Clothes drying device
OwnerAad Van Deurseninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable, collapsible and light weight household device as provided and having a plurality of spider-like arms extending from a mast. The spider assembly can be mounted to the mast with the arms extending upwardly wherein the associated cables may be used to support clothes for drying. If the spider assembly is inverted with the legs pointing in a downward direction, the device can be used as a patio umbrella if covered with a tarp, piece of plastic or the like. Collar members are fitted about the mast and permit the spider assembly to be positioned at any convenient height. A drawstring arrangement allows the spider to be easily folded and unfolded.
Claims10
A portable household device which can be easily stored and carried by an individual when in a folded position, and, which is moveable to an unfolded, operable position for use as a clothes dryer and umbrella, the improvement comprising:
- a ground mounted mast having a bottom in the ground and having a top and being adapted to be secured in an upright position;
- a spider mechanism;
- said spider mechanism including a top collar and a bottom collar, each collar being attached to said mast and spaced thereapart, each collar having adjustment and locking means for selectively securing and also varying the position of each collar on said mast;
- a plurality of support arms extending from said bottom collar and having a pivotal attachment with the bottom collar for swinging motion between a substantially vertical position adjacent said mast when stored to an operational position;
- cable means extending between and connecting said support arms;
- said support arms having a plurality of openings with plastic ferrules providing smooth passageways for said cable means to thereby allow the cable to move easily therethrough
- said plastic ferrules including a first insert portion having an integral head formed therein and having a hooked end spaced from the head;
- a lock ring located about the hooked end adjacent the support arm to capture the ferrule in the associated opening of the support arm;
- a plurality of connecting links having one end attached to and extending from the top collar and having a pivotal attachment connection with the top collar to provide swinging movement of said links between a first position adjacent the mast when the device is folded, to a second position away form the mast when the device is unfolded, said connecting links having a second end with a pivotal attachment with an associated support arm;
- and
- said top and bottom collars having mast gripping means being adjustable to unlock to allow movement of said collars on said mast for selectively positioning the spider mechanism and said mast whereby the spider may be positioned with said support arms extending upwardly and outwardly of said mast and thereby placing said connecting links in a state of tension, and said collars capable of being reversed on said mast whereby said support arms extend downwardly and outwardly of said mast and said connecting links are placed in a state of compression and the device can also be utilized with cover means as said umbrella and a clothes dryer.
A portable household device which can be easily stored and carried by an individual when in a folded position, and, which is moveable to an unfolded, operable position for use as a clothes dryer and umbrella, the improvement comprising:
- a ground mounted mast having a bottom in the ground and having a top and being adapted to be secured in an upright position;
- a spider mechanism;
- said spider mechanism including a top collar and a bottom collar, each collar being attached to said mast and spaced thereapart, each collar having adjustment and locking means for selectively securing and also varying the position of each collar on said mast;
- said bottom collar including a pulley having bearings;
- a drawstring extending over said pulley and having a handle at one end and the other end having means attached to the top collar whereby after securing the top collar to the mast, the bottom collar is slidingly mounted about the mast, to allow the drawstring to be pulled to raise and lower the bottom collar to move the device from said folded to unfolded position;
- a pulley housing having a flexible tapered entry section which deflects outwardly as the pulley is inserted;
- seat means to receive the pulley bearings and securely hold same;
- a plurality of support arms extending from said bottom collar and having a pivotal attachment with the bottom collar for swinging motion between a substantially vertical position adjacent said mast when stored to an operational position;
- cable means extending between and connecting said support arms;
- a plurality of connecting links having one end attached to and extending from the top collar and having a pivotal attachment connection with the top collar to provide swinging movement of said links between a first position adjacent the mast when the device is folded, to a second position away form the mast when the device is unfolded, said connecting links having a second end with a pivotal attachment with an associated support arm;
- and
- said top and bottom collars having mast gripping means being adjustable to unlock to allow movement of said collars on said mast for selectively positioning the spider mechanism and said mast whereby the spider may be positioned with said support arms extending upwardly and outwardly of said mast and thereby placing said connecting links in a state of tension, and said collars capable of being reversed on said mast whereby said support arms extend downwardly and outwardly of said mast and said connecting links are placed in a state of compression and the device can also be utilized with cover means as said umbrella and a clothes dryer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.