GB2366196A

GB2366196A - A collapsible airer

Info

Publication number: GB2366196A
Application number: GB0120008A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Berry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-08-16
Filing date: 2001-08-16
Publication date: 2002-03-06
Also published as: GB0020056D0; GB0120008D0

Abstract

An airer for attaching to a radiator, is collapsible between a flat, storage position and an extended, operative position. The airer 2 comprises two brackets 4 and at least one support member 6 extending between the brackets, the brackets having one or more male or female members 8 for engagement with the ends of the support member. Preferably, each bracket is in the shape of a hook which has the support members detachably mounted or hinged to it.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Title: An improved airer. DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to an improved airer, more particularly to an airer that may be attached to a radiator or the like.

It is known to provide an airer for hanging articles such as towels wherein the airer may be attached over the top of a radiator thereby enabling the articles to be dried and/or aired by the heat released by the radiator. The airer is generally comprised of a single unit that has two end pieces made from a plastic-coated wire that are formed integrally with one or more plastic-coated wire rails that extend between the two end pieces for supporting the articles to be aired. Each end piece has an upper part in the forni of a hook to attach over the top of the radiator that is continuous with a middle part extending downwardly therefrom which has the rails attached thereto. A lower part extends substantially perpendicularly inwardly from the middle part thereby ensuring that a space is maintained between the rails and the radiator. The edges of the lower part that contact the radiator may be provided with rubber feet to help prevent damage occurring to the radiator by the edges of the airer.

This type of airer is satisfactory but, due to its cumbersome shape, it is difficult to transport and store.

It is an obJect of the present invention to provide an improved airer that aims to overcome the abovementioned drawbacks.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an airer comprising two brackets for attaching the airer to a radiator and at least one support member extending between said brackets wherein the airer is collapsible between a flat, stored position and an extended, operative position.

Preferably, the brackets and the support member are detachable such that the components may be pulled apart and stored as a flatpack. Alternatively, the brackets may be, for example, hingedly mounted with respect to the support member or members whereby the brackets may be folded against the support member(s) in the stored position. Preferably, locking means are provided to lock the brackets in the extended position.

More preferably, the brackets are in the form of a plastic moulding. Each bracket preferably comprises an upper part in the shape of a hook that is continuous with a middle part extending downwardly therefrom and a lower part that extends substantially perpendicularly from the middle part. Preferably, the lower part and the upper part extend from the middle part in substantially the same direction.

Each bracket is preferably provided with one or more male or female members extending from the intended inner side thereof, the number of male or female members on each bracket corresponding to the number of support members provided in the airer.

If the bracket is provided with male members, the support member is preferably in the form of a hollow rod or bar wherein the ends of the support member may be placed over the opposing male members of the brackets. Alternatively, if the bracket is provided with female members, for example in the form of sockets, the support member is preferably in the form of a rod or bar so that

the end thereof may be inserted in the appropriate female member to form the complete airer. The rod or bar is preferably solid to enable the support member to withstand the weight of the articles that may be supported thereby.

More preferably, the support member is a longitudinal hollow member that is generally oval in cross section. The brackets may be provided with corresponding male members that are oval in cross section. The support members are preferably attached to the brackets such that, in use, the top of the member lies substantially horizontally to provide an efficient supporting rail for garments, towels and the like. This may require the support member to be tilted with respect to the brackets.

It is to be appreciated that the dimensions of the male or female members and the ends of the support members should be such that a tight fit may be maintained between the support member and the brackets.

The support members may be provided in a variety of lengths for attaching to common end brackets thereby enabling the user to chose the desired length of airer. Alternative means may be provided for temporarily fixing the support member to the brackets, such as a clip-type fastener, Preferably, both the brackets and the support members are made of a plastics material. More preferably, the brackets are formed from nylon and the support members are formed from a rigid polyvinylchloride. However, any other suitable materials may be used. For example, the support members may be wire-coated rods.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an airer according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of an end piece of the airer shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a support rail of the airer shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an airer according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of an end piece of the airer shown in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a support rail of the airer shown in Figure 4. Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, an airer according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The airer 2 comprises two end pieces 4 and two support rails 6. Each of the end pieces are in the form of a bracket that is a plastics moulding configured to have an upper part 4a in the forin of a hook to enable the end piece to be attached over and grip the top of a radiator, a middle part 4b extending obliquely downwardly therefrom and a lower part 4c that extends substantially perpendicularly inwardly from the middle part (see Figure 2). One side of the middle part is provided with a pair of cylindrical sockets 8 extending outwardly therefrom. The airer is provided with two cylindrical support rails 6 that are dimensioned to fit within the sockets of the end pieces 4. The rails are cylindrical solid rods (see Figure 3) that are preferably formed of a plastics material.

In this manner, each end of the rails act as male portions that may be fitted into opposing sockets of adjacent end pieces to form a complete airer that maybe attached to a radiator. Once the airer is no longer required, the support rails may be removed from their respective sockets to enable the airer to be flat-packed for easy storage.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention. Again, the complete airer is made up of two end pieces 4' and two support rails 6'. However, the rails are in the form of longitudinal hollow bars that are generally oval in cross section and are made from a plastics extrusion (see Figure 6). The intended inner side of each end piece is provided with a pair of complimentary oval male portions 8' extending from the middle part thereof for slotting inside one of the hollow ends of a rail. The male portions are approximately 12.5 nim. in height to ensure that the rail is not easily knocked off under the weight of the article hung on the airer.

The components of the airer are preferably made of a plastics material that may be extruded. This simplifies production of the device. Additionally, the components may be formed with rounded edges to prevent damage occurring to the radiator and do not require a coating as is required with the wire airers of the prior art. The coating of such wire airers may be chipped off, exposing the wire which may then rust due to the damp garments that may be hung on the airer.

The brackets of the airer of the present invention may be formed of, for example, nylon which has the required rigidity and resists deformation from the heat of the radiator and the support rails may be formed of a rigid plastics material, such as strengthened PVC. The airer of the present invention also allows for a variety of different lengths of support rails to be provided with minimal tooling changes that may be attached between standard end pieces.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An airer comprising two brackets for attaching the airer to a radiator and at least one support member extending between said brackets wherein the airer is collapsible between a flat, storage position and an extended, operative position. 2. An airer as claimed in claim I wherein each bracket comprises an upper part in the shape of a hook that is continuous with a middle part that extends downwardly therefrom and a lower part that extends substantially perpendicularly from the middle part. 3. An airer as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lower part and upper part extend from the middle part in substantially the same direction. 4. An airer as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the brackets are hingedly mounted with respect to the support member or members whereby the brackets may be folded against the support member(s) in the stored position. 5. An airer as claimed in claim 4 wherein locking means are provided to lock the brackets in the extended position. 6. An airer as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the brackets are detachable from the support member such that the components may be pulled apart and stored as a flatpack. 7. An airer as claimed in claim 6, wherein each bracket is provided with one or more male or female members extending from the intended inner side thereof, the number of male or female members on each bracket corresponding to the number of support members provided on the airer.

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8. An airer as claimed in claim 7 wherein the bracket is provided with male members and the support member is in the form of a hollow rod or bar wherein the ends of the support member can be placed over the opposing male members of the brackets. 9. An airer as claimed in claim 8 wherein the support member is a longitudinal hollow rod or bar that is generally oval in cross section and the brackets are provided with corresponding male members that are oval in cross section. 10. An airer as claimed in claim 7 wherein the bracket is provided with female members and the support member is in the form of a rod or bar, the ends of which can be inserted in to the appropriate female member to form the operative airer. 11. An airer as claimed in claim 10 wherein the rod or bar is solid to enable the support member to withstand the weight of articles thereon. 12. An airer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support member(s) is attached to the brackets such that, in use, the top of the support member lies substantially horizontally. 13. An airer as claimed in claim 12 wherein the support member(s) is tilted with respect to the brackets. 14. An airer as claimed in claim 6 wherein the brackets are attached to the support member by means of a clip-type fastener. 15. An airer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the brackets are in the form of a plastic moulding. 16, An airer as claimed in claim 15 wherein the brackets are formed from nylon and the support member(s) is formed from a rigid polyvinylchloride.

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17. An airer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the brackets and/or support members are wire-coated rods. 18. An airer substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures I to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.