RETAINING MEANS

Abstract

A retaining means comprising: an elongate mounting means; a gripping means; the gripping means comprising a first and second gripping portion, at least one of which is formed at least in part from a flexibly resilient material; each gripping portion being attached to the mounting means; and the first gripping portion having an outer edge positioned in close spatial arrangement with an outer edge of a second gripping portion such that an article may be retained between the outer edge of the first and second gripping portions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a retaining means. More particularly, the retaining means of the present invention is intended to substantially eliminate the requirement for separate pegs or clips to secure items to be retained therein.

BACKGROUND ART

A number of prior art documents disclose a means for retaining items that is configured in an attempt to avoid the requirement for pegs or clips. German Patent DE 3105051 discloses a U-shaped rail which retains the item via a pinching action between two legs of the rail. However, this item is not intended to be used in conjunction with an existing structure, for example a clothes line. Further, given the nature of the pinching mechanism, being constructed from rigid material, inserting the item to be retained may be complicated and result in an operator's fingers being caught or pinched.

Australian Patent 646352 discloses a pegless clothes line which is constructed from a number of plastic links that are joined together by a stud connection to form a line. The item is slipped into an aperture at one end of each link and slides along into a pinch slot to secure the item. This may substantially overcome the issue of an operator having their fingers caught, although it may not be ideal for more delicate items as they may be prone to damage from sliding in and out of the pinch slot.

Australian Patents 111923, 114289, 116484, 117229 and 118620 disclose pegless clothes lines of a variety of wire configurations, which are unlikely to be very effective for retaining the items during strong winds, and can be complicated to install.

The retaining means of the present invention has one object thereof to substantially overcome the abovementioned problems associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

The preceding discussion of the background art is included exclusively for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a retaining means comprising:

• • an elongate mounting means;
  • a gripping means;
  • the gripping means comprising a first and second gripping portion, at least one of which is formed at least in part from a flexibly resilient material;
  • each gripping portion being attached to the mounting means; and
  • the first gripping portion having an outer edge positioned in close spatial arrangement with an outer edge of a second gripping portion such that an article may be retained between the outer edge of the first and second gripping portions.

Preferably, the mounting means has at least two support members, each support member having an upper edge.

At least one of the support members preferably comprises an engaging means allowing the retaining means to be attached to an existing structure, for example a clothes line.

Preferably, the engaging means may be provided various forms, including but not limited to a recess, one or more hooks, or a slot.

Preferably, the gripping means is co-extensive with at least one of the support members.

Preferably, the upper edge of at least one of the support members has serrations located thereon.

More preferably, the serrations extend from the gripping means substantially above the upper edge of the or each support member and are formed from the flexibly resilient material.

The or each portion of the gripping means preferably comprises a strip of the flexibly resilient material.

The strip of flexibly resilient material preferably comprises one or more slits extending transversely across the portion from the outer edge defining therein a plurality of finger-like formations.

Preferably, outer edge of the first gripping portion abuts or is located adjacent to the second gripping portion.

The gripping means preferably attaches to the mounting means in a variety of ways, including but not limited to engagement with an integrated slot, or by gluing or bolting the gripping means to the upper edge of one or more of the support members.

In one embodiment of the invention, one of the gripping portions of the gripping means may itself form one of the support members and is formed from the flexibly resilient material.

Preferably, the mounting means has a base.

More preferably, the base of the mounting means comprises at least one drainage aperture provided therein.

Where at least one mounting means is engaged to an existing structure, an end bracket in which the mounting means is received.

Preferably, the bracket comprises two portions adapted to engage with each other and to enclose at least a portion of a frame of an existing structure therebetween.

More preferably, at least one of the portions of the bracket further comprise a retaining means support.

Preferably, the existing structure, includes a clothes line or the frame of a clothes line.

Preferably, the articles to be retained by the retaining means are in the form of sheet-like materials including clothing and paper.

The mounting means is preferably formed from rigid or semi-rigid material including but not limited to, steel, aluminium or moulded plastic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:—

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining means in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the retaining means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the retaining means of FIG. 1 shown engaged with an end bracket;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the bracket of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 a perspective view of the retaining means of FIG. 1 shown in use;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a retaining means in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a mounting means of a the retaining means depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mounting means of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a gripping means of the retaining means depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the gripping means of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bracket for use with the retaining means depicted in FIG. 6.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1 to 5 there is shown a retaining means 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The retaining means 10 comprises an elongate mounting means 12 and a gripping means 14. The mounting means 12 in turn comprises a base 16 connected to both a first support member 18 and a second support member 20. Each of the support members 18 and 20 have an upper edge 19. The base 16 further comprises a number of drainage apertures 17 spaced along its length. The mounting means 12 is formed from a rigid material, for example steel, aluminium or moulded plastic.

The gripping means 14 comprises a first gripping portion 22 formed from a flexibly resilient material which is attached to the mounting means 12 via the first support member 18 and extends laterally towards a second gripping portion 24 attached to the second support member 20. The second gripping portion 24 is also formed from a flexibly resilient material. The gripping means 14 is attached to the support members 18 and 20. This attachment may be achieved in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, for example, being bolted or glued directly to the upper edge 19, as depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4.

Each of the first and second gripping portions, 22 and 24 respectively, comprise a strip of the flexibly resilient material. The resilient material has provided therein a number of slits 25 extending transversely across each of the first gripping portion 22 and second gripping portion 24 from one edge to form a number of finger-like formations 26. The first gripping portion 22 has an outer edge 28. The second gripping portion 24 also has an outer edge 30. The outer edge 28 of the first gripping portion 22 is in close spatial arrangement with the outer edge 30 of the second gripping portion, defining therebetween a narrow line of separation, or a gap 32. Alternatively, the outer edge 28 may abut the outer edge 30.

The gripping means 14 has serrations 34 provided in portions thereof that extend over the upper edges 19 of the support members 18 and 20. The serrations 34 aid in the gripping of an article, for example an item of clothing or sheet-like material such as paper. Further, because the serrations 34 are formed from flexibly resilient material, damage to the article is minimised. The first support member 18 and second support member 20 further comprise an engaging means 36 extending along the length of the retaining means 10. The engaging means 36 allows the retaining means 10 to be attached to, or located on, an existing structure, for example a clothes line 37.

FIG. 2 shows and end view of the same embodiment of the retaining means 10 clearly indicating how the engaging means 36 allows the mounting means 12 to be attached to the clothes line 37.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the same embodiment of the retaining means 10 engaged with an elongate end bracket 40 to secure the retaining means 10 in the preferred position. The bracket 40 comprises a base portion 42 and a top portion 44, the top portion 44 attaching to the base portion by way of a fastening means, for example bolts 46. The base portion 42 further comprises a central support structure 48 and two ends 50 and 52. The bracket 40 is designed to attach to a frame 54 of a square or rectangular framed clothes line. At each of the ends 50 and 52, the base portion 42 defines a recess 56, which is substantially the same shape as the retaining means 10, allowing the retaining means 10 to be inserted “end-on” into the base portion 42. The central support structure 48 extends between the recesses 56, located at each of the ends 50 and 52, and contains apertures through which the bolts 46 are able to pass in order to secure the bracket 40 to the frame 54. The retaining means 10 is positioned such that it extends transversely with respect to the bracket 40.

The base portion 42, being the base support for the retaining means 10, is positioned underneath the frame 54. The top portion 44 is then placed over the top of the frame 54, such that it aligns with the base portion 42. The base portion is then secured to the top portion by the bolts 46.

In use, as shown in FIG. 5, a wet clothing item 38 is inserted into the gap 32 between the first gripping portion 22 and the second gripping portion 24. The act of pushing the clothing item 38 into the gap 32 temporarily deforms the position of the gripping means 14. However, the flexibly resilient nature of the gripping means 14 enables it to return to its initial position thereby grasping the clothing item 38 and holding it secure. Further, the flexible nature of the gripping means 14 ensures that a clothing item 38 of delicate fabric is less likely to be damaged, particularly in strong winds or when being inserted or removed. The serrated upper edge 34 provides additional grip for the clothing item 38 to prevent it from slipping free. The drainage apertures 17 allow any excess moisture to drain from the retaining means 10.

In FIGS. 6 to 10 there is shown a retaining means 60 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The retaining means 60 is substantially similar to the retaining means 10 and like numerals denote like parts.

Specifically, FIGS. 7 and 8 depict the mounting means 12 of the retaining means 60. The upper edge 19 of the first and second support members, 18 and 20, comprise an integrated slot 62, for example in the form of a “T” slot. The slot 62 enables the gripping means 14 to engage with the mounting means 12.

The first and second gripping portions 22 and 24 engage with the slot 62 by way of a foot portion 64 having a substantially complementary shape to the slot 62 such that it can be retained therein, as shown in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10. It is envisaged that the slot 62 and the foot portion 64 may be provided in various complimentary shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In FIG. 11 there is shown a bracket 70 for use with the second embodiment of the present invention. The bracket 70 is formed from, for example, moulded plastic and comprises an outer portion 72 and an inner portion 74. The bracket 70 may simply hook onto a clothes line 37 or frame 54 by way of engaging recesses 75. The outer portion 72 has two ends 76 and 78, a central support structure 80, a face plate 82 and a retaining means support 84 located at each of the ends 76 and 78. The retaining means support 84 has a substantially complementary shape to the mounting means 12. The retaining means support 84 and the central support structure 80, are provided in the form of protrusions that extend from the face plate 82. The retaining means 50 slides over the retaining means support 84, such that the ends of the retaining means 50 abut the face plate 82.

The inner portion 74 is provided for primarily for aesthetic purposes and has a complementary shape to the central support structure 80. The inner portion 74 slideably engages with the central support structure 80 until it abuts the face plate 82. The dimensions of the inner portion 74 are such that it fits snug with the central support structure 80, so that it is substantially secure.

In use, the retaining means 50 operates in substantially the same manner as described for the retaining means 10.

It is envisaged that the finger-like formations 26 of the gripping means 14 may alternatively be replaced with formations of various shape, or the gripping means 14 may comprise two continuous strips of flexibly resilient material, that is, without the transverse slits 25.

It is further envisaged that the outer edge 28 of first gripping portion 22 may also abut or overlap with the outer edge 30 of the second gripping portion 24.

It is still further envisaged that the retaining means 10 may be employed such that it is inverted or rotated to a side position, with reference to the embodiment described above, and still operate effectively.

A skilled addressee would recognise that the mounting means need not have a base. For example, the first support member 18 and a second support member 20 may be engaged separately by an end bracket 40. Alternately, one or more intermediate brackets may connect and locate relatively the first support member 18 and the second support member 20. Further, where a base 16 is employed, it may have a variety of formations, for example a V-shape or curved.

It is also envisaged that the gripping means 14 may be positioned at any point along the first or second support members, 18 and 20 respectively.

It is to be understood that second support member 20 may itself form the second gripping portion 24. Further, where the second support member 20 forms the second gripping portion 24, the second support member 20 may also then, at least in part, be formed from flexibly resilient material.

It is envisaged that the engaging means 36 may be provided in the form of a recess as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, or it may be in the form of one of more hooks, or a slot.

It is to be understood that the retaining means of the present invention, whilst having particular applicability to a pegless clothes line is not necessarily confined thereto and may be utilised as a retaining means for other items such as paper, including for example, meal orders in restaurants.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

Claims

1. A retaining means comprising:

an elongate mounting means;

a gripping means;

the gripping means further comprising a first and second gripping portion, at least one of which is formed at least in part from a flexibly resilient material;

each gripping portion being attached to the mounting means; and

the first gripping portion having an outer edge positioned in close spatial arrangement with an outer edge of a second gripping portion such that an article may be retained between the outer edge of the first and second gripping portions.

2. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises at least two support members, each support member having an upper edge.

3. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the support means comprises an engaging means for attaching the retaining means to an existing structure.

4. A retaining means according to claim 3, wherein the engaging means is provided in the form of a recess.

5. A retaining means according to claim 2, wherein the gripping means is co-extensive with at least one of the support members.

6. A retaining means according to claim 2, wherein the gripping means has serrations provided in each of the portions thereof extending over the upper edge of at least one of the support members.

7. A retaining means according to claim 6, wherein the serrations are formed from the flexibly resilient material.

8. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein the or each portion of the gripping means comprises a strip of the flexibly resilient material.

9. A retaining means according to claim 8, wherein the strip of flexibly resilient material further comprises one or more slits extending transversely across the portion from the outer edge defining therein a plurality of finger-like formations.

10. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein in the outer edge of the first gripping portion abuts or is located adjacent to the second gripping portion.

11. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein each gripping portion attaches to the mounting means via an integrated slot.

12. A retaining means according to claim 2, wherein one of the gripping portions also forms one of the support members.

13. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means further comprises a base.

14. A retaining means according to claim 13, wherein the base has at least one drainage aperture.

15. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means further comprises an end bracket in which the mounting means is received.

16. A retaining means according to claim 15, wherein the bracket comprises two portions adapted to engage with each other and to enclose at least a portion of a frame of an existing structure therebetween.

17. A retaining means according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the portions of the bracket further comprise a retaining means support.

18. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means is formed from rigid or semi-rigid material.

19. (canceled)