Supports: racks – Specially mounted – Wall or window
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-07
2004-04-27
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Specially mounted
Wall or window
C211S099000, C211S172000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06726036
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a hanging device, in particular for drying laundry articles or the like and/or for placing, in particular attaching and hanging, objects, comprising at least one holding device and at least one receiving element for receiving laundry articles or the like, or other objects.
Numerous hanging devices are known from the prior art. For example, collapsible stands for drying laundry articles are known which can be set up in a room as needed. Such collapsible laundry stands take up considerable space in the set-up state.
In addition, numerous clothes racks are known which likewise take up much unused space when not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages.
The object is achieved by the fact that each holding device comprises at least one base member and one swivel element which is movable against and preferably capable of being connected to the base member.
The base member is provided for mounting the hanging device. The swivel element, which is arranged in such a way that it can be retracted or folded up against the base member and may be extended or swiveled out when needed, with the result that the hanging device according to the invention takes up relatively little space in the unused state, i.e., in the folded or swiveled-in state.
Connecting the swivel element to the base member simplifies the handling of the hanging device according to the invention, since the swivel element only needs to be swiveled out to use the hanging device, without first having to be assembled with the base member.
One embodiment of the invention provides that the base member and the swivel element are connected by a tongue and groove connection. Such a connection has the advantage that the swivel element may be pivoted without difficulty, and also that a hanging device according to the invention may be produced relatively economically. In addition, setting up a hanging device according to the invention with such a connection does not place high demands on the user of such a hanging device.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base member has a recess and the swivel element has an attached projection or the like which engages in the recess of the base member, with the projection attached to the swivel element preferably having a T-shape and engaging in a corresponding recess in the base member, or with the projection attached to the swivel element preferably having a shape that is at least partially cylindrical and engaging in a corresponding recess in the base member, or with the projection attached to the swivel element preferably having a shape that is at least partially spherical and engaging in a corresponding recess in the base member.
The shape of the recess in the base member is advantageously matched to the outer shape of the projection on the swivel element, so that the projection attached to the swivel element may be inserted into the recess in the base member without difficulty, and a secure attachment of the swivel element to the base member is assured.
According to the invention it is also possible for the base member to have an attached projection or the like, and for a corresponding recess to be provided in the swivel element.
The projection attached to the swivel element may have various configurations. The geometric design of the projection should be selected depending on the design of the swivel element and the base member, and on the intended purpose of the hanging device according to the invention.
The invention is not limited to the geometric designs named. Rather, all designs are possible for which the swivel element and the base member may be connected to one another while also allowing the swivel element to pivot with respect to the base member.
One advantageous embodiment provides that the base member has at least one support element or support surface or the like for supporting the swivel element in the ready-to-use state of the swivel element. The ready-to-use state is understood to mean that the swivel element is swung out. It should be understood, however, that laundry articles or the like could be hung on the hanging device when the swivel element is not swung out. The swivel element in the ready-to-use state is thus supported by the base member in such a way that no demands with respect to supporting the swivel element are placed on the connection between the base member and the swivel element. This significantly simplifies the construction and production of this connection. Even when the hanging device is loaded with relatively heavy objects, there is no need to be concerned about damaging the hanging device, since the weight of the objects acting on the swivel element is supported by the swivel element resting on the base member.
One embodiment of the invention provides that the base member has an essentially U-shaped design, with one arm of the U-shaped base member preferably interacting with the swivel element, and the other arm of the U-shaped base member supporting the swivel element in its swiveled-out state. A base member having a U shape is relatively simple to produce. A further advantage of this embodiment is realized when both arms of the U have different lengths, and, for example, the longer arm of the U-shaped base member has a recess for engaging with a projection from the swivel element. The swivel element may then be arranged in such a way that in the swiveled-out state, i.e., in the ready-to-use state, it lies on the shorter arm of the U-shaped base member and is supported by the shorter arm.
However, the invention is not limited to a base member having a U shape. For example, the base member may have a design that is at least approximately V-shaped, or having any other desired shape.
In the hanging device according to the invention, the swivel element may form the receiving element for receiving laundry articles or the like, or other objects.
It is advantageous in the handling and setting up of a hanging device according to the invention if the swivel element comprises at least two preferably parallel side pieces between which the receiving element(s) is/are suspended or supported, with each receiving element preferably comprising at least one rod and/or at least one cord or the like. It is particularly preferred for each rod to be constructed as a telescoping rod comprising a hollow outer tube and a hollow inner tube of slightly smaller diameter received in the hollow outer tube.
The invention is not limited to two side pieces. Furthermore, these side pieces need not be arranged parallel to one another. For example, the side pieces may extend at an angle to one another.
The alignment of the side pieces should be adapted to the particular purpose for which a hanging device according to the invention is to be used. For example, for a hanging device which is provided as a laundry dryer on a heating unit, space considerations may make it advantageous to align both side pieces parallel to one another. On the other hand, side pieces running at an angle to one another have the advantage that the receiving element has regions of different lengths, thus possibly resulting in better drying of laundry articles or the like.
The laundry articles to be dried or the objects to be hung up may be attached to the cord and/or rod, or simply hung over same.
The width of the hanging device may be adapted to the particular location of use by means of telescoping rods, so that optimal use is made of the space available for the hanging device. The hanging device may be attached, for example, to heating units of different sizes, or also to the wall or to a door or the like.
In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the side pieces of the swivel element have projections for accepting rods, with the projections preferably having a peg-shaped design. The rods may thus be attached easily and, generally, without additional attachment means, by sliding the rods onto the projections on the side pieces of the swivel element. The projections
Crowell & Moring LLP
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Wenko-Wenselaar GmbH & Co. KG
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