A foldable clothes rack

Abstract

This utility model discloses a foldable clothes rack, including a foot frame assembly, a flip-up drying rack, and a locking structure. Several feet of the foot frame assembly are hinged together via folding pivots at their upper ends. One end of the flip-up drying rack is hinged to the folding pivot via a flip base, allowing it to flip up and down. A reset elastic element is provided between the folding pivot and the flip base. The locking structure has a lever on the outside of the flip base and is movably connected to the folding pivot. By levering the lever, an eccentric cam presses against the flip base, locking the flip base and folding pivot together. Alternatively, the eccentric cam releases the flip base, the reset elastic element springs back the flip base, and the flip base separates from the folding pivot, unlocking the rack. This simplifies the linkage structure of traditional clothes racks, enabling quick locking and unlocking. It ensures that the flip base can quickly separate from the folding pivot after unlocking, avoiding the problem of the flip-up drying rack getting stuck during folding. The locking mechanism is simple in structure and improves maintenance efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of drying tools, and in particular to a foldable clothes rack. Background Technology

[0002] Folding clothes racks are a type of drying tool designed to be folded or extended, reducing space usage and facilitating storage and transport, making them popular. These racks typically consist of a support frame and drying rods, and can be folded or extended to adapt to different drying needs, making them particularly suitable for homes with limited space.

[0003] Existing clothes drying racks typically have locking mechanisms to secure the rack in its unfolded state for easy drying. For example, Chinese utility model patent CN212925501U, entitled "A Clothes Drying Rack," includes a leg assembly, a linkage frame, a U-shaped frame, and side wings. The leg assembly comprises a stationary hinge seat and two ground support rods. The top ends of both ground support rods are hinged to the stationary hinge seat, forming a V-shaped structure to support the entire drying rack and facilitate quick folding and storage. The linkage frame includes a movable hinge seat and two linkage rods. One end of each linkage rod is hinged to one of the ground support rods, and the other end is hinged to the corresponding movable hinge seat, creating a V-shaped structure. The movable hinge seat not only supports and limits the vertical members of the U-shaped frame but also links the ground support rods of the leg assembly via the linkage rods, facilitating rapid unfolding and folding of the leg assembly. Both sets of side wing frames are hinged to the stationary hinged seats, thereby further expanding the drying space and allowing for adjustment of the size of the drying space.

[0004] However, the existing technology still has the following drawbacks:

[0005] 1. Although existing clothes drying racks can support and limit the U-shaped frame used to expand the drying space by setting static hinge seats and movable hinge seats, they have many structural components, complex linkage structure, heavy weight, are inconvenient to transport and pack, are prone to structural damage, and are inconvenient to maintain and repair.

[0006] 2. Existing clothes racks can only be folded and stored by disassembling parts to store the U-shaped frame, which does not allow for quick folding and storage, causing inconvenience in the storage process. Utility Model Content

[0007] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a clothes rack that is easy to fold.

[0008] The purpose of this utility model is achieved by the following technical solution: a foldable clothes rack, including a foot frame assembly, a flip-up drying rack, and a locking structure. The foot frame assembly has several feet, which are hinged together by a folding pivot at their upper ends. One end of the flip-up drying rack is provided with a flip base, which is hinged to the folding pivot. The other end flips up and down with the hinge point as the fulcrum. A return elastic element is provided between the folding pivot and the flip base.

[0009] The locking structure has a lever, which is located on the outside of the flip base and movably connected to the folding turntable. The lever has an eccentric cam. By levering the lever, the eccentric cam presses the flip base, causing the flip base and the folding turntable to engage tightly and lock. Alternatively, the eccentric cam can be used to release the flip base, and the reset elastic element can push the flip base, causing the flip base to separate from the folding turntable and unlock.

[0010] Furthermore, the folding turntable has a guide rod, one end of which passes through the flip base and is axially movably connected to the eccentric hole of the eccentric cam. The reset elastic element is axially arranged on the guide rod and pushes the flip base.

[0011] Furthermore, the leg is configured as a U-shaped frame, and a fixing tube is provided between the U-shaped open ends of the leg, and the fixing tube is threadedly connected to the guide rod.

[0012] Furthermore, the mating surfaces of the folding turntable and the flip base are respectively provided with locking protrusions and locking grooves, and the folding turntable is locked to the flip base by the interlocking of the locking protrusions and locking grooves.

[0013] Furthermore, the outer side of the flip base is provided with a limiting block for limiting the downward flipping of the flip drying rack and the folding of the legs.

[0014] Furthermore, the tripod includes a first folding tripod and a second folding tripod. The first folding tripod and the second folding tripod are respectively configured as U-shaped frames, and their upper ends are respectively provided with folding pivots, which are hinged to each other to form an unfolding support structure.

[0015] Furthermore, the clothes rack also includes a linkage drying rack, which has two sets of linkage arms and several drying rods connecting the two sets of linkage arms together. Each set of linkage arms consists of two hinged connecting arms, and the other end of the two connecting arms is provided with a hook head, which is used to hook the first folding leg and the second folding leg respectively.

[0016] Furthermore, the tripod is equipped with a side drying rack that can be flipped up and down and a support frame. The support frame is located below the side drying rack. One end of the support frame is movably connected to the tripod, and the other end flips upward and positions to support the side drying rack when it is unfolded to a horizontal position.

[0017] Furthermore, the U-shaped frame of the tripod is provided with a positioning link for positioning the side wing drying rack and the support frame to flip downwards and fold with the tripod.

[0018] Furthermore, the side rods of the side wing drying rack are provided with wave-shaped hanging parts for positioning and hanging clothes.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0020] This application embodiment simplifies the complex linkage structure of traditional clothes racks by setting a hinged engagement between the flip base at the lower end of the flip-up drying rack and the folding turntable on the legs, reducing the number of parts, lowering the overall weight, and facilitating handling and packaging. A locking mechanism using an eccentric cam on the hand-operated mechanism presses the flip base and folding turntable together, enabling quick locking and unlocking of the flip-up drying rack on the legs. Folding and storage can be completed without disassembling parts, improving operational convenience. Furthermore, the automatic reset function of the reset elastic element ensures that the flip base can quickly separate from the folding turntable after unlocking, avoiding folding jamming issues. The locking mechanism structure is simple, improving maintenance efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the clothes rack in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the locking structure locking the flip-up drying rack in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the locking structure in the released state of the flip-over drying rack in a preferred embodiment of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 6 This is an overall side view of the clothes rack in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A sectional view cut along the CC direction;

[0028] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged diagram of point D in the middle.

[0029] In the picture:

[0030] 10. Leg frame assembly; 101. First folding leg; 102. Second folding leg; 1021. Positioning link; 103. Folding swivel base; 1031. Locking protrusion; 104. Fixing tube;

[0031] 20. Flip-up drying rack; 201. Flip-up base; 2011. Locking groove; 2012. Guide rod; 2013. Limiting block;

[0032] 30. Locking structure; 301. Hand-operated component; 3011. Eccentric cam; 3012. Eccentric hole;

[0033] 40. Reset elastic element;

[0034] 50. Linked drying rack; 501. Linked arm; 5011. Connecting arm; 50111. Hook; 502. Drying rod;

[0035] 60. Side drying rack; 601. Wave-shaped suspension section;

[0036] 70. Support frame; 701. Positioning recess; 702. Limiting protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0038] like Figure 1-8 As shown, a foldable clothes rack is a drying tool designed to be foldable or extendable, reducing space occupation and facilitating storage and transportation. This foldable clothes rack includes a leg frame assembly 10, a flip-up drying rack 20, and a locking structure 30. The leg frame assembly 10 consists of multiple U-shaped legs; for example, the upper ends of two legs are hinged together via a folding pivot 103 to form a foldable support structure in an inverted V-shaped unfolded posture. One end of the flip-up drying rack 20 is hinged to the folding pivot 103 via a flip base 201, and the other end of the flip-up drying rack 20 can be flipped up and down around the hinge point. A return spring is installed between the folding pivot 103 and the flip base 201 as a return elastic element 40 to provide unlocking force.

[0039] The locking structure 30 has a lever 301 located on the outside of the flip base 201. One end of the lever 301 has an eccentric cam 3011, which, as the name suggests, has an eccentric hole 3012. The other end of the lever 301 has a lever part for easy levering. The eccentric cam 3011 of the lever 301 is movably connected to the folding turntable 103.

[0040] Therefore, when the lever 301 is pried in the locking direction by hand (for example, prying the lever 301 downwards), the principle that the diameter of the eccentric cam changes in a certain direction when it rotates is utilized to press the larger diameter side of the eccentric cam 3011 against the outside of the flip base 201, pushing the flip base 201 to engage with the folding turntable 103. Since the flip base 201 is located at the lower end of the flip drying rack 20, the flip drying rack 20 is locked into the unfolded state for use through the engagement of the flip base 201 and the folding turntable 103.

[0041] When the lever 301 is pried in the unlocking direction by hand (for example, prying the lever 301 upwards), the side with the larger diameter of the eccentric cam 3011 is moved away from the flip base 201, releasing the pressure on the flip base 201. Under the spring-pushing action of the reset elastic member 40 on the flip base 201, the flip base 201 is separated from the folding turntable 103, releasing the locking state of the flip drying rack 20. At this time, the flip drying rack 20 can be flipped downwards to the folded storage state with the legs.

[0042] In this way, by setting the hinged engagement between the flip base 201 at the lower end of the flip drying rack 20 and the folding turntable 103 on the stand, the complex linkage structure of the previous clothes rack is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, the overall weight is reduced, and it is easier to handle and pack. The locking mechanism of the flip drying rack 20 on the stand is achieved by using the eccentric cam 3011 set in the hand-operated component 301 to press the flip base 201 and the folding turntable 301 together, so that the flip drying rack 20 can be quickly locked and unlocked without disassembling the parts, which can be folded and stored without disassembling the parts, thus improving the convenience of operation. In addition, the automatic reset function of the reset elastic component 40 ensures that the flip base 201 can quickly separate from the folding turntable 103 after unlocking, avoiding the problem of the flip drying rack 20 getting stuck when folding. The locking mechanism is simple in structure and improves maintenance efficiency.

[0043] The stand in this embodiment includes a first folding stand 101 and a second folding stand 102, both of which are U-shaped steel tube structures. Their upper ends are hinged together via a folding pivot 103 to form an inverted V-shaped support structure that rests on the ground. The ground-facing ends of both the first folding stand 101 and the second folding stand 102 are equipped with anti-slip foot covers to improve their anti-slip effect. When unfolded, the two stands form a 45-60° angle; when folded, they flip to a closed position. Therefore, by designing a stand with an inverted V-shaped hinged structure, stable support is achieved, improving the clothes rack's resistance to tilting. The modular stand design allows for individual replacement of damaged parts, reducing maintenance costs.

[0044] The folding pivot 103 on the U-shaped opening end of the first folding leg 101 and the second folding leg 102 is connected to a fixing tube 104, and the end of the fixing tube 104 is machined with a threaded hole.

[0045] The folding swivel base 301 also has a guide rod 302. One end of the guide rod 302 has an external thread and passes through the folding swivel base 103 before being threadedly connected to the fixing tube 104. The threaded connection facilitates disassembly and maintenance, while also enhancing the connection strength between the leg and the guide rod 302. Furthermore, the fixing tube 104 serves as a structural reinforcement for the U-shaped frame, improving the overall load-bearing capacity of the leg frame. The other end of the guide rod 302 passes through the flip base 201 and is connected to the movable shaft of the eccentric hole 3012 of the hand lever 301, thereby realizing the modular assembly of the locking structure 30, the flip base 201, and the leg.

[0046] The reset elastic element 40 is axially sleeved on the guide rod 302, and its two ends abut against the folding turntable 103 and the flip base 201, respectively. Since the eccentric cam 3011 is connected to the guide rod 302 through the eccentric hole 3012, and the length of the guide rod 302 is fixed, the diameter of the eccentric cam 3011 relative to the flip base 201 can be changed by prying the prying part 301.

[0047] In other words, when the lever 301 is pulled in the locking direction, with the larger diameter side of the eccentric cam 2011 facing the flip base 201, it can press against the outer side of the flip base 201, causing the flip base 201 to move axially along the guide rod 302 and engage with the folding base holder, thus achieving a locking effect. When the lever 301 is pulled in the unlocking direction, with the smaller diameter side of the eccentric cam 2011 facing the flip base 201, the eccentric cam 2011 will not apply pressure to the outer side of the flip base 201. Under the spring-pushing action of the reset elastic element 40, the flip base 201 moves axially along the guide rod 302 and separates from the folding base, thus achieving an unlocking effect.

[0048] Therefore, by setting the guide rod 302, a precise axial movement trajectory is provided for the flipping base 201, and the stability of the eccentric clamping action of the eccentric cam 3011 is ensured. The integrated design of the reset elastic element 40 and the guide rod 302 further simplifies the structure, reduces the number of independent elastic elements, and lowers the failure rate of the locking structure 30.

[0049] Further description of the assembly of the flip base 201 and the folding base: the contact surfaces of the folding turntable 103 and the flip base 201 are respectively provided with a locking protrusion 1031 and a locking groove 2011. The locking protrusion 1031 is integrally formed by protruding from the side of the folding turntable 103, and the locking groove 2011 is integrally formed by concave from the side of the flip base 201, resulting in high structural strength. When locking, the eccentric cam 2011 pushes the flip base 201 to slide axially along the guide rod 302 through the larger diameter side until the locking protrusion 1031 is embedded in the groove to form a mechanical interlock. This is more stable and has higher structural strength than the previous lever-type locking method. When unlocking, the eccentric cam 2011 rotates away from the outside of the flip base through the larger diameter side, and the reset elastic element 40 pushes the flip base 201 to separate from the folding pivot, causing the locking protrusion 1031 to disengage from the locking groove 2011.

[0050] Therefore, the geometric interlocking locking method of the locking protrusion 1031 and locking groove 2011 between the flip base 201 and the folding turntable 103 provides high shear strength and prevents accidental unlocking when the clothes rack is under load; the self-aligning characteristics of the locking protrusion 1031 and locking groove 2011 can reduce the assembly accuracy requirements and improve the production yield.

[0051] In addition, a limiting block 2012 is welded to the outside of the flip base 201. When the flip drying rack 20 is folded down to be parallel with the legs, the limiting block 2012 abuts against the outer wall of the legs to prevent the flip drying rack 20 from flipping over, ensuring that the flip drying rack 20 and the legs remain parallel and compact when stored, reducing the space occupied.

[0052] The clothes rack in this embodiment also includes a linkage drying rack 50, which has two sets of linkage arms 501. The two sets of linkage arms 501 are connected by several drying rods 502. Each set of linkage arms 501 consists of two hinged connecting arms 5011. The two connecting arms 5011 of each set of linkage arms 501 are respectively connected to the same opposite side of the first folding leg 101 and the second folding leg 102. By designing the linkage drying rack 50 with a four-bar linkage mechanism, it is ensured that the two legs have a stable support structure when unfolded, and it is also ensured that the linkage drying rack 50 automatically maintains a horizontal state.

[0053] One end of the connecting arm 5011 is provided with an integrally formed hook head 50111, which is used to detachably and elastically hook onto the first folding leg 101 and the second folding leg 102. The elastic hook head 50111 is designed to enable tool-free installation, improving the deployment efficiency of the extended linkage drying rod 502. The drying rod 502 is connected to the linkage arm 501 using a quick-release sleeve.

[0054] The first folding leg 101 and the second folding leg 102 are respectively provided with side drying racks 60 and support frames 70. One end of the side drying rack 60 is hinged to the left and right side walls of the U-shaped leg. Specifically, the side drying rack 60 can be hinged to the folding swivel seat 103 at the upper end of the leg to make the hinge structure stronger. The other end of the side drying rack 60 can be flipped up and down with the hinge point with the leg as the fulcrum.

[0055] Both the side drying rack 60 and the support frame 70 are U-shaped frames. The two sides of the U-shaped opening end of the support frame 70 are hinged to the left and right side walls of the U-shaped leg, and the support frame 70 is located below the side drying rack 60. The hook 50111 of the connecting arm 5011 can be hooked to the end of the support frame 70 that is connected to the leg. The other end of the support frame 70 can also be flipped up and down with the hinge point with the leg as the fulcrum, and is provided with a positioning recess 701 and a limiting protrusion 702. The positioning recess 701 is located at the two corners of the flipped end of the support frame 70, and the limiting protrusion 702 is located in the middle of the flipped end of the support frame 70. Therefore, when the side wing drying rack 60 is flipped upward to a horizontal position, the flipping end of the support frame 70 is flipped upward, and the positioning recess 701 at its end is embedded into the two side rods of the side wing drying rack 60 to achieve support and positioning. At the same time, the limiting protrusion 702 of the support frame 70 can be hooked onto the drying rod of the side wing drying rack 60 to prevent relative sliding between the support frame 70 and the side wing drying rack 60.

[0056] Therefore, by providing additional drying area by setting side wing drying racks 60 on one side of each of the two tripods, and by forming a secondary support structure with the support frame 70, the hanging load-bearing capacity of the side wing drying racks 60 can be improved. The side wing drying racks 60 can be positioned and supported simply by flipping the support frame 70, making the operation simple and convenient. Both the side wing drying racks 60 and the support frame 70 are U-shaped frames so that they can be folded and fit snugly against the side of the tripod, avoiding increasing the storage volume.

[0057] The side rod at the flip end of the side wing drying rack 60 is provided with a wave-shaped hanging part 601. This wave-shaped hanging part 601 is formed by molding continuous wave-shaped grooves at the end of the side wing drying rack 60. The grooves are spaced 50mm apart and 8mm deep, forming an anti-slip hanging structure for clothes. Therefore, by designing the wave-shaped hanging part 601, it is possible to prevent clothes from sliding freely when hanging, especially to prevent clothes from falling off in strong winds; and the regular wave-shaped hanging part 601 design facilitates the precise positioning of the hanger hooks, improving space utilization.

[0058] Even better, the U-shaped frame of the tripod is equipped with a positioning link 1021. When the side drying rack 60 and the support frame 70 are folded downwards, the positioning link 1021 can be used to fold and position the side drying rack 502 and the support frame 70 to prevent them from overturning. Furthermore, a buckle can be provided on the positioning link 1021 so that the side drying rack 60 and the support frame 70 automatically engage with the buckle on the positioning link 1021 when folded, achieving a locked storage state. The spring-loaded buckle provides tactile feedback to ensure that the user perceives the locking status, preventing damage caused by accidental unfolding of components during transportation.

[0059] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. Any non-substantial changes and substitutions made by those skilled in the art based on this utility model shall fall within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

Claims

1. A folding clothesline, characterized by, The device includes a foot frame assembly, a flip-up drying rack, and a locking structure. The foot frame assembly has several legs, which are hinged together by a folding pivot at their upper ends. One end of the flip-up drying rack has a flip base, which is hinged to the folding pivot. The other end flips up and down with the hinge point as the fulcrum. A reset elastic element is provided between the folding pivot and the flip base. The locking structure has a lever, which is located on the outside of the flip base and movably connected to the folding turntable. The lever has an eccentric cam. By levering the lever, the eccentric cam presses the flip base, causing the flip base and the folding turntable to engage tightly and lock. Alternatively, the eccentric cam can be used to release the flip base, and the reset elastic element can push the flip base, causing the flip base to separate from the folding turntable and unlock.

2. The foldable clothes rack as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The folding turntable has a guide rod, one end of which passes through the flip base and is axially movably connected to the eccentric hole of the eccentric cam. The reset elastic element is axially arranged on the guide rod and pushes the flip base.

3. The foldable clothes rack as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The tripod is a U-shaped frame, and a fixing tube is provided between the U-shaped open ends of the tripod, and the fixing tube is threadedly connected to the guide rod.

4. The foldable clothes rack as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The folding turntable and the flip base are respectively provided with locking protrusions and locking grooves on their mating surfaces. The flip base is pressed by the eccentric cam, so that the locking groove is embedded and locked with the locking protrusion of the folding turntable.

5. The foldable clothes rack as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer side of the flip base is provided with a limiting block to prevent the flip drying rack from flipping downwards and the legs from folding.

6. The foldable clothes rack as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tripod includes a first folding tripod and a second folding tripod. The first folding tripod and the second folding tripod are respectively configured as U-shaped frames, and the upper ends of the tripods are respectively provided with folding pivots, which are hinged to each other to form an unfolding support structure.

7. The foldable clothes rack as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The clothes drying rack also includes a linkage drying rack, which has two sets of linkage arms and several drying rods connecting the two sets of linkage arms together. Each set of linkage arms consists of two hinged connecting arms, and the other end of the two connecting arms is provided with a hook head, which is used to hook the first folding leg and the second folding leg respectively.

8. The foldable clothes rack as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The tripod is equipped with a side drying rack that can be flipped up and down and a support frame. The support frame is located below the side drying rack. One end of the support frame is movably connected to the tripod, and the other end flips up and positions to support the side drying rack when it is unfolded to a horizontal position.

9. The foldable clothes rack as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The U-shaped frame of the tripod is equipped with a positioning link for positioning the side wing drying rack and the support frame to flip downwards and fold with the tripod.

10. The foldable clothes rack as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The side rods of the side drying rack are equipped with wave-shaped hanging parts for positioning and hanging clothes.

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