Patent Application
20240328061
The present application claims priority to UK request GB2215129.4, filed on Oct. 13, 2022 which is hereby incorporated in its entirety at least by reference.
The present invention relates generally to clothes drying devices but more particularly to a support system for a linen basket and clothes pins.
The practice of air-drying clothes has a long history, tracing its roots back to the advent of washing garments. Over time, various innovations have enhanced this age-old method. Initially, clothes were simply draped over a line, but the introduction of wooden clips offered a more secure way to hang them. This was later supplanted by modern clothespins equipped with metal springs for better grip. Another significant advancement came in the form of pulley-operated clotheslines, allowing users to move the line itself rather than walking along its length. This innovation was particularly useful for hanging clothes in elevated areas, such as balconies, where the line's other end was inaccessible from the ground.
While the use of clotheslines has declined in developed nations due to the prevalence of electric dryers, many people still prefer the gentle, natural drying process that avoids the damaging effects of hot air or chemical additives. Moreover, in numerous countries, air-drying remains the most practical and economical option.
However, the task of hanging clothes on a line presents certain challenges. One such issue is the inconvenience of bending down to retrieve clothes and pins from a basket. Additionally, sorting through a jumbled container of clothespins to find one that is both intact and easy to grip can be cumbersome. These difficulties are exacerbated for elderly individuals who may struggle with bending and grasping small objects. Consequently, there is a need for an improved system to streamline this process.
The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In one aspect of the invention, a support system for a linen basket and clothespins, comprising a flat surface configured to hold a linen basket; a tray integrated into the flat surface, designed for storing clothespins; a plurality of elongated hanger members attached to the underside of the flat surface, each hanger member equipped with clothespins; a clamping mechanism attached to the flat surface for securing the support system to a vertical post.
In one embodiment, the elongated hanger members are pivotally connected to hooks that are attached to the underside of the flat surface. In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism comprises a twist knob and clamping members adaptable to various pole shapes. In one embodiment, a pivot point that allows the flat surface to transition from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation is provided. In one embodiment, the vertical post is telescopic. In one embodiment, the vertical post is part of a tripod. In another embodiment, the tripod is equipped with wheels. In one embodiment, the vertical post is part of an existing clothesline structure. In one embodiment, the vertical post is part of a stand-alone structure. In one embodiment, the flat surface, tray, and elongated hanger members are made of a weather-resistant material.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention, which will be described hereinafter, form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide a support system for a linen basket and clothes pins.
It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined to mean “at least one.” The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
Referring to any of the accompanying
As illustrated in
Beneath the flat surface 12, there are a plurality elongated hanger members 16. In some embodiments, the hanger members 16 come equipped with attached clothespins 18, providing a convenient solution for hanging smaller items, such as socks and underwear. Adding to the functionality, in some embodiments, the hanger members 16 are pivotally connected to hooks 17. In some embodiments, the hooks 17 are securely fastened to the underside of the flat surface 12, allowing for a degree of flexibility and ease in the hanging process.
The invention is designed to be versatile in its mounting options. As shown in both
In
During use, the user would take a piece of clothing 26 from the linen basket 15 and place it on the clothesline 24 using one hand. Simultaneously, the user would grab a clothespin 18 from the specialized tray 14 with the other hand. The user would then secure the piece of clothing 26 to the clothesline 24 using the clothespin 18. This process is repeated for each piece of clothing 26. For smaller items, the user has the option to use the clothespins 18 that are located underneath the flat surface 12. To remove the clothes 26, the user would simply reverse this process.
Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claimed invention. The terminology and phraseology used in this description and the abstract are for illustrative purposes and should not be considered as limiting. In other words, the terminology and phraseology used in this description and the abstract are for illustrative purposes and should not be considered limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counterclockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.
In addition, references to “first,” “second,” “third,” and so fourth members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2215129.4 | Oct 2022 | GB | national |
