GB2338405A

GB2338405A - Washing basket

Info

Publication number: GB2338405A
Application number: GB9824640A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Reilly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-16
Filing date: 1998-11-11
Publication date: 1999-12-22
Also published as: GB9824640D0; GB9812870D0

Abstract

A washing basket 10 comprises a body defining a first chamber 11 for storing washing and a second chamber 12 for storing clothes pegs. The basket may be rectangular or square, with a hinged lid, but is preferably circular, in which case the second chamber is provided by a channel at the upper edge of the first chamber and the channel is closed by a rotatable annular snap-on lid 20 which has an opening 24.

Description

1 1 1 1 WASHING BASKETS is 2338405 This invention relates to washing

baskets.

When transferring washed clothes from a washing machine to a washing line where the clothes are hung to dry, a washing basket is used. Washing baskets are, for example, moulded from a suitable plastics material. washing baskets tend to have a mesh-like construction.

At present, clothes pegs used to secure the washing on the clothes line are either left permanently outside or are stored and carried in a peg bag or other container.

Permanently leaving the pegs outside presents a number of disadvantages; as the pegs are then continually exposed to sun, wind, rain and snow. The pegs will deteriorate and may become dirty, which. dirt may be transferred to the clean washing. The exposure of the pegs to precipitation may also result in the spring mechanism of the pegs rusting which may lead to staining of-the clothes. Using a peg bag which is hung on the washing line is also inconvenient, as the peg bag has to be continually moved along the line when hanging up the clothes.

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to obviate and mitigate one or more of the aforementioned problems and disadvantages in the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing basket comprising a body defining a first chambe-r for storing washing and a second chamber for storing clothes pegs.

Preferably, the second chamber comprises a channel is 2 extending at least partially around an upper portion of the body.

Preferably, the second chamber is closeable and may be provided with a lid mounted on the body. The lid may be secured to the body by any convenient means. Most preferably, the lid is secured to the body by a snap-fit coupling. In a preferred embodiment, the body has a circular or part circular upper portion and the lid is rotatable around said upper portion. Preferably, also the second chamber extends only part of the way around the upper portion of the body. Furthermore,. the lid means define an opening and the lid is rotatable to provide access to the second chamber via the opening. Preferably, the lid may be rotated to close the second chmber.

Preferably also, the washing basket comprises handles or grips to facilitate the lifting of the basket.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view from above of a washing basket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 1.

Reference is first made to Figure 1 of the drawings which illustrates a washing basket 10 comprising a body defining a larger first chamber 11 for receiving washing and a second chamber in the form of an annular integrated z ' 1 3 trough member 12 forming a channel around the top rim of the washing basket 10 for storing clothes pegs.

The trough member 12 is defined by an annular inner wall 14 and an annular outer circular wall 16. A lip 17 extends from the upper edge of the outer wall 16.

The body of the washing basket is fabricated from a moulding comprising a basket defining the first chamber 11 and the trough member 12 and a planar part annular sheet 18 is af f ixed to the trough member 12 to close a section of the channel.

As shown in Figure 1, the washing basket 10 includes a lid 20 comprising an annular inner wall 22 and an annular outer wall 24 wherein the dimension def ined between the walls 22, 24 is selected to fit around the inner and outer walls of the trough 14, 16. The lid 20 is secured to the body using a snap f it mechanism via integral tabs which engage beneath the lip 17.

As noted above, the channel defined by the trough 12 does not extend completely around the perimeter of the top rim of the washing basket body; there is a part annular sheet 18 closing of f a part of the channel. The upper surface of the lip 20 is defined by a part annular cover 28 which covers the trough 12 and def ines a part annular opening 30. On fitting the lid 20 to the washing basket body, the lid 20 may be rotated about the trough member 12.

When in use, the lid 20 is rotated to position the opening in the cover 28 to permit access to the channel defined by the trough member 12, where clothes pegs are stored.

1 1 10 is 4 When the washing basket 10 is not in use, the lid 20 is rotated to close the channel and thus retain the clothes pegs within the trough member 12.

It will be clear to those of skill in the art, that the above described embodiment of the present invention is merely exemplary of the present invention that various modifications and improvements thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, any size of annular sheet 18 or cover 28 may be used so long as the cover 28 is able to cover the trough 12.

The lid 20 may be secured by any suitable means to the body and the tabs 26 may be glued to the lid 20.

In an alternative design a washing basket is provided which has a square or rectangular top opening. In this instance a hinged lid may be used to open and close the trough member.

Claims

1. A washing basket comprising a body defining a firs chamber for storing washing and a second chamber fo storing clothes pegs.

2. A washing basket according to claim 1 wherein the second chamber comprises a channel extending at least partially around an upper portion of the body.

3. A washing basket according to any preceding claim wherein the second chamber is closeable.

4. A washing basket according to any of claims 1 and 2 wherein the second chamber is closeable and has a lid mounted on the body.

5. A washing basket according to claim 4 wherein the lid is secured to the body.

is

6. A washing basket according to claim 4 wherein the lid is secured to the body by a snap-fit coupling.

7. A washing basket according to any preceding claim wherein the body has a circular or part circular upper portion and the lid is rotatable around said upper portion.

8. A washing basket according to any preceding claim 6 wherein the second chamber extends only part of the way around the upper portion of the body.

9. A washing basket according to any of claims 4 to 8 wherein the lid defines an opening and the lid is rotatable to provide access to the second chamber via the opening.

10. A washing basket according to any of claims 4 to 9 wherein the lid is rotatable to close the second chamber.

11. A washing basket according to any preceding claim wherein the washing basket comprises handles or grips to facilitate the lifting of the basket.

12. A washing basket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.