Method and apparatus for supporting items

Abstract

A method and apparatus for supporting items and providing and assembling the apparatus for supporting items. In one form, the apparatus includes first and second support members with a line extending therebetween and the line being adapted to support items. The apparatus may also include a tension adjusting mechanism having a sleeve with first and second portions wherein rotation of the sleeve adjusts tension in the line.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 first and second supports;    a line extending between the supports and being adapted to support items therefrom; and    a tension adjusting mechanism having a sleeve for adjusting tension in the line.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the line has first and second portions, and the tension adjusting mechanism includes a sleeve with first and second sections, a first fastener connected to one of the first and second sections of the sleeve to fasten the sleeve to a stationary object, and a second fastener connected to the other of said first and second sections, and wherein the sleeve for adjusting tension is rotatable in a first direction to add tension in the line and rotatable in a second direction to reduce tension in the line.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the second fastener has a threaded bolt portion and at least one of the first and second sections of the sleeve defines a threaded opening into which the bolt portion of the second fastener is thread.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the first and second sections of the sleeve define threaded openings and the first fastener has a threaded bolt portion which is thread into the opening defined by the first section of the sleeve and the second fastener has a threaded bolt portion which is thread into the opening defined by the second section of the sleeve.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the opening of the first section of the sleeve and the threaded bolt portion of the first fastener are reverse threaded with respect to the opening of the second section of the sleeve and the threaded bolt portion of the second fastener so that rotation of the sleeve in the first direction moves the first and second fasteners towards one another to add tension in the line and rotation of the sleeve in the second direction moves the first and second fasteners apart from one another to reduce tension in the line.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  further comprising a second tension adjusting mechanism having a sleeve with first and second sections, a first fastener connected to one of the first and second sections of the sleeve to fasten the sleeve to a stationary object, and a second fastener connected to the other of said first and second sections to fasten the sleeve to the line, the sleeve being rotatable in a first direction to add tension in the clothesline and rotatable in a second direction to reduce tension in the clothesline.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the first support has first and second members, the first member extending at a predetermined angle from the second member and having a mating structure for mating with the second member and the second member extending at a predetermined angle from the first member and having a mating structure for mating with the mating structure of the first member, the first support having a fixture to which the first fastener of the first tension adjusting mechanism is attached to fasten the tension adjusting mechanism and line thereto.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  further comprising a second support having first and second members, the first member extending at a predetermined angle from the second member and having a mating structure for mating with the second member and the second member extending at a predetermined angle from the first member and having a mating structure for mating with the mating structure of the first member, the second support having a second fixture to which the first fastener of the second tension adjusting mechanism is attached to fasten the clothesline thereto.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for supporting items comprising: 
 a line having first and second sections;    a first support having first and second members, the first member extending at a predetermined angle from the second member and having a mating structure for mating with the second member and the second member extending at a predetermined angle form the first member and having a mating structure for mating with the mating structure of the first member; and    a fastener for fastening the first section of the line to the first support to suspend the line therefrom.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the mating structures are brackets for connecting the first member to the second member.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the mating structures comprise notches in the first and second members which align the first and second member with respect to one another and form a joint therebetween.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of pulleys connected to the first member of the first and second supports and through which the line is fed to increase the number of times the line extends between the first and second supports and to increase the line surface area upon which items may be supported.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  further including an anchor for securing the apparatus to the ground, the anchor including an adjustable sleeve for securing the anchor to the first member.  
     
     
         14 . A method for adjusting tension in a line for supporting items comprising: 
 suspending the line between at least two supports,    providing a sleeve connected to the line; and    rotating the sleeve to adjust tension in the line.    
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  further comprising: 
 coaxially connecting the sleeve to a first portion of the line; and    rotating the sleeve in a first direction to increase tension in the line and in a second direction to reduce tension in the line.    
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14  further comprising: 
 providing a second sleeve connected to a second portion of the line;    rotating the second sleeve to adjust tension in the line.    
     
     
         17 . A method of providing an apparatus for supporting items comprising: 
 providing a kit including components for assembling an apparatus for supporting items; and    providing instructions for assembling the components included in the kit.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the components include at least one of a first support, a second support and a line, with the method further comprising assembling the supports and line in accordance with the instructions provided with the kit.  
     
     
         19 . A kit for assembling an apparatus for supporting items comprising: 
 components for assembling the apparatus for supporting items; and    instructions for assembling the components included in the kit.    
     
     
         20 . The kit according to  claim 19  wherein the components comprise at least one of a first support, a second support, a line for connecting the supports and being adapted to support items therefrom, and a tension adjusting mechanism having a rotatable sleeve for adjusting tension in the line.  
     
     
         21 . The kit according to  claim 19  wherein the components include a first support, a second support, a line for connecting the supports and being adapted to support items therefrom, and a tension adjusting mechanism having a rotatable sleeve for adjusting tension in the line.  
     
     
         22 . The kit according to  claim 21  wherein the sleeve is rotatable in a first direction for increasing tension in the line and in a second direction for reducing tension in the line.