GB2412668A

GB2412668A - Foot bracket for retention of a pole against upwards movement

Info

Publication number: GB2412668A
Application number: GB0407532A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Voldemars Strazds; Andrew Strazds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-02
Filing date: 2004-04-02
Publication date: 2005-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-02
Also published as: GB0407532D0; GB2412668B

Abstract

A foot bracket 12 for preventing upwards movement of a mast such as a rotary clothes airer 1 when arms are erected. The bracket is preferably adjacent to the ground surface 13. It may be removably attached to or integrally formed with the mast. The bracket preferably comprises a mounting member such as a clamp 14 with a finger like projection 16,17 extending transversely to the mast to permit engagement by a user's foot. The projection may be pivotally secured to the mounting member. Alternatively, the bracket may comprise a detachable body cantilevered from the mast (fig 3). Or the bracket may comprise a projection engageable with a slotted aperture in a wall of the mounting socket of the mast, for engagement with the mast in the manner of a bayonet filling (fig 4). Also claimed is a method of using the foot bracket with a clothes airer.

Description

TITLE

"METHOD OF ERECTING AN UMBRELLA TYPE CLOTHES AIRER"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is concerned with a method and apparatus to assist in the erection of a foldable umbrella type clothes airer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foldable umbrella type clothes alters have been known for many years. One such device is described in European Patent Application EP 1 253 234.

Typically, such umbrella type clothes alters comprise a tubular support mast with a collar slidably mounted thereon, the collar having pivotally connected thereto four arms which are movable between an upright folded position and an extended position wherein the arms extend radially outward from the support mast with flexible clothes lines strung between the arms. Strut members are pivotally connected at one end to the top of the support mast and at an opposite end to a bracket intermediate the length of a respective arm. The strut members serve to guide the arms into an upright folded position when the collar is moved downwardly and into a radially extended position when the collar is moved to a lockable position with the arms radially extended.

The clothes alter is locatable in a tubular mounting socket secured in the ground in a garden, courtyard or the like of a domestic dwelling or apartment block. The socket is flush with the surface of a lawn or paved surface for the sake of safety. When not in use the clothes alter may be folded to a retracted position and removed from its socket for storage.

While generally effective for their intended purpose, such umbrella type clothes alters are not always convenient to use, particularly for aged or infirm users.

A lightweight construction permits the retracted clothes airerto be readily transported from a garden area to a storage area but when it is inserted into its mounting socket the slidable collar, which facilitates the movement of the arms between a retracted position and an extended position, is located towards the lower end of the support mast. In order to move the arms to an extended position it is necessary to grasp the support mast with one hand below the collar and then grasp the collar with the other hand and push upwardly on the collar whilst restraining the mast against escape from the mounting socket. Apart from requiring a user to bend downwardly to effect movement of the arms from a retracted to an extended position, considerable strength is required to restrain the mast within its mounting socket whilst moving the collar upwardly to its locking position with the arms radially extended.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or at least ameliorate the difficulties associated with erection of an umbrella type clothes airer locatable in a tubular mounting socket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for retaining an umbrella type clothes airer in a tubular mounting socket during movement of alter arms from a retracted to an extended position, said method comprising the steps of: anchoring a mast of said clothes alter against vertical movement within a tubular mounting socket by an anchoring bracket adjacent a surface of a ground structure locating said mounting socket; and, elevating, with one or both hands of a user, a slidable arm support collar on said mast against an anchoring restraint of said anchoring bracket.

Suitably, said anchoring bracket may be secured to said mast adjacent said surface of said ground structure.

The anchoring bracket may be attached to or integrally formed with said mast.

Alternatively, the anchoring bracket may be removably attachable to said mast adjacent said ground surface.

If required, the anchoring restraint may be effected by mechanical engagement between said anchoring bracket and said mounting socket. it

Preferably, said anchoring bracket extends transversely of said support mast to permit, in use, anchoring restraint by engagement of said anchoring bracket by a user's foot.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an anchoring bracket for an umbrella type clothes airer, in use, slidably locatable in a tubular mounting socket, said anchoring bracket comprising: at least one restraining member extendable, in use, outwardly from a support mast of said clothes airer, said bracket being adaptable to resist removal of said support mast from said mounting socket against an upright force applied to said support mast.

Suitably, said at least one restraining member comprises an upper surface engageable, in use, by a user's foot to apply a downwardly directed force to resist removal against said upright force.

If required, said anchoring bracket may comprise a mounting member with a finger-like projection extending therefrom.

The finger-like projection may be pivotally secured to said mounting member.

Alternatively, said anchoring bracket may comprise a detachable body cantilevered from said support mast.

The restraining member may comprise a radially extending flange extending at least partially about the circumference of said support mast.

If required, said restraining member may comprise a projection engageable with a slotted aperture in a wall of said mounting socket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an umbrella type clothes airerto which is attached an anchoring bracket according to one aspect of the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the anchoring bracket - : shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows an alternative configuration of anchoring bracket; and FIG. 4 shows yet another configuration of anchoring bracket.

For clarity, like reference numerals are employed for like features in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in FIG. 1, the umbrella type clothes airer 1 comprises a tubular support mast 2 slidably receivable in a tubular socket 3, usually located in a concrete foundation 4 buried in a ground structure 5.

Slidably mounted on tubular support mast 2 is a slidable collar 6 having radially extendable lugs 7 to which are pivotally mounted arms 8 (shown in a retracted position) at their respective lower ends. Link arms 9 are pivotally mounted at opposite ends to respective mast lugs 10 and arm lugs 11 to guide arms 8 into a horizontal cruciform configuration wherein the arms 8 extend radially from mast 2. A plurality of clothes lines (not shown) are connected between arms 8 to support items of clothing when the arms are moved to the extended position.

An anchoring bracket 12 is secured to support mast 2 at a position level with or just above the surface 13 of ground structure 5 and with a user's foot (not shown) placed on bracket 12, both hands of the user are then available to elevate collar 6 without having to maintain a stooped position during movement of arms 8 to an extended position. A locking mechanism (not shown) is provided to retain collar 6 in an elevated position with arms 8 in an extended position.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the anchoring bracket 12 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Anchoring bracket 12 comprises a generally circular clamp member 14 having a screw-threaded nut and bolt assembly 15 to clamp the bracket to tubular mast 2. Extending outwardly from clamp member 14 is a right angle reinforced foot brace 16 having a generally planar upper surface 17 for engagement by a user's foot whilst urging the slidable collar 6 of the airer to an elevated position, thereby preventing withdrawal of mast 2 from its socket 3.

FIG.3 shows an alternative embodiment of anchoring bracket 18 removably mounted in a cantilevered fashion on mast 2.

Bracket 18 comprises a moulded plastics or fabricated metal bracket formed into a shallow V-shape as shown with a foot brace portion 19 extending to one side of mast 2 while a slotted mast engagement portion 20 engages about mast 2. When foot pressure is applied to foot brace portion 19, opposite edges 20a,20b of slotted engagement portion 20 firmly clamp against mast 2. The bracket 18 may then be removed once the arms 8 are located in the extended position.

FIG.4 shows yet another embodiment wherein a short radially extending pin 21 on mast 2 is locatable in an L-shaped slot 22 in the upper part of socket 3 in a manner similar to a "bayonet" fitting of a light bulb.

The mast 2 may be inserted into socket 3 with pin 21 aligned with the upright portion 22a of L-shaped slot 22 and then mast 2 is rotated to engage pin 21 in the horizontally extending portions 22b of slot 22 to restrain mast 2 against removal when the collar 6 as shown in FIG. 1 is urged upwardly.

It readily will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the apparatus aspect of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

For example, the foot brace portion may be pivotally attached either directly to mast 2 or a bracket mounted on the mast. The pivotal mounting suitably permits movement between an upright stowed position for safety and a laterally extending position to provide an anchoring restraint by a user's foot.

As there are many hundreds of thousands of these umbrella type clothes alters in existence, the anchoring bracket may be adapted for retrofitting or it may be attached or formed integrally during manufacture of the device.

One very simple form of the device may comprise a pair of - - ) diametrically aligned apertures through which a rod like foot brace may be removably inserted.

Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as; comprises,' or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. )

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method for retaining an umbrella type clothes alter in a

tubular mounting socket during movement of Direr arms from a retracted to an extended position, said method comprising the steps of: anchoring a mast of said clothes alter against vertical movement within a tubular mounting socket by an anchoring bracket adjacent a surface of a ground structure locating said mounting socket; and, elevating, with one or both hands of a user, a slidable arm support collar on said mast against an anchoring restraint of said anchoring 1 0 bracket.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anchoring bracket is secured to said mast adjacent said surface of said ground structure.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the anchoring bracket is attached to or integrally formed with said mast.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the anchoring bracket is removably attachable to said mast adjacent said ground surface.
5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the anchoring restraint is effected by mechanical engagement between said anchoring bracket and said mounting socket.
6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said anchoring bracket extends transversely of said support mast to permit, in use, anchoring restraint by engagement of said anchoring bracket by a user's foot.
7. An anchoring bracket for an umbrella type clothes Direr, in use, slidably locatable in a tubular mounting socket, said anchoring bracket comprising: at least one restraining member extendable, in use, outwardly from a support mast of said clothes Direr, said bracket being adaptable to resist removal of said support mast from said mounting socket against an upright force applied to said support mast.
8. An anchoring bracket as claimed in claim 7 wherein said at

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least one restraining member comprises an upper surface engageable, in use, by a user's foot to apply a downwardly directed force to resist removal against said upright force.
9. An anchoring bracket as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said anchoring bracket comprises a mounting member with a finger-like projection extending therefrom.
10. An anchoring bracket as claimed in claim 9 wherein the finger like projection is pivotally secured to said mounting member.
11. An anchoring bracket as claimed in claim 10 wherein said shaft is removably located in said diametrically opposite apertures.

11. An anchoring bracket as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said anchoring bracket comprises a detachable body cantilevered from said support mast.

12. An anchoring member as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the restraining member comprises a radially extending flange extending at least partially about the circumference of said support mast.

13. An anchoring member for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 wherein said anchoring bracket comprises a projection engageable with a slotted aperture in a wall of said mounting socket.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows q CLAIMS: 1. A method for retaining an umbrella type clothes alter in a tubular mounting socket during movement of Direr arms from a retracted to an extended position, said method comprising the steps of: anchoring a mast of said clothes alter against vertical movement within a tubular mounting socket by an anchoring bracket secured to said mast adjacent a surface of a ground structure locating said mounting socket; and, elevating, with one or both hands of a user, a slidable arm support coUaron said mast against an anchoring rest-raintlied by a user's foot to said anchoring bracket.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the anchoring bracket is attached to or integrally fanned with said mast.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the anchoring bracket is removably attachable to said mast adjacent said ground surface.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said anchoring bracket indudes a member extending transversely of said support mast to permit, in use, anchoring restraint by engagement of said member by a u-s foot 5. An an-choringracket foran -urnbreHatyp;lall,es airertaving support mast said support mast, in use, stidably locatable in a tubular mounting socket, said anchoring bracket comprising: at least one restraining member extendable, in use, outwardly from said support mast, said bracket being adaptable to resist removal of saw support mast from said mounting socket against an upright force applied at least one restraining member having an upper surface engageable, in use, by a user's foot to apply a downwardly directed force to resist removal against said upright force.

6. An anchoring bracket as claimed in claim 5 wherein said anchoring bracket comprises a mounting member with a finger-like projection extending therefrom. lO

7. An anchoring bracket as claimed in claim 6 wherein said finger like projection is pivotally secured to said mounting member 8. An anchoring bracket as claimed in claim 5 wherein said anchoring bracket comprises a detachable body cantilevered from said support mast.

9. An anchoring member as claimed in claim 5 wherein said restraining member comprises a radially extending flange extending at least partially about the circumference of said support mast.

An anchoring bracket as claimed in claim 5 wherein said at least one restraining member compress a shaft eendmg through aligned diametrically opposite apertures in said support mast.