Connector for laundry rack

Abstract

A collapsible laundry rack is provided wherein a plurality of cross members for hanging clothes may be attached to first and second scissor structures via a plurality of tab connectors and socket connectors. In particular, the distal ends of the cross members may be attached to the socket connector which is selectively removable from tab connectors attached to corresponding points of the first and second scissor structures. A socket portion of the socket connector may be aligned to a tab portion of the tab connector. Release levers formed on the tab portion may be inserted into the socket until retention members of the tab portion engage cam edges of the socket portion. To remove the tabs from the socket, the release levers may be inwardly deflected to deflect the retention members inwardly to release the retention members from the cam edges. Alternatively, the tab connectors may be attached to distal ends of the cross members. Also, the socket connectors may be attached to corresponding points of the first and second scissor structures.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of application Ser. No. 60 / 782,214, filed Mar. 14, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable BACKGROUND [0003] The present invention relates generally to laundry drying racks, and more particularly to collapsible laundry drying racks. [0004] Conventional laundry drying racks may be used to dry laundered items when the laundered items are too delicate to be placed in an electric dryer because the laundered items may shrink when exposed to excessive heat. Laundry drying racks may also be used to temporarily store clothes during ironing tasks. For example, a user may place a plurality of ironed shirt on the laundry rack to prevent the ironed shirts from wrinkling as would occur if the ironed shirts were stacked upon each other. [0005] In order to minimize the price of the la...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] To engage the socket connector to the tab connector, the tab portion is inserted into a gate of the through-hole of the socket portion with the retention members pointed toward the through hole. As the tab portion proceeds through the through hole, retention members of the tab portion deflect inwardly due to the inner surface of the through hole. Also, the cross member may be received into the U shaped cut out. When the tab portion is fully inserted into the through hole, the retention members engage cam edges of the socket portion preventing removal of the tab portion from the socket portion. Also, the cross member is received into the U shaped cut out preventing the tab portion from slipping out of the through hole at an exit thereof. At this point, the tab connector is connected to the socket connector and may be removed only by depressing the release levers. To remove the tab portion from the socket portion, the release levers are deflected inwardly which also deflects the retention members inwardly to disengage the retention members from the cam edges. The user may then remove the tab portion from the socket portion.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional laundry drying racks may be used to dry laundered items when the laundered items are too delicate to be placed in an electric dryer because the laundered items may shrink when exposed to excessive heat.

Unfortunately, conventional laundry drying racks, frequently comprise numerous components which makes assembly difficult and time consuming.

Further, use of fasteners for the assembly may further require tools for the attachment thereof.

Accordingly, it may be unfeasible to shift the cost of assembly to the end consumer.

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