Patent Abstract:
A clothes hanging and drying system comprised of a rope assembly generally having a pair of lines intersected periodically by sets of stretchers. The gaps between individual stretchers provide a hanging point for various accessories including hangers, clip assemblies and combinations. The stretchers serve to prevent the accessories from moving down the line and bunching up thereby preserving the airspace between articles hung on the device. The stretchers also aid in distributing the stresses on the lines resulting in a more durable device.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to drying fabric, and more particularly, to a system for drying clothes and other textiles without using energy. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Several designs for clothes drying apparatuses have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes a system comprising a rope assembly that prevents the unwanted movement of articles hanging on the line when used with either or both of a clip assembly and a hanger assembly. 
         [0005]    Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,174 issued to Olson. However, it differs from the present invention because the present device includes a novel hanging line that works in concert with clips and hangers designed to hang onto the line without unwanted movement from wind or other forces. The present invention also includes clips that can be affixed to a specific hanger to convert the hanger from a shirt mode to a pants mode. 
         [0006]    Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a clothes hanger system that permits the hanging of multiple textile articles while preventing them from moving along the length of the line. 
         [0008]    It is another object of this invention to provide a laundry hanger combination that can dry clothes effectively without the use of any electricity or other forms of energy. 
         [0009]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a laundry hanger system that prevents the hanging items from bunching on the line thereby increasing airflow and decreasing dry time. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a set of laundry hanging devices that can be combined to specifically accommodate the drying of both shirts and pants. 
         [0011]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
         [0012]    Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  represents a perspective view of a variation of the device as it might be used with various accessories. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a version of a hanger assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a clip assembly 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a representation of a plan view of a segment of an example of a rope assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  demonstrates an example of how a rope assembly might connect to a support means. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed that it basically includes a rope assembly  12 , a pair of lines  14 , a multiplicity of stretchers  16 , a hanger  18 , a hanger assembly  20 , a clip assembly  22  and a combination assembly  34 . 
         [0020]    The line assembly  12 , in a preferred variation, is comprised of a pair of parallel lines  14  that are connected together by periodic sets of stretchers  16 . The stretchers  16  are generally perpendicular to the axis of the lines  14  and other variations are contemplated such as alternating complementary angles or other aesthetically pleasing pattern. Said sets of stretchers  16  may be comprised of between two and ten perpendicular stretchers  16 . Alternatively there may be stretchers  16  uniformly spaced throughout the entire length of the rope assembly  12 . 
         [0021]    Between each two adjacent stretchers  16  is a gap dimensioned to accept a common household hanger  18 , a hanger assembly  20  or a clip assembly  22 . In practice said gap could typically range from about five millimeters to about twenty millimeters but other values could be equally effective in their purpose. Likewise said sets of stretchers  16  could be separated from the adjacent set of stretchers  16  by five to thirty centimeters but other values could be equally effective in their purpose. 
         [0022]    In typical use of the present invention a hanger  18 , hanger assembly  20  or clip assembly  22  is passed between two adjacent stretchers  16  so that said hanger  18 , hanger assembly  20  or clip assembly  22  cannot slide along the length of the line  14 . For example, if a wind is imparted onto the garments hanging on the invention or if the weight carried on the length of the rope assembly  12  causes the lines  14  to sag the hanger  18 , hanger assembly  20  or clip assembly  22  will not slide and bunch up thereby permitting continued air flow through the garments and speeding up the drying time of wet garments. 
         [0023]    In typical use of the clothes hanger system the rope assembly  12  is strung between two supports to elevate the rope assembly sufficiently off the ground or other obstructions so that any textiles hanging on the clothes hanger system do not make contact with any other object. Said supports could be a wall, pole, tree or other suitable means to anchor each end of the line assembly  12 . Further examples of rope assembly  12  support is below in the discussion on  FIG. 5 . 
         [0024]    Now referring to  FIG. 2  where an example of a hanger assembly  20  is shown in more detail to include, inter alia, a hook  24 , a neck  26 , a spreader  28 , a shoulder  30  and a multiplicity of stretchers  32 . 
         [0025]    The hanger assembly  20  includes a hook  24  dimensioned to engage between a pair of stretchers  16  and therefore be supported by the rope assembly  12 . By hooking the hook  24  between a pair of stretchers  16  the hanger assembly  20  will not be able to slide along the rope assembly  12  and any articles hanging on the hanger assembly will not bunch up and will dry more effectively. 
         [0026]    The pair of spreaders  28  are connected to each other by a series of a predetermined number of stretchers  32  resulting in a rigid and durable structure onto which textile articles may be supported. The hook  24  is connected to the spreaders  28  by a neck  26 . Shoulders  30  are provided at both ends of the spreaders  28  to provide a soft curve that could, for example, be used to avoid creasing a shirt or other garment hung on the hanger assembly  20 . 
         [0027]    The nature of most common laundry lines is that they are made of non-rigid material, such as rope, and thus sag in the middle when spanning a distance. Generally, when the hanger assembly  20  is hanging on the line assembly  12  it is biased toward the perpendicular to the line assembly  12  due to the hook  24  being formed substantially parallel to the spreaders  28 . In other words, the present invention allows textile articles to hang leafed together like as they would if on common wire hangers on a common rigid closet hanger rod contrasted to if those same textile articles were directly draped over the same common closet hanger rod. This allows for much more to hung onto a given length of rope assembly  12 , without bunching, than would be otherwise be possible. 
         [0028]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the stretchers  32  are preferably dimensioned with sufficient spacing between to accept a hook  24  from another copy of a hanger assembly  20 , a hanger  18  or a clip assembly  22 . An added benefit of having both the stretchers  16  on the line assembly  12  and stretchers  32  on the hanger assembly  20  dimensioned similarly is that there is an added aesthetic appeal. 
         [0029]    In one preferred variation the hanger assembly  20  is constructed of a plastic polymer. However, as can easily be appreciated other materials such as metal or other synthetic composition could be equally effective, durable and cheap to manufacture. 
         [0030]    It can also be appreciated that other designs of hangers might also be employed with the present clothes hanger system that may not be as effective and adaptable as the design disclosed but may also be suitable for some limited applications. An example of an alternate may be such as the common hanger  18  shown and demonstrated in  FIG. 1 . The hanger  18  lacks the ability to hold other devices effectively such as a clip assembly  22  or another hanger  18 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  where an example of a clip assembly  22  is shown in more detail to include, inter alia, a hook  36 , a mouth  38  and a hinge  40 . 
         [0032]    The clip assembly  22  is designed to securely hold a textile article in the mouth  38  on one end and hang onto either a hanger assembly  20  or a rope assembly  12  with the hook  36 . In typical use, an article could be held with multiple clip assemblies  22  onto multiple points on the line assembly  12 . Preferably the mouth  38  of the clip assembly  22  is biased closed with a spring (not shown). 
         [0033]    Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 1  as a combination assembly  34 , to fit more articles onto a line assembly  12 , a hanger assembly  20  could be used to hang the article substantially perpendicular to line assembly  12  by hanging the article on clip assemblies  22  in turn hanging onto the spreaders  28  of a hanger assembly  20  that is hanging on a point on the line assembly  12 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a more detailed view of an example of a segment of a rope assembly  12  which includes, inter alia, a pair of lines  14  and a multiplicity of stretchers  16 . Groups of said stretchers  16  occur periodically along the length of the rope assembly  12 . There may be any number of stretchers  16  in a group, however, groups of between two and ten have been shown to be effective. Equally effective but potentially more costly to produce are consistently spaced stretchers  16  throughout the length of the rope assembly  12 . 
         [0035]    While hanging between two points of support the rope assembly  12  experiences tension forces which are primarily borne by the pair of parallel lines  14 . This tension force is increased with the more weight that is hung onto the line assembly  12 . The stretchers  16  also perform the important function of transferring and balancing the tension between the lines  14  so that the pair of lines  14  share the tension. Also, if one line  14  of the pair should fail then the other line  14  remaining in tact could support the entire weight imparted onto the rope assembly  12 . 
         [0036]    Preferably the stretchers  16  and lines  14  are made of a material that is both flexible and durable. The lines  14  and stretchers  16  could be made of the same material or complementary materials. For versions of the device that may be used out doors or in less than ideal conditions the stretchers and lines  14  may be ultra-violet stabilized and mildew and rot resistant. It has been contemplated to construct the stretchers  16  and lines  14  from braided or twisted polymer, natural fiber, metal cable or combinations of the preceding but any material that is flexible and durable could potentially be used. 
         [0037]    Now referring to  FIG. 5  where a view of an optional means of erecting the rope assembly  12  by using a hook  42 . Generally, the rope assembly  12  is supported at each end with sufficient strength to hold a predetermined weight of wet textile articles for the purpose of drying or airing out. Any strong structure could support the rope assembly  12  and articles that it supports including, for example, trees, posts, stakes, pylons or walls. 
         [0038]    An advantage of including gaps between groups of stretchers  16  is that these gaps may be used as an anchor point to secure over a hook  42 . It has been found particularly effective to double loop the line assembly  12  over a hook  42  through two adjacent gaps separated by a set of stretchers  16  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The line assembly  12  could be equally effective if permanently mounted to an attachment point by screw, bolt or other commonly available fastener. Also effective could be tying the line assembly  12  around a tree, pole or other similar structure so long as the supporting structure has sufficient integrity to support the weight of the line assembly  12  and the weight of any wet textile articles expected to be supported by the line. 
         [0039]    A preferred variation of the invention may be described as a clothes hanger system comprising a rope assembly and hanger accessories; said rope assembly further comprised of a first line and a second line; said first line and second line are substantially parallel; said first line and said second line are joined by multiple stretchers; said stretchers are present in periodic sets of stretchers; each set of stretchers having a predetermined number of individual stretchers; the individual stretchers in any set of stretchers are spaced evenly; a predetermined gap is present between said sets of stretchers; said stretchers are each connected at a first end to said first line; said stretchers are connected on a second end to said second line; said stretchers intersect said lines substantially perpendicularly creating a series of voids bounded by any two adjacent stretchers and the first line and second line; said voids dimensioned to accept any of said hanger accessories; said hanger accessories include any of a common household clothes hanger, a hanger assembly or a clip assembly; said clip assembly having a hook on a first end dimensioned to be inserted into any of said voids on the rope assembly and a clip on a second end; said hanger assembly having on a first end a hook dimensioned to be inserted into any of said voids and having on a second end spreader assembly comprised of a pair of parallel spreaders intersected and joined together by a predetermined number of stretchers spaced sufficiently apart to form voids bounded by any two adjacent stretchers and both spreaders and dimensioned to accept the hook of any of said hanger accessories. 
         [0040]    In a variation, the invention can be further characterized in that said voids on the rope assembly are dimensioned the same as the voids on the hanger assembly. 
         [0041]    In another variation, the device may be further characterized in that each of said sets of stretchers on the rope assembly are comprised of between two and ten individual stretchers. 
         [0042]    In yet another variation, the invention may be further characterized in that said sets of stretchers on the line assembly are spaced apart equidistant to the space between stretchers in any set so that there are equally spaced stretchers throughout the length of the line assembly. 
         [0043]    The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3