GB2418139A

GB2418139A - Louvered cover for a clothes-line

Info

Publication number: GB2418139A
Application number: GB0517587A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Hallinan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-30
Filing date: 2005-08-30
Publication date: 2006-03-22
Also published as: GB0517587D0

Abstract

A cover 10 for a clothesline, comprising a support 12 and a canopy 14 mounted to the support. The canopy is oriented, in use, to allow precipitation to drain therefrom, and the cover includes at least one vent 18 provided in the canopy to facilitate ventilation of an enclosure defined, in use, beneath the canopy. The canopy includes at least two slats 20 spaced apart to define the at least one vent therebetween. The at least two slats are arranged in substantially offset parallel relation so as to form a substantially louvered canopy.

Description

Cover for a Clothesline The present invention relates to a cover for a

clothesline.

In dry weather, laundry articles such as clothes and towels are generally hung outdoors on a clothesline and left to dry in the open air. However, one of the main problems or disadvantages of drying laundry articles outdoors is the unpredictable nature of the weather. In the event of rain, mist, hail, sleet or slow, laundry articles hanging outdoors will get wet. Changes in the weather may happen so 0 quickly and unexpectedly that laundry articles hanging on an outdoor clothesline are often not retrieved and sheltered before becoming wet. Additionally, in extremely windy conditions, laundry articles left on a clothesline may be blown away. For these reasons, on wet or windy days, it is common for such laundry articles to be suspended from an indoor clothesline or clotheshorse. However, it is not always convenient to dry laundry articles indoors, for example due to a lack of space. . ..

it: It is therefore an object of the present invention to mitigate one or more of the

disadvantages associated with the prior art. . .

According to the present invention, there is provided a cover for a clothesline, . . comprising a support; a canopy mounted to the support; the canopy being oriented, . :..

in use, to allow precipitation to drain therefrom; and at least one vent provided in the canopy to facilitate ventilation of an enclosure defined, in use, beneath the 2 5 canopy.

Preferably, the canopy includes at least two slats spaced apart to define the at least one vent therebetween.

3 0 Preferably, the at least two slats are arranged in substantially offset parallel relation so as to form a substantially louvered canopy.

Preferably, each of the slats is substantially rectangular in plan.

Further preferably, each of the slats has an externally facing convex surface and a substantially concave surface adapted to face the enclosure in use.

Alternatively, each of the slats may be substantially flat.

Preferably, the louvered slats may be adapted for reversible movement between open and closed positions.

Preferably, the support comprises at least one leg extending from the canopy.

Preferably, the canopy includes first and second sets of louvered slats in opposed relation.

Further preferably, the support comprises at least one leg extending from each of : the first and second sets of slats. .... :.

Alternatively, each of the first and second sets of slats may be mounted in. . 2 0 substantially opposed relation to a single support. In this arrangement, the first and second sets of slats may be rotatably mounted to the support, to enable the first and second sets of slats to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the support. . .: Preferably, the canopy includes a sheet of flexible material.

Preferably, the canopy is integrally formed with the support. In this arrangement, the support may be adapted to receive mounting means for mounting the cover to a wall or the like.

3 o Preferably, the cover may be provided with one or more wheels.

Preferably, the cover may comprise a clothesline provided substantially within the enclosure. In this arrangement, the clothesline may be removably locatable within the enclosure.

As used herein, the term "precipitation" is intended to mean any deposit on the earth such as rain, mist, hail, sleet or snow, without intending to limit the meaning thereto.

As used herein, the term "louvered" is intended to mean any suitable arrangement of substantially slanted slats which allows flow of air but excludes rain, mist, hail, sleet or snow or the like, without intending to limit the meaning of the term thereto.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: ë : ë ë Figure l is a perspective view of a cover for a clothesline according to a first embodiment of the present invention; - 2 o Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the cover of Figure l, illustrating a clothesline located beneath a canopy of the cover; . :: .

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cover for a clothesline according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a front elevation of a variation of the cover of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a front elevation of a cover for a clothesline according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cover for a clothesline according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cover for a clothesline according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a cover 10;110;210;310;410 according to preferred embodiments ofthe present invention.

The cover 10;110;210;310;410 comprises a support 12;112;212;312;412 and a canopy 14;114;214;314;414 mounted to the support 12;112;212;312;412. The canopy 14;114;214;314;414 is preferably oriented so that, in use, precipitation (not 1 0 shown) is allowed to drain therefrom. The cover 10;110;210;310;410 preferably also comprises at least one vent 18; 118;318 provided in the canopy 14;114;214;314;414 to facilitate ventilation of an enclosure 16;116;216; 316;416 defined, in use, beneath the canopy 14; 114;214;314;414. In this way, the cover 10;110;210;310;410 conveniently shields the enclosure 16;116;216;316;416 from 1 5 precipitation, whilst allowing air to flow through the enclosure 16;116;216;316;416 in order to dry laundry articles (not shown) or the like present . in the enclosure 16; 116;216;316;416. :

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a cover 10 for a clothesline 2 0 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The canopy 14 preferably comprises first and second sets 22, 24 of slats 20 in substantially opposed relation. Each of the sets 22, 24 preferably comprises three slats 20 as . shown in Figures 1 and 2. Each slat 20 is preferably spaced apart from its adjacent slat(s) 20 by two spacers 26, to define a vent 18 therebetween. Each of the spacers 2 5 26 is preferably a substantially elongate member which extends substantially orthogonally from its respective slats 20. Each of the slats 20 is preferably arranged in substantially offset parallel relation relative to its neighbouring slat(s) 20, as clearly shown in Figure 2 for example. Thus, each set of slats 22, 24 preferably comprises a substantially louvered arrangement of slats 20, thereby 3 0 forming a substantially louvered canopy 14. The slats 20 and the spacers 26 form a substantially zigzag profile, as shown for example in Figure 2.

The first and second sets 22, 24 of slats may be coupled together in any suitable way, however they are preferably integrally formed as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Each of the slats 20 (and therefore the canopy 14) is preferably made from fibreglass, however any other suitable material may be used, such as metal sheeting, plastics, canvas or an alloy of metals and/or non-metals. The canopy 14 may be any colour as desired. It will be appreciated that the canopy may be translucent or transparent if desired. Each of the slats 20 is substantially elongate and preferably substantially rectangular in plan. Each of the slats 20 preferably 1 0 has an externally facing contact surface 20a and a substantially concave surface 20b adapted to face the enclosure 16 in use.

The support 12 preferably comprises two legs 28 extending from each of the first and second sets 22, 24 of slats 20 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The legs 28 are 1 5 preferably made from steel, although any other suitable material may be used.

Each of the legs 28 is preferably connected to a respective spacer 26 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, however the legs 28 may be alternatively be connected directly to their respective slats 20. ...

2 0 The canopy 14 is suitably oriented so that precipitation such as rain, mist, hail, sleet or snow hitting the slats 20 is conveniently allowed to drain off the canopy 14 ; in a direction away from the enclosure 16 onto the ground (not shown). Any . laundry articles present in the enclosure 16 are therefore shielded from the elements whilst being allowed to air dry.

The cover 10 is suitable for use with any conventional clothesline or clotheshorse.

In the preferred embodiment, the cover 10 comprises a clothesline 30 provided within the enclosure 16, as shown in Figure 2. The clothesline 30 preferably comprises a plurality of spaced apart wire cables 32, each of which wire cables 32 3 0 is mounted at each end to first and second bars 34. The clothesline 30 also comprises a rod 32a, made from steel or the like, which is also mounted at each end to the first and second bars 34.

The clothesline 30 preferably comprises a pulley system 36 including a number of cords A, B. C and associated pulley wheels adapted to enable the clothesline 30 move between an in-use (lowered) state as shown in Figure 2 and a storage (raised) state (not shown). It will be apparent that the pulley system 36 also includes a cord lock (not shown) or the like, to releasably lock the clothesline 30 in the desired position. In the in-use state as shown in Figure 2, it will be appreciated that the clothesline 30 is preferably positioned towards one side of the cover 10 in order to provide space for a user (not shown) to stand within the enclosure 16 in order to hang laundry articles on the clothesline 30.

In order to move the clothesline 30 from the in-use state to the storage state, the user may actuate the pulley system 36 as follows. By turning a handle 38 of the pulley system 36, the cords A, B. C are drawn downwardly into a reel 40 of the pulley system 36. Portions of the cords A, B. C have been labelled A'. A", A"'; B', B", B"', B""; and C', C", C"', to enable the movement of said cords A, B. C to be easily understood. Referring initially to the cord A, it will be appreciated that as the cord A is drawn downwardly into the reel 40, the portion A' of the cord A is, , also pulled downwardly thereby pulling upwardly on the portion A" which portion......

2 0 A" is attached to a substantially central point of the first bar 34. Referring now to the cords B and C, it will be appreciated that as the cords B. C are drawn ' downwardly into the reel 40, the portions B', C' and B", C" of said cords will also . be drawn in a direction towards the reel 40. It can be seen that the two portions B", C" separate into their own respective cords: B"' which is attached to and pulls 2 5 upwardly on one end of the second bar 34 by means of B""; and C"' which is attached to and pulls upwardly on the opposite end of the second bar 34.

The pulley system 36 also preferably comprises two substantially rigid rods 42 which are pivotally connected at one end to a slat 20 and pivotally connected at the otherwise free end to the rod 32a. As the clothesline 30 is being raised into the storage state as described above, the rods 42 pivot about their respective pivot points 42a so that the clothesline 30 is raised to a position substantially centrally within the enclosure.

Thus, in use, the cover 10 may be used as follows. The clothesline 30 is preferably lowered using the pulley system 36, so that laundry articles can be hung on the clothesline 30 to dry. Once the articles are in place, the canopy 114 protects the articles by shielding them from the elements as previously described herein. Furthermore, the articles are also well ventilated to promote quick drying thereof.

1 0 It will be appreciated that the clothesline 30 is not limited to being operated by the pulley system 36 described above, and that any other pulley system (not shown) or any other means may be employed in order to extend and retract, raise and lower the clothesline 30 as desired. It will be further appreciated that the clothesline 30 may be removably locatable within the enclosure 16. Thus, in the case of good.

weather, the clothesline 30 may be extended from the cover 10 so that the laundry. .e

articles may be dried outside in the open air. The cover 10 (of the first embodiment) may also be provided with an additional clothesline 31 connected to one (or more of) the slats 20. This clothesline 31 would particularly suitable for drying smaller items such as socks and the like. .... ..

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is illustrated a cover 110 for a clothesline .

according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, like features have been accorded like reference numerals and unless stated to the contrary, perform like functions. In this embodiment, each of the first 2 5 and second sets of slats 122, 124 of slats 120 is mounted in substantially opposed relation to a single support 112 in the form of a leg 128. The first and second sets 122, 124 of the slats l 20 are preferably rotatably mounted to the leg 128, to enable the first and second sets 122, 124 of slats 120 to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the leg 128. In this arrangement, the canopy 114 can conveniently be rotated about 3 0 the longitudinal axis of the support 112 as necessary, in order to shield the enclosure 116 from precipitation coming from a particular direction. If the weather is particularly wet and windy, so that precipitation is coming from all directions, additional coverings such as waterproof plastic sheets (not shown) or the like, may be used to connect the first set 122 of slats 120 to the second set 124 of slats 120. In this case, the laundry articles would be shielded from the elements on all sides, and the vents 118 would still facilitate ventilation of the enclosure l l 6. It will be appreciated that, alternatively, the first and second sets 122, 124 of slats 120 may be rigidly mounted to the leg 128.

Referring to Figure 3, the leg 128 has a first end to which the canopy 114 is mounted, and a second end terminating in a base 50. In a variation of the second 1 0 embodiment as shown in Figure 4, the leg 128 may split into a three leg structure 52 which terminates in the base 50. As shown in Figure 4, the leg 128 is also preferably provided with a ledge 54 protruding substantially orthogonally from the leg 128 approximately midway along the length thereof. The ledge 54 can be used to support e.g. a clothes basket (not shown). The ledge 54 may also be in the 1 5 form of a clothes rack (not shown), where small articles e.g. socks can be hung out to dry. As will be appreciated from Figure 4, a clothesline 131 may be suspended from the canopy 114. ..

Referring now to Figure 5, there is illustrated a cover 210 for a clothesline...

2 o according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, like features have been accorded like reference numerals and unless .

stated to the contrary, perform like functions. In this embodiment, the support 212 is in the form of a bracket 56 mounted to the canopy 214. In this embodiment, the canopy 214 may be mounted to the bracket 56 using any suitable means, and, in 2 5 turn, the bracket 56 may be mounted to a wall 58 or the like using any suitable means such as nails 56a, screws or bolts (not shown). In this embodiment, the enclosure 216 is conveniently shielded on one side by the canopy 214 and on the opposed side by the wall 58. In this embodiment, each of the slats 220 is substantially flat, however it will be apparent that they are not limited thereto. As 3 0 can be seen in Figure 5, a supporting leg 60 may be attached to the canopy 214 to provide additional support thereto.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is illustrated a cover 310 for a clothesline according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, like features have been accorded like reference numerals and unless stated to the contrary, perform like functions. The fourth embodiment is also preferably suited for mounting to a wall (not shown) or the like. The support 312 is in the form of two legs 328 mounted to the canopy 314. In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that by securing the legs 328 directly to a wall, the precipitation hitting the canopy 314 will conveniently drain directly off the slats 320 without gathering in a region adjacent the wall.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is illustrated a cover 410 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, like features have been accorded like numerals, and unless stated to the contrary perform like functions. In this embodiment, the support 412 is in the form of three legs 428.

mounted to the canopy 414. In this embodiment, the canopy 414 also includes a.

- ace.

sheet 62 of flexible material, preferably a flexible plastic. This embodiment may be particularly suitable for collapsing and storing the cover 410, be means of ..

folding the sheet 62 and bringing the legs 428 together. It will be appreciated that. . . although not shown in Figure 7, the canopy 414 may include a second set of slats 2 0 extending from the sheet 62. The cover 410 of this embodiment is conveniently ...

shaped to fit neatly in a corner of a garden (not shown) or the like. It will be appreciated that the cover 410 may be adapted as desired, e.g. the sheet 62 is shown to be substantially triangular in shape, however the sheet 62 may be adapted to have any other shape as desired. For example, the sheet 62 may be 2 5 substantially square in plan, wherein two sets of slats may be mounted to two adjacent sides of the sheet 62 for a neat fit within a corner.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. For example, the first, second and fifth embodiments are designed to be free-standing 3 o covers, and it will be appreciated that each of the covers may be portable, or alternatively, may be fixed into the ground e.g. by using concrete. The third and fourth embodiments are designed to be wall- mounted, however, it will be appreciated that these embodiments may be adapted to be freestanding. It will be further appreciated that the covers of any of the embodiments may be provided with one or more wheels adapted to facilitate easy transport of the covers. For example, any of the first, second or fifth embodiments would be particularly suitable for use with wheels mounted to the support or base (where present). In this arrangement, the covers may be stored inside a house or an apartment for example, and wheeled from inside the house/apartment to a suitable location outdoors when required. It will be still further appreciated that the covers of any of the embodiments may be collapsible for storage purposes. For example, the canopy including the slats, and/or the support, may be foldable.

It will be apparent that the covers of all of the embodiments can conveniently be used with any in-built clotheslines (such as the clotheslines 30, 31 described in relation to Figure 2) and/or ledges as desired. Alternatively, the covers may be.

used with any conventional clotheslines, clotheshorses or the like, which may be.

independent of the covers or retro-fitted to the covers.

It will be further apparent that the louvered slats may be adapted for reversible movement between open and closed positions by means of a cord or wand (not....

2 o shown). This reversible movement would be particularly convenient for controlling the flow of air through the enclosure, and/or for closing the slats in the .

case of extreme weather conditions, and/or for storage purposes.

It will be still further apparent that although the slats are described as being in 2 5 substantially offset parallel relation to each other, they are not limited to this arrangement. For example, the slats may be arranged to overlap each other to a greater or a lesser extent.

It will be apparent that although not described in the embodiments, the canopy 3 o may be integrally formed with the support. In such an arrangement, the support may be in the form of a extension of the canopy such as a plate or the like, which plate would be adapted to receive mounting means for mounting the cover to a wall or the like.

It will be appreciated that the overall height of the cover, the size and shape of the slats, and the spacing between the slats may be adjusted in any way in order to provide the desired shape, size and orientation of cover.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, which may be modified or adapted without departing from the scope of the present o invention. . .e - . . ë . . .e . .

Claims

Claims: 1. A cover for a clothesline, comprising a support; a canopy

mounted to the support; the canopy being oriented, in use, to allow precipitation to drain therefrom; and at least one vent provided in the canopy to facilitate ventilation of an enclosure defined, in use, beneath the canopy.
2. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy includes at least two slats spaced apart to define the at least one vent the'rebetween.
3. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least two slats are arranged in substantially offset parallel relation so as to form a substantially louvered canopy.
4. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein each of .,.

the slats is substantially rectangular in plan.
5. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein each .

of the slats has an externally facing convex surface and a substantially concave.

2 0 surface adapted to face the enclosure in use. . . .
6. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein each of the slats is substantially flat.

2 5
7. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the slats are adapted for reversible movement between open and closed positions.
8. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises at least one leg extending from the canopy.
9. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the canopy includes first and second sets of louvered slats in opposed relation.
10. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support comprises at least one leg extending from each of the first and second sets of slats.
l l. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the first and second sets of slats is mounted in substantially opposed relation to a single support.
12. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second sets of slats are rotatably mounted to the support.
13. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the canopy includes a sheet of flexible material.
14. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the..' . . canopy is integrally formed with the support.
15. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the a; '.

cover is provided with one or more wheels.
16. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover comprises a clothesline provided substantially within the enclosure.
17. A cover for a clothesline as claimed in claim 16, wherein the 2 5 clothesline is removably locatable within the enclosure.
18. A cover for a clothesline substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.