This invention relates to a garment drying hanger and more particularly hanger for drying wetsuits.
Wetsuits hung to dry from a conventional hanger of the prior art wear out prematurely in the shoulder area because they are hung to dry while heavy and wet. Further, water must travel the full length of the wetsuit in order to exit, resulting in lengthy drying time. Finally, moisture from the wetsuit can damage the door or object it is being hung against, and dirt or debris from the object it is being hung against can transfer to the wetsuit. What is needed, therefore, is a wetsuit hanger is that overcomes the disadvantages discussed above.
A wetsuit hanger according to this invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by allowing for wetsuits to be easily hung, about their waist-line, from a door, tailgate of a truck, or object, while maintaining distance between the wetsuit and the object it is being hung from. The basis for operation is the ability to project a member, over which the wetsuit is draped, away from the object the wetsuit is being hung from.
The preferred embodiments of this invention will be better understood in to reference to
Viewing now, simultaneously,
Numeral 20 indicates a substantially C-shaped bracket. C-shaped bracket 20 is disposed over a top edge of door 10. C-shaped bracket 20 comprises a substantially straight top plate indicated by numeral 20a. Top plate 20a is disposed horizontally and rests on the top edge of door 10. Top plate 20a can be made 1½″ wide to accommodate a standard door width, or various widths to accommodate various objects, such as fences, gates or tailgates.
Numeral 20b indicates a pair of substantially straight flanges. Flanges 20b extend down vertically from top plate 20a.
Numeral 30 indicates an adjustable clamp. Clamp 30 is disposed on flange 20b on the side of door 10 from which the wetsuit is hung. Clamp 30 comprises a pair of clamping members indicated by numeral 30a. Clamping members 30a define a cylindrical bore indicated by numeral 30b and a slot indicated by numeral 30c. Slot 30c extends along the length of cylindrical bore 30b. The longitudinal io axis of cylindrical bore 30b is disposed substantially horizontally and parallel to flanges 20b.
There is provided a threaded bore (not show that connects clamping members 30a through slot 30c. Numeral 40 indicates a screw. Screw 40 is threadably inserted inside the threaded bore, such that tightening screw 40 urges clamping members 30a toward one another, thereby reducing the diameter of cylindrical bore 30b.
Numeral 50 indicates a J-shaped tubular member. J-shaped tubular member 50 comprises a long arm indicated by numeral 50a and a short arm indicated by numeral 50b. J-shaped tubular member 50 is preferably made from an aluminum tube approximately 1.2″ in diameter, however, other materials and sizes of tubing may be used.
Cylindrical bore 30b receives and rotationally locks short arm 50b by way of tightening screw 40. Long arm 50a receives the wetsuit indicated by numeral 60, such that wetsuit 60 is draped over long arm 50a, while being projected away from door 10.
Viewing now, simultaneously,
Numeral 70a indicates a substantially straight bottom plate. Bottom plate 70a is disposed horizontally. Numeral 70b indicates a substantially straight connecting flange. Connecting flange 70b is disposed vertically and connects top plate 20a and bottom plate 70a.
One flange 20b extends down vertically from top plate 20a and another flange 20b extends up vertically from bottom plate 70a.
Numeral 80 indicates a tubular member. Tubular member 80 comprises a first arm indicated by numeral 80a, a second arm indicated by numeral 80b, a third arm indicated, by numeral 80c, a first U-shaped member indicated by numeral 80d and a second U-shaped member indicated by numeral 80e.
First U-shaped member 80d connects first arm 80a and second arm 80b. First arm 80a, first U-shaped member 80d and second arm 80b define a first plane.
Second U-shaped member 80e connects second arm 80b and third arm 80c. Second arm 80b, second U-shaped member 80e and third arm 80c define a second plane.
The second plane is disposed at an angle ranging from about ten degrees about eighty degrees with respect to the first plane. The angle between the first plane and the second plane shown in
The first plane is resting on the side of door 10 from which wetsuit 60 is hung. Second arm 80b rests on bottom plate 70a. Third arm 80c receives wetsuit 60, such that wetsuit 60 is draped over third arm 80c, while being projected away from door 10.
While the present invention has been described and defined by reference to the preferred embodiments of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled and knowledgeable in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described preferred embodiment of the invention is exemplary only, and is not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.
This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/746,465 filed on Dec. 27, 2012, Confirmation No. 7981.