Patent Application
20050040125
The invention relates to an umbrella-type laundry drying apparatus of the type wherein a central upright tube bears an open-out framework for the clothesline. It is thereby possible for the framework to be swung open via an actuating mechanism. The apparatus further includes a tubular protective sheath that can be pulled over the collapsed open-out framework and clothesline. The open-out framework has carrying arms for the clothesline which are disposed in star form and are articulated on a lower sliding sleeve, and supporting arms, which are connected in an articulated manner to the carrying arms and are articulated on a upper sliding sleeve. At least the lower sliding sleeve can be displaced along the upright tube and secured in different positions on the upright tube.
In a prior art laundry drying apparatus of this type, the upright tube is anchored in a vertically oriented manner in the ground at the set-up location. When the laundry drying apparatus is not in use, the open-out framework is collapsed in the direction of the upright tube and the protective sheath, in order to protect the clothesline, is pulled over the collapsed open-out framework and clothesline hanging down therefrom. The upper sliding sleeve, which is fixed axially on the upright tube, bears the collapsed open-out framework, in the case of which the knee joints formed by the supporting arms and the approximately double-length carrying arms are straightened out and both the supporting arms and the carrying arms run essentially vertically. The tubular protective sheath, at its free end, is tied securely on the upright tube beneath the collapsed open-out framework. Its end remaining in the upright tube is connected to a weight which is retained, by the securely tied protective sheath, in the position wherein it has been drawn upward in the upright tube.
In order to prepare the laundry drying apparatus for use, first of all the ties of the protective sheath are released in order that the weight, which falls downward in the upright tube, pulls off the protective sheath, which is connected to it, from the collapsed open-out framework in the upward direction. Then, with the open-out framework exposed, a cord pull assigned to the sliding sleeves is actuated, this cord pull pulling the lower sliding sleeve along the upright tube up towards the upper sliding sleeve and swinging open the open-out framework. In this case, the cord pull, which is extended to its maximum length when the open-out framework is collapsed, is shortened to approximately a fifth of this length. At the same time, the carrying arms, which are articulated on the lower sliding sleeve and bear the clothesline, are pivoted away from the upright tube into their operating position and the knee joints, which are formed by the carrying arms together with the supporting arms are bent. The lower sliding sleeve is drawn upward into the respectively desired position with the aid of the cord pull and, in this position, is fixed on the upright tube by means of its securing mechanism. The lower sliding sleeve, which is fixed on the upright tube, then retains the open-out framework in its swung-open position.
Following use of the laundry drying apparatus, the lower sliding sleeve of the open-out framework is released, whereupon the sliding sleeve then slides downward along the upright tube and collapses the open-out framework, with the knee joints of the same being straightened out, until its carrying and supporting arms run essentially vertically. By way of the collapsing open-out framework, the cord pull assigned to the sliding sleeve is extended again to its maximum length, and the pulling-cord length drawn out of the open-out framework as it is actuated is drawn into it again. The protective sheath, for protecting the clothesline, is then pulled over the collapsed open-out framework and tied securely on the upright tube beneath the open-out framework.
The cord pull, which is provided for swinging open the open-out framework, is of relatively complex construction. It contains a section, corresponding to a block and tackle, which extends from the lower sliding sleeve to the upper sliding sleeve and wherein the pulling cord is guided back and forth a number of times. This block-and-tackle section is extended to its maximum length from the collapsing open-out framework, the pulling-cord length which is actively drawn out of the open-out framework when the cord pull is actuated being passively drawn in again. The block-and-tackle section is shortened to approximately a fifth of this length when the cord pull is actuated, by pulling on the pulling cord, in order to swing open the open-out framework. The relatively long pulling-cord length which is drawn out of the cord pull here may give rise to problems during the operation of collapsing the open-out framework if it is to be passively drawn into the block-and-tackle section again without obstructing or blocking the extending action of the block-and-tackle section and thus the automatic collapsing action of the open-out framework.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an umbrella-type laundry drying apparatus, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an umbrella-type laundry drying apparatus, comprising:
a central upright tube;
an open-out framework supported on the upright tube and being movable between a swung-open position and a collapsed position;
a substantially tubular protective sheath for covering the open-out framework in the collapsed position;
a lower sliding sleeve displaceably mounted along the upright tube and an upper sliding sleeve supported on the upright tube;
the open-out framework including carrying arms articulated to the lower sliding sleeve, clothesline supported on the carrying arms, and supporting arms articulated on the carrying arms and on the upper sliding sleeve;
an actuating mechanism for swinging open the open-out framework into the swung-open position, the actuating mechanism being formed by two of the carrying arms each bearing a handle formed to be covered by the protective sheath when the protective sheath is pulled over the open-out framework in the collapsed position thereof.
In other words, the objects are achieved, according to the invention, with a laundry drying apparatus of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which the actuating mechanism provided for swinging open (i.e., spreading) the open-out framework is formed by two carrying arms of the open-out framework, each bearing a handle which, with the open-out framework collapsed, can be covered by the protective sheath pulled over the collapsed open-out framework.
This design simplifies the production and operation of the laundry drying apparatus. A cord pull acting on the two sliding sleeves of the open-out framework may be dispensed with. This not only reduces the number of individual parts which have to be produced for the laundry drying apparatus, and the amount of assembly required in order to put the latter together, but also simplifies the use of the laundry drying apparatus. In the case of the laundry drying apparatus according to the invention, it is also possible for the open-out framework to remain swung open for a number of weeks without it being necessary during this time, as in the case of the known laundry drying apparatus provided with an open-out framework which can be swung open via a cord pull, to supply a long pulling-cord length such that the latter does not end up either with loops or knots which, during the operation of collapsing the open-out framework, could obstruct or block the extending action of the cord pull and thus the collapsing action of the open-out framework.
When the laundry drying apparatus according to the invention is set up, first of all its upright tube is anchored in a vertically oriented ground sleeve. Then the exposed open-out framework is opened out by way of two carrying arms provided with a handle. In this case, the carrying arms are pivoted away from the upright tube about their pivot axes arranged on the lower sliding sleeve, and the lower sliding sleeve is pulled upward along the upright tube. When the securing mechanism of the lower sliding sleeve latches in the desired location of the upright tube, the operation of the opening out or swinging open the open-out framework is completed.
For providing the set-up laundry drying apparatus for a relatively long period of not being used, the arresting means at the lower sliding sleeve is released and the open-out framework is allowed to collapse. The protective sheath, for protecting the clothesline, is then pulled out of the upright tube and pulled over the collapsed open-out framework. In this case, the handles arranged on the carrying arms are also covered and protected against wind, rain and soiling.
The handles may be formed on the carrying arms themselves, in an integral manner therewith. The carrying arm may be provided with individual, lateral gripping protrusions. The gripping protrusions may be distributed over the length of the carrying arm. The carrying arm may be provided with a lateral longitudinal profiling which corresponds to a handle extending over its entire length and allows the carrying arm to be gripped at any point over its length. It is possible for all the carrying arms of the open-out framework to be of identical design and each to be provided with a handle. The handles may be integrated in the profile cross section of the carrying arms.
If the carrying arms, which are provided for opening out the open-out framework, are each equipped with just one handle, then the latter preferably arranged in the top half of the carrying arm, in order to have a large, effective lever arm available for opening out the open-out framework.
It is possible for the handle to be arranged on the outside of the carrying arm and, at its top end, to be flattened in the direction of the carrying arm, in order not to obstruct the operation of the protective sheath being pulled over the collapsed open-out framework.
The handle may be designed as a movable grip loop which is extended away from the carrying arm in order to open out the open-out framework and is pressed flat on the carrying arm prior to the protective sheath being pulled over. This grip loop may be fastened on the outside of the carrying arm or on one of its side surfaces.
The handle may be designed as a handgrip which projects laterally from the carrying arm and projects into the free space which remains between the adjacent carrying arms when the open-out framework is collapsed.
The handle may be configured as a swing-out handgrip articulated on the carrying arm.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an umbrella-type laundry drying apparatus, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 5 to 10 are partial perspective view illustrating different variants of an actuating handle of the apparatus according to the invention.
In the drawing figures, only two of the ray-like carrying arms are illustrated for reasons of clarity. Also, the clothesline or lines have been omitted in most views.
Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to
The illustration of the laundry drying apparatus with an actuating mechanism in the form of a cord pull in
Referring now to
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Austrian patent application No. A 1306/2003 filed Aug. 19, 2003 and of Austrian patent application No. A 1365/2003 filed Aug. 29, 2003; the disclosures of the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 1306/2003 | Aug 2003 | AT | national |
| A 1365/2003 | Aug 2003 | AT | national |
