GB2489819A

GB2489819A - Clothes airer with collapsible frame construction

Info

Publication number: GB2489819A
Application number: GB201206080A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dan Trowsdale; Michael Howard
Original assignee: Vale Mill Rochdale Ltd
Current assignee: Vale Mill Rochdale Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-04
Filing date: 2012-04-04
Publication date: 2012-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-04
Also published as: GB201105696D0; GB2489819B; GB201206080D0

Abstract

A collapsible frame construction (1) having at least one pair of frames (3, 5). Each frame (3, 5) has a pair of spaced side limbs (7) connected together by an intermediate member. Respective limbs (7) of each frame (3, 5) are pivotally connected to one another. There may be a second (23, 25), third (33, 35) or more pairs of frames pivotally connected to one another to form a lazy-tong construct. The intermediate member of each frame (3, 5) is detachable from the limbs (7). The detachable intermediate member may comprise a U-shaped end section (11, 9) configured to fit on the free ends of the limbs (7). An alternative embodiment of the intermediate member may comprise a cross-member (19) having a pair of spaced apart wire rods (21) fixed at either end to spaced apart C-shaped clamps each configured to fit around respective limbs (7) of the frame. The collapsible frame construction (1) may be used as a freestanding clothes airer.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE FRAME CONSTRUCTION

The present invention relates to collapsible frame constructions for use in the airing and drying of clothes.

Collapsible frame constructions are typically manufactured from metal tubing and are arranged to have a deployed state in which the frame construction provides temporary storage for the airing of clothes and a collapsed state in which the frame construction can be stowed away in a relatively small space.

A known collapsible frame construction is disclosed in C1B2367239A. This describes a collapsible frame construction having at least two pairs of U frames arranged in a tier, the frames in each pair and the pairs of frames being respectively pivoted to each other such that, when folded, the frames of each pair are nested within each other and coplanar and the pairs of frames are parallel. The frames may be connected by separately formed pivots offset from the frames, or by cranked ends of the frame members. All frames have the same width, one limb of one frame in a pair lying outside the adjacent limb of the other frame and the other limb of.the one frame lying inside the adjacent limb of the other frame. At least one frame member carries a pin which engages a multi-position latch pivotally connected to another frame member, whereby the airer can be held erect at selected different heights.

A problem with the arrangement disclosed in GB2367239A is that its minimum volume in the collapsed state is limited which affects the number of units that can be transported in a given volume and also the size of space necessary to store the frame construction in a domestic or retail environment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible frame construction that can be collapsed into an even more compact space and which is more stable in the collapsed and deployed state.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible frame construction comprising at least one pair of frames, each frame comprising a pair of spaced side limbs connected together by an intermediate member, wherein respective limbs of each frame are pivotally connected to one another, characterised in that the intermediate member of each frame is detachable from the limbs.

Advantageously, by constructing the frames out of two or more detachable elements, it is possible to reduce the space occupied by the frame construction in a collapsed state which means more frame units can be stored in a given volume such as a lony or retail storage space.

The construction may comprise a second pair of frames pivotally connected to the first pair. The construction may comprise a third or more pairs of frames pivotally connected to the second pair.

The detachable element may comprise a U-shaped end section which is releasably attached to the limbs of the frame. The U-shaped end section may comprise a pair of side limbs and a cross member interconnecting the side limbs thereof. The U-shaped end section may be arranged such that, when attached to the limbs of a frame, the cross member is substantially perpendicular to the limbs of the frame. The side limbs of the U-shaped end section may be arranged to connect to respective side limbs of the frame. The side limbs may be substantially parallel.

The length of the side limbs of the frame is preferably less than the distance between the inner extremities of the side limbs of a U-shaped end section, such that the side limbs of the frame can fit between the side limbs of the U-shaped end section when in the collapsed state.

The detachable element may comjrise a cross member having a pair of space apart C-shaped clamps each configured to fit around respective limbs of a frame. At least one rod may extend between the C-shaped clamps.

The side limbs of one of the frames of a pair may lie inside adjacent limbs of the other frame of the pair. The inner frame of each pair may be pivotally connected to an * adjacent inner frame of a different pair. The outer frame of each pair may be pivotally connected to an adjacent outer frame of a different pair. The frames may be arranged to nest in such a way that each limb of one frame of each pair lies inside the adjacent limb of the other frame of each pair.

The frame construction may be arranged such that pivotally connected limbs of each inner frame are substantially coplanar. The frame construction may be arranged such that pivotally connected limbs of each outer frame are substantially coplanar.

One or more inner frames may comprise one or more support members extending between its side limbs. The support member may be arranged such that it does not interfere with the collapsing operation of the frame construction. Each support member may be releasably attached to the inner frames. The support member may be similar in thickness to the limbs of the frame. The support member may be similar in length to the limbs of the frame so that it can fit within the distance between the side limbs of a U-shaped end section.

The construction may comprise one or more cross-members comprising one or more wire rods and adapted to be releasably attached to the limbs of a frame. The cross members may be arranged to extend between respective inner or outer frames in addition to the support members. The cross members may be arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to the limbs when mounted thereto. The cross-members may be adapted to be attached to the limbs by friction fit.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible frame construction according to the invention in the collapsed state; Fig. 2 is a U-shaped end part of a frame of the collapsible frame construction shown inFig.1; Fig. 3 is a U-shaped end part of a different frame of a collapsible frame construction shown inFig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the limbs of the frames shown in Fig. I with support members extending between the limbs of some of the frames shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the limbs of frames of the collapsible frame construction shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the limbs of the frames shown in Fig. 5 in a deployed state; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the limbs and support members shown in Fig. 4 when in a deployed state; and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the collapsible frame construction shown in Fig. I in a deployed state; Fig. 9 is a plan view of the collapsible frame construction shown in Fig. 1 when broken down into its constituent parts and placed in a storage arrangement; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a collapsible frame construction according to the invention in a deployed state without U-shaped end sections attached; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the frame construction shown in Fig. 10 in a collapsed state; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a collapsible frame construction according to the invention in a deployed state without U-shaped end sections attached; and Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a cross member shown in Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a collapsible frame construction 1 in the form of a clothes airer having three tiers, each tier comprising a pair of frames 3, 5, 23, 25, 33, 35 made from tubular powder coated steel. Each frame comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart limbs 7 on opposite sides respectively of the frame connected by a detachable U-shaped end section 9, 11 connected to corresponding ends of the limbs 7. The two frames of each pair are pivotally connected to one another by pins or rivets 13 to form an "X" framework, The side limbs 7 of each pair of frames form outer supporting sides 60, 70 for the construction I. The first pair of frames 3, 5 corresponds to the bottom tier and provides a stable support for the clothes airer 1 in the deployed state. The second pair of frames 23, 25 is substantially the same as the first pair 3, 5 and the free ends of its side limbs 7 remote from the U-shaped end 9, 11 are pivotally connected to the side limbs 7 of the first pair 3, 5 via moulded plastics connectors 15. The third pair of frames 33, 35 is substantially the same as the first and second pairs and the free ends of its side limbs remote from the U-shaped end 9, 11 are pivotally connected to the side limbs 7 of the second pair via connectors 15.

The connectors 15 clamp tightly around the limbs 7 of the frames and a pin (not shown), which is integral to the connectors 15, locates in a punched hole in the side limb 7 to prevent any sliding. The connectors 15 are attached to the side limbs 7 toward the U-shaped ends 9, 11 of the frames such that the pivot point 13 between each pair of frames lie in a substantially vertical line when in the deployed state. Thus, when the clothes airer I is deployed, the angles of the frames of each pair relative to one another are substantially the same.

The distance between the side limbs 7 of one frame 3, 23, 33 of each pair is greater than the distance between the side limbs of the other frame 5, 25, 35 of each pair. The distance is chosen such that the narrower frame 5, 25, 35 lies within the side limbs 7 of the wider frame 3, 23, 33 so that the side limbs 7 of the narrower frame 5, 25, 35 can be pivotally attached to the adjacent side limbs 7 of the wider frames 3, 23, 33 via corresponding pins 13. The airer 1 is arranged such that the narrower frames 5, 25, 35 are pivotally connected to one another via the connectors 15 and the wider frames 3, 23, 33 are pivotally connected to one another via corresponding connectors 15.

A support member 17 made from powder coated tubular steel and having substantially the same diameter as the side limbs 7 extends substantially perpendicularly between the side limbs of the narrower frame 5, 25, 35 of each pair. The support members 17 are open at either end and have internal threading for receiving a corresponding screw.

Each support member 17 is connected to a corresponding side limb 7 of each narrower frame 5, 25, 35 via appropriately sized holes in the side limbs through which a screw is inserted from the opposite side of the side limb 7 to hold the support member 17 in place. The support members 17 are arranged between the pivot point 13 of each pair and the connector 15 of the narrower frame 5 to provide stability. As the support member 17 extends between the side limbs of the narrower frame 5, 25, 35, it does not interfere with the collapsing operation of the clothes airer 1.

Detachable cross-members 19 in the form of wire rods extend between the side limbs 7 of each frame 3, 5, 23, 25, 33, 35. Each cross-member 19 comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart wire rods 21 fixed at either end to a C-shaped clamp. The C-shaped clamp is adapted to wrap around the external circumference of a corresponding side limb 7 and be held via a friction fit. When attached to the side limbs 7 of a frame, the wire rods extend substantially perpendicularly to the side limbs 7 and provide supports from which clothing may be hung. The cross-members 19 may be removed from the frame by pulling the C-clamps away from the frame to overcome the friction fit.

The U-shaped end section 9 of the narrower frame 5, 25, 35 of each tier is sized and configured to fit onto the free ends of the side limbs 7 of those frames. Likewise, the U-shaped end section 11 of the wider frame 3, 23, 33 of each tier is sized and configured to fit onto the free ends of the side limbs 7 of those frames. Each end section 9, 11 comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart wire rods 50 which extend between opposite sides respectively of the end sections 9, 11. The free ends of both types of end section 9, 11 are smaller in diameter than the diameter of the limbs of the corresponding limbs 7. The diameter is chosen so that the ends of the U-shaped end sections 9, 11 tightly fit within the open ends of the limbs 7 so that they are held in place by friction fit. The free ends of the U-shaped end sections 9, 11 may additionally or alternatively be held in place by spring clips provided on the U-shaped ends and adapted to fit within corresponding holes in the walls of the limbs 7.

Alternatively or additionally, the U-shaped end sections may be held in place by a nut and bolt or screw arrangement which extends through the limb 7 of the frame, through the part of the U-shaped end section 9, 11 that extends into the limb and out the other side of the limb.

The airer I is held in the deployed state by a pair of moulded plastics latches 40 which are pivotally attached by a pin to respective side limbs 7 of the wider frame 23 of the second tier. Both latches 40 are attached to the inner facing sides of the limbs 7 and extend to and are attached to the adjacent side limbs 7 of the narrower frame 25 via outwardly facing pins which are provided at approximately the same position on the limbs 7 as the inner facing pins on the other frame 23. The latches 40 are attached to the pins of the narrower frame via an arcuate slot provided in the body of the latch 40.

The arcuate slot includes a pair of lateral recesses for receiving the outwardly facing pins, each recess corresponding to a different airer height in the deployed state. The arcuate slot enables the outwardly facing pin to slide along the body of the latch 40 so that, when released from a recess, the pin can slide away from the inner facing pin on the adjacent limb 7 and enable the clothes airer 1 to be collapsed.

The limbs 7, support members 17, cross-members 19 and U-shaped end members 9, 11 are transported in a disassembled state. The clothes airer I is assembled by arranging the side limbs 7 of the frames opposite one another 60, 70 and linking the inner limbs 7 of the narrower frames 5, 25, 35 together using the support members 17.

The support members 17 are mounted to the limbs 7 via screws which are inserted from the outer facing side of the limbs, through the corresponding holes in the limbs 7 and into the open ends of the support members 17 which are appropriately aligned.

The limbs 7 are therefore separated by a distance approximately equal to the length of the support members 17 and linked firmly together as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, The U-shaped end sections 9, 11 are inserted into the ends of the limbs 7 and held in place by friction fit and/or spring clips and/or one or more screws. The narrower end sections 9 and the wider end sections 11 are connected to the side limbs 7 of the appropriate * frame. The cross-members 19 are fixed to the limbs 7 of the frames via the C-shaped clamps to complete the assembly.

To deploy the clothes airer 1 to an in-use' state, the frames are manipulated by raising the frames in an upward direction so that the limbs 7 pivot relative to one * another until one of the recesses of the latches 40 engages with the outwardly facing pins. The deployed clothes airer 1 can then be placed on a substantially flat surface and supported by the limbs of the first tier.

To collapse the clothes airer 1, the outwardly facing pins are released from one of the recesses of the latches 40 and the frame elements are pivoted relative to one another under the action of gravity and/or the application of force by a user. In the collapsed state, the frames of each pair are substantially coplanar, each frame is substantially parallel with each other frame and the thickness is substantially equal to the thickness of three frame side limbs 7.

In an alternative embodiment, the frame construction 100 is substantially the same in construction as the first embodiment but instead of having detachable support members 17, the support members 114 are wire rods which are welded between oppositely facing inner frames 103 and also oppositely facing outer frames 103, 105 of each tier. Since the wire rods 114 are smaller in diameter than the support members 17 of the first embodiment, they do not interfere with the collapsing operation of the frame construction 100 and so do not have to be detachable, In addition, as the wire rods 114 provide supports from which clothes may be hung, there is also no requirement for the detachable wire rod support members 19 of the first embodiment, In a further alternative embodiment, the frame construction 200 is substantially the same in construction as the first embodiment but instead of a U-shaped end section on each frame, there is a reinforced detachable cross member 219 which comprises a pair of C-shaped clamps 220 made from plastics material between which extend wire rods 221. Three connection points 222 which form part of the moulded C-shaped clamps 220 extend from an upper surface of the clamps 220 and are shaped to receive an end of a wire rod 221. The connection points 222 are substantially evenly spaced along the length of the clamps 220 and permit a stronger more resilient attachment between the rods 221 and clamps 220 than the welding arrangement of the first embodiment. This stronger connection limits buckling of the clothes airer when only the cross member is used in combination with the support members 217.

A stud 223 which is also formed as part of the C-shaped clamp moulding extends from the underside of the clamp 220 at places along the clamp's length from which the connections 222 extend. Thus, there are three studs 223 on the underside of each clamp 220 spaced apart by substantially the same distance as the connections 222.

The studs 223 are arranged to extend into corresponding location holes 224 that are formed along the tube section of each limb of each frame. The cross members 219 fit tightly around the limbs of the respective frames with a friction fit and are further held securely in place by the studs 223 extending into the location holes 224. This embodiment gives rise to an even more compact arrangement both in the collapsed and deployed state, In a modification, instead of using separate plastics connectors 15, 115, the pivotal connections are implemented by cranking or dog-legging the free ends of the side limbs of the frames of the second and third tiers and coupling the frames in each pair directly to the frames of adjacent pairs by pivot pins. Those end portions of the tubular side limbs may also be flattened. In this way, the connectors 15, 115 in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 11 may be omitted and the pivot pins may directly engage the pairs of frames interconnected thereby.

It is of course to be understood that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A collapsible frame construction comprising at least one pair of frames, each frame comprising a pair of spaced side limbs connected together by an intermediate member, wherein respective limbs of each frame are pivotally connected to one another, characterised in that the intermediate member of each frame is detachable from the limbs.
2. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim I, wherein a second pair of frames is pivotally connected to the first pair.
3. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 2 wherein a third or more pairs of frames are pivotally connected to the second pair.
4. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the detachable element comprises a U-shaped end section which is releasably attached to the limbs of the frame
5. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 4, wherein the U-shaped end section comprises a pair of side limbs and a cross member interconnecting the side limbs thereof.
6. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 5, wherein the U-shaped end section is arranged such that, when attached to the limbs of a frame, the cross member is substantially perpendicular to the limbs of the frame.
7. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the side limbs of the U-shaped end section are arranged to connect to respective side limbs of the frame.
8. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 7, wherein the side limbs are substantially parallel.
9. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the length of the side limbs of the frame is preferably less than the distance between the inner extremities of the side limbs of a U-shaped end section, such that the side limbs of the frame can fit between the side limbs of the U-shaped end section when in the collapsed state.
10. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in any of claims I to 3, wherein the detachable element comprises a cross member having a pair of space apart C-shaped clamps each configured to fit around respective limbs of a frame. :ii11. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one rod extends between the C-shaped clamps.12. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the side limbs of one of the frames of a pair may lie inside adjacent limbs of the other S frame of the pair.13. A. collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 12, wherein the inner frame of each pair is pivotally connected to an adjacent inner frame of a different pair.14. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 13, wherein the frame construction is arranged such that pivotally connected limbs of each inner frame are substantially coplanar.15. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the outer frame of each pair is pivotally connected to an adjacent outer frame of a different pair.16. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 15, wherein the frame construction is arranged such that pivotally connected limbs of each outer frame are substantially coplanar.17. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16, wherein one or more inner frames comprise one or more support members extending between its side limbs.18. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 17, wherein the support member is arranged such that it does not interfere with the collapsing operation of the frame construction.19. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein each support member is releasably attached to the inner frames.20. A collapsible ftame construction as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the support member is similar in thickness to the limbs of the frame.21. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in any of claims 17 to 20 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 4, wherein the support member is similar in length to the limbs of the frame so that it can fit within the distance between the side limbs of a U-shaped end section.22. A collapsible frame construction as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frames are arranged to nest in such a way that each limb of one frame of each pair lies inside the adjacent limb of the other frame of each pair.23. A collapsible frame construction as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings 24. A clothes airer comprising a collapsible frame construction according to any of claims Ito 23.