US20100282698A1

US20100282698A1 - Hanging clothes shelf

Info

Publication number: US20100282698A1
Application number: US12/437,015
Authority: US
Inventors: Kathy A. Scheid
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-07
Filing date: 2009-05-07
Publication date: 2010-11-11

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hanging shelf assembly that includes: a shelf suspended by two parallel clotheslines; at least two supporting arms extending vertically from the shelf; and a roller positioned at the top of each supporting arm, where said rollers engage on top of each clothesline. A bracket attaches each supporting arm to the shelf and a horizontal connecting bar provides horizontal support for the supporting arms. In one particular embodiment, the hanging shelf assembly includes four supporting arms extending vertically from the shelf.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a hanging clothes shelf that assists in the task of hanging clothes to dry on a clothesline.
2. Description of Related Art
Working and drying clothes remains a household chore that remains a necessary task for many people. Although many employ the use of a automatic dryer to dry their clothing some individuals hang-dry their clothes and allow ambient air to provide the means to dry their clothing. This method of clothes drying is also necessary to the fact that some clothing is unable to be placed into an automatic dryer without damaging the clothing.
The hanging of clothes out to dry can be a very laborious task depending on the amount of clothing involved. Oftentimes the task requires a considerable amount of bending and lifting to pick up the clothing and then to hang clothing upon the lines. Wet clothes are normally transported in a laundry basket and during the process of hanging the basket is placed upon the ground near the clothesline. As a person goes through the process of hanging the clothes, the individual needs to retrieve clothing from the laundry basket and place it upon the clothesline. Consequently, if there is a significant amount of clothing, a person must endure a significant amount of repetitive bending in order to complete their task. The collection of the dry clothing off the clothesline is usually an easier task than hanging, since it may just require the placing of the clothing into a basket and carrying the basket to a desired destination.
Consequently it would be advantageous to have a device that alleviates some of the physical labor associated with hanging clothes to dry. Further, this practice of clothes drying may become more popular due to rising energy costs and some individuals may simply prefer the results of ambient air-drying of clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hanging shelf assembly comprising: a shelf suspended by two parallel clotheslines; at least two supporting arms extending vertically from the shelf, and a roller positioned at the top of each supporting arm, where said rollers engage on top of each clothesline. A bracket attaches each supporting arm to the shelf and a horizontal connecting bar provides horizontal support for the supporting arms. In one particular embodiment, the hanging shelf assembly includes four supporting arms extending vertically from the shelf.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a hanging shelf assembly according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a hanging shelf assembly that is placed upon parallel clotheslines and provides a mobile and elevated shelf for use in hanging clothes on a clothesline. A shelf is suspended upon parallel clotheslines and therefore alleviates the physical strain that may be endured without the use thereof.
FIG. 1 shows a hanging shelf assembly 10 according to the present invention. As contemplated, the hanging shelf assembly 10 is attached to two parallel clotheslines 11 a, 11 b. The hanging shelf assembly 10 includes four supporting arms 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d which are attached to a shelf 12. The supporting arms 17 a, 17 b and 17 c, 17 d are on opposite sides of the shelf 12 and extend vertically at an angle upwardly from the shelf 12. The support arms 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d include rollers 13 a, 13 b, 13 c and 13 d at the top ends thereof which support the hanging shelf assembly 10 on the parallel clothing lines 11 a, 11 b. The supporting arms 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d are connected to the shelf 12 via connecting brackets 18 a, 18 b, 18 c and 18 d. A connecting bar 15 a, 15 b connects the supporting arms on each side of the shelf 12. As noted, connecting bar 15 a extends between supporting arms 17 a, 17 b. The connecting bar 15 b connects the supporting arms 17 c, 17 d. In one exemplary embodiment, the connecting arms 15 a & 15 b may be ⅛″×½″×½″ right angle aluminum bars. This hanging shelf assembly 10 is self-supporting upon the parallel clotheslines 11 a, 11 b.
As contemplated during use, clothing may be placed within the shelf 12 prior to hanging the clothing upon clotheslines. As an individual hangs the clothes onto the parallel clotheslines 11 a, 11 b, the shelf may move horizontally along the clotheslines 11 a, 11 b. It is noted that the shelf 12 is a sufficient height in order to eliminate bending that is normally associated with hanging clothes upon a clothesline. Although various sizes may be implemented for the shelf and supporting arm width, in one particular embodiment the shelf 12 may be 21½ inches wide and 27¼ inches long. The spacing between supporting arms on each respective side may be about 24½ inches in this exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 1A depicts a detailed view the roller assembly according to the present invention. The roller 13 a glides along clothesline 11 a and is enclose by the upper portion of the supporting arm 17 a. A locking bolt secures the roller 13 a into place. The supporting arm 17 a extends over the top of the roller 13 a, down the inside of the roller 13 a and below the plane of the clothesline 11 a. This configuration provides a means to prevent any slippage of the roller 13 a and ensures that the roller 13 a remains on the clothesline 11 a during movement thereof. In one exemplary embodiment the supporting arm 17 a extends 0.375 to 0.5 inches below the roller 13 a.
The shelf 12 as used in this hanging shelf assembly 10 provides a shelf and a suspension device between parallel clotheslines therefore making the task of hanging clothes upon a clothesline less labor-intensive. The hanging shelf assembly 10 moves easily across the parallel clotheslines while still supporting heavy loads of laundry. The shelf 12 hangs several feet above the ground and therefore it eliminates the repetitive back movements that may be harmful to the individual while hanging clothes upon a clothesline. The shelf 12 may be manufactured of a waterproof material to diminish any likelihood of deterioration over a period of time. The shelf material may be an enamel-laminated wire or plastic coated so that it can adjust to various temperatures and the construction of the hanging shelf assembly 10 is sufficient so that it is durable over a period of time.
The instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A hanging shelf assembly comprising:

a. a shelf suspended by two parallel clotheslines;

b. at least two supporting arms extending vertically from the shelf; and

c. a roller positioned at the top of each supporting arm, where said rollers engage on top of each clothesline.

2. The hanging shelf assembly according to claim 1, wherein a bracket attaches each supporting arm to the shelf.

3. The hanging shelf assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a horizontal connecting bar, where said connection bar provides horizontal support for the supporting arms.

4. A hanging shelf assembly comprising:

a. a shelf suspended by two parallel clotheslines;

b. four supporting arms extending vertically from the shelf, and

5. The hanging shelf assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a horizontal connecting bar, where said connection bar provides horizontal support for the supporting arms.

6. The hanging shelf assembly according to claim 1, wherein a bracket attaches each supporting arm to the shelf.