Tower clothes-horse

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tower clothes-horse, in particular a clothes-horse comprising a plurality of levels or shelves for hanging items out, vertically aligned and formed by parallel wires.

Background Art

Amongst the countless forms of clothes-horses, those structured in such a way that, in the configuration in which they are not used, they have reduced overall dimensions are known. This means that they can be placed in wardrobes, next to wardrobes or, for example, behind doors or in any case in hidden positions.

Therefore, reference is made to the category of clothes-horses whose dimensions can be reduced. The known clothes-horses are made so that the greatest possible usable linear extension of wire is available for hanging items to be hung out when the clothes-horse is in the open or partly open configuration in which it is used.

In particular, there are clothes-horses formed by a main quadrilateral frame supporting a plurality of wires parallel with the longitudinal sides of the quadrilateral and each with its ends anchored to the transversal sides of the frame.

The frame is normally supported by jointed legs which can close on it in the configuration in which the clothes-horse is not used.

To increase the number of wires and/or the usable length for hanging items out, there may be two wings hinged to the quadrilateral at the transversal sides or, alternatively, telescopically extractable from the longitudinal sides. However, such clothes-horses have a considerable longitudinal dimension, in particular with the wings open, with

respect to a moderate overall usable length of the wires for hanging items out.

To overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, clothes- horses mainly extending vertically and with levels extending over one another for hanging items out were studied.

One type of known clothes-horse comprises a first and a second frame, rectangular, extending vertically, hinged to one another at an intermediate portion of a respective smaller base.

In this way, the frames are mobile, by means of relative rotation, between a position in which they substantially extend over one another, in the closed configuration, and an angled position (approximately 90°), in the above-mentioned open configuration.

Hinged to one of the two frames, for example the first, are the levels for hanging items out, which are mobile between a lowered position, in which they are substantially in the same plane with the supporting frame, and a raised position, in which they extend from the supporting frame and, preferably, rest on the second frame at the larger bases, on respective supporting elements.

The latter clothes-horses of the known type have several disadvantages.

Access to the wires for hanging items out is obstructed, in the clothes-horse open configuration, by the presence of the second frame, which is located transversally to the levels for hanging items out.

Such clothes-horses are difficult to open and close due to the dimensions of the frames which, in passing from one configuration to the other, must be rotated relative to one another.

Moreover, in the closed configuration, they are not balanced and tend to fall, therefore they must be rested for example against a wall to maintain a stable vertical position.

Moreover, known clothes-horses are not flexible enough in terms of the height of the relative users and the respective items of clothing, that is to say, they may be too high for short users or too low for long items.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tower clothes-horse with the features described in claim 1. In particular, the present invention provides an improved tower clothes-horse, with simple manoeuvrability and practical opening and closing, as well as easily accessible levels for hanging items out.

Moreover, with the same footprint, the clothes-horse disclosed has a broad possibility for extensive surfaces for hanging items out.

The heights of the various levels may also be adjusted, and the clothes-horse is modular, according to the requirements of the moment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The technical features of the invention are clearly indicated in the claims herein and the advantages are more apparent in the detailed description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred non- limiting embodiment of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a clothes-horse according to the present invention in a completely open configuration; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the clothes- horse illustrated in Figure 1 in a closed configuration;

Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a first detail of a clothes-horse according to the present invention in an operating configuration for use; Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the detail illustrated in Figure 2 in a non-operating home configuration;

Figures 5 to 7 are schematic side views of the detail A illustrated in Figure 1 in a succession of configurations relative to opening of a level for hanging items out; Figure 8 is a schematic top plan view of the detail A;

Figure 8a is a schematic top plan view of the detail B illustrated in Figure 1;

Figures 9 and 10 are schematic front views of the detail illustrated in Figure 8 in two different operating configurations, that is to say, with the clothes-horse disclosed completely open and closed; Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a clothes-horse according to the present invention;

Figure 12 is a schematic top plan view of a particular embodiment of the levels for hanging items out in a clothes-horse according to the present invention; Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of the clothes- horse illustrated in Figure 1 with a hood forming a chamber that can be ventilated;

Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a clothes-horse according to the present invention, in a completely open configuration;

Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view of the clothes- horse illustrated in Figure 14 in a closed configuration;

Figure 16 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a clothes-horse according to the present invention in an open configuration;

Figure 17 is a suitably interrupted schematic front view of the clothes-horse illustrated in Figure 16 in a different operating configuration;

Figure 18 is a schematic perspective view of a detail of the clothes-horse illustrated in Figures 16 and 17.

Detailed description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to the accompanying drawings and in particular Figures 1 and 2, the number 1 denotes a clothes-horse according to the present invention.

The clothes-horse 1, of the tower type, comprises a pair of opposite uprights 2 and 3 forming a frame T, with a respective upper end 4 and 5, and a respective lower end 6 and 7 where a base

21 is connected to each upright 2, 3. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, with reference to

Figure 8, it may be seen that the uprights 2 and 3 are tubular and have an oval cross-section.

A first stiffening element or crosspiece 8 which is part of the frame T joins the uprights 2 and 3 at the respective lower ends 6 and 7, whilst a second element 8a, similar to the previous one, joins the uprights 2 and 3 at the upper ends 4 and 5. In alternative embodiments, not illustrated, the clothes- horse 1 may have a main frame in the shape of a "U" closed at the bottom or top by the spacer 8 or 8a.

The clothes-horse 1 comprises elements 20 which rest on the ground, connected to the uprights 2 and 3 at the lower ends 6 and 7 of the uprights and described in detail below.

In the embodiment shown by way of example in Figures 1 and

2, the clothes-horse 1 comprises levels for hanging items out, or shelves 9, connected to the uprights 2 and 3, arranged symmetrically to and on opposite sides of the uprights. Advantageously, in alternative embodiments, of which Figure

11 is an example, the clothes-horse 1 comprises any number of shelves 9 according to the desired capacity, that is to say, the shelves 9 may extend in such a way that they are offset from one another. To simplify the description, hereinafter reference is made to only one shelf 9, however, the concept is intended to extend to all of the shelves 9 present in the clothes-horse 1.

The shelf 9 comprises a frame 10 formed by two arms 11 and

12 connected, with one end 111, 112, respectively to the uprights 2 and 3 and closed, at the other end 211, 212, by a wire 14 for hanging items out.

In particular, with reference to Figure 8a, the free end

211, 212 of each arm 11 and 12 has a seat 100, that is to say a through-hole fitted with a stop, in which the wire 14 is inserted and locked using a screw 101, preferably an expanding screw. The opposite ends 111 and 112 of the arms 11 and 12 are connected to the uprights 2 and 3 at flanges 13 projecting from them.

In other words, the shelf 9 is made by coupling the arms 11 and 12 so that they mirror one another and closing them at the hole 100 with an end wire 14, for example locked with the screw

101, whilst the ends 111 and 112 are relatively locked, substantially, by the uprights 2 and 3.

In particular, as Is more visible in Figure 8, the clothes- horse 1 comprises an element 60 for joining the shelf 9 and the upright 2, 3.

The element 60, preferably made of plastic material, comprises a central portion 61 which couples to the upright 2, 3 and one or (usually) two side portions 62 forming the above- mentioned flanges 13, which, in the preferred embodiment, are in pairs, as illustrated acjain in Figure 8.

The shelves 9 comprise further wires 14, in addition to the end ones, coupled to tb_e arms 11 and 12 in respective dead holes 102. The wires 14 extend parallel with one another and substantially perpendicular to the arms 11 and 12.

Each shelf 9 is mobile between a tilted position, illustrated in Figure 2, in which it is substantially aligned, that is to say, in the same plane, with the uprights 2 and 3 and an extended position, iXlustrated in Figures 1 and 11, in which it extends substantially perpendicularly from the uprights.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate how the shelf 9 has slots 15, made on each arm 11 and 12, engaged with a pin 16 integral with the flanges 13.

In more detail, trie slot 15 is slidably coupled to the pin 16 and the shelf 9 is free to rotate and slide relative to it.

With reference to the upright 2, 3, it may be seen that the slot 15 is shaped and located in the respective arm 11, 12 in such a way that, when the srielf 9 is in the extended position shown in

Figures 7 and 8, it has a front surface lib, 12b, at the ends 111 and 112, in contact witti a contact surface S at the upright 2, 3.

The pins 16 and tlie slots 15 therefore form coupling means 17. In particular the p±ns form means 18 for engaging the uprights 2 and 3 with the shelf 9, whilst the slots 15 forms means 19 for engaging the shelf 9 with the uprights 2 and 3.

It should be noticed that the flange 13 has a groove 50 designed to receive the wire 14 located at the ends 111 and 112 of the arms 11 and 12, th.at is to say, the wire 14 closest to the uprights 2 and 3 when trie shelf 9 is in the extended position.

Looking at the elements 20 which rest on the ground in more detail, it should be noticed that they are mobile between a

minimum dimensions position, illustrated in Figure 2, in which they are substantially aligned, that is to say, in the same plane, with the uprights 2 and 3, and a position in which they support the clothes-horse 1, illustrated in Figures 1 and 11, in which they extend from the uprights at an angle close to 90°.

In the minimum dimensions conffiguration the elements 20 may extend over one another, as illustrated in Figure 2 or they may simply be facing one another, as illustrated in Figure 15.

Each of the elements 20 rotates about a respective axis of rotation R substantially parallel wi_th the uprights 2 and 3.

Each element 20 comprises an arm 22 rotatably connected to the base 21 and supporting, on the opposite side to the base 21 relative to the arm 22, a foot 23. Each base 21 also has wheels 24 to facilitate clothes-horse 1 movement, particularly in the reduced dimensions configuration.

In particular Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment in which the arms 22 are rotatably connected to the base 21 by a bar 25 on which they can slide freely in both directions Vl and V2 along R. A cam or ramp 26 is located on the base 21 at an upper surface 21a of the base and close to the bar 25.

The ramp 26 is shaped in such a way that, along the bar 25 and in the direction Vl, it lifts the elements 20 which rest on the ground when they pass from trie supporting position to the minimum dimensions position.

Similarly, when the elements 20 which rest on the ground pass from the minimum dimensions position to the supporting position, they slide along the bar 25 in the direction V2, substantially moving downwards. In this way, the clothes-horse 1 illustrated rests on the wheels 24 when the elements 20 which rest on the ground are in the home position, whilst it rests on the feet 23 (and also on the wheels 24) when the elements 20 are in the supporting position.

The bar 25 and the cam 26 therefore form means 27 for lifting the elements 20 which rest on the ground. In alternative embodiments, not illustrated, said, means 27 may comprise screw mechanisms, linkage systems and any known type of sliding device.

It should be noticed that the cam 26 has an. upper portion 26a of its profile shaped to guarantee the stability of the elements 20 which rest on the ground in the home position.

In alternative embodiments, not illustrated, tlie cam 26 is located on a lower surface of the arms 22 facing the Ibase 21.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, it may be seen that the arms 22 are made in two pourtions 27 and 28, telescopically coupled together, in the substantially known way, so that the arms 22 are extendable. It should also be noticed that the wheels 24 are connected to the elements 20 which rest on the ground at the ends 6 and 7 of the uprights 2 and 3, on the opposite side to the base 21 relative to the arms 22 and are mobile with the latter between the above- mentioned supporting and home positions. Advantageously, this layout of the wheels 24 is also applicable with arms 22 that are not extendable.

As may be seen in particular in Figures 8 to 10, the clothes-horse 1 comprises extractable brackets 28 connected to the uprights 2 and 3. Said brackets 28 are connected by a pin 29 to a respective slot 30 made along a housing 31 connected to the uprαLghts 2 and 3.

The brackets 28 are mobile between a non-operating position, illustrated in Figure 9, in which they are substantially aligned with the uprights 2 and 3 and inserted in the housing 31, and an operating position, illustrated in Figures 8 and 11, in which they extend transversally from the housing relative to the shelves 9 to support trousers or coat hangers and the like, not illustrated.

To pass from the non-operating position (Figure 9) to the operating position (Figure 10) , the bracket 28 is moved upwards along the entire length of the slot 30 and rotated, anti-clockwise in the example illustrated, until it rests with its lower surface

28a on an upper edge 31a of the housing 31.

With reference to Figure 11, it should be noticed that the uprights 2 and 3 may be modular, that is to say, consist of an upper rod 35 and a lower rod 36 mainly extending vertically and connected to one another.

In particular, by way of example, the upper rod 35 has a

lower end 35a shaped to engage in an upper end 36a of the rod 36.

The ends 35a and 36a preferably couple together at the joining elements 60, which form an element that strengthens the uprights 2 and 3.

The uprights 2 and 3 also have a series of holes 37 fϊor coupling with the elements 60.

In particular, the clothes-horse 1 comprises coupling elements 13a, located between the flanges 13, operating between the elements 60 and the holes 37 to guarantee that they are fixed to one another, that is to say, the flanges 13 can be connected to the uprights 2 and 3 at any hole 37 to adjust the height between the shelves 9 extending over one another.

This adjustment can be made during clothes-horse 1 assembly directly by an assembly worker in the factory or by an end user.

If the adjustment is made in the factory, the elements 13a are rivets or screws that cannot be removed and the uprights 2 and

3 do not have a series of holes 37, but just those needed to fix the shelves 9 which therefore are at a fixed and predetermined distance from one another.

In the case of adjustment which can be made by the user, the elements 13a are mobile pins or the like and the height between the shelves 9 can be adjusted as required.

It should also be noticed that, in the case of modular uprights 2 and 3, the joining elements 60, located at the ends 35a and 36a of the rods 35 and 36, are preferably fixed and not adjustable.

Advantageously, as illustrated with a dashed line in Figure 11, the uprights 2 and 3 comprise any number of rods 35 and 36 according to the desired height and capacity of the clothes-ho-rse 1.

Figure 13 shows how the clothes-horse 1 comprises a pair of bars 38 and 39, illustrated with a dashed line, respectively connected to the upper ends 4 and 5 of the uprights 2 and 3. The bars 38 and 39 support a wire 40 for hanging items out or in any event a transversal supporting element, in particular for hanging out very large items, not illustrated. In "the

preferred embodiment illustrated the bars 38 and 39 and the wire 40 are removable and form supporting means 41 for bulky items.

The clothes-horse 1 also comprises a hood 42, illustrated with a dashed line, forming a ventilation chamber 43 for forced drying of the items.

In alternative embodiments, not illustrated, the hood 42 may rest on top of the wire 40. In this way the chamber 43 has an upper portion with a large volume.

Figures 12, 14 and 15 illustrate another embodiment of the clothes-horse disclosed.

The frame 10 of the shelf 9 has the shape of a widened fork (or "C") and the arms 11 and 12 form the prongs of the fork on which seals 11a and 12a are located.

It should also be noticed that the shelf 9 may have projections 32, illustrated with a dashed line, having a "U" shape, with relative flanges 33 and supporting wires 34 for hanging items out which are substantially parallel with the flanges 33.

The projections 32 are mobile between a position close to the shelves 9, in which the flanges 33 and the wires 34 are respectively telescopically inserted in the frame 10 and in the wires 14 of the shelves 9, and a distanced position, illustrated with a dashed line in Figure 14, in which the entire length of the wires 34 is available for hanging items out. In particular in this case the frame 10 has a tubular rod 10a parallel with the base of the "U" and located at the ends 111 and 112 of the arms 11 and 13 to receive and support the projections 32.

As illustrated in Figures 16 to 18, the clothes-horse 1 comprises two drip trays 310 connected to the vertically extending frame T formed by the uprights 2 and 3.

The drip try 310 is located close to the lower ends 6, 7 of the uprights 2, 3 to collect liquids, in particular water, which come out of the clothes, not illustrated, hung out on the levels 9 for hanging items out.

It should be noticed that in the example illustrated the clothes-horse 1 comprises two drip trays 310 because there are two

sets of levels 9 for hanging items out. Nothing changes in the case, not illustrated, of single-sided clothes-horses, that is to say, with a single set of levels 9 under which there is only one drip tray 310. Each drip tray 310 is mobile between an open position, illustrated in Figure 16, in which it is vertically aligned with the levels 9 above it (with the levels 9 in the open position) , and a closed position, illustrated in Figure 17, in which it is near to the frame T. In particular, each drip tray 310 can rotate about an axis of rotation R substantially parallel with the crosspiece 8 and preferably formed by a pair of side pins for connecting the drip tray 310 to the uprights 2, 3 or by a hinge 310a of the substantially known type located between the drip tray 310 and the crosspiece 8.

In the example illustrated, the drip tray 310 consists of a bottom surface 311 surrounded by a peripheral side wall 312 for holding the above-mentioned water.

The side wall 312 is edged with a profile 313 extending from the opposite side to the bottom surface 311 and substantially delimiting the drip tray 310 to form a sort of tray.

The drip tray 310 has a footprint substantially equal to that of the levels 9 for hanging items out and, advantageously, in alternative embodiments not illustrated, it may have a footprint greater than that of the levels 9, so that it provides a greater collection surface.

The clothes-horse 1 has supporting means 314 for the drip tray 310, to support it in the open position, located on the opposite side to the uprights 2, 3 relative to the bottom surface 311.

Figure 18 in particular shows how the supporting means 314 comprise a foot 315 which rests on the ground and is mobile between an operating position, in which it is substantially perpendicular to the drip tray 310 and a minimum dimensions position in which it is substantially parallel with the drip tray 310.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the foot 315 can

rotate about an axis Rl substantially parallel with the axis R, preferably formed by a hinge 315a.

The clothes-horse 1 comprises a housing 316, made in the bottom surface 311, designed to receive the foot 315 in the home position, to minimise its dimensions.

The clothes-horse 1 also has means 317 for fixing the drip tray 310 in the closed position, for example consisting of sliding pins inserted in the uprights 2, 3, of the substantially known type and not described in detail. Said means 317 operate between the two drip trays 310 and the frame T, that is to say, they lock the drip trays 310 to the frame T in the closed position. In alternative embodiments, not illustrated, they are arranged in such a way as to lock two drip trays 310 together in the respective closed configurations. The clothes-horse described brings important advantages.

In particular the structure allows easy opening and closing of the shelves and practical access to them.

The presence of supporting feet which can be opened out keeps the dimensions down, guaranteeing adequate stability when clothing is hung out, both when the wheels are lifted and when they make contact with the ground.

The base and the wheels also give the clothes-horse stability in the closed configuration and if the uprights are modular the clothes-horse 1 can be considerably customised according to the requirements of the user.

The free layout of the shelves allows the best use of the spaces available, keeping the clothes-horse footprint constant.

The oval cross-section of the uprights guarantees clothes- horse torsional rigidity and greater solidity. The presence of extendable projections provides further wire for hanging items out and the hood protects the clothing from pollutants and speeds up the drying steps.

The presence of the drip tray prevents water which drops from the clothes from getting the floor wet, avoiding the risk of ruining it.

The rotary drip tray allows the overall dimensions of the clothes-horse to be kept down when not in use and similarly the

foot which substantially folds away does not project from the outline of the clothes-horse when closed.

The invention described has evident industrial applications and may be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.