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(11) | EP 1 426 478 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Improvements relating to clothes driers |
| (57) When a cord 9 is pulled, this draws a collar 6 down past a leaf spring 8 towards
a sleeve 2. As the collar passes over the leaf spring, lugs 7 on the collar are pushed
by the leaf spring against wedges 5 on arms 4 of a rotary drier. The lug 7 is pushed
firmly by the leaf spring against the wedge at its lower slope and, as the collar
6 is drawn down the column 1, the lugs slide against the increasingly sloping surface
of the wedges, thereby pushing the arms 4 outwards. The act of pushing the arms 4
outwards lifts the sleeve 2 towards the collar 6, so that the collar 6 and sleeve
2 are brought into abutting relationship. The use of the leaf spring plus the wedge
arrangement on the arms which controls movement of the collar on the column, can reduce
the force needed to lift the sleeve 2. |
[0001] This invention relates to clothes driers. In particular, the invention concerns rotary clothes driers having an upright column with arms hinged to a sleeve that is slidable up and down the column. The sleeve can be moved into a position whereby the arms are spread, so tightening lines between the arms and a support on the column so that articles may be hung on the lines.
[0002] With most driers of this kind, the arms of the drier are folded against the column when not in use by manually sliding the sleeve downwards on the column. To extend the lines, the sleeve is pushed upwards so that the arms are moved into a position where they are caused to be in a position where they radiate out from the column. The movement of the sleeve up and down the column can require a great deal of effort on the part of the user of the drier and, in the case of elderly or infirm individuals, they may not be able to move the sleeve adequately to fold away the arms, or cause the arms to be extended so that the drier can be used because of the degree of force needed to move the sleeve on the column.
[0003] Published PCT Application No. WO 01/14626, discusses the use of extended elements on the arms of the drier which assist in decreasing the force needed to extend the arms of the drier ready for use. In this arrangement, a collar is drawn down towards the sleeve onto which the lower parts of the arms are pivotally attached. As the collar is drawn down, it is caused to co-operate with protruding rounded elements on the inside of the arms, which results in the arms being splayed outwards from the column to some extent. Once the collar and sleeve are drawn together, force needs to be exerted to raise and extend the arms fully in readiness for use.
[0004] Methods have been used to improve lifting of the arms in the form of pulley arrangements which are used to improve lifting of the arms but again considerable force is needed to start the lifting process of the arms.
[0005] The present invention seeks to provide an improvement to a clothes drier arrangement of the type referred to whereby the effort needed to extend the arms is reduced, whilst still allowing the arms of the drier to be extended by using an arrangement which is both simple and safe to use and which allows for a degree of control of movement of the arms during operation.
[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a rotary drier having a column which supports a sleeve which is slidable up and down the column, and support arms which are pivotally attached to the sleeve so that said arms may be moved collectively between a retract position where said arms are alongside the column to a raised in-use position wherein the arms radiate outwardly from said column, the arms each having an extension on a part of the arm facing the column, there also being a collar slidable up and down the column, positioned above the sleeve, the collar being caused to co-operate with the extensions on the arms when the collar is slid down the column so that the arms are caused to pivot away from the retracted position, with further movement of the collar causing the sleeve to be raised from its lowermost position at which the arms are in the retracted position, to a raised position wherein the arms radiate from the column, with lines between the arms and a support on the column being tightened so that the drier is ready for use, characterised in that between the collar and the sleeve, there is a leaf spring, over which the collar passes prior to meeting the sieeve, the leaf spring causing an increase in contact between the collar and the extensions on the arms as the collar passes over the spring, each extension being provided in the form of a wedge having a gradually increasing sloped surface in a direction from the top to the base of the arm, over which the collar rides until the sleeve is lifted to come into contact with the collar, the sleeve and collar being further raised up the column so that they ride over the leaf spring until the arms are in the in-use position.
[0007] It is envisaged that when the arms are to be lowered into the retracted position, the collar and sleeve move down the column until they reach the leaf spring and, as they move further down the column, the leaf spring holds the collar on the column while the sleeve is caused to slide further down the column, independently of the collar, as a result of its own weight and that of the arms that it supports. This provides a controlled means of bringing the drier from the in-use position to that where the arms of the drier are in the retracted position.
[0008] Preferably, to lift the arms, a draw cord is used to pull the collar and sleeve in a purchase arrangement so that, when pulled, the collar and sleeve are drawn towards each other with the collar co-operating with the wedges on the arms as the collar passes over the leaf spring.
[0009] Further, the draw cord can be led up and down the column, which can be hollow to suspend a mass therein, this mass being drawn to and arrested at the top of the column when the draw cord is pulled, with further pulling of the cord easing the lifting of the sleeve up the column, wherein release of the cord when the sleeve is raised allows the mass to descend and thereby recover the tail of the cord to the sleeve.
[0010] It is envisaged that, to avoid the collar and/or sleeve binding on the column, this cord arrangement may be doubled, symmetrically of the diameter of the column. The sleeve at least, will generally have a key and groove arrangement with the column so that it does not rotate about the column.
[0011] In a preferred arrangement, on each side, one end of the cord is fixed to the sleeve, and the cord is taken up over a first sheave or smooth fairlead on the collar, then passes down under a second sheave or fairtead on the sleeve, up again past the top of the column, over a third sheave or fairlead there, down under a pulley suspending the mass within the column, up over a fourth sheave or fairlead at the top of the column, down to the sleeve again and finally out to the user from a fifth sheave or fairlead.
[0012] For a better understanding of the invention, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a rotary drier of the invention having arms in the closed position;
Figure 2 shows the rotary drier wherein a process for opening the arms has begun by moving a collar down a column;
Figure 3 shows the rotary drier with the arms in the in-use extended position;
Figure 4 shows the arms of the rotary drier being bought back into the retracted position;
Figure 5 shows a detailed view of a leaf spring and collar arrangement of the rotary drier; and
Figure 6 shows a detailed view of a pulley and sheave arrangement between a collar and sleeve arrangement of the rotary drier.
[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the drier has an upright hollow column 1, a sleeve 2, which is slidable thereon and support arms 4 which are pivoted at points 3 on the slidable sleeve 2. The arms have wedges 5 on their inner faces directed towards the column 1. In this case the wedges 5 are wider towards the base of the column than they are at the position directed towards the top of the column so creating a sloped surface against which a collar 6 which may abut when moving down the column 1. The collar 6 has lugs 7 on either side, which come into an engagement with the wedges 5 on the arms 4 as the collar 6 moves down the column 1. A leaf spring arrangement 8 is positioned in proximity to the collar 6. The leaf spring has ends, which are formed as hooked elements, which are held resiliently in position by recesses in the column 1. This simple arrangement will allow for ease of assembly of the spring with the column. However, for a more secure fixing, it is envisaged that, once the hook elements are inserted in the recess, the hooks are further held by screws or pins, to provide a more permanent fixing. A pulley system, comprising a draw cord 9 that is fixed between the collar 6 and the sleeve 2, is used by a user to pull the collar 6 down the column 1. The cord 9 can pass over sheave 10, which is attached to sleeve 2.
[0014] As shown in Figure 2, when the cord 9 is pulled, this draws the collar 6 down past the leaf spring 8 towards the sleeve 2. As the collar passes over the leaf spring, the lugs 7 on the collar are pushed by the leaf spring against the wedges 5 on the arms 4. The lug 7 is pushed firmly by the leaf spring against the wedge at its lower slope and, as the collar 6 is drawn down the column 1, the lugs slide against the increasingly sloping surface of the wedges, thereby pushing the arms 4 outwards. The act of pushing the arms 4 outwards lifts the sleeve 2 towards the collar 6, so that the collar 6 and sleeve 2 are brought into abutting relationship. The use of the leaf spring plus the wedge arrangement on the arms which controls movement of the collar on the column, can reduce the force needed to lift the sleeve 2.
[0015] When the cord 9 is pulled further, the sleeve 2 begins moving upwards together with the collar 6 and the two parts ride over the leaf spring 8 until the arms are splayed outwards to their full extent. This is shown in Figure 3, where the sleeve 2 has moved upwards to such an extent that arms and wedges are displaced from the collar 6 and lugs 7 on the column 1.
[0016] As shown in Figure 4, when the arms 4 are to be retracted back against the column 1 (when the rotary drier is to be moved to the non-use position), tension is released on the pull cord 9 so that the weight of the sleeve 2 causes it and the attached arms to drop down the column 1. The weight of the sleeve 2 and arms 4 forces the sleeve 2 over the leaf spring 8 so that the sleeve 2 moves to its lowermost position. The collar 6, being lighter than the sleeve 2 and associated arms 4, is held by the leaf spring in position so that there is no interference with the movement of the sleeve 2 downwards on the column 1.
[0017] Figure 5 shows a more detailed view of the leaf spring and collar arrangement. The collar 6 is slidably positioned on the column 1 and has lugs 7 either side, which may be individual lugs on defined positions on the collar or it may be that the lug 7 forms a raised area around the whole circumference of the collar 6. The leaf spring 8 comprises a raised spring extending along a length of column in proximity to the area through which the collar 6 will travel. The leaf spring 8 bows slightly away from the column 1 and at either end of the spring there is a hook arrangement 11, inserted into apertures or recesses 12 in the column 1 thereby holding the spring in position. It is envisaged that the spring may either be push fitted into position or it may be fixed in position by locking means within the recesses. As the collar 6 passes over the leaf spring the walls of the collar are forced to bow outwards so that when the lugs 7 meet the wedge part 5 on the arms 4, there is a greater contact force between the lugs 7 and the wedge part 5. The wedge part 5 has an increasing slope in a direction from the top to the bottom of the arm over which lug 7 rides. This increased contact will assist in the application of a greater force acting on the arms 4 so pushing them outwards earlier in the process of extending the arms from the column 1.
[0018] As shown in Figure 6, the sleeve 2 is supported on the column 1. The sleeve 2 (and possibly also the collar 6) has a key and groove engagement with the column (not shown) to prevent rotation on the column 1.
[0019] Pulling on the cord 9 will produce the movement as shown in the preceding Figures 1 to 3 from the position where, initially, the arms are folded against the column 1. A mass (not shown) within the column 1 will have dropped a short distance down the column by its own weight, pulling a toggle 17 up to the sleeve 2, where it jams against a sheave 14. The toggle 17 is pulled out from there to open up the drier, but at first the only thing that happens is that the mass is pulled up to the top of the column 1 where it, or a pulley (not shown) at the top of the column 1, is arrested by a stop that may be provided by the underside of the dome of a cap at the top of the column (not shown). Continued pulling on the toggle now has the effect of a multi-part purchase, drawing the sleeve 2 and collar 6 together and lifting those elements up the column 1. The support arms 4 are caused to be wedged away from the column 1 and their expansion continues as the sleeve 2 is raised up the column. By the time the sleeve 2 is secure at its uppermost position there is a long length of cord 9 leading from the sleeve to the toggle 17. However, once that toggle is released, the sleeve 2 is free to drop and it descends to about where the sleeve 2 was with the arms 3 folded before being arrested by the toggle 17 arriving at the sheave 14.
[0020] There could of course be less sheaves and a shorter cord for lightweight driers, or more sheaves and a longer cord to increase the mechanical advantage with a large, heavy drier.
[0021] Sheaves 14 are centrally mounted on upstanding lugs 18 of generally triangular form with rounded vertices. The sheave 13 on the collar 6 is on a downwardly depending lug 15 with a centrally indented lower edge, the sheave being offset to one side of an indent 16. There is a similar lug diametrically opposite which will also carry a sheave if a duplicated cord version is adopted. As the sleeve 2 and collar 6 are drawn together, the vertices of the lugs 18 locate in the complementary indents 16 and prevent mutual rotation. This also ensures that there is a true short vertical lead between the sheaves 13 and 14 when the arms are fully raised and so the cord 9 should run freely back into the column 1. This provides automatic stowage of the cord in a secure position.
1. A rotary drier having a column (1) which supports a sleeve (2) which is slidable up
and down the column, and support arms (4) which are pivotally attached to the sleeve
so that said arms may be moved collectively between a retracted position where said
arms are alongside the column to a raised in-use position wherein the arms radiate
outwardly from said column, the arms each having an extension (5) on a part of the
arm facing the column, there also being a collar (6) slidable up and down the column,
positioned above the sleeve, the collar being caused to co-operate with the extensions
on the arms when the collar is slid down the column so that the arms are caused to
pivot away from the retracted position, with further movement of the collar causing
the sleeve to be raised from its lowermost position at which the arms are in the retracted
position, to a raised position wherein the arms radiate from the column, with lines
between the arms and a support on the column being tightened so that the drier is
ready for use, characterised in that between the collar (6) and the sleeve (4), there is a leaf spring (8), over which
the collar passes prior to meeting the sleeve, the leaf spring causing an increase
in contact between the collar and the extensions (5) on the arms (4) as the collar
passes over the spring, each extension being provided in the form of a wedge (5) having
a gradually increasing sloped surface in a direction from the top to the base of the
arm, over which the collar rides until the sleeve is lifted to come into contact with
the collar, the sleeve and collar being further raised up the column so that they
ride over the leaf spring until the arms are in the in-use position.
2. A rotary drier according to claim 1, wherein a draw cord (9) is provided to pull the
collar and sleeve in a purchase arrangement so that, when pulled, the collar and sleeve
are drawn towards each other with the collar co-operating with the wedges on the arms
as the collar passes over the leaf spring, to lift the arms.
3. A rotary drier according to claim 2, wherein the draw cord is led up and down the
column, which is hollow to suspend a mass therein, this mass being drawn to and arrested
at the top of the column when the draw cord is pulled, with further pulling of the
cord easing the lifting of the sleeve up the column, and wherein release of the cord
when the sleeve is raised allows the mass to descend and thereby recover the tail
of the cord to the sleeve.
4. A rotary drier according to claim 3, wherein the cord arrangement is doubled, symmetrically
of the diameter of the column.
5. A rotary drier according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein on each side, one end of the
cord is fixed to the sleeve, and the cord is taken up over a first sheave or smooth
fairlead (13) on the collar, then passes down under a second sheave or fairlead on
the sleeve, up again past the top of the column, over a third sheave or fairlead there,
down under a pulley suspending the mass within the column, up over a fourth sheave
or fairlead at the top of the column, down to the sleeve again and finally out to
the user from a fifth sheave or fairlead (14).
6. A rotary drier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sleeve at least
has a key and groove arrangement with the column so that it does not rotate about
the column.
7. A rotary drier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said leaf spring has
hooked ends (11) which locate in recesses (12) in the column.
8. A rotary drier of the form substantially as described herein with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
9. Any novel combination of features of a rotary drier as described herein and/or as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.