Clothesline arrangement for drying clothes

Abstract

A clothesline (1) comprises a folding base (2) with legs (3) and a frame (4). The clothesline (1) further includes two folding wings (7) that attach to the frame (4) on opposite sides. The legs (3) and the wings (7) are attached to each other and to the frame (4) by means of two fixings (20) and can pivot about an axis (A) defined by these fixings. The clothesline (1) also includes four hinges (10) that can be positioned at the point where the legs (3), wings (7), and frame (4) are attached. The frame joints (10) are designed to provide a support structure for receiving the legs (3) and the frame (4), and each has a first joining part (11) and a second joining part (12) with a plurality of receiving openings (14, 15, 16, 21, 22) by means of which the frame joints (10) can be attached to the frame (4), a respective clothesline wing (7) and a respective leg (3) without the need for tools.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a clothes drying rack arrangement that provides reliable functionality and has a particularly space-saving design when transportable. Clothes drying rack arrangements are known from the prior art. German patent GR 2006 0100 665 A discloses a clothes drying rack with a main surface and lateral auxiliary surfaces. The clothes drying rack comprises a plurality of plastic connectors with characteristic cylindrical sleeves, which are used to assemble the clothes drying rack. German patent DE 198 02 275 A1 discloses a clothes drying rack with joints that are equipped with plate-shaped projections and allow for special adjustment options. German patent DE 202 02 287 U1 discloses another clothes drying rack that allows for a variety of configurations for hanging laundry items of different lengths or weights.

[0002] These types of racks, also known as clothes drying racks or drying stands, are widespread household aids and typically consist of a collapsible frame with several legs for standing on the floor. The rack usually has a frame containing several cords or rods for hanging laundry.

[0003] The invention aims to create a reliable and cost-effective clothes drying rack arrangement.

[0004] A clothes drying rack according to the invention comprises a collapsible base frame with two legs and a frame that is horizontal in its operating position, within which cord-like or rod-shaped elements for holding the laundry are arranged. The clothes drying rack further comprises two collapsible clothes drying rack wings that are coupled to the frame on opposite sides, wherein the two legs and the two clothes drying rack wings are each coupled to each other and to the frame by means of two fastening means and are pivotable about a pivot axis provided by the fastening means. The clothes drying rack arrangement also has four frame hinges, which are designed to be arranged in a respective area of ​​a coupling point of the legs, the clothes drying rack wings, and the frame.The frame joints are designed to provide a support structure for the legs and the frame. Each of the four frame joints comprises a first joint part and a second joint part, both featuring multiple receiving openings. These openings allow the frame joints to be connected to the frame, a section of an associated clothes drying rack wing, and a section of an associated leg without the need for additional tools. The receiving openings of each second joint part are U-shaped, designed to accommodate the respective element.

[0005] Using the described configuration, a clothes drying rack can be created that provides reliable functionality for drying laundry and, in particular, allows for space-saving setup when transported. Because the frame joints are included as separate, unassembled components of the clothes drying rack, the rack can be packed and transported very flat, thus reducing logistical costs.

[0006] The frame joints are then assembled by the end consumer, who can easily assemble them themselves in just a few steps by inserting the corresponding frame elements into the designated openings of the joint components. The frame joints are designed so that the end consumer can perform the assembly without any additional tools. This significantly simplifies fully automated production of the clothes drying rack and further reduces manufacturing costs. Therefore, the described clothes drying rack design reduces transport and manufacturing costs while still providing reliable and efficient operation.

[0007] The first and second joint components of each frame joint are designed as separate, coordinated elements that can be plugged into one another. The joint components feature predefined coupling structures that enable them to be plugged into and / or locked together. For example, one of the joint components has one or more openings into which corresponding coupling structures on the other joint component can engage. Alternatively or additionally, one of the joint components can have one or more locking elements that engage with the inner and / or outer edges of the other joint component.

[0008] The joint components can each be manufactured as a single piece from separate plastic parts. The frame joints thus form plastic joints that are attached to the respective corners of the essentially rectangular frame. Alternatively, the frame joints can be made of metal, for example, aluminum.

[0009] According to a further embodiment of the clothes drying rack arrangement, the fasteners are designed as rivets or bolts that extend through a respective section of the frame, each drying rack wing, and each support leg. Preferably, one of the four rivets or bolts is installed in each of the four corners of the essentially rectangular frame, so that a cross member of one of the two drying rack wings is connected to a longitudinal member of one of the two support legs and to a member of the frame by means of a respective rivet or bolt. Accordingly, the rivets or bolts form a respective axis of rotation or pivot axis about which the coupled elements can pivot relative to each other. Thus, a reliable coupling can be achieved in a simple and cost-effective manner, which also defines a respective pivot axis by means of the rivet or bolt elements.

[0010] The frame elements of the clothes drying rack wings, legs, and frame feature corresponding recesses at predetermined positions, allowing the respective fastening elements to be inserted or through which they extend. The bolts or rivets are made of metal and / or plastic, or incorporate metal and / or plastic components. This ensures a stable and reliable construction of the clothes drying rack.

[0011] According to the invention, the second joint part of each frame joint is designed to receive a frame element of the support leg and has an extended leg support into which the respective support leg can be locked. For example, the extended leg support, when assembled and set up in which the second joint part is coupled to the frame, the base frame is unfolded, and the support legs are erected, has a length of at least 6 cm along the support leg. Preferably, this support length is 8 cm to 10 cm. The leg support includes, for example, one of the receiving openings, which is U-shaped and bounded by a contact surface formed on an outwardly facing side of the respective frame joint. Thus, a section of the support leg to be received can be pressed into the U-shaped receiving opening and held stably and reliably by means of the contact surface.

[0012] The support surface or extended leg support determines the length or depth of the second joint part and the frame joint, which is particularly advantageous so that the legs can be securely and firmly locked into place and held in place, ensuring sufficient stability for the clothes drying rack. Because the frame joints are supplied separately before assembly by the end consumer, this extended leg support does not contribute to increased package dimensions for the ready-to-transport clothes drying rack. The frame joints are packaged in such a way that the extended leg support essentially lies within the plane of the folded base frame.The thickness of the packaged clothes drying rack assembly perpendicular to a principal extension plane of the frame can therefore be essentially defined by the geometry of the frame elements of the frame, the clothes drying rack wings and / or the legs, and the frame joints packed inside the frame do not add any additional thickness.

[0013] According to a further development of the clothes drying rack arrangement, the receiving openings of the respective first joint components are U-shaped, designed to accommodate the respective element. Advantageously, the frame, the clothes drying rack wings, and the legs are tubular with a cylindrical base. The U-shaped receiving openings are therefore preferably rounded. Alternatively, tubular elements with an angular base are also possible. In this case, the U-shaped receiving openings are preferably angular. A tubular design of the frame, the clothes drying rack wings, and the legs with corresponding cavities contributes to material and weight savings in the clothes drying rack arrangement.

[0014] For example, each second joint part has a first receiving opening, a second receiving opening, and a third receiving opening. The first receiving opening is bounded by two spaced-apart legs of the second joint part and is designed to receive or surround the fastener located in the corresponding corner of the frame. Thus, at the beginning of the frame joint assembly, the first receiving opening is positioned around the fastener and surrounds the respective pivot axis. In particular, at such a coupling point between the frame, the clothesline wings, and the legs, a predetermined clearance is available along the pivot axis, allowing the free legs of the second joint part to be positioned there easily and reliably.

[0015] The second receiving opening is bounded by extended side surfaces and an extended back surface of the second joint component and is designed to receive the respective supporting leg. The side surfaces and back surface form, in particular, the previously described extended leg support, so that the back surface can also be described as the contact surface for the supporting leg to be received.

[0016] The third receiving opening is formed on the upper side of the second hinge section and is designed to receive the respective section of the frame. In particular, the frame hinges are intended to function as support elements in the respective corners of the frame and should be installed accordingly in these areas.

[0017] In a fully assembled state, the four frame joints are therefore preferably arranged simply by clipping them onto a respective coupling point of the legs, the clothesline wings, and the frame, so that the respective first and second joint parts surround a section of the frame and / or the fasteners. For example, the respective first joint parts form a cover that is placed from above onto the lower component, which is realized by the second joint parts.

[0018] In the context of this description, terms and directions such as "top", "bottom", "top", "bottom" refer to a ready-to-use state of the clothes drying rack arrangement set up on a surface.

[0019] The first joint sections surround an upper area of ​​the frame, and the second joint sections each surround a lower area of ​​the frame, so that the first and second joint sections together completely enclose the corresponding section of the frame. The frame joints of the clothes drying rack assembly incorporate coupling elements that are designed to positively engage the frame on one side and a section of each leg on the other, each only partially enclosing the frame.

[0020] Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims and in the following description of an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings. These show: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a clothes drying rack arrangement in a fully extended functional state, Figures 2-5 show a frame joint of the clothes drying rack arrangement in different views, Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the clothes drying rack arrangement in a transportable functional state, Figures 7-11 show different positions of a method for setting up the clothes drying rack arrangement.

[0022] Elements of the same construction or function are marked with the same reference symbols across all figures. For the sake of clarity, not all depicted elements may be marked with their corresponding reference symbols in every figure.

[0023] The Figure 1Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a clothes drying rack 1 in a fully unfolded and operational state. The clothes drying rack 1 comprises a collapsible base frame 2 with two legs 3 and a horizontal frame 4 in its operating position. The horizontal frame 4 has several frame elements, namely two longitudinal elements 5 and two transverse elements 6. The frame elements 5 and 6 are arranged in a rectangle. Cord-like or rod-shaped elements are arranged within the frame elements, which can hold laundry. The two legs 3 are pivotally connected to the frame 4 in the area of ​​the transverse elements 6. Further details of the base frame 2 are not described.It should be noted at this point that the basic frame 2 can assume configurations known from the prior art, unless features of the basic frame 2 are explicitly described elsewhere.

[0024] The clothes drying rack assembly 1 further comprises two drying rack wings 7. Each drying rack wing 7 is a U-shaped frame formed by opposing, parallel legs 8 and a cross frame element 9 connecting the legs 8. Rod- or cord-like elements for holding laundry are arranged between the U-shaped frame. All frame elements 5 and 6 of the frame 4, as well as the legs 8 and the cross frame element 9 of the drying rack wings 7, are tubular, in particular cylindrical. Other configurations are conceivable.

[0025] The clothes drying rack arrangement 1 further has four frame joints 10, one of which is arranged in the area of ​​a respective coupling point in which the support legs 3, the clothes drying rack wings 7 and the frame 4 are coupled together.

[0026] As shown in the following Figures 2-11 As explained, the configuration of the frame joints 10, in particular, enables a reliable operating state for drying laundry and a particularly space-saving transport state for the clothes drying rack assembly 1. With regard to transport, the frame joints 10 are included as separate, unassembled components of the clothes drying rack assembly 1, allowing the assembly to be packed and transported in a particularly flat manner, thus reducing logistics costs (see figure). Figure 6In a packaged state, the frame joints 10 are preferably arranged within the frame 4 and do not protrude with respect to thickness. The thickness is essentially determined by a diameter of the frame elements 3, 5, 6, 8 and / or 9 and refers to a direction perpendicular to a principal extension plane of the frame 4.

[0027] The frame joints 10 are designed to provide a support structure for receiving the support legs 3 and the frame 4 (see Figures 2-5 The frame joints 10 each have a first joint part 11 and a separate second joint part 12, which comprise a plurality of U-shaped receiving openings 14, 15, 16, 21, 22. The frame joints 10 can be coupled to the frame 4 and the associated clothes drying rack wing 7 and support leg 3 without the need for any additional tools via the receiving openings 14, 15, 16, 21, 22.

[0028] The joint parts 11 and 12 are preferably each formed as separate, one-piece plastic components and can be manufactured cost-effectively and reliably, for example, by injection molding. The respective joint parts 11 and 12 are designed with predefined, coordinated coupling structures 19, 23, 27, 28 and are configured to be pluggable into one another (see figure). Figures 9 and 10 ).

[0029] The first joint parts 11 have a coupling structure 23 and locking elements 27 on an underside, which are designed to be aligned with a coupling opening 19 and a locking receptacle 28 on an upper side of the second joint part 12.

[0030] Terms and directional indications such as "top", "bottom", "upper side" and "lower side" refer to a ready-to-use state of the clothes drying rack arrangement 1, set up on a base, as described in Figure 1is illustrated. Accordingly, in a mounted and erected state, the underside of the first joint part 11 faces the top side of the second joint part 12.

[0031] The first hinge parts 11 each form a cover that surrounds an upper area of ​​the frame 4 or the respective transverse element 6. The second hinge parts 12 each surround a lower area of ​​the frame 4 or the respective transverse element 6. Thus, the first and second hinge parts 11, 12 together completely enclose the corresponding section of the frame 4. Alternatively, the frame hinges 10 can also be designed so that they do not completely enclose the respective transverse element 6 and, for example, have a gap or leave it open.

[0032] The clothes drying rack wings 7 can be arranged so that, in an unfolded state, they rest on an upper surface of the frame 4. Alternatively or additionally, the frame joints 10 can be designed such that the first and / or the second joint part 11, 12 has a wing support 26 for stabilizing the unfolded clothes drying rack wings 7 (see figure). Figure 4 ).

[0033] The legs 3, the clothes drying rack wings 7, and the frame 4 are connected at the corners by means of a fastener in the form of a rivet or a bolt 20. The bolt 20 establishes a pivot axis A about which the clothes drying rack wings 7 and the legs 3 can pivot relative to the frame 4. The bolts 20 extend through a section of the frame 4 or the longitudinal element 5, through an end section of the clothes drying rack wing 7 or the leg 8, and through an end section of the leg 3. The frame 4, the clothes drying rack wings 7, and the legs 3 are therefore pre-assembled and connected. For protection, the end sections of the clothes drying rack wings 7 are, for example, fitted with protective caps 25.

[0034] Between the end sections of the clothes drying rack wings 7 and the support legs 3, as well as between the end sections of the clothes drying rack wings 7 and the respective longitudinal element 5 of the frame 4, predetermined distances are provided into which the second joint part 12 can engage by means of free legs 13 (see Figures 2-4 ).

[0035] The assembly of the frame elements 10 onto the base frame 2 is described in the Figures 7-11The second joint part 12 is illustrated. Each second joint part 12 has a first U-shaped receiving opening 14, a second U-shaped receiving opening 15, and a third U-shaped receiving opening 16. The first receiving opening 14 is bounded by two spaced-apart legs 13 formed on the upper surface of the second joint part 12. The first receiving opening 14 is designed to receive or surround the respective bolt 20. The second joint part 12 is hooked into the free spaces between the clothes drying rack wings 7, the frame 4, and the legs 3 by means of the legs, so that the bolt 20 is positioned in the receiving opening 14.

[0036] The second joint part 12 is then rotated about the pivot axis A, so that the third receiving opening 16 is moved towards the frame 4. The third receiving opening 16 is accordingly formed on the upper side of the second joint part 12 to receive a respective section of the frame 4. According to the illustrated embodiment, the frame joint 10 is arranged in a space-saving manner in a respective corner of the frame 4, so that the third receiving opening 16, adapted to the curved contour of the self-contained frame 4, has a curved shape or is bounded by curved side surfaces and replicates a negative shape of the section of the frame 4.

[0037] The second receiving opening 15 is bounded by extended side surfaces and an extended back surface of the second joint part 12 and is designed to receive the respective support leg 3. The second receiving opening 15 forms part of an extended leg support 18 into which the respective support leg 3 can be locked. The leg support 18 may have locking elements 17 that can prevent the locked support leg 3 from unintentionally exiting the second receiving opening 15 (see Figure 1). Figure 4 ).

[0038] The extended leg support 18, for example, has, in a mounted and assembled state as described in the Figures 1-5As shown, a length of at least 6 cm, for example 8-10 cm, is provided along the support leg 3 to achieve a particularly stable hold for the unfolded clothes drying rack assembly 1. Furthermore, the second joint parts 12 can be provided with stabilizing ribs 24, which can contribute to a particularly stable hold and a high load-bearing capacity (see figure). Figure 5 ).

[0039] According to the lower part of the image Figure 8The first joint part 11 is now placed on the second joint part 12 as a cover cap and inserted into it, or rather, locked into place. The locking elements 27 of the first joint part 11 are inserted into the coupling opening 19 of the second joint part 12 until they engage in corresponding recesses or edges. Another locking element 27 on an outer section of the first joint part 11 can engage in a corresponding locking receptacle 28 on an outer section of the second joint part 12. An audible click upon engagement can further inform the end consumer that the coupling has been established and is load-bearing. The frame joint 10, as mounted by the end consumer, is in Figure 11 shown again in perspective, with the clothesline wings 7 and the legs 3 folded in.

[0040] The described clothes drying rack assembly 1 can be implemented in a simple and cost-effective manner, allowing for the straightforward assembly of a rack for drying laundry. In particular, due to the separate, non-pre-assembled frame joints 10, the clothes drying rack assembly 1 enables a particularly flat and thin design. This allows for space-saving packaging of the clothes drying rack assembly 1 and offers a significant production and freight advantage, especially when considering the production of large quantities of such products. This has a positive impact on manufacturing and transport and can therefore help to keep associated costs low. Reference symbol list

[0041] 1 Clothes drying rack assembly 2 Base frame 3 Leg 4 Frame 5 Longitudinal element 6 Transverse element 7 Clothes drying rack wing 8 Leg 9 Frame cross element 10 Frame joint 11 First joint part 12 Second joint part 13 Free legs of the second joint part 14 First U-shaped receiving opening of the second joint part 15 Second U-shaped receiving opening of the second joint part 16 Third U-shaped receiving opening of the second joint part 17 Locking elements of the leg support 18 Leg support of the second joint part 19 Coupling opening of the second joint part 20 Fastening means / bolts 21 First U-shaped receiving opening of the first joint part 22 Second U-shaped receiving opening of the first joint part 23 Coupling structure of the first joint part 24 Stability ribs 25 Protective cap 26 Wing support 27 Locking elements of the first joint part 28 Locking receptacle of the second joint part A-swivel axis

Claims

1. Clothes drying rack arrangement (1) for drying laundry, comprising: - a collapsible base frame (2) with two legs (3) and a frame (4) that is horizontal in the position of use, within which cord-like or rod-shaped elements are arranged for holding the laundry, - two foldable clothes drying rack wings (7) which are coupled to the frame (4) on opposite sides thereof, wherein the two support legs (3) and the two clothes drying rack wings (7) are each coupled to each other and to the frame (4) by means of two fastening means (20) (4) and are designed to pivot about a pivot axis (A) established by the fastening means (20), and - four frame joints (10), one of which can be arranged in the area of a respective coupling point of the support legs (3), the clothes horse wings (7) and the frame (4), wherein the frame joints (10) are designed to provide a support structure for receiving the support legs (3) and the frame (4), and wherein the four frame joints (10) each comprise a first joint part (11) and a second joint part (12) which have a plurality of receiving openings (14, 15, 16, 21, 22) by means of which the frame joints (10) can be coupled without aids to the frame (4), a respective clothes horse wing (7) and a respective support leg (3) without the need for additional means, characterised in that the receiving openings (14, 16) of the respective second joint parts (12) are limited to a U-shape in coordination with a respective element to be received, and that the first and second joint parts (11, 12) of a respective frame joint (10) are designed as separate elements and have coordinated coupling structures (19, 23, 27, 28) which are designed to be inserted into one another and locked in place, and wherein the respective second joint part (12) is designed to receive the respective support leg (3) and has an extended leg support (18) into which the respective support leg (3) can be locked.

2. Clothes drying rack arrangement (1) according to claim 1, in which the joint parts (11, 12) are each formed in one piece as separate plastic components.

3. Clothes drying rack arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means (20) are designed as rivets or bolts which extend through a respective section of the frame (4), the respective clothes drying rack wing (7) and the respective support leg (3).

4. Clothes drying rack arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the extended leg support (18), relative to an assembled and erected state in which the second joint part (12) is coupled to the frame (4) and the base frame (2) is unfolded and the support legs (3) are erected, has a length along the support leg (3) of at least 6 cm.

5. Clothes drying rack arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the receiving openings (21, 22) of the respective first joint parts (11) are designed in a U-shape in coordination with a respective element to be received.

6. Clothes drying rack arrangement (1) according to claim 5, in which the respective second joint part (12) comprises a first receiving opening (14), a second receiving opening (15) and a third receiving opening (16), wherein the first receiving opening (14) is bounded by two spaced-apart legs (13) of the second joint part (12) and is designed to receive the respective fastening means (20), wherein the second receiving opening (15) is bounded by elongated side surfaces and an elongated rear surface of the second joint part (12) and is designed to receive the respective support leg (3), and wherein the third receiving opening (16) is formed on an upper side of the second joint part (12) to receive the respective section of the frame (4).

7. Clothes drying rack arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the four frame joints (10) are arranged by means of attachment at a respective coupling point of the support legs (3), of the frame (4) and the clothes horse wings (7) so that the respective first and second joint parts (11, 12) surround a section of the frame (4) and / or the fastening means (20).

8. Clothes drying rack arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the respective first joint parts (11) form a cover and surround an upper area of the frame (4) and in which the respective second joint parts (12) surround a lower area of the frame (4), so that the respective first and second joint parts (11, 12) together completely enclose the associated section of the frame (4).

Images