GB2414659A

GB2414659A - Clothes line

Info

Publication number: GB2414659A
Application number: GB0412309A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Thomas Fahy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-03
Filing date: 2004-06-03
Publication date: 2005-12-07
Also published as: GB0412309D0

Abstract

A clothes line comprising means on which to hang laundry, a rain sensor 28, a canopy 34, and canopy actuation means, the canopy actuation means being operable, on detection of rain, by the rain sensor 28, to move the canopy 34 from a first position in which the means on which to hang laundry are substantially uncovered by the canopy 34, to a second position in which at least part of the means on which to hang laundry is covered by the canopy 34 and is thus shielded from the rain. When in the first position the canopy 34 may be stored within a housing 24. The canopy actuation means may include a motor driven telescopic shaft 26. Electrical power may come from a battery 30 which may be recharged via a solar cell.

Description

IMPROVED CLOTHES LINE

This invention relates to an outdoor clothes line. The invention is particularly applicable, but by no means limited, to rotary clothes lines of the type commonly found in people's gardens.

Outdoor clothes lines are commonly used to dry clothes after they have been washed. By being situated outdoors, the drying process is aided by the heat of the sun and air currents.

Typically an outdoor location also affords more space for the drying of laundry than is available inside a house, and more capacity than a tumble drier. Furthermore, a tumble drier consumes a considerable amount of electricity when drying clothes, which is expensive and not environmentally friendly.

However, in climates such as that of the UK there is often a likelihood of rain. Additionally, it is common for many clothes line users to hang out their laundry and then leave the house, possibly for many hours, for example to go to work. Alternatively the user may become absorbed with an activity within their home, such as cooking, eating or watching television.

Thus, it will be appreciated that when the user is away from home or is otherwise engaged, there is often a possibility that the clean laundry on the clothes line will be rained upon. This not only delays the drying process, but also spoils the freshly laundered feel of the clothes.

Even if the user is indoors when the rain begins, often it is not possible for them to reach the clothes line sufficiently quickly to bring the laundry indoors before it has been significantly rained upon.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a clothes line comprising means on which to hang laundry, a rain sensor, a canopy, and canopy actuation means, the canopy actuation means being operable, on detection of rain by the rain sensor, to move the canopy from a first position in which the means on which to hang laundry are substantially uncovered by the canopy, to a second position in which at least part of the means on which to hang laundry is covered by the canopy and is thus shielded from the rain.

This provides the advantage that the laundry is automatically covered by the rain shield if rain begins to fall, thereby saving the laundry from being spoilt by the rain. Further, the user may enjoy the benefits provided by outdoor clothes drying (including the money saving and environmental benefits of not using a tumble drier), without having to be concerned with possibility that the laundry will be rained upon.

Preferably the clothes line further comprises a housing having one or more laundry- supporting arms extending therefrom, the housing being configured to substantially contain the canopy when in the first position. This provides the advantage that the canopy is stored discretely and compactly within the housing when not deployed.

Preferably the canopy actuation means are located at least partly within the housing.

Preferably the canopy actuation means comprise a telescopic shaft to which the canopy is attached, the telescopic shaft being substantially contained within the housing when the canopy is in the first position, the telescopic shaft being arranged to extend and thereby raise the canopy out of the housing when rain is detected by the rain sensor.

Preferably the canopy is folded when in the first position and unfolded when in the second position, the canopy being configured to unfold in substantially the manner of an umbrella.

Preferably the canopy is arranged to self-unfold on extension of the telescopic shaft.

Preferably the rain sensor is located above the canopy, at the top of the telescopic shaft.

Preferably the clothes line further comprises a battery (e.g. a rechargeable battery) arranged to provide electrical power to the canopy actuation means and the rain sensor The battery may be located at the top of the telescopic shaft, beneath the rain sensor. This location provides the user with ready access to the battery, to replace it when required. The battery may alternatively be located within the housing, or elsewhere.

Preferably the canopy actuation means further comprise a drive motor configured to extend the telescopic shaft when rain is detected by the rain sensor. Preferably the drive motor is located at the top of the telescopic shaft, to provide easy access for servicing if required.

However, the motor may alternatively be located at the bottom of the telescopic shaft or elsewhere in the housing.

If the canopy is not arranged to self-unfold on extension of the telescopic shaft, then preferably the clothes line further comprises a second motor configured to unfold the canopy after the telescopic shaft has been extended.

Preferably the canopy actuation means are further operable to lower the canopy from the second position into a third position in which the canopy is closer to the means on which to hang laundry. This provides enhanced shielding of the laundry against rain.

The canopy may further comprise a hanging skirt portion extending around the perimeter of the canopy. This provides further shielding of the laundry against rain, particularly if rain is being blown sideways by wind.

The hanging skirt portion may be weighted. The provision of weights around the hanging skirt portion helps the skirt to hang vertically and not to be unduly displaced by wind. Thus the shielding of the clothes from the rain is further enhanced.

Preferably the canopy actuation means are further operable to move the canopy back into the first position when rain is no longer detected by the rain sensor This saves the user from having to do this manually, and also enables the laundry to benefit from direct sunlight after the rain has stopped.

The clothes line may further comprise a solar cell arranged to provide electrical power to the canopy actuation means and the rain sensor. This may be used in combination with a rechargeable battery, configured such that the solar cell charges the battery when the weather is sunny. The battery may then be used when the weather is overcast (which is likely to be the case when rain begins to fall and electrical power is required to deploy the canopy). Other types of power supply are also possible, such as an electrical connection to the user's home, or a wind turbine which may be located elsewhere in the user's garden.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided rain shield apparatus for a clothes line, the rain shield apparatus comprising a rain sensor, a canopy, and canopy actuation means, the canopy actuation means being operable In use, on detection of rain by the rain sensor, to move the canopy from a first position in which the clothes line is substantially uncovered by the canopy, to a second position in which at least part of the clothes line is covered by the canopy and is thus shielded from the rain. Such rain shield apparatus may advantageously be fitted to an existing clothes line.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a clothes line having a rain sensor and a canopy in a stowed configuration; Figure 2 illustrates the clothes line of Figure 1 with its canopy in a deployed configuration; Figure 3 illustrates the clothes line of Figure 2 with its canopy having been lowered to better shield the laundry; and Figure 4 illustrates a clothes line with an alternative canopy having a hanging skirt portion extending around the perimeter of the canopy, in an equivalent position to the canopy of Figure 2.

In the figures, like elements are indicated by like reference numerals throughout.

The present embodiments represent the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. However they are not the only ways in which this can be achieved.

Figure 1 illustrates a clothes line 10 of a form commonly used in people's gardens. The clothes line comprises a hollow vertical central shaft or housing 24 from which extend four radial arms 12, 14, 16, 18. Plastic cord 20 is stretched between the arms 12, 14, 16, 18 to provide means on which to hang items of laundry 22 for drying.

Disposed within the housing 24 is a rain canopy 34, shown in Figure 1 in a folded and stowed configuration, and also canopy actuation means which include an extendable motor- driven telescopic shaft 26. Mounted on top of the telescopic shaft 26 are a rain sensor 28, a rechargeable battery 30 and an electric motor 32. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the arrangement of these components may be different to that shown In the figures. In use, on detection of rain by the rain sensor 28, the electric motor 32 causes the canopy 34 to be deployed into a second position (as shown in Figure 2) in which it covers the clothes line and shields the laundry 22 from rain.

The rechargeable battery 30 provides electrical power for the rain sensor 28 and the electric motor 32, and also any associated control circuitry (not illustrated). Typically a user would have one rechargeable battery in use on the clothes line whilst another rechargeable battery is being charged in his home. This negates running an electrical supply cable across the garden from the home to the clothes line.

Other forms of power supply are also possible, such as a solar panel/cell. This may be used in combination with the rechargeable battery 30, configured such that the solar cell charges the battery 30 when the weather is sunny. The battery 30 may then be used when the weather is overcast, which is likely to be the weather condition when rain begins to fall and electrical power is consequently required. The battery 30 may be positioned on top of the canopy, as shown in Figure 1, or within the housing 24, or elsewhere. Further possible types of power supply include an electrical connection to the user's home, or a wind turbine which may be located elsewhere in the user's garden and connected to the clothes line 10 using a power supply cable s The rain sensor 28 has an upper surface that is sensitive to rain. Such rain sensors are known to those skilled in the art (e g. rain sensors in automobiles to automatically activate windscreen wipers on detection of rain). When the power supply to the apparatus is operational, the rain sensor 28 is operable to send a control signal to the motor 32 on detection of rain, to cause the canopy 34 to emerge from the housing 24 and deploy.

As shown in Figure 2, the canopy 34 is arranged to deploy in substantially the manner of an umbrella. The canopy 34 is folded when stowed (as in Figure 1) and then unfolds when deployed. The canopy 34 is lightweight and comprises a waterproof material 36 that, when deployed, is held across a plurality of spokes or ribs 38.

The canopy 34 is attached to the top of the telescopic shaft 26. The telescopic shaft 26 is configured to extend vertically, as shown in Figure 2, by operation of the electric motor 32.

The electric motor 32 may be positioned on top of the telescopic shaft 26, as shown in Figure 2. However, in alterative embodiments, the motor may be positioned at the bottom of the shaft 26 or elsewhere within the housing 24. Other actuation means such as electric, pneumatic or hydraulic pumps and actuators may also be employed.

On detection of rain by the rain sensor 28, the motor 32 causes the telescopic shaft 26 to extend vertically, and the canopy 34 is raised accordingly. In one embodiment the canopy 34 self-deploys after it has been raised clear of the top of the clothes line. That is to say, the canopy 34 automatically unfolds, due to the operation of mechanical linkages and springs, in substantially the manner of a self-opening umbrella. In an alternative embodiment a second electric motor (or electric, pneumatic or hydraulic pumps and actuators) is used to open the canopy in an automated motorised manner.

The rain sensor 28 is advantageously positioned on top of the telescopic shaft 26, above the canopy 34 in the centre of the clothes line. In this position the rain-sensitive upper surface of the sensor 28 is most likely to detect whether or not it is raining. Also, by virtue of being in this central position, when the clothes line is in the configuration shown in Figure 1 the sensor 28 is least likely to be blocked or obscured by laundry.

After the canopy 34 has deployed as shown in Figure 2, preferably the motor 32 then lowers (i e. retracts) the telescopic shaft 26 so as to lower the canopy 34 into the position shown in Figure 3. In this position the canopy 34 is closer to the clothes line and better shields the laundry from rain that is being blown crossways by wind The canopy 34 remains in the position shown in Figure 3 all the while rain continues to fall.

In one embodiment, the canopy 34 remains deployed after the rain ceases, and the user is required to manually retract the shaft 26 and fold the canopy 34 back into the housing 24.

However, In a preferred embodiment, after a predetermined time period after the sensor 28 has detected that it has stopped raining (or when the sensor 28 has itself become dry), the apparatus is configured to reverse the deployment procedure. This Involves first raising the canopy 34, then folding the canopy 34, retracting the telescopic shaft 26, and returning the clothes line to the configuration shown in Figure 1.

A variant of the canopy 34 is shown in Figure 4. Here, the canopy 34 is provided with a downwardly-extending perimeter skirt or overhang 40 which is weighted using small weights 42. Once the canopy has been lowered into the position illustrated in Figure 3, the skirt 40 provides further shielding of the laundry against rain that is being blown sideways by wind.

The weights 42 help the skirt to hang vertically and not to be unduly displaced by wind. The weights 42 also help the canopy to slide smoothly back into the housing 24 when the canopy is retracted.

In an alternative embodiment the canopy 34 is permanently outside the housing 24. In this alternative embodiment, prior to deployment the canopy 34 resides in a configuration in which it is situated above the clothes line but is folded (i.e. as shown in Figure 2, but with the canopy folded around the shaft 26). On detection of rain, the canopy 34 opens as shown in Figure 2, and then lowers into the position shown in Figure 3. Such an embodiment is envisaged as being mechanically simpler and consequently cheaper than the earlier embodiment in which the canopy resides within the housing 24 prior to deployment. When the rain ceases, the canopy 34 may either remain deployed for the user to fold away manually, or the automated deployment process may be reversed The clothes line 10 may be rotating or static.

Rain shield apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be adapted to be fitted to existing clothes lines, which may include both rotary clothes lines and linear clothes lines (e.g. a line stretched between two posts).

With both rotary and linear clothes lines, the rain shield apparatus comprises a rain sensor and actuation means configured to deploy a canopy or awning over at least part of the clothes line when rain is detected by the rain detector. As described above, the actuation means may comprise motor driven shafts, and/or electric, pneumatic or hydraulic pumps and actuators. The rain shield apparatus may be free-standing or configured to be attached to an installation in the user's garden such as a wall.

The clothes line with rain shield apparatus preferably includes an antitheft device. This may take the form of a movement detector or a proximity detector and an alarm. Means to enable an authorized user to activate and de-actvate the anti-theft device would also be provided. The apparatus may also be secured to the ground in a secure manner so as to deter theft. Other methods by which theft may be deterred or prevented will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Clothes line and rain shield apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention provide an environmentally friendly and cost-effective means by which to dry clothes. The rain shield apparatus is lightweight and may be height-adjustable to suit the user's requirements. The colour, shape, height and length of the rain shield apparatus may also be varied as required. The canopy may be removable, e.g. for cleaning. A detachable cover may also be provided.

Claims

1. A clothes line comprising means on which to hang laundry, a rain sensor, a canopy, and canopy actuation means, the canopy actuation means being operable, on detection of rain by the rain sensor, to move the canopy from a first position in which the means on which to hang laundry are substantially uncovered by the canopy, to a second position in which at least part of the means on which to hang laundry is covered by the canopy and is thus shielded from the rain.

2. A clothes line as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising a housing having one or more laundry-supporting arms extending therefrom, the housing being configured to substantially contain the canopy when in the first position.

3. A clothes line as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the canopy actuation means are located at least partly within the housing.

4. A clothes line as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the canopy actuation means comprise a telescopic shaft to which the canopy is attached, the telescopic shaft being substantially contained within the housing when the canopy is in the first position, the telescopic shaft being arranged to extend and thereby raise the canopy out of the housing when rain is detected by the rain sensor.

5. A clothes line as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the canopy is folded when in the first position and unfolded when in the second position, the canopy being configured to unfold in substantially the manner of an umbrella.

6. A clothes line as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the canopy is arranged to self-unfold on extension of the telescopic shaft.

7. A clothes line as claimed in any of Claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the rain sensor is located above the canopy, at the top of the telescopic shaft.

8. A clothes line as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 7, further comprising a battery arranged to provide electrical power to the canopy actuation means and the rain l O sensor.

9. A clothes line as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the battery is located at the top of the telescopic shaft, beneath the rain sensor.

10. A clothes line as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 9, wherein the canopy actuation means further comprise a drive motor configured to extend the telescopic shaft when rain is detected by the rain sensor.

11. A clothes line as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the drive motor is located at the top of the telescopic shaft

12. A clothes line as claimed in any of Claims 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, further comprising a second motor configured to unfold the canopy after the telescopic shaft has been extended.

13 A clothes line as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the canopy actuation means are further operable to lower the canopy from the second position into a third position in which the canopy is closer to the means on which to hang laundry.

14. A clothes line as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the canopy further comprises a hanging skirt portion extending around the perimeter of the canopy.

15. A clothes line as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the hanging skirt portion is weighted.

16. A clothes line as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the canopy actuation means are further operable to move the canopy back into the first position when rain is no longer detected by the rain sensor.

17. A clothes line as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a solar cell arranged to provide electrical power to the canopy actuation means and the rain sensor.

18. Rain shield apparatus for a clothes line, the rain shield apparatus comprising a rain sensor, a canopy, and canopy actuation means, the canopy actuation means being operable in use, on detection of rain by the rain sensor, to move the canopy from a first position in which the clothes line is substantially uncovered by the canopy, to a second position in which at least part of the clothes line is covered by the canopy and is thus shielded from the rain.

19. Rain shield apparatus as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the canopy actuation means comprise a telescopic shaft to which the canopy is attached, the telescopic shaft being arranged to extend and thereby move the canopy from the first position to the second position when rain is detected by the rain sensor.

20. Rain shield apparatus as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the canopy is folded when in the first position and unfolded when in the second position, the canopy being configured to unfold in substantially the manner of an umbrella.

21. Rain shield apparatus as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the canopy is arranged to self-unfold on extension of the telescopic shah.

22. Rain shield apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 19 to 21, wherein the canopy actuation means further comprise a drive motor configured to extend the telescopic shaft when rain is detected by the rain sensor.

23. Rain shield apparatus as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 22, further comprising a second motor configured to unfold the canopy after the telescopic shaft has been extended.

24. Rain shield apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 23, wherein the canopy actuation means are further operable to lower the canopy from the second position into a third position in which the canopy is closer to the clothes line.

25. Rain shield apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 24, wherein the canopy further comprises a hanging skirt portion extending around the perimeter of the canopy.

26. Rain shield apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 25, wherein the canopy actuation means are further operable to move the canopy back into the first position when rain is no longer detected by the rain sensor

27. A clothes line substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.

28. Rain shield apparatus for a clothes line substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.