US2518774A

US2518774A - Clothesline hanger bracket

Info

Publication number: US2518774A
Application number: US738407A
Authority: US
Inventors: Grosser John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-03-31
Filing date: 1947-03-31
Publication date: 1950-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1967-08-15

Description

Aug. l5, 1950 .1. GROSSER cLoTHEsLINE HANGER BRACKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 3l, 1947 INVENTOR Aug- 15, 1950 J. GROSSER 2,518,774

CLOTHESLINE HANGER BRACKET Filed March 31. 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4| Q as,

' www@ Aug. l5, 1950 J. GROSSER cLoTHEsLIVNE HANGER BRACKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 31, 1947 Aug. l5, 1950 J. GROSSER 2,518,774

CLOTI-IIESLINEA HANGER BRACKET l Filed March 31, 1947 'v 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 15,- 195() UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE CLOTHE SLINE HANGER John Grosser, Cleveland, -Ohio Application March 31, 1'947, vSerial No. 738,407

2 lClaims,

My'invention relates to Vbracket devices in general, but more in particular to an extensible bracket device for supporting a clothesline.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an overhead support system .for a clothesline.

Another object of my invention is to provide an extensible hanger arm which may be contracted and stored within a convenient housing device, in order that the extensible hanger arm may be folded within the housing out of way when the clothesline is not in use.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an attractive and convenient storage housing for an extensible bracket arm in order that the bracket arm may be concealed from view when not in use.

Yet another object of my invention is to remove the hazard of permanently depending clothesline support members by the provision of a retractable line support.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of my invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying?" drawing, in which: n

Figure 1 is the preferred embodiment of my invention having a swingable and extensible hanger member with a jointed brace to limit the swing, and having an enclosable housing mounting member;

Figure 2 is an alternate method of limiting the swing of the extensible hanger arm which may be used in place of the folding brace of Figure l, or in addition thereto;

Figure 3 is a view taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure Ll is a view taken along the line 4 4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a view of the device of Figure 1 with the extensible member retracted and folded within the housing member; l

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the Figure 5 illustrating the closure door thereof, with a portion of the closure door broken away to illustrate the pivotal attachment of the hanger member to the housing;

Figure 'l is an illustration of a bridge member extending between two of my improved bracket devices for directly supporting the clothesline;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatieal end View of Figure 7 'illustrating the ratchet rotatable positioning means to rotatably position the bridge member relative to the bracket;

Figure 9 is an alternate construction ofV my invention employing a folding joint to retract the extendable member, and a block stop means to'limit the pivotal swing thereof;

Figure 10 is an end View of the Figure 9 with theend -plate removed to reveal the interior of the housing;

Figure 11 is a bottom View of Figure 9 with the extendable member folded up within the housing member;

, Figure 12 is an alternate construction of the housing and extendable member to provide a closure plate on the extendable member for closing the entryinto the housing member;

Figure 13 is an end view of the Figure l2; Figure 14 is a bottom view of the device of Figure l2, with the extendable member folded into the housing, and the closure plate back of the extendable member closing the entry into the housing member; and y Figure l5 is a cross-sectional view along the line |5--I5 of Figure 12.

With reference to the Figure 1 of the drawing, I illustrate the embodiment of my invention which will probably be preferred by most householders. In this embodiment, the absolute essentials of my invention have been enlarged upon and supplemented in order to make a device of utmost usefulness. The Figure 1 includes a mounting member in the form of a, housing bracket I9, a hanger member II which is extensible, and a pivot means I'I for pivotally attaching the extensible hanger member II to the housing I0.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the Figure l, the extensible hanger member II includes a swingable arm portion I2 and an extendable arm portion I3. In order to accommodate my improved device to variable height of room in which the device will be used, and also in order to reduce the necessary size of the housing I0, I have provided a way to make the hanger member extensible and retractable. As will be seen by reference to the Figure l, I have provided an elongated slot 23 in the extendable arm portion I3, and have provided a wing bolt 22 with threadable engagement into the able arm portion I2 for locking the extendable 'portion I3 at any relative position with respect ing I0. 1 r

extensible hanger member II up into the hous- In this preferred embodiment, as in all embodiments of my invention, I desire to limit the pivotal swing of the extensible member II in order that the member II will be held to a substantially vertical position when pivoted for operative use. In the embodiment of Figure 1, I have provided the means to limit the pivotal swing of the extensible hanger member II by the provision of a foldable brace including a pivoted brace member I4 and an interconnecting brace member S5. The pivoted brace inember I4 is pivotally attached to the interior surface of the housing IIJ by means of a pivot I8.. The interconnecting brace member I5 is pivotally attached to the swingable arm portion I2 of the hanger member I I by means of a pivot 2Q. Also, the -pivoted brace member I4 and the interconnecting brace member I5 are joined together by a leaded stiffening joint I9.

The construction of the joint I9 will be more readily understood by reference to the Figure 4. In the Figure 4, it will be seen that a lead washer member 26 is positioned between the overlapping ends of the members I4 and I5. The entire joint is then tightened together by means of a bolt 29. Thus, the joint I9 can be made relatively stiff by keeping the bolt 29 relatively tight. Therefore, when the brace members I4 and I5 are axially aligned as indicated by the solid line of Figure 1, the extensible member II will be held snugly in the vertical position indicated. On the other hand, when the extensible member Il is retracted and pivoted about the pivot I1 to a position within thehousing I0 as indicated in the Figure 5 of the drawings, the joint I4 will hold the brace members I4 and I5 in the position indicated in the Figure 5, and serve to retain the extensible member II within the housing- I5. As Wear takes place to allow the joint I9 to become loose, a slight tightening of the bolt 2Q will renew the stifi retaining action thereof. Of course, the few times that the joint I9 is flexed will cause the wear to be relatively slow, and the lead washer 26 will last for many years before it needs to be replaced.

Also in the Figure l, I have illustrated a door member I6 which may be closed over the entry into the housing II! in order to give a finished appearance to the entire device. That is, in many recreation rooms and finished basements or attics, my device may be installed in the ceiling thereof, and only the door member i6 and the face of the bracket id will appear in the room. This feature is very desirable in auxiliary rooms which must serve both as a laundry drying room and for other1 purposes, such for example as recreational purposes. Of course, this feature is not essential for ordinary use in utility rooms and many unfinished basements or attics. The housing I0 requires only the essential portions thereof required ior mounting the housing between ceiling or floor joists, and therefore is not an enclosed housing in the ordinary sense of the word. In the embodiment used for iinished rooms, a face ilange and door i6 are applied for/the sake of appearance. Otherwise, the housing member I Il is in reality only a channel-like member having a bottom portion 46 and two

end members

41 and 48. Thus, when the housing IIJ is mounted along a fioor joist, the bottom portion 46 may be attached to the joist by means of screws or other suitable means. However, when the housing I0 is to be mounted crosswise of the joist, the bracket is mounted by attaching the

end members

41 and 48 to oppositely disposed floor joists.

In the Figure 9 of the drawing, I have illustrated an alternate type of extensible hanger member. In this embodiment, a first arm 30 and a second arm 3I are jointed together by means of a knee 2I. Thus, the member 3| folds back upon the member 30, and the entire unit is then pivoted to the interior of the housing I0. In this embodiment, I have also substituted a stop block 32 in place of the brace as illustrated in the Figure 1, to limit the pivotal swing of the extensible member. As will be readily apparent, the pivoted end of the arm 30 will contact the stop block 32 and limit the pivotal swing of the arm 30. The swing of the arm 3I relative to the arm 30 is stopped at the desired position by the knee construction including a knee stop 49 as illustrated. Thus, the edge of the member 3l will contact the knee stop 49 and will be unable to swing beyond the alignment position.

Also in this embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, I have provided a latch spring 36 in order to hold the folded extensible member within the housing ill. The latch spring 36 will engage the pivoted end of the arm 30 when the retracted extensible member is pivoted into the housing, and may be released by a simple tug on the extensible member. The housing I0 is illustrated with the door I6 in the Figure 9, as would be employed in a finished room for a pleasing appearance.

In the Figure l2 of the drawing,.the extensible member Il operates on substantially the same principle as the extensible member II of the Figure l, but in place of a slotted arrangement, I have provided a channel member 33 and an extensible arm 34 interfitting within the channel member 33. A wing bolt 35 is threadably engaged with the channel 33 and extends therethrough to frictionally engage the extensible arm 34. Also, in the embodiment illustrated in the Figure 12, I have provided a wide face closure plate 31 on the extensible arm to produce a selfclosing effect in place of the door I6 of the embodiment discussed in Figures 1 and 9. Although I: the stop principle discussed in connection with the Figure 9 is illustrated in the Figure l2, a brace device as shown in the Figure 1 could have been included. In either event, the extensible hanger I I is positioned within the housing I0 by retracting the arm 34 within the channel 33, and the entire member is pivoted to position the closure plate 31 flush with the face of the housing I0. Thus, as illustrated best in the Figure 14, the closure plate 31 ts within the entry to the housing I5 and substantially closes this opening to give a pleasing closed appearance. The wing of the wing bolt 35 protrudes from this .surface and provides a convenient gripping member to withdraw the extensible member from the housing I0. In

this embodiment, as previously stated, in place of the brace device, I have provided a spring latch 36 as discussed in connection with the Figure 9.

In the Figure 2 of the drawing, I have illustrated a still further method of limiting the pivotal swing of the pivoted arm on the extensible member relative to the housing. This arrangement simply provides for the member I2 to swing down into contact with the end 41 of the housing. This provision may be used in place of stop block 32 of Figures 9 and l2, or may be used in addition thereto, or in addition to the brace device as illustrated in the Figure 1.

As thus far discussed, my invention has .been explained in the principal function of the extensible and retractable hanger member, and the variations thereof. Also, the various types of pivotal limits and devices for retaining the retracted hanger member within the housing I8 have been discussed. I desire that it be understood that these variations have been set forth only by way of example, and it is to be understood that my invention resides principally in the basic concept of the provision of the swingable hanger member which may be extended and retracted, and thereafter folded within a suitable housing member out of sight and out of way during the time when the hanger member is not employed for supporting clothesline devices.

The remaining portion of my discussion will be directed to the practical use and adaptation of my invention. In each of the figures illustrating the extensible member H, I have illustrated a hooked end 24 and a ratchet pawl 25. In the Figure 7 of the drawings, I illustrate a pipe 38 which may be used to extend between two of the hooks 24 of separate bracket devices. That is, in the use of my bracket device for supporting a clothesline, the clothes hanging area is determined, and one o-f my improved bracket devices installed at each of the four corners of the area. Therefore, there will be a hook member 24 available at each of the four corners. However, it is not necessary to provide a ratchet pawl 25 on each of the four members used, although in standard manufacturing procedure if it is desired to install such a pawl it will not be in the way, but will simply remain unused in some of the devices. The pipe 38 is provided with pin members 39 `which are used in the well-known manner to engage the clothesline. That is a clothesline extends :between two such pipes 38 located along the ends of the rectangular drying area, and the line is simply looped around the pins 39. The pipe 38 may then be rotated relative to the hook 24 in order to wrap the rope about the pipe 38 and tighten the clothesline.

In order to keep the pipe 38 from slipping oi the hook 24, I have provided

spacing washers

43 and 44 which may be spaced to receive the a.

hook 24 therebetween, and are held stationary upon the pipe 38 by means of set screws 42. At least on one of the pipes 38, and on one of the hooked members 24, the ratchet and pawl device illustrated in the Figure 8, and the handle 45 illustrated in the Figure 7 must be provided in order to rotate the pipe 38 and hold the pipe 38 in the rotated position once the clothesline has been tightened. The operation of the apparatus:

is believed to be very easily understood, and comprises a ratchet wheel 40 held stationarily upon the pipe 38 by means of a set screw 4|.

, In the operation of my improved clothesline hanging device, the two pipe members 38 which are required at the ends of the clothes area may be stored in a convenient place when the rack is not in use. Upon setting up my improved clothesline supporting system, the bracket members at the four corners of the clothes drying area are opened and the extensible member pivoted and positioned to extend the hook member 24 to the desired height. Thereafter, one pipe member 38 is positioned between two of the hook members 24 at one end of the clothes drying area, and the other of the pipes 88 is extended between the members 24 at the opposite end of the clothes drying area. The clothesline is then looped back and forth between the pins 39 of the two pipe Imembers 38. Thereafter, the handle member 45 is rotated to pull on each of the loops about the pins 39. Thus, the line is drawn tight quickly upon the pipe 38. As will be readily understood, the pawl 25 will engage the ratchet wheel 48 and hold the pipe 38 rotatively positioned as desired to keep the clothesline taut. It is a simple matter to reverse the above described function in order to store the :clothesline hanging device until further required.

Although I have described my invention in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure 1, of the preferred form has :been made only .by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A clothesline hanger bracket device, comprising an extensible hanger member and a mounting member, said mounting member including a housing having an entry opening therein, said extensible hanger member including a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and joint means interconnecting said arm portions, pivotal mounting means adapted to swingably attach said first arm portion to the interior of said housing, one of said arm portions having a wide closure plate portion, said extensible hanger member being pivotable on said pivotal mounting means to a position Within said housing with the said closure plate portion substantially filling said housing entry.

2. Apparatus for supporting a clothesline to hang clothing, comprising four hanger bracket devices spaced at the corners of a rectangular area, each said bracket device including a housing having an entry opening therein, and an extensible hanger member, said hanger member being adapted to reside within said housing for storage, and being pivotal and extendable from said housing for clothing hanging use, each hanger member having an attachment member on the end thereof, and two cross members, each cross member being adapted to bridge between the attachment members of two of said hanger bracket vdevices along an end of said rectangular area,

and means to rotatably position said cross members relative to said attachment members.

JOHN GROSSER.

REFERENCES CITED The following. references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS