GB2209465A - Laundry frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame (10) for drying or airing laundry comprises first (11) and second (12) main frame members and a plurality of cross members (15) extending between the main frame members (11, 12) each of the cross members (15) having an end region (17, 18) at each end which extends transversely to the central region (16), each end region (17, 18) being received in a respective opening (13, 14) in one or other of the first and second main frame members (11, 12), means (11c, 12c; 11d, 12d) being provided to maintain the relative position between the first and second main frame members (11, 12) to prevent the end regions (17, 18) of the cross members (15) disengaging from the respective main frame members (11, 12), the frame (10) being assembled by relatively moving the first, second main frame members (11, 12) after inserting the end regions (17, 18) in their respective openings (13, 14) and connecting the main frame members (11, 12) together. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: "Frame Construction Description of invention This invention relates to a frame, particularly but not exclusively, to a frame of the type which is used as a platform on or from which laundry is dried and/or aired.

According to one aspect of the invention, we provide a frame comprising first and second main frame members and a plurality of cross members extending between the main frame members, each of the cross members, having an end region at each end which extends transversely to a central region thereof, each end region being received in a respective opening in one or other of the first and second main frame members, means being provided to maintain the relative position between the first and second main frame members to prevent the end regions of the cross members disengaging the respective main frame members.

The present invention facilitates assembly of a platform compared with conventional constructions in which it has been necessary to secure the cross members in engagement with the main frame members, for example by welding.

Further, because the end regions of the cross members are positively retained in engagement with their respective main frame members by the transverse end regions, narrower section, less rigid, cross members can be used than in conventional arrangements in which the cross members are retained in engagement with the main frame members by being trapped as the main frame members are brought together. It will be appreciated that in such conventional arrangements any flexing of the cross members can cause the end regions to become disengaged with the openings of the main frame members.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a method of assembling a frame comprising first and second main frame members and a plurality of cross members, each of the cross members having end regions at each end which extend transversely relative to a central region thereof, the main frame members each having a plurality of openings along their length, the method comprising the steps of inserting one end region of each of the cross members in a respective opening of the first frame member, inserting the other end region of each of the cross members in a respective opening of the second frame member, with the first and second main frame members in a first relative orientation and moving the first main frame member relative to the second main frame member to a second relative orientation and maintaining the position of the first main frame member relative to the second main frame member.

Preferably the cross members are each of generally Z-shape so that the end regions extend transversely to the central region in opposite directions.

The main frame members are preferably tubular, the openings for receiving the end regions of the cross members being provided in the tube wall.

The main frame members may each be of generally L-shape, the two main frame members being connected together when in the second orientation in order to maintain the relative position between the first and second main frame members.

Preferably, the longest limb of the L of the first main frame member is connected to the shortest limb of the L of the second main frame member and vice versa, whereby the frame may be generally rectangular in plan view.

One of the limbs of each of the L-shaped main frame members may have a connecting part which extends generally parallel to the other limb of the member and the connecting part and the corresponding limb of the other main frame member to which it is connected may have co-operating formations.

For example, the connecting part may be of reduced cross-section to enable the connecting part to be received within the opening of the corresponding limb of the other main frame member in telescoped fashion.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE I is a persepctive view of part of a frame manufactured in accordance with the invention in one stage of manufacture; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a frame made in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a frame 10 comprises a first main frame member II and a second main frame member 12, each of the main frame members II and 12 comprising a generally tubular structure of L-shape, having a longer limb I Ia, 12a respectively and a shorter limb I Ib, 12b respectively, the limbs lla, llb and 12a, 12b being formed integrally with one another by deforming the tubular members 11, 12.

The main frame member II has provided in the tube wall thereof a plurality of openings 13, and the main frame member 12 also has within the tube wall thereof a plurality of openings 14.

The frame 10 further comprises a plurality of cross members 15 which each comprise a central region l ó and end regions 17 and 18 respectively.

The end regions 17 are received in the openings 13 of the first main frame member 11, and the end regions 18 are received in the openings 14 of the second main frame member 12.

Each of the end regions 17, 18 extend transversely relative to the central region l ó, and in opposite directions to one another, whereby the cross members 15 are of generally Z-shape.

It can be seen that the cross members 1 5 are relatively thin compared with the tubular main frame members II and 12, and preferably the cross members 15 are mode from rod, the end regions 17, 18 being provided integrally with the central region 16 by bending.

Integrally formed with the shorter limbs I Ib and 12b of the main frame members II and 12, are respective connecting parts I Ic and 12c which extend a short distance relatively parallel to the longer limbs I Ia and 12a of the frame 10. The connecting parts I Ic and 12c each have respective reduced diameter ends I Id and 12d which, as can be seen from Figure 2, are received in the tubular end opening of the free ends 19, 20 of the other main frame members 12, 11 respectively, in order to connect the first and second main frame members II, 12 together in the relative position shown in Figure 2.

It will be appreciated that when the frame 10 is assembled as shown in Figure 2, the cross members 15 are positively prevented from disengaging the respective main frame members II, 12 due to the end regions 17, 18 and that the main frame members 11, 12 cannot move relative to one another from the relative position shown, to permit the end regions 17, 18 to become disengaged, by virtue of the connections achieved between the connecting parts II c, 12e and the free ends 19, 20 of the other main frame member.

Thus, the frame formed is rigid and can be used, for example, as a platform for a clothes airer or drier, for supporting articles thereon or therefrom for drying.

Because the cross members 15 are positvely held relative to the main frame members 11, 12, it is possible for the thickness of the cross members to be of a minimum because deformation as the cross members 15 are loaded, is resisted by the end regions 17, 18 engaging the insides of the tubular walls of the respective main frame member II, 12.

To manufacture the frame 10, prior to connecting the connecting parts I Ic and 12c in the free ends 19 and 20 of the main frame members, each of the cross members 15 is arranged as shown in Figure 1 with the end regions 17, 18 received in the respective openings 13, 14.

When all of the cross members 15 are assembled with the first and second main frame members 11, 12 in the first orientation shown in Figure 1, the first frame member 11 is moved relative to the second frame member 12 and at the same time the cross members 15 are twisted until the first and second main frame members assume the second orientation shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.

The connecting parts I Ic and 12c may then be received in the free ends 19, 20 of the other respective main frame member 11 12. For added security, preferably the connecting parts I Ic and 12c are welded in position or otherwise retained, for example by deforming the tube wall of the free end 19,20.

Various modifications may be made to the frame described and the method of assembly without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the main frame members II and 12 may not be tubular but could be solid and have a plurality of openings provided therealong to receive the end regions 17, 18 of the cross members 15.

The cross members 15 need not be of Z-shape but may be of any other shape having end regions which can be entrapped within openings in the main frame members when the members are maintained in a relative position.

The main frame members 11 and 12 need not be of an L configuration as described but could be of alternative configurations and may be secured together, for example by corner brackets, solder joints or any other means as an alternative to the telescoped arrangement described.

The frame need not be rectangular as shown but may be of another configuration as required. Where the frame is rectangular, if desired the cross members IS may be provided between shorter sides II b, 12b of the rectangle rather than the longer sides I Ia, 12a in the example described.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (12)

1. I. A frame comprising first and second main frame members and a plurality of cross members extending between the main frame members, each of the cross members, having an end region at each end which extends transversely to a central region thereof, each end region being received in a respective opening in one or other of the first and second main frame members, means being provided to maintain the relative position between the first and second main frame members to prevent the end regions of the cross members disengaging the respective main frame members.
2. 2. A method of assembling a frame comprising first and second main frame members and a plurality of cross members, each of the cross members having end regions at each end which extend transversely relative to a central region thereof, the main frame members each having a plurality of openings along their length, the method comprising the steps of insertinq one end region of each of the cross members in a respective opening of the first frame member, insertinq the other end region of each of the cross members in a respective opening of the second frame member, with the first and second main frame members in a first relative orientation and movinq the first main frame member relative to the second main frame member to a second relative orientation and maintcininq the position of the first main frame member relative to thesecond main frame member.
3. 3. The invention according to claim I or claim ? wherein the cross members are each of generally 7-shape so that the end regions extend transversely to the central region in opposite directions.
4. 4. The invention according to any one of claims I to 3 wherein the main frame members are tubular, the openings for receiving the end regions of the cross members being provided in the tube wall.
5. 5. The invention according to any one of claims I to 4 wherein the main frame members are each of generally L-shape, the two main frame members being connected together in order to maintain the relative position between the first and second main frame members.
6. 6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein the longest limb of the L of the first main frame member is connected to the shortest limb of the L of the second main frame member and vice versa, whereby the frame is generally rectangular in plan view.
7. 7. The invention according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein one of the limbs of each of the L-shaped main frame members has a connecting part which extends generally parallel to the other limb of the member.
8. 8. The invention accordinq to claim 7 wherein the connecting part and the corresponding limb of the other main frame member to which it is connected have co-operating formations.
9. 9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein the connecting part is of reduced cross-section to enable the connecting part to be received within an opening of the corresponding limb of the other main frame member in telescoped fashion.
10. 10. A frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
11. II. A method of assembling a frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
12. 12. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein defined and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.