support system for a linen basket and clothes pins

Abstract

The invention includes a support for a linen basket and clothes pins. The present invention provides an innovative support system designed to streamline and enhance the process of air-drying clothes. The system features a flat surface configured to hold a linen basket, along with an integrated tray specifically designed for storing clothespins. Additionally, the invention includes elongated hanger members equipped with clothespins and attached to the underside of the flat surface. These hanger members are pivotally connected, allowing for flexible hanging of smaller items. The system also incorporates a versatile clamping mechanism for secure attachment to various types of vertical posts, including telescopic posts and tripods. The invention offers a user-friendly, adaptable, and efficient solution for air-drying clothes.

Claims

1. A support system for a linen basket and clothespins, comprising: a flat surface configured to hold a linen basket; a tray integrated into the flat surface configured for storing clothespins; a plurality of elongated hanger members attached to the underside of the flat surface, each hanger member equipped with clothespins; a clamping mechanism attached to the flat surface for securing the support system to a vertical post.

2. The support system of claim 1, wherein the elongated hanger members are pivotally connected to hooks that are attached to the underside of said flat surface.

3. The support system of claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a knob and a clamping member adaptable to clamp to various pole shapes.

4. The support system of claim 1, further comprising a pivot point that allows the flat surface to transition from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation.

5. The support system of claim 1, wherein the vertical post is telescopic.

6. The support system of claim 1, wherein the vertical post is part of a tripod.

7. The support system of claim 6, wherein the tripod is equipped with wheels.

8. The support system of claim 1, wherein the vertical post is part of an existing clothesline structure.

9. The support system of claim 1, wherein the vertical post is part of a stand-alone structure.

10. The support system of claim 1, wherein the flat surface, tray, and elongated hanger members are made of a weather-resistant material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a support for a linen basket and clothes pins installed on a post according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the present invention in use according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the present invention in use in conjunction with a tripod according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the present invention in use in conjunction with a drying rack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 5 is an isometric top transparent view of the support for a linen basket and clothes pins according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide a support system for a linen basket and clothes pins.

[0017] It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms a or an, as used herein, are defined to mean at least one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term providing is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

[0018] Referring to any of the accompanying FIGS. 1-5, the present invention is a multi-functional support system for linen baskets and clothespins 10. This system aims to simplify the process of hanging clothes for air-drying, particularly catering to those who may find the task physically challenging. Advantageously, the present invention improves the traditional practice of air-drying clothes. This will be discussed in detail below.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the core structure of the invention is a flat surface 12. This surface 12 is specifically designed to accommodate an existing linen basket 15 (as seen in FIG. 2), which is not part of the invention itself. Seamlessly integrated into this flat surface 12 is a specialized tray 14. In some embodiments, the tray 14 is designed to hold and organize clothespins 18 when not in use, thereby streamlining the entire process of hanging clothes for air drying. In one embodiment, the tray 14 sits below the plane of the flat surface 12.

[0020] Beneath the flat surface 12, there are a plurality elongated hanger members 16. In some embodiments, the hanger members 16 come equipped with attached clothespins 18, providing a convenient solution for hanging smaller items, such as socks and underwear. Adding to the functionality, in some embodiments, the hanger members 16 are pivotally connected to hooks 17. In some embodiments, the hooks 17 are securely fastened to the underside of the flat surface 12, allowing for a degree of flexibility and ease in the hanging process.

[0021] The invention is designed to be versatile in its mounting options. As shown in both FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it can be securely fastened to a vertical post 20 forming part of a tripod, 32 as seen in FIG. 3, for example, or part of an existing clothesline structure 22 as per FIG. 2. To facilitate this, in some embodiments, the flat surface 12 incorporates a custom clamp 28 designed for fitting on top of the vertical post as seen in FIG. 1 or 3 or a highly adjustable clamping mechanism 31 as seen in FIG. 5, which can be used when clamping on the existing clothesline structure 22 of FIG. 2. The adjustable clamping mechanism 31 can be selectively loosened or tightened by means of a user-friendly twist knob 29 (best seen in FIG. 5) so as to be adaptable to a variety of pole shapes, be it square, elliptical, or round.

[0022] In FIG. 3, the invention is demonstrated in a different configuration where it is used in conjunction with a telescopic post 20 that is mounted on a tripod 32. This setup not only offers height adjustability for the system and flat surface but also includes a pivot point 34. This pivot point 34 allows the flat surface to transition from a horizontal orientation to a vertical one, making it easier to store the invention without having to disassemble it.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates the present invention used in conjunction with a drying rack 30. While not explicitly shown in the figures, an optional feature worth mentioning is a tripod may be equipped with wheels. This feature would enable the support system 10 to be effortlessly moved as needed.

[0024] During use, the user would take a piece of clothing 26 from the linen basket 15 and place it on the clothesline 24 using one hand. Simultaneously, the user would grab a clothespin 18 from the specialized tray 14 with the other hand. The user would then secure the piece of clothing 26 to the clothesline 24 using the clothespin 18. This process is repeated for each piece of clothing 26. For smaller items, the user has the option to use the clothespins 18 that are located underneath the flat surface 12. To remove the clothes 26, the user would simply reverse this process.

[0025] Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claimed invention. The terminology and phraseology used in this description and the abstract are for illustrative purposes and should not be considered as limiting. In other words, the terminology and phraseology used in this description and the abstract are for illustrative purposes and should not be considered limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0026] It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counterclockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.

[0027] In addition, references to first, second, third, and so fourth members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.