Method and apparatus for drying footwear and handwear

• US 5,199,188 A
• Filed: 07/08/1991
• Issued: 04/06/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Franz, Daniel
• Original Assignee: Franz, Daniel
• Inventors: Franz, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennet, Henry A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gromada, Denise
• Application Number:
  US07/725,322
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 34/103, 34/104, 34/106, 34/107, 34/105, 34/21, 34/151, 34/202, 223/78
• US Class Current: 34/105
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 23/205 with heating arrangements
• 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

Abstract

A method and apparatus for drying footwear and handwear utilizing a compartment having a blower assembly and a central tube for directing air into a tree-rack for contact with the wet or damp footwear. A second embodiment includes a drying fitting for drying handwear. The apparatus includes a rotating element to ease the installation of the footwear.

Claims

1. An apparatus for drying multiple articles of outerwear comprising:

a) a base member having a top surface provided with at least one aperture;

b) air circulation means in said base member to force air through said at least one aperture;

c) outerwear support means having a hollow central member one end of which is profiled to be received in an aperture of said base member and a plurality of hollow arms, said arms in fluid communication with and extending from said central member in a patterned spaced array, each said arm receiving an article of outerwear thereon and directing air therein; and

d) a plurality of plug means to close off unoccupied open arm apertures and base member apertures.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

means to heat said air.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

means to draw ambient air into said base.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outerwear includes handwear further comprising:

a plurality of drying fittings through which said air passes, each said fitting having a first end adapted to be received in a respective arm end aperture and a second end provided with shape-retaining drying elements.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said one end of said central member is provided with means for rotating said central member about its longitudinal axis.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outerwear includes footwear further comprising:

means having a first end received in a respective aperture and a second end receivable within a shoe to both support said shoe and circulate air therethrough.