Underground Body Drying System and Method

Abstract

The system and method of the present invention enables seamless, full body drying of a wet body, such as a human or animal, by simply placing the body onto a vented, in-ground air blowing area or platform. The system comprises a preferably underground airflow generator system that when activated generates warm forced air streams to and up through an in-ground ventilation system on which the body is standing or positioned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of air dryers and particularly to full body drying apparatuses and systems.

The benefits of using forced, preferably warm, air to dry a wet human body (or animal) in place of using towels, whether after bathing, showering, or engaging in water activities such as swimming or playing water sports, are well-understood. Eliminating the need for towels in many situations offers convenience, comfort and hygiene for the person needing to dry off, in addition to cost (both the initial cost and washing and drying costs of towels) and environmental savings. For example, US Publication No. 2006/021248 to Symons proposed an elongate above the ground heated air dryer. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,878,621, 8,112,899, and US Publication No. 2010/024241 all disclose wall-mounted body blow dryers; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,900 discloses a ceiling mounted air dryer for a shower, particularly useful for disabled people.

Existing body air drying solutions, however, are either standalone portable devices or are designed for the after-market, often as a retrofit for or add-on to a shower or bathroom area. Moreover, all are above-ground solutions, making them unsightly and take up valuable above the ground space. Further, none of the solutions provide truly effortless air drying of the entire body of a user, requiring nothing more than the user walking or being placed on a specific location or area on the ground, whether indoors or outdoors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets these needs and more by disclosing an air blowing system designed preferably to be built under the ground, and typically, but not necessarily as part of the construction of brand new properties, such as a resort, a home, or with any other structure or area where people or animals can benefit from efficient, towel-less body drying.

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a system for air drying a body. The invention includes an in-ground air ventilation subsystem onto which the body may stand or be positioned, and an airflow generator system that feeds forced air through at least a section of the air ventilation subsystem over which the body is positioned. In embodiments, the airflow generator system includes a forced-air generator that upon activation generates a forced, body-drying air flow, and an air duct system connected to forced-air generator that transmits air generated by the generator to and through at least a portion of the ventilation subsystem when the body is positioned over the portion of the vent system.

The system may be implemented in numerous environments where body drying may be desirable. In some implementations, the ventilation subsystem is located around all, or at least a portion of, the perimeter of a swimming pool. In this embodiment, the ventilation subsystem may optionally simultaneously serve as grate system for a water drainage system of the pool. In other embodiments, the system may be deployed of in a shower floor or in a part of a bathroom floor. In other embodiments, the ventilation subsystem may be designed in a dedicated “air drying” space on the ground, whether indoors or outdoors.

In more particular embodiments, the system further includes at least one sensor or sensor system that automatically activates the forced-air generator when sensing the presence of the body on the ventilation subsystem. In further embodiments, the at least one sensor automatically activates the forced-air generator when sensing the presence of the body on the ventilation subsystem for a predetermined amount of time.

In yet other embodiments, the ventilation subsystem comprises multiple vent panels, and the at least one sensor is adapted to sense which one or more of the multiple vent panels on which the body is positioned, and to signal the airflow generator system to generate body-drying air to that vent panel or those vent panels, and in some cases to at least one vent panel adjacent to that vent panel or those vent panels.

In further detailed embodiments, multiple vent panels may include rotatably adjustable air-directing blades, and the air-directing blades of the at least one vent panel adjacent to the vent panel(s) on which the body is position may rotate so as to angle the direction of the airflow out of the vents toward the body. In this case, more direct body drying coverage may be obtained on an upright, standing body.

The present invention also contemplates for some embodiments that the at least one sensor is designed to sense which one or more of the multiple vent panels on which the body is positioned, and to signal the airflow generator system to generate body-drying airflow only to that vent panel or those vent panels.

In embodiments where air the ventilation subsystem comprising a relatively large total area, the airflow generator system may be designed to feed forced air through a section of the air ventilation subsystem over which the body is positioned that is less than the total area of the air ventilation subsystem.

A method for drying a wet body using an air-drying system having an airflow generator system and an in-ground ventilation system connected to the airflow generator system is also disclosed. This method may include activating the airflow generator system after the body is on the ventilation system, to generate and propel at least one stream of air up and through the ventilation system, such that the at least one stream directly contacts the wet body; maintaining the at least one stream of air for at least part of the time that the body is positioned on the ventilation system; and deactivating the airflow generator system. In embodiments, this method may further comprise a first step of automatically sensing the presence of the body on the ventilation system before the activation step.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention as implemented in a swimming pool environment;

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of part of the environment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the present invention as implemented in a shower/bathtub environment;

FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows a portion of an underground air blowing subsystem as may be implemented according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one section of a system designed according to the present invention showing the cooperation of air vent panels 502 with an underground air blowing duct system; and

FIG. 6 shows a person standing on a portion of the vent system of the present invention and drying off according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The system and method of the present invention enables seamless, full body drying of a wet body, such as a human or animal, by simply placing the body onto a vented, in-ground air blowing area or platform. The system comprises a preferably underground airflow generator system that when activated generates forced air streams to and up through an in-ground ventilation system. The airflow generator system includes a preferably hot air blower generator and an underground air duct system. The generator forces air through the ducts of the air duct system, and in turn up through an air ventilation system. Thus, when a wet body stands on at least part of the air ventilation system, the body drying system may be activated to dry off the body.

Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding features throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary top view of one embodiment of the present in-ground, body air-drying invention as implemented in a swimming pool environment 100 at any location, such as a home or hotel resort, having lounge chairs 14, etc. As shown, air ventilation system (or “vent system”) 20 is disposed around the perimeter 12 of pool 10. Airflow generator system 300 is shown symbolically with dashed lines and is at least partly installed underground to selectively supply forced drying air via its air ducts to vent system 20. A preferred embodiment of airflow generator system 300 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4 and discussed further below.

Vent system 20 comprises any number “x” of vent panels 22 appropriate or desired for the specific desired or requirements of the environment in which the invention is installed. In some embodiments, there may be only one panel 22 of any appropriate length. In the presently shown use case, a single panel 22 may extend along only a portion of perimeter 12, serving as a dedicated area for one person wishing to dry off. In other embodiments, vent system 20 may comprise a single panel that extends around the entire perimeter 12. In yet other embodiments, there may be several panels 22 that are placed at different locations around perimeter 12, enabling more than one person to simultaneously “use” different panels. FIG. 1 shows one preferred embodiment comprising x=32 vent panels 22 circumventing the entire perimeter 12. Each vent panel is thus designated as 22_(n+1) where, moving clockwise from the top left corner panel, n increases incrementally from 0 to x−1. Thus, for example, the top right corner panel in FIG. 1 is designated as 22₍₉₊₁₎, or 22₁₀, identifying it as the 10^th vent panel 22. Squiggle lines 40_a-40_n represent generally upward air flow blowing up from vent panels 22 while airflow generator system 300 is blowing drying air through any or all vents panels 22.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of part of environment 100 shown in FIG. 1, namely, a top view of the bottom right corner pool area 1 showing part of pool 10 and vent system 20. Shown are 6 contiguous vent panels, 22₁₄ through 22₁₉. These panels 22 may serve the dual purpose as both pool water drainage grates and body-drying, forced air vents. Thus, when pool water splashes onto panels 22, the splashed water can drain into a water collection/recirculation system 330, as is conventionally understood. However, the present invention discloses that panels 22 are also cooperatively connected to airflow generator system 300 having air ducts that terminate at the underside of panels 22, such that when system 300 is activated, transmit the forced air, preferably warm, up through panels 22.

Airflow generator system 300 is designed force air upward and through vent system 20 in order to blow-dry one or more persons who stand on one or more panels 22. See, for example, FIG. 6 for one specific, non-limiting embodiment which will be discussed in greater detail below. In the present pool environment 1, this person will typically have been in the pool, and upon exiting desires to be dried off without the need for a towel. Thus, the present invention contemplates that airflow generator system 300 may be activated when a person exits pool 10 and stands on one or more panels 22. Activation may be manual, for example, with the pressing of, say, an activation button. More preferably, however, airflow generator system 300 may be automatically triggered with the use of one or more sensors (not shown) integrated with vent system 20 that sense/s the presence of a body standing or placed on a panel. Thus, when a sensor (or sensor system) senses a person standing on any panel 22 in vent system 20, or only on a panel or panels that is/are monitored by or equipped with a sensor, in a “crude” embodiment, system 300 is activated to force warm air up through the entire vent system 20 (all panels 22). Alternatively, the sensor/s may selectively activate system 300 to force air only through the panel or panels on which the user is standing. In yet a further embodiment, the system may be designed to force air through the panel or panels on which the user is standing and those panels adjacent to that panel (or panels) in order to ensure full coverage of airflow to all parts of the user's body.

It should be understood that any appropriate sensors or combination of sensor technologies may be used to effectuate the automated triggering of the airflow generator system 300 according to the present invention. Thus, for example, each panel 22, or only selected panels 22 may be equipped with a pressure sensor that senses weight on the panel or panels. Then, if the sensed pressure (weight) exceeds a preset threshold, say 25 or 50 lbs, the system activates the blower subsystem. This threshold weight may be adjusted or adjustable for a particular user's use case. For example, where small children may use pool area 1, it may not be desirable to set the minimum threshold weight too low so as not to activate system 300 when a small child steps on a monitored panel 22.

Alternative or complementary sensor types may be used such light (e.g., laser), LIDAR, or camera visual sensors and other known technologies. Moreover, any sensor technology may be complemented with a timer feature, such that airflow generator system 300 may be triggered only after the sensor senses the presence of a person on a panel for a predetermined, certain amount of time, thus presumably indicating that the person wants to use the blow-drying invention and is not standing on a panel simply to exit and walk away from pool 10. This timer feature can be useful to help distinguish from people who briefly step on the monitored area for the purpose of entering the pool versus those exiting and wishing to blow dry their bodies. In an alternative embodiment, 2 sets of sensors may be designed into monitored portions of the system. One sensor (or set) may be used positioned at the end of a monitored panel that is furthest away from the pool to sense a person entering the pool, and the other sensor (or set) positioned closest to the pool for sensing a person exiting. Whichever sensor (or set) is triggered first will determine whether the person is entering the pool (thereby instructing the blower system to not activate) or exiting (indicating that the person may desire activation).

In yet additional embodiments, airflow generator system 300 will be activated for as long as the person (or animal) is sensed to be on at least part of the vent system 20. When the person steps away from the sensed area, system 300 will automatic stop blowing. In other embodiments, system 300 will not blow indefinitely, but will shut off after a set amount of time even if the user stays in one spot. As will be appreciated, a combination of these on-off and sensing features may be employed within the scope of the invention.

It should be appreciated that variations of this pool embodiment are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the in-ground air drying system need not be implemented around the perimeter of an entire pool 10, or even around a pool at all. In more limited use cases, only one pool vent panel 22 or section in the pool perimeter 12 may be implemented as a dedicated air-drying spot. Alternatively, two or more adjacent panels may serve as a dedicated air-drying region. In yet another embodiment, two or more discrete regions or panels sections around the pool perimeter 12 may serve as air-drying regions. Also, of course, the present invention may be implemented next to or near other water body-immersion environments, including for example, Jacuzzis, hot baths, ritual baths, etc. The invention also need not be implemented immediately around the perimeter of any of these water body-immersion environments either. For example, the air vent system of the present invention may be located at a dedicated ground area separate from, but near, a pool or other water body. Finally, the blower/motor subsystem 310 (see FIG. 4) of airflow generator system 300 need not be physically located underground. Rather, the blower subsystem may be above ground in a location away from the vent system, such as in a “pool equipment room” or other dedicated location that feeds the underground duct system.

Turning now to FIG. 3, shown here is another embodiment of the present invention as implemented in a shower/bathtub environment 200. As seen in the exemplary cutaway perspective view of the interior of room 202, such as a typical bathroom, a bathtub 210 with shower system 212 are shown. Like the pool example in FIG. 1, this bathroom 202 is equipped with an airflow generator system (not shown), that is designed to selectively supply forced warm air 240 up through the floor from vent system 220 via a series of vent grates or panels 222_n. In this example, panels 222₁-222₁₀ cover the portion of the floor perimeter that a bather may step onto. Of course, there may be fewer panels 222 to cover only the floor portion that bathers are expected to exit onto from bathtub 210. As above, in this embodiment, when a bather or showerer exits tub 210, the person may push a button to activate the airflow generator system. Or, one or more sensors may sense the presence of the person on a vent panel or portion 222n, so that the airflow generator is activated for as long as the person stands on the vent portion.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows a portion of an exemplary underground airflow generator system 300 according to the present invention, such as one that may be used in connection with multiple vent segments that may be selectively activated as in the pool environment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. System 300 includes blower and motor subsystem 310 that generates the drying air and air duct subsystem 320 that transmits the generated air underground. In this embodiment, blower subsystem 310 is installed underground 302 in a dedicated blower room 305, and generates a large enough volume of preferably hot (or warm) air with sufficient velocity to be distributed underground via duct subsystem 320. Duct subsystem 320 comprises air duct lines 322, 324, 326 and 440 that transmits the air flow up to and through the ground surface and to other parts of the duct subsystem not shown.

As further seen, ducts 322, 326, 440 are optionally equipped with valves 442, 426 and 442 respectively, that can automatically open and close their respective ducts from serving airflow pathways. Thus, in the segment shown, a person (not shown) may be sensed to be standing on above-the-ground vent panel 340, say at the perimeter of pool 10. Sensing the person standing only on segment 340 of the larger vent system 20, several actions may take place. First, valves 422 and 426 may be automatically opened, or, if already in the open position as seen in FIG. 4, remain open to serving as vertical air passages for the warm air that will be generated. Valve 442 is shut closed (or remains shut if already closed) in order to prevent air from flowing through duct channel 440 to other parts of the ventilation system. Once all valves are in position, blower 310 is activated to forcefully generate air, preferably a high volume of heated air, through air duct subsystem 320. Based on the valve positions, this air is specifically directed only through duct segments 322, 326, thus causing all generated air to be blown up only through the surface as indicated at arrows 350, to dry the person standing above ground at that location.

As is also seen in FIG. 4, because vent panel 340 may be part of a dual-purpose air-drying and water recirculation system for a pool, also underground is a water drainage system 330 including water drainpipe 332 that collects water that drips off a user or is splashed from the pool. Or, in a shower embodiment, this is a standard drainage system provided, of course, to drain the water from running the shower. In the pool environment, this water in drainage system 330 may be treated and pumped back into the pool as is well-understood in the swimming pool arts.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one exemplary section 500 of the present invention demonstrating the cooperation of vent segments or panels 502, 504 and 506 with the underground air blowing duct system 510 similar to subsystem 320 described in FIG. 4 above.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 shows a variation to the system shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5 and in prior figures, the air vents or panels of the ventilation system have substantially vertical air slats or blades that cause the air forced from below to be blown in a generally vertically upward position. With sufficient air pressure, this preferably warm and dry vertical air flow will eventually dry off the upper body (and even head hair) of a wet person standing over the vents even though this upper part is further away from the vents than the lower part and feet of the person. Similarly, FIG. 6 shows a portion of vent system 600 having vent panels 602, 604 and 606, with a swimmer 1000 standing on the middle vent panels 604 in the act of being air-dried by the system of the present invention. However, in an option that can substantially improve the drying efficiency of a full human body, here some or all blades of vent panels 602, 604 and 606 are not all be permanently oriented vertically. Instead, as seen here, blades of some but not all of the vents are angled relative to the position of swimmer 1000. In particular, the blades of vent panel 604 over which swimmer 1000 is directly standing are vertically positioned causing the air flow 704 flowing through it to blow straight up as shown in prior examples. But, as seen, blades of vent panels 602 and 606 are angled several degrees off the vertical causing the direction of the air flow 702 and 706 forced through them to be angled toward swimmer 1000. For these “outer” air flows, it can be appreciated that as the distance away from standing swimmer 1000 increases, the air flow through these angled vents will make contact with, or “hit,” swimmer 1000 at different parts of the body. Thus, the vertical blades of vent panel 604 located directly below the standing swimmer will force the air to directly contact and dry the feet, legs and generally the lower part of the body. Vent portions further away from swimmer will direct the forced air exiting them to contact and dry the upper portions of the body and the head. This feature enables more complete and direct air flow paths to all parts of a standing body than a purely vertically directed air flow.

It should be understood that the blades of vent panels shown in FIG. 6 may or may not be rotatable. In non-rotating embodiments, where the blades may be permanently angled as shown (or manually rotated to fixed angles during installation), the system of the present invention may be best implemented by directing swimmer 1000 to the ideal spot to stand-namely, over panel 604 (where she is standing in the figure) in order to achieve a most efficient body drying experience. This may be achieved by providing a marker or sign that directs the users where to stand when desiring most-efficient drying. However, in alternative automated embodiments of this improvement, the blades of vent panels may be rotatably adjustable to optimize the airflow angle relative to the person. In a fully automated option to the rotatable blade embodiment, these panels may be integrated with the vent sensor or sensors discussed above that can sense the presence and, especially important here, the exact location, of the standing person. In this case, when a person stands on any vent panel equipped with a sensor, as she exits a pool or shower, the system will sense this standing location and before air generating system is activated. The system will then instruct the blades of the panels on either side of swimmer to automatically rotate to direct the air flow that exits their panels toward the swimmer.

It should be understood that the air blowing system of the present invention may be made as a standalone solution or may be integrated with water drainage systems at the perimeter of many pools and shower systems.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Various changes, modifications, and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A system for air drying a body, comprising: (a) an in-ground air ventilation subsystem onto which the body may stand or be positioned; and(b) an airflow generator system that feeds forced air through at least a section of the air ventilation subsystem over which the body is positioned.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the airflow generator system comprises a forced-air generator that upon activation generates body-drying air flow; and an air duct system connected to forced-air generator that transmits air generated by the generator to and through at least a portion of the ventilation subsystem when the body is positioned over the portion of the vent system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the ventilation subsystem is located around at least a portion of the perimeter of a swimming pool.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the ventilation subsystem simultaneously serves as grate system for a water drainage system of the pool.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the in-ground air ventilation subsystem is at least part of a shower floor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the in-ground air ventilation subsystem is installed in at least a portion of a bathroom floor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the ventilation subsystem comprises vent panels.

8. The system of claim 1, further including at least one sensor that automatically activates the forced-air generator when sensing the presence of the body on the ventilation subsystem.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor automatically activates the forced-air generator when sensing the presence of the body on the ventilation subsystem for a predetermined amount of time.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the ventilation subsystem comprises multiple vent panels, and the at least one sensor is adapted to sense which one or more of the multiple vent panels on which the body is positioned, and to signal the airflow generator system to generate body-drying air to that vent panel or those vent panels.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to sense which one or more of the multiple vent panels on which the body is positioned, and to signal the airflow generator system to generate body-drying air to that vent panel or those vent panels and to at least one vent panel adjacent to that vent panel or those vent panels.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the multiple vent panels include rotatably adjustable air-directing blades, and the air-directing blades of the at least one vent panel adjacent to the vent panel(s) on which the body is position rotate so as to angle the direction of the airflow out of the vents toward the body.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to sense which one or more of the multiple vent panels on which the body is positioned, and to signal the airflow generator system to generate body-drying airflow only to that vent panel or those vent panels.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the airflow generator system feeds forced air through a section of the air ventilation subsystem over which the body is positioned that is less than the total area of the air ventilation subsystem.

15. A method for drying a wet body using an air-drying system having an airflow generator system and an in-ground ventilation system connected to the airflow generator system, comprising: (a) activating the airflow generator system after the body is on the ventilation system, to generate and propel at least one stream of air up and through the ventilation system, such that the at least one stream directly contacts the wet body;(b) maintaining the at least one stream of air for at least part of the time that the body is positioned on the ventilation system; and(c) deactivating the airflow generator system.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising a first step of automatically sensing the presence of the body on the ventilation system.