Abstract:
An expandable clothes frame includes a pair of laterally disposed end support assemblies for engagement with a ground surface, 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, a linkage assembly extending longitudinally between the foldable assemblies, 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 the extended configuration. Upon the frame being urged towards an 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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of a frame for hanging articles of clothing and, more particularly, to an expandable clothes frame for supporting articles of clothing or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Limited living space nowadays has posed difficulties for hanging clothes at home. In modern housing apartments, for example, balconies or specific areas for hanging clothes are not usually provided. This means that clothes drying will need to be done by use of clothes drying machines or laundry service providers, which could be costly and is energy-consuming. 
     Foldable clothes frames have been used for supporting clothes or clothes hangers. Typically, a foldable clothes frame is moveable between an expanded configuration and a retracted configuration. The expanded configuration provides support for hanging clothes, and the retracted configuration facilitates transportation and storage. 
     A foldable clothes frame may require locking mechanism for securing the expanded frame from moving into its retracted configuration. Expanded frame, if unlocked, may collapse or otherwise return to the retracted configuration relatively easily. This may cause the clothes being supported to fall over, and thus cause inconvenience and economic loss to users. Furthermore, an unlocked or unsecured clothes frame, when collapse in an uncontrolled or unattended manner, may injure humans or animals, or otherwise damage the properties nearby. A foldable clothes frame without robust locking mechanism will also make it vulnerable in an outdoor environment, where strong wind and sunshine may be present. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an expandable clothes frame which overcomes or substantially ameliorates at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect, the present invention provides 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. 
     The fold axes of the foldable assemblies preferably extend in a plane substantially midway between the pair of end support assemblies. 
     Preferably, the linkage assembly comprises a linkage member extend longitudinally and midway between two lateral sides of each of the foldable assemblies and more preferably, the linkage assembly comprises a pair of oppositely disposed linkage members, the pair of linkage members bridging the portions of the foldable assemblies at two lateral sides of the foldable assemblies and across the fold axes. 
     Preferably, the linkage assembly has a generally elongate structure. 
     The linkage assembly may be hingedly engaged with the foldable assemblies about the fold axes. Alternatively, the linkage assembly may be hingedly engaged with each of the two portions of the foldable assemblies equidistantly about the respective fold axes. 
     The engageable and cooperative portions may 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. 
     The at least one protrusion and the at least one recess may be disposed respectively at each of the two portions of at least one of the foldable assemblies. 
     The at least one protrusion and the at least one recess may provided at two lateral sides of at least one of the foldable assemblies. 
     The at least one recess is disposed at the linkage assembly to receive at least one protrusion disposed at each of the two portions of at least one of the foldable assemblies. 
     Preferably, the locking assembly comprises a biasing means for resiliently urging the at least one protrusion into the at least one recess. 
     The foldable assemblies each comprises a pair of laterally disposed elongate arm members being maintained in a parallel spaced apart relationship by a plurality of spaced apart clothes hanging members extending therebetween. Alternatively, the foldable assemblies each comprises a plurality of laterally extending spaced apart clothes hanging members. 
     Preferably, the end support assemblies each comprises a pair of generally upright support stands maintained in a parallel spaced apart relationship by a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart bars extending therebetween. 
     The end support assemblies may each comprises a pair of wheels for engaging with the ground surface. 
     In an embodiment, the expandable clothes frame may further comprise a third end support assembly maintained in a parallel laterally spaced apart relationship with the pair of laterally disposed end support assemblies by a third foldable assemblies, and may further comprise a fourth foldable assembly provided in two portions and hingedly engaged with each of the pair of end support assemblies, the fourth foldable assembly being longitudinally spaced apart from the two longitudinally disposed foldable assemblies and maintained parallel with the two longitudinally disposed foldable assemblies by the linkage member. 
     Preferably, when in the extended configuration, the foldable assemblies are substantially in a horizontal plane. 
     Preferably, at least one protrusion and the at least one recess formed from polymeric material. 
     The end support assemblies and the foldable assemblies may be coated with oxidation-resistant material. Alternatively, the end support assemblies and the foldable assemblies may be formed from aluminium or an aluminium alloy material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in further detail below by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:— 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an expandable clothes frame according to the present invention, in which the frame is in an extended configuration; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the expandable clothes frame of  FIG. 1  in which the frame is in a partially retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the expandable clothes frame of  FIG. 1  in which the frame is in a fully retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a locking assembly of an expandable clothes frame in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the locking assembly of  FIG. 4  in which the expandable clothes frame is in a partially retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the locking assembly of  FIG. 4  in which the expandable clothes frame is in another partially retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a locking assembly of an expandable clothes frame in accordance with the present invention in which the frame is in an extended configuration; 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the locking assembly of  FIG. 7  in which the frame is in a partially retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of an expandable clothes frame according to the present invention, in which the frame is in a partially retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the expandable clothes frame of  FIG. 9  in which the frame is in an extended configuration. 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of an expandable clothes frame according to the present invention, in which the frame is in a partially retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the expandable clothes frame of  FIG. 11  in which the frame is in an extended configuration; 
         FIG. 13  shows a front view of a further embodiment of an expandable clothes frame according to the present invention, in which the frame is in an extended configuration; 
         FIGS. 14(   a ) to  14 ( e ) show enlarged perspective views of an embodiment of a locking member according to the present invention for use in an expandable clothes frame; 
         FIGS. 15(   a ) to  15 ( e ) show enlarged perspective views of a further embodiment of a locking member according to the present invention for use in an expandable clothes frame; 
         FIGS. 16(   a ) to  16 ( e ) show enlarged perspective views of a further embodiment of a locking member according to the present invention for use in an expandable clothes frame. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , there is shown an exemplary representation of an expandable clothes frame  10  according to the present invention. The expandable clothes frame  10  as claimed and described is suitable for hanging or supporting articles of clothing or otherwise for supporting clothes hangers, and is suitable for use either indoor or outdoor. The expandable clothes frame  10  is moveable between a retracted configuration, as shown in  FIG. 3 , for ease of transportation or storage, and an extended configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1 , for hanging and supporting clothes. Furthermore, the expandable clothes frame  10  may be held in a partially retracted configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 , for hanging articles of clothing. 
     The expandable clothes frame  10  comprises a pair of laterally disposed end support assemblies  11  and  12 , upper or lower foldable assemblies  21  and  22 , and a linkage assembly  30  comprising a pair of linkage members  31  and  32 . In the present embodiment, the end support assemblies  11  and  12 , the upper or lower foldable assemblies  21  and  22 , and the linkage members  31  and  32  are formed of aluminium alloy for mitigating the risk of the frame  10  to become degraded due to outdoor environmental factors such as prolonged exposure to rain, sunshine causing UV degradation and the like. However, it will be appreciated that these assemblies and members may be formed of other material, with the surfaces of the end support assemblies  11  and  12 , upper or lower foldable assemblies  21  and  22 , and linkage members  31  and  32  being coated with oxidation-resistant material. 
     The pair of end support assemblies  11  and  12  extend longitudinally or vertically from a ground surface upon which the frame  10  is to be supported. As shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the end support assemblies  11  and  12  comprises a pair of upright support stands  13  and  14 . The pair of upright support stands  13  and  14  extend longitudinally from the ground surface and are maintained in a parallel spaced apart relationship by a plurality of bars  15  and  16 . The plurality of bars  15  and  16  are disposed spaced apart in the longitudinal or vertical direction and extend between the respective pair of support stands  13  and  14 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bars may be used for supporting clothes hangers or articles of clothing and that the number of bars may vary as needed. Although not shown in the exemplary embodiment, each of the end support stands  13  and  14  may comprise a wheel for ease of transportation and storage. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the pair of end support assemblies  11  and  12  may not need to be arranged upright with respect to the ground surface. For instance, the end support assemblies  11  and  12  may be slightly tapered away from the ground surface without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in which the expandable clothes frame  10  is in the extended configuration, the upper or lower foldable assemblies  21  and  22  extend longitudinally between the end support assemblies  11  and  12 . The upper foldable assembly  21  is provided with two portions  23  and  24 , and the lower foldable assembly  22  is provided with two portions  25  and  26 . The portions  23 ,  24 ,  25  and  26  are linked together by the linkage members  31  and  32  of the linkage assembly  30  at their folding ends, and are hingedly coupled to the pair of end support assemblies  11  and  12 . As such, these portions of foldable assemblies may pivot relative to each other, thereby allowing the upper and lower foldable assemblies  21  and  22  to fold about axes a and b, respectively, which are located between the end support assemblies  11  and  12 . Although the exemplary embodiment shows that both of the axes a and b extend parallel with respect to each other in a plane substantially midway between the pair of end support assemblies, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the axes may lie in different planes and may be positioned away from the mid-point between the end support assemblies  11  and  12 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the foldable assemblies  21  and  22  comprises a pair of elongate lateral arms  27  and  28  which are maintained in a parallel spaced apart relationship by a plurality of spaced apart clothes hanging members  29 . In the present embodiment, the plurality of clothes hanging members  29  extend in a direction parallel to the axes a and b. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hanging members  29  may extend in the lateral direction of the frame  10 . 
     The pair of linkage members  31  and  32  extend longitudinally between the upper and lower foldable assemblies  21  and  22 . In the present embodiment, the linkage members  31  and  32  are oppositely disposed and mounted to the pair of elongate lateral arms  27  and  28 , and are made of generally elongate metal plates. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the linkage members  31  and  32  may be of other structure (for example dumbbell shape, tubular structure, etc.) or material (for example plastic), without departing from the scope of the present invention. The linkage members  31  and  32  bridge the portions  23 ,  24 ,  25  and  26  of the foldable assemblies across the respective fold axes a and b and bridge the upper and lower foldable assemblies  21  and  22 . However, it will be appreciated that a single linkage member may be used to bridge the upper and lower foldable assemblies  21  and  22 , and the single linkage member may either be mounted to the foldable assemblies  22  and  22  at either one of the pair of elongate lateral arms  27  and  28 , or at a point intermediate the two lateral arms  27  and  28 . By bridging the portions  23 ,  24 ,  25  and  26  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , when the end support assemblies  11  and  12  are urged towards each other and the frame is moved from the extend configuration towards the retracted configuration, the portions  23 ,  25 , and the portions  24 ,  26  of the upper and lower foldable assemblies  21  and  22  are maintained parallel with each other. In the present embodiment, each of the linkage members  31  and  32  is hingedly engaged with each of the portions  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26  of the foldable assemblies equidistantly about the respective fold axes a and b. That is, the pivot joints about which the portions  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26  pivot are disposed equidistantly about the respective fold axes a and b. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the pivot joints may be disposed otherwise without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , there is shown an exemplary representation of a locking assembly  40  for use in the expandable clothes frame  10  according to the present invention. The locking assembly  40  as claimed and described is suitable for reversibly securing the two portions  23  and  24  of the upper foldable assemblies, and/or the two portions  25  and  26  of the lower foldable assemblies, across their respective axes a and b, such that the two portions are held immoveable relative to each other. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the locking assembly includes engageable and cooperative portions, or a protrusion  41  and a recess  42 . The protrusion  41  is sized and shaped such that it may be received within the recess  42  for securing the two portions relative to each other. Biasing means, such as a spring (not shown), may be provided to urge the protrusion  41  into the recess  42 , although the spring is not essential for securing of the two portions. In the present embodiment, the protrusion  41  and the recess  42  are provided respectively on the two portions  23 ,  24  of the upper foldable assembly  21 . Upon urging the retracted foldable assemblies  21  and  22  downwardly, the frame is urged towards the extended configuration from the retracted configuration, the protrusion  41  and recess  42  are urged towards each other. When the protrusion  41  is received within the recess  42 , the protrusion  41  and recess  42  cooperate to hold the two portions  23  and  24  of the upper foldable assembly  21  relative to each other. As the upper foldable assembly  21  and lower foldable assembly  22  are linked by the linkage assembly  30 , the two portions  25 ,  26  of the lower foldable assembly  22  are also secured relative to each other. By urging the protrusion  41  out of the recess  42 , no securing force will act upon the two portions  23  and  24  of the upper foldable assembly  21 , thereby allowing them to fold freely relative to each other. In the present embodiment, lifting at least one of the foldable assemblies  21  and  22  upwardly or urging the end support assemblies  11  and  12  towards each other urges the protrusion  41  out of the recess  42 , and as such allowing the expandable clothes frame  10  to move from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the protrusion  41  and the recess  42  may be arranged in a different manner than that described above. For instance, a plurality of protrusions may be provided on both of the two portions  23  and  24  of the upper foldable assembly  21  and the recess is disposed at the linkage assembly  30  for receiving the protrusions. Alternatively, recesses may be provided on both of the two portions  23  and  24  of the upper foldable assembly  21  for receiving respective protrusions provided on the linkage assembly  30 . Alternatively, a recess and a protrusion may be provided respectively on the two portions  23  and  24  of the upper foldable assembly  21  for engaging with the respective protrusion and recess provided on the linkage assembly  30 . 
     Although in the exemplary embodiment the locking assembly  40  comprises complementary protrusions and recesses provided at each of the two lateral arms  27  and  28  of the upper foldable assembly  21 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that the locking assembly  40  may be disposed at other different location or may comprise different number of locking members for securing the two portions  23  and  24 . For instance, a single locking member comprising a protrusion and a recess may be disposed respectively at the two portions  23  and  24  intermediate or midway between the two lateral arms  27  and  28 . Furthermore, in the present embodiment the protrusion  41  and recess  42  are formed from polymeric material, but those skilled in the art will understand that other material may be used. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there is shown an exemplary representation of another locking assembly  140  for use in the expandable clothes frame  100  according to the present invention. The locking assembly  140  comprises two protrusions  141  and two recesses  142  respectively disposed at the two portions  123 ,  124  of the upper foldable assembly  121 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the locking assembly  140  may comprise different number of protrusion/recess pairs as needed. The increased number of protrusions and recesses will enhance the securing between the two portions, and as such hold the expandable clothes frame  100  in the extended configuration more securely. 
     Although in the exemplary embodiments the locking assembly  40  locks the foldable assemblies  21  and  22  at the extended configuration of the expandable clothes frame  10 , those skilled in the art will readily understand that the locking assembly may be arranged to lock the foldable assemblies  21  and  22  at a configuration other than the extended configuration, for instance a partially retracted configuration. Furthermore, although each of the foldable assemblies  21  and  22  as described above lies substantially in a horizontal plane when the expandable clothes frame  10  is in the extended configuration, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this may not always be the case. For instance, the foldable assemblies  21  and  22  may be formed of curved frames and therefore will not lie in horizontal planes when the frame is at the extended configuration. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is shown an exemplary representation of another expandable clothes frame  200  according to the present invention. As compared with the embodiments described above, the frame  200  comprises, in addition to two foldable assemblies  221  and  222 , a further foldable assembly  220 . The further foldable assembly  220  is maintained longitudinally spaced apart from the two longitudinally disposed foldable assemblies  221  and  222  and maintained parallel with the two longitudinally disposed foldable assemblies  221  and  222  by the linkage assembly  230 . Each of the foldable assemblies  220 ,  221  and  222  is provided in two portions, and is hingedly engaged with each of the pair of end support assemblies  211  and  212 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , there is shown an exemplary representation of a further expandable clothes frame  300  according to the present invention. As compared with the embodiment in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the frame  300  comprises a further foldable assembly  319  in addition to three foldable assemblies  320 ,  321  and  322 . The foldable assemblies  319 ,  320 ,  321  and  322  are maintained longitudinally spaced apart from and parallel with one another via the linkage assembly  330 . Each of the foldable assemblies  319 ,  320 ,  321  and  322  is provided in two portions, and is hingedly engaged with each of the pair of end support assemblies  311  and  312 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , there is shown an exemplary representation of another expandable clothes frame  400  in an extended configuration according to the present invention. As compared with the embodiments as described above, the frame  400  comprises a further end support assembly  413  in addition to a pair of end support assemblies  411  and  412 . The end support assembly  413  is maintained in a parallel laterally spaced apart relationship with the pair of laterally disposed end support assemblies  411  and  412  by third and fourth foldable assemblies  451  and  452 . The foldable assemblies  421 ,  422 ,  451  and  452  are maintained longitudinally spaced apart from and parallel with one another via corresponding linkage assemblies  430  and  431 . However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different number of foldable assemblies than that illustrated in  FIG. 13  may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, there may be three foldable assemblies disposed intermediate the end support assemblies  411  and  412  and one single foldable assembly disposed intermediate the end support assemblies  412  and  413 . In the case where only one foldable assembly is disposed intermediate a pair of end support assemblies, no linkage assembly may be required. Similarly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different number of end support assemblies than that illustrated in  FIG. 13  may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, there may be four end support assemblies, in which two adjacent end support assemblies are maintained in a parallel laterally spaced apart relationship with a pair of foldable assemblies. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14(   a ),  14 ( b ),  14 ( c ),  14 ( d ) and  14 ( e ), there is shown an exemplary representation of a locking member  560  for use in an expandable clothes frame according to the present invention. In this specific embodiment, the locking member  560  comprises a single protrusion  541  and a single recess  542 . Relative positions of the protrusion  541  and the recess  542  are shown when the expandable clothes frame is in a fully retracted configuration ( FIG. 14(   a )), partially retracted configurations ( FIGS. 14(   b ) to ( d )), and a fully extended configuration ( FIG. 14(   e )). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the locking member  560  may comprise different number of protrusion/recess pairs as needed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15(   a ),  15 ( b ),  15 ( c ),  15 ( d ) and  15 ( e ), there is shown an exemplary representation of a further locking member  660  for use in an expandable clothes frame according to the present invention. As compared with the locking member  560 , the locking member  660  comprises two protrusions  641  and two complementary recesses  642  adapted to receive the two protrusions  641 . Relative positions of the protrusions  641  and the recesses  642  are shown when the expandable clothes frame is in a fully retracted configuration ( FIG. 15(   a )), partially retracted configurations ( FIGS. 15(   b ) to ( d )), and a fully extended configuration ( FIG. 15(   e )). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16(   a ),  16 ( b ),  16 ( c ),  16 ( d ) and  16 ( e ), there is shown an exemplary representation of a further locking member  760  for use in an expandable clothes frame according to the present invention. The locking member  760  comprises three protrusions  741  and three complementary recesses  742  adapted to receive the three protrusions  741 . Relative positions of the protrusions  741  and the recesses  742  are shown when the expandable clothes frame is in a fully retracted configuration ( FIG. 16(   a )), partially retracted configurations ( FIGS. 16(   b ) to  d )) and a fully extended configuration ( FIG. 16(   e )). 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the locking assembly according to the present invention provides easy locking/unlocking of the foldable assemblies of expandable clothes frame. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention, by way of provision of the locking assembly as described above, a user is able to move the expandable clothes frame between the extended configuration and retracted configuration easily and with little effort. 
     While the present invention has been explained by reference to the examples or preferred embodiments described above, it will be appreciated that those are examples to assist understanding of the present invention and are not meant to be restrictive. Variations or modifications which are obvious or trivial to persons skilled in the art, as well as improvements made thereon, should be considered as equivalents of this invention.