Sports equipment conditioning apparatus

• US 20050204579A1
• Filed: 03/22/2004
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Etc III LLC
• Original Assignee: Etc III LLC
• Inventors: Rosseau, Robert H., Rosseau, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,103,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 34/104
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 23/20 Devices or implements for drying footwear, also with heating arrangements cabinets for shoes A47B61/04
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 59/04 for gloves
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 21/006 the gas supply or exhaust being effected through hollow spaces or cores in the materials or objects, e.g. tubes, pipes, bottles F26B9/003 and F26B9/103 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 9/003 Small self-contained devices, e.g. portable

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for drying and conditioning sports equipment and apparel. A base contains an airflow generator, such as a motorized fan. Ambient temperature air is conveyed through a plurality of tubular members. Apertures in the tubular members allow for airflow to be conveyed to the surface of sports equipment or apparel. The sports equipment and apparel is maintained a distance from the apertures by pegs, pins or other support members. The base may contain a pad for conveying airflow with a fragrance or an antifungal agent.

Claims

1. An apparatus for conditioning sports equipment and apparel comprising:

a plurality of generally hollow tubular members with at least one section having a plurality of apertures,

an airflow generator for generating an ambient temperature airflow through the tubular members and out of the apertures,

at least one support member located proximate the apertures for maintaining a piece of sports equipment or apparel at a predetermined distance from the apertures.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fragrance generator that provides a fragrance to the airflow conveyed through the tubular members.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an antifungal agent generator that provides an antifungal agent that is conveyed through the tubular members.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a filtration system for the air that is conveyed through the tubular members.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of tubular members includes at least one generally horizontally disposed tubular member and at least one generally vertically disposed tubular member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a source of ambient temperature air that is supplied to the airflow generator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the airflow generator is a motorized fan.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubular members are hollow PVC.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein apertures are provided to accommodate a piece of sports equipment or apparel selected from the group comprising a skate, a boot, footwear, a glove, a helmet, a shin guard, and elbow guard, pants, or a jersey, shoulder pads, and hip pads.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for selectively closing or opening the apertures.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a control panel for controlling the activation and operation of the airflow generator.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubular members may be rotated within a range of positions.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the airflow generator allows for variable and constant speeds.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a curved device with offsetting apertures raises equipment off the surface of the tubular member so as to allow airflow through the apertures in the tubular members when in the raised position, and covers the apertures in the tubular members when in the lowered position to block airflow.

15. An apparatus for conditioning sports equipment and apparel comprising:

a substantially enclosed base having a plurality of air intake vents and including a variable/constant speed airflow generator,

a plurality of generally hollow tubular members for supporting sports equipment and apparel, wherein at least one of the tubular members is attached to the base and receives a flow of air from the airflow generator,

at least one area on the tubular members that includes a plurality of apertures and at least one support member maintaining a piece of sports equipment at a predetermined distance from the apertures and allowing a flow of air to be conveyed to the surface of the sports equipment.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the airflow generator further includes a means for conveying a flow of air impregnated with a fragrance.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the airflow generator further includes a means for conveying a flow of air impregnated with an antifungal agent.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the airflow generator further includes a means for conveying a flow of ionized air.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a filtration system for the air that is conveyed through the tubular members.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the airflow generator is a motorized fan.

21. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein slidable gates are disposed on the top surface of the base to regulate airflow to the tubular members.

22. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an electronic control panel that can regulate the airflow rate and the operation of the airflow generator.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the electronic control panel includes a timer function for operating the motorized fan for a predetermined period of time.

24. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the tubular members are hollow PVC.

25. An apparatus for conditioning sports equipment and apparel comprising:

a substantially enclosed base having a plurality of air intake vents and including an airflow generator,

a plurality of tubular members for supporting sports equipment and apparel, at least one of which is attached to the base,

at least one area on the tubular members that includes a plurality of apertures and at least one support member maintaining a piece of sports equipment at a predetermined distance from the apertures and allowing a flow of air to be conveyed to the surface of the sports equipment,

a plurality of capillary tubes that receive airflow from the airflow generator and convey the airflow to each piece of sports equipment stored on the tubular members.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the airflow generator further includes a means for conveying a flow of air impregnated with a fragrance.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the airflow generator further includes a means for conveying a flow of air impregnated with an anti-fungal agent.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the airflow generator further includes a means for conveying a flow of ionized air.

29. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a filtration system for the air that is conveyed through the tubular members.

30. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the airflow generator is a motorized fan.

31. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising an electronic control panel that can regulate the airflow rate and the operation of the airflow generator.

32. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the airflow generator allows for variable or constant speed.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the electronic control panel includes a timer function for operating the motorized fan for a predetermined period of time.

34. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the tubular members are hollow PVC.