Patent Application
20220098787
The present invention relates generally to the field of dryer exhaust pipes. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved accordion-style silicon dryer lint tube/hose that is customizable and easy to install with any conventional dryer vent and wall vent. The dryer lint tube comes in various accordion-style designs that allow the tube to be flexible, adjustable and extendable in length. The tube can have detachable tubular ends for a secure fit onto a dryer vent and a wall vent and alternatively, the tube can have alternate tubular and accordion-style lengths. The dryer lint tube is easy to cut and can be installed without any tools. A twist on clamp with a large end is used to secure the tube at both the dryer vent and the wall vent. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, when a clothes dryer is installed in a building, it must be vented to the outside. Clothes dryers are typically vented through an exterior wall of a home. Usually, a flexible dryer exhaust pipe or tube is installed to vent out moisture, lint and other debris. During installation, the dryer exhaust tube is attached to the outlet of the dryer when the dryer is away from a wall. However, after installation, as the dryer is moved closer to the wall, the flexible tube can tear or kink. Similarly, during installation of the tube, the aluminum end of the presently available lint/dryer tube does not typically slide onto the dryer or wall vent very easily, and ends up tearing or kinking.
The kinks in the dryer vent hose/tube result in numerous fires hazards every year. Kinks in the dryer vent hose can also cause clogging and accumulation of lint that can reduce dryer efficiency. In gas dryers, that restriction can cause dangerous exhaust gases to be emitted into the building in which the clothes dryer is installed.
Currently available hoses/tubes are made up of aluminum that is hard to cut at home and requires professional help. Further, these hoses are not easily extendable or retractable. Expensive tools and manual labor are required for users to customize these hoses. The aluminum hoses also cause lint to escape at the connections at both the dryer vent and the wall vent due to a loose fit. This causes debris to enter a house, and can also cause a fire in the house.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that eliminates or reduces kinks and tearing during and after installation. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that eliminates the clogging of lint and debris. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that eliminates the chances of fire due to an accumulation of lint and debris in the tube. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that is cost-effective, flexible and customizable. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that can be installed without using any professional help, and without use of expensive tools. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that securely fits onto both the wall vent and the dryer vent. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that enables a user to easily and safely customize the hose as per his or her needs and/or wants to vent out outside the home.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a flexible dryer lint tube device designed to prevent lint from escaping at the tube connection with a dryer vent/pipe and a wall vent. The flexible dryer lint tube device comprises an accordion-style dryer lint tube, that is designed as a flexible and extendable tube for connecting the dryer exhaust pipe/vent and the wall vent and a pair of twist-on clamps with a large end for securing the tube to the dryer exhaust pipe/vent and the wall vent. Typically, the dryer lint tube is made up of silicon and is heat-resistant. The dryer lint tube has a first end that securely fits/connects onto the dryer exhaust pipe/vent, and a second end that securely fits/connects onto the wall vent thereby not allowing lint to escape at the said connections. The dryer lint tube has a portion of accordion-style lengths and a portion of tubular-style lengths, thereby allowing the dryer lint tube to hold its form during use.
In this manner, the flexible dryer lint tube device accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a relatively safe, cost-effective, customizable and flexible dryer hose which safely connects the dryer to the wall vent. The dryer hose allows users to customize the tubing to suit their needs, including length and angle, and provides a snug fit. The dryer hose does not allow lint to escape and can be installed easily without use of tools. The heat-resistant material and the elimination of kinks of the dryer hose prevent fire hazards due to accumulation of lint in and near the tube.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a flexible dryer lint tube device. The dryer lint tube device is designed to prevent lint from escaping at the tube connection with a dryer vent/pipe and a wall vent. More specifically, the device comprises an accordion-style dryer lint tube that is designed as a flexible and extendable tube for connecting the dryer exhaust pipe/vent and the wall vent, and a pair of twist on clamps with a large end for securing the tube to the dryer exhaust pipe/vent and the wall vent. Typically, the tube is made up of silicon and is heat-resistant. The tube has a first end that securely fits/connects onto the dryer exhaust pipe/vent, and a second end that securely fits/connects onto the wall vent thereby preventing lint from escaping at the said connections. The tube has a portion of accordion-style lengths and a portion of tubular-style lengths, thereby allowing the tube to hold its form during use. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the accordion-style lengths and the tubular-style lengths are positioned alternately to each other, and allow the tube to be flexible and extendable.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an accordion-style dryer tube is disclosed. The dryer tube is designed to connect a dryer outlet vent to a wall vent. The accordion-style tube is made up of a flexible and heat-resistant material like silicon, and has tubular opposing ends. The accordion length allows the tube to be extended or retracted, and the opposing tubular ends form a secure fit with a dryer exhaust pipe/vent and a wall vent for exhausting lint and moisture from the dryer. The secure fit at both the dryer exhaust pipe/vent and the wall vent prevents lint from escaping.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the tubular ends can be integrated to the accordion tube, or can be detachably-secured at the ends of the accordion tube. In still yet another embodiment, the tubular ends fit by being inserted into the dryer exhaust pipe/vent and the wall vent, and can be further secured by using a twist-on clamp with a large end, wherein the large end is turned to secure the clamp around the tubular ends.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for connecting a dryer exhaust pipe/vent to a wall vent using a dryer exhaust tube is described. The method includes initially selecting a desired length of an accordion-style tube having accordion-style and tubular-style lengths; securely fitting a first end of the accordion-style tube onto the dryer exhaust pipe/vent, and securely fitting a second end of the accordion-style tube onto the wall vent, thereby connecting the dryer exhaust pipe/vent and the wall vent. The method also includes using one twist-on clamp at both the first end and the second end, to securely fit the tube onto the dryer exhaust pipe/vent and wall vent, thereby preventing lint and debris from escaping.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that eliminates or reduces kinks and tearing during and after installation. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that eliminates the clogging of lint and debris. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that eliminates the chances of fire due to the accumulation of lint and debris in the tube. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that is cost-effective, flexible and customizable. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that can be installed without using any professional help, and without use of expensive tools. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that securely fits onto both the wall vent and the dryer vent. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dryer lint tube that enables a user to easily and safely customize the hose as per his or her needs and/or wants to vent outside the home.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel accordion-style dryer tube. The dryer tube is designed to connect a dryer outlet vent to a wall vent. The accordion-style tube is made up of a flexible and heat-resistant material like silicon, and has tubular opposing ends. The accordion length allows the tube to be extended or retracted, and the opposing tubular ends form a secure fit with a dryer exhaust pipe/vent and a wall vent for exhausting lint and moisture from the dryer. The secure fit at both the dryer exhaust pipe/vent and the wall vent prevents lint from escaping.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The accordion-style of the tube 102 allows the angle of the tube 102 to be adjusted to fit even small spaces. The tube 102 allows the smooth flow of lint from the dryer to the wall pipe without any lint escaping or becoming clogged. Also, the first end 110 and the second end 114 form a secure fit to the dryer pipe and the wall pipe respectively, thus preventing lint from escaping. Further, the clamps 108, 112 secure and tighten, providing additional security against lint escaping. Advantageously, the silicon tube 102 eliminates the chances of a fire from dryer lint or other debris building up in the tube 102. Additionally, the silicon tube 102 is easy to use with a fire extinguisher, and can easily be removed without the use of a tool or without help from a professional.
Further, the silicon tube 102 is easy to clean from both the exterior and the interior. The tube 102 can be pulled easily from the pipes, thereby allowing a user to easily remove the debris and lint. The silicon material of the tube 102 does not allow easy tearing, which provides a long life to the silicon dryer lint tube 102 of the present embodiment.
Preferably, each accordion-style length 104 is approximately in the range of 1′-2′ and each tubular length 106 is approximately in the range of 2′-3′. However, it should be appreciated that these lengths can be adjusted and customized as per a user's wants and/or needs.
The system 200 further comprises a pair of hose clamps 208, 210, wherein a first hose clamp 208 securely clamps the first tubular style end 204 to an opening of the dryer exhaust pipe, and a second clamp 210 securely clamps the second tubular style end 206 to the wall pipe. The tubular ends 204, 206 can be integrated to the tube 202 or can also be detachably-secured, thereby allowing users to use either one or both tubular ends as per their requirements.
Preferably, each tubular end 204, 206 is approximately in the range of 3″-4″ for a secure fit. However, it should be appreciated that the length of the tubular ends 204, 206 can be adjusted and customized as per a user's wants and/or needs.
The device 300 further comprises a pair of hose clamps 308, 310 wherein a first clamp 308 securely clamps the first end 304 to an opening of the dryer exhaust pipe, and a second clamp 310 securely clamps the second end 306 to the wall pipe.
It should be appreciated that the dryer lint tube device of various embodiments of the present invention can come in various colors, designs and sizes to meet a user's wants and/or needs. Further, the dryer lint tube device is soft, pliable, adjustable and flexible, thereby preventing lint from escaping from the connections at both the dryer vent and the wall vent. The dryer lint tube device can be used regardless of where in the room or outside the exhaust pipe is located. Further, the dryer lint tube device of various embodiments provides a quick connect and disconnect assembly that can be used with substantially any conventional dryer.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “dryer lint tube device”, “device”, “dryer tube device”, and “clothes dryer vent coupling device”, are interchangeable and refer to the dryer lint tube device 100, 200, 300 of the present invention. Similarly, as used herein “dryer lint tube”, “dryer tube”, “accordion tube”, “tube” and “accordion-style silicon tube” are interchangeable and refer to the dryer lint tube 102, 202, 302 of the present invention
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the dryer lint tube device 100, 200, 300 and the dryer lint tube 102, 202, 302 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the dryer lint tube device 100, 200, 300 and the dryer lint tube 102, 202, 302 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/083,400, which was filed on Sep. 25, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63083400 | Sep 2020 | US |
