NZ588063A - Cover for a rotary clothes line with a flexible rod forming a rim, the cover pushed up at the centre to tension - Google Patents

Abstract

A cover (12) for an outdoor rotary washing line (13) is disclosed. The cover (12) is made from a flexible sheet of waterproof material (1) adapted to extend over and above the clothes line (13). The shape of the cover (12) is maintained for example by a resilient rod (2) that runs in a sleeve around the peripheral of the cover and rods (3) crossing under the cover (12) attached at the periphery. The cover (12) is attached at each end of the arms (15) of the clothes line (13) by for example a pocket (8a) in the cover (12). Underneath a tensioning means is attached to the top of the centre post (14) of the clothes line (13). This pushes up on the underside of the cover (12) providing tension and further assisting in maintaining its shape. Due to the flexible but resilient nature of the cover (12) water does not pool on top and wind causes an undulation around the rim, dissipating its force and preventing the cover being damaged or removed.

Description

Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 Patents Form No. 5 Our Ref PPA1114 Patents Act 1953 Complete Specification CLOTHES LINE COVER I, Pavel Prokofyev, a New Zealand citizen of 45 Urlich Drive, Ranui, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare this invention to be described in the following statement: 1 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 CLOTHES LINE COVER FIELD This invention relates to a clothes line cover. The invention may be particularly suitable for use with outdoor rotary clothes lines, for example to protect laundry from adverse weather conditions 5 or degradation from the elements or spoiling from pollutants.

BACKGROUND There are several advantages to drying laundry on outside clothes lines as compared to drying laundry indoors or with an electric clothes dryer.

For example, electric clothes dryers can be expensive to purchase, run and/or maintain. 10 Moreover, many people these days may view the use of such appliances as being environmentally unfriendly due to the large amount of electricity (and/or fossil fuels) that they use. The use of clothes dryers may also inadvertently lead to laundry shrinking or otherwise suffering heat damage.

Furthermore, the use of electric clothes dryers produce a large amount of moisture, which (if not 15 properly vented) results in an undesirable build up of condensation. This regular condensation has the potential to cause degradation to household contents, as well as encouraging mould to grow and/or causing unprotected timbers to rot. The condensation may also pose a health hazard for certain people, for example asthmatics.

Drying laundry inside houses, for example on fold-out clothes racks, addresses some of the 20 drawbacks associated with the use of electric clothes dryers. However, there still remains the problem of condensation and moisture forming in the house as the laundry dries. Some people address this problem by installing mechanical ventilation systems or by running dehumidifiers. However, such appliances have the same disadvantages as electric clothes dryers, namely they may be expensive to purchase, run and maintain, and the use of them may be viewed 2 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 unfavourably by some people.

Moreover, most people would agree that there is a superior quality to laundry which is dried outside, in the open air, as compared to drying laundry inside on clothes racks or in an electric clothes dryer.

Most laundry is dried outside on rotary clothes lines one advantage of such clothes lines being that they take up very little space. Most rotary clothes lines consist of a centre pole with a plurality of radially extending arms therefrom, which are adapted to support a number of lines therebetween - to which laundry may be pegged. There are however several drawbacks associated with drying laundry on such outside clothes lines. These drawbacks include the following: 1. The laundry is susceptible to wetting from rainfall. This is of particular concern during winter or cool months where a 5 minute rain shower may mean that the laundry has to spend another day on the line to dry. It is also a common problem in regions where rain showers are a fairly frequent occurrence. 2. The laundry is susceptible to degradation from exposure to UV rays. 3. The laundry is susceptible to degradation or bleaching from continued exposure to direct sunlight (and this problem is compounded when near-dry laundry is suddenly wetted by rainfall which means that it must remain on the line longer). 4. The laundry is susceptible to spoiling from pollutants such as bird droppings or organic matter which may fall off adjacent trees (eg, fruit trees).

. The laundry is susceptible to contaminants such as airborne pollutants.

As a result, there are available a number of covers which are adapted to be fitted to rotary clothes lines to protect laundry from the above mentioned drawbacks.

Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 A disadvantage associated with many of these covers is that they generally comprise a heavy and rigid framework which is to be attached to the clothes line (and they are usually quite complex arrangements which include many different components). As a result, they can be difficult and labour intensive to erect and install, and they may also prevent the clothes line from rotating. 5 Furthermore, being rigid, they tend to trap wind and this sometimes results in damage to the cover, or the complete failure of the cover altogether (especially during high winds).

Other types of covers which are available comprise a rectangular-shaped tensile structure adapted to fit over an existing clothes line. However a disadvantage associated with these type of covers is that they often allow for the pooling of water. Some covers therefore include elastic 10 bands to create surface tension in the cover, however under heavy rainfall this still does not adequately address the problem. These covers also tend to resist any wind, and are therefore susceptible to being damaged by the wind, especially when the wind is quite strong.

In recognition of the problem with wind, some cover designs have a pyramid shape and include vertical or horizontal slits in the fabric to relieve the upward wind pressure. However, in strong 15 winds these designs still tend to resist the wind movement, and furthermore the slits allow rain water to enter.

OBJECT It is an object of the present invention to provide a clothes line cover which goes some way towards addressing the aforementioned problems or difficulties, or which at the very least 20 provides the public with a useful choice.

DEFINITIONS Throughout this specification unless the text requires otherwise, the word 'comprise' and variations such as 'comprising' or 'comprises' will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or 25 step or group of integers or steps. 4 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 The term "waterproof material" as used throughout this specification is defined as including reference to a totally waterproof material, such as a plastics material, and also a substantially waterproof (or water resistant) material, such as tent canvas or nylon. Furthermore, the term "waterproof material" may include a material which consists of a breathable fabric - which generally resists liquid water passing through, but which may allow for water vapour to pass through.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line which includes a centre post and a plurality of radially extending arms therefrom, said cover including: a) a flexible sheet of a waterproof material adapted to extend over and above said clothes line, b) support means for substantially maintaining the shape of said sheet of waterproof material over and above said clothes line, c) attachment means for securing the periphery of said sheet of waterproof material to the distal end of at least one of the plurality of radially extending arms of said clothes line, d) tensioning means for attachment to the top of said centre post of said clothes line, said tensioning means being adapted to engage with the underside of said sheet of waterproof material, to thus provide a degree of tension to said sheet of waterproof material.

The outdoor rotary clothes line may be of any size or shape, and may have any number of radially extending arms. The most commonly available rotary clothes lines are generally square-shaped with four, six or eight radially extending arms - extending from a centre post (although triangular shaped clothes lines with three radially extending arms are also quite common).

Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 The sheet of waterproof material may preferably be substantially flexible and substantially non-rigid.

Any suitable materials which have waterproof or water resistant properties may be utilised for the sheet of waterproof material. For example, the sheet of waterproof material may include or 5 be comprised of a canvas material, a breathable nylon material, or a plastics material - such as a polyethylene material or a PVC material.

Preferably, the sheet of waterproof material may be substantially (or wholly) UV resistant - in order to protect laundry from degradation due to the UV rays of the sun.

The sheet of waterproof material may be of any size or shape, as required or as desired, or as 10 dictated by the type of rotary clothes line it is to be fitted to.

For example, the sheet of waterproof material may be substantially square or oval in shape. Preferably however, the sheet of waterproof material may be substantially circular in shape.

The support means may be adapted to support the sheet of waterproof material and/or to maintain the shape of the sheet of waterproof material over and above the clothes line.

Preferably, the support means may include a plurality of strengthening ribs adapted to extend substantially across the sheet of waterproof material. The strengthening ribs may preferably pass through substantially the centre of the sheet of waterproof material. The strengthening ribs may therefore be viewed as serving a similar function to tent poles which are used for supporting and/or maintaining the shape or structure of a small tent.

The strengthening ribs may preferably be somewhat flexible which may provide them with a degree of flex or movement, and thus provide the sheet of waterproof material with a degree of flex or movement (this may be especially important during windy conditions). Furthermore, the strengthening ribs may also preferably be springy in nature whereby they inherently try to resist and/or spring back against any pressure exerted on them (or that they inherently spring back once 25 any pressure - such as wind pressure - has been released). 6 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 The strengthening ribs may be of any size or shape, but preferably they may be substantially elongate in nature. The cross sectional shape of the strengthening ribs may also be of any shape, for example substantially round or rectangular or oval.

Preferably, the sheet of waterproof material (or the strengthening ribs) may include suitable 5 means for receiving and retaining the strengthening ribs. For example, the strengthening ribs may be adapted to be clipped or tied onto the sheet of waterproof material. Alternatively, the strengthening ribs may slide within sleeves formed in the sheet of waterproof material.

Preferably, the sheet of waterproof material may also include suitable means for securing the ends of the strengthening ribs to the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material. For example, 10 clips or sockets may be used or alternatively, the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material may include pockets or sleeves into which the ends of the strengthening ribs may be inserted.

There may also be provided suitable means to tie or join the strengthening ribs together in the centre of the sheet of waterproof material, for example by a strap or tie.

Preferably, the support means may also include a flexible rod adapted to extend substantially 15 around the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material. The flexible rod may therefore serve to provide a degree of tension or rigidity to the sheet of waterproof material as a whole - in conjunction with the strengthening ribs. Furthermore, the flexible rod may also preferably be springy in nature whereby it inherently tries to resist and/or spring back against any pressure exerted on it (or that it inherently springs back once any pressure - such as wind pressure - has 20 been released).

The flexible rod may be of any size or shape, but preferably it may be substantially elongate in nature. The cross sectional shape of the flexible rod may also be of any shape, for example substantially round or rectangular or oval.

Once the flexible rod has been fitted to the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material, the two 25 free ends of the flexible rod may be joined together, for example by tape or by a clamp or by a suitable sleeve fitting. 7 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 Preferably, the cover may include attachment means for securing the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material to the distal end of at least one of the plurality of radially extending arms of the clothes line.

For example, the cover may be provided with a number of clips for securing the periphery of the 5 sheet of waterproof material to the distal end of at least one of the plurality of radially extending arms of the clothes line.

Alternatively, or preferably, the attachment means may include a number of pockets formed around the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material, the pockets being adapted to fit over the distal end(s) of at least one of the plurality of radially extending arms of the clothes line. In 10 another embodiment, there may be provided a continuous pocket formed around the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material, and the distal end(s) of the radially extending arms may be inserted therein as appropriate.

Preferably, the cover may include tensioning means for attachment to the top of the centre post of the clothes line. The tensioning means may be adapted to engage with the underside of the 15 sheet of waterproof material, to thus provide a degree of tension to the sheet of waterproof material.

One purpose of the tensioning means may be to provide the cover with a required or desired degree of tension (or increased/decreased rigidity).

Preferably, the tensioning means may include a first portion for fitting to the outside or inside of 20 the centre post of the clothes line, and a second portion for engaging with the underside of the sheet of waterproof material with the second portion providing the degree of tension required or desired.

Preferably, the tensioning means may be adjustable whereby the amount of tension (or pressure) exerted on the underside of the sheet of waterproof material may be altered as required. For 25 example, in calm conditions the tension may be minimal, whereas in windy conditions the tension may be more substantial (to provide the sheet of waterproof material with more stiffness 8 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 or rigidity).

In such an embodiment, and for example, the adjustability of the tensioning means may be provided for by the height or length of the first portion of the tensioning means being adjustable with respect to the top of the centre post of the clothes line, whereby the second portion of the 5 tensioning means may be raised or lowered - to thus place more or less tension on the underside of the sheet of waterproof material respectively, and as required or desired.

The tensioning means, including the first and second portions as described above, may be made of any suitable materials, for example a plastics material, wood or metal.

One advantage of the cover is that whilst the sheet of waterproof material is provided with a 10 certain degree of tension and/or rigidity by the support means and/or the tensioning means, the arrangement still allows for considerable flexibility or movement of the sheet of waterproof material. This allows for the cover to be effective in both calm and windy conditions. Furthermore, the substantially flexible, yet rigid, nature of the cover allows for rainwater to be blown off or flicked off by the wind, rather than pooling which is the case with many non-rigid 15 prior art covers. Moreover, the substantially flexible, yet rigid, nature of the cover allows for it to be effective (and retain its integrity) in very windy conditions - which is not the case for rigid or fixed prior art covers.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The description of a preferred form of the invention to be provided herein, with reference to the 20 accompanying drawings, is given purely by way of example and is not to be taken in any way as limiting the scope or extent of the invention.

DRAWINGS Fig 1: is a cutaway and simplistic side view of a rotary clothes line, with one possible embodiment of a cover fitted thereto, 9 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 Fig 2: is a plan view of the underside of the cover of Fig 1, and Fig 3: is a view of how the embodiment illustrated in Fig 1 would look to an observer.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Having regard to Figs 1 & 2, there is shown a cover, generally indicated by arrow 12. The cover 5 12 is adapted to be fitted to an outdoor rotary clothes line, generally indicated by arrow 13.

The clothes line 13 comprises a centre post 14 and four radially extending arms 15. The arms 15 have a number of rows of cord 16 strung therebetween (see Fig 3) to which laundry is to be pegged (laundry not shown). Fig 3 also illustrates a number of peg baskets 17 which hang from the clothes line 13.

The cover 12 includes a circular sheet of a waterproof material 1. Having a circular sheet of waterproof material 1 is generally more effective than a square or rectangular sheet of material, and furthermore a circular sheet offers more protection and shading than a square or rectangular sheet.

The sheet of waterproof material 1 is comprised of a PVC and nylon composition (which is a 15 material which will be well known to those skilled in the art). The sheet of waterproof material 1 is therefore flexible. Furthermore, the sheet of waterproof material 1 is able to be folded up or rolled up into a relatively small size when not in use or when the cover 12 is presented or packaged for sale.

The preferred size of the sheet of waterproof material 1 will vary according to the dimensions of 20 the clothes line 13. Ideally, the diametre of the sheet of waterproof material 1 should be equal to or slightly larger than the area defined by the radially extending arms 15 of the clothes line 13.

The sheet of waterproof material 1 is adapted to extend over and above the clothes line 13.

The sheet of waterproof material 1 includes support means to support the sheet of waterproof Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 material 1 and/or to maintain the shape of the sheet of waterproof material 1 over and above the clothes line 13.

One of the support means are in the form of four separate strengthening ribs 3, which extend across the underside of the sheet of waterproof material 1. The strengthening ribs 3 all pass 5 through the centre point 5 of the sheet of waterproof material 1. The strengthening ribs 3 are made of a flexible fibreglass material, and their use is similar to how tent poles are used for supporting and/or maintaining the shape of structure of a small tent.

The strengthening ribs 3 are attached to the underside of the sheet of waterproof material 1 by sliding them in and along directional sleeves 10 built into the underside of the sheet of 10 waterproof material 1. The strengthening ribs 3 are tied together at the centre point 5 to limit any unnecessary movement of the strengthening ribs 3 (tie not shown) There are also provided pockets 11 around the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material 1 in the regions where the ends of the strengthening ribs 3 are to sit. These pockets 11 serve to secure the ends of the strengthening ribs 3 to the edges of the sheet of waterproof material 1.

The strengthening ribs 3 are somewhat flexible, which provides the sheet of waterproof material 1 with a certain degree of flex or movement, whilst also providing a degree of support or rigidity to the sheet of waterproof material 1.

The support means also includes a flexible rod 2 adapted to extend around the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material 1. The flexible rod 2 is adapted to slide in and along a sleeve which 20 extends around the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material 1 (sleeve not clearly shown but the fitting of the flexible rod 2 is similar in concept to how a flexible curtain rod may be threaded through a top sleeve associated with curtains or net curtains). The two ends of the flexible rod 2 are joined together by an aluminium sleeve fitting 9.

The flexible rod 2 is comprised of a flexible fibreglass material, and its purpose is to provide 25 support and rigidity to the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material 1 - which is also similar to how tent poles are used for supporting and/or maintaining the shape or structure of a small 11 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 tent.

The flexible rod 2 (in conjunction with the strengthening ribs 3) serves to keep the fabric of the sheet of waterproof material 1 somewhat taut and to provide sufficient tension to prevent pooling of rain water on top of the sheet of waterproof material 1.

The sheet of waterproof material 1 is also provided with four pockets 8a-d for securing the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material 1 to the distal end of each of the four radially extending arms 15 of the clothes line 13.

In another embodiment, the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material 1 may alternatively or additionally be provided with a continuous pocket or sleeve 18 extending therearound - shown in 10 dotted outline in Fig 2. The distal end(s) of the radially extending arms 15 may therefore be inserted into, and retained by, the continuous pocket 18 as appropriate. An advantage of having a continuous pocket 18 as compared to having just four pockets 8a-d is that the continuous pocket 18 allows for the cover 12 to be utilised with a rotary clothes line which has a different number of arms, for example three or six or eight.

The cover 12 includes tensioning means for applying a required or desired amount of tension to the underside of the sheet of waterproof material 1. The tensioning means includes an adjustable first portion which is in the form of a metal sleeve 4 which is adapted to fit into the top of the centre post 14 of the clothes line 13. Most centre posts 14 of clothes lines 13 have a cap which sits atop the centre post 14. This cap can simply be removed and the sleeve 4 fitted inside the 20 hollow top of the centre post 14.

The sleeve 4 is fitted with an adjustable clip (not shown) which engages with or abuts the open top of the centre post 14 to prevent the sleeve from sliding further into the open end of the centre post 14. This adjustable clip can be released and repositioned anywhere along the sleeve 4 to thus alter the distance that the sleeve protrudes from the open top of the centre post 14.

The tensioning means also includes a second portion for engaging with the underside of the sheet of waterproof material 1 - with the second portion serving to provide the degree of tension 12 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 required or desired. The second portion is in the form of a plastic distribution disk 6 which engages with the underside of the sheet of waterproof material 1. The distribution disk 6 forms the high point of the cover 12.

It may be appreciated that the pressure or tension exerted on the underside of the sheet of 5 waterproof material 1 by the distribution disk 6 can be increased by extending the sleeve 4 further out of the open end of the centre post 14. Likewise, it may be appreciated that the pressure or tension exerted on the underside of the sheet of waterproof material 1 by the distribution disk 6 can be decreased by lowering the sleeve 4 further into the open end of the centre post 14.

In another embodiment, instead of using an adjustable clip for determining the height of the sleeve 4 with respect to the top of the centre post 14, the sleeve 6 may instead be fitted with a quick release clamp, such as those used for raising and lowering bicycle seats.

In another embodiment of the invention, the metal sleeve 4 may be adapted to fit over the top of the centre post 14 and be fixed thereto, for example by a clamp such as a quick release clamp. In 15 such an embodiment, the distribution disk 6 may be fitted to a connecting sleeve adapted to slide within the metal sleeve 4 (with the height of the connecting sleeve, and therefore the distribution disk 6, being adjustable, for example of the use of a clamp such as a quick release clamp).

In such an embodiment, the sleeve 4 may be provided with slots 7 (see Fig 1) to fit over the radially extending arms 15 in the region of where the arms 15 join to the centre post 14. This 20 serves to more fully secure the sleeve 4 to the outside of the centre post 14 of the clothes line 13.

The cover 12 may be erected and attached to a clothes line 13 in the following way.

Firstly, the sheet of waterproof material 1 may be laid out on the ground, with the underside facing up as illustrated in Fig 2. The four flexible strengthening ribs 3 may then be threaded through the directional sleeves 10, with each end of the strengthening ribs 3 being secured by the 25 pockets 11. A tie (not shown) may then be tied around the four strengthening ribs 3 in the region of where they all meet in the centre point 5. 13 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 The flexible rod 2 may then be fitted around the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material 1 by threading it into and along a sleeve (not clearly shown) which extends around the periphery of the sheet of waterproof material 1. The two ends of the flexible rod 2 are then joined together by the aluminium sleeve fitting 9.

The cap (not shown) on top of the centre post 14 of the existing clothes line 13 may then be removed and the adjustable sleeve 4 of the tensioning means fitted within the open end of the centre post 14. The adjustable sleeve 4 will have the distribution disk 6 fitted thereto.

The sheet of waterproof material 1 may then be placed over the clothes line 13 and each end of the four radially extending arms 15 may be fitted into the pockets 8a-d - to thus secure the sheet 10 of waterproof material 1 to the clothes line 13.

The adjustable sleeve 4 may then be adjusted (by being raised or lowered, substantially as described previously) so that the required or desired amount of pressure or tension is applied to the underside of the sheet of waterproof material 1 by the distribution disk 6.

As can be seen from Fig 3, the cover 12 allows for the wind to pass underneath the clothes line 15 13. This has the effect of decreasing uplift from displaced wind and thus releases the wind pressure.

Furthermore, the weight of the strengthening ribs 3 and the peripheral flexible rod 2 serve to provide the circular cover 12 with an uneven or irregular shape, and this irregular shape is enhanced as the different parts of the cover 12 flex or move with the wind.

This is best illustrated in Fig 3 where it can be seen that the cover 12 hangs down in the form of a slightly irregular circle, Furthermore, there is no pooling of water even in calm conditions because the slightly irregular circular shape of the hanging sheet of waterproof material 1 does not present any areas where the water may pool instead the water simply runs off. This is a significant advantage of presently available square or rectangular shaped covers - which always 25 tend to have areas in which water will pool. 14 Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011 Furthermore, the action of the wind on the cover 12 produces a wave-like motion - similar to the movement of a stingray. This wave-like motion serves to constantly displace or flick off any water. As a result, there is no pooling of water whatsoever on top of the cover 12. Hence, the action of the wind is in fact of benefit to the workings or effectiveness of the cover 12, as 5 compared to prior art covers where the wind generally lessons the performance of the covers, or results in damage to the cover.

The cover 12 was secretly trialled for the duration of one week in extreme weather, with very strong wind speeds of up to 61 km/h and heavy rain. The cover 12 was effective in keeping the laundry dry (and with no pooling of rain water on the top of the cover 12), and furthermore the 10 cover 12 suffered no wind (or rain) damage during the trial.

Another advantage of the cover 12 is that it can generally be fitted to any type of rotary outdoor clothes line.

VARIATIONS While the embodiments described above are currently preferred, it will be appreciated that a 15 wide range of other variations might also be made within the general spirit and scope of the invention and/or as defined by the appended claims.

NOW AMENDED We Claim: 1. A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line which includes jL centre post and a plurality of radially extending arms therefrom, said cover including/ a) a flexible sheet of waterproof material ad/pt^a to extend over and above said clothes line, b) support means for substantially maintaining the shape of said sheet of waterproof material over and above said clotijes Line, c) attachment means for securinjythe/periphery of said sheet of waterproof material to the distal end of at least oj/e o/ the plurality of radially extending arms of said clothes line, d) tensioning means for attacpient to the top of said centre post of said clothes line, said tensioning mean/ being adapted to engage with the underside of said sheet of waterproof material; to/thus provide a degree of tension to said sheet of waterproof material. 2. A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said sheet of waterproof materials qi least substantially UV resistant. 3. A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said sheet of wateiwoof material is a flexible sheet of material. 4. A cover for an/outdoor rotary clothes line as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said shee/of/waterproof material is substantially circular in shape.

. A confer f6r an outdoor rotary clothes line as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein saity support means includes a plurality of strengthening ribs adapted to extend substantially across said sheet of waterproof material. 16 AS AMENDED Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011

Claims (9)

We Claim:

1. A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line which includes a centre post and a plurality of radially extending arms therefrom, said cover including: a) a flexible sheet of waterproof material adapted to extend over and above said 5 clothes line, b) support means for substantially maintaining the shape of said sheet of waterproof material over and above said clothes line, said support means including a flexible rod adapted to extend substantially around the periphery of said sheet of waterproof material, 10 c) attachment means for securing the periphery of said sheet of waterproof material to the distal end of at least one of the plurality of radially extending arms of said clothes line, d) tensioning means for attachment to the top of said centre post of said clothes line, said tensioning means being adapted to engage with the underside of said sheet of 15 waterproof material, to thus provide a degree of tension to said sheet of waterproof material.

2. A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said sheet of waterproof material is at least substantially UV resistant.

3. A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said 20 sheet of waterproof material is substantially circular in shape.

4. A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said support means further includes a plurality of strengthening ribs adapted to extend substantially across said sheet of waterproof material. 16 NOW AMENDED A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line as claimed in arjfy o/e of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said support means includes a flexible rod adapted to ex/en^ substantially around the periphery of said sheet of waterproof material. 7. A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line as claimed m any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said attachment means includes a pocket(s) formed around the periphery of said sheet of waterproof material, said pocket(s) being adapted to fit over the distal end of at least one of the plurality of radially extending arms ofiaia clothes line. 10 8. A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line/as Claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein said tensioning means includes a first pefrtion for fitting to said centre post of said clothes line, and a second portion for engaging v^/th the underside of said sheet of waterproof material. 15 9. A cover for an outdoor rotary clothes line as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the height or length of said first portion of said tensioning means is adjustable, whereby said second portion of said tensioning means'may be raised or lowered to thus place more or less pressure or tension on the underside of said sheet of waterproof material respectively. 10. An outdoor rotary clothes line which includes a centre post and a plurality of radially extending arms there^roiji, said clothes line including a cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9. 20 11. A cover for an ohtd/oor rotary clothes line, substantially as herein described and with reference to th6 ac/companying drawings. Pavel ProkofyeW By his Attorneys 25 Allen & Associates 17 AS AMENDED Received at IPONZ on 17 March 2011

5. A cover for ail outdoor rotaiy clothes line as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said attachment means includes a pocket(s) formed around the peripheiy of said sheet of waterproof material, said pocket(s) being adapted to fit over the distal end of at least one of the plurality of radially extending arms of said clothes line. 5

6. A cover for an outdoor rotaiy clothes line as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said tensioning means includes a first portion for fitting to said centre post of said clothes line, and a second portion for engaging with the underside of said sheet of waterproof material.

7. A cover for an outdoor rotaiy clothes line as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the height or 10 length of said first portion of said tensioning means is adjustable, whereby said second portion of said tensioning means may be raised or lowered to thus place more or less pressure or tension on the underside of said sheet of waterproof material respectively.

8. An outdoor rotaiy clothes line which includes a centre post and a plurality of radially extending arms therefrom, said clothes line including a cover as claimed in any one of 15 Claims 1 to 7.

9. A cover for an outdoor rotaiy clothes line, substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Pavel Prokofyev 20 By his Attorneys Allen & Associates 17