AU2014202926B2

AU2014202926B2 - Retractable clothesline improvements

Info

Publication number: AU2014202926B2
Application number: AU2014202926A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Benjamin Hill; John Pitcher
Original assignee: Ames Australasia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Ames Australasia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-05-30
Filing date: 2014-05-29
Publication date: 2018-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-29
Also published as: AU2014202926A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a retractable clothesline assembly. In one form the assembly comprises a base rotatably supporting a spool having an axis of rotation about which the spool is rotatable, a drawbar that is separable from the base, a length of line extending between the spool and the drawbar, a line tensioning means and a pulley located between the spool and the drawbar. The line is directed about the pulley so as to extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the spool, and on which pulley the line is free to run when the tensioning means is not in use.

Description

2014202926 29 May 2014

RETRACTABLE CLOTHESLINE IMPROVEMENTS

PRIORITY DOCUMENT [0001] The present application claims priority from:

Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2013901932 titled “RETRACTABLE

CLOTHESLINE IMPROVEMENTS” and filed on 30 May 2013. The content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to a retractable clothesline assembly.

BACKGROUND [0003] This invention relates to retractable clothesline assemblies of the type comprising a base portion which is secured to a vertical surface such as a wall, and a drawbar, where an array of spaced apart lengths of line are supported between the base and the drawbar. More specifically, the base incorporates a frame supporting a plurality of spaced apart spools, where there is one of these spools supporting each length of line in the array. The drawbar can be separated from the base and supported at a distance from the base so that the assembly provides a clothesline between the drawbar and the base. When not in use, the drawbar can be returned to the base and the clothesline lengths retracted within the base and onto their respective spools.

[0004] It would be advantageous to provide a retractable clothesline assembly of the type described having a compact and slim profile that saves space and offers minimal interruption to the aesthetic appearance of the vertical surface to which it is mounted. In particular, it would be desirable to have a retractable clotheline assembly that minimises the extent of protrusion from the vertical surface.

[0005] For the purpose of this specification, the term drawbar should be construed as being inclusive of any portion of, or member attached to, the or each length of line, via which the or each length of line can be drawn from the base.

[0006] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

H:\cjl\Intcrwovcn\N RPortbl\DCC\EJL\l66l6526_l.docx-4/04/20l8

2014202926 04 Apr 2018

-2SUMMARY [0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a retractable clothesline assembly comprising a base rotatably supporting a spool having an axis of rotation about which the spool is rotatable, a drawbar that is separate from the base, a length of line extending between the spool and the drawbar, a line tensioning means and a pulley located between the spool and the drawbar, wherein the line is directed about the pulleys so as to extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the spool, and on which pulley the line is free to run when the tensioning means is not in use, wherein the line tensioning means comprises a line tensioning element co-axially located proximate the pulley, and wherein the element defines a tortuous pathway for receiving a portion of the line extending through the pulley such that rotation of the element causes the line to be drawn through the tortuous pathway, thereby tensioning the line.

[0008] INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK [0009] In one form, the tensioning means comprises releasable locking means for releasably holding the tensioning element in a tension effecting position, and the line wrapped there-around in a tensioned state.

[0010] In one form, the releasable locking means is adapted to releasably hold the tensioning element in any one of a plurality of tension effecting positions, each position varying the degree to which the line is wrapped around the tension element, and to which the line is tensioned in turn.

[0011] That is to say, in one form, the tension means is adapted to create at least a first amount of line tension, and a second amount of line tension. In other words, line tension can be increased in stages.

[0012] INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK [0013] In one form, the pulley is nested in the tension element.

[0014] This arrangement is very compact, and so permits the retractable clothesline assembly to have a very low profile with respect to the surface (generally a wall) to which it is mounted. In previous units, each spool had an axis of rotation which was orthogonal or transverse to the direction of line extension, and a tensioning element was positioned outboard of each spool. As a result these units extend further from the wall.

[0015] In one form, each of the drawbar, the tensioning element and the spools has a ‘home’ position.

[0016] In one form, each of the spools and the drawbar are biased toward their home positions by biasing means.

2014202926 29 May 2014 [0017] In one form, the tensioning element is oriented so that the line passes through the tensioning element uninterrupted when this is in its home position.

[0018] In one form, the tensioning element is driven from its home position to the tensioning position by a tensioning actuator.

[0019] In one form, the tensioning actuator is a lever. In an alternative it is a wheel.

[0020] In one form, the pulley freewheels on a shaft, and the tensioning element comprises a wheel which is keyed to the shaft, nesting the pulley, and which defines a tortuous path for the line, wherein the wheel element is movable between a first position in which the line is free to run past the pulley, and at least a second position in which the line is drawn into the tortuous path.

[0021] In one form, the base comprises a front face behind which the drawbar is nested, and wherein in use, the assembly is secured to a substantially vertical surface, so the drawbar must be drawn substantially vertically from its nested position before it can be drawn substantially horizontally along with the or each line length to form a clothesline.

[0022] In one form, the base further comprises top and bottom edges, the drawbar being nestable in one of the top or bottom edges, the base further comprising for each line length a guide slot which extends from the edge nesting the drawbar into the front face, so that in use, as the drawbar is removed from its nested position and drawn away from the body, each line travels along its respective guide slot until the line extends substantially horizontally.

[0023] In one form, the drawbar is nested in the bottom edge, so the or each tensioning means is positioned below its respective spool, and above the nested drawbar.

[0024] According to a further aspect, there is provided a retractable clothesline assembly comprising a base rotatably supporting a spool having an axis of rotation about which the spool is rotatable, a drawbar that is separable from the base, a length of line extending between the spool and the drawbar, a combined guide pulley and tensioning element located between the spool and the drawbar, about which the line is directed so as to extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the spool, and via which the line can be tensioned.

[0025] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the

2014202926 29 May 2014 appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

[0026] The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0027] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a retractable clothesline assembly;

[0029] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the retractable clothesline assembly of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the clothesline assembly of Figure 1, with a front cover panel and a rear cover removed;

[0031] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the clothesline assembly of Figure 3, with end cover panels removed;

[0032] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the clothesline assembly of Figure 4, with end frames removed;

[0033] Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the clothesline assembly of Figure 5, where the chassis for each spool has been removed;

[0034] Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of the clothesline assembly of Figure 6, where a wheel of the tensioning system for two spools has been removed;

[0035] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through a guide pulley and tensioning wheel in a first, free position;

[0036] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view through a guide pulley and tensioning wheel in a second, locked position;

2014202926 29 May 2014 [0037] Figure 10 is a right end view of the retractable clothesline assembly of Figure 1;

[0038] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken through along line A-A (see Figure 1);

[0039] Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of the clothesline assembly, where an end cover has been removed to permit visibility of an actuator for the tensioning means; and [0040] Figure 13 is a detail view of the actuator for the tensioning means illustrated in Figure 12.

[0041] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0042] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, where there is illustrated a retractable clothesline assembly 1 comprising a base 2 for mounting to a vertical surface such as a wall, whilst projecting to the least possible extent from the wall.

[0043] An array of six (in this embodiment) spaced apart line lengths 6 (see Figure 6) are supported so as to extend between the base 2 and a drawbar 4. In use, the drawbar 4 can be separated from the base 2 and supported at a distance from the base 2 so that the assembly provides a clothesline (comprised of an array of parallel line lengths 6) between the drawbar 4 and the base 2. When not in use, the drawbar 4 can be returned to a home position with respect to the base 2 and the line lengths 6 retracted within the base 2. In the embodiment illustrated, the drawbar 4 is nestable in a bottom edge of the base 2. In an alternative embodiment, the drawbar 4 may be nestable in a top edge of the base 2.

[0044] The drawbar 4 is releasably supported at a distance from the base 2 by a specially adapted drawbar receiving bracket (not shown), which is itself adapted to be secured to a second vertical surface opposing the first vertical surface to which the base 2 is secured.

[0045] The base 2 of the retractable clothesline assembly 1 comprises a front cover panel 10, a rear cover panel 12, and a pair of end assemblies 14. Each end assembly 14 comprises an end frame 16 and an end cover 18 for concealing the end frame 16. In use, the retractable clothesline assembly 1 is fixed to the supporting vertical surface via these end frames 16.

[0046] A pair of parallel and spaced apart chassis rails or spars 20 of square cross-sectional shape bridge the end frames 16. These rails 20 are major load bearing elements of the base 2.

2014202926 29 May 2014 [0047] The base 2 rotatably supports one or more spools 30. Each length of line 6 is carried by a spool 30 which is spring loaded so as to bias the spool 30 into retracting the line 6. Each spool 30 is in turn supported by a chassis 40 which extends between and is supported by the rails 20. More specifically, each chassis 40 comprises a pair of rail holes 41 (see Figure 3) via which the chassis 40 can be disposed over the rails 20.

[0048] One end of each chassis 40 is bifurcate, forming a pair of ribs 42 separated by a V-shaped guide slot 44 (the front panel 10 comprises matching guide slots 44). The purpose of this guide slot 44 will be discussed below. A notch, which is sized and shaped to receive and nest the drawbar 4 extends transversely through each rib 42. In this way, the drawbar 4 may be stored in such a fashion as to be substantially concealed (behind the front cover panel 10) when not in use. Hereafter this position will be referred to as ‘the home position’ for the drawbar 4.

[0049] To assist retrieval of the drawbar 4 from this home position, it comprises retractable portions or fold out levers 5, being namely end portions, which can be swung outwardly to serve as gripping points for the otherwise nested drawbar 4, and retracted for concealment.

[0050] When the clothesline is extended and the drawbar 4 located in the drawbar receiving bracket, all that is maintaining tension in the lengths of line 6 are the spring loaded spools 30. The springs that bias the spools 30 are not sufficiently strong to tension the lines 6 against the weight of a load of wet washing pegged thereto.

[0051] The assembly comprises a tensioning means therefore. With reference to Figures 6 through 9, it can be seen that this tensioning means comprises a lever 52 operated drive shaft 50 of rectangular crosssectional shape, and for each line 6 a combined guide pulley and tensioning element disposed upon the drive shaft 50, and housed within the chassis 40 for the spool 30 supporting that line 6.

[0052] For each line 6 this combined guide pulley and tensioning element comprises a wheel 60 keyed to the shaft 50 and internally nesting a pulley 70 which freewheels on the shaft 50.

[0053] Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, where it can be seen that the wheel 60 defines a tortuous path for the line 6, and the wheel 60 is movable (by operation of the lever 52) between a first position in which the line 6 is free to run past the pulley 70 (see Figure 8) unimpeded by the wheel 60, and at least a second position in which the line 6 is wrapped around and drawn into the tortuous path created by the wheel 60, thereby tensioning the line 6 (see Figure 9).

[0054] More specifically, the wheel 60 comprises a pair of discs 61 bridged by first and second bridging portions 62 and 64. As the wheel 60 is rotated to the second position, the line 6 is wrapped around both of

2014202926 29 May 2014 these bridging portions 62 and 64, each of which is shaped to both maximise the angle of wrap thereabout, and guide the line 6 in the desired direction. In Figure 9, the wheel 60 has been rotated 180 ° (from the position shown in Figure 8) to a locked position.

[0055] In use then, as the drawbar 4 is removed from its home position and then drawn away from the base 2, each line length 6 wraps around its respective guide pulley 70, travelling up an aligned V-shaped guide slot 44 until the angle of wrap around the guide pulley 70 is approximately 90°. Line 6 continues to be drawn from the spool 30, running over the freewheeling guide pulley 70 as it is drawn, until the drawbar 4 reaches the drawbar receiving bracket and is secured in this.

[0056] Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, the line is tensioned and ‘locked off, by rotating the lever 52 forward and downward. Rotation of the lever 52 via a handle portion 53 drives a locking wheel 54 which is keyed to the drive shaft 50, and which carries a pair of ratchet teeth 55 and 56. When rotated sufficiently (110° from its home position in this case) a spring loaded pawl 58 catches a first of the ratchet teeth 55 providing a first locking stage creating tension in, and locking off each of the line lengths 6 (i.e. preventing further line 6 from being drawn). If the lever 52 is rotated further still (up to 160° from its home position), the spring loaded pawl 58 catches a second of the ratchet teeth 56 providing a second locking stage, thereby increasing tension in each of the line lengths 6. As the lever 52 is rotated, the drive shaft 50 too is rotated, and this in turn drives each wheel 60 from the first position, in which the line 6 is free to run past the guide pulley 70, to either of a second or third position in which the line 6 is wrapped around the bridging portions 62 and 64 to respectively increasing extents.

[0057] The act of pressing a release button 59 disposed on the end of a release lever 59a (see Figure 5), will override the spring which biases the pawl 58 into engagement with the ratchet teeth 55 and 56, permitting release of the pawl 58, return of the lever 52 to its home position, and the release of the tension in each line length 6.

[0058] A salient advantage of the retractable clothesline assembly disclosed herein is that it comprises a line tensioning means without increasing, to any appreciable extent at least, the extent of projection of the assembly from the vertical surface to which it is secured, thus enabling the assembly to have a compact and slim profile.

[0059] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

2014202926 29 May 2014 [0060] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0061] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

H:\cjl\Intcrwovcn\N RPortbl\DCC\EJL\l66l6526_l.doc.v4/04/20l8

2014202926 04 Apr 2018

Claims

1. A retractable clothesline assembly comprising a base rotatably supporting a spool having an axis of rotation about which the spool is rotatable, a drawbar that is separate from the base, a length of line extending between the spool and the drawbar, a line tensioning means and a pulley located between the spool and the drawbar, wherein the line is directed about the pulleys so as to extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the spool, and on which pulley the line is free to run when the tensioning means is not in use, wherein the line tensioning means comprises a line tensioning element co-axially located proximate the pulley, and wherein the element defines a tortuous pathway for receiving a portion of the line extending through the pulley such that rotation of the element causes the line to be drawn through the tortuous pathway, thereby tensioning the line.

2. The retractable clothesline assembly of claim 1, wherein the tensioning means comprises releasable locking means for releasably holding the tensioning element in a tension effecting position, and the line wrapped there-around in a tensioned state.

3. The retractable clothesline assembly of claim 2, wherein the releasable locking means is adapted to releasably hold the tensioning element in any one of a plurality of tension effecting positions, each position varying the degree to which the line is wrapped around the tension element, and to which the line is tensioned in turn.

4. The retractable clothesline assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulley is nested in the tension element.

5. The retractable clothesline assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the drawbar, the tensioning element and the spools has a ‘home’ position, and each is biased toward their respective home position by biasing means.

6. The retractable clothesline assembly of claim 5, wherein the tensioning element is oriented so that the line passes through the tensioning element uninterrupted when this is in its home position.

H:\cjl\Intcrwovcn\NRPortbl\DCC\EJL\l66l 6526_l.doc.v4/04/20l8

2014202926 04 Apr 2018

-107. The retractable clothesline assembly as in either of claims 5 or 6, wherein the tensioning element is driven from its home position to the tensioning position by a tensioning actuator.

8. The retractable clothesline assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base comprises a front face behind which the drawbar is nested, and wherein in use, the assembly is secured to a substantially vertical surface, so the drawbar must be drawn substantially vertically from its nested position before it can be drawn substantially horizontally along with the or each line length to form a clothesline.

9. The retractable clothesline assembly of claim 8, wherein the base further comprises top and bottom edges, the drawbar being nestable in one of the top or bottom edges, the base further comprising for each line length a guide slot which extends from the edge nesting the drawbar into the front face, so that in use, as the drawbar is removed from its nested position and drawn away from the body, each line travels along its respective guide slot until the line extends substantially horizontally.

10. The retractable clothesline assembly of claim 9, wherein the drawbar is nested in the bottom edge, so the or each tensioning means is positioned below its respective spool, and above the nested drawbar.

2014202926 29 May 2014

1/10 >φ 'st oo

Figure 1

2014202926 29 May 2014

3/10 oo

2014202926 29 May 2014

4/10 €>

|Y°

2014202926 29 May 2014

Figure 8

Figure 10

8/10

Figure 11

2014202926 29 May 2014

9/10

CM

V»

2>

u.

10/10

2014202926 29 May 2014

Figure 13