Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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"Device for airing out blankets and the like"
Description
The invention relates to a device for airing out blankets and the
like in accordance with the classifying part of claim 1.
A multitude of blanket stands are known in the art. AT 004 115
U1 discloses a device for airing out a blanket. The device as
disclosed in AT 004 115 U1 comprises a pantograph or
telescopic-rod structure which is deployed and locked by means
of spring-loaded pins.
The structure as disclosed in AT 004 115 U1 has large space
requirements and is not stable after assembly.
US 2007126317 Al discloses a support device for clothes and
the like. This device consists of a rectangular structure
composed of rods for fixation of clothes or the like. The
structure takes up a large space and its individual parts must
be assembled each time to form the structure.
US 2 349 540 discloses a collapsible structure for clothes. This
structure is designed in case of need in providing a wardrobe.
The disclosed structure is collapsible and forms a portable
case. The collapsed structure has a great thickness due to the
juxtaposition of its supporting members.
The present invention has the object of providing a compact
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device that has a compact and stable structure and can be
easily and quickly assembled.
This object is fulfilled by a a device as defined in the
characterizing part of claim 1.
The term tubular profiles in the following description and claims
is intended to designate any hollow profile, particularly hollow
tubular profiles.
The device of the invention comprises a crosspiece that is
designed to be connected to a bed structure having at least two
adjoining tubular profiles connected thereto by one end, and
pivoting about an axis parallel to the crosspiece, a spring
element being placed in each tubular profile.
This spring element for a respective first tubular profile
extends through a second tubular profile connected to a
support surface for a blanket or the like, and pivoting about an
axis parallel to the support surface, the second tubular profiles
being in side-by-side relationship and at least one element is
placed on the first or second tubular profiles for fastening the
first tubular profile to the second, this element and this element
is a seat which is connected to a fist tubular profile and
receives its respective second tubular profile therein. .
The device so obtained is easily foldable. Furthermore, a
sturdy structure is obtained in the deployed position. The
structure/stand is spring-loaded by means of the spring element
which preferably consists of a spring strap. An additional
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element or the end portion of a tubular profile forms a seat for
receiving the tubular profile connected by means of the spring
element.
This seat may consist of an element that is rigidly fixed to the
end of one of the tubular profiles or the end of the tubular
profile having a greater diameter, and is designed to receive
the tubular profile connected by means of the spring element.
The device of the invention may be fixed to the bed by means
of screws that fasten the crosspiece of the device of the
invention to the bed frame. Fixation may be provided through a
number of different known fixed or removable mounting
arrangements.
Once the device of the invention has been fixed to the bed, it
can be used immediately.
In a first step, the blanket supporting surface or grip means
attached thereto are held.
Later, the blanket supporting surface is vertically spaced apart
from the crosspiece of the inventive device.
During this spacing step, the tubular profiles are lifted, a pre-
loaded spring element is placed in the tubular profiles and
helps to move the tubular profiles to their position in the seat,
whereby the structure is firmly locked.
After use, the profile in the seat is pulled out. During the
folding step, the spring element in the tubular profiles is loaded
again. The first tubular profiles and the second tubular profiles
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are placed in adjacent positions.
Advantageously, two side walls may be connected to the
crosspiece and/or the support surface. These walls may form a
tubular profile receiving body in the closed position. Thus, the
entire device is very compact and may be easily transported
and assembled.
In a further embodiment, the structure of the invention may be
placed within the bed structure. In this case the bed structure
has the function of a base.
A number of devices and/or elements may be provided, either
individually or in combination, to increase the stability of the
system of the invention.
Advantageously two elements are placed on the crosspiece to
form an abutment for the first tubular profiles. Furthermore,
these abutments may be used to ensure proper closing of the
device of the invention.
Further characteristics and details of preferred and non-limiting
embodiments of the invention as set forth herein will be clearly
explained in the following description with reference to the
accompanying figures, in which:
Figure 1 shows a front view of a device of the invention in the
closed position,
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a device of the invention
in the closed position,
Figure 3 shows a side view of the device of the invention in a
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partially open position,
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a device of the invention
in a partially open position,
Figure 5 shows a front view of a device of the invention in a
partially open position,
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a device of the invention
in a partially open position,
Figure 7 shows a device of the invention mounted to a bed by
means of an interposed structure,
Figure 8 shows a device of the invention mounted to a bed in
another position and with a blanket resting thereon,
Figure 9 shows a side view of a device of the invention
mounted to a bed with a blanket resting thereon,
Figure 10 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment with a stop
lug, and
Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a device of the invention
according to a preferred embodiment in an open position.
Numeral 1 designates the airing device of the invention, which
is designed to air out blankets 200 and the like. The device
comprises a crosspiece 2. The term crosspiece is intended to
designate an element such as a plate made of metal, wood,
plastic or the like. This plate that forms the crosspiece 2 is
adapted to be connected to a bed structure 100. The
connection may be provided by means of a number of screws or
nails or bonding to the bed. These are examples of connection.
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The connection may be provided directly ow with an interposed
element, for example a metal corner element or the like. At
least two first tubular profiles 3, 4 are connected by one end to
the crosspiece 2. The term tubular profile 3.4 is intended to
designate a body having a longitudinal extension with a central
hole. These tubular profiles 3,4 are adapted to pivot about an
axis 5 parallel to the crosspiece 2.
The orientation may be preferably limited to a maximum
opening amplitude of about 900 relative to the crosspiece 2 by
means of a stop 50.
A lock member may be preferably provided, that locks the
tubular profiles 3, 4 in the deployed position.
A spring element 6 is placed in each first tubular profile 3, 4.
This spring element in advantageously an elastic strap 6 made
of plastic, rubber or the like.
This spring element 6 of each first tubular profile 3.4 extends
through at least one second tubular profile 7.8 and connects it
with a first tubular profile 3. 4.
The second tubular profiles connected to a support surface 9
for a blanket or the like are adapted to pivot about an axis 10
parallel to the support surface 9.
At least one element 11 that forms a seat is provided on the
first or second tubular profiles. This seat may be an
enlargement of one of the tubular profiles or an element that is
rigidly fixed to the first tubular profiles 3 or the second tubular
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profiles 7, 8, for fastening the first tubular profiles 3 to the
second tubular profiles 7.8. This element has an inner diameter
that is greater than the tubular profile to be inserted therein.
Such fixation is obtained by displacement of the first tubular
profile 3, 4 or the second tubular profile 7, 8 to insert it into
the element 11. Thus, the two tubular profiles 3, 4,7, 9 are
maintained in their position by means of the elastic strap, band
or thread.
The elastic strap is pre-loaded before deployment of the device
1 of the invention. This will help the structure to assume its
mounted form, in which it is adapted to air out a blanket 200.
In one embodiment, the crosspiece 2 and/or the support surface
9 for the blanket 200 are connected with two side walls 20, 21,
30, 31. In their closed position, these side walls form an
assembly with the crosspiece 2 and the surface 9 for receiving
the tubular profiles 3, 4, 7, 8. Thus, in the undeployed form,
the device is very compact and may be also quickly
transported. This compact form is particularly obtained because
the first tubular profiles 3, 4 are laterally displaced. These and
the second tubular profiles 7, 8 are adjacent in the closed
state. By this arrangement deployment becomes easier and
quicker, because the lateral supports provided by the first
tubular profile 3 and the second tubular profile do not interfere
with each other during deployment and closing.
In a different embodiment at least one stop member 50,51, 52,
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53 may be provided to create an outward stop arrangement for
the profile 3, 4, 7 and 8. This stop member is placed in the
crosspiece 2 and/or the support 9.
Preferably, two stop members 50, 51 are arranged in the airing
device 1. The two stop members 50,51 at the ends of the
crosspiece provide support to the tubular profiles 3. In a
preferred embodiment the stop surface of the stop member 50,
51 has a smaller size than the height of the airing device 1.
This will allow the stop members 50, 51 to be enclosed in the
closed airing device for 1 by the side walls 20, 21,30, 31.
Also, in a preferred embodiment the stop members arranged in
the crosspiece 2 are complementary to the widthwise displaced
stop members 52, 53 arranged in the support 9.
In a preferred embodiment, the ends of the tubular profiles 3,
4, are pivotally connected with the crosspiece 2 and the tubular
profiles 7 are pivotally connected with the support 9 by means
of blocks 55. Thus, the stop members 52, 53 will form stops for
the tubular profiles 7, 8.
Finally, it shall be understood that the above description is
susceptible of additions, changes or variants that would be
obvious to the skilled person, without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
List of references
1 Airing device
2 crosspiece
I I
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3 tubular profile
4 tubular profile
axis
6 spring element
7 tubular profile
8 tubular profile
9 support
axis
11 element/seat
side wall
21 side wall
side wall
31 side wall
50 stop member
51 stop member
52 stop member
53 stop member
55 block
100 bed
200 blanket
300 connecting structure
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