances.

The longitudinal strands 12 and 14 are joined together at intervals along their length by a plurality of joints 28. As is shown in Figure 2, between adjacent joints 28 the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 serve to define with the two joints a pinch slot 30 into which may be inserted a portion of an item to be suspended 32. Upon release the item 32 is gripped by that portion of each of the strands 12 and 14 which define the pinch slot 30 so as to secure the item with respect to the suspension system 10.

The two longitudinal strands 12 and 14 are preferably formed so as to have at least an outer coating of a weather resistant and wear resistant material. To this end it has been found that polymeric materials such as plastics exhibit the desired properties and in addition possess the necessary requirements of strength and elasticity to enable a large number of items to be suspended from the suspension system 10. In particular, it has been found that by forming the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 from polythene reinforced by polyester fibres it is also possible to provide strands whose outer surfaces are slightly tacky which in turn facilitates the gripping of that portion of an item to be suspended which is inserted through each of the pinch slots 30. In order to further enhance the gripping action of the pinch slots 30, the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 may each be provided with a roughened or ribbed outer surface.

Where the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 are formed or coated with a polymeric material, the joints 28 may be simply formed by fusing the strands together at intervals along their lengths. It will be apparent however, that the strands 12 and 14 may be joined together in any other convenient manner such as, for example, by gluing or simply binding the strands together by means of a common sleeve or tie.

In order to suspend one or more items from the suspension system 10, the suspension system is first supported between two fixed points and tensioned. In the example shown in Figure 1 this is achieved by the receipt of the hooks 24 within the respective eyelets 20, 22 with any additional tensioning being provided by the coil spring 26. The next step is to prise apart those portions of the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 which define one of the pinch slots 30. As can be seen from Figure 3, this may be achieved by holding the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand and pushing down against one of the strands with the second finger of the same hand.With the left hand still in this position the right hand is free to take hold of that portion of an item that would normally be attached to a conventional washing line using pegs and, by holding the portion of the item between the thumb and forefinger, slip it between the displaced strands 12 and 14 of the pinch slot 30 as shown in Figure 4. Once a portion of the item has been inserted into the pinch slot 30 the longitudinal strands 12 and 14, which until that point had been prised apart by the left hand, may be released thereby freeing the left hand to pull the desired amount of the item through the pinch slot as shown in Figure 5. The amount of the item that will need to be pulled through the pinch slot 30 in order that the time may be gripped between the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 will depend upon the weight and thickness of the item concerned.

As the item is pulled through the pinch slot 30, the two portions of the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 which define the pinch slot are caused to counter rotate in the direction illustrated in Figure 6 by Arrow A. However, when the item and the suspension system 10 are released, the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 are not only urged back into abutting relationship so as to sandwich that portion of the item which is disposed therebetween but the longitudinal strands are also caused to rotate, this time in the direction of Arrow B of Figure 7 in order to release the tortional energy stored in the strands as a result of the item being pulled through the pinch slot 30. The combined rotational and lateral biasing of the longitudinal strands 12 and 14 serve to grip the item interposed therebetween.

Thus, it will be apparent that the described embodiment provides a suspension line that is capable of holding and retaining a number of suspended items without at the same time causing those items to become creased or damaged. Furthermore, where the suspension line finds use as a washing line, the suspended items may be gathered in should it start to rain in a single sweep of an outstretched arm.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the suspension system herein described is not limited merely to use as a washing line. Indeed, the same suspension system may find use in a variety of applications such as, for example, the holding of prints in a dark room as they dry or the supporting of Birthday or Christmas cards. Nevertheless, it will be apparent that when used as a washing line, the suspension system may be supported between two fixed points which are separated by an amount sufficient to tension the longitudinal strands or else may form part of a rotary washing line in which case the strands may be supported between two or more of the outwardly inclined arms which are typical of the frame of a washing line of this type.

Where the suspension system finds use as a washing line, the distance between adjacent joints is advantageously between approximately 0.05m and 0.15m and is preferably approximately 0.11m.

Although the suspension system has been described as comprising two longitudinal strands 12 and 14, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this need not necessarily be the case. Indeed, the suspension system may comprise one or more additional strands which extend longitudinally in side by side relationship with the existing two strands. Under these circumstances the additional strands may be joined to one or both of the existing strands at fixed intervals along their length so as to define one or more additional pinch slots. The additional strands may be joined to the two existing strands 12 and 14 at the same points at which the existing strands are joined to each other. Alternatively, the additional strands may be joined to one of the existing strands as a point intermediate the joints 28.

Claims (17)

1. A suspension system comprising two longitudinal strands disposed in side by side relationship and secured together at predetermined fixed intervals along their length to define one or more pinch slots whereby, when the strands are tensioned, the or each pinch slot is capable of receiving and retaining a portion of an item to be suspended.

2. A suspension system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein one or both of the strands is provided with a roughened outer surface.

3. A suspension system in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the strands are secured together by being fused together at intervals along their lengths.

4. A suspension system in accordance with any preceding claim and further comprising means for tensioning the strands.

5. A suspension system in accordance with Claim 4, wherein the means for tensioning the strands comprises a resilient member mounted at one end of the strands for attaching the suspension system to a fixed point.

6. A suspension system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the or each pinch slot has a length of between approximately 0.05m and 0.15m.

7. A suspension system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein each strand is formed so as to have at least an outer coating of polymeric material.

8. A suspension system in accordance with Claim 7, wherein the strands are formed of plastics material.

9. A suspension system in accordance with Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the strands are formed of polythene reinforced with polyester fibres.

10. A suspension system in accordance with any preceding claim, and comprising one or more additional strands which extend longitudinally in side by side relationship with said two longitudinal strands, said one or more additional strands being secured to one or both of said two longitudinal strands at predetermined fixed intervals along their length to define one or more additional pinch slots.

11. A suspension system in accordance with Claim 10, wherein said one or more additional strands are secured to said two longitudinal strands at the same points at which said two longitudinal strands are secured to each other.

12. A suspension system substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. Use of the suspension system of any of Claims l to 12 as a washing line.

14. Use of the suspension system of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the suspension system is supported between two fixed points.

15. Use of the suspension system of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the suspension system is supported by the frame of a rotary washing line.

16. A method of suspending an item comprising the steps of providing a suspension system comprising two longitudinal strands disposed in side by side relationship and secured together at fixed predetermined intervals along their length to define one or more pinch slots; supporting opposite ends of the strands between one or more fixed points; tensioning the strands; and inserting a portion of the item to be suspended in at least one of the pinch slots so that the item is gripped by that portion of each of the strands which define said pinch slot.

17. A method of suspending an item substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.