Rotary clothes airers are very popular at the present time. Typically, they comprise an upright pole and arms which radiate from the pole to provide support directly or indirectly for clothes to be aired. In a very typical arrangement, a flexible clothes line is supported by the radiating arms, and is arranged in a generally helical or concentric pattern, to provide a relatively long length of clothes line in a relatively compact space.

Usually, such rotary clothes airers are designed for outside use.

Typically, this involves carrying damp or wet items of washing to the airer in a basket, removing the items to be aired from the basket and pegging them onto the line. Once the items have been dried and aired, they are then unpegged from the line and, more often than not, put again into a basket and carried into the house.

Anyone who has carried out this common daily routine will be only too well aware of the considerable amount of bending up and down that is involved, as items of washing are transferred between the laundry basket and the clothes line.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide improved rotary clothes airers, or accessories therefor, which can alleviate the disadvantage of this repetitive bending.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided

a clothes airer comprising an upright pole and arms extending therefrom to provide support directly or indirectly for clothes to be aired, the clothes airer further comprising a collapsible table assembly arranged adjacent the pole with a table moveable between a first position in which it is stowed adjacent the pole and a second position in which it is substantially horizontal and spaced from the pole, to support a clothes basket or the like, said table assembly comprising a support leg which in use contacts the ground or other support surface to support said table either directly or indirectly, when in said second position.

Said table assembly may be secured to said pole.

Said table assembly may be secured to said pole at or adjacent a lower end of said pole, at or just above ground level.

A clothes airer as above may further comprise a weighted or weightable base which is arranged to be positioned adjacent or around said pole and on which said table assembly is mounted.

Such a base may be hollow and arranged to be filled with water, sand or other ballast.

Preferably, said collapsible table assembly comprises: a. a first, elongate support part having a base end and a free end and being pivotable at its base end between an upright, stowed position and a lateral, operative position; and b. a second, elongate support part having an inner end and an outer end and being mounted on said first support part for

movement with respect thereto between a stored position in which it is retracted with respect to said first support part and an operative position in which it is extended with respect to said first support part with said outer end extending furthest from said first support part, both laterally and upwardly from said first support part.

Preferably, said table is provided at said outer end of said second support part.

Preferably, said support leg has an upper end which is connected to said first support part, second support part and/or table and a lower end which in use contacts the ground or other support surface to support said table.

Preferably, said outer end of said second support part moves both laterally and upwardly from said first support part as said second support part is moved to extend said second support part with respect to said first support part.

Preferably, said second support part is telescopically extendable with respect to said first support part.

Preferably, said first support part comprises a pair of arms adapted to move as a parallel linkage.

Said support leg may connect said pair of arms.

Preferably, said table comprises one or more hinged leaf.

Preferably, said table is adapted to engage around said upright pole when in said first position.

Preferably, said table is pivotally mounted so as to be adjustable in orientation.

A clothes airer according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention may further comprise a basket that in use may be supported on said table.

Preferably, said table and basket are provided with interengaging parts to locate said basket positively on said table.

A clothes airer according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention is preferably a rotary clothes airer in which said arms radiate from said pole.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a collapsible table assembly fitted to a pole of a rotary clothes airer, with the table shown in both a stowed and a horizontal position;

Figure la is a thumbnail sketch of the rotary clothes airer of Figure 1, showing its radiating arms; Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of part of Figure 1, showing the table in its stowed position; Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of part of Figure 1, showing a base part and securing means of the table assembly; Figure 4 is a plan view of the parts shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of an alternative base part and securing means; Figure 6 is a plan view of the parts shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing an alternative base part and securing means; Figure 8 is a plan view of the parts shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is an end view of a table assembly with the table in an operative position; Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing an alternative table assembly;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10, but showing another alternative table assembly; Figure I I a Is an enlarged detail view of part of the assembly of Figure 11; Figure 12a is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing an alternative base part and securing means; Figure 12b is a plan view of one of the parts shown in Figure 12a; Figure 13a is a plan view of a rotary clothes airer showing a table stowed; Figure 13b is a plan view of a table operational; Figure 14 is an end view similar to Figure 9, but showing a telescopically extendable table in an operational position; Figure 15 is an end view of the table assembly of Figure 14, with the telescopically extendable table in a stowed position; Figure 16 is a plan view of a pole stabiliser; Figure 17 is a side elevation of the pole stabiliser of Figure 16; Figure 18 is a side elevation of an alternative pole stabiliser;

Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 11, but showing a yet further alternative table assembly; and Figure 20 is a detailed view of part of a modified arrangement of the table assembly of Figure 19.

In the figures, like reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts.

The collapsible table assembly 1 that is shown in Figures 1 to 4 is fitted to the lower part of an upright pole 2 of a rotary clothes airer having arms 25 which radiate from the pole 2 to provide support directly or indirectly for clothes to be aired. The table assembly 1 is moveable between a first, stowed position A in which it is generally upright and close to the pole 2, and a second position B in which the table 10 is substantially horizontal and spaced from the pole 2. With the table 10 in this latter position B, a laundry basket 90 can be supported conveniently on the table 10, making it much easier to transfer items of washing between the basket 90 and the clothes line of the rotary clothes airer.

The table 10 is preferably provided with a rim 14 which is upstanding when the table 10 is in its substantially horizontal position B. The rim 14 serves to prevent a laundry basket from being accidentally dislodged from the table 10.

If desired, a special laundry basket 90 may be provided for use with the table 10, of dimensions to correspond with the open surface of the table 10, and/or provided with interengaging parts on the table 10 and/or laundry

basket 90, to locate the laundry basket 90 positively on the table 10 and/or retain the laundry basket 90 on the table 10.

The table assembly 1 comprises a base part 20 and securing means 30 for securing the base part 20 to the upright pole 2 of the rotary clothes airer.

The base part 20 is mounted at or adjacent the lower end of the upright pole 2, at or just above ground level. A first support arm 40 has a first end 41 pivotally mounted on the base part 20 and supports the table 10 at a second end 42. A second support arm 50 has a first end 51 which is also pivotally mounted on the base part 20, and has a second end 52 which is pivotally connected to a support leg 60.

The support leg 60 serves to connect the first and second support arms 40,50. To this end, an upper end 61 of the support leg 60 is pivotally secured to a connection block 70 which is mounted on the first support arm 40. The second end 52 of the second support arm 50 is pivotally connected to the support leg 60 at a point intermediate its upper and lower ends 61,62.

The lower end 62 of the support leg 60 engages the ground 5, and may be provided with a foot 63 or other ground-engaging portion.

It will be appreciated that the first and second support arms 40 and 50, together with their pivotal connections to the support leg 60 and the base part 20, form a kind of parallel linkage, in that the first and second support arms 40 and 50 pivot upwardly and downwardly together about the base part 20, whilst pivotally connected by the support leg 60.

The first support arm 40 is telescopically extendable, and comprises a first, outer section 43 in which a second, inner section 44 is arranged to

slide. The outer section 43 is of generally rectangular shape in cross-section, whilst the inner section 44 is of generally rectangular U-section. Both sections 43 and 44 may be of aluminium.

A spring-loaded pin 71 is mounted in the connection block 70, with a ring 72 to pull the pin 71 outwardly from the block 70 against the resilient bias of a spring 73. The shaft of the pin 71 passes through registering apertures in both the block 70 and the outer section 43 of the first support arm 40. The pin 71 has a head 74 which may be engaged selectively in one of a plurality of holes 45 formed in the inner section 44 of the first support arm 40. The head 74 of the pin 71 is urged into a selected one of the holes 45 under the resilient bias of the spring 73.

Thus, the first support arm 40 may be telescopically adjusted in length, by pulling the ring 72 outwardly, thus allowing the inner arm section 44 to slide within the outer arm section 43 to a desired position.

The sections 43 and 44 may be locked at a desired position by releasing the ring 72 to allow the pin 71 to engage a respective one of the holes 45 in the inner section 44.

If desired, only a single hole 45 may be provided, corresponding to the maximum extension of the first support arm 40. A further hole 45 may be provided to lock the two sections 43,44 together in the fully retracted position of the support arm 40. A plurality of holes 45 may be provided at predetermined positions along the inner section 44, to provide different degrees of extension of the first support arm 40, in any of which the sections 43,44 can be locked.

The connection block 70 also comprises a pivot pin 78 on which the upper end 61 of the support leg 60 is pivotally mounted.

Alternatives to the spring-loaded pin 71 arrangement may be provided for controlling extension of the telescopic sections 43 and 44-for example, a friction washer engaging both sections 43 and 44 may preventing sliding telescopic movement thereof without application of a minimum predetermined force.

The table 10 is connected to the inner section 44 of the first support arm 40 by means of a further connection block 80. This is mounted on the inner section 44 and comprises a pivot pin 81 which passes through opposing side members of the block 80 and also through an aperture on the underside of a central table portion 11. The table 10 can then pivot when in use, until the underside of central table portion 11 abuts a height- adjustment screw 88.

The table 10 comprises the central portion 11 and two side portions 12 which are pivotally mounted on the central portion 11 at pivot points 13, to provide folding leaves of the table 10. Thus, in the stowed position A shown in Figures 1 and 2, the table 10 is substantially upright, with its side leaves 12 folded around the upright pole 2 of the rotary clothes airer, and typically also around the stowed radiating arms of the rotary clothes airer (not shown in Figures 1 to 4, but visible in the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 13a). Means may be provided for tying or securing the table side portions 12 together temporarily in this stowed position, around the pole 2-for example, by straps or clips.

With the table assembly 1 in the extended position shown in Figure 1, the table 10 occupies position B, in which the side portions 12 are folded down to be substantially horizontal, coplanar with the central portion 11.

As shown in Figure 1, in the table position B, the table 10 has pivoted on the connector block 80, until the height-adjustment screw 88 bears against the underside of the central table portion 11.

A bifurcate member 85 supports the table side portions 12 when in the substantially horizontal position B, and acts on the side portions 12 to cause them to fold automatically around the pole 2, as the table 10 is brought into its stowed position A.

The mechanism of the support arms 40,50 and support leg 60 is such that, as the table 10 is moved downwardly, the support leg 60 is automatically moved into its operational position. The support leg 60 could optionally be provided with means of absorbing shock loading, such as, for example, a rubber foot or spring. Alternatively or additionally, the support leg 60 could be telescopically adjustable in length.

The table 10 is provided with a pivotally mounted handle 15, for manoeuvring the table assembly 1 between its stowed and extended positions.

The base part 20 is shown in enlarged detail in Figures 3 and 4, and comprises side members 23 between which the first and second support arms 40 and 50 are secured by respective pivot pins 21 and 22.

The securing means 30 comprises a pair of clamps 31, each having a first jaw 33 which is fixed with respect to the base part 20, and a second jaw 34 which is pivotally mounted by means of a ball and socket type joint 35 on the fixed jaw 33.

Each of the jaws 33,34 has an outwardly turned flange 35,36, formed with a respective aperture through which the shank of a bolt 37 passes, to engage a nut 38. As the bolt 37 and nut 38 are tightened, the jaws 33 and 34 are progressively clamped around the upright pole 2 of the rotary clothes airer. In this configuration, the securing means 13 may be adapted to secure the base part 20 to poles 2 of varying diameters.

Preferably, the outwardly turned flange 36 of the moveable jaw 34 is formed with a portion to define parallel side walls to receive corresponding walls of the nut 38 as a close fit, and thereby prevent the nut 38 from turning.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative base part and securing means.

An upper pair of side members 123 of a springy material are secured together by a pair of pivot pins 21,22 (for the support arms 40,50 respectively), and a pair of nuts and bolts 124 passing through respective holes in the side members 123.

The upper and lower pairs of side members 123 are tied together by a spacer member 126, at one side of pole 2. At the opposite side of pole 2, a member 127 of substantially T-section is secured between the side members

123 by means of the bolts 124, which pass through respective aperture 125 in the central web of the member 127.

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the side members 123 of Figures 5 and 6 are replaced by side members 128 and 129, which are joined together by means of a hinge 132. Side members 128 are tied together by a pair of pivot pins 21,22 about a spacer member 126 at one side of the pole 2, in much the same manner as in Figures 5 and 6.

However, they are also joined at an inner end by a plate 131, which is secured to one half of the hinge 132. The other half of the hinge 132 is secured to another plate 130 which ties together opposing ends of side members 129, which in turn are secured tightly around the pole 2 and a spacer 127 by means of nuts and bolts 124.

Thus, with the illustrated mounting arrangement secured firmly about the pole 2, the support arms 40 and 50 may pivot laterally about the hinge 132, to afford increased flexibility in positioning the table 10 and thus the associated laundry basket 90, when in use.

Figure 9 is an end view of a table assembly generally along the lines illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, showing the table 10 in an operative, substantially horizontal position. The support leg 60 is provided with a foot 63, which may have wheels attached.

Figure 10 shows a collapsible table assembly that is generally similar to that shown in Figure 1, but which is of a somewhat different construction. Common parts, which carry the same reference numerals in

Figures 1 and 10, will not be described again in detail, since they provide the same function as has already been described.

The difference in construction in the embodiment of Figure 10 lies principally in the provision of two support arms 140 and 150, which replace the support arms 40,50, of Figure 1.

In Figure 10, the first support arm 140 is pivotally mounted at 41 so as to be moveable between an upright stowed position (table 10 in position A) and a lateral, operative position (table 10 in position B). The support arm 140 affords a hollow channel 141 in which a roller assembly 160 may travel between end stops 142 and 143.

The support leg 60 is carried on the roller assembly 160, and is telescopically (or otherwise) adjustable in length. The support leg 60 is, for example, provided with a hinge 170 such that it may pivot between stowed and operational positions. At its lower end, the support leg 60 carries a ground-engaging roller 63.

The further support arm 150 is pivotally mounted on the support leg 60, optionally by the same pivot means that mounts the roller 63. The support arm 150 passes through an aperture 145 at a free end 144 of the arm 140, which aperture 145 is bounded by an upper roller 146 and a lower roller 147. The arm 150 has an outer end 152 on which the table 10 is mounted, in a manner generally similar to that as illustrated in Figure 1.

To move the table 10 from its stowed position A to its operative position B, the user grabs the handle 15 and pulls the table assembly

downwardly, such that the first arm 140 pivots downwardly about the pivot point 41, from its illustrated upright, stowed position to its illustrated lateral, operative position. At the same time, the further arm 150 is pulled laterally outwardly from the first arm 140 until, in the operative table position B, the further arm 150 is extended from the first arm 140, both laterally and upwardly from the first arm 140.

During this movement, the roller assembly 160 travels along the channel provided in the first arm 140, and the second arm 150 passes through the aperture 145 provided at the free end 144 of the first arm 140, optionally engaging the rollers 146,147. The wheel 63 engages the ground to facilitate travelling of the roller assembly 160 and extension of the second arm 150 from the first arm 140. In the operative table position B, a depending lug 153 on the further arm 150 engages the lower roller 147, to locate the arm 150 positively with respect to the arm 140.

To return the table 10 to its stowed position A, the handle 15 is again grasped by the user, and the table 10 is pushed upwardly and inwardly. The roller assembly 160 travels back inside the first arm 140, and the whole assembly eventually occupies the stowed position as illustrated in Figure 10, with the table in stowed position A.

A spacer 24 serves to locate the base part 20 a predetermined distance above ground level.

The table assembly that is shown in Figure 11 operates in a very similar manner to that shown in Figure 10. However, it is of a somewhat different construction.

In Figure 11, the first arm 140 of Figure 10 is replaced by a pair of arms 240,250, which are respectively pivotally mounted at 41 and 51, and hingedly connected to support leg 60 to form a parallel linkage, rather similar to the arms 40,50, of Figure 1, At its foot, the support leg 60 carries a roller 63.

A further arm 350 corresponds generally to the further arm 150 of Figure 10, and carries the table 10 at a free end 352 thereof. The lower end of the further arm 350 is pivotally mounted on a roller assembly 260, which is adapted for sliding movement along the arm 250, with upper and lower rollers respectively in contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the arm 250.

As seen in Figure 11a, the upper end of the support leg 60 is pivotally secured to the first arm 240 at pivot point 245, and affords an aperture 64 through which the further arm 350 protrudes. The further arm 350 carries a series of depending lugs 351, which may selectively engage in a recess 65 provided in a cross-member of the support leg 60, to locate the further arm 350 in a selected position with respect to the first and second arms 240,250.

It will be appreciated that, by engaging different lugs 351 in the recess 65, the inclination of the further arm 350 with respect to the arms 240,250 may be adjusted.

Figures 12a and 12b show an alternative base part 20 for use in the collapsible table assembly of Figure 1, or equally for use with other embodiments with suitable modifications where necessary.

In Figures 12a and 12b, a ring 324 is secured around the pole 2. The ring 324 comprises two halves which are pivoted at 325 and carry flanges 326 through which a bolt 327 passes to be secured by a nut 328 and thereby clamp the ring 324 firmly around the pole 2.

Supported above the ring 324, on which it rests, is an upper support member 323 which passes around the pole 2 and provides pivot point 41 for mounting the first support arm 40 of Figure 1. The upper support member 323 is tied to a lower support member 322 by a tie member 321. The lower support member 322 similarly passes around the pole 2 and affords pivot point 51 for the second support arm 50 of Figure 1.

The support members 322,323 are a loose fit around the pole 2, such that they may rotate freely about the pole, through a full 360°. Thus, in use, the table 10 may be pivoted around the pole 2 to any desired angular position.

Figure 13a is a plan view to show the table 10 stowed around the pole 2, and also shows the radiating arms 102 which support a clothes line 103.

Of course, in the view of Figure 13a, the radiating arms 102 are stowed in a substantially upright position, adjacent the pole 2.

The view of Figure 13b shows the table 10 in an operational position.

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing a telescopically extendable table 110 in an operational position. Figure 15 is a similar view, but showing the telescopically extendable table in a stowed position. Thus, the table 110 has a central portion 111, and two outer portions 112 which

may slide in and out of the centre portion 111, between the positions illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.

The pole stabiliser 400 shown in Figures 16 and 17 comprises an annular base plate 401 which is formed with apertures 402 and mounts an upright collar 403. The base plate 401 may be secured to the ground by means of long nails 404 or the like passing through the apertures 402. The collar 403 provides a mounting for the pole 2 of a rotary airer. In the illustrated arrangement, the collar 403 preferably mounts side members 423 which afford pivot points 41,51 for the support arms 40,50 of the table assembly of Figure 1 (or corresponding parts of alternative table assemblies).

As seen in Figure 16, the base plate 401 comprises a left part and a right part which have flanges which interlock at 405, and may be bolted together. Likewise, the collar 403 is formed of a left part and a right part having overlapping flanges 406 which again interlock and/or could be bolted together.

As seen in Figure 17, the base of the collar 403 defines an annular recess 407 with which the base plate 401 engages, to allow rotation of the collar 403 with respect to the base plate 401, and therefore angular movement of a table 10 secured via the side members 423.

In the alternative pole stabiliser 500 of Figure 18, a base plate 501 is secured to the ground by means of long nails 504 or the like passing through apertures 502 in the base plate 501. In addition, a flanged earth spike 510 penetrates the ground, and provides a socket 511 to receive the pole 2 of a rotary clothes airer. The flanged earth spike 510 may be driven through a

central aperture in the base plate 501, or alternatively formed integrally with the base plate 501.

The table assembly 600 shown in Figure 19 is generally similar to that of Figure 11. However, in Figure 19, the table 10 is mounted in a different manner. At one side, it is pivotally mounted at 601 on the outer end of the further arm 350. At an opposite side, it is pivotally mounted at 602 to a pair of rods 603 between which is mounted a roller (not shown) of an assembly 604, which roller engages selectively into one of a series of recesses 355 provided on the support arm 350. By engaging the roller assembly 604 into different recesses 355, the level of the table 10 may be adjusted to suit ground gradient.

In all embodiments of invention, the surface of table 10 may be perforated to reduce wind resistance. Alternatively or additionally, the table 10 may be provided with a drawer for the storage of clothes pegs. Resilient bias means may be provided for resiliently biasing the table assembly into its stowed position, its operational position, or both of these positions. The illustrated table assemblies may be manufactured from any suitable material (s).

Although it is particularly convenient to attach the illustrated table assemblies to an associated rotary clothes airer, they could alternatively be supported independently-for example, to a base 700 comprising a water- filled container, as illustrated in Figure 20.

In Figure 20, the upright pole 2 of the clothes airer passes through the base 700 to enter the ground (or pre-formed socket) below ground level 701.

To this end, the base 700 is provided with a hole for the pole 2 to pass through, or is formed with an open recess such that the base may be fitted around the pole 2 if already in position. A further upright member 702 engages in a respective hole provided in the base 700, optionally also to engage the ground or a pre-formed socket therein, or may alternatively be secured to the base 700, either integrally or by a fixing means. The arms 240,250 of the airer of Figure 19 are pivotally mounted on the upright member 702, or alternatively may be pivotally mounted directly on the base 700. In other respects, the embodiment of Figure 20 operates in a similar manner to the embodiment of Figure 19, and engages around or adjacent the upright pole 2 when in a stowed position. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention may also be readily adapted to the arrangement of water-filled (or other weighted) base 700. An advantage of using such a base is that less forces are transmitted to the pole 2, and there is less likelihood of any galvanic corrosive action should the pole 2 and table attachment be of differing metals.

Thus, the above described embodiments of the invention provide a convenient means of supporting a laundry basket at a convenient height, whilst laundry items are transferred to and from the clothes line of the rotary clothes airer.

Most modern rotary clothes airers have radiating arms which can pivot freely about the upright pole of the airer, for convenience of loading and unloading of washing items. For this reason, it would usually be unnecessary to mount the table assembly 1 on the upright pole 2 such that the table 10 may be pivoted around the pole 2 to a desired angular position.

However, if desired, such a feature may readily be provided.

Although the illustrated embodiments of the invention are shown as attachments for rotary clothes airers, they may be built into a rotary clothes airer as an item of original equipment.

The mechanism of the collapsible table assembly 1 may be connected to the radiating arms of the associated rotary clothes airer such that, as the table 10 is pulled down by a user from its stowed position A to its operational position B, the radiating arms are simultaneously moved from a stowed, upright position to an operational, radiating position.

In this specification, terms of absolute orientation are used conveniently to denote the usual orientation of items in normal use and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings. However, such items could be disposed in other orientations, and in the context of this specification, terms of absolute orientation, such as"upper","lower","top","bottom","left", "right","vertical"or"horizontal", etc. are to be construed accordingly, to include such alternative orientations.

In this specification, the verb"comprise"has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.