GB2352168A

GB2352168A - Canopy for rotary clothes line.

Info

Publication number: GB2352168A
Application number: GB9913483A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maxine Virginia Collins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-11
Filing date: 1999-06-11
Publication date: 2001-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-11
Also published as: GB9913483D0; GB2352168B

Abstract

A rotary clothes line 1 is provided with a canopy comprising an extensive aluminium frame 6, a number of top panels 2 and a depending skirt 4, each side of the skirt being made up of a number of overlapping panels 4. The overlapping panels comprise alternate straight 4 and ribbed or corrugated panels (5, Figs. 2, 3) so that gaps are formed through which air can flow. The panels may be fixed to the ground by pegs 8 and elasticated straps 7. The panels may be furled out of the way when not required, in which state they may be held by loops of material (9, Fig. 4) e.g. Velcro¹. A vent 3 is provided in the top of the canopy. The frame is made up of a large number of aluminium members 6.

Description

WEATHER SHIELD 2352168 This invention relates to a weather shield.

The weather shield is designed for the purpose of adding it to a rotary washing line airer in order to combat the dilemma of putting out washing when the weather is not apparent and thus adding protection in every event, for example, when you know the weather is going to be sunny but with possible outbursts of rain. It is particularly useful when you want to put your washing out in the morning and are going out for the day or going to work.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure 1 illustrates the weather shield slotted into a rotary airer from a side view, (only one of four faces of the hanging slats/panels is illustrated). The dashes indicate rotary line structure.

Figure 2 - shows side view of straight hanging slats/panels which slightly overlap and behind overlapping slats/panels with slack to allow venting and position of velcro or similar fixing to fasten curtain to canopy.

Figure 3 - illustrates section of straight hanging slat/panel and position of overlapping slat/ panel with slack.

Figure 4 - shows the Chinese lantern effect of folding up the slats/panels and square section aluminium frames, held up by a flexible velcro strap fixing or similar.

Figure 5 - illustrates the square canopy from a top (birds eye) view, illustrating the square aluminium frame, vent, and eyelet holes where straps are attached to tie the four arm ends to the arm ends of the rotary airer. At the four comers are tap in comer fixings (not illustrated).

Referring to Figure 1, the weather shield acts like an "umbrella" (hereinafter called the canopy) which slots into the main hollow stem of a rotary washing line airer 1. The canopy 2 (square section) is weather resistant, water proof clear see through material allowing light and heat to penetrate and protects rain hitting down on top of the washing, being made of flexible vinyl plastic or PVC. There is a vent 3 (also shown in Figure 5, numbered 3) at the centre of the canopy to prevent condensation covered by a fine mesh. There are attachment points on the arms of the canopy so that straps can be fixed therefrom to the arms of the rotary line structure (not illustrated) to add further security to the stability of the canopy. To protect the washing from getting wet from a side direction/slant, there are a number of slats/panels 4 (also shown in Figures 2 and 3) fastened around the circumference of the canopy which slightly overlap with slack panels fixed behind which overlap the straight slats/panels. The protective curtain of slats/panels and aluminium framework is detachable from the canopy head by way of straps which tie on to the canopy head being positioned around the outer edge of the canopy (not illustrated). (Number 13 is top part of canopy stem).

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 to define the slat/panel positions, fastened behind the straight hanging front panels 4 are panels with slack 5 which overlap the straight hanging panels. Figure 2, numbered 6 are aluminium square frames.

1 The slats/panels allow air flow and heat to penetrate and are made of heavy weight vinyl plastic or PVC. Slats/panels are butted at comers (not illustrated).

Referring back to Figure 1, to prevent slats/panels from flying around in the wind and becoming potentially entangled, aluminium square frames 6 are bonded to the panels at appropriately spaced intervals, adding weight. Rubber straps 7 are attached to the four bottom comers of the slats/panels through a small eyelet hole and pinned to the ground by a metal peg 8 similar to a tent peg.

Referring to Figure 4, to allow hanging out/taking in of the washing the slats/panels together with the supporting aluminium frames fold up like a Chinese lantern held by flexible strap 9 at each of the four arm ends of the canopy. (Number 5 depicts slat/panel, number 6 depicts aluminium square frame and number 11 depicts eyelet holes).

Referring to Figure 5, the shape of the canopy is square. The canopy part is supported by collapsible arrns 10 similar to an umbrella and eyelet holes for straps at each of the four comers 11, to tie up the curtain. The arms and stem of the weather shield are made of light weight weather resistant aluminium or galvanised weather proof steel. (Number 6 depicts square aluminium framework).

As the weather shield is to be fixed to a rotary washing line airer, in order to slot the stem of the canopy into the stem of the rotary airer, the weather shield would need to be sold in line with rotary washing line airers designed to accommodate the canopy being slotted into the main stem which would need to be hollow with two sets of parallel holes, illustrated at Figure 1, numbered 12, either side of the stem being appropriately spaced. The stem of the canopy slots so far into the stem of the rotary airer in order to firmly support it. There would be a pin connection to place through the co-ordinating holes on the stem of the rotary washing line and of the stem of the canopy. Either side of the pin connection would be a nut to fasten the pin. Top part of canopy stem is illustrated in Figure 1, numbered 13. Designed like an "umbrella" it can be easily erected/demounted as necessary, and folded up for easy storage.

2

Claims

1 A weather shield is for the purpose of adding it to a rotary washing line airer in order to combat the dilemma of putting out washing when the weather is not apparent and thus adding protection in every event, one example, when you know the weather is going to be sunny but with possible outbursts of rain. It is particularly useful when you want to put your washing out in the morning and are going out for the day or going to work, It comprises a square canopy of flexible plastic fixed to a stem which slots into a custom made rotary airer (with hollow stem/pin connections), fastened by two pin connections through both stems being appropriately distanced apart. Around the circumference of the canopy hangs a detachable curtain of straight vertical panels slightly overlapping of heavy weight flexible plastic and behind these,overlapping panels with slack. Bonded to the panels are aluminium square frames being appropriately spaced apart. At the four bottom edges of the panels are eyelet holes where rubber bands are fastened which extend to the ground and held by metal pegs. At each of the arm ends of the canopy there are straps of velcro or similar to hold up the panel s/alum ini um frames. There are attachment points on the canopy arms for straps to be fixed therefrom to the arms of the rotary airer. A small vent is centred in the canopy top.

2 A weather shield substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 5 of the accompanying drawing.

-5 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows A Weather Shield for a rotary dryer comprising of waterproof umbrella portion, skirt comprising of a number of panels and stabilising cords.

LP