MANUALLY-OPERATED CLOTHES DRYING APPARATUS

Abstract

A clothes drying apparatus includes a frame having an upper end and a lower end, configured to support an article of clothing. An airflow path is defined within the frame. A number of exit holes are spaced about the frame and connected to the airflow path. An airflow generating device is configured to blow air through the airflow path and out the exit holes, thereby increasing airflow on the article of clothing, enhancing the drying of the article of clothing. The air may be heated. The frame may further include interconnected arm, vertical and horizontal members, connected to the airflow path, further enhancing the airflow over the article of clothing. Valves may be included to selectively close the airflow path to the arm members or upper end of the frame. The frame may further include a hook to hang the frame from a surface, such as a shower bar.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to drying clothes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a manually-operated system for drying clothes at home for those who do not have a full dryer appliance in their home. More specifically, the present invention relates to drying small loads of laundry in the home thereby obviating the need for taking clothes to a laundry facility, such as a Laundromat.

There is a need for a solution for drying small loads of laundry in between trips to a laundry facility for those who do not have full dryer appliances. There are 320 million people in the United States living in 120 million households. Approximately 65% own their own homes and approximately 35% rent. Thus, there are approximately 42 million people who rent and 35,000 coin operated laundries in the United States with 90 million people depending on them.

It is well know that going to a laundry facility, such as a Laundromat, is inconvenient, frustrating and expensive. As a result, there is a demand for a simple, inexpensive device, such as a manually-operated device and system that can dry a small load of laundry in between trips to a laundry facility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art clothes drying systems. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available systems and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available systems.

The invention is generally directed to the novel and unique manually-operated clothes laundering system. A manually-operated drying apparatus are provided in accordance with the system of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a manually-operated clothes washing system that is suitable for drying small loads of laundry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the clothes drying apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clothes drying apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3. Is an exploded view of the clothes drying apparatus

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clothes drying apparatus in use; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view through line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-5 show the drying apparatus of the present invention generally at 100. As will be described in greater detail below, the drying apparatus 100 includes a frame having an upper end and a lower end, configured to support an article of clothing thereon. An airflow path is defined within the frame. A number of exit holes are spaced about the frame and connected to the airflow path. An airflow generating device is configured and arranged to blow air through the airflow path and out the exit holes, thereby increasing airflow on the article of clothing supported by the frame and enhancing the drying of the article of clothing.

More specifically, the frame 102 includes two sections interlocking sections 102a, 102b (best seen in FIG. 3) that form a tubular network inside the frame creating an airflow path (represented by arrows). The frame 102 also has an upper end 102c and a lower end 102d. The frame 102 is configured to support an article of clothing 104 thereon. A hook 106 is preferably extends from the upper end 102c of the frame 102 for hanging from a support structure, such as a shower curtain rod in a bathroom, for instance. The frame 102 includes a number of exit holes 108 spaced about the frame 102 and interconnected with the airflow path. The airflow path may be formed by number tubular members of the frame 102.

An airflow generating device 110 includes a housing 112 integrated into the lower end 102d of the frame 102. The housing 112 contains a blower 114 configured to direct air into the airflow path of the frame 102. The blower 114 may include a heating element, enabling the blower to blow heated air.

The frame 102 may include arm members 116 for insertion into the sleeves of garment for enhanced drying of the garment. The arm members 116 may include a number of exit holes 108 spaced about thereon. Valves 118 may be included in the frame to shut off air flow to the arm members 116 when a sleeveless garment is being dried, thereby concentrating more airflow onto the garment and enhancing the drying action. Valves 118 may be of any configuration, such as a baffle-type valve where rotation of the valve causes an internal baffle to control the flow of air, as desired.

The frame 102 may include several interconnected cross members, such as horizontal and vertical members 120, 122, which form a part of the airflow path and may include exit holes thereon. The horizontal and vertical members 120, 122 may further be interconnected forming a grid within the frame 102. Air, heated or not, is directed through the airflow path, and out of the exit holes for increasing airflow on the article of clothing supported by the frame 102, thereby increasing the rate at which the clothing dries.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, use of the drying apparatus is shown in use. The drying apparatus 100 is hung, such as on curtain rod for use as a support. Clothes to be dried, such as damp or wet clothes, are hung on the drying apparatus 100 in an arrangement, as desired. With valves 118 adjusted as desired, the airflow generating device 110 is turned on, to start the flow of air into the network of tubes of the frame 102, flowing through the airflow path and out the numerous exit holes 108 and as controlled by valves 118. As the air exits through exit holes 108 into communication with the clothing, the air assists in the drying of the clothes. When drying is complete to the satisfaction of the user, the airflow generating device 110 is turned off and the clothes are removed from the drying apparatus 100.

As the exit holes increase in distance from the heat generation source, they increase in diameter, thereby maintaining air pressure even throughout the exit holes regardless of distance from the heat generation source.

The drying apparatus 100 can be made out of any suitable material. For example, plastic is preferably used but any other materials, such as metals, can be used.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus comprising: a frame having an upper end and a lower end, the frame being configured to support an article of clothing thereon;an airflow path defined within the frame;a plurality of exit holes spaced about the frame and connected to the airflow path;an airflow generating device configured and arranged to blow air through the airflow path; andwhereby air can be directed into the entrance port, through the airflow path, and out of the exit holes for increasing airflow on the article of clothing supported by the frame.

2. The drying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hook connected at the upper end of the frame configured and arranged to hang the frame from a support structure.

3. The drying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a horizontal member interconnected to the frame.

4. The drying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vertical member interconnected to the frame.

5. The drying apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a vertical member interconnected to the frame and horizontal member.

6. The drying apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of exit holes on the horizontal member and connected to the airflow path.

7. The drying apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of exit holes on the vertical member and connected to the airflow path.

8. The drying apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of exit holes on the vertical member and connected to the airflow path.

9. The drying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an arm member extending from the frame configured and arranged to receive a sleeve of a garment thereover.

10. The drying apparatus of claim 2, wherein there are two arm members extending from opposite sides of the frame configured and arranged to receive sleeves of a garment thereover.

11. The drying apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of exit holes on the arm member and connected to the airflow path.

12. The drying apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of exit holes on the two arm members and connected to the airflow path.

13. The drying apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a valve configured and arranged to close the airflow path connected to the arm member.

14. The drying apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a valve configured and arranged to close the airflow path connected to the two arm members.

15. The drying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve configured and arranged to close the airflow path to the upper end of the frame.

16. The drying apparatus of claim 15, wherein there are three valves configured and arranged to close the airflow path to the upper end of the frame.

17. The drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exit holes increase in diameter the further away from the airflow generating device the exit holes are located.

18. The drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame is tubular.

19. A drying apparatus comprising: a tubular frame having an upper end and a lower end, the frame being configured to support an article of clothing thereon, the frame further having a number of interconnected, tubular vertical members and horizontal members;a hook connected at the upper end of the frame for hanging the frame;an airflow path defined within the frame, horizontal members and vertical members;a plurality of exit holes defined on the frame, horizontal members, and vertical members and connected to the airflow path;an airflow generating device integrated into the lower end of the frame, configured and arrange to direct air through the airflow path and out the plurality of exit holes, the exit holes increasing in diameter the further from the airflow generating device;whereby a fluid can be directed into the entrance port, through the airflow path, and out of the at least one exit hole for increasing fluid flow on the article of clothing supported by the frame.

20. The drying apparatus of claim 19, wherein the airflow generating device further heats air directed into the airflow path.