This invention relates to apparatus.

In one known form of cover for a rotary clothes line the cover is mounted over the rotary clothes line by having a fixing bracket secured to each of the outwardly projecting arms of the rotary clothes line, with each of these brackets serving as a locator for a rod or spar which is coupled to the cover itself. The brackets are customarily made to be a snap fit onto the rotary arms. Although this works very well under normal conditions, it has been found that in extremely windy conditions it is possible for the cover to gather the wind and to cause damage to the structure of the rotary clothes line itself owing to the forces imparted to it. In other words, the structure of the rotary clothes line may fail before the fixing between the cover and the clothes line fails.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided in combination, a rotary clothes line arm, a rotary clothes line cover, and a fixing bracket connecting said cover to said arm, characterised in that the connection from said arm by way of said bracket to said cover comprises means whereby said cover becomes unfixed from said arm at said bracket in the event that a greater than predetermined force is exerted upon said cover at said bracket. Owing to this aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a bracket which, while normally adequate to maintain the securement of the cover, is able to come unfixed under extreme conditions of stress.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided in combination, a rotary clothes line arm, a rotary clothes line cover, and a fixing bracket connecting said cover to said arm, characterised in that said bracket comprises a substantially U-shaped first member and a second member extending across from one limb of the first member to the other limb thereof, and the first and second members receive the arm between them.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a "universal" fixing bracket for attachment to each arm of a rotary clothes line. In this way one can use the same bracket no matter whether the arm is of circular cross-section or rectangular cross-section, for example. Preferably, the universal fixing bracket is also one which will release itself under extreme conditions of stress.

Broadly, the release of the bracket is achieved by providing the bracket with means which will be ejected from the bracket or otherwise come free from the bracket in the event that a force in excess of a predetermined force is exerted thereon.

It is already known to provide a protective cover for the rear seats of a motor vehicle, so that pets for example can be transported in the rear of a vehicle without damaging or otherwise adversely affecting the seats.

It is also known to provide a removable liner for the boot of a motor car, generally in the form of a rectangular, open-topped box-form container which can be put into or removed from the boot of the car at will, and into which one can place wet or dirty items. The liner is thus providing a protective function.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible sheet of material which is foldable along its margins, characterised in that said flexible sheet is provided at each corner region with releasable retaining means to hold a folded corner in a folded state, whereby the sheet can be erected to form an open-topped container. Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a single article which can be used both as a protective cover and a removable liner and which can be used for other purposes as well.

Preferably, the sheet is rectangular and has at each corner strips of releasable fastening material to enable the corners to be drawn up into the erected state. Preferably,

releasable fastening means are provided between the folded corners and the erected walls of the container to hold the folded corners flat against the container walls.

In the erected state the container can be used for example as a receptacle to put into the boot of a motor vehicle. It could also be used as a child's paddling pool. In the opened state the sheet can be used for example as a protective cover for the rear seats of a vehicle, or as a picnic sheet, or as a carrying sheet for garden refuse.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle cover, comprising a main part of sheet material and comprised of an intermediate portion for covering a roof of the vehicle, and first and second side portions for covering at least respective upper lateral portions of the vehicle, characterised by ventilation holes through said main part in the regions of the respective upper edges of said first and second side portions.

Owing to this aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain ventilating flows of air between the interior of the vehicle and the exterior of the cover with the vehicle side windows slightly lowered, or between the exterior of the vehicle and the exterior of the cover. In the latter case, the vehicle may be a caravan or a car, for example. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for retaining a cover upon a legged article, characterised by a sock for drawing onto a leg of the article, and a connecting element for attaching said cover to said sock. Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible in a simple manner to retain the cover reliably on the article.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an escape tube, characterised by holes distributed along and formed through that longitudinal part of the tube which is intended to be the upper of upper and

lower longitudinal parts of the tube inclined in use.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to promote ventilation of the interior of the tube and, if desired, to provide hand holes for an escaper to control his descent through the tube.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fire escape device, comprising an escape chute having an upper, entrance mouth, and elements connected to said chute for radiating away from said mouth to respective anchorages distributed around an escape exit. Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to hold the entrance mouth fully open for escape.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for picking fruits, comprising a pole, and a mouth provided unilaterally at an upper end zone of said pole for receiving a fruit, characterised by a tube extending from said mouth to below the lower end of said pole for receiving and guiding downwardly a fruit received by said mouth. Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible for a picked fruit to descend to a picker some distance below without bruising and without the picker having to lower the pole, after each pick, to retrieve the fruit.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example, to the accompany drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a bracket device for attaching a cover to a rotary clothes line, Figure 2 is a side view of the bracket device of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a schematic, exploded view of a second embodiment which is a universal bracket device,

Figure 4 is a side view of the bracket device of Figure 3 in place on a supporting arm of a rotary clothes line,

Figure 5 shows a section taken in the plane of the

arrows V-V in Figure 3,

Figure 6 shows a top plan view of a sheet-form article.

Figure 7 shows an underneath plan view of the article,

Figure 8 shows a perspective view from above of the article in a partially erected state.

Figure 9 shows a view similar to Figure 8 of the article in a fully erected state.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view from above of a vehicle provided with an exterior cover.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view from above of a vehicle provided with a modified version of the exterior cover.

Figure 12 shows a perspective view from above of a cover for a piece of furniture, Figure 13 shows a vertical sectional view through a building wall, with an escape tube extended through a window frame thereof,

Figure 14 shows a half elevation of the window frame with the tube extended therethrough, Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a fruits picking device, and

Figure 16 shows a detail of Figure 15.

Referring firstly to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bracket 10 is designed to be fitted onto a projecting arm of a rotary clothes line. For that purpose the bracket 10 is provided with a pair of resilient legs

12a, 12b which define a generally cylindrical channel 14 to house the supporting arm (not shown) . As shown in Figure

2, each of the legs 12a, 12b is provided with a cut-out 16 which extends about two-thirds of the width of the leg. A fastening bolt 18 and nut 20 are positioned with the bolt 18 extending through the cut-outs 16 and, by tightening the nut and bolt, the bracket can be tightened onto the supporting arm. This gives a sufficiently secure fastening for normal conditions of use. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 , the bracket 10 includes a semi-circular cross-section recess 22

at the end remote from the supporting arm and at the side of the bracket remote from the cut-outs 16. This recess receives a supporting rod or stay for the cover for the rotary clothes line. In the event of severe stress being exerted on the cover and thus on the surface of the recess 22, for example because of extremely windy conditions, the resultant force exerted by the arm on the bolt 18 will spring the bolt 18 free from the cut-outs 16 and enable the bracket to come free from the supporting arm and thus avoid damage to the structure of the rotary clothes line itself.

The position and orientation of the cut-outs 16 in the bracket are given by way of example only. Other methods of achieving the same end result can be envisaged. Essentially, one is building into the bracket a point or zone of weakness whereby the bracket can come free from the supporting arm or the cover, but without damaging the bracket so that it cannot be re-used.

Figures 3 to 5 show a "universal" fixing bracket, indicated generally at 30, again for mounting on an arm 32 of a rotary clothes line. Here the bracket 30 is generally rectangular in shape with a bottom recess 34 which is here shown as being of arched shape, bounded by two legs 31a and 31b. This recess 34 is intended to accommodate the projecting arm 32. An arched shape for the recess 34 having substantially parallel side walls can be used to accommodate both circular cross-section arms 32 and also arms of square or oblong rectangular or other cross- sections. Packing wedges 36 may be necessary at the sides and/or top of the recess 34 in order to ensure that the bracket 30 is held sufficiently securely on the supporting arm 32.

The bracket 30 is also provided with two internal bores 38 which extend upwards from the top of the recess 34 to the top of the bracket adjacent to the recess 22. These bores 38 serve to receive the legs of a U-shaped bolt 40 which is fitted up from below the supporting arm 32 into the bracket.

Nuts 42 are fastened to the projecting, threaded ends of the U-shaped bolt 40 and are tightened until the bracket is held securely in place on the arm 32.

In order to ensure the release of the bracket 30 under conditions of extreme stress a packing member 44 is fitted in place between the cross piece 46 of the U-shaped bolt 40 and the underside of the supporting arm 32, as shown most clearly in Figure 4. This packing member 44 may be roughly an L-shaped member for example, with one limb of the L being clamped between the cross-piece 46 and the arm 32. . It is shaped and/or made resilient so that while giving sufficient stability under normal conditions of use, under extreme stress it will move and/or deform sufficiently, under the action thereon of the arm 32, to come free from its position and thus free the bracket from its tight securement to the supporting arm 32, so that the bracket becomes loose upon the arm.

It will be appreciated that other shapes of packing member 44 can be used to achieve the same purpose. With this embodiment of fixing bracket one has universality of use, to some extent regardless of the cross-section of the supporting arm 32, and one also has the ability of the bracket to release itself from the supporting arm under extreme conditions, in order thereby to prevent damage to the cover 48 or the structure of the rotary clothes line itself.

As shown in the Figures 6 to 9 the article comprises a generally rectangular sheet 110 of suitable material, preferably a plastics material. In the region of each corner, the sheet 110 is provided at an upper surface with a pair of strips 111 and 112 of reclosable fastening material for example of "VELCRO" (Registered Trade Mark) set diagonally across the respective corners. Extending diagonally across those corners at the upper surface of the sheet 110 are respective flexible handles 113. In the region of each corner and adjacent to an end edge rather

than a lateral edge, the sheet 110 is provided at its undersurface with a pair of strips 114 and 115 of reclosable fastening material. The sheet 110 is arranged to be foldable along lines parallel to each edge in order to form it into the tray-form structure 116 shown in Figure 8, with outwardly projecting corner ears 117. Each ear is held in shape by closing of each strip pair 111, 112. The ears are then turned about the vertical corners of the tray to come to lie against the end walls of the tray and there retained releasably by closing of the strip pairs 114, 115.

In its open, flat state as shown in Figure 1 the sheet 110 can be used for a multiplicity of purposes, for example as a picnic sheet, as a protective cover for the seats of a motor vehicle, as a carrier for garden refuse, etc. In the fully erected state shown in Figure 9, the tray 116 can again be used for a multiplicity of purposes, for example as a boot liner for a motor vehicle.

Although reclosable material strips have been shown, alternative retainers, for example toggles and eyelet holes, may be used to hold the corner folds in the appropriate attitude.

Referring to Figure 10, a motor car 201 is provided with a readily removable, exterior cover 202. The cover 202 is of flexible sheet material 203 reflective of sunlight and is roughly cruciform, with a front portion 203A which covers the windscreen, an intermediate portion 203B which covers the roof, a rear portion 203C which covers the rear window and two side portions (of which one is seen and referenced 203D) which cover the side windows. Attached to the boundary between each side portion 203D and the intermediate portion 203B are respective ends of two flexible straps 204, whilst attached to the rear edge of the portion 203C are respective ends of two flexible straps 205. The two straps 204 at each side of the vehicle extend through between the top edges of the respective closed front and rear doors 201A and 201B and the respective adjacent

edges of the roof to hold the portion 203B in place, whilst the straps 205 extend through between the front edge of the closed boot lid 201C and the adjacent edge of the vehicle body to hold the rear portion 203C in place. The free end zones of the straps 204 and 205 are located in the passenger compartment and the boot, respectively, of the vehicle and are firmly attached to respective enlargements in the form of buckles 206, of sufficient size that they cannot be pulled out of the interior of the vehicle with the doors and boot lid closed. Along the four boundaries 203E among the portions 203A, 203C and 203D are respective lines of stitching whereby those portions are attached together. Elastic ties 207, anchored at respective ends to the portion 203A and the respective portions 203D, are looped below front wing mirrors 20ID of the vehicle, to hold the portions 203A and 203D in place. Each side portion 203D is formed with ventilation holes 208 at the level of the tops of the side windows and whereby, with the cover 202 fully in position and with the side windows slightly lowered, ventilation is provided for the interior of the vehicle, particularly when pets are left in the vehicle during hot weather. The holes 208 can be in the form of horizontal slots, as shown. If desired, the holes 208 can be closed from the inside by lateral flaps 209 when use of the ventilation holes 208 is not required. The flaps 209 are attached along their upper edges to the junctions between the portion 203B and the respective portions 203D. At the anchored ends of the straps 204, the flaps 209 are formed with holes 210 whereby the straps 204 and their buckles 206 can be passed through the flaps 209 to allow the flaps 209 to be turned from the lowered positions 209 shown to the raised positions 209' shown, in which they lie between the intermediate portion 203B and the roof and thus allow ventilation through holes 208. Referring to Figure 11, the motor car 301 is substantially completely covered by a readily removable

exterior cover 302 of flexible sheet material reflective of sunlight. The cover 302 includes side portions (of which one is seen and referenced 303D) formed with horizontal ventilation perforations 308. Straps 304 with buckles 306 can have the vehicle doors closed onto them to hold the cover 302 onto the vehicle. The perforations 308 allow moisture trapped between the cover 302 and the motor car 301 to escape into the atmosphere, particularly when the wind blows up between the cover and the car. The perforations 308, which may take various forms, for example horizontal slots as shown, could be covered externally by flaps 312 to prevent rain penetrating through the perforations 308 and to prevent persons from looking into the car. These flaps 312 are attached to the cover 302 at their upper edges and perhaps also at their end edges.

Referring to Figure 12, a garden hammock with four legs 401 is covered by a protective cover 402 of sheet material. In order to hold the cover 402 down reliably, socks 403 can be put on the respective legs 401 so that the legs stand upon the closed ends of the socks. Ties 404 connect the socks 403 to the bottom corners of the cover. The ties may be elastic, so that the socks can be pulled down prior to putting onto the legs, or may be releasably connected to the cover or the socks so as to be disconnected prior to the putting of the socks onto the legs 401 and then re¬ connected. Each sock is formed with a cut-away 405 to permit drainage of rainwater from the sock 403.

There is shown in Figures 13 and 14 a building wall 501 fitted with a windowframe 502. Distributed around the frame 502 are anchorages 503 in the form of ringbolts fixed in the wall 501, for example four anchorages beyond the respective corners of the frame 502. Stored near the window is a collapsed escape device 504 including a rolled- up tube 505 of flexible, fire-resistant material. One end of the tube is attached to a quadrilateral linkage 506 with corner chains 507. Separate from the chains but included

in the escape device 504 are four pins 508. In the event of fire, for example, the four chains 507 are inserted through the respective ringbolts 503, and the four pins 508 are inserted through the chain links immediately beyond the ringbolts, to prevent the chains from withdrawing from the ringbolts. Then the tube 505 is thrown out of the window, to unfold down to ground level, where rescuers 509 either seize and hold external handles 510 attached to the lower end of the tube or attach the lower end of the tube to permanent ground anchorages. The tube 505 may terminate in water or onto an air bag to decelerate a descending escaper 512. Through the upper longitudinal section of the tube 505 are formed holes 511 which may be in two offset rows 511' and 511" and which the escaper 512 can use as hand holes to control his rate of descent. The holes 511 also serve as a means of ventilation of the tube. Various means other than the chains 507 and pins 508 may be used for connecting the escape device 504 to the anchorage 503.

The fruit picking device shown in Figures 15 and 16 includes a preferably extensible pole 601 to the upper end 601' of which is attached the upper end 602' of a tube 602 of a diameter to accommodate the kind of fruit 603 to be picked from a tree 604. The tube 602 is preferably in sections 602a, 602b, etc. to accommodate picking at various heights from the ground. The rim of the upper mouth of the tube 602 is in the form of a rigid loop 607 attached to the pole 601 and is formed with notches 605 to receive the fruit stem to facilitate picking of the fruit. A cutting device may be arranged at the upper rim of the tube 602 to sever the stem and may be operable from ground level by the picker 606.