GB2510260A

GB2510260A - Rotary dryer with selective means to prevent rotation

Info

Publication number: GB2510260A
Application number: GB1400285.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Donaghy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-09
Filing date: 2014-01-08
Publication date: 2014-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2034-01-08
Also published as: GB201300331D0; GB201400285D0; GB2510260B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drying device comprising a pole arranged in use to extend substantially vertically; a plurality of arms extending at an angle to said pole; a mounting mechanism for mounting said arms on said pole; and at least one drying line connected to at least two of the arms. The mounting mechanism further comprises means for selectively locking the rotation of the arms with respect to the pole. There are multiple means to prevent rotation of the arms with respect to the pole disclosed. The mounting means can be a hollow sheath 116 with the locking means being a slider 112, the sheath can have an upper section and a lower section, where the slider is moveable between two positions, either locking the rotation or enabling it. Another means disclosed is a high friction grip means to lock the rotation of the arms. This rotary dryer/airer also has the ability to adjust its height through a range of holes 113. Also disclosed is a self-securing anchor web portion (figure 4, 126) interacting with both the pole and the ground, to lock the rotation of the pole (figure 4, 100) with respect to the anchor.

Description

Fixed Rotary Dryer

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a rotary direr, in particular but not exclusively a rotary dryer having an anchor for fixing a pole to the ground.

Background

Rotary dryers typically allow items such as clothing to be hung from a line in order to facilitate outdoor drying after items have been washed. The rotary dryer is arranged in the ground so that a pole is able to rotate so that the items move around in response to any wind thereby accelerating drying. However often the pole can become loose in the ground over time and therefore the rotary dryer may be liable to wobbling or tipping during use. This can be detrimental to the user who may be knocked by the rotary dryer when loading or unloading the line if it is unstable.

Furthermore being un-level in the ground may result in the rotary dryer being unable to rotate. Additionally as the rotary dryer spins freely it can be difficult for the user to add items to the line as it is liable to move whilst the user is trying to hang items.

Brief Description of the Figures

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the drying line of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a close-up of the mounting mechanism; Figure 3 shows the anchor of the present invention; and Figure 4 shows the anchor and pole.

Detailed Description of the Figures

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1-4, a drying device is disclosed comprising: a substantially vertical pole 100; a multiplicity of arms 102 extending non-vertically from said pole; a mounting mechanism 106 for mounting said arms on said pole; and at least one drying line 107 connected to at least two said arms. The mounting mechanism further comprises means for selectively locking the rotation of the arms with respect to the pole, and may further comprise means for adjusting the height of the arms with respect to the pole.

The substantially vertical pole is preferably a hollow pole (although it may also be solid) comprising a weather proof material, being lightweight enough to be lifted easily for installation.

The cross section of the pole is preferably substantially circular, at least at the height or range of heights at which the mounting means is attached, to enable rotation of the pole.

Preferably rotation of the arms may be prevented by a hole and pin arrangement on the pole that fixes rotating parts thereby preventing rotation. Advantageously this may aid a user to easily add items to the rotary dryer and to prevent excessive rotation, for example in high winds.

Alternatively or additionally the pole comprises a high friction surface, which may be a surface finish to the material of the pole, or may be a high friction material such as silicon affixed to the surface of the pole. The high friction surface preferably substantially covers the pole at the height or range of heights at which the mounting means is to be mounted.

This high friction surface or area provides a surface for the mounting means to friction-grip to, and thereby lock the rotation of the arms. Alternatively, the pole may comprise a number of first indentations or protrusions around its circumference at the height or range of heights at which the mounting means is to be mounted, to engage with protrusions or indentations on the mounting means respectively, to lock the rotation of the arms.

The pole preferably further comprises at least one second indentation or protrusion thereon at the height or range of heights at which the mounting means is to be mounted. Most preferably this comprises a series of holes 113 at a range of heights.

The second indentations or protrusions engage with the height adjustment means to enable height adjustment.

The multiplicity of arms extending non-vertically from said pole are preferably four arms which extend at 90 degree intervals therefrom. Preferably they are at an angle close to the horizontal, an advantage of this being that horizontal space is provided between the drying lines and therefore the clothes thereon, to facilitate drying. The arms may comprise hollow tubes or other elongate members of any material suitable for outside use.

The arms cooperate with the mounting means to enable them to be mounted thereon, preferably pivotally mounted such that the device can be folded when not in use. The arms may be mounted by any means known in the art and preferably slot into purpose-made cavities in the mounting means and are hinged thereto via a pin or the like as known in the art.

The at least one drying line connected to at least two said arms is preferably wire covered in PVC although it may be any weatherproof material known in the art. The lines may be connected by tying, gluing, or any means but preferably comprise one line threaded through holes in each arm as shown in the figures. Most preferably there are a number of lines connected between the arms at a number of heights, as known in the art, although there may be just one line.

Support arms 104 may be provided for connecting the arms slidably to the pole at a second point, along the length of the arms, which provide stability to the arms. These may be hinged via a pin or connected by any means known in the art.

The mounting mechanism for mounting said arms on said pole preferably comprises a substantially hollow sheath 116 surrounding said pole, having a substantially circular inner hollow cross-section such that at least some of the sheath is able to rotate around said pole; and arm connecting means 120 which preferably extend outwards from said sheath in a direction away from said pole.

The arm connecting means may be any means for connecting the arms, although preferably the arms are connected pivotably via pins or the like as shown in the figures. The sheath preferably comprises an upper section, on which are disposed the arm connecting means, and a lower section which is locked to the pole via the height adjustment means.

The mounting mechanism preferably comprises protrusions or indentations respectively for engaging with the indentations or protrusions respectively at a range of heights on the pole. These are preferably spring loaded pins which are controlled by height adjustment means described below.

The mounting means further comprises rotation control means for selecting whether the arms are locked or rotating with respect to the pole. The rotation control means is preferably a slider 112. When the slider is in the upper position, it is entirely within the upper section of the sheath, and the upper section of the sheath and therefore the arms and drying line, can rotate. When the slider is in the lower position, it slots into a slit or other cavity within the lower section of the sheath, which is fixed with respect to the pole, and the arms are therefore locked in position.

The slider may be held in position by friction with the housing of the slider.

In an alternative arrangement, in the case where the pole comprises indentations around the circumference of the pole, a protrusion may be mounted to the slider, which may engage with an indentation on the pole when the slider is in its upper position, to lock the arm position with respect to the pole, and disengage therefrom to free the arms to rotate around the pole, when the slider is in the low position.

As a further alternative, in the case where the pole comprises protrusions around the circumference of the pole, an indentation may be mounted to the slider, which may engage with a protrusion on the pole when the slider is in its upper position, to lock the arm position with respect to the pole, and disengage therefrom to free the arms to rotate around the pole, when the slider is in the low position.

Furthermore other means known in the art may be used to enable a slider to lock and unlock rotation of the arms with respect to the pole. Furthermore the rotation control means may be a push button, dial, or other mechanical or electric control means known in the art for locking and unlocking rotation. The sheath may be any shape and number of sections to accommodate this.

An advantage of selectable locking and rotating of the drying line is that the line can be locked for loading to prevent injury by the free rotation of the arms, and unlocked to rotate to a new part of the line to load. Furthermore, the line can be fixed in position to enable wetter or heavier items to be in the direct line of the sun as required. An advantage of using a friction grip mechanism as described in the preferred arrangement is that a continuous range of rotation positions is available as opposed to a discrete series of positions available with the indentation-protrusion system.

Alternatively, other means known in the art may be used to selectively lock and enable rotation of the mounting means and arms with respect to the pole, operable by a slider or other control means.

The mounting mechanism may further comprise means for adjusting the height of the arms with respect to the pole. In this case the sheath is slidable vertically up and down said pole, at least over a range of heights. The means for adjusting the height preferably comprises two opposing spring loaded pins which slot into a range of holes 113 along the length of the pole at different heights.

Height adjustment control means are disposed on the height adjustment means, which may be a button 114 on each side of the pole which can be pushed to release the spring loaded pins from the holes and allow the mounting means to slide up and down the pole. In this case, when the height adjustment control means are released with the pins aligned with holes on the pole, the pins slot into the holes and the mounting means and therefore drying line is fixed at a new height. Furthermore, other means known in the ad for adjusting the height of the mounting means with respect to the pole may be used.

The device preferably further comprises a self-securing anchor 122. The anchor comprises a self-securing base 124, and a pole receiving means 128 as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4.

Advantageously the anchor serves to secure the pole in the ground. Furthermore the anchor is adapted to receive the pole in such a way that rotation of the pole in the anchor is prevented. Therefore the pole itself does not rotate during use, only the arms by means of the sheath.

The self-securing base preferably comprises a point 127 at its lower end with webs 126 extending outwards therefrom to cut through the ground and secure the anchor.

Most preferably there are four webs spaced at 90 degree intervals which can be inserted in directions matching the preferred four arms such that each arm receives support from a web of the anchor. The pole receiving means is a hollow shaped to snugly receive the end of the pole.

Preferably the pole includes recessed or cutaway portions for receiving the webs so that the pole is locked in position in the anchor and thereby prevented from rotating.

Furthermore, other anchor base shapes may be used. An advantage of the anchor is that it enables the device to be secured in the ground easily and quickly without specialist knowledge or tools.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A drying device comprising: a pole arranged in use to extend substantially vertically; a plurality of arms extending at an angle to said pole; a mounting mechanism for mounting said arms on said pole; and at least one drying line connected to at least two of the arms, in which the mounting mechanism further comprises means for selectively locking the rotation of the arms with respect to the pole.
2. A drying device as claimed in claim 1, in which the mounting mechanism comprises a substantially hollow sheath shaped and dimensioned to substantially surround said pole, such that at least a portion of the sheath is able to rotate around said pole; and arm connecting means extending outwardly from said sheath in a direction away from said pole.
3. A drying device as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the means for selectively locking the rotation of the arms comprises a hole and pin arrangement.
4. A drying device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the pole comprises a plurality of first indentations or protrusions arranged around the circumference of the pole at the height or range of heights at which the mounting mechanism is to be mounted, and in which the mounting mechanism further comprises protrusions or indentations for mutual engagement with the first indentations or protrusions of the pole to lock rotation of the arms relative to the pole.
5. A drying device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the pole further comprises a high friction surface.
6. A drying device as claimed in claim 5, in which the high friction surface comprises silicon.
7. A drying device as claimed in either of claims 5 and 6, in which the high friction surface is arranged to substantially cover the pole at the height or range of heights at which the mounting mechanism is to be mounted on the pole, thereby providing a surface for the mounting mechanism to friction-grip, thereby locking the rotation of the arms relative to the pole.
8. A drying device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the means for selectively locking the rotation of the arms with respect to the pole comprises a slider.
9. A drying device as claimed in claim 8, in which the slider is moveable between a first upper position in which the slider is located within the upper section of the sheath of the mounting means, thereby enabling rotation of the upper section of the sheath of the mounting means and the arms; and a second lower position in which the slider is located within a slot, a slit or other cavity within the lower section of the sheath of the mounting means, which is fixed with respect to the pole, thereby preventing rotation of the arms with respect to the pole.
10. A drying device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mounting mechanism further comprises means for adjustment of the height of the arms with respect to the pole.
11. A drying device as claimed in claim 10, in which the pole further comprises at least one second indentation or protrusion at the height or range of heights at which the mounting mechanism is to be mounted, and in which the at least one second indentation or protrusion are arranged to engage the means for adjustment of the height of the arms to allow for height adjustment of the arms with respect to the pole.
12. A drying device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a self-securing anchor for securing the pole to the ground, in which the anchor comprises a self-securing base and a pole receiving means.
13. A drying device as claimed in claim 12, in which the pole receiving means is arranged to prevent rotation of the pole relative to the anchor.
14. A drying device as claimed in either of claims 12 and 13, in which the self-securing base comprises a point at its lower end with webs extending outwards therefrom, in which the webs are arranged to engage the ground and secure the anchor.