1. Field of the Invention
The invention disclosed herein is directed to a portable dryer for articles of clothing such as a golf glove, a batting glove, shoes, socks and the like. The dryer generates a flow of air through a confined outlet. A mechanism for supporting the glove so that air is directed into the interior of the glove is also provided.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,518 discloses a glove dryer including a fan operated by batteries and a support mechanism for securing the glove to the device such that the flow of air is directed into the interior of the glove. A clip is used to support the dryer on a tubular member of a golf cart.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,515 discloses a device for drying articles of clothing that includes a battery operated fan and two discharge outlet tubes. The device is either hand held or supported by the article to be dried. Both devices fail to show an arrangement for positively securing the glove to the discharge outlet so as to ensure that the glove will not be separated from the device in use.
This invention disclosed herein is for a portable dryer that includes a discharge outlet and a mechanism to positively secure the article being dried at the discharge outlet. The mechanism is adapted to accommodate articles having different size wrist portions.
An embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of annular ribs formed on the outside of the air discharge guide member that are axially spaced. The air discharge guide member is a tapering frustoconical member which cooperates with the ribs to support articles such as gloves having a varying wrist width.
Referring to
Referring to
Air discharge guide is in the shape of frustroconical member tapering from air inlet 41 to air outlet 18. A plurality of radially spaced annular ribs 15 and 16 are formed on the outside periphery of air discharge guide 11 adjacent air outlet 18. As shown in
Thus a child's size glove may be held in place by rib 16 whereas it would be necessary to place a larger size glove for example an adult size glove over rib 15 to secure it in place.
An access door for battery pack 24 may be placed adjacent the battery pack for replacing the batteries.
Lower portion 19 and bottom 31 allows for the dryer to be placed within a beverage cup holder for support. Such beverage cup holders are typically located within golf carts for example.
An eyelet 32 may be provided on the housing for attachment to a strap or the like. Additionally a hook 43 may extend outwardly of discharge guide 11 for attaching the dryer to a fence or the like.
Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.