Device for hanging clothing, linen and the like

Abstract

 A device for hanging clothing, linen and the like comprises a frame (1) made of hollow frame parts (2, 3) and lines (5) connected with opposite frame parts (2). These lines (5) consist of rigidly flexible material and are mounted between the opposite frame parts in a spring-biased manner. Each line (5) is fittingly received with its free ends (7) in corresponding attachment openings (6) in these frame parts (2), wherein the centre line of the attachment openings (6) encloses an angle of at least 60°, preferably substantially 90°, with the longitudinal direction of the lines (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for hanging clothing, linen and the like, comprising a frame made of hollow frame parts and lines connected with opposite frame parts.

[0002] Such devices are known, for example in the form of a drying-frame and/or a collapsible clothesline. In a collapsible clothesline the lines consist generally of a cord which has to be connected with the frame parts by means of knots or special tensioning clamps. In a drying-frame the lines consist generally of rod-like elements, made of metal which are connected with the frame parts by welding. The disadvantage of the known devices is that manufacturing is rather time consuming due to the mounting of the lines, whereas the lines are generally mounted between the frame parts in an insufficiently tensioned manner.

[0003] The invention aims to provide a device of the above-mentioned type, wherein these disadvantages are obviated in a simple but nevertheless effective manner.

[0004] To this end the device according to the invention is characterized in that the lines consist of rigidly flexible material and are mounted between the opposite frame parts in a spring-biased manner, wherein each line is fittingly received with its free ends in corresponding attachment openings in these frame parts and wherein the centre line of the attachment openings encloses an angle of at least 60°, preferably substantially 90°, with the longitudinal direction of the lines.

[0005] In this manner manufacturing the device is relatively simple because the lines can simply be inserted with their free ends in the corresponding attachment openings of the frame parts, while the spring bias guarantees a line tensioned between the opposite frame parts also on the long term.

[0006] Preferably each line consists according to the invention of spirally wound metal wire with a sleeve of plastic material surrounding the spiral.

[0007] A long life of the device according to the invention is guaranteed if the sleeve of plastic material surrounds the spiral in a tight-fitting manner, wherein advantageously the sleeve of plastic material has a thickness of substantially 0.5 mm.

[0008] According to a favourable embodiment of the invention the attachment openings are pricked in the frame parts in such a manner that the material of the frame parts is partially cut loose and partially bent inwardly. Thereby attachment openings with a smooth wall are obtained, which wall fittingly engages the corresponding line, whereas no sharp protrusions are formed at the outer side of the frame parts.

[0009] The invention will be further explained by reference to the drawings, in which an embodiment is schematically shown.

[0010] Fig. 1 partially shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention made as a drying-frame.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a section according to the line II-II in Fig. 1.

[0012] Fig. 3 shows a part of a line of the drying-frame of Fig. 1 on a larger scale.

[0013] Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown as an example only a very simplified drying-frame without the usual suspension or under-frame parts. The drying-frame comprises a frame 1 which is made of opposite frame parts 2 and 3, respectively, which are joined by bent parts 4. In the embodiment shown the complete frame 1 consists of a hollow tube bent in the shape shown, the ends of the tube being attached to each other.

[0014] The drying-frame shown has three lines 5 which are connected with the opposite frame parts 2. To this end attachments openings 6 are provided in these frame parts 2, the free ends 7 of the lines 5 being inserted in these openings as shown in more detail in Fig. 2.

[0015] The lines 5 each consist of a rigidly flexible material and are mounted between the frame parts 2 in a spring-biased manner. In the embodiment shown each line consists of a spirally wound metal wire as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the spiral is surrounded by a plastic sleeve 9 with a thickness of substantially 0.5 mm in a tight-fitting manner. However, the lines 5 can also be made of another rigidly flexible material.

[0016] During manufacturing a line 5 is inserted with its free end 7 in an attachment opening 6 and is spring-biased inserted with its other free end in an attachment opening 6 of the opposite frame part 2, whereby the line 5 is automatically bent along substantially 90° and clamps itself in the attachment openings 6. Due to the spring-bias in the line 5 it is guaranteed that the line will be tensioned in the frame 1 during a longer period.

[0017] In the embodiment shown the attachment openings 6 are pricked in the frame parts 2 by means of a cutting/bending tool in such a manner that the material of the frame parts 2 are partially cut loose and partially bent inwardly as indicated in Fig. 2 by reference number 10. Further the tool forms a recess 11 at the location of each attachment opening. Thereby it is obtained that no sharp protrusions are made at the outer side of the frame 1. Further the attachment openings have a smooth wall which fittingly engages the plastic sleeve 9 of the line 5.

[0018] The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiment which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims.

[0019] As the centre lines of the attachment openings 6 enclose an angle of 90° with the longitudinal direction of the lines 5, the ends 7 of the lines 5 are permanently held in the attachment openings. If desired, this angle could also be less than 90°. Generally this angle is chosen to be at least 60°.

Claims

1. Device for hanging clothing, linen and the like, comprising a frame made of hollow frame parts and lines connected with opposite frame parts, characterized in that the lines consist of rigidly flexible material and are mounted between the opposite frame parts in a spring-biased manner, wherein each line is fittingly received with its free ends in corresponding attachment openings in these frame parts and wherein the centre line of the attachment openings encloses an angle of at least 60°, preferably substantially 90°, with the longitudinal direction of the lines.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each line consists of a spirally wound metal wire with a sleeve of plastic material surrounding the spiral.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the sleeve of plastic material surrounds the spiral in a tight-fitting manner.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the sleeve of plastic material has a thickness of substantially 0.5 mm.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment openings are pricked in the frame parts in such a manner that the material of the frame parts is partially cut loose and partially bent inwardly.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that a recess is formed in the frame part at the location of each attachment opening.

Drawing