Non-symmetrical wire clip for clotheslines

Abstract

An improved wire clip 10 to better keep hung garments 22 separated when suspending onto clotheslines 30. Also useful for hanging banners 22, the clip 10 offers a non-symmetrically centered axis 20 which is perpendicular to the line 30. A friction body 14 provides a pressure means by a fulcrum locus 14-A opposing a counter locus 14-B; a catch tail 16 is provided for suspending the garment 22. The weight of the suspended garment 22 leverages the body 14 at the non-symmetrical axis 20 which disposes the fulcrum 14-A, and opposes the counter 14-B to create increased pressure onto the line 30.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates to various clothesline clips, intended to keep laundry separately arranged when on garments hangers suspended onto the line. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved wire clip to better keep the hung garments separated.BACKGROUND ART[0002]For centuries the practice of suspending garments directly onto clotheslines by use of clothespins has been both compelling although unfavorable. Often clotheslines are located outdoors and tend to accumulate environmental dirt which can easily stain dampened laundry. Also, the use of clothespins directly onto the garments tends to cause winkles by the pressure from the pins grasping onto the line.[0003]The preferred use of clotheslines is to put the laundry directly onto the hangers and suspend them from the line. However, without the use of a clothesline clip the weight of the hung laundry slides towards the middle of the spanned line. This reduces the air flow between the garments which...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is an improved wire clip for clotheslines that has a non-symmetrically centered axis. This design provides better friction pressure and catch to keep laundry separate when suspended onto clotheslines. The clip is made from a one-piece wire or molded configuration with only three main sections: a clutch head, a friction body, and a catch tail. The clip can be used on rigid or flexible lines, and can be installed and uninstalled easily. The clip is designed to be safer and can be used with a variety of clip designs. The technical effects of this invention include reducing drying time of laundry, decreasing energy costs, and improving airflow between garments."

Problems solved by technology

For centuries the practice of suspending garments directly onto clotheslines by use of clothespins has been both compelling although unfavorable.

Often clotheslines are located outdoors and tend to accumulate environmental dirt which can easily stain dampened laundry.

Also, the use of clothespins directly onto the garments tends to cause winkles by the pressure from the pins grasping onto the line.

This reduces the air flow between the garments which increases the time needed for drying.

Although modern technology such as clothes dryer machines has reduced the need for clotheslines, increased energy costs are reverting some consumers back to hanging laundry.

Clamps are also susceptible to breaking as the members can separate, thus easily rendering such devices as inoperable.

However, straps tend to lack sufficient pressure for applying onto the line for keeping the clothes separated.

Like clamps these devices require a heavier gauge steel as they often hinge, which tends to be more expensive comparable to plastic or thin wire hangers.

However, again such hangers require heavier gauges of steel often chromed plated, which tends to be expensive compared to plastic hangers that can be purchased each for as little as $0.10 USD.

However, in order to suspend the hook from the catch it has to be precisely tilted for insertion which creates additional efforts.

These can be very bulk and again expensive especially when needing to adapt multiple clotheslines.

However, modern hangers are mostly made of plastic which will not fit into the smaller perforations.

However, some are more complicated with opposing members and self contained springs similar to the clamps.

For those that use gravity to lock onto the line, obviously the pressure is limited by the weight of the suspended garment.

Simply stated, prior clips including wire have never offered any other suspension configuration except for the symmetrically centered axis.

Therefore, any limitations of the friction pressure applied onto the clothesline have not been so obvious for those skilled in the art.

Nonetheless, these devices alone pose various limitations if ever applied onto clotheslines.

However, this device is limited to a single revolution in the pressure means.

However, this device uses coils which are completely enclosed.

However, this device comprises a double ended pressure means which actually reverts back to the symmetrically centered axis.

If conceptually applying this device onto a clothesline, it simply wouldn't operate.

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