IL129254A - Laundry hanging device - Google Patents

Abstract

A laundry-hanging device (30) comprising at least a couple of lateral spaced apart by a distance opposite carrier members (40), each of said carrier members is configured with a straight horizontal section, a straight vertical section and connecting therebetween intermediate radiused section, said carrier members are positioned on a building wall to enable easy access to the device, a master rod (50) directed perpendicularly to said carrier members, the opposite ends of the master rod reside within the respective opposite carrier members with possibility for displacing the master rod in a translation fashion along the carrier members between a lowermost position and an uppermost position, a plurality of carriage means (54'-64'), said carriage means reside within the carrier members with possibility for displacement therealong, the carriage means are distributed on the opposite carrier members in a vis-a-vis manner, a plurality of link means connecting between the neighboring carriage means and the master rod, said links are configured to ensure simultaneous displacement of the carriage means upon translation displacement of the master rod, hanging means associated with the carriage means, said hanging means are adapted for drawing therebetween a clothesline for convenient hanging the clothes thereon, displacement means operatively coupled with said master rod or said carriage means to enable forcible displacement thereof between the uppermost and lowermost position. 1020 י" ב בסיון התשס" ד - June 1, 2004

Description

LAUNDRY HANGING DEVICE LAUNDRY HANGING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a drying rack for clothes in general, and to an adjustable drying rack for hanging laundry outside a balcony, a porch or the like, in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Reference is now made to Figure 1 , which is a perspective view of a drying rack for clothes, generally referenced 10, known in the art.

Drying racks consist of two stationary wall mounted elongated hanger support rods 12 connected to the external walls of a balcony or porch 14. Such wall mounted elongated hanger support rods 12 extend vertically from the external walls of a balcony or a porch.

Conventionally wall mounted elongated support rods consist of iron rods having a round or rectangular shape. Said elongated rods include a set of horizontal hanging members 13, such as clotheslines, ropes and the like connected horizontally at their rear ends therebetween.

Such horizontal hanging members 13 are connected at fixed locations 16 to the elongated hanger support rods 12 via connecting fittings, such as bolts, welding and the like.

When wet laundry 18 are hung for drip drying, the individual 11 must reach out to said horizontal members 13. Reaching out in such manner, while bending the individual's 11 back may result in pain and injury. Such a drying rack is undesirable for ease of use and prevention of injury, pains and other complications that may result.

Reference is now made to Figure 2, which is a perspective view of a drying rack for laundry, generally referenced 20, known in the art.

Another form of drying racks similar to the drying rack described in Figure 1 where said hanging members 22 are partially adjustable is also known in the art.

Hanging members 22 are connected to a rail 28 via connecting means such as bearings and rollers. Each hanging member is separately connected to the rail 28 and to the rail opposite 29.

The individual 11 may hang wet cloths on hanging members 24 located at a short distance from balcony porch or wall. When hung, the individual manually pushes the hanging members 24 to the rear end of the drying rack.

Reaching out to push said hanging members 22 to a position where hanging members 24 are distant and free to allow maximum drip-drying require the individual 11 to bend over. Bending over may result in result in pain and injury.

Such drying rack is undesirable for ease of use and prevention of injury, pains and other complications that may result.

Such rack is also undesirable as fixed distance between hanging members 22 cannot be maintained. Thus, often no space is left between hanging members to allow fast and efficient drip-drying, which decreases efficiencies for laundry requiring different or long drying times.

As a result, best time and efficiency of drip-drying as well as ease of use and lack of health hazards in the process of hanging laundry cannot be achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for hanging cloths, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

In accordance with the present invention, there is thus provided a laundry-hanging device comprising a couple of lateral spaced apart by a distance opposite carrier members, each of said members is configured with a straight horizontal section, a straight vertical section and connecting therebetween intermediate radiused section and said carrier members are positioned on a support to enable easy access to the device, a master rod directed perpendicularly to said carrier members, the opposite ends of the master rod reside within the respective opposite carrier members with possibility for displacing the master rod in a translation fashion along the carrier members between a lowermost position and an uppermost position, plurality of carriage means, said carriage means reside within the carrier members with possibility for displacement therealong, the carriage means are distributed on the opposite carrier members in a vis-a-vis manner, plurality of link means connecting between the neighboring carriage means and the master rod, said links are configured to ensure simultaneous displacement of the carriage means upon translation displacement of the master rod, plurality of hanging means associated with the carriage means, said hanging means are adapted for drawing therebetween a clothesline for convenient hanging the clothes thereon, a displacement means operatively coupled with said master rod to enable forcible displacement thereof between the uppermost and lowermost position.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the laundry device said displacement means comprises a handle, said handle is associated with the master rod to enable displacement thereof between the lowermost and the uppermost position, said handle is coupled with the master rod with possibility for pivoting and rotation with respect to the master rod and said master rod is provided with a locking mechanism adapted either to detain thereof in its current position or to release thereof to allow ready displacement into another position.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention the laundry-hanging device said carrier members comprise elongated profiles bent to form guiding channels and the cross section of the channels is dimensioned and configured to permit easy displacement therealong of the slave carriage means simultaneously with the translation displacement of the master rod.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention the laundry-hanging device said opposite ends of the master rod as well of the slave carriage means are provided with a wheel means, said wheel means reside within the guiding channels of respective carrier members with possibility for rolling therealong.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention the laundry-hanging device said link means comprise rods connectable by fastening screws.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention the laundry-hanging device said carriage means and associated therewith hanging means are affixed to the opposite sides of respective fastening screws.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention the laundry-hanging device said master rod is provided with adjustable longitudinal dimension.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention the laundry-hanging device said locking mechanism comprises a couple of locking pins situated at respective opposite ends of the master rod, said locking pins are forcibly displaceable by respective biasing springs to protract towards the outside surface of adjacent carrier member so as to be in frictional contact therewith and thus to detain the master rod in its current position, said locking pins are retractable upon tension of the biasing springs to release the master rod and said biasing springs are operable upon rotation of the handle.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention the laundry-hanging device said carrier members are securable on the opposite lateral walls of a balcony.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention the laundry-hanging device said carrier members are securable on the opposite lateral sides of a frame to be affixed to a building wall.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention the laundry-hanging device said displacing means comprises a nut rigidly affixed to said master rod and co-operating with a rotatable screwed rod, said nut resides on said screwed rod with possibility for linear displacement therealong upon rotation of said screwed rod.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention the laundry-hanging device said screwed rod is operatively coupled with a motor capable to rotate the screwed rod either in clockwise or anti clock wise direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show schematically how the prior art drying rack is used in practice.

Figures 3 and 4 shows schematically how laundry-hanging device of the present invention is used in practice.

Figures 5a and 5b refer correspondingly to various configurations of a cross sectional view of the carrier member along with various embodiments of the associated slave carriage means.

Figures 6a and 6b are respectively an isometric and side views of neighboring slave carriage means linked therebetween.

Figures 7a and 7b are respectively a front and top views of the master rod provided with a handle and enlarged detail of a locking mechanism.

Figures 8a and 8b are respectively an isometric view of two slave carriage means and of the master rod having different guiding bushing and locking pins.

Figure 9 is a front view of the present laundry-hanging device.

Figures 10a, 10b and 10c are respectively a front, a top and a side view showing how the handle is coupled with the master rod.

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of figure 10a taken along A-A.

Figure 12 is an isometric view of the locking mechanism together with enlarged fragment thereof showing the locking pin in its protracted position.

Figure 13 is an isometric view of the locking mechanism together with enlarged fragment thereof showing the locking pin in its retracted position.

Figure 14 refers to an alternative embodiment of the locking mechanism employing patterned outside surface of the carrier members and tapered locking pin.

Figure 15 shows how the laundry-holding device can be fastened on a frame affixed to the building wall.

Figure 16 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present laundry-holding device implementing electrical drive.

Figure 17 refers to the embodiment shown in figure 16 including necessary components of electrical drive.

Figure 18a and 8b refer to the embodiment shown in figure 16 and depict how the master rod is brought by electrical drive respectively to the lowermost and uppermost position.

Figure19 shows cross sectional view of a carriage means implemented in the embodiment shown in figure16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel apparatus for hanging cloths to dry.

Referring to figures 3 and 4 it will be explained in general the principle of operation of the laundry-hanging device in accordance with the present invention. In the further description the same numbers will be referred to the same elements.

In figure 3 is shown how the laundry-hanging device of the present invention designated schematically by numeral 30 is affixed to the opposite walls 32,34 of a balcony so as to be in proximity to a window 36 and thus to enable easy access to the device. The device can be conveniently approached, as it will be explained further in details for hanging thereon of laundry, laundry etc.

The device comprises two spaced apart-elongated lateral carrier members 38,40 securable on the balcony walls for example by virtue of plurality of wall fasteners 42,42' distributed along the carrier members and secured on the balcony walls by screws (not shown). The carrier members are manufactured from metallic sheet bent to form a hollow profile as will be explained further in more details with reference to figure 5a.

As can be seen the elongated carrier members are also bent in the longitudinal direction and each of them comprises a vertical rectilinear section 44,44', a horizontal rectilinear section 46,46' and connecting therebetween curvilinear intermediate section 48,48'.

The opposite carrier members are identical and positioned on the respective opposite walls in such a manner that they are spaced apart by a constant distance which is dictated by the width of the existing balcony. In practice this distance may vary between 1.5 - 3 meter.

Between the carrier members in the lowermost position of their opposite vertical sections a master rod 50 is mounted, which is displaceable along the carrier members between the lowermost position as shown in figure 3 and the upper most position as shown in figure 4. A manually operable handle 52 is provided for pushing down or pulling up the master rod and respectively for displacing thereof into lowermost or uppermost position.

It is advantageous if the handle is configured as an elongated rectangle to ensure easy and convenient gripping thereof by a person standing at the window without necessity to lean excessively out the window. For the same purpose the length of the vertical section of the carrier members should not exceed 1-1.2 meter.

It will be explained later on with reference to figures 7 and 8 that the opposite ends of the master rod are provided with appropriate wheel means to ensure easy travel along the carrier means. Since the master rod is rigid it is possible to displace thereof along the carrier members in a translation fashion in the sense that all points of the master rod move with the same velocity along parallel paths.

Distributed along the carrier members and above the master rod a plurality of slave carriage means is provided. The slave carriage means are divided into two identical groups each of them being associated with the respective carrier members. In figure 3 there is shown the first group consisting of slave carriage means 54-64 associated with the carrier member 38 and the second group consisting of slave carriage means 54'-64' associated with the opposite carrier member 40. All slave carriage means are also displaceable along the respective carrier members by virtue of appropriate wheel means to allow easy travel.

The construction of the wheel means will be disclosed further. It is not shown in figures 3 and 4 but will be explained further in details with reference to figure 6a that the neighboring slave carriage means which are distributed along the same carriage member are linked therebetween by links having constant length. By virtue of this provision the opposite slave carriage means 54-54'156-56',58-58\60-60')62-62',64-64' are arranged on the respective carrier members in a vis-a-vis fashion as couples and all the couples can be displaced as one integral unit.

As will be disclosed further with reference to figures 6a and 6b each slave carriage means carries a hanging means suitable for drawing a clothesline. It can be readily seen in figures 3 and 4 how clotheslines 66-76 are drawn between the hanging means associated with respective opposite slave carriage means.

Since the lowermost slave carriage means 54 and 54' are rigidly linked also to the master rod it is possible to displace the whole plurality of the slave carriage means and associated therewith clotheslines simultaneously with the master rod once its handle 52 is pushed down or pulled up.

In figures 3 and 4 are shown two extreme positions corresponding respectively to the lowermost and the uppermost position of the master rod.

In figure 3 one can see the master rod 50 residing in the lowermost position along the vertical sections of the carrier members. The upper couple of slave carriage means 64, 64' approaches the respective intermediate sections 48, 48' and the associated clothesline 76 is in close vicinity to the window being conveniently available for hanging laundry thereon.

In figure 4 one can see the master rod 50 after it has been displaced in the uppermost position by pulling up the handle 52. The pluralities of slave carriage means have been displaced simultaneously from the vertical sections of the carrier members towards the horizontal sections of the carrier members. The upper couple of slave carriage means 64,64' and respective clothesline 76 are in the advanced position.

The lower couple of slave carriage means 54,54' approaches the respective intermediate sections 48,48' and the associated clothesline 66 can be easily accessed from the window for hanging laundry 78 thereon.

The master rod can be detained either in the lowermost position or in the uppermost position or in any intermediate position therebetween by virtue of a locking mechanism, which will be disclosed further with reference to figures 8,11 , 12 and 13.

The locking mechanism either detains the master rod together with the linked therewith slave carriage means in a current position for hanging the laundry or releases the master rod for further translation displacement.

It can be readily appreciated that once the master rod is successively displaced from its lowermost position to the uppermost position or vice versa it is possible to bring gradually the rest of the clotheslines 68-74 towards the intermediate sections 48,48'. Each time when the next clothesline approaches this position and the master rod is kept detained the clothesline is available for convenient hanging laundry thereon without necessity to lean out the window. Once the clothesline is fully occupied by the laundry the locking mechanism is released and the master rod is displaced by handle 52 for bringing the next clothesline close to the window.

In practice, in order to ensure efficient use of the balcony space and smooth travel of the slave carriage means simultaneously with the master rod, the amount of overhang of the horizontal sections 46,46' should be 1-1.3 meter and radius of curvature of the intermediate sections 48,48' should be not less than 0.3-0.5 meter.

Having explained in general the principle of operation of the present laundry-hanging device reference will now be made to the rest of figures explaining construction of its various elements.

In figure 5a there is described one carrier member 38,40 securable on the balcony wall 32,34. The carrier members are manufactured from metallic sheet, which is bent to form elongated semi-closed channel. The cross section of the channel can be configured as shown within enlarged circle I or II and referring to respective alternative embodiments. It can be seen that the cross section of the channel presented in circle I is defined by an inverted V-shaped surface 80, an opposite flat surface 82 and lateral flat surface 84. The cross section of the channel presented in circle II is defined by two opposite inverted V-shaped surfaces 86,88 and lateral flat surface 90. The interiors 92 or 94 shown in circle I or II constitute guiding channels for the master rod and the slave carriage means when they are forcibly displaced. It should be appreciated that while the shape of the channel presented in circle I and circle II is different the description herein is not limited to a particular design or cross section of the channel.

In figure 5b there are schematically shown different slave carriage means 96,98 associated with the carrier members having cross section shaped as shown respectively in circle I or II. Each slave carriage means is provided with at least two wheels dimensioned for residing within the interior of the carrier members with possibility for rolling there along. In figure 5b up and figure 6a are presented slave carriage means for use with the carrier member having cross section shown in circle I. This carriage means carries two spaced apart by a distance I small wheels 100,102 rotatably secured on a lateral wall 104. The distance I between the wheels is about 5-7 cm.

For easy rolling of the wheels it might be advantageous if lateral wall 104 is pivotally mounted on an axle 106 carried by the carriage means.

In figure 5b down is shown an alternative embodiment of the slave carriage means for use with the carrier members configured as presented in circle II. According to this embodiment the carriage means 98 employs two spaced apart wheels 108,110 and situated therebetween an auxiliary wheel 112 of smaller size.

The further disclosure will be referred to the embodiment of the slave carriage means employing two wheels.

The wheels are manufactured from a suitable plastic material, which should be rigid and enable easy rolling over the metallic surface. As an example of a suitable plastic one can mentioned Nylon 6 Orkolon RGK manufactured by the PSM company, Holland.

As seen in figure 5a up wheels 100,102 of the slave carriage means reside within the carrier member and are disposed therein in such a manner that their periphery is in contact only with the inverted V-shaped surface 80. The opposite flat surface 82 of the cross section is spaced from the wheels periphery by a small clearance which is about 1-2 mm.

By virtue of this provision unnecessary friction is eliminated between the wheels and the opposite surface 82 when the wheels roll along the carrier members either in forward or in backward direction.

Now it will be explained how plurality of slave carriage means associated with the same carrier member are linked.

In figures 6a and 6b there is shown a couple of neighboring identical slave carriage means 96,96' which are secured on respective elongated fastening screws 114,116 by virtue of nuts 1 14', 114" and 116', 116". The neighboring slave carriage means are linked therebetween by a rod means 118. These carriage means are also linked with the adjacent slave carriage means (not shown) by rod means 120, 122.

It can be seen that the rod means are fastened together by the same fastening screws which are employed for securing the slave carriage means.

It can be seen also that the carriage means are secured at one end of the fastening screws. At the opposite ends of the fastening screws are secured hanging means suitable for drawing of a clothesline. The hanging means can be of different type, e.g. wheels, hooks, etc. In the embodiment presented in figure 6 each hanging means comprises a bracket 124,124' with mounted therein a wheel 126,126' which can rotate within the bracket.

It can be seen that the slave carriage means 96,96' in figure a are different in shape from the slave carriage means 96,96' in figure 6b. It should be appreciated that while the shape of the slave carriage means 96,96' is different the operation of the slave carriage means 96,96' is similar and that the description herein is not limited to a particular design of the slave carriage means 96,96'. Another example of a slave carriage means 96,96' is shown in figure 8a.

It can be readily appreciated that the clothesline can be thrown over the wheels associated with the opposite carriage means and thus drawn therebetween.

Referring now to figures 7a and 7b it will be explained how the master rod is construed.

In order to accommodate balconies having various widths it is advantageous if the master rod is provided with adjustable longitudinal dimension. For this purpose it might comprise a central section 126 and two lateral sections mounted at the left and right side of the central section with possibility for retraction or protraction with respect thereto. In figures 7a and 7b only the left lateral section 128 is shown. Once the lateral sections are displaced and the required length of the master rod is adjusted their position is fixed by a corresponding locking screw 130.

The remote ends of the left and right lateral sections are provided with respective left and right wheel means for enabling smooth travel of the master rod within the carrier members.

In figures 7a and 7b there is shown one such wheel means associated with the remote end of the left lateral section 128. Each wheel means comprises rigidly secured on the distant end of the master rod a Γ-shaped profile 132 carrying two wheels 134, 136 spaced apart by a distance L.

The wheels have the same diameter and are manufactured from the same material as the wheels associated with the slave carriage means, however the distance L between the wheels 134,136 exceeds the distance I between the wheels 00, 02. In practice this distance L is 10-15 cm. By virtue of this provision it is possible to displace the master rod smoothly and in a translation fashion, while both ends of the master rod are displaced simultaneously.

With reference to figure 8a it can be seen that the Γ-shaped profile 132 of the left lateral section is linked with the adjacent slave carriage means by a rod 138. It is not shown but should be realized that the Γ-shaped profile of the opposite right lateral section is similarly connected to respective adjacent slave carriage means. It should also be appreciated that the Γ-shaped profile 132 can be replaced by a flat shaped profile 212 of Figure 8b explained in detail further below. By virtue of this provision the master rod and the linked therewith slave carriage means can be displaced simultaneously as an integral unit. In practice the length of the rods linking between the neighboring slave carriage means is about 15-18 cm. The length of the rods linking between the master rod and the adjacent slave carriage means is slightly shorter and is about 15 - 18 cm.

In figure 9 there is shown the master rod and linked therewith slave carriage means, hanging means and drawn therebetween clotheslines.

In figure 8a there is also shown that the wheels of the slave carriage means as well the wheels of the master rod reside within the carrier member 38 (shown by dotted lines) and can roll therealong to enable simultaneous translation displacement of the master rod and the slave carriage means. By virtue of this provision the clotheslines can be displaced successively to the position where they are ready accessible for convenient hanging of laundry thereon.

Referring now again to figures 7a and 7b and to figure 10 it is shown that in the middle of the central section 126 is provided handle 52 coupled with a ramp 139. The handle is configured as elongated rectangle having its long side directed upward. This side should be sufficiently long for easy access when the master rod is in the lowermost position. The lower part of the handle is made with two half-axles 140,142 residing within corresponding depressions 140', 142' made within a short cylindrical rod 144. The rod 144 enters into the ramp with possibility for rotation about vertical axis X-X. By virtue of this provision the handle can pivot with respect to the master rod as shown by arrows in figure 10c and rotate as shown by arrows in figure 10b.

As seen in figures 10a and 11 on the upper surface of the central section at both sides of the ramp are mounted two flat racks 146,148 which enter within the ramp and their corresponding toothed portions 146', 148' cooperate with a pinion 150 provided at the lower extremity of the cylindrical rod 144. By virtue of this provision the racks can be displaced simultaneously in mutually opposite directions once the rotational moment is applied to the pinion. It can be appreciated that rotational moment can be created by rotating the handle about axis X-X either in the clockwise or anti clockwise direction. Accordingly the racks will be either slidably displaced apart or reproached.

Each rack is connected for example by a pin to a traction rod which resides on the central section of the master rod with possibility for sliding along its longitudinal direction. It should be appreciated that the handle 52, rod 144 and mechanism shown in figure 11 may be replaced by similar contraptions such as a rotational handle 225 that rotates on its axis as further shown in Figure 8b.

In figures 7a and 7b there can be seen left and right traction rods 152,154 connected to the respective racks 146,148. At the distant end of each traction rod is provided a hook means 156 for putting thereon of one end of a chain 158. For the sake of brevity in the further description only those elements which are associated with the left side of the master rod will be explained. It should be understood however the right side of the master rod is construed similarly.

Now with reference to figures 8b, 10 and 11 construction and functioning of the locking mechanism will be explained.

As best seen in figures 7,8a, 8b, 12 and 13 the lateral section 128 of the master rod is provided with rigidly connected thereto an elongated guiding bushing 160.

By virtue of this provision the bushing is stationary with respect to the master rod. Within the bushing resides a locking pin 162 which can be moved longitudinally within the bushing either left or right. On the periphery of the bushing and at the right end of the locking pin are provided respective hook means 166 which is similar to the hook means 156 provided on the traction rod. Between the hook means 164,166 is drawn a biasing spring 168 which always pulls the locking pin left, i.e. towards the Γ-shaped profile 132. Within the wall of the profile 132 is made suitable opening for letting the locking pin through.

It can be appreciated that the pin can be protracted by the biasing spring through this opening further towards the outside surface of the carrier member. The biasing force of the spring as well the length of the locking pin is chosen in such a manner that when the pin is forced by the spring into most protracted position it places firmly against the outside surface of the carrier member. The master rod is retained in its current position by virtue of friction between the locking pin and the outside surface of the carrier member.

The opposite end of the chain is put on the hook 166 and thus reliable connection is established between the traction rod 152 and the locking pin 162. It can be realized that if left and right traction rods will be reproaching they pull the associated left and right chains and locking pins against the biasing force of the left and right springs.

To pull the traction rods the handle should be rotated by 90 degrees about the axis X-X in the anti clockwise direction. If the applied pulling force is sufficient to overcome the biasing force the locking pins will be retracted from its frictional engagement with the carrier member and the master rod will become released. In order to displace the master rod and the slave carriage means into desirable intermediate position the handle should be kept turned anti clockwise and simultaneously pulled up or pushed down.

Once the handle is released and there is no any more pulling force acting on the traction rods the biasing force will return the locking pins into protracted position and the master rod will be detained in the current position. The handle will be forcibly turned by the spring in the clock-wise direction in its initial position.

The above-explained situations referring correspondingly to the detention and releasing of the master are shown respectively in figures 12, 13.

In figure 12 there is seen how the handle is in its initial position and the plane of the handle is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the master rod. The locking pin is pushed by the spring into most protracted position to detain the master rod by virtue of friction.

In figure 13 there is seen how the handle is turned 90 degrees in the clock-wise direction and its plane is now perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the master rod.

The traction rod pulls the chain and the associated locking pin against the biasing force of the spring. The pin is brought into retracted position and the master rod is released.

It can be readily appreciated that since the handle cooperates with the locking mechanism it enables both detaining, release and displacing of the master rod. By virtue of this provision the whole device becomes compact, simple and convenient in use.

In figure 14 there is presented an alternative embodiment of the device in which the outside surface of the carrier members facing the locking pins is patterned with a plurality of small depressions 170. The locking pin is tapered at its free end 172 to accommodate the shape of these depressions.

In figure 14 there is shown how the tapered locking pin is brought in the protracted position and enters depression of the patterned surface. It can be appreciated that this provision renders detaining of the master rod more reliable.

Going back to figure 8b there is shown an alternative embodiment of the device in which the locking mechanism is internal to the lateral section 128 and in which the handle mechanism operates a simple locking mechanism retractor chain 158 to allow upwards movement of the master rod 50.

As shown in Figure 8b the lateral section 128 of the master rod is provided with rigidly internally connected thereto an elongated guiding bushing 200 which is also a locking pin. By virtue of the walls of the lateral section 128 the guiding bushing 200 is stationary with respect to the master rod. The lower bottom of the lateral end of guiding bushing is longer than the upper side.

At the right end of the guiding bushing are provided a spring means 206 and securing means 208. It can be appreciated that the pin cannot be protracted by the spring 206 through this opening further towards the outside of the carrier member. The biasing force of the spring as well the length of the locking pin is chosen in such a manner that when the pin is forced by the spring into most protracted position it places firmly against the outside surface of the carrier member and in a depression 70.

At the left end of the guiding bushing there is provided a hook 202 similar to the hook means provided on the traction handle. On the opposite end of the chain there is placed a hook 204 and thus reliable connection is established between the traction handle 228 and the locking pin 200. It can be realized that if the traction rod 228 will be reproaching they pull the associated left and right chains and locking pins against the biasing force of the left and right springs.

To pull the traction rod 228 the handle should be rotated by 90 degrees about the axis X-X in the clockwise direction. If the applied pulling force is sufficient to overcome the biasing force the locking pins will be retracted from its frictional engagement with the carrier member and the master rod will become released. In order to displace the master rod and the slave carriage means into desirable lower intermediate position the handle should be kept turned clockwise and simultaneously pushed down. By virtue of the semi rectangular profile of the locking pin 210 there is no need to turn the master rod and handle 225 to pull the master rod up. In order to displace the master rod and the slave carriage means into desirable upward position the handle 225 should be pulled up.

Once the handle is released and there is no any more pulling force acting on the traction rods the biasing force will return the locking pins into protracted position and the master rod will be detained in the current position. The handle will be forcibly turned by the spring in the clock-wise direction in its initial position.

Still further embodiment is presented in figure 15 in which the laundry-hanging device is secured on a frame 174 which is affixed to the vertical wall of a building.

The previously described embodiments of the laundry-hanging device were implementing master rod operable by a manually driven handle. Now with reference to figures16-18 it will be explained still further embodiment of the laundry-hanging device. In this additional embodiment the master rod is driven upward or downward by virtue of an electrical motor.

In figure16 there is shown laundry hanging device in which to the middle part of the master rod 50 is affixed a nut 250 interacting with elongated screwed rod 260 extending vertically along the wall of a balcony. The upper extremity of the rod is operatively coupled via a gear 270 with a small electrical motor 280.

The motor is driven by a power supply 290 electrically connected to the motor via a transformer 300 of figure 17. The motor can be switched on or off or direction of its rotation can be changed by virtue of a suitable switch 310 of figure 17.

In practice it is convenient if the motor is a low voltage DC motor operating at voltage 24V, for example model AHP, Robert Bosch GmbH. This motor requires nominal voltage 24V, DC current 4A, its nominal power is 11 , 5W and it can develop continuous torque 0.5 Nm in either clock wise or anti clockwise direction of rotation. The motor can be connected to an external power supply or be provided with its own power supply. The transformer, the motor, the gear and the power supply can reside within a closed housing 320 of figure 17.

It is advantageous if on the upper wall of the housing is located switch 310 of figure 17 which is easily accessible from the window W. The nut is rigidly secured on the master rod and therefore rotation of the screwed rod 260 causes the nut to be displaced up or down depending on the direction of rotation.

It can be readily appreciated that by virtue of this provision it is possible to pull the master rod up or to push it down and thus to displace it into lowermost position as shown in figure18a, or uppermost position as shown in figure18b. The slave carriage means and associated therewith clotheslines (shown by dotted lines) are displaced simultaneously with the master rod as explained in connection with the previous embodiment provided with manually operated handle. However, in contrast to the previous embodiment the present embodiment does not require dedicated locking mechanism since the master rod can not move when the motor is switched off.

To ensure smooth displacement of the master rod the nut 250 is provided with a roller 330 rolling along the balcony wall and by thus guiding the master rod during its travel up or down. It can be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that any leading mechanisms capable of guiding the nut 250 in its travel up and down depending on the direction of rotation are contemplated as well.

Referring now to figure 19 it will be explained now construction of the carrier members and slave carriage means employed in the embodiment provided with a motor.

The carrier members are formed as bent profiles with rectangular cross sectional configuration designated at 340. The carrier members are connected by a screw S to respective brackets 350 securable on the balcony wall or a frame. The cross sectional configuration of the profiles is formed with two opposite flat shoulders 360,370 separated by a slot 380. Within the profiles reside carriage means formed as a rod 390 with mounted thereon two opposite wheels 400,410. The wheels can easy roll over the shoulders and thus the carriage means can be displaced along the carrier member. The carriage means carries a link means 420 connecting it with the neighboring carriage means.

It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and that changes and modifications can be made by one ordinarily skilled in the art without deviation from the scope of the invention, as will be defined in the appended claims.

It should also be appreciated that the features disclosed in the foregoing description, and/or in the following claims, and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realizing the present invention in diverse forms thereof.

ABSTRACT A laundry-hanging device comprising lateral spaced apart by a distance opposite carrier members positioned on a support, a master rod directed perpendicularly to said carrier members with possibility for displacing the master rod in a translation fashion along the carrier members between a lowermost position on the vertical section and an uppermost position.

For the applicant: Soroker - Agmon,1_aw Offices k:\misrad\od\clients\4004\4004_2\8.doc -45-

Claims (12)

1. A laundry-hanging device comprising at least a couple of lateral spaced apart by a distance opposite carrier members, each of said carrier members is configured with a straight horizontal section, a straight vertical section and connecting therebetween intermediate radiused section, said carrier members are positioned on a building wall to enable easy access to the device, a master rod directed perpendicularly to said carrier members, the opposite ends of the master rod reside within the respective opposite carrier members with possibility for displacing the master rod in a translation fashion along the carrier members between a lowermost position and an uppermost position, a plurality of carriage means, said carriage means reside within the carrier members with possibility for displacement therealong, the carriage means are distributed on the opposite carrier members in a vis-a-vis manner, a plurality of link means connecting between the neighboring carriage means and the master rod, said links -40- are configured to ensure simultaneous displacement of the carriage means upon translation displacement of the master rod, hanging means associated with the carriage means, said hanging means are adapted for drawing therebetween a clothesline for convenient hanging the clothes thereon, displacement means operatively coupled with said master rod or said carriage means to enable forcible displacement thereof between the uppermost and lowermost position.

2. The laundry-hanging device as defined in claim 1 , in which said displacement means comprises a handle, said handle is associated with the master rod to enable displacement thereof between the lowermost and the uppermost position, said handle is coupled with the master rod with possibility for pivoting and rotation with respect to the master rod and said master rod is provided with a locking mechanism adapted either to detain thereof in its current position or to release thereof to allow ready displacement into another position. -41-

3. The laundry-hanging device as defined in claim 1 , in which said carrier members comprise elongated profiles bent to form guiding channels, the cross section of the channels is dimensioned and configured to permit easy displacement therealong of the carriage means simultaneously with the translation displacement of the master rod.

4. The laundry-hanging device as defined in claim 2, in which the opposite ends of the master rod as well of the carriage means are provided with a wheel means, said wheel means reside within the guiding channels of respective carrier members with possibility for rolling therealong.

5. The laundry-hanging device as defined in claim 1 , in which said link means comprise rods connectable by fastening screws.

6. The laundry-hanging device as defined in claim 2, in which said carriage means and associated therewith hanging means are affixed to the opposite sides of respective fastening screws. -42-

7. The laundry-hanging device as defined in claim 2, in which said master rod is provided with adjustable longitudinal dimension.

8. The laundry-hanging device as defined in claim 2, in which said locking mechanism comprises a couple of locking pins situated at respective opposite ends of the master rod, said locking pins are forcibly displaceable by respective biasing springs to protract towards the outside surface of adjacent carrier member so as to be in frictional contact therewith and thus to detain the master rod in its current position, said locking pins are retractable upon tension of the biasing springs to release the master rod, said biasing springs are operable upon rotation of the handle.

9. The laundry-hanging device as defined in claim 1 , in which said carrier members are securable on opposite lateral walls of a balcony . -43- / 2

10. The laundry-hanging device as defined in claim 1 , in which said carrier members are securable on opposite lateral sides of a frame to be affixed to a building wall.

11. The laundry-hanging device as defined in claim 1 , in which said displacing means comprises a nut rigidly affixed to said master rod and co-operating with a rotatable screwed rod, said nut resides on said screwed rod with possibility for linear displacement therealong upon rotation of said screwed rod.

12. The clothes hanging device as defined in claim 11 , in which said screwed rod is operatively coupled with a motor capable to rotate the screwed rod either in clockwise or anti clock wise direction. -44-