Patent Abstract:
An assistance device for folding an article comprises an angled structure having magnetic retention clamps that hangs upon a top door edge and holds the article while a user folds the article. An upper portion of the structure is provided with at least two (2) brackets that slidably receive an upper edge of a door and support the device. Extending from each bracket is a telescoping extender bar which provides height adjustability. At a distal end of each extender bar is a cross bar connecting the extender bars together. An article is secured to retainer clamps on the cross bar, thereby allowing the device to support the article to assist a user while attempting to fold it.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/866,673, filed Aug. 16, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable frame and bracket device that secures to a door and assists a user with folding articles of fabric, such as garments, linen, blankets, and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One (1) common task that many of us face on laundry day is the folding of bed sheets, blankets, comforters, and other similar linens. Should two (2) people be available, the folding process proceeds very quickly resulting in folded linens that are neat, orderly, and occupy a minimum amount of space. However, in most cases, the person doing laundry is on their own. As such, these linen products end up with a haphazard appearance that not only is unpleasing to look at, but occupy a large amount of wasted space in closets or drawers. Others may resort to laying large items on floors to help fold them, but such action results in dust, dirt, pet hair, and other contaminants getting on the items. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which large linen items such as sheets, blankets, comforters, and the like, can be easily and neatly folded by only one (1) person in order to address the problems as described above. The use of the device allows for the folding of large linen articles in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has seen a need for such as device to assist in the folding of large articles of fabric, like blankets, comforters, and the like. As such, the inventor has provided for an adjustable hanger able to be suspended from a door or similar support structure. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide such an adjustable hanger having a cross bar having a pair of “L”-shaped tubular members removably attached to distal ends thereof. The tubular members are each independently adjustably attached to an extender tube. The extender tubes are each attached to a “U”-shaped bracket that is supported on the support structure as mentioned above. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide at least one (1) clamping device located on the cross bar that is capable of retaining a portion of the article to be folded. In at least one (1) embodiment, the clamping device is magnetic. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means to enable the clamping device to be slidably adjustable along a length of the cross bar. In at least one (1) embodiment, such a means is accomplished with a spring tension clamp. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide either a cotter pin, a hairpin, a split pin, a positive lock pin, or a similar fastening means for fastening the cross bar to each tubular member. A similar fastening means is used to fasten each extender tube to a bracket. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a spring-loaded pin assembly located on each extender tube capable of being aligned with and securely retained in an individual one (1) of a plurality of apertures located on each tubular member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of an assistant device for folding articles of fabric  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a close-up perspective view of the assistant device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a frame  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of an “L”-shaped pole  60 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of an extender pole  110 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a bracket portion  30 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7 a    is a perspective view of a magnetic clamp assembly  100  in an opened position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 7 b    is another perspective view of the magnetic clamp assembly  100  in a closed position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  assistant device for folding articles of fabric 
               11  door 
               12  fabric article 
               20  frame 
               30  bracket 
               40  support bar 
               50  shank 
               60  “L”-shaped pole 
               70  first aperture 
               80  second aperture 
               90  fastening mechanism 
               100  magnetic clamp assembly 
               110  extender pole 
               120  third aperture 
               130  vertical extension 
               140  spring-pin 
               142  button 
               150  fourth aperture 
               160  fifth aperture 
               170  case hinge 
               175  jaw assembly 
               180   a  stationary jaw 
               180   b  pivoting jaw 
               182  actuator lever 
               184  jaw hinge 
               190  first end 
               200  second end 
               210   a  front magnet 
               210   b  rear magnet 
               220   a  front case 
               220   b  rear case 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 7   b . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an assistant device for folding articles of fabric (herein described as the “device”)  10  that secures to a door  11  via brackets  30 , and provides a means to clamp folding fabric articles  12  of fabric to assist in folding. It is assumed that non-fabric articles can be similarly supported. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , environmental views of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  comprises an adjustable frame  20  that secures to a top portion of a door  11  via two (2) brackets  30  extending from the frame  20 . The device  10  is further provided with pinch-style magnetic clamp assemblies  100  to assist in suspending a fabric article  12  from the frame  20 , allowing the device  10  to assist a user with folding the fabric article  12 . Positioning of the frame  20  in a vertical direction is enabled by variable connection of an “L”-shaped pole portion  60  and an extender pole portion  110  which insert into each other in a telescoping manner and are secured by insertion of a spring-pin portion  140  into one (1) of a plurality of third apertures  120  (see  FIGS. 3,4 and 5 ). 
     To use the device  10 , a user places and secures two (2) adjacent corner portions of the fabric article  12 , such as a large blanket, within each magnetic clamp assembly  100 . The user then grabs the other two (2) corners, and proceeds to fold the fabric article  12  in a conventional manner. When folded, the user brings the outer two (2) corners up to the magnetic clamp assemblies  100 , and replaces the held fabric with the two (2) new corners. Next, the remaining fabric article  12  is folded again. As the folded fabric article  12  becomes physically smaller, the magnetic clamp assemblies  100  are adjusted inward on the frame  20  such that the material remains taut. This process is repeated as necessary until the desired size of the folded linen is obtained. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front perspective view of a frame  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The frame  20  is fabricated from a light-weight, rigid tubular material, preferably comprising a plastic, aluminum, or steel alloy. The frame  20  includes a support bar  40  comprising an elongated cylindrical tubular member. Extending perpendicularly from the support bar  40 , proximate to distal end portions thereof, are cylindrical shank portions  50 . Each shank  50  slidably inserts into an “L”-shaped pole  60  (see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ). Each “L”-shaped pole  60  has a hollow construction and an inner diameter slightly larger than that of the outer diameter of each shank  50  so as to enable each shank  50  to slidably insert into each “L”-shaped pole  60 . Each “L”-shaped pole  60  is provided with a first aperture  70 , which is configured to align with a second aperture  80  of each shank  50  when each “L”-shaped pole  60  is slid over each shank  50 . The apertures  70 ,  80  are used to enable securement of each “L”-shaped pole  60  with each shank  50  via a fastening mechanism  90  such as a quick-disconnect device such as a detent pin, a hair pin, a cotter pin, a split pin, a positive lock pin, or similar fastening device; however, other fastening mechanisms  90  and fastening methods may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the device  10 , and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a front view of an “L”-shaped pole  60  and a front view of an extender pole  110 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Each “L”-shaped pole  60  extends from each shank  50  approximately three inches (3 in.) before making a ninety-degree (90°) upward turn to form a vertical extension  130  being approximately twelve inches (12 in.) in length. Disposed along a side of each vertical extension  130  are a plurality of equidistant third apertures  120  which provide selective attachment to a fourth aperture portion  150  of an extender pole  110 . The extender pole  110  is slidably inserted over each vertical extension portion  130  of each “L”-shaped pole  60 . Each extender pole  110  has an outer diameter slightly smaller than an inner diameter of each “L”-shaped pole  60  so as to enable each “L”-shaped pole  60  to slidably receive each extender pole  110  and allow each extender pole  110  to traverse the length of each twelve-inch extension  130 . Each extender pole  110  includes an internal spring-pin  140  having a button portion  142  biased outwardly so as to be inserted into an aligned third aperture portion  120  of the “L”-shaped pole  60 . As each extender pole  110  is slid into each “L”-shaped pole  60 , and the button portion  142  of the spring-pin  140  makes contact with an edge of the “L”-shaped pole  60 , causing the button  142  to be retracted from its forward bias position. As the extender pole  110  is further slid into the “L”-shaped pole  60  to traverse the vertical extension  130 , the button  142  makes contact with one (1) of the third apertures  120 , allowing the button  142  to extend to its forward bias position within the third aperture  120 , thereby locking the “L”-shaped pole  60  to the extender pole  110  at a desired position. If a user desire to extend the length of the frame  20  further, the spring-pin  140  is depressed to disengage the button  142  pin from the third aperture  120 . The extender pole  110  is then slid until the button  142  comes into contact with an adjacent third aperture  120 , where it is locked into place again. This spring-pin  140  and third aperture  120  configuration enables vertical adjustment of the distance of the “L”-shaped pole  60  from the support bar  40  (see  FIG. 2 ) while the device  10  is secured to a door  11  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a front perspective view of a bracket portion  30 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is provided with two (2) brackets  30 . Each bracket  30  is fabricated from a light weight rigid material, preferably comprising a plastic, aluminum, or steel alloy. Each bracket  30  is configured to have a channel-shaped construction at a first end  190 , where the bracket  30  forms a general “U”-shape. A second end  200  of each bracket is configured to be a hollow tubular member having an inner diameter slightly larger than that of an outer diameter of each extender pole  110  so that each second end  200  slidably receives each extender pole  110 . Distal ends of each extender pole  110  are provided with a fourth aperture  150  (see  FIG. 5 ), and a side surface of each second end  200  of each bracket  30  is further provided with a fifth aperture  160 . The apertures  150 ,  160  are used to enable securement of each bracket  30  with each extender pole  110  via another fastening mechanism  90  similar to that used to secure each “L”-shaped pole  60  to each shank  50 . The U-shaped configuration of the bracket  30  enables a user to hang the device  10  over a top portion of a door  11  or similar object (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   , front perspective views of the magnetic clamp assembly  100  in opened and closed positions, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  is further provided with at least two (2) magnetic clamp assemblies  100 . Each magnetic clamp assembly  100  includes a front magnet  210   a  and a rear magnet  210   b , each encased within respective front case  220   a  and rear case  220   b  portions. The cases  220   a ,  220   b  are connected to each other with a case hinge  170  along a top joining edge portion. Each case hinge  170  includes an integral spring-loaded jaw assembly  175  including a stationary jaw  180   a  and a pivoting jaw  180   b  having an integral actuator lever  182 , joined by a jaw hinge  184 . The spring-loaded jaw hinge  184  acts to bias the pivoting jaw  180   b  against the stationary jaw  180   a . The jaws  180   a ,  180   b  provide mirror-image semi-circular forms having diameters allowing the jaw assembly  175  to fit snuggly around the support bar  40  when closed. Each of the magnetic clamp assemblies  100  may be easily removed from the frame  20  by pressing upon the actuator lever  182  to open the jaws  180   a ,  180   b . The magnets  210   a ,  210   b  of each magnetic clamp assembly  100  are positioned to have a magnetic orientation opposite that of the complementing magnet  210   a ,  210   b  so that when each magnet  210   a ,  210   b  is brought within proximity to each other, the magnetic fields interact to attract the magnets  210   a ,  210   b  towards each other. 
     Each magnetic clamp assembly  100  is removably positioned on the support bar  40  (see  FIG. 2 ), and the configuration of the jaw assemblies  175  enables the magnetic clamp assemblies  100  to slide to various positions along the support bar  40  (see  FIG. 2 ). This ability to slide each magnetic clamp assembly  100  enables various sized fabric articles  12  to be supported thereon (see  FIG. 1 ), and also to be repositioned as each fabric article  12  is folded into a smaller configuration. Once in a desired position about the support bar  40 , the front case  220   a  and rear case  220   b  are pivoted open to receive a corner of the fabric article  12  (see  FIG. 1 ) about to be folded. Once the fabric article  12  (see  FIG. 1 ) is in place, the magnets  210   a ,  210   b  of the magnetic clamp assemblies  100  are allowed to attract and retain the fabric article  12  in place while a user manipulates the fabric article  12  to fold it. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the enabled user in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. The device  10  would be configured as indicated in  FIG. 1  upon the initial purchase or acquisition. 
     The method of assembling and installing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; assembling the portions of the device  10  together, if not previously assembled by inserting the shank portions of the frame  20  into respective “L”-shaped poles  60 ; securing the shanks  50  to the “L”-shaped poles  60  by inserting respective fastening mechanisms  90  through respective first aperture  70  and second aperture  80  portions; inserting a lower end portion of each extender pole  110  into a top opening portion of each “L”-shaped pole  60 ; locking the extender poles  110  at a desired inserted length via engagement of respective spring-pin portions  140  into a desired aligned third aperture  120  portion of the “L”-shaped pole  60 ; inserting an upper end portion of each extender pole  110  into respective second end portions  200  of the brackets  30 ; securing the extender poles  110  to the brackets  30  using fastening mechanisms  90 ; hanging the device  10  upon a door  11  by hooking the first end portions  190  of the brackets  30  over the door  11 ; attaching the magnetic clamp assemblies  100  to the support bar portion  40  of the frame  20  by opening the jaw assemblies  175  by pressing upon the actuator levers  182 ; inserting the jaws  180   a ,  180   b  over the support bar  40 ; releasing the actuator levers  182 ; and, extending or retracting each extender pole  110  to position the frame  20  and magnetic clamp assemblies  100  at a desired height by depressing the button portions  142  of the extender poles  110  for insertion into a desired third aperture  120  as previously described. The device  10  is now ready for use. 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  to fold a fabric article  12  may be achieved by performing the following steps: sliding each magnetic clamp assembly  100  laterally along the support bar  40  to obtain a desired gap therebetween; separating the front case  220   a  and rear case  220   b  portions of the magnetic clamp assemblies  100 , and integral magnet portions  210   a ,  210   b , outwardly; positioning corners of a fabric article  12  to be folded between the magnet portions  210   a ,  210   b  of respective magnetic clamp assemblies  100 ; pressing the cases  220   a ,  220   b  together to clamp and suspend the fabric article  12  in place; and, allowing the device  10  to support the fabric article  12  while manipulating the fabric article  12  and the magnetic clamp assemblies  100  to assist in folding the fabric article  12 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3