Laundry hanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry hanger (1) having a hook (2) and a hanger-shaped main part (3), wherein two support arms (4) are provided which are attached to the main part (3) such that they can be folded out and folded in, wherein the two support arms (4), in their folded-in position, are folded inwards and the entire laundry hanger (1), for example for hanging an item of outerwear clothing in a wardrobe, has a span (T) of 38 cm to 48 cm, while the two support arms (4), in their folded-out position, are folded outwards on both sides and extend the span (T) of the laundry hanger (1), for holding bed linen in a stretched state, to more than 80 cm, in particular to more than 110 cm.

Description

[0001] Clothes hanger

[0002] The invention relates to a clothes hanger according to the preamble of the independent claim.

[0003] It's well known that laundry needs to be dried after washing. Various options are available for this, some of which are tailored to the specific requirements of the type of laundry in question. The simplest and most gentle way to dry laundry is to hang it up and air-dry it for a longer period of time, depending on the size and moisture content of the laundry. Several methods are available for this, including clotheslines, clothes racks, and coat hangers. All three of the above-mentioned air-drying methods are available for clothing, with coat hangers in various designs, adapted to different types of clothing, being particularly popular.

[0004] For large items of laundry, such as bed linen, sheets or tablecloths, only clotheslines and clothes racks are suitable for air drying. However, both of these methods have disadvantages. When large items of laundry are hung on clotheslines, there is often a sagging area along the clothesline and the item in question slides along the sagging clothesline under its own weight. This creates wrinkles in the fabric which become even more pronounced during drying. In clothes racks, this problem is often solved with cross supports designed as metal struts. A disadvantage of clothes racks, however, is that the struts are often relatively short, in particular usually shorter than the width of the bed linen being hung, and in addition, the height is insufficient, in particular usually less than half the length of the bed linen.This is mainly due to the fact that wider and taller laundry racks would be more difficult to store and therefore less practical.

[0005] Therefore, bed linens usually have to be folded in half at least once before being hung on a clothes rack. This is particularly disadvantageous for duvet covers, as these already consist of two layers of fabric, and folding them in half results in four layers of fabric lying tightly together. In the case of very thin crossbars, all eight layers of fabric created by folding and then hanging lie tightly together. This is particularly disadvantageous because the effectiveness of the air-drying method depends heavily on the surface area of ​​the hung laundry that is in contact with the ambient air and can therefore release moisture into the ambient air.When layers of fabric are hung so close together, only the outer sides of the two outermost layers of fabric are in contact with the ambient air and the bed linen, especially the inner layers of fabric, therefore take much longer to dry than layers of fabric that are distributed as loosely as possible or arranged individually.

[0006] Furthermore, since there is usually no clothesline available, especially in apartments, a clothes rack is often used, which has the disadvantages described above.

[0007] The desire to dry large items of laundry with as few creases as possible while simultaneously reducing the drying time to as short a time as possible presents a conflict of objectives. For drying large items of laundry, the clothesline method is advantageous in terms of drying efficiency, but has the disadvantage of increased creasing. Moreover, clotheslines are often not available in apartments, for example. On the other hand, creasing can often be reduced by drying large items of laundry on clothes racks, although this usually results in a significantly longer drying time due to reduced efficiency. Furthermore, it is usually a concern in households to store appliances as space-efficiently as possible after use.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a device that eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art. The described conflict of objectives is thereby preferably overcome. In particular, this means providing a device that enables large items of laundry to be dried as crease-free as possible while simultaneously reducing the drying time as much as possible due to increased efficiency. Particularly preferably, this means that the device provided can be stored in a space-saving manner when not in use.

[0009] The object of the invention is achieved by the features of the independent patent claim.

[0010] The invention particularly relates to a clothes hanger with a hook and a hanger-shaped base body. Preferably, two support arms are provided which are attached to the base body so that they can be folded out and in. In their folded position, the two support arms are preferably folded inwards and the entire clothes hanger has a support width of 38 cm to 48 cm, for example for hanging an outer item of clothing in a closet. In particular, the clothes hanger thereby has a total width of 38 cm to 48 cm. Furthermore, in their unfolded position, the two support arms are preferably folded outwards on both sides and widen the support width of the clothes hanger to more than 80 cm, in particular to more than 110 cm, for the taut holding of bed linen.

[0011] Optionally, the base body comprises two base body legs that protrude from the hook and, in particular, slope downwards. Preferably, a support arm pivot joint with a stop is provided in each of the two end regions of the legs. Preferably, one of the support arms is attached to each of the support arm pivot joints so that it can pivot outward, limited by the stop. Optionally, the stop limits the pivoting movement when folding in the respective support arm.

[0012] Preferably, the support arms are folded upward and outward. The stop then prevents the support arms from swinging further downward. The weight of the laundry acting on the support arms is thus supported by the stop in the extended position.

[0013] Optionally, the support arms each comprise an outwardly expandable tensioning arm to widen the load-bearing width of the clothes hanger. In particular, in their extended position, the tensioning arms widen the load-bearing width of the clothes hanger to a dimension corresponding to the width of a bed sheet. Particularly preferably, in their extended position, the tensioning arms widen the load-bearing width of the clothes hanger to more than 120 cm, in particular to 130 cm to 160 cm. Preferably, in their extended position, the tensioning arms widen the load-bearing width of the clothes hanger to 135 cm, 155 cm, or 140 cm.

[0014] If necessary, the tensioning arms can be telescopically extended outwards via a sliding mechanism at the end of the respective support arm opposite the support arm swivel joint to further widen the load-bearing width of the clothes hanger. Alternatively, if necessary, the tensioning arms can be folded out via a tensioning arm swivel joint at the end of the respective support arm opposite the support arm swivel joint to further widen the load-bearing width of the clothes hanger.

[0015] If necessary, the support arms are provided with clamping devices for holding items of laundry at the ends that protrude in their unfolded position.

[0016] Optionally, the support arms are arranged essentially parallel to the base body in their folded position. One support arm preferably runs along one flat side of the bow-shaped base body, and the other support arm preferably runs along the other flat side of the bow-shaped base body.

[0017] Where appropriate, it is provided that the base body and the support arms have essentially the same bracket shape and are arranged next to each other in three layers in the folded position.

[0018] The clothes hanger can be used in particular for holding bed linen, preferably duvet covers and / or sheets, during a drying period. The laundry is preferably essentially rectangular and / or has corners and edges, or in the case of fitted sheets, folds or creases.

[0019] The clothes hanger can preferably be switched between two states or positions, with one state being a use state and another state being a storage state, particularly one that saves space. Even in the storage state, the clothes hanger can serve as a conventional clothes hanger for outerwear.

[0020] When in use, the clothes hanger can engage two adjacent corners of the laundry, tensioning a first edge that connects the two adjacent corners and runs essentially horizontally during normal use. Second edges, which each form one of the two adjacent corners with the first edge and run essentially vertically, can be tensioned by the laundry's own weight.

[0021] In the following, the functionality of the clothes hanger is explained in more detail by describing how to use it.

[0022] To hang freshly washed, wet or damp bed linen, such as duvet covers, up to dry, you first need a clothes hanger. The clothes hanger comprises a base body and two support arms, each connected to the base body via a support arm swivel joint. The support arms are folded out and, if necessary, the tension arms are spread out, i.e. folded out or extended telescopically. A stop in the support arm swivel joint limits the mobility of the support arm, so that the support arm is held in the unfolded position by the stop and the support arm's own weight. In all versions, the support arms are preferably folded up and outwards. The stop then acts to prevent the support arms from pivoting further downwards.

[0023] The bed linen is attached to the clothes hanger by, for example, inserting the clothes hanger through the opening in the duvet cover between the two layers. The ends of the support arms or, if applicable, the ends of the tension arms are inserted from the inside into two corners or points of the duvet cover, and the hook attached to the center of the base protrudes through the opening in the duvet cover. The clothes hanger can be hung or fixed by its hook in a suitable location so that the bed linen attached to it can hang as freely as possible while drying. In a living room, a chandelier hook or curtain rod, for example, can be suitable places to hang the clothes hanger.

[0024] The tension arms allow the hanger's width to be adjusted to accommodate all common bed linens. This ensures that the bed linen is held taut along its width by the hanger and along its length by its own weight, allowing it to dry as wrinkle-free as possible.

[0025] The ends of the support arms are provided with clamps for holding laundry items in place. These are particularly advantageous when smooth laundry, such as sheets, is to be hung up to dry. The corners of a laundry item can be clamped into these clamps to prevent the item from slipping. The clamps are preferably U-shaped, with elevations on the inner flanks of the U-shape particularly preferably being provided to increase the friction between the clamp and the laundry item. These elevations can be, for example, protrusions, knobs and / or ribs. It is also conceivable to provide a clamp similar to a clothes pin with a spring element for easier operation when clamping and removing laundry items.

[0026] In order to optimize the position of the tautly hanging bed linen in the room so that it does not touch any piece of furniture, for example, the hook is preferably attached to the base body in a rotatable manner.

[0027] Once the bed linens have been dried, the clothes hanger can be returned to its folded position. To do this, the tension arms are folded in or telescopically retracted, if necessary. The support arms are also folded in, with the stop in the support arm's swivel joint again limiting the movement of the support arm. This holds the support arm in its folded position, resting against the base body, by the stop and the support arm's own weight.

[0028] When folded up, there are two possible uses. On the one hand, the clothes hanger can be stored in a normal closet to save space, for example, because in all versions when folded up it preferably has a carrying width that corresponds to that of a standard coat hanger, for example 40 cm, 43 cm or 44 cm. On the other hand, when folded up, the clothes hanger can also fulfill the function of a conventional coat hanger for hanging up an item of clothing, such as a shirt or jacket. To do this, the clothes hanger is inserted into the garment in the usual way so that, for example, the shoulder areas of the garment come into contact with the legs of the clothes hanger and the hook protrudes through the collar opening of the garment and can be hung up or secured in a suitable place.

[0029] The invention will be further described below with reference to the figures.

[0030] Fig. 1a and 1b show schematic representations of a clothes hanger in the folded position in two views. Fig. 2a and 2b show schematic representations of a clothes hanger with the support arms and tension arms unfolded in two views.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a clothes hanger with unfolded support arms and telescopically extended tension arms.

[0032] Fig. 4a and 4b show schematic representations of two detailed views of a swivel joint in the unfolded position according to Fig. 4a and in the folded position according to Fig. 4b.

[0033] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a detailed view of a protruding end of a clothes hanger.

[0034] Unless otherwise stated, the reference symbols correspond to the following components: 1 clothes hanger, 2 hook, 3 base body, 4 support arm, 5 base body leg, 6 support arm swivel joint, 7 stop, 8 tension arm, 9 sliding mechanism, 10 tension arm swivel joint, 11 flat side, 12 clamping device, 13 elevation, T support width.

[0035] Fig. 1a and 1b show schematic representations of a clothes hanger 1 in the folded position in two views. In the first view, the clothes hanger 1 is shown in a frontal view. In the second view, the clothes hanger 1 is shown in a view from above, i.e. along the hanging direction. The representations of the clothes hanger 1 according to Fig. 1a and 1b show a first embodiment of the clothes hanger 1 in the folded state. A hook 2 for hanging the clothes hanger 1 is attached centrally to the base body 3 of the clothes hanger 1. The base body 3 of the clothes hanger 1 has two base body legs 5 protruding from the hook 2 and in particular sloping downwards, at each end of which a swivel joint designed as a support arm swivel joint 6 is provided.

[0036] In their folded position according to Fig. 1a and 1b, the support arms 4 are arranged essentially parallel next to the base body 3. One support arm 4 is arranged on each of the front and rear flat sides 11 of the base body 3 and is connected to the base body 3 via a support arm pivot joint 6.

[0037] In the top view of the first embodiment of a clothes hanger 1 in the folded position according to Fig. 1 b, tensioning arms 8 are also shown at the ends of the support arms 4 opposite the support arm joints 6. In the first embodiment of the clothes hanger 1, the tensioning arms 8 are rotatably connected to the support arms 4 via further pivot joints, which are designed as tensioning arm pivot joints 10.

[0038] The carrying width T of the clothes hanger 1 in its folded position according to Figs. 1a and 1b is essentially determined by the width of the base body 3. The entire clothes hanger 1, in its folded position for hanging an outer garment worn on the upper body in a wardrobe, has a carrying width T of 38 cm to 48 cm. Such an outer garment, which may come into contact with the clothes hanger 1 via its shoulder areas, can be, for example, a shirt, a jacket, or a coat.

[0039] In all embodiments, the carrying width T of the clothes hanger 1 in the folded position preferably corresponds to the carrying width T of a standard clothes hanger, for example 40 cm, 43 cm or 44 cm.

[0040] Figs. 2a and 2b show schematic representations of a clothes hanger 1 with extended support arms 4 and extended tension arms 8 in two views. In particular, Figs. 2a and 2b show the first embodiment of the clothes hanger 1 of Figs. 1a and 1b in the extended state, i.e., with extended support arms 4 and extended tension arms 8.

[0041] In the first view according to Fig. 2a, the clothes hanger 1 is shown in a frontal view. In the second view according to Fig. 2b, the clothes hanger 1 is shown in a top view. A hook 2 for hanging the clothes hanger 1 is attached centrally at the top of the base body 3 of the clothes hanger 1. The base body 3 of the clothes hanger 1 has two base body legs 5 that protrude from the hook 2 and, in particular, slope downwards. At each end of each leg, a pivot joint is provided, which is designed as a support arm pivot joint 6.

[0042] In their unfolded position, as shown in Figs. 2a and 2b, the support arms 4 are arranged laterally projecting from the base body 3. Each support arm 4 is connected to the base body 3 via a respective support arm pivot joint 6.

[0043] In the top view of the first embodiment of a clothes hanger 1 in the unfolded position according to Fig. 2b, tensioning arms 8 are also shown at the ends of the support arms 4 opposite the support arm joints 6. In the first embodiment of the clothes hanger 1, the tensioning arms 8 are rotatably connected to the support arms 4 via further pivot joints, which are designed as tensioning arm pivot joints 10.

[0044] The supporting width T of the clothes hanger 1 in its unfolded position according to Fig. 2a and 2b is essentially predetermined by the added widths of the base body 3 and the two supporting arms 4 and is optionally further extended by the unfolded tensioning arms 8. The clothes hanger 1, with the supporting arms 4 in the unfolded position for tensioned holding of bed linen, has a supporting width T of 114 cm to 144 cm, which can be extended to 152 cm to 192 cm by folding out the tensioning arms 8. Such bed linen, which optionally comes into contact with the clothes hanger 1 with its corner regions, in particular with the ends of the supporting arms 4 opposite the supporting arm pivot joints 6 or the ends of the tensioning arms 8 opposite the tensioning arm pivot joints 10, can be, for example, a cover or a sheet.

[0045] In all embodiments, it can be provided that the clothes hanger 1 has a W-shape in its unfolded position, wherein the ends of the unfolded support arms 4 or the tension arms 8 run obliquely upwards when used as intended.

[0046] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a clothes hanger 1 with unfolded support arms 4 and telescopically extended tension arms 8. The clothes hanger 1 is shown in a frontal view. A hook 2 for hanging the clothes hanger 1 is attached centrally at the top of the base body 3 of the clothes hanger 1. The base body 3 of the clothes hanger 1 has two base body legs 5 that protrude from the hook 2 and, in particular, slope downwards. At each end of each leg, a pivot joint is provided, which is designed as a support arm pivot joint 6.

[0047] In their unfolded position, the support arms 4 are arranged laterally projecting from the base body 3 as shown in Fig. 3. Each support arm 4 is connected to the base body 3 via a support arm pivot joint 6.

[0048] In the second embodiment of a clothes hanger 1 in the unfolded position according to Fig. 3, tensioning arms 8 are also shown at the ends of the support arms 4 opposite the support arm joints 6. In the second embodiment of the clothes hanger 1, the tensioning arms 8 are telescopically connected to the support arms 4 via sliding mechanisms 9. The first embodiment of the clothes hanger 1 according to Figs. 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b thus differs from the second embodiment of the clothes hanger 1 according to Fig. 3 in the design and function of the provided tensioning arms 8.

[0049] The carrying width T of the clothes hanger 1 in its unfolded position according to Fig. 3 is essentially determined by the added widths of the base body 3 and the two support arms 4 and, if necessary, further extended by the telescopically extended tensioning arms 8. The clothes hanger 1, with the support arms 4 in the unfolded position for tensioned holding of bed linen, has a carrying width T of 114 cm to 144 cm, which can be extended to 152 cm to 192 cm by extending the tensioning arms 8. If necessary, a carrying width T of more than 192 cm can also be achieved with tensioning arms 8 with several telescopic elements. Such bed linen, which may come into contact with the clothes hanger 1 with its corner areas, in particular with the ends of the support arms 4 opposite the support arm pivot joints 6 or the ends of the tensioning arms 8 opposite the tensioning arm pivot joints 10, can be, for example, a cover or a sheet. In Fig.3 also shows the use of the clothes hanger 1 with dashed lines. The hook 2 is hooked into a suspension, and thus the clothes hanger 1 hangs from this suspension. A piece of laundry, such as a duvet cover, is stretched over the protruding ends of the tension arms 8. The protruding ends of the tension arms 8 engage in two corner areas of the duvet cover. The hook 2 and, if applicable, the upper areas of the base body legs 5 protrude from the duvet cover. The support width T is adapted to the width of the item of laundry.

[0050] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of two detailed views of a swivel joint in the unfolded position according to Fig. 4a and the folded position according to Fig. 4b. Both the support arm swivel joints 6 of the exemplary embodiments according to Figs. 1 to 3, as well as the tension arm swivel joints 10 of the first embodiment of the clothes hanger 1 according to Figs. 1 and 2, can be designed according to the embodiment of a swivel joint shown in Fig. 4. However, for the sake of clarity, the reference numerals in Fig. 4 refer to the use of the swivel joint as a support arm swivel joint 6.

[0051] A support arm pivot joint 6 rotatably connects two parts, namely the base body 3, in particular a base body leg 5 and a support arm 4. One part has a stop 7 and the second part has a recess in which the stop 7 can be moved when the support arm 4 is folded out or in, i.e. during the rotational movement of the support arm 4 relative to the base body 3. The recess has two end regions and is designed such that the stop 7 comes into contact with one end region in the unfolded state and with the other end region in the folded state, and in each case assumes a defined position. These defined positions are selected such that the support arm 4, in the unfolded state, extends the base body leg 5 in one section essentially in a straight line and, in the folded state, lies parallel and, in at least one section, congruently above the base body 3.In other words, the stop 7 limits the rotational movement of the support arm 4 around the support arm pivot joint 6 to a range of essentially 180°.

[0052] A tension arm pivot joint 10 similarly connects two parts, namely a support arm 4 and a tension arm 8, in a rotatable manner. One part has a stop 7 and the second part has a recess in which the stop 7 can be moved when the tension arm 8 is folded out or in, i.e. during the rotational movement of the tension arm 8 with respect to the support arm 4. The recess has two end regions and is designed such that the stop 7 comes into contact with one end region in the unfolded state and with the other end region in the folded state, and in each case assumes a defined position. These defined positions are selected such that the tension arm 8, in the unfolded state, extends the support arm 4 in one section essentially in a straight line and, in the folded state, comes to lie parallel and, in at least one section, congruently above the support arm 4.In other words, the stop 7 limits the rotational movement of the clamping arm 8 around the clamping arm pivot joint 10 to a range of essentially 180°.

[0053] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a detailed view of a protruding end of a clothes hanger 1. Both protruding ends of a clothes hanger 1 can be designed in this way. The protruding ends are the ends opposite the support arm pivot joints 6 of the support arms 4. If tensioning arms 8 are provided, the protruding ends are, according to the first embodiment, the ends of the tensioning arms 8 opposite the tensioning arm pivot joints 10 of the clothes hanger 1, or, according to the second embodiment, the ends of the tensioning arms 8 opposite the sliding mechanisms 9. Clamping devices 12 for holding smooth laundry items, such as sheets, are provided on the protruding ends. In this schematic representation, the clamping devices 12 are U-shaped with elevations 13 in the form of serrated, barb-like projections on the inner flanks. The corners of the laundry items to be hung up are clamped in this U-shape.The effects according to the invention can be achieved through these exemplary configurations.

[0054] The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but encompasses any clothes hanger 1 according to the following patent claims. In particular, the invention is not limited to the specific design of the swivel joint, which can be used as a support arm swivel joint 6 and / or as a tension arm swivel joint 10. In particular, other suitable folding mechanisms for folding the support arms 4 or tension arms 8 can also be used. For example, a folding mechanism with a locking function could be used to fold and secure the support arms 4 and / or tension arms 8 in the folded or unfolded position.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Clothes hanger (1) with a hook (2) and a hanger-shaped base body (3), - wherein two support arms (4) are provided, which are attached to the base body (3) in a foldable and extendable manner, - wherein the two support arms (4) are folded inwards in their folded position and the entire clothes hanger (1), for example for hanging an outer garment in a wardrobe, has a support width (T) of 38 cm to 48 cm, - and wherein the two support arms (4) in their unfolded position are folded outwards on both sides and widen the support width (T) of the clothes hanger (1) to more than 80 cm, in particular to more than 110 cm, for the taut holding of bed linen.

2. Clothes hanger (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - that the base body (3) has two base body legs (5) projecting from the hook (2) and in particular sloping downwards, - that a support arm swivel joint (6) with a stop (7) is provided in each of the two end areas of the legs, - and that one of the support arms (4) is mounted on the support arm swivel joints (6) in such a way that it can pivot outwards, limited by the stop (7).

3. Clothes hanger (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that - that the stop (7) limits the pivoting movement when folding in the respective support arm (4).

4. Clothes hanger (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that - that the support arms (4) are used to widen the support width (T) of the Laundry hanger (1) each comprise an outwardly spreadable tensioning arm (8), - and that the tensioning arms (8) in their spread-out position widen the carrying width (T) of the clothes hanger (1 ) to a size corresponding to the width of a bed linen, - in particular that the tensioning arms (8) in their spread-out position widen the carrying width (T) of the clothes hanger (1) to more than 120 cm, in particular to 130 cm to 160 cm, - preferably that the tensioning arms (8) in their spread-out position widen the carrying width (T) of the clothes hanger (1) to 135 cm, to 155 cm or to 140 cm.

5. Clothes hanger (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that - that the tensioning arms (8) can be extended telescopically outwards via a sliding mechanism (9) at the end of the respective support arm (4) opposite the support arm swivel joint (6) in order to further widen the support width (T) of the clothes hanger (1), - or that the tensioning arms (8) can be folded out via a tensioning arm pivot joint (10) at the end of the respective support arm (4) opposite the support arm pivot joint (6) in order to further widen the support width (T) of the clothes hanger (1).

6. Clothes hanger (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the support arms (4) have clamping devices (12) for holding items of laundry at the ends which protrude in their unfolded position.

7. Clothes hanger (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that - that the support arms (4) in their folded position are arranged essentially parallel to the base body (3), - wherein one support arm (4) runs on one flat side (11) of the bow-shaped base body (3) and the other support arm (4) runs on the other flat side (11) of the bow-shaped base body (3).

8. Clothes hanger according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that - that the base body (3) and the support arms (4) have essentially the same bracket shape and are arranged next to one another in three layers in the folded position.

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