A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords

Abstract

The device 99 includes a spacer providing two spaced apart holders 10 at the ends 5 of a body 1. A pole grip 2 is located at an intermediate location on the body. The body may be monolithic and plan

Description

Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords. Background 10 Many people in many societies across the world are increasingly liable to try and dry clothing outdoors or on a line, as costs of electric drying are excessive and there are benefits to the natural drying process. However in many situations it can be difficult to effectively dry on a line. For example, 15 there may be insufficient space on the line, and only a short length is possible. Prior Art 20 WO 2015 091 152 (CLIPPEN et al) discloses a cable spacer for receiving at least partly a plurality of cables, configured to maintain a clearance among the cables during motion of at least one of said cables or during motion of the spacer, the cable spacer having at least three recesses formed in an edge of said cable spacer for receiving at least three cables, said recesses arranged so as to enclose a central area of the cable 25 spacer, characterized in that the spacer includes a peripheral retainer ring member at least in a part removably receivable around the edge to hold in place at least one cable when received in one of the recesses, wherein the retainer ring is integrally formed with the cable spacer as a monolithic structure. 30 GB 2 500 049 (SAINT) discloses a cable management hangerfor use on a construction site has fixing holes allowing it to be securely fixed to an upper slab / timber floor with suitable fixings and holes for cable ties to enable temporary cables to be suspended below the lower finished ceiling level which allows re-use of cabling upon connection of the permanent electrical supply wherein the hanger may also have larger holes for 35 hooks to suspend hand tool supply leads and the hanger may also be attached to a wall using a bracket if the ceiling is not strong enough. US 4 845 877 (KOETJE) discloses a connector for detachably interconnecting at least two lines, comprising; two separate, complementary, opposing members disposible in face-to-face relationship to each other, said two members: having portions cooperative y defining a first through bore extending through the connector at the interface of -.he two members for snug reception of a primary line; and, having portions cooperatively defining passageway means extending through the connector at the interface of the two members for receiving at least one secondary line, said passageway means sized to enable the secondary line to readily slide lengthwise of the line through the secondary passageway means; and means for detachably clamping the two connector members together in face-to-face relationship thereby to snugly capture the primary line in the through bore. Summary of the Invention According tc the present invention there is provided a washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords, the device comprising a spacer providing two spaced apart holders, such holders spaced to either end of the body, and a pole grip at an intermediate location on the body. In this way the device of the present invention enables a line to be doubled and spaced apart, such that the available length may be better used. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a monolithic body, so as to be robust in all weathers, failsafe and easy to use. Other embodiments may have a plurality of parts, for example being telescopic or foldable. In some embodiments of the device the body comprises a planar format body with opposed flat faces, describing two ends, which are spaced distally on the body. In some embodiments of the device the body is formed in plastic, for example a rigid inflexible and inelastic plastic like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar, being easy and cheap to manufacture to ensure low cost and allow for a plurality to be in use on a single line without excessive cost. In some such embodiments of the device the plastic is a translucent or transparent plastic, reducing the visual impact of the device and / or rendering a colourful aspect. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises an oval body. Other embodiments may have decorative shapes, such as characters, personalities or teams. It may be envisaged that embodiments may be elongate in shape, such as rectangular. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a square grip, which may be envisaged to accept a pole easily from a plurality of angles. It may be envisaged that the device may have more than one grip or style of grip, so as to allow for different arrangements or configurations in use. In some embodiments of the device the grip comprises a hole that passes through the body, which may be well suited to hooked poles as known in the art, such that the hook passes through the grip. Other embodiments may have projections, or cups for receipt of the pole end, so as to allow for the pole to brace and / or support the line. In some embodiments of the device the holders comprise cutouts into the body, such that the line is fed into the device and is held there. In some embodiments of the device the holders comprise dogleg holes, enabling the direction of entrance to be different to that of natural exit, allowing the device to be effectively installed in use. In some embodiments of the device the holes comprise bayonet holes, enabling the device to be used in both orientations, and flipped for different configurations. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus comprising a device substantially as described herein and one or more line covers. It may be envisaged that the line covers may be provided in use, or may be bonded to the device permanently or semi permanently. It may be envisaged that in some embodiments the line covers extend from the device, and the cords of the line are fed into slits into the line covers. In some embodiments of such apparatus the line cover comprises an elongated member with a U shape sectional profile. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprising an embodiment of the device of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of the device shown in the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a washing line device 99 for spacing apart two washing line cords (not shown), the device generally comprising a body 1 providing two spaced apart holders 10, such holders spaced to either end 5 of the body 1, and a pole grip 2 at an intermediate location on the body 1. The device is shown as part of an apparatus 199 for spacing apart two washing line cords, wherein the apparatus further comprises two line covers 100, which line covers comprise elongate plastic U shaped sleeves, formed in a flexible inelastic plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene or similar. These sleeves have a lowermost opening 11, which receives the cord, and an upper wider internal volume, into which the cord is placed in use. In this way the cords are held in the line cover, and the line covers 100 are better suited to the holders 10 of the device 99. The pictured embodiment of the device 99 comprises a thin planar monolithic part which may be envisaged to be injection moulded in a transparent or translucent plastic for minimal visual impact. The plastic may be envisaged to be a rigid inflexible inelastic plastic in the pictured embodiment. The embodiment has an oval body, having a longitudinal axis between the ends 5 with the holders at either end thereof. The grip 2 is a square hole intermediate the ends 5. This grip may therefore be used to receive a pole as known in the art so as to aid in bracing the line in use. The grip is situated towards one side of the oval, so as to allow more flexibility for a user in installation, whereby the user is able to flip the device for use with the grip in a higher or lower configuration. The holders 10 are provided by cutouts into the ends of the body, wherein the cords of the line, or the line covers, are inserted into the holes. The holes are bayonet shaped, having an entrance 4 along the longitudinal axis of the body, and two orthogonal extensions 3, into which the cord or line cover fits, as shown in Figure 1. This ensures that the cord or line cover will not displace from the holder in an accidental manner. When the line covers are in use, as shown in Figure 1, the line covers’ overall rectangular sectional footprint is suited to the orthogonal extensions of the holders, wherein the line cover is liable to remain in a vertical orientation, wherein with a line cover vertical at either end of the device the device is held in a vertical plane, and the two cords of the line are held in a fixed relationship, spaced apart substantially on a horizontal plane. It may be envisaged that when a pole or similar is used and is held in the grip that the 5 grip may be liable to tilt the device, or the pole may be envisaged to have a hook end, which is hooked into the grip to support the line. Where the pole tilts the device it may be envisaged that the line to either side of the device may be kinked at different levels, which may be advantageous. 10 The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords, the device comprising a spacer providing two spaced apart holders, such holders spaced to either end of the body, and a pole grip at an intermediate location on the body.

2. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords according to claim 1 comprising a monolithic body.

3. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the body comprises a planar format body with opposed flat faces.

4. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords according to any preceding claim wherein the body is formed in plastic.

5. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords according to claim 4 wherein the plastic is a translucent or transparent plastic.

6. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords according to any preceding claim comprising an oval body.

7. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords according to any preceding claim comprising a square grip.

8. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords according to any preceding claim wherein the grip comprises a hole that passes through the body.

9. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords according to any preceding claim wherein the holders comprise cutouts into the body.

10. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords according to any preceding claim wherein the holders comprise dogleg holes.

11. A washing line device for spacing apart two washing line cords according to any of preceding claims 1 to 9 wherein the holes comprise bayonet holes.

12. Apparatus comprising a device according to any of the preceding claims and one or more line covers.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the line cover comprises an elongated 5 member with a U shape sectional profile.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the line cover comprises a sectional footprint matching the hole.T +44(0)30 0300 2000

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