WO2018212648A1

WO2018212648A1 - Portable standing clothes horse

Info

Publication number: WO2018212648A1
Application number: PCT/NL2018/050320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Odin Egill VISSER; Jaap HUIJGEN; Teddy DAMEN
Original assignee: Studiokees
Priority date: 2017-05-18
Filing date: 2018-05-15
Publication date: 2018-11-22
Also published as: EP3625387A1; NL2018941B1

Abstract

A portable and collapsible standing clothes-horse comprises a span assembly and a stand. The span assembly comprises laterally extending clotheslines. The stand is adapted to support the clothes-horse on the ground and the span assembly above the ground. It comprises two rigid frame parts, hinging about a laterally extending horizontal hinge axis at a frame hinge height, and guides, secured above the frame hinge height at each lateral side of each frame part. In an embodiment the span assembly further comprises at each lateral side a tensioning string, connected at each end to a span point of a different frame part beneath the frame hinge height, and running between the span points via two of the guides, each tensioning string having hoisting sections in between span points and guides, and a support section in between the guides, to which each clothesline is slidably connected. The clothes-horse is collapsible from a folded-out into a folded-in condition by moving the top ends of the frame parts towards each other, the support sections shortening, and deployable from the folded-in into the folded-out condition by moving these away from each other, the support sections lengthening.

Description

PORTABLE STANDING CLOTHES HORSE The present invention pertains to a portable standing clothes-horse, for example for hanging laundry to dry.

Standing clothes-horses are known in embodiments that can be set up on the ground indoors or outdoors, and then collapsed for transport or storage. In known embodiments, when set up on the ground, legs of the clothes-horse hold one or more rectangular rack portions above the ground, wherein each rack portion has a plurality of parallel, equidistant clotheslines extending in a lateral direction and contoured by a set of bars. These legs generally support the bars of the one or more rack portions at both lateral sides thereof, to thereby support the clotheslines.

To enable the collapsing of the clothes-horse, its components often hinge with respect to each other at multiple points. The legs therein often define an X-shape, hinging in the longitudinal center and at their connection points with the bars. Therein the folded-out position is often determined by one or more end stops, typically longitudinal cross bars releasably connected to the legs beneath their common hinge. An example of a basic design wherein the legs define an X-shape is shown in Cassel, U.S. Design Pat. No.

322,698.

Collapsing a clothes-horse of this kind is accomplished by folding at least part of the one or more rack portions at the top in between the legs downwards into a practically vertical orientation, around one or more hinges at the connection points with the legs. As a consequence, by collapsing the clothes-horse each of the top clotheslines moves downwards with respect to the respective hinge, namely over the distance thereto. When laundry is hung off from these clotheslines, it moves towards the ground as well by the same amount, so that laundry pieces hung off from clotheslines far from the hinges may reach to the ground when, or even before the rack is collapsed into a folded-in position.

The lowering of laundry pieces during this collapsing of the clothes-horse is reduced in a variant of the basic design of U.S. Design Pat. No. 322,698, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4, 131 ,205, which comprises multiple X-shaped sets of legs on top of each other. However, this concept entails the height of the clothes-horse to be multiple times larger than the basic design, in order to facilitate the same total length of clotheslines.

The object of the current invention is to provide an improved portable and collapsible standing clothes-horse.

The present invention achieves the mentioned object by providing a clothes-horse according to the preamble of claim 1. The clothes-horse is characterized in that the span assembly further comprises a flexible left tensioning string and a flexible right tensioning string, respectively extending at the right side and the left side of the clothes-horse.

Each tensioning string has, firstly, a support section extending in between the first and second rigid frame parts above the frame hinge height. Each of the connecting portions of each top clothesline slidably connects the respective top clothesline to the support section of the tensioning string at the corresponding lateral side.

Secondly each tensioning string has a front hoisting section and/or a back hoisting section.

When present, the front hoisting section extends at the front side of the clothes-horse, in between a front guide on one of the rigid frame parts above the frame hinge height and a hoisting span point on the other one of the rigid frame parts below the frame hinge height. Therein the front guide engages the tensioning string in between the support section and the front hoisting section. When present, the back hoisting section extends at the back side of the clothes-horse in between a back guide on one of the rigid frame parts above the frame hinge height and a hoisting span point on the other one of the rigid frame parts below the frame hinge height. Therein the back guide engages the tensioning string in between the support section and the front hoisting section.

The configuration of the span assembly is such that each tensioning string runs via the respective front and/or back guide in between a respective span point on the stand at the front side, and a respective span point on the stand at the back side of the clothes-horse, such as to be secured to the stand at the respective span points thereon.

Furthermore, the clothes-horse is collapsible from a folded-out condition, in which the top clotheslines together substantially define a horizontal plane, into a folded-in condition by moving the top ends of the rigid frame parts towards each other. In this collapsing of the clothes-horse, the support section of each tensioning string shortens and hangs down in a loop, e.g. similar to a U-shape. The clothes-horse can be unfolded or deployed from the folded-in condition into the folded- out condition by moving the top ends of the rigid frame parts away from each other. In this unfolding the support section of each tensioning string lengthens and becomes substantially horizontal. As a consequence, in a folded-in condition of the clothes-horse, each hoisting section of each tensioning string is longer, and the support section thereof a corresponding amount shorter, than in a folded-out condition. This entails that, in a folded-in condition of the clothes-horse, the sum of the spacings in between the succeeding top clotheslines is smaller than in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse.

By the shortening of the support section of each tensioning string during the collapse of the clothes-horse, each longitudinally outward part of the support section thereof adjacent to a hoisting section thereof is simultaneously hoisted over the guide(s) via which it runs . This hoisting reduces the amount by which the center of the support section moves downward with respect to the guides during collapsing of the clothes-horse, e.g. when compared to an embodiment wherein the support section would maintain a constant length during said collapsing.

As a resulting effect, the lowering of any centrally located top clotheslines, and thereby any laundry hanging therefrom in practical use of the clothes-horse, is reduced as well. In embodiments, the top clotheslines are even higher above the ground in the folded-in condition than in the folded-out condition. Thereby, laundry that does not reach to the ground in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse is prevented from undesirably coming into contact with the ground in intermediate conditions of the clothes-horse, that is, in conditions between the folded-out and the folded-in condition thereof, and even in the folded-in condition. This effect may contribute to the ease with which the clothes-horse can be folded in and then stored, handled and/or transported with clothes remaining present on the clothes-horse. Considering storage, the laundry not reaching to the ground in an intermediate condition in which it is still able to completely support itself on the ground, enables the clothes-horse to be stored in this intermediate position while laundry is hung from its top clotheslines. This can for instance be advantageous in case it is desired to, possibly temporarily, reduce the space taken up thereby in longitudinal direction, compared to the folded-out condition, during or after the drying process of the laundry. In the first case it may for instance be stored in an intermediate position in which the longitudinal spacing in between the laundry pieces still allows for effective - albeit potentially slower - air drying thereof while occupying a smaller volume. In a practical use of the clothes-horse, thereby, the user is advantageously enabled to adjust its volume by the clothes-horse during the drying process. In a practical use of the clothes-horse, thereby, the user is less limited by its dimensions in arranging it in between walls, furniture and/or other objects in, possibly multiple different, rooms or other indoor and/or outdoor spaces, during the drying process.

In the second case it may temporarily be stored in an intermediate position with even less spacing in between the laundry pieces than in the first, taking up less space while still supporting itself on the ground, or even in the folded-in condition while supported against a wall or another object. This reduction of the volume the clothes-horse occupies can in this case be achieved without requiring the laundry to be firstly removed therefrom by the user in order to prevent it from coming into contact with the ground in this position. In a practical use of the clothes-horse, thereby, the user is advantageously enabled to postpone the time of removing the laundry, while already being able to store the clothes-horse in a (partly) folded- in condition.

Considering handling, that is, for instance the maneuvering of the clothes-horse, or the adjustment of its condition, the laundry not reaching to the ground in intermediate conditions, or even in the folded-in condition, enables the clothes-horse to be collapsed to these conditions without requiring it to simultaneously be lifted from the ground in order to prevent laundry to come into contact with the ground. When still lifted from the ground during this collapsing to prevent the friction of the frame parts with the ground entailed by the contact there between, the lifting height can remain limited to the very small amount necessary to prevent this friction, and is not determined by the height over which the laundry extends. In practical use of the clothes-horse, thereby, the user is enabled to handle the clothes-horse with greater ease in terms of the required work. Considering transportation, that is, the laundry not reaching to the ground in an intermediate condition or even in the folded-in condition, allows the user to adjust the condition of the clothes-horse such that the length fits the most ergonomic position of his/her arms, as depending mainly on the length of his/her arms and/or personally favorable carrying position.

Furthermore, by the reduced lowering of the laundry in collapsing the clothes-horse, and the - in a side view of the clothes-horse - looped shape of the tensioning strings when compared to state-of-the-art mutually hinging straight components in between the top ends of the frame parts, the laundry pieces hung from the top clotheslines are moved over a smaller vertical distance and angle while collapsing. This reduces the risk of laundry pieces shifting or falling off the top clotheslines during handling and/or transportation of the clothes- horse when compared to present alternatives.

In an embodiment, each tensioning string has either a front hoisting section or a back hoisting section. Therein each tensioning string respectively runs via only one front or back guide between a front or back support span point above the frame hinge height and one front or back hoisting span point located below the frame hinge height.

In an embodiment both tensioning strings may have just or only a front hoisting section. Therein each tensioning string runs via a respective front guide between a respective back support span point and a respective front hoisting span point.

Embodiments are also envisaged in which one of the tensioning strings has a front hoisting section, and the other one a back hoisting section. Therein the tensioning string with the front hoisting section runs via a front guide between a back support span point and a front hoisting span point. The tensioning string with the back hoisting section runs via a back guide between a front support span point and a back hoisting span point.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the span assembly further comprises multiple connecting elements, and multiple suspending elements. By the connecting elements, both lateral ends of each of the top clotheslines are connected to both respective corresponding lateral ends of the preceding top clothesline, when present, and of the succeeding top clothesline, when present. By the suspending elements, the front and back most ones of the top clotheslines are connected to the rigid frame parts above the frame hinge height.

In the folded-out condition, each of the multiple connecting elements and each of the multiple suspending elements defines the spacing in between the clotheslines it

interconnects, and the top clothesline and the rigid frame part it interconnects, respectively. These connecting and suspending elements may for instance be embodied as strings, bands, chains, or the like, or, preferably, cables or ropes. Therein, in the folded-out condition of the clothes-rack, the elements are extended, so that their lengths determine the spacings in between the top clotheslines and/or rigid frame parts connected thereby. Furthermore therein, in the folded-in condition, at least a part of the elements hangs down in a loop in between the top clotheslines, so to allow for the spacings in between the top clotheslines and/or the rigid frame parts connected thereby to reduce during the collapsing of the clothes-horse. However, multiple other options are available to embody the connecting and suspending elements. Examples are flexible, elastic, or in another way collapsible, foldable, telescopic, sliding, elements, possibly multi-part or movable with respect to each other, which are extended in the folded-out condition - and of which at least a part bends, shortens, collapses, folds, telescopes, slides, shifts or deforms in another way so to enable a reduction of the respective spacings in between the top clotheslines and/or the rigid frame parts connected thereby during the collapsing of the clothes-horse.

In a preferred embodiment, each rigid frame part comprises a left and a right leg, which the left legs and the right legs are pairwise mutually hinging about the hinge axis. Therein guides may be connected to the left and right legs - at the front and back side of the clothes-horse, respectively. Preferably, the guides are provided in proximity of the top ends of the legs, e.g. to elements in between the legs. Preferably the legs are made out of a light material, in particular aluminum, though other materials are found suitable as well - for instance, wood, plastic and/or steel.

In an embodiment, the first frame part comprises a first upper cross bar and the second frame part a second upper cross bar, both extending laterally above the frame hinge height. Thereby each upper cross bar limits movement of the thereby interconnected legs relative to each other at the height of this upper cross bar, so to at least there correspondingly provide mechanical stability and rigidity to the respective frame part.

In an embodiment each rigid frame part may, as is preferred, comprise said left and right leg, the upper cross bar thereof rigidly interconnecting the left and right leg thereof. Furthermore, in this embodiment the left and right guides may be mounted at the upper cross bars at their respective lateral and longitudinal sides. In an embodiment the first and second frame part are each shaped as a rectangular framework of a left and right leg over the height, pairwise mutually hinging about the hinge axis, and, over the width of the respective frame part, a horizontal straight top cross bar, e.g. the upper cross bar thereof, and a bottom horizontal straight cross bar. The bars are interconnected at the corners to define the rectangular shape.

The guides may be rotatable, preferably in particular be rotatable around the upper cross bars - for instance such that these bars form the horizontal axis of the guides. By the rotating ability of the guides, friction between these and the tensioning strings at the interfaces may be reduced, which may further facilitate the ease of collapsing and/or unfolding the clothes-horse by the user.

In an embodiment, the guides laterally align the tensioning strings. In an embodiment the guides may be are embodied as pulleys, for instance as alignment pulleys, with a horizontal rotational axis.

In an embodiment, the first frame part comprises a first lower cross bar and/or the second frame part comprises a second lower cross bar. Therein both cross bars extend laterally below the frame hinge height.

In an embodiment each rigid frame part may, as is preferred, comprise said left and right leg, the lower cross bar thereof rigidly interconnecting the left and right leg thereof. Thereby each lower cross bar limits movement of the thereby interconnected legs relative to each other at the height of this lower cross bar, so to at least there correspondingly provide mechanical stability and rigidity to the respective frame part.

The stand may also be of different structure than described above, e.g. embodied with a first frame part and a second frame part that are each hinged about a separate hinge relative to some base structure of the stand, e.g. about two parallel horizontal hinge axes, preferably at the same height above the ground. The base structure may then also be collapsible.

In an embodiment the hoisting span points may be each formed by at least a part of the first and/or second lower cross bar, respectively, if present, or in another embodiment, each be formed by an inward protrusion, protruding inwardly from an inner surface of a respective leg of the frame part over at least the width of the tensioning string. A closed loop of a front end and/or of a back end of each tensioning string may then for example be respectively formed around a respective one of these hoisting span points. Preferably, the clothes-horse comprises one or more end stops, for example in the form of one or more end stop members, which serve to compensate forces which tend to move the rigid frame parts outwardly. In particular, these are exerted thereon at their span points by the respective tensioning strings, in reaction to laundry pieces pulling the top clotheslines, and thereby the support sections of the tensioning strings, downwards by their weight.

Preferably, the end stops apply counterforces to the rigid frame parts, preferably

substantially in a longitudinal direction. Thereby, the end stops can determine the length of the support section in the folded-out position of the clothes-horse, and/or provide further mechanical stability to the clothes-horse, preferably substantially in a longitudinal direction.

In an embodiment, the first rigid frame part is connected to the second frame part by means of one or more end stop members, each longitudinally extending in between a front end stop point and a back end stop point, of a respective rigid frame part, respectively.

In an embodiment, each frame part may comprise said upper and/or lower cross bar, preferably comprise at least said lower cross bar. Therein, the front and back end stop points are each formed by at least a part of the first and second lower cross bar.

Furthermore, therein the end stop members may, as is preferred, be embodied as tensioning straps. A closed loop of a front end and of a back end of each end stop member may therein respectively be formed around the end stop points.

In an embodiment, wherein the hinging between the frame parts is established by horizontal hinges, these hinges may comprise an end stop which determines the position of the frame parts in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse. For example, in an embodiment without cross bars or other inwardly protruding elements, e.g. having the legs, such end stops may particularly be advantageous. In an embodiment, the span assembly further comprises multiple parallel front and back lower clotheslines in addition to the top clotheslines. Therein, the front and back lower clotheslines extend horizontally in a lateral direction, and are at left and right ends thereof each fixed to the front and back hoisting section of the left and right tensioning string, respectively, when present. By means of these lower clotheslines, the clothes-horse provides additional opportunities for applying laundry pieces thereto, without extending the volume of the clothes-horse and without requiring additional parts besides the lower clotheslines itself. Preferably, the frame hinge height of the clothes-horse is less than half, more preferably around a third of the height of the top clotheslines when the clothes-horse is standing on the ground in its folded-out condition. Decreasing the hinge height below half the height of the top clotheslines advantageously creates a longer support section of the tensioning strings, so that more top clotheslines can be connected thereto - and thus, more laundry can be applied to the clothes-horse.

However, decreasing the hinge height too far may cause the clothes-horse to become unstable in standing, which limits the range of possible hinge heights from below. In addition, a further limitation is imposed by the average human arm span. It is envisaged that the user of the clothes-horse collapses it by placing each of his hands a different frame part above the frame hinge height, for instance at the top end thereof, for instance at the approximate height of the top clotheslines, and moving the frame parts towards each other in a generally longitudinal direction. To allow for this action in an ergonomic way, the length of the frame parts at the predetermined gripping height of the user, should preferably not exceed the average arm span. This maximum length provides a further lower limit to the range of possible hinge heights, which depends on the mentioned gripping height. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge point height is between 25% and 55%, more preferably between 35% and 45%, for example approximately 40%, of the height of the top clotheslines in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse.

The amount by which the support section of the tensioning strings shortens by collapsing the clothes-rack is determined by the height of the hoisting span points. Therein, the amount of shortening in collapsing the clothes-horse from the folded-out condition into the folded-in condition is for each tensioning string determined by the summed up length of its hoisting section(s) in the folded-in condition and that in folded-out condition of the clothes-horse. As a consequence this amount increases upon providing the hoisting span points further away from the frame hinge axis, for instance lower.

Shortening by a larger amount reduces to a greater extent the lowering of the top clotheslines in collapsing the clothes-horse, which thereby increases the advantageous effect of the invention. This amount is however limited by the minimum length the support section still requires in the folded-in condition, in order to accommodate the top clotheslines while laundry is applied thereto. Preferably, the support section therein still hangs down in a loop. The length of the hoisting section(s) should thereby per tensioning string in total increase no further than half of the desired amount of shortening of the support section. Thereby, the distance between each hoisting span point and the hinge axis is limited from below. It is highly preferred that, in particular when the tensioning string is non-elastic, the height of the each hoisting span point is chosen such that the length of the hoisting section of the tensioning string connected thereto, in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse, is smaller than the distance from the corresponding frame hinge axis to the guide over which the tensioning string runs at the corresponding longitudinal side adjacent the support section. In this way, the tensioning string can be tensioned in all conditions of the clothes- horse, without requiring therefore external tensioning forces - such as downwardly on the top clotheslines by laundry hanging therefrom. In this way, it can be established that the top clotheslines run in the same substantially horizontal plane in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse.

In this preferred embodiment, therefore the height of each span point is preferably between 45% and 75%, more preferably between 55% and 65%, for example approximately 60%, of the frame hinge height. In an embodiment, the top clotheslines are each connected to each tensioning string by a closed loop portion of the connecting portion. Thereby, the sliding connections of the top clotheslines to the tensioning strings are realized in an uncomplicated manner.

Furthermore, therein, for each top clothesline the connecting elements and/or the suspending elements connected thereto may be fixed to the closed loop at the

corresponding lateral ends thereof.

In an embodiment, each leg comprises a rotational plateau, extending around the hinge axis, and an upper segment, extending from the rotational plateau to the end bar connected thereto, and a lower segment, extending from the rotational plateau to the ground. Therein the upper and lower segment are interconnected by means of the rotational plateau, and run along spaced apart parallel leg axes on opposite sides of the hinge axis in a side view of the clothes-horse, such that the upper and lower segments run along the leg axis that is most outward from the hinge axis above and below the frame hinge height, respectively.

The upper segments running along the leg axis that is most outward from the hinge axis above the frame hinge height can advantageously increase the longitudinal distance between the frame parts above the frame hinge height in the folded-out condition - when compared to an axis running parallel thereto through the frame hinge axis. The latter would for instance be the case with the legs being completely straight. Thereby, the support section can be lengthened without increasing the height thereof - which may enable more laundry to be applied thereto.

Furthermore, the lower segments running along the leg axis that is most outward from the hinge axis below the frame hinge height can advantageously increase the longitudinal distance between the frame parts below the frame hinge height, e.g. thereby between the foot portions thereof, when present - when compared to an axis running parallel thereto through the frame hinge axis. Thereby, the floor area on which the clothes-horse is supported can be lengthened without increasing the height thereof - which may contribute to its stability in standing. Further stability in standing may be achieved by the construction of the frame parts, and the geometry, material properties of their parts.

In an embodiment in which the legs comprise the upper and lower segments interconnected by the rotational plateau, the upper and lower segments of each leg run along parallel, laterally spaced apart axes in a front view of the clothes-horse as well. In particular, of each leg the upper segment runs along an axis that is laterally more outward than the axis along which the lower segment runs. In this way, the lateral spacing in between the left and right leg of each frame part is increased when compared to the legs running along the same vertical axis -advantageously allowing for longer top clotheslines without increasing the height of the clothes-horse.

In an embodiment, a foot portion of each leg of the frame parts is attachable to the remainder of the leg, so that prior to the attachment, e.g. while being packaged, e.g. during transport, the take-up of space in the height-direction is minimized. The foot portion therein extends up to at most the frame hinge height, and may in addition be detachable and re- attachable again, e.g. to ease continued transport after use.

Optionally, further opportunities to apply laundry can be created in between the frame parts, preferably below the frame hinge height. For example, one or more breathing sheets may be provided there or, alternatively, additional clotheslines - which may for instance be connected to, or integrated with, the end stop members, when present, or may be placed in between these. In an embodiment, one breathing sheet is provided below the frame hinge height in between the frame parts, suitable for air drying small laundry (socks, underwear) or wool laundry, which need to be dried horizontally. Preferably, the breathing sheet is made of a fabric mesh, which enables laundry applied thereon to dry from all sides. Preferably, the breathing sheet extends over an as large as possible, substantially horizontal area when the clothes- horse is in the folded-out position.

Optionally, the breathing sheet forms an end stop member. In an embodiment wherein the frame parts comprise front and back lower cross bars, the breathing sheet is connected thereto at a front and a back end thereof, respectively, this front and back end thereby for instance respectively forming a closed loop around the front and back lower cross bar.

In an embodiment wherein the frame parts comprises the legs, these legs preferably have a rectangular cross-section - mainly to facilitate a more convenient production and assembly out of the rotational plateau and the in two directions in parallel running upper and lower segments, and a more convenient connection with upper cross bars, when present. Therein, the shorter sides preferably extend in the lateral direction and the longer sides in longitudinal direction.

In an embodiment each leg is at the lower end thereof provided with a cap with rounded-off edges, by means of which the respective support bar is supported on the ground.

As brought up before, the user is envisaged to collapse the clothes-horse by engaging top ends of the frame parts by his hands and longitudinally moving these towards each other. To allow for this action in an ergonomic way, the distance in between these top ends of the frame parts at the predetermined gripping height of the user, should preferably not exceed the average arm span - this gripping height preferably being on the top ends of the frame parts.

In an embodiment, therefore the mutual spacing between the top ends of the frame parts in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse comprises no more than the average human arm span. In an embodiment, the height of the top clotheslines in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse is between 80cm and 120cm above the ground when the clothes-horse is standing thereon. The present invention also relates to an embodiment of a portable and collapsible standing clothes-horse, for example for hanging laundry to dry. Herein the clothes-horse comprises: a span assembly, comprising multiple substantially parallel top clotheslines, extending horizontally in a lateral direction from a left side of the clothes-horse to a right side thereof, and succeeding one another from a front side of the clothes-horse to a back side of the clothes-horse, having spacings in between them, and comprising connecting portions (201 a) at each lateral end thereof, and

a stand adapted to support the clothes-horse on the ground when standing thereon and to support the span assembly above the ground, the stand comprising a rigid front frame part and a rigid back frame part, hinging about a laterally extending horizontal hinge axis at a frame hinge height,

which is characterized in that the stand further comprises a left front guide and a right front guide, and a left back guide and a right back guide, each secured above the frame hinge height respectively to the left and right side of the rigid front frame part, and to the left and right side of the rigid back frame part,

the span assembly further comprising a flexible left tensioning string and a flexible right tensioning string, respectively extending at the right side and the left side of the clothes- horse,

wherein of each tensioning string, a front end is connected to a front span point of the rigid back frame part at the corresponding lateral side, and a back end is connected to a back span point of the rigid front frame part at the corresponding lateral side thereof,

said front and back span points being located beneath the frame hinge height,

and each of which tensioning strings runs from the respective front span point to the respective back span point, consecutively via the front guide and the back guide at the corresponding lateral sides of the tensioning strings, so that each tensioning string has a front hoisting section in between the respective front span point and front guide, and a back hoisting section in between the respective back span point and the back guide,

and a support section in between the respective front and back guide, each of the connecting portions of each top clothesline slidably connecting the respective top clothesline to the support section of the tensioning string at the corresponding lateral side,

wherein the clothes-horse is collapsible from a folded-out condition, in which the top clotheslines together substantially define a horizontal plane, into a folded-in condition by moving the top ends of the rigid frame parts towards each other, wherein the support section of each tensioning string shortens and hangs down in a loop between the front and back guide, and deployable from the folded-in condition into the folded-out condition by moving the top ends of the rigid frame parts away from each other, wherein the support section of each tensioning string lengthens.

The present invention also relates to a portable and collapsible standing clothes-horse, for example for hanging laundry to dry, comprising:

- a stand comprising a foot portion to support the clothes-horse on the ground when standing thereon and comprising a front frame part and a back frame part, at least one of said front frame part and a back frame part hinging about a laterally extending horizontal hinge axis,

the stand further comprising a left front guide and a right front guide, and a left back guide and a right back guide, each secured above the frame hinge height respectively to a left and a right side of the front frame part, and to the left and right side of the back frame part,

- a span assembly comprising a flexible left tensioning string and a flexible right tensioning string, respectively extending at the right side and the left side of the stand, wherein of each tensioning string, a front end is connected to a front span point of the stand at the corresponding lateral side, and a back end is connected to a back span point of the stand at the corresponding lateral side thereof, wherein each tensioning string runs from the respective front span point to the respective back span point, consecutively via the front guide and the back guide at the corresponding lateral side of the stand, so that each tensioning string has a front hoisting section in between the respective front span point and front guide, and a back hoisting section in between the respective back span point and the back guide, and a support section in between the respective front and back guide, wherein the span assembly further comprises multiple laterally extending and substantially parallel top clotheslines, that are each connected at lateral ends thereof to the respective support section of the support section of the tensioning string, e.g. slidably connected, wherein the clothes-horse is collapsible from a folded-out condition, in which the top clotheslines are held in a substantially horizontal plane by said tensioning strings, into a folded-in condition, wherein the support section of each tensioning string shortens and hangs down in a loop between the front and back guide. The stand may be embodied with frame parts that are mutually hinged about a laterally extending horizontal hinge axis, e.g. with the frame parts each having left and right legs, and the left legs and right legs being pairwise mutually hinged. The stand may also be of different structure, e.g. embodied with a front frame part and a rear frame part that are each hinged about a separate hinge relative to some base structure of the stand, e.g. about two parallel horizontal hinge axes, preferably at the same height above the ground. The base structure may then also be collapsible. The present invention also relates to a method for hanging clothes, e.g. for hanging laundry to dry, wherein use is made of a portable and collapsible standing clothes-horse as discussed herein. For example the method also comprises the step of collapsing the clothes- horse whilst the clothes, e.g. laundry, remain hanging on the clotheslines, transporting the collapsed clothes-horse with said clothes to another location, and deploying the clothes- horse again, e.g. for continued drying or storage at said other location.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. In the drawings: shows a perspective view of an exemplary clothes-horse according to the invention in its folded-out condition,

shows a cross-sectional view of a clothes-horse according to the invention in its folded-out condition, along with magnifications of two details,

shows a top view of a clothes-horse according to the invention in its folded-out condition,

shows a clothes-horse according to the invention in its folded-out condition in a perspective view thereof,

shows a clothes-horse according to the invention in an intermediate condition in the same perspective view thereof,

shows a clothes-horse according to the invention in its folded-in condition in the same perspective view thereof,

shows side views of a clothes-horse according to the invention, namely in its folded-out condition, an intermediate condition and its folded-in condition, in a shows a side view of a clothes-horse according to the invention in an intermediate condition thereof, along with a magnification of a detail, shows a clothes-horse according to the invention in its folded-in condition in a side view and a sectional view thereof, along with a magnification of a detail, Fig. 10 shows a front view of a clothes-horse according to the invention in its folded-in condition,

Fig. 1 1 shows a left side view of a clothes-horse according to the invention in its folded- out condition, with multiple length indications thereof,

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of an exemplary clothes-horse according to the

invention in its folded-out condition,

Fig. 13 shows a side view of a clothes-horse according to the invention in its folded-out condition,

Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of an exemplary clothes-horse according to the

invention in an intermediate condition thereof,

Fig. 15 shows a side view of a clothes-horse according to the invention in an

intermediate condition thereof,

Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of an exemplary clothes-horse according to the

invention in its folded-in condition,

Fig. 17 shows a side view of a clothes-horse according to the invention in its folded-in condition,

The Figs.1-1 1 relate to a first embodiment of a portable and collapsible standing clothes- horse 1 according to the invention. Figs.1-4 illustrate the construction and the parts of thi; clothes-horse in a folded-out condition, its features indicated therein. Figs.4-6 and Fig.7 demonstrate the working of the clothes-horse, while Figs.8-10 provide some additional illustrations thereof further clarifying its properties and pointing out some details. Fig.1 1 indicates the most relevant dimensions of the construction. Turning firstly to Figs.1-4 to elaborate on the construction of the clothes-horse, Fig.1 shows a perspective view thereof, as seen from a point at some distance at the left, front, top side of the thereof. As indicated therein, the clothes-horse 1 comprises, firstly, a span assembly 2, comprising multiple substantially parallel top clotheslines 201 , extending horizontally in a lateral direction from the left side of the clothes-horse to the right side thereof. The top clotheslines succeed one another from the front side of the clothes-horse to its back side, having spacings 201 b in between them, and each comprising a connecting portion 201 a at each lateral end thereof.

Fig.2 shows a cross-section of the clothes-horse, namely along the vertical plane F-F indicated in the top view of Fig.3. As shown, the clothes-horse 1 further comprises a stand 3, adapted to support the span assembly above the ground. As can best be verified from Fig.2, the stand here, as preferred, comprises a rigid front frame part 301 and a rigid back frame part 302. These frame parts mutually hinge over a laterally extending horizontal hinge axis A, most clearly visible in Figs.1 ,3 and 4, at the frame hinge height. The vertical plane through the hinge axis A separates the front and back side of the clothes-horse. Therein each frame part 301 , 302 comprises a foot portion 301 a, 302a to support the clothes-horse on the ground when standing thereon.

The stand 3 further comprises a left front guide 303 and a right front guide 304, and a left back guide 305 and a right back guide 306, each secured above the frame hinge height respectively to the left and right side of the rigid front frame part 301 , and to the left and right side of the rigid back frame part 302.

The span assembly 2 further comprises a flexible left tensioning string 202 and a flexible right tensioning string 203, respectively extending at the right side and the left side of the clothes-horse 1.

Therein, of each tensioning string, a front end 202a, 203a is connected to a front span point 204, 205 on the back rigid frame part 302 at the corresponding lateral side, and a back end 202b, 203b is connected to a back span point 206, 207 of the front rigid frame part at the corresponding lateral side thereof. Therein the front and back span points 204, 205, 206, 207 are located beneath the frame hinge height.

Each of the tensioning strings runs from the respective front span point to the respective back span point, consecutively via the front guide and the back guide at the corresponding lateral sides of the tensioning strings. It is verifiable from Fig.2 that thereby, each tensioning string has a front hoisting section 202c, 203c extending at the front side of the clothes-horse in between the respective front span point 204, 205 on the back frame part 302 and front guide 303, 304 on the front frame part 301 , and a back hoisting section 202d, 203d in between the respective back span point 206, 207 on the front frame part 301 and the back guide 305, 306 on the back frame part 302, and a support section 202e, 203e extending in between the first and second rigid frame part above the frame hinge height (a), namely in between the respective front and back guide. The front guides 303, 304 engage the tensioning strings 202, 203 at a transition between the support section 202e, 203e and the front hoisting section 202c, 203c and the back guides 305, 306 at a transition between the support section 202e, 203e and the back hoisting section 202d, 203d.

Each tensioning string 202,203 therefore runs, via the front and/or back guide it is engaged by, in between a respective span point 204,205 on the stand at the front side, and a respective span point 206,207 on the stand at the back side of the clothes-horse, such as to be secured to the stand at the respective span points thereon.

It is most clearly shown in Fig.1 that each of the connecting portions of each top clothesline slideably connects the respective top clothesline to the support section of the tensioning string at the corresponding lateral side.

Figs.4-7 clarify the working of the clothes-horse from two different views. Figs.4-6 show the clothes-horse in the same perspective view, in three possible conditions thereof - namely, the folded-out condition in Fig.4, an intermediate condition in Fig.5, and the folded-in condition in Fig.6. Fig.7 shows the clothes-horse in these same three conditions in a left side view.

Figs.4-6 reflect in their order, and Fig.7 from the left to the right, the advancement of the construction from the folded-out condition into the folded-in condition, demonstrating the clothes-horse being collapsible from a folded-out condition, in which the top clotheslines together substantially define a horizontal plane, into a folded-in condition, which can be established by moving the top ends of the rigid frame parts towards each other. In this collapsing of the clothes-horse, the support section of each tensioning string shortens and hangs down in a loop between the front and back guide - which follows most clearly from Fig.5 and the middle part of Fig.7.

When considering Figs. 4-6 in reverse order, and Fig.7 from the right to the left, these figures also demonstrate he clothes-horse can be unfolded from the folded-in condition into the folded-out condition by moving the top ends of the rigid frame parts away from each other. In this unfolding the support section of each tensioning string lengthens.

It can be verified by the geometry in these conditions, that as a consequence of how the clothes-horse is constructed, in a folded-in condition of the clothes-horse, each hoisting section of each tensioning string is longer, and the support section thereof a corresponding amount shorter, than in a folded-out condition. This entails that, in a folded-in condition of the clothes-horse, the sum of the spacings in between the succeeding top clotheslines is smaller than in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse. By the tensioning strings shortening in between the guides, the support section thereof is simultaneously hoisted over the front and back guides at that lateral side. This hoisting reduces the amount by which the support section, moves downward with respect to the guides during collapsing of the clothes-horse, when compared to a state-of-the-art support section maintaining constant length during collapsing.

As the figures show and as is determined by the geometry, with this embodiment of the invention, the lowering of the top clotheslines in collapsing the clothes-horse is

advantageously completely prevented. In fact, the top clotheslines are even lifted during collapsing, the top clotheslines being progressively higher from the ground in the shown intermediate condition than in the folded-out condition, and even higher in the folded-in condition than in the shown intermediate condition. The working of this invention being as advantageous as shown, results from a combination of optional and preferred design features and properties.

Whereas Fig.8 and the left part of Fig.9 show a left side view of the embodiment in an intermediate and in its folded-in condition, respectively, the middle and right part of Fig. 9 show a cross-sectional view thereof in its folded-in condition, along the vertical cross-section F-F indicated in Fig.3. Therein the right part of Fig.9 is a magnification of detail J. It is most clearly visible from these two figures that, as is preferred, the span assembly of the shown embodiment of the invention further comprises multiple connecting elements 208 and multiple suspending elements 209.

By the multiple connecting elements, both lateral ends of each of the top clotheslines are connected to both respective corresponding lateral ends of the preceding top clothesline, when present, and of the succeeding top clothesline, when present. By the multiple suspending elements, the front most one of the top clotheslines is connected to the front rigid frame part above the frame hinge height, and the back most one of the top clotheslines to the back rigid frame part above the frame hinge height.

In the folded-out condition, each of the multiple connecting elements and each of the multiple suspending elements defines the spacing in between the top clotheslines it interconnects, and the top clothesline and the rigid frame part it interconnects, respectively.

Referring back to Figs.3-4, in this embodiment each rigid frame part comprises a left leg 307 and a right leg 308. The left legs and the right legs both mutually hinge over the hinge axis A, intermediate the lower and upper end of the legs, and the left and right guides are each connected to the left and right legs at the corresponding longitudinal side of the clothes- horse. Furthermore, the front frame part comprises a front upper cross bar 309 and the back frame part a back upper cross bar 310, extending laterally above the frame hinge height. Of both frame parts, the left and right leg are rigidly interconnected by means of the front and back upper cross bar, respectively.

The guides 303 304, 305 and 306 are mounted at the upper cross bars at the respective longitudinal and lateral sides thereof. In more detail these guides are rotatable around the respective upper cross bar. As illustrated herein, the guides are embodied as alignment pulleys with a horizontal rotational axis.

The front frame part of the embodiment comprises a front lower cross bar 31 1 and the back frame part a back lower cross bar 312, each of said bars 31 1 , 312 extending laterally below the frame hinge height.

Of the front and back frame part, the left and right leg are rigidly interconnected by means of the front and back lower cross bar, respectively. Furthermore, the front and back span points are each formed by at least a part of the front and back lower cross bar, respectively, around which a closed loop of a front end 202a, 203a and of a back end 202b, 203b of each tensioning string is respectively formed.

The front rigid frame part of the shown embodiment is connected with the back frame part by means of one or more end stop members 212. As indicated in Fig.4, each of these end stop members longitudinally extending in between a front end stop point 314 and a back end stop point 315, respectively, on the front and back rigid frame parts, respectively.

In particular, the end stop members are embodied as tensioning straps, and the front and back end stop points are each formed by at least a part of the front and back lower cross bar, respectively, around which a closed loop of a front end 212a and of a back end 212b of each tensioning strap is respectively formed.

Optionally, the hinging between the frame parts is established by horizontal hinges comprising an end stop, which determines the position of the frame parts in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse. This is not shown in any figures. The span assembly of the shown embodiment further comprises multiple parallel front lower clotheslines 210 and back lower clotheslines 21 1 in addition to the top clotheslines, wherein the front and back lower clotheslines 210, 211 extend horizontally in a lateral direction, and are at left and right ends thereof each fixed to the front and back hoisting section of the left and right tensioning string, respectively.

In the front and left side view of the clothes-horse in Figs.10 and 1 1 , respectively, a number of characteristic distances are indicated. Therein, from comparing length I from the frame hinge axis of each frame part with the length u from the frame hinge axis to the guide, it can be verified that as is preferred, in this embodiment the frame hinge height is between 30% and 40% of the height of the top clotheslines in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse.

It can furthermore be verified from comparing the height of the span points p above the ground with the hinge point height a that the height of the span points is between 60% and 70% of the frame hinge height.

The lengths I, and u, and heights a and p of the clothes-horse determine the amount by which collapsing the clothes-horse causes the length s of the support section of each tensioning string to decrease, and the lengths h of the hoisting sections thereof to increase.

From Figs.8-9, it is visible that the top clotheslines of this embodiment are each connected to each tensioning string by of the connecting portion such that the clothesline can slide relative to the string in the direction of the string. For example the connecting portion comprises a closed loop around the string.

In an embodiment for each top clothesline the connecting elements and/or the suspending elements connected thereto are fixed to the closed loop at the corresponding lateral ends thereof. As indicated, in the shown embodiment each leg comprises a rotational plateau 317 extending around the hinge axis, and an upper segment 307a, 308a, extending from the rotational plateau to the end bar connected thereto, and a lower segment 307b, 308b, extending from the rotational plateau to the ground. The upper and lower segment are interconnected by means of the rotational plateau and run along spaced apart parallel leg axes B, C on opposite sides of the hinge axis in a side view of the clothes-horse, such that the upper and lower segments run along the leg axis that is most outward from the hinge axis above and below the frame hinge height, respectively. Referring back to Figs.1 , 3 and 4, the upper and lower segments run along parallel, laterally spaced apart axes when viewed from the front (or the back) of the clothes-horse as well. In particular, of each leg the upper segment runs along an axis that is laterally more outward than the axis along which the lower segment runs, so to result in the left and right legs of each frame part being laterally spaced apart further than with laterally aligned upper and lower segments. As can be verified, this can enable longer top clotheslines without increasing their distance to the ground. Furthermore, in the shown embodiment, in between its frame parts and below its frame hinge height, a breathing sheet 213 is provided. This breathing sheet is suitable for air drying small laundry (socks, underwear) or wool laundry, which need to be dried horizontally. As is preferred, it is made of a fabric mesh, which enables laundry laid thereon to dry from all sides.

As is preferred, the breathing sheet extends over a substantially horizontal area when the clothes-horse is in the folded-out position, and may be connected to the end stop members at both lateral sides. It is furthermore preferably connected to the front and back lower cross bars at a front and a back end thereof, respectively, this front and back end thereby respectively forming a closed loop around the front and back lower cross bar.

The legs of the embodiment shown have a rectangular cross-section, of which the shorter sides extend in the lateral direction and the longer sides in longitudinal direction. Furthermore, as is preferred each leg is at the lower end thereof provided with a cap 318 with rounded-off edges, by means of which the respective support bar is supported on the ground.

As not directly derivable from the figures, as is preferred the mutual spacing between the top ends of the frame parts in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse shown comprises no more than the average human arm span.

Furthermore, the height of the top clotheslines in the folded-out condition of the clothes- horse is between 80cm and 120cm above the ground when the clothes-horse is standing thereon. The Figs. 12-17 relate to a second embodiment of portable and collapsible standing clothes- horse 1 according to the invention. Similarly to Figs.4-6 for the first embodiment, the figures demonstrate the working of the clothes-horse also for this embodiment. As may be verified from comparing Fig.1 and Fig. 12, the second embodiment has a construction that is partly similar to the first embodiment and shares several features and functionalities with the first embodiment.

The clothes horse in figures 12 - 17 comprises a span assembly 2, comprising multiple substantially parallel top clotheslines 201 , extending horizontally in a lateral direction from a left side of the clothes-horse to a right side thereof, and longitudinally succeeding one another from a front side of the clothes-horse to a back side of the clothes-horse.

As shown in fig. 13, the clotheslines have spacings 201 b in between them, and comprise connecting portions 201 a at each lateral end thereof, similarly to the first embodiment - compare with fig. 2 of the first embodiment.

The clothes-horse comprises a stand 3 adapted to support the clothes-horse on the ground when standing thereon and to support the span assembly above the ground. The stand comprises a rigid first frame part 301 and a rigid second frame part 302, hinging about a laterally extending horizontal hinge axis A at a frame hinge height a - see fig.17 and compare with fig. 10 of the first embodiment. The vertical plane of this horizontal hinge axis A again separates the front and back side of the clothes-horse. As shown, alike the first embodiment, the second embodiment has the span assembly further comprising a flexible left tensioning string 202 and a flexible right tensioning string 203, respectively extending at the right side and the left side of the clothes-horse. Each tensioning string 202, 203 has a support section 202e, 203e extending in between the first and second rigid frame part above the frame hinge height a. Each of the connecting portions of each top clothesline slideably connect the respective top clothesline to the support section of the tensioning string at the corresponding lateral side.

The main difference of the second embodiment with the first, is that instead of both a front hoisting section 202c, 203c and a back hoisting section 202d, 203d, the tensioning strings 202, 203 of the second embodiment each only have a front hoisting section 202c, 203c, and no back hoisting section 202d, 203d. Instead of on the back lower cross bar 31 1 , the back span points 206, 207 are now arranged on the back upper cross bar 310, and no back guides are engaging the tensioning string at the upper cross bar 310. Instead, the support section is for each tensioning string now defined by the back span points 206, 207 and the front guides 304, 305, respectively. Furthermore, there are no lower clotheslines 21 1 extending in between the tensioning strings at the back side of the clothes horse, as there is no hoisting section there in this embodiment.

Each tensioning string 202,203 now runs, via the front and/or back guide it is engaged by, in between a respective span point 204,205 on the stand at the front side, and a respective span point 206,207 on the stand at the back side of the clothes-horse, such as to be secured to the stand at the respective span points thereon.

As shown by the advancement from figs. 12 and 13 to figs. 14 and 15 and figs. 16 and 17, respectively, the clothes-horse is collapsible from a folded-out condition, in which the top clotheslines together substantially define a horizontal plane, into a folded-in condition by moving the top ends of the rigid frame parts towards each other, wherein the support section of each tensioning string shortens and hangs down in a loop between the front and back guide, and deployable from the folded-in condition into the folded-out condition by moving the top ends of the rigid frame parts away from each other, wherein the support section of each tensioning string lengthens.

It is noted that, of the additional features shown for the first embodiment, most are visible for the second embodiment as well. This can be verified by comparing the figures thereof. For the features of the first embodiment not shown for the second embodiment, and other features described, it may be envisaged from the figures that these are applicable thereto as well, so that this embodiment is not limited to what is disclosed in the figs. 12-17. An example is the breathing sheet 213, shown in Fig.1 for the first embodiment and from comparing with fig.12 of the second embodiment, applicable thereto as well.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A portable and collapsible standing clothes-horse (1), for example for hanging laundry to dry, comprising: a span assembly (2), comprising multiple substantially parallel top clotheslines (201 ), extending horizontally in a lateral direction from a left side of the clothes-horse to a right side thereof, and longitudinally succeeding one another from a front side of the clothes-horse to a back side of the clothes-horse, having spacings (201 b) in between them, and comprising connecting portions (201 a) at each lateral end thereof, and

a stand (3) adapted to support the clothes-horse on the ground when standing thereon and to support the span assembly above the ground, the stand comprising a rigid first frame part (301) and a rigid second frame part (302), hinging about a laterally extending horizontal hinge axis (A) at a frame hinge height (a), wherein an imaginary vertical plane through the horizontal hinge axis (A) separates the front side and back side of the clothes- horse, characterized in that the span assembly further comprising a flexible left tensioning string (202) and a flexible right tensioning string (203), respectively extending at the right side and the left side of the clothes-horse, each tensioning string (202,203) having:

- a support section (202e, 203e) extending in between the first and second rigid frame part above the frame hinge height (a), wherein each of the connecting portions of each top clothesline slidably connects the respective top clothesline to the support section of the tensioning string at the corresponding lateral side, and each tensioning string (202,203) having either, or both, of:

a front hoisting section (202c, 203c) extending at the front side of the clothes-horse in between a front guide (303,304) on one of the rigid frame parts above the frame hinge height (a) and a hoisting span point (204,205) on the other one of the rigid frame parts below the frame hinge height (a), said front guide engaging the tensioning string at a transition between the support section and the front hoisting section, and - a back hoisting section (202d, 203d) extending at the back side of the clothes-horse in between a back guide (305,306) on one of the rigid frame parts above the frame hinge height (a) and a hoisting span point (206,207) on the other one of the rigid frame parts below the frame hinge height (a), said back guide engaging the tensioning string at a transition between the support section and the back hoisting section, such that each tensioning string (202,203) runs, via the front guide and/or the back guide it is engaged by, in between a respective hoisting span point (204,205) on the stand at the front side, and a respective hoisting span point (206,207) on the stand at the back side of the clothes-horse, such as to be secured to the stand at the respective span points thereon, wherein the clothes-horse is collapsible from a folded-out condition, in which the top clotheslines together substantially define a horizontal plane, into a folded-in condition by moving the top ends of the rigid frame parts towards each other, wherein the support section of each tensioning string shortens and hangs down in a loop, and deployable from the folded-in condition into the folded-out condition by moving the top ends of the rigid frame parts away from each other, wherein the support section of each tensioning string lengthens.

2. Clothes-horse (1) according to claim 1 , wherein each tensioning string (202,203) has either a front hoisting section or a back hoisting section, and each tensioning string respectively runs via only one front guide (303,304) or one back guide (305,306) between a front or a back support span point (206,207) located above the frame hinge height (a) and one front or back hoisting span point (204,205) located below the frame hinge height.

3. Clothes-horse (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein both tensioning strings (202,203) have a front hoisting section (202c, 203c), each tensioning string running via a respective front guide (303,304) between a respective back support span point (206,207) and a respective front hoisting span point (204,205).

4. Clothes-horse (1) according to claim 1 , wherein each tensioning string (202,203) has both a front hoisting section and a back hoisting section, and each tensioning string respectively runs, via a front guide (303,304) and a back guide (305,306) above the frame hinge height (a), between a front hoisting span point (204,205) and a back hoisting span point (206,207) below the frame hinge height.

5. Clothes-horse according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the span assembly further comprises:

multiple connecting elements (208) by which both lateral ends of each of the top clotheslines are connected to both respective corresponding lateral ends of the preceding top clothesline, when present, and of the succeeding top clothesline, when present,

multiple suspending elements (209) by which the front most one of the top clotheslines is connected to the front rigid frame part above the frame hinge height, and by which the back most one of the top clotheslines is connected to the back rigid frame part above the frame hinge height, wherein in the folded-out condition, each of the multiple connecting elements and each of the multiple suspending elements defines the spacing in between the top clotheslines it interconnects, and the top clothesline and the rigid frame part it interconnects, respectively.

6. Clothes-horse according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each rigid frame part comprises a left leg (307) and a right leg (308), both right legs and both left legs pairwise mutually hinging over the hinge axis (A).

7. Clothes-horse according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first frame part comprises a first upper cross bar (309) and the second frame part a second upper cross bar (310), both upper cross bars (309, 310) extending laterally and above the frame hinge height (a), wherein of each of the first and second frame part, the left and right leg are rigidly interconnected by means of the first and second upper cross bar, respectively, wherein the guides are mounted at the upper cross bars at the respective longitudinal and lateral sides thereof, being rotatable around the upper cross bars.

8. Clothes-horse (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first and second frame part each further comprise a laterally extending lower cross bar by means of which the left and right leg are rigidly interconnected below the frame hinge height, such that the legs and cross bars of each frame part form a rectangular frame, wherein the hoisting span points are each formed by at least a part of one of the lower cross bars, respectively, around which a closed loop of a front end (202a, 203a) and of a back end (202b, 203b) of each tensioning string is respectively formed.

9. Clothes-horse according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first frame part is furthermore connected with the second frame part by means of one or more end stop members (212), each longitudinally extending in between a front end stop point (314) and a back end stop point (315), respectively, of the first and second frame part, respectively.

10. Clothes-horse according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hinging between the frame parts is established by horizontal hinges comprising an end stop, which

determines the position of the frame parts in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse.

1 1. Clothes-horse according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each leg comprises a rotational plateau (317) extending around the hinge axis, and an upper segment (307a, 308a) of the leg, extending from the rotational plateau to the end bar connected thereto, and a lower segment (307b, 308b) of the leg, extending from the rotational plateau to the ground, wherein the upper and lower segment respectively extend upwardly and

downwardly from the rotational plateau and each run along a respective one of spaced apart parallel leg axes (B, C) on opposite sides of the hinge axis in a side view of the clothes- horse, such that the upper and lower segments run along the leg axis that is most outward from the hinge axis above and below the frame hinge height, respectively.

12. Clothes-horse according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a breathing sheet (213) is provided in between the frame parts and below the frame hinge height, respectively, extending substantially horizontally in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse, e.g. wherein a front and a back end of the breathing sheet forms a closed loop around a front and back lower cross bar, respectively, when present.

13. Clothes-horse according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the top clotheslines are each connected to each tensioning string by a closed loop portion of the connecting portion.

14. Clothes-horse according to claim any of the preceding claims, wherein for each top clothesline the connecting elements and/or the suspending elements connected thereto are fixed to the connecting portion thereof, e.g. the closed loop portion thereof, at the

corresponding lateral ends thereof.

15. Clothes-horse according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the span assembly further comprises multiple parallel front lower clotheslines (210) and back lower clotheslines (21 1) in addition to the top clotheslines, wherein the front and back lower clotheslines (210, 21 1) extend horizontally in a lateral direction, and are at left and right ends thereof each fixed to the front and back hoisting section of the left and right tensioning string, respectively.

16. Clothes-horse according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mutual spacing between top ends of the frame parts in the folded-out condition of the clothes-horse comprises no more than the average human arm span.