GB2370982A - Two piece foldable clothes drying apparatus, clampable within window frame / alcove - Google Patents

Abstract

A clothes drying apparatus comprises two independent pole components 1, with extendable inner sleeves 2 and feet 3, which may be extended and tightened sufficiently that the apparatus may be mounted within a window frame or alcove, lockable arms 5 and retractable or removable hanging lines, which may, for example, be mounted on hooks 6. The apparatus may provide a drying apparatus which can does not substantially interfere with the light and airflow coming in through the window. The folded down frame of the apparatus may be held in place by a bar 8 attached to each pole 1. Additional drying aids, such as rollers (18, fig,5) and plastic sheeting (20, fig.5) may feature. The apparatus may be made from one, or a combination, of metal, aluminium, wood, rubber or plastic.

Description

EXTENDABLE CLOTHES DRYING APPARATUS This invention relates to a retractable, discreet clothes drying apparatus for indoor use, which sits within any window frame and can be left in place when not in use, without causing any obstruction of light or view.

Indoor clothes drying stands are well known, but consume space, both in use and storage. Efficient use of light or airflow is usually not possible due to design, size and positioning restrictions. (Furniture Layout) An object of this invention is to provide a simple, discreet system for drying items, that can be left in place when not in use, maximising efficiency, by utilising a space that is generally obsolete, whilst also using light and airflow to its optimum.

(Radiator/Window) Accordingly, this invention provides a clothes drying apparatus, including two independent poles, each with extendable inner sleeves with feet, lockable extendable arms (maximising the drying potential of the rising heat from the radiator) and retractable or removable hanging lines.

Preferably the apparatus will be made of a combination of strong, durable material such as aluminium, plastic and rubber.

Attachments, which aid the efficient use of heat and stability, can be added to each arm, as pre-drilled holes exist in the required positions.

A possible embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE I shows front view of the two poles, sitting within a window frame.

FIGURE 2 shows side profile of the unit, extending out from window frame.

FIGURE 3 shows single pole and its mechanisms involved in its extension, both vertically and horizontally.

FIGURE 4 shows a bracket attachment for small sills (a) and the simple screw mechanism used for extension. (b) (Ensuring tight fit inside window frame) FIGURE 5 shows a possible attachment to aid the drying process.

FIGURE 6 shows possible attachments to aid stability and ensure the apparatus does not move or twist when fully loaded with drying items.

As shown in figure 1, the apparatus is positioned inside the window alcove on the frame and comprises two vertical, main poles 1, an extendable inner sleeve 2 that is extended and locked off by a simple screw turn mechanism 4. At both ends there are durable feet 3, with screw holes at either end, which allows each pole to be attached to the frame for extra stability. The feet 3 could be made from durable rubber with semi hard studs on the base, adding extra grip for stability.

Attached to the poles 1 is an extendable arm 5. On one of the extendable arms 5 there are a number of hooks 6, each hook is of different size, allowing the lines, when attached, to have a staggered gradient. (Garments can hang freely without interfering with the line below) On the other extendable arm 5 there are the equivalent number of spools or hooks for attaching the line 7, each spool (if incorporated) has a retractable and locking mechanism, allowing the line to be stored tidily and extended to fit all window sizes.

Figure 2 depicts the side profile of one of the arms, showing the extended arm 5, in its locked position, being supported by an arm 8, connected midway 10 on the extended arm 5 and at a point 11 on the main pole 1. All the items already depicted in Figure 1, can be seen clearly.

Figure 3 shows a possible simple mechanism for extending the arm 5. The extendable arm 5 is semi extended, showing the hinges 9, the locking point 10, a number of hooks 6 and the supportive arms 8 connected at point 11 on the main arm 1.

Figure 4a shows a possible design for an attachable bracket 13, which is attached via a bolt 12 through pre drilled holes on the unthreaded part 2n of the extendable sleeve 2, the threaded part depicted as 2t. The bracket 13 has two screw holes for attaching to the wall or frame.

Figure 4b depicts the simple screw turn mechanism 15 that sits on a rubber spacer 17.

The hole 16 in the centre of the screw turn mechanism 15 has the threaded inner sleeve through it 2t. The length of the threaded part 2t and the unthreaded part 2n has not been determined and the ratios are changeable.

Figure 5 shows a possible attachment to aid the drying process, a roller 18 attaches via screws 22 in each main pole 1 spanning the whole width of the window. The roller 18 releases see-through or coloured plastic or similar material 20, which when pulled out passes over extended rollers 19, which help keep the material 20 off the items on the line. A weight or weights 21 are along the base of the material 20 to make sure the material 20 hangs down evenly to the middle of the radiator.

Figure 6 shows possible attachments to aid stability 23, which attach to the main pole 1 then gets screwed into the wall. The enlarged diagram of the bracket 23, shows the narrow part of the bracket a attaches to the main pole 1 and the wider part b is screwed to the wall.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS 1. A clothes drying apparatus, including two independent poles, each with extendable inner sleeves with feet, lockable arms and retractable or removable hanging lines.
2. 2. A drying apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 where an additional bar is attached to each pole, which can hold the attachments and mechanisms for the line.
3. 3. A drying apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the extendable inner sleeve can be extended and tightened sufficiently, thus compressing the feet and securing each pole inside any window frame.
4. 4. A drying apparatus as claimed in any proceeding claim that is made from metal, aluminium, wood, rubber or plastics materials, or from a combination of these materials.
5. 5. A drying apparatus as claimed in any proceeding claim including attachments, which will aid the drying efficiency and the stability of the unit.
6. 6. A drying apparatus as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.