Patent ID: 8672147
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: A47B,A47F,A47G,D06F

Abstract:
1. An expandable clothes frame moveable between a retracted configuration for storage and an extended configuration for supporting articles of clothing, the frame comprising: a pair of laterally disposed end support assemblies for engagement with and support by a ground surface upon which the frame is to be supported and extending longitudinally therefrom; two longitudinally disposed foldable assemblies each extending between and hingedly engaged with each of the end support assemblies, wherein each foldable assembly is provided in two portions having relative movement therebetween to allow folding of each foldable assembly about a fold axis between the pair of end support assemblies and wherein the fold axes of each foldable assembly are coplanar and parallel; a linkage assembly extending longitudinally between the foldable assemblies, wherein the linkage assembly is configured such that upon the foldable assemblies being folded about the fold axes the end support assemblies are urged from towards each other and are maintained parallel with each other as the frame is moved from the extended configuration towards the retracted configuration; and a locking assembly for securing the two portions of at least one of the foldable assemblies relative to each other so as to secure the frame in said extended configuration, the locking assembly includes engageable and cooperative portions; wherein upon the frame being urged towards the extended configuration the engageable and cooperative portions are urged towards each other and engage so as to secure the two portions relative to each other and maintain the frame in the extended configuration; and upon the frame being urged from the extended configuration towards the retracted configuration the engagement of the cooperative portions is overcome to allow the frame to be moved to the retracted configuration; wherein the engageable and cooperative portions comprise at least one protrusion and at least one recess, the at least one protrusion being configured to be received within the at least one recess for securing the two portions of at least one of the foldable assemblies relative to each other; and wherein the at least one protrusion and the at least one recess are disposed respectively at each of the two portions of at least one of the foldable assemblies.