WO2009026902A1

WO2009026902A1 - Clothes dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2009026902A1
Application number: PCT/DE2008/001405
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian ÖESTERLE
Original assignee: Leifheit Ag
Priority date: 2007-08-29
Filing date: 2008-08-27
Publication date: 2009-03-05
Also published as: DE102007041036A1; EP2185764A1

Abstract

A clothes dryer comprising a pole (1), a sliding joint (2) movable on the pole (1), and a holding star (3) disposed on or in the vicinity of the upper end of the pole (1), the sliding joint (2) carrying pivotal carrying arms (4), the holding star (3) carrying pivotal supporting arms (5) intended to support the carrying arms (4), the ends of said supporting arms facing away from the holding star (3) being pivotally hinged on the carrying arms (4), and a pull rope (6) for displacing the sliding joint (2) in the direction of the holding star (3) being provided, said pull rope being used to open the clothes dryer and automatically pulling out and clamping clothes lines from the carrying arms (4), is characterized in that two mutually opposed outer pull ropes (7) engage on the sliding joint (2), said ropes leading to an upper region of the pole (1), being deflected into the opposite direction via an upper deflection mechanism (8), preferably into the pole (1), and ending on an actuating element (9) that can be actuated from the outside.

Description

LAUNDRY SPIDER

The invention relates to a rotary clothes dryer with a mast, a slidable on the mast sliding joint and arranged at or near the upper end (s) of the mast holding star, wherein the sliding joint carries pivotable support arms, the holding star serving to support the support arms serving pivotable support arms whose end facing away from the holding star is pivotally hinged to the support arms and wherein a pull rope is provided for moving the sliding joint in the direction of holding starter, which serves to open the clothes dryer and thereby for automatically pulling out and clamping clotheslines from the support arms.

Clothes dryers of the generic type are known for many years in a variety of embodiments from practice. For example, reference is made to EP 0 655 524 B1.

In the known rotary clothes drier extends between the stationary holding star and slidable on the mast sliding a pull rope, which in the sense of a pulley between a fixed pivot point on the holding star and three roles - a role on the holding star and two rollers on the sliding joint - the distance between the holding star and passes through the slip joint three times. Apart from the fact that the pull rope outside the mast runs unprotected both in terms of pollution and in terms of damage, the pull rope pulls on one side of the slip joint. This has the consequence that the slip joint tilts at least slightly due to the existing game to the mast while pulling and thereby unfavorable leverage and balance of power result. This leads, in particular in a nearly open position of the sliding joint, that almost no forces are transmitted to the vertical, in particular due to the then high friction between the sliding joint and the mast. Not infrequently, the mast is bent when opening the known clothes dryer.

If you wanted to solve the above-discussed problem with the known clothes dryer, you would have to reduce the game between the slip joint and the mast quite considerably. This would make the production of the respective parts more expensive by means of an exact adaptation. In addition, the friction between the Sliding joint and increase the mast, which increases the time required to clamp the clothes dryer effort again.

The present invention is therefore the object of the generic type rotary dryer designed and further developed so that the clothes dryer can be easily opened and closed, without causing the risk of damaging the mast due to unfavorable leverage and large forces.

According to the invention the above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Thereafter, the device in question is characterized in that attack on the slip joint two opposing outer traction cables, which lead to the upper portion of the mast, are preferably deflected via an upper deflection mechanism in the mast in the opposite direction and terminate at an externally operable actuator ,

In accordance with the invention has been recognized that you can accept a sufficiently large game between the mast and the sliding joint, namely, if you take a special constructive action. To avoid a one-sided tilting of the sliding joint relative to the mast, two opposing outer tension cables are provided on the sliding joint, which engage - on both sides - directly or via fastening elements on the sliding joint. In the simplest case, the two pull cables pass through eyelets formed in the sliding joint and are knotted at the ends. The two opposite traction cables lead to the upper region of the mast and are preferably deflected via an upper deflection mechanism into the mast in the opposite direction. The traction cables terminate on an externally operable actuator, which may be any actuator for pulling the traction cables and thus to open the rotary dryer.

It is also conceivable that three equally spaced or four pairs of opposite outer tension cables are provided, which lead individually or in groups or together to the actuator. Also in the context of such an embodiment, an upper deflection mechanism is provided, which preferably deflects the traction cables into the mast. The upper deflection mechanism can be arranged above, below or in the region of the retaining stem. In terms of design, it is particularly advantageous if the upper deflection mechanism is attached to the holding star or integrated in this. It should be noted that the holding star can be designed as a kind of completion of the mast. However, this is not mandatory. It is also conceivable that the holding star is provided shortly before the upper end of the mast, so that the deflection mechanism - forcibly in this case - is indicated above.

In a further advantageous manner, the upper deflection mechanism comprises at least one guide per traction cable, which guides the traction cable with low friction and, if necessary, deflects it. In a particularly advantageous manner, the upper deflecting mechanism comprises at least one deflection roller per traction cable, namely to divert the traction cable into the mast almost without friction. An arrangement of two or three pulleys per pull rope is conceivable.

The pulleys are arranged such that the traction cables - initially outside the mast - extend approximately parallel to the mast with a certain distance thereto. About the pulleys, the traction cables in a particularly advantageous manner to the center of the mast in this or redirected. This can be generated over the diameter of the pulleys, it being conceivable that in the case of two pulleys these are aligned. Likewise, it is conceivable that the deflection rollers with a small offset to each other, i. in parallel planes to each other, are arranged above the mast or in this at least slightly protruding.

As previously mentioned, the outer ends of the traction cables are directly or indirectly connected to the slip joint, on opposite sides of the slip joint. The opposite ends of the traction cables are directly or indirectly connected to the actuator, wherein it is also conceivable that the traction cables are combined to the actuator.

In concrete terms, it is possible that further guide elements for the traction ropes and possibly a pulley arrangement or the like are arranged in the mast. In addition, the actuator can be arranged on the outside of the mast hand crank with rope drum formed in the mast for winding the traction cables or a united Include cables and / or with a gear arranged in the mast. Any arrangements for favoring the balance of power when opening the rotary dryer are conceivable.

In the context of a particularly simple construction, it is advantageous if the actuating member is designed as an operating cable to which the outer traction cables are combined in the mast. This union can be made approximately midway between the lower position of the slip joint and the holding star. It must be ensured that the operating cable has sufficient length so that it can be pulled out to open the clothes dryer from the mast before the connection point with the traction cables enters the region of the cable outlet.

The opening of the rotary clothes dryer can again be promoted by a further constructive measure, namely by the fact that the operating cable extends outward via an inner deflection mechanism through a lead-out below the sliding joint. With a suitable design and arrangement of the deflection mechanism, it is possible to pull the actuating cable orthogonal to the mast from this, wherein the force required to push up the sliding joint tensile force is applied with the lowest possible friction losses. Unintentional pulling out of the mast from an anchorage or a sleeve receiving the mast in the ground can thereby be largely avoided.

The inner deflection mechanism advantageously comprises at least one deflection roller about which the operation cable is guided by the lead-out to the outside. In a particularly advantageous manner, the inner deflection mechanism comprises an arrangement of two or three deflection rollers together with guide (s), which are arranged with radially offset axes of rotation with one another or offset from one another. As a result, the operating cable can be led out of the mast in a particularly sophisticated manner, regardless of the concrete pulling direction relative to the mast. In concrete terms, the cable guide can be selected so that the actuating rope extending from the holding star or from the tension cables first lays around the lower deflection roller and then around the upper deflection roller or partially wraps around it and then out to the outside of the mast. In addition, a kind of rope brake can be integrated, so that the actuating cable automatically locks when pulling and pulling again a return of the actuating cable is possible. Any relevant embodiments are conceivable in an advantageous manner.

Even if the slip joint is pulled on both sides over the traction cables along the mast, there is a completely closed rotary dryer, i. with folded support arms and support arms, the problem of initial opening. This problem can be solved by special use of the operating cable in that the lead-out of the actuating cable between the mast and the sliding joint, preferably via a trained in the mast groove or indentation, is provided, so that when pulling the operating cable, the slip joint through the operating cable directly is raised. In other words, the operating cable is led out through the lead-out through the mast and extends downwards between the mast and the sliding joint. When pulling the operating cable, the slide joint is lifted directly by the operating cable, so that the lower dead center of the lever mechanism formed by the support arms and support arms for opening this mechanism can be overcome with simple means.

It is also conceivable that the sliding joint comprises a sleeve extending this length. Accordingly, the operating cable between the mast and the sleeve can be pulled out of the mast. By provision of the cuff, it is possible to design the sliding joint as filigree as possible and to achieve a sufficient stability and guidance accuracy using an existing example of a thin aluminum sleeve sleeve. At the lower end of the cuff or directly at the slip joint (if there is no cuff) may be provided a special guide lug for initially guiding the actuating cable, namely a guide nose or trough made of a strong, low-wear or abrasion-resistant material and the cable at the initial pulling or pulling up and thus when pushing up the sliding joint leads.

As already mentioned above, the outer traction cables are fastened laterally on the sliding joint or laterally on the sleeve. For this purpose, it is conceivable that the sliding joint or the sleeve has a kind of retaining projection or elbow for receiving the tension cables. Furthermore, it is advantageous if a cable end receiving knob or the like. Is provided at the free end of the led out of the mast actuating cable. Instead of the provision of a pommel is also a handle, a loop or dgi. usable, namely to be able to seize the operating cable safely.

With regard to overcoming the lower dead center, it is also conceivable that - alternatively or in addition to the aforementioned measure - under the point of articulation of the support arms on the support arms, on the mast and on the support arms expanding wedges are formed, which when opening or Move the sliding joint together. By this measure, the support arms are literally pushed away from the mast, namely due to the initial displacement of the slip joint. Both measures - provision of the expanding wedges and direct pushing up of the sliding joint by the operating cable - are possible.

The stability of the mast can be favored by the fact that the mast is made profiled in cross-section, for example made of aluminum. With suitable profiling, it is additionally conceivable that the support arms, possibly also the support arms, are at least partially integrated or embedded in the mast circumference in the folded-in state. In concrete terms, the support arms can be folded into a roughly round profile with corresponding indentations in cross-section, wherein it is only necessary in such a configuration to provide the folding arms for the support arms indentations in the upper region of the mast, in which the support arms between the Holding stops and the Anlenkstelle to the support arms on or in the mast come to the plant. By this measure, space can be saved, so that the rotary clothes dryer is collapsible to a smaller packing volume. On top of that, it is conceivable that, at least for the purpose of transport, the length of the mast is reduced, namely by the fact that the mast consists of two mast parts which are detachably inserted into one another. The nested mast parts are locked, latched or, for example, a kind of sleeve, union nut, etc. in the region of the compound stabilized.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. On the one hand on the claims subordinate to claim 1 and on the other hand on the to refer to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are explained. In the drawing show

1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a rotary dryer according to the invention,

2 in schematic views, the rotary clothes dryer of FIG. 1 in the folded state, each rotated by 45 degrees,

3 is a schematic partial view, enlarged and partially cut, the upper deflection mechanism of the rotary dryer of FIGS. 1 and 2,

4 is a schematic plan view of the rotary clothes dryer in the folded state as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the upper deflection mechanism and the support arms are visible,

5 in a simplified compared to FIG. 4, schematic representation of the object of FIG. 4, wherein in addition to the upper deflection mechanism, a support arm and a support arm are shown,

6 is a schematic view, partially in section, of the lower and inner deflection mechanism for leading out the operation cable,

7 shows a schematic partial view of the articulation region of the support arm on the support arm, wherein the mast and the support arm are associated with expanding wedges and

Fig. 8 shows another variant of a profiled mast in cross section, with

Niches for receiving the support arms. 1 shows, in the context of a schematic view, a rotary dryer with a mast 1, a sliding joint 2 displaceable on the mast 1 and a holding member 3 arranged at or in the vicinity of the upper end of the mast 1, which is merely indicated in FIG. On slide joint 2 support arms 4 are pivotally articulated, wherein a total of four preferably support arms 4 are provided. Fig. 1 shows only two of the support arms. 4

The holding star 3 contributes to supporting the support arms 4 serving pivotable support arms 5, the end remote from the holding star 3 is hinged to the support arms 4 pivotally. A pull cord 6 serves to move the slide joint 2 in the direction of holding star 3 and thus to open the rotary dryer and thereby to automatically pull out and clamping of washing lines, not shown in Fig. 1 from the support arms. 4

According to the invention engage on the sliding joint 2, two opposing outer traction cables 7, which lead to the upper region of the mast 1. There, the outer traction cables 7 are deflected by an upper deflection mechanism 8 in the opposite direction and terminate at an actuatable from the outside actuator 9. At this point it should be noted that the traction cables 6, 7 can extend entirely outside of the mast 1. In an advantageous manner, however, the outer traction cables 7 are deflected into the mast 1 via the upper deflection mechanism 8, so that the traction cable 6 actually extends within the mast 1.

In Fig. 1 it is indicated that the upper deflection mechanism 8 is arranged in the region of the holding star 3, as shown in FIG. 3 shows particularly clearly.

Fig. 2 shows the rotary dryer shown schematically in Fig. 1 in the folded state, in each case rotated by 45 degrees. Thus, Fig. 2 shows that the support arms 5 in the folded state in the profiled mast 1, there in corresponding indentations, come close to the plant, resulting in a very small pack volume.

Furthermore, the upper deflection mechanism 8, a lower or inner deflection mechanism 10 and a spreading aid 11 can be seen in FIG. 2, these elements being shown in detail in the following figures. Fig. 3 shows in an enlarged schematic representation, partially in section, the upper portion of the mast 1, namely in the region of the holding star 3. For simplicity, only one side of one of the two outer traction cables 7 is shown, wherein the traction cable 7 on the Upper deflection mechanism 8, there is deflected via a guide roller 12 into the mast 1 into it. It is shown only symbolically that the outer traction cable 7 is connected to an actuating cable 13, which serves for drawing in the outer traction cables 7.

In Fig. 3 is further indicated that the support arms 5 rest in the profiling of the mast 1, resulting in an extremely low packing volume.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of the mast 1 with overhead deflection mechanism 8 and the support arms 4, which come within integrated cheeks 14 of the mast 1 to the plant. Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows the two aligned deflection rollers 12 of the upper deflection mechanism 8.

Fig. 5 shows in a comparison with FIG 4 modified representation of the mast 1 in a plan view with the cheeks 14 for close contact of the support arms 4. Furthermore, in Fig. 5 indicated how the support arms 5 for internal contact on or in the mast come. Also, the upper deflection mechanism 8 with the pulleys 12 can be seen.

FIG. 6 shows in detail the lower or inner deflection mechanism 10, wherein this comprises two deflection rollers 15 for deflecting and guiding out the operation cable 13. The operating cable 13 is led out through a lead-out 16 from the mast 1. A nearly orthogonal pulling against the mast 1 is possible with only slight friction losses, whereby the sliding joint 2 is moved along the mast 1.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of the region of the articulation point 17 between the support arm 4 and the support arm 5. There are on the one hand on the mast 1 and on the other hand on the support arm 4 expanding wedges 18 provided as an opening aid, the initial support movement of the sliding joint 2, the support arm 4 and thus at least slightly push away the support arm 5 from the mast 1. Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of a possible profile for the mast 1, in which the supporting arms 5, not shown there, come into close contact with the mast 1 in the respective indentations 19.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the rotary dryer according to the invention, reference is made to avoid repetition to the general part of the description and to the claims.

Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the above-described embodiment of the rotary dryer according to the invention only serves to discuss the claimed teaching, but this does not restrict to the embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 mast

2 slip joint

3 stops

4 support arm

5 support arm

6 pull rope

7 outer traction cables

8 upper deflection mechanism

9 actuator

10 lower deflection mechanism

11 spreading aid

12 deflection roller (of the upper deflection mechanism)

13 actuating cable

14 cheeks (integral components of the mast profile)

15 deflection pulley (the lower deflection mechanism)

16 lead out (from the mast)

17 articulation point (support arm / support arm)

18 expanding wedge (on mast / support arm)

19 indentation (in mast profile)

Claims

Patent claims

1. clothes dryer with a mast (1), one on the mast (1) slidable sliding joint (2) and one at or near the upper end (s) of the mast (1) arranged holding star (3), wherein the sliding joint (2 ) carries pivotable support arms (4), wherein the holding star (3) for supporting the support arms (4) carries pivotable support arms (5) whose end remote from the holding star (3) on the support arms (4) is pivotally angeienkt and wherein a pull rope (6) is provided for moving the slide joint (2) in the direction of holding star (3), which is used to open the clothes dryer and thereby for automatically pulling out and clamping clotheslines from the support arms (4), characterized in that on the sliding joint (2) two engage opposing outer traction cables (7), which lead to the upper portion of the mast (1), via an upper deflection mechanism (8) preferably in the mast (1) are deflected in the opposite direction and bet on one of the outside forming tigbaren actuator (9).

2. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that three equally spaced or four pairs of opposite outer traction cables (7) are provided which lead individually or in groups or together to the actuator (9).

3. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper deflecting mechanism (8) above, below or in the region of the Haltestems (3) is arranged.

4. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper deflection mechanism (8) attached to the hardest part (3) or is integrated in this.

5. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper deflection mechanism (8) comprises at least one guide per traction cable (7).

6. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper deflection mechanism (8) comprises at least one guide roller (12) per traction cable (7).

7. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 6, characterized in that the deflection rollers (12) are arranged such that the traction cables (7) extend approximately parallel to the mast (1) and the pulleys (12) to the center of the mast (1) out in this or be deflected.

8. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the ends of the traction cables (7) are directly or indirectly connected to the actuating member (9).

9. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in the mast (1) further guide elements for the traction cables (7) and possibly a pulley arrangement or the like. Are arranged.

10. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the actuating member (9) arranged on the outside of the mast (1) hand crank with in the mast (1) trained rope drum for winding the traction cables (7) or a unified rope (6 ) or with a transmission arranged in the mast (1)

11. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the actuating member (9) is designed as an operating cable (13), to which the outer traction cables (7) in the mast (1) are combined.

12. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 11, characterized in that extending the actuating cable (13) via an inner deflection mechanism (10) by a lead-out below the slide joint (2) to the outside.

13. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 12, characterized in that the inner deflection mechanism (10) comprises at least one deflection roller (15).

14. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the inner deflection mechanism (10) has an arrangement of two or three pulleys (15) together with cable guides, which are arranged with radially offset axes of rotation with each other or offset from each other.

15. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 14, characterized in that extending from the holding star (3) or from the traction cables (7) forth actuating cable (13) first the lower guide roller (15) and then the upper guide roller (12) partially wraps around and then leads outside the mast (1).

16. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the lead-out (16) of the actuating cable (13) between the mast (1) and the sliding joint (2), preferably via a in the mast (1) groove formed, is provided, so that when pulling the operating cable (13), the slide joint (2) by the operating cable (13) is directly raised.

17. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the sliding joint (2) comprises a this extending cuff and that the actuating cable (13) between the mast (1) and the sleeve from the mast (1) can be pulled out.

18. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 17, characterized in that at the lower edge of the sleeve a guide nose for the initial guiding of the actuating cable (13) is provided.

19. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the outer traction cables (7) are fastened laterally on the sleeve.

20. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that at the free end of the actuating cable (13) a cable end receiving knob or the like. Is provided.

21. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that preferably below the pivot point (17) of the support arms (5) on the support arms (4), on the mast (1) and on the support arms (4), when opening or Moving the sliding joint (2) cooperating expanding wedges (18) are formed.

22. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the mast (1) is profiled in cross section such that at least the support arms (5), possibly also the support arms (4), in the folded state at least partially in the Mastumfang incorporated or embedded.

23. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 22, characterized in that the support arms (5) in a cross-section in approximately round profile with corresponding indentations (19) are foldable.

24. rotary clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the mast (1) consists of two mast parts which are detachably inserted into one another.

25. rotary clothes dryer according to claim 24, characterized in that the nested mast parts are lockable, latched, etc. are.