GB2331236A - Clothes dryer with radial arms - Google Patents

Abstract

The outer end of each tubular arm of a collapsible clothes dryer is plugged with a hook 40 whereby a clothes hanger may be suspended from the dryer in use. The hooks are shaped so as to point upwards and inwards with their ends in contact when the dryer is collapsed whereby a cover bag is easily fitted over the collapsed dryer and its lines do not entangle in the wind. The pivots of the dryer may be of plastics or other non-corroding material. The support 66 for the inner ends of the arms is adjustably mounted to a slider sleeve 52 via a screw thread (58, Fig 3) whereby the splayed extent of the opened arms can be adjusted to take up slack in the lines mounted on the arms.

Description

2331236 1 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CLOTHES DRYERS The invention

relates to improvements in or relating to clothes dryers and is more particularly concerned with easing or extending the range of use of the dryer.

A known form of clothes dryer has a central pole and three or four arms which are pivotally connected at their lower ends to a collar rotatable on the pole and which are pivotally connected to struts that are pivotally connected to a rotatable cap on top of the pole. A washing line is strung around the arms to allow a large amount of washing to be dried on the line in a relatively compact area. The collar can be held in a raised position to splay the arms for use of the dryer, and the collar can be lowered to a storage position in which the arms lie alongside the pole generally parallel therewith; the arms may be covered by a protective bag so that the arms and the washing line can be kept clean.

In one known form of such a clothes dryer, the collar is mounted on a sleeve which includes a 'T'shaped rebate on its inner surface with the long upright arm of the J intersecting the upper edge of the sleeve. When the sleeve is raised, the rebate receives a lug extending outwardly of 0 1 2 the pole, and rotation of the sleeve to guide the lug around the rebate to the short arm of the J retains the sleeve in the raised position. The arms of this dryer are tubular and include flat ended bungs in respective outer ends.

Pegs for hanging out clothes on the washing line of such a dryer are commonly carried in a peg bag which is hung on the line. The peg bag can be heavy when it is full of pegs and consequently there is a tendency to cause the line to sag undesirably. There are also items, such as woollen jumpers, which are usually dried on a clothes hanger supported or mounted directly on the washing line. Such items can also be heavy when wet and once again may cause the washing line to sag and possibly stretch. Such sagging and stretching may be permanent and thus, disadvantageously, may give rise to an untidy or unsightly appearance.

Also, there is tendency for pulling the protection bag over the arms and line to be awkward, which exercise may also be time consuming. Furthermore, it tends to be disadvantageous that the arms can only be extended and held in one splayed out, in use, position, more particularly in confined spaces or where few clothes are to be hung on the washing line.

3 It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned, or other disadvantages, that may be associated with clothes dryers or to provide a clothes dryer which is improved in at least some respect.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a clothes dryer including a plurality of arms, at least one arm being provided with a (rigid) formation to carry a coat hanger.

Advantageously, in this way, a coat hanger, peg bag or the like or other heavy item can be hung on a dedicated formation on an arm of the dryer instead of on the washing line.

The or each formation may be at any suitable desired position, but is, preferably at the end of an arm. The or each formation may take any suitable form but, preferably, comprises a hook. Where the arms are tubular, the or each formation may act as a bung for the end of its associated arm. There may be only one formation, or formations on less than all of the arms, but, preferably, there is a formation on every arm.

4 When the arms of the known clothes dryer are raised, it can be difficult to fit or position the protective bag correctly over the arms. The mouth of the bag is necessarily narrow and it tends to be difficult to hold the three or four arms together at one time without one of them being too splayed out from the central pole to enter the bag. It is difficult to begin fitting the mouth of the bag over the ends of the arms.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a clothes dryer including a plurality of arms, the arms being pivotable between a use position, in which they are pivoted outwardly, and a storage position, in which they are pivoted inwardly, the dryer further including a formation at the end of each arm, each formation extending upwardly and inwardly when the arms are in the storage position, to facilitate placing a bag over the arms.

As the formations extend upwardly and inwardly, they present a smaller target area to be received in the mouth of the bag to begin fitting Z:> the bag over the arms.

Preferably, the formations touch, almost touch or lie adjacent to one another when the arms are in the storage position.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a clothes dryer including a plurality of arms, and a washing line carried by the arms, the arms being pivotable between a use position, in which they are pivoted outwardly and the line is relatively taut, and a storage position, in which they are pivoted inwardly and the line is relatively slack, the dryer further including a formation at the end of each arm, the formations touching one another or almost touching or lying adjacent to one another when the arms are in the storage position.

If the dryer is stored without a bag over it, the wind may blow the slack washing-line between the arms and on known dryers the washing line tends to get tangled. By means of the aspect of the present invention as related in the immediately preceding paragraph, the formations may restrict or prevent the line from becoming tangled.

0 When an arm is in the storage position, the formation thereon, preferably, prevents a smooth upper surface. This should enable the bag to ride smoothly over the formation when being positioned on the arms.

When an arm is in the use position, the formation thereon may be arranged to carry a coat hanger or the like. Preferably, each formation 1 6 comprises a hook.

The arms of the dryer may be tubular and each formation may act as a bung for the end of its associated arm.

In known clothes dryers, after some use, the line tends to stretch and sag between the arms. Tightening of knots in the line will also lead to sagging. This may create problems, in particular when hanging heavy items of washed clothing.

An example of a known clothes dryer is shown in patent specification No. GB2214068. That patent specification discloses a clothes dryer in which, in place of the "F-shaped rebate, there is a straight, open channel from which two L-shaped slots extend on opposite sides and at different axial heights. The central column or pole has a fixed stud which can be received in the axial channel and located in either of the L-shaped slots to hold the sleeve at different heights.

is The use of the axially spaced slots ensures that, when the clothes dryer is new, the line will be taut at the lower position, but once the line has sagged, the sleeve can be raised to the upper position in order to re- 7 tighten the line. The Applicant has recognised that such a system having only two positions, may, perhaps, constitute a degree of undesirable inflexibility.

Thus, according to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a clothes dryer comprising a plurality of arms which are splayed in a use position, and means for retaining the arms in any of a continuous range of splayed positions.

In the clothes dryer of patent specification No.GB2214068, there are only two positions, and it would not seem possible to produce a continuous range of positions based upon this design as there is a minimum spacing for the L-shaped slots and there could be problems with weakening of the sleeve by removal of material. The Applicant has recognised the desirability of continuous adjustability of the arms in a clothes dryer.

Such continuous means may take any suitable form but, preferably, comprises screw-threaded means. A screw thread may provide the desired range of continuous adjustment.

C 8 Said continuous means may act in any suitable way and at any desired position, but, preferably, the continuous means is arranged to adjust the position of all of the arms simultaneously.

The arms are, preferably, splayed from a central pole. The arms may be connected to a member on the pole, the height of which is continuously adjustable on the pole by the continuous means. The member may be rotatable on the pole and may be supported by the continuous means which, preferably, comprises a moveable supporting part and a part which is fixable to the pole. Preferably, there is a screw thread between the moveable part and the fixable part. The fixable part may extend through the moveable part and may include an external screw thread to mate with an internal screw thread on the moveable part. Preferably, there is a low friction arrangement between the member and the supporting part. It is important that rotation of the member on the pole should not lead to corresponding rotation of the moveable supporting part to adjust the continuous means. Preferably, the contacting surfaces of the member and supporting part are low friction surfaces. The contacting surfaces of the member and supporting part are, preferably, seemingly minimised and may comprise a plurality of small areas on one of the member and supporting part and a narrow annular track area on the other.

9 The pivotable connections in known clothes dryers between the arms, collar, strut and cap, incorporate metal rivets. Whilst such clothes dryers can be stored indoors, they are commonly left outside without a protective bag, in which instance there is a tendency for the rivets to eventually rust and become unsightly, eventually becoming mechanically weak.

Therefore, according to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a clothes dryer comprising a plurality of pivotable arms, at least some of the pivotable connections in the clothes dryer being formed of plastics or non-metal or non-corrosive material.

The pivotable connections may fit together in any suitable way, and in one embodiment they are snap fit connections. In an alternative embodiment, the connections are made with the components occupying positions which they are unable to occupy with the clothes line in place on the dryer.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a clothes dryer comprising offering components to one another for pivotable connection in positions which are outside the range of movement in final use, fitting the parts together and pivoting them into the range of normal use before attaching the clothes line to retain the components in the normal range.

Embodiments of a clothes dryer in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying simplified, somewhat schematic drawings, in which:- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the clothes dryer of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.2 is a perspective view part cut away of the dryer of FIG. 1; FIG.3 is the view of FIG.2 but of a three armed embodiment which is otherwise identical to the first embodiment; and FIG.4 is a view of the arms in a storage position of the dryer of FIG.3.

The clothes dryer 10 of the first embodiment comprises a pole 12 and four arms 14.

11 The pole 12 is a round tube. It includes a short radially extending lug (not shown) partway along its length, and a bung 16 is provided in its upper open end. The bung 16 defines a screw threaded aperture 18 axially thereof to receive a screw 20 retaining a cap 22 onto the bung 16. The cap 22 includes equally spaced pairs of radially extending legs 24. Each leg 24 is plate-like and extends outwardly in a vertical plane. The legs 24 have apertures to receive a through rivet 26 which also passes through an end piece 28 received in between the legs 24. The end piece 28 is received as a bung in the end of a tubular strut 30. The strut 30 is oval in a vertical plane and terminates in a similar end piece 32 which is pivotally connected by a rivet 34 to an upright projection from an angled sleeve 38 which snugly encircles the arm 14 partway along its length.

At the outer end of the arm 14 there is a hook 40 which is mounted as a bung in the end of the tubular arm 14. At the opposite end of the arm 14 there is an end piece 42 serving as a bung for the end of the arm 14 and including two oppositely disposed outwardly extending projections 44. The projections are received as a snap-fit in corresponding apertures 46 in a moveable part 48 mounted on the pole 12. The moveable part 48 is frustoconical, defining intrusions 50 to receive the end piece 42 on each arm.

12 A sleeve 52 is provided on the pole 12. The lower half of the sleeve 52 has axial undulations to form a hand grip 54. A flange 56 separates the hand grip 54 from an outwardly screw threaded part 58 which extends over substantially the next quarter of the sleeve 52. The final quarter of the sleeve 52 is of generally plain cylindrical shape terminating in a frustoconical flange 62 but broken by opposed J-shaped slots 64 which intersect the screw-threaded part 58 at their lowest extent and intersect the upper edge of the frusto-conical flange 62 at its upper extent.

is The moveable part 48 is mounted on the plain part 60 of the sleeve being snapped over the frusto-conical flange 62 acting as non-return means, the J-shaped slots 64 partially closing to enable the moveable part to pass over the flange 62. A screw-threaded part 66 is received on the screw- threaded portion 58 of the sleeve 52 and is snapped fitted over the frusto-conical flange 62 in the same way as the moveable part 48 to be mounted. The screw-threaded part 66 defines an inwardly facing screw thread 68 to mate with the screw-threaded portion 58 on the sleeve 52.

13 The screw-threaded part 66 defines a circular, upwardly facing annular track 70, co-axial with the pole 12, on which the lowest portions of the intrusions 50 are in sliding engagement. The engaging surfaces of the intrusions 50 and track 72 are polished to reduce friction. The track 72 is connected to the screw thread 68 by planar ribs 74 extending in vertical radial planes.

Washing line 75 is strung between the arms 14 of the clothes dryer 12 on cleats 77 spaced along the inner edge of each arm.

In use, with the sleeve 52 pulled downwardly on the pole 12, the arms 14 and struts 30 will lie close against the pole 12. In this position, the hooks 40 touch or nearly touch at their ends as shown in FIG.4. Each hook 40 includes a first part 76 which, when the arms 14 are in a storage position, extends outwardly from the bung part and upwardly at a shallow anale before the hook 40 turns inwardly as the second part 78 as far as a notional point collinear with the axis of the pole 12, rising at an increasingly shallow angle to the point.

:I- - - 14 If the clothes dryer 10 is left outside in the storage position, the clothes line 75 which hangs slack between the arms 14 will be blown about, but the fact that the hooks 40 touch will mean that the clothes line 75 cannot get looped over one or more arms 14 thus becoming tangled.

The fact that the second portions 78 of the hooks 40 extend smoothly upwardly and touch, means that it is easy to pull a protective bag over the arms starting at the hooks 40.

When the sleeve 52 is raised, the arms 14 splay as shown in FIG. I. As the sleeve 52 is raised it will meet the lug on the pole 12 which will be received in the J-shaped slot 64 to travel around into the short arm of the J to support the sleeve 52 in the raised position. With the screwthreaded part 66 lying at the bottom of the screw threaded section 58 of the sleeve 52, the line will be taut between the arms and washing can be hung upon it. Also, in this position, the hooks 40 face upwardly and can be used to support a peg bag, or an item on a clothes hanger for example. The arms 14 can rotate in the wind, the cap 22 rotating on the bung 16 and the moveable part 48 rotating on the screw-threaded, fixable part 66. The low friction between the moveable part 48 and the fixable part 66 due to the low area of contact between the intrusions 50 and the track 72, and also due to the low friction polished surfaces of these contact areas ensures that rotation of the moveable part 48 does not result in rotation of the fixable part 66 with a corresponding change of height on the screwthreaded section 58 of the sleeve 52. When the washing line 75 is new, in this low position the washing line would be taut. Once heavy washing has been along the line 75, it may sag or stretch and the knots holding the washing line 75 onto the arms 14 may tighten resulting in further sagging. In order to remove this sagging, the fixable part 66 can be rotated and this is facilitated by the finger grips provided by the ribs 74. Rotation of the fixable part 66 causes it to rise on the screwthreaded section 58 of the sleeve 52 resulting in increased splaying of the arms 14 to retighten the washing line 75. Within the range corresponding to the height of the screw-threaded section 58 of the sleeve 52, the fixable part 66 can be positioned at any desired height by corresponding rotation of it. Thus, however little or much the line 75 has sagged, it can be re-tightened by appropriate positioning of the fixable part 66. The screw-threaded parts 58, 68 are fitted closely together to increase the friction between these parts and there may also be a coating or surface treatment to increase the friction between these parts 58,68.

16 As shown in FIG.3, the end pieces 42 on the arms 14 drop into the intrusions 50 at a particular angle guided by guide channels 80. Whilst these guide channels 80 are shown as being at the appropriate angle for a part splayed position of the arms 14, the guide channels 80 could be at an angle which is much closer to the horizontal and beyond the angle of maximum splay for the arms 14 when connected by the clothes line 75. In this way, the arms could be mounted through the guide channels and then angled upwardly to be retained by the clothes line 75 in a position of maximum splay in normal use, to ensure that the arms 14 could not be removed once the clothes dryer 10 has been assembled with the washing line in place.

The pole 12, arms 14 and strut 30 are made of metal, such as steel, as are the rivets 26, 34 and screw 20, but all other parts of the clothes dryer 10 are made of plastics material or non-corrosive material. Thus, the pivotable connection between the moveable part 48 and the arm 14 through the end piece 42 is entirely in plastics material. In a further embodiment (not shown) the other pivotable connections between the strut 30 and cap 22 and between the strut 30 and arm 14 may be entirely in plastics material so that rivets are not used.

17 It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced by any equivalent or generic term. For example, the term "arTn" could be replaced by "member" or the like. The term "dryer" could be replaced by "drying apparatus". Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions relating to the dryer might be individually patentably inventive. In particular, any disclosure in this specification of a range for a variable or parameter shall be taken to include a disclosure of any selectable or derivable subrange within that range and shall be taken to include a disclosure of any value for the variable or parameter lying within or at an end of the range. The singular may include the plural or vice versa. The "formation" or "formations" could have a degree of flexibility rather than being "rigid"

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a clothes dryer having a plurality of arms with at least one arm having at least one dedicated formation for carrying or supporting a coat hanger or the like, in use.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of adapting a clothes dryer to conveniently carry one or more coat 18 hangers or the like on at least one arm of the dryer, said method comprising replacing a bung at the end of the said at least one arm with a second bung or end cap having a dedicated formation for carrying or supporting a coat hanger or the like, in use.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a clothes dryer comprising a plurality of arms splayed apart from one another in a first, in use, position, the arrangement being such that the arms can be set and retained in a plurality of splayed positions.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a clothes dryer having a plurality of arms and a washing line, means being provided to restrain or prevent the washing line becoming tangled with the arms in a storage position.

19

Claims (49)

CLAIMS:-

1. A clothes dryer including a plurality of arms, at least one arm being provided with a (rigid) formation to carry a coat hanger.

2. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 1 in which the or each formation is at an end of an associated arm.

3. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the or each formation comprises a hook.

4. A clothes dryer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the arms are tubular.

5. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 4 in which the or each formation acts as a bung for the end of the associated arm.

6. A clothes dryer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which every arm is provided with a formation to carry a coat hanger.

7. A clothes dryer including a plurality of arms, the arms being pivotable between a use position, in which they are pivoted outwardly, and a storage position, in which they are pivoted inwardly, the dryer further including a formation at the end of each arm, each formation extending upwardly and inwardly when the arms are in the storage position to facilitate placing a bag over the arms.

8. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 7 in which the formations touch or almost touch or lie adjacent to one another when the arms are in the storage position.

0

9. A clothes dryer including a plurality of arms, and a washing line carried by the arms, the arms being pivotable between a use position, in which they are pivoted outwardly and the line is relatively taut, and a storage position, in which the arms are pivoted inwardly and the line is relatively slack, the dryer further including a formation at the end of each arm, the formations touching one another or almost touching one another or lying adjacent to one another when the arms are in the storage position.

10. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 9 in which, when an arm is in the storage position, the formation thereon presents a smooth upper surface.

21

11. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 9 or 10 in which, when an arm is in the use position, the formation thereon is arranged to carry a coat hanger.

12. A clothes dryer as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 in which each formation comprises a hook.

13. A clothes dryer as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 in which the arms of the dryer are tubular.

14. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 13 in which each formation acts as a bung for the end of the associated arm.

15. A clothes dryer comprising a plurality of arms which are splayed in a use position, and means for retaining the arms in any of a continuous range of splayed positions.

16. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 15 in which said means comprises screw-threaded means.

22

17. A clothes dryer as claimed in claims 15 or 16 in which said means is arranged to be able to adjust the position of all of the arms simultaneously.

18. A clothes dryer as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 in which the arms are splayed form a central pole.

19. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 18 in which the arms are connected to a member on the pole, the height of which is continuously adjustable on the pole by said means.

20. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 19 in which said member rotatable on the pole supported by said means.

21. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 20 in which said means comprises a moveable supporting part and a part which is fixable to the pole.

22. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 21 in which there is a screw thread between the moveable part and the fixable part.

23 23. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 22 in which the fixable part extends through the moveable part and includes an external screw thread to mate with an internal screw thread on the moveable part-

24. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 23 in which there is a low friction arrangement between the member and the supporting part.

25. A clothes dryer as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24 in which the contacting surfaces of the member and supporting part are low friction surfaces.

26. A clothes dryer as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 25 in which contacting surfaces of the member and supporting part are minimised.

27. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 26 in which the contacting surfaces comprise a plurality of small areas on one of the member and support part and a narrow annular track area on the other one of the member and support part.

28. A clothes dryer comprising a plurality of pivotable arms, at least some of the pivotable connections in the clothes dryer being formed of 24 plastics material.

29. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 28 in which the pivotable connections are snap fit connections.

30. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 28 in which the pivotable connections are made with components occupying positions which they are unable to occupy with the clothes line in place on the dryer.

31. A method of assembling a clothes dryer comprising offering components to one another for pivotable connection in positions which are outside the range of movement in final use, fitting the parts together and pivoting them into the range of normal use before attaching the clothes line to retain the components in the normal range.

32. A clothes dryer having a plurality of arms with at least one arm havine, at least one dedicated formation for carrying or supporting a coat 0 hanger or the like, in use.

33. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 32 in which the coat hanger is readily releasable from its associated formation.

is

34. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 32 or claim 33 in which said at least one dedicated formation is at an end of the associated arm.

35. A clothes dryer in any one of claims 32 to 34 in which at least one arm has a bung or end cap provided with said at least one dedicated formation.

36. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 35 in which the said formation is integral with the bung or end cap.

37. A clothes dryer as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 36 in which said at least one dedicated formation is hook-shaped.

38. A method of adapting a clothes dryer to conveniently carry one or more coat hangers or the like on at least one arm of the dryer, said method comprising replacing a bung at the end of the said at least one arm with a second bung or end cap having a dedicated formation for carrying or supporting a coat hanger or the like, in use.

39. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 in which the formations present a downwardly inclined guide surface for guiding the 26 open end of the bag over the arms.

40. A clothes dryer as claimed in any one of claims 7, 8 and 39 in which said formations project radially outwardly from the arms, in the storage position, and then project radially inwardly in an upward direction.

41. A clothes dryer comprising a plurality of arms splayed apart from one another in a first, in use, position, the arrangement being such that the arms can be set and retained in a plurality of splayed positions.

42. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 41 in which the arms can be continuously adjusted and set to a selected position in between the first, in use, position and a storage position.

43. A clothes dryer having a plurality of arms and a washing line, means being provided to restrain or prevent the washing line becoming tangled with the arms in a storage position.

44. A clothes dryer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 7, 9, 32, 38 in which the formation/s islare substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1, 2 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

I-- 27

45. A clothes dryer as claimed in claim 15 in which said means is substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURE 3 of the accompanying drawings.

46. A clothes dryer substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

47. A clothes dryer substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 3 & 4 of the accompanying drawings.

48. A method of assembling a clothes dryer substantially as herein described.

49. A method as claimed in claim 38 and substantially as herein described.