Hills Slim Retracting Clothesline

D+I worked with Hills to develop another standout example of innovation from the makers of the iconic Hills Hoist. The Hills in-house development team conceived a concept and design for the world’s thinnest retracting clothesline. The team at D+I was challenged by Hills to take over the development and implementation of the project, right through to production. The result: The Hills Slimline Retracting Clotheslines - the thinnest in the world. With a product depth of only 70mm, a reduction of 155mm from previous designs, it breaks new aesthetic ground. To achieve this streamlined profile the product has been redefined from the ground up. An innovative method of line spooling has been developed to create a system that runs parallel to the installation surface and defines this new design. A new engineered method of line tensioning and locking provides a drying solution suitable for both large and small spaces. The Hills Slim is truly versatile in its installation capability which can range from between 2.0m to 6.5m. The redesign of the locking system has allowed for improved tensioning performance to be achieved at all installation scenarios. The new locking system utilises a 2-stage tensioning mechanism to achieve this high level of operating range performance.

Innovative, patented, mechanisms.

This innovative design places the Hills Slim as the most spatially efficient clothesline to date. To achieve this paradigm shift the entire mechanical layout of a retracting clothesline line had to be pivoted by 90 degrees. In reorientating the spooling mechanics, it was critical to maintain the already successful independently sprung spools that compensate for variances in installation. The innovative exploration phase saw multiple design challenges conceptualised, prototyped and tested, culminating in a patented mechanism brought to realisation. The Hills Slim breaks the mould of the traditional clothesline aesthetic. Leveraging off the resulting form factor created by the new spooling mechanism, a minimalist aesthetic was now achievable and allows for an unobtrusive product installation. Designed to complement contemporary outdoor living decor, Hills Slim holds its own when installed amongst modern and styled surroundings. At first glance the Hills Slim does not appear as a clothesline but as a design feature on the wall. Available in three contemporary colour schemes, stone, silver and black, the Hills Slim complements a contemporary colour palette.

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