GB2512363A

GB2512363A - A weight to hold washing while drying

Info

Publication number: GB2512363A
Application number: GB201305663A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tracey Harrison-Ashe; Stephen Ashe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-28
Filing date: 2013-03-28
Publication date: 2014-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-28
Also published as: GB201305663D0; WO2014155047A1; GB2512363B

Abstract

A weight adapted to clip to an item comprising: a weight body comprising a first 12 and a second body portion 32. The first body portion 12 comprising a first handle region 14 and a first jaw region 16. The first handle region and the first jaw region each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The second body portion 32 comprising a second handle region 34 and a second jaw region 36. The second handle region and the second jaw region each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The first and a second body portions are articulated together at a hinge (50, figure 2) located between the handle region and the jaw region on each portion such that the inner surfaces of the handle and jaw regions face each other and the inner surfaces of the handle regions are spaced apart. The weight further comprises retention means in the form of a spring (60, fig 3) adapted to maintain the jaw portions in contact with each other.

Description

A weight to hold washing while drying

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to means to improve the drying of washing on a washing line and in particular to weight means to hold items of washing hanging stably on washing line.

Background

Drying of suspended items outdoors such as bedding, table cloths or clothing on a clothes line, has the problem that clothes may tend not to hang vertically under their own weight, have a tendency to wrap around the line in the wind and prevent drying, and so can form creases. Larger items in particular tend to flap on windy days and run the risk of becoming tangled. A device that weights these items would tend to prevent this. A device that weights lighter items would also tend to prevent this.

Additionally tension during drying tends to prevent creases. A weighting device that can be used easily with items such as clothing, providing good grip without creasing in the area of the grip and with sufficient weight to cause items to hang substantially vertically under mild tension, without being too heavy and so tending to stretch the clothes items or to overload the support, would have practical utility.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: VV0200454792 discloses a means for securing a beach towel or blanket or the like on a beach, lawn or the like, having a container sized to receive a weight such as * 30 sand, and a slotted diaphragm of flexible resilient material shaped to receive and :. secure the edge or corner of the towel or blanket.

This device has a holding system liable to cause creasing. * ** * * *0

*:-. US5520364 discloses a detachable weight assembly that holds a cover in a desired position solely by gravity. The weight assembly includes a weight sufficiently heavy to

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immobilize the cover by gravity. A fastener is secured to the weight, and includes a spring-loaded clip for releasably attaching the weight to the cover.

In this device a bag loaded with weighting material such as sand or water is suspended from a clip similar to a clothes peg or stationery clip. This is an inelegant solution and has a small grip area liable to be bad at securing securely and without causing Greasing.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a weight adapted to clip to an item comprising: a weight body comprising a first and a second body portion, the first body portion comprising a first handle region and a first jaw region, the first handle region and the first jaw region each having an inner surface and an outer surface, the second body portion comprising a second handle region and a second jaw region, the second handle region and the second jaw region each having an inner surface and an outer surface, the first and second body portions being articulated together at a hinge located between the handle region and the jaw region on each portion such that the inner surfaces of the handle and jaw regions face each other and the inner surfaces of the handle regions are spaced apart, and retention means adapted to maintain the jaw portions in contact with each other, In preferred embodiments the weight is for air-drying of larger fabric items, and consequently comprises weighting arranged to maintain said items in a stretched and stably hung attitude, wherein the weight provides a well-spread and effectively * dispersed gravitational force on a larger portion of the item than is common to a.....

-30 devices in the prior art such as known clothes pegs. . t. * . * o 1

The main' benefit to the user would be the reduced number of times the user would usually have to untangle the washing on the line, especially bedding.

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For example the weight advantageously comprises handle regions that are smaller in size than the jaw regions, in order that the jaw regions are spread across more of the item.

Advantageously the weight in preferred embodiments includes rounded jaw regions so as to cause less likelihood of creasing of the item under wind driven movements.

In yet further preferred embodiments the weights have arcuate or rounded formation across multiple axes, wherein any movement of the item is not liable to encounter problem, snagging or crease-inducing areas on the weight.

Furthermore in preferred embodiments the jaw regions may include textured, crenelated or dimpled faces or otherwise provide raised and lowered parts where the weight contacts in use with the item. In this way a larger spread *of contact is possible without causing localised damage to the item and the raised and lowered parts may be formulated and arranged to disperse tension across the item.

In a preferred embodiment the retention means comprises spring means adapted to bear on a portion of each body portion and adapted to maintain the jaw portions in contact with each other.

In preferred embodiments the spring means comprises a torsion spring bearing on both of the two body portions.

In an alternative embodiment the retention means comprises magnetic closure means comprising a first component associated with the first body portion and a second component associated with the second body portion.

In this way the weight of the invention comprises two body portions having jaw regions that are in contact and handles that are spaced apart when in a first, closed position of the weight, and where the jaw regions may be moved apart to a second, open position when the handles are pressed together. The jaws may then be placed :: around the fabric item and the handles released so that the jaws grip the item, the mass of the weight then holding the item extended downwards by gravity.

In a typical usage the item is an item of clothing or another fabric that is to be dried by hanging it from a point of suspension on the item, typically at or near the top of the item. In the case of washing, the item will typically be hung from its upper edge on a washing line. The weight of the invention is then clipped to a lower portion of the item, typically at or near the bottom of the item, so adding weight to the bottom of the item and causing it to hang substantially straight down. Thereby the tendency of the item to flap in wind, or to become tangled, is reduced. Limiting the number of times the user has-to physically attend the items hangingldrying to untangle them.

In a preferred embodiment the inner surface of the first handle region is at an angle to the plane of the inner surface of the first jaw region.

In a preferred embodiment the inner surface of the second handle region is at an angle to the plane of the inner surface of the second jaw region.

In a preferred embodiment the angle is in the range 10 to 45 degrees. More preferably the angle is in the range 15 to 30 degrees.

In a preferred embodiment the two body portions are substantially the same size and shape.

In a preferred embodiment the body portions are mirror images of each other.

In a further embodiment one body portion has a larger mass than the other portion.

In an alternative embodiment the second body portion comprises a clip means mounted on the first body portion and adapted to clip the first body portion to the fabric.

30 Preferably the weight has a mass in the range 100 to 500g. More preferably the weight has a mass in the range 150 to 250g. In a preferred embodiment each body portion has the same weight in the range 50 to 250g. In a more preferred embodiment each body portion has the same weight in the lange 75 to 125g.

In preferred embodiments one or both jaw regions comprise raised gripping profiles or faces adapted to grip the fabric.

In a preferred embodiment the raised gripping profile comprises a raised profile around at least a portion of the outer edge of the inner surface of one or both of the first and the second jaw regions.

In a further prefefred embodiment one or both of the jaw regions have an opening through them, so forming a ring-like gripping region. The ring like gripping region may be a substantially circular ring, may have varying radii of curvature, or may have one or more straight sides.

According to a further aspect the invention provides a method for drying an item comprising the steps of hanging the item from a point of suspension on the item and attaching one or more weights as described herein to a portion of the item lower than the point of suspension.

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 30 and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

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Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a first three quarter view of an embodiment of the invention in a first, closed position Figure 2 shows a second three quarter view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in figure 1

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to figures ito 3, an embodiment 10 of a weight of the invention comprises a first 12 and a second body portion 14 articulated together, each body portion having a jaw region provided opposite to the jaw region A weight body comprising a first body portion 12 and a second body portion 32, The first body portion 12 comprising a first handle region 14 and a first jaw region 16, the first handle region having an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 20, and the first jaw region having an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 24, The second body portion 32 comprising a second handle region 34 and a second jaw region 36, the second handle region having an inner surface 38 and an outer surface 40 and the second jaw region having an inner surface 42 and an outer surface 44, The first and a second body portions being articulated together at a hinge 50 located between the handle region and the jaw region on each portion. Spring means 60 is adapted to bear on a portion of each body portion and adapted to maintain the inner surfaces of the jaw regions in contact with each other.

In this embodiment the inner surface of the first handle region is at an angle to the inner surface of the first jaw regiofl, the inner surface of the second handle region is at an angle to the inner surface of the second jaw region, and the two body portions are substantially the same size and shape. Preferably the weight has a mass in the range 140 to 225g.

In this embodiment one or both jaw regions comprise a raised gripping profiles *. adapted to grip fabric, comprising a raised profile 70 around at least a portion of the outer edge of the inner surface of one or both of the first and the second jaw regions. * 30

The hinge comprises eyelets 52 on each of the two body portions and a metal hinge * pin 54 adapted to pass through the eyelets, the spring means comprising a torsion spring 60 located around the hinge pin and bearing on bOth of the two body portions.

The embodiment may be formed from moulded polymer shell, for example moulded from polyurethane, and may comprise a weighting material deposited around or within one or both of the jaw and the handle regions. In a preferred fabrication method the weighting material may comprise a gel material moulded into the moulded polymer shell. In a further embodiment the gel material may be moulded around the polymer sheD to form a soft but heavy outer edge of the weight. In a preferred fabrication method each portion comprises a closed moulded shell filled wholly or partially with agel material. The gel material may be a polyurethane gel. A suitable gel has a density of approximately i.05 glcm3.

The weight may be provided in a range of sizes. The surface area of the inner face of the jaw region may be in the range 40 to 80 cm2, more preferably 44 to 60 cm2.

The weight may comprise one or more metal components to give additional weight, for example moulded into the interior of a polymer moulding.

The weight may be provided in a range of colours, and may have moulded profiles or images formed on one or both body portions. * . . * * * * ** *. * * * * * * .. * , * * .* I. * * . * * ..

Claims

Claims 1. A weight adapted to clip to an item comprising: a weight body comprising a first and a second body portion, the first body portion comprising a first handle region and a first jaw region, the first handle region and the first jaw region each having an inner surface and an outer surface, the second body portion comprising a second handle region and a second jaw region, the second handle region and the second jaw region each having an inner surface and an outer surface, and in whiéh the first and a second body portions are articulated together at a hinge located between the handle region and the jaw region on each portion such that the inner surfaces of the handle and jaw regions face each other and the inner surfaces of the handle regions are spaced apart, and in which the weight further comprises retention means adapted to maintain the jaw portions in contact with each other.
2. A weight as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retention means comprises spring means adapted to bear on a portion of each body portion and adapted to maintain the jaw portions in contact with each other.
3 A weight as claimed in claim 2 wherein the spring means comprises a torsion spring bearing on both of the two body portions.
4. A weight as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retention means comprises magnetic closure means comprising a first component associated with the first body portion and a second component associated with the second body portion.S..... * S
5. A weight as claimed in any claim aboye wherein the inner surface of at least * 30 the first handle region is at an angle to the plane of the inner surface of thefl first jaw region. S *
6. A weight as claimed in claim 5 wherein the angle is in the range 10 to 45 * " degrees.
7. A weight as claimed in claim 1 wherein the two body portions are substantially the same size and shape.
8. A weight as claimed in blaim 7 wherein the body portions are mirror images of each other.
9. A weight as claimed in any of claim ito claim 6 wherein one body portion has a larger mass than the other portion.
10. A weight as claimed in claim 9 wherein the second body portion comprises a clip means mounted on the first body portion and adapted to clip the first body portion to the fabric.
11.A weight as claimed in any claim above having a mass in the range 100 to 500g.
12. A weight as claimed in claim 11 having a mass in the range 150 to 250g.
13.A weight as claimed in any claim above wherein each body portion has the same weight in the range 50 to 250g.
14. A weight as claimed in claim 13 wherein each body portion has the same weight in the range 75 to 125g.
15. A weight as claimed in any claim above wherein one or both jaw regions comprise a raised gripping profile adapted to grip the fabric.
16. A weight as claimed in any claim above wherein one or both of the jaw * regions have an opening through them to form a ring-like gripping region. * .** ** 17. A method for drying an item comprising the steps of hanging the item from a * 30 point of suspension on the item and attaching one or more weights as claimed in any preceding claim to a portion of the item lower than the point of * -. suspension. s * * *.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A weight adapted to clip to an item comprising: a weight body comprising a first and a second body portion, the first body portion comprising a first handle region and a first jaw region, the first handle region and the first jaw region each having an inner surface and an outer surface, the second body portion comprising a second handle region and a second jaw region, the second handle region and the second jaw region each having an inner surface and an outer surface, and in which the first and a second body portions are articulated together at a hinge located between the handle region and the jaw region on each portion such that the inner surfaces of the handle and jaw regions face each other and the inner surfaces of the handle regions are spaced apart, and in which the weight further comprises retention means adapted to maintain the jaw regions in contact with each other wherein the weight is of a rounded formation across multiple axes.2. A weight according to claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the jaw regions is larger than the handle regions.3. A weight according to any preceding claim wherein the retention means comprises spring means adapted to bear on a portion of each body portion and adapted to maintain the jaw portions in contact with each other.4. A weight according to claim 3 wherein the spring means comprises a torsion spring bearing on both of the two body portions.5. A weight according to any preceding claim wherein the retention means comprises magnetic closure means comprising a first component associated with the first body : portion and a second component associated with the second body portion.6. A weight according to any preceding claim wherein the inner surface of at least the first handle region is at an angle to the plane of the inner surface of the first jaw region.7. A weight as claimed in claim 6 wherein the angle is in the range 10 to 45 degrees.8. A weight according to any preceding claim wherein the two body portions are substantially the same size and shape.9. A weight as claimed in claim 8 wherein the body portions are mirror images of each other.10. A weight as claimed in any of claim 1 to claim 7 wherein one body portion has a larger mass than the other portion.11. A weight as claimed in claim 10 wherein the second body portion comprises a clip means mounted on the first body portion and adapted to clip the first body portion to the fabric.12. A weight as claimed in any claim above having a mass in the range 100 to 500g.13. A weight as claimed in claim 12 having a mass in the range 150 to 250g.14. A weight according to any preceding claim wherein each body portion has the same weight in the range 50 to 250g.15. A weight as claimed in claim 14 wherein each body portion has the same weight in the range 75 to 125g. *0* 16. A weight according to any preceding claim wherein one or both jaw regions comprise a raised gripping profile adapted to grip the fabric. * .
17.A weight according to any preceding claim wherein one or both of the jaw regions have an opening through them to form a ring-like gripping region. *.**18. A method for drying an item comprising the steps of hanging the item from a point of suspension on the item and attaching one or more weights as claimed in any preceding claim to a portion of the item lower than the point of suspension.