This invention relates to a clothes line and, in particular, to a clothes line for use outside and on which wet clothes and the like can be hung to dry.

Various different types of clothes lines are known. One such clothes line comprises a central post, one end of which can be buried in the ground to maintain the clothes line in an upright position. A bearing is rotatably mounted close to the opposite end of the post, and several elongate arms extend outwardly from the bearing. A plurality of cords, or similar, are mounted between the arms; wet clothes can be suspended from the cords to dry.

However, a rotary clothes line such as the one described above is only suitable for use outside. Thus, if it rains, the clothes will not dry. GB-A-635,816 describes a clothes line arrangement consisting of a generally central post on which a sleeve is rotatably mounted. A plurality of elongate arms are secured to the rotatable. sleeve and a plurality of cords or the like are secured between the elongate arms so that wet clothes or the like can be suspended therefrom to dry. Also secured to the rotatable sleeve is a cover arrangement comprising a plurality of rafters which radiate outwardly from the sleeve and terminate in a dependent upright which stops just short of ground level. The rafters and uprights are interconnected

by Venetian blinds which can be raised or lowered, as required.

GB-A-2.342.577 describes a retractable cover for a rotary clothes line, comprising a circular track fixedly mounted at the top of the central post, and a flexible curtain slidably secured within the track so that it can be pulled around the clothes line in wet weather.

I have now devised an improved arrangement. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cover for a clothes line, said cover comprising a frame for mounting above a clothes hanging area, said frame including a cover, removable or otherwise, to provide a roof-like structure over said clothes hanging area, and means for suspending one or more flexible curtains therefrom so as to at least partially surround said clothes hanging area, wherein the frame includes a lower frame member and the cover includes a track secured to the lower frame member, within which at least one of said flexible curtains may be slidably secured.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a clothes line arrangement comprising a generally central post having a plurality of elongate arms extending therefrom, the arrangement further comprising a frame mounted on said central post above said elongate arms and including a cover, removable or otherwise, to provide a roof-like structure over said elongate arms, said frame further including means for suspending one or more flexible curtains therefrom so as to at least partially surround said elongate arms, the clothes line arrangement further including a lower frame member,

and a track secured to the lower frame member, within which at least one of said flexible curtains may be slidably secured.

The frame is preferably rotatably mounted on the generally central post. The arrangement beneficially comprises a lower frame member, typically rotatably mounted on the generally central post below the elongate arms. A track is preferably secured to the lower frame member within which the flexible panel (s) may be slidably secured in use, and stored substantially horizontally across the lower frame member when not in use. The frame is preferably provided with a plurality of vertically extending branched members on which a track is secured for selective raising or lowering.

The frame preferably includes means for removably securing the upper edges of the or each flexible panel thereto. A gap is preferably provided between the frame and the upper edge (s) of the flexible panel (s), when in use. The frame preferably has a peripheral edge which overhangs the upper edge (s) of the flexible panel (s), when in use.

The rotatable bearing by means of which the upper frame is mounted to the central post is preferably provided with a cap. The lower frame member preferably comprises a plurality (preferably four) elongate arms, radiating outwardly from the central post. Such members are typically tubular.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a clothes line and cover arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with the frame cover omitted; Figure 2 is a side view of the clothes line and cover arrangement of Figure 1, with the frame cover included and with side curtains in the closed configuration; Figure 3 is a plan view of the frame and frame cover of the cover arrangement of Figure 2 ;.

Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of the frame and frame cover of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a partial plan view of the curtain tracks of the frame of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a side view of a curtain for use in the cover arrangement of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a support shelf for use in the corners of the curtain track and of the cover arrangement of Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 8 is a partial plan view of one covered roof frame section of the frame of Figures 3 and 4.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a clothes line and cover arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a generally central post (10) have a bearing (14) rotatably mounted thereon.

Several elongate arms (12) extend from said bearing (14),

and have a plurality of cords (not shown) connected therebetween from which wet clothes and the like can be suspended to dry.

The cover arrangement comprises a generally square shaped upper frame member (33) mounted on the generally central post (10), above the elongate arms (12), by means of a second rotatable bearing (15). An elongate, generally L- shaped bracket (18) extends substantially vertically from each corner of the frame member (33). The brackets (18) may be of relatively thick PVC or the like, and in one exemplary embodiment of the invention, each leg of the L- shaped structure may be around 100 mm long.

The arrangement further comprises a third bearing (16) rotatably mounted on the generally central post (10), below the elongate arms (12), from which extends a lower frame (17). The lower frame (17) consists of four, preferably tubular, light alloy, elongate arms each extending from the third rotatable bearing (16) and connected to a respective bracket (18). Thus, the cover arrangement is rotatable relative to the central post (10), independently of the elongate arms (12).

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, a generally semi-circular track (20), preferably of light alloy or the like, is secured on the inner surface of a first bracket (18), say around 50 mm below the upper frame member (33), extends down the length of the bracket (18) and, by an obtuse curve (21) across the lower frame member (17) to the opposite side (22). A similar track (20) is secured to an adjacent bracket (23), and the open side of the tracks (20)

face each other so that the lower edges of a substantially waterproof curtain, for example an acrylic curtain or the like, can be secured to the track around the lower frame member (17), thereby providing a substantially waterproof cover around the sides of the elongate arms (12). During dry weather, the curtain (s) can slide down along the track so that they can be stored substantially horizontally across the lower frame member (17) so as to be more environmentally acceptable when not in use.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, in one specific exemplary embodiment, the curtain (24) is stabilised by sleeved 12 x 5 mm strips (25) of flexible PVC either side of the curtain. In addition, two similar strips (26) within 100 mm of each other are provided at the centre.

The lower half of the curtain has two zips (27), around 100 mm apart, at the centre and when lowered to the open position the curtain (24) passes the rotary clothes line centre post (10).

The curtain (24) is further stabilised by sleeved narrow light alloy tubing (28) fitted horizontally across the inside. Both vertical and horizontal supports stabilise each other. At either end of the tubing (28), a spindle (29) is fitted which supports small nylon wheels (30) that run freely in the tracks (20).

Each pair of tracks (20) allows the curtains (24) to travel in opposite directions. The lowest pair are secured to the cross section of the lower frame member (17), and the remaining three pairs above each other 35 mm apart. They

are secured to corner shelves (31) (see Figure 7) fitted to the inside of the PVC corner support brackets (18).

The vertical corner tubing (32) extends upwards to the upper frame member (33) where it is secured and leaves a gap (34) (of say 50 mm) between the closed curtain (24) and the upper frame member (33). The gap (34) allows the curtain (24) to be hooked (at 35) in the closed position to the horizontal members of the upper frame member (33).

A good air flow is provided for the rotary clothes line by the gap (37) between the lower frame member (17) and ground level (38). The 50 mm gap (34) between the closed curtain (24) and the roof canopy (39) further improves air flow, as does the fact that the cover arrangement is independently rotatable relative to the elongate arms (12).

As the roof canopy (39) extends further outwards and deeper than the point (35) at which the curtains (24) are hooked to the upper frame member (33) when closed, no rain gets at the clothes line. A cap (40) is provided at the second rotatable bearing (15) and further serves to prevent moisture from reaching the elongate arms (12).

The upper frame member (33) is preferably made of light tubular alloy and provides four sections (see Figure 3).

Referring to Figure 8 of the drawings, two inverted"T" shaped brackets (34a) are secured by nylon clips (35a) to the upper surface of the upper frame member (33), either side of the brackets (34a) providing a wide base support for the roof sections.

Thus, wide horizontal side of the inverted"T"bracket (34a) provides the base upon which four framed roof sections (36) are placed and secured. Each section is preferably covered with coated polyester material which is waterproof. The lowest edge of the roof sections are sleeved and contain flexible and stabilising PVC strips (37).

The material used for the roof and side curtains should be durable and last many years, even though exposed to the elements. It is also well known to spray such waterproof material with a preserver (Fassil) annually to extend its life.

The modular nature of the arrangement is such that, in the event of damage, only the section involved would need replacing.

A unit may also be provided to operate the clothes line safely by remote control using, for example, an air operated button hand set. Alternatively, means for automatically covering and uncovering the clothes line in accordance with the external atmospheric conditions may be provided.

An embodiment of the present invention has been described above by way of example only, and it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.