Features of Jane’s peg design.
The body of the peg is formed of plastic and has been injection moulded as a single part.
A rubber substrate having a ribbed surface 6 has been bonded to the sides of the peg to allow the peg to be easily gripped during use (see Figure 7). These could be included as inserts during injection moulding of the peg body.
The jaws 4a, 4b of the peg are biased toward a closed position by a spring 2 located between inner surfaces of the arms 1a, 1b of the peg. Because the jaws are biased toward a closed position, the peg provides a firm hold on clothes and is unlikely to slip off the washing line in strong winds.
Furthermore, because the spring is located between inner surfaces of the arms of the peg, there is less risk that any sharp edges on the ends of the spring could catch on clothing and rip a hole in the clothing.
A projecting cylinder- shaped protrusion or spigot 3a, 3b is located on each inner surface of the peg arms. Each end of the spring is positioned to surround a respective spigot to hold the spring in place between the peg arms.
Rubber pads 5 are located on inner surfaces of the jaws of the peg to reduce damage when in contact with clothing. The pads can be included as inserts during injection moulding of the peg.
A cheaper version of the peg might exclude the rubber pads on the jaws and handles. Jane also thinks that the connection between the jaws might be able to be made springy enough that you can do away with the metal spring.