Body drying system

• US 5,377,424 A
• Filed: 10/18/1993
• Issued: 01/03/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leandro R. Albanes
• Original Assignee: Leandro R. Albanes
• Inventors: Albanes, Leandro R.
• Primary Examiner(s): ESQUIVEL, DENISE LYNNE
• Application Number:
  US08/137,404
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 34/90, 34/91, 34/151, 34/233, 34/96, 34/97, 34/98, 34/239, 34/618, 34/619, 34/621, 392/370, 392/380, 392/381, 392/382
• US Class Current: 34/90
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/48 Drying by means of hot air hair-drying devices A45D20/00; curative hot-air baths A61H33/06; electric heating elements H05B

Abstract

A body drying system is disclosed for drying the entire body of a user, or alternatively, the towel or robe of a user. The body drying system of this invention includes a rectangular housing with apertures formed within its forward face. The apertures are designed to allow for the passage of warmed air. The housing is specifically dimensioned to fit between a towel rack and the wall onto which the rack is mounted. Thus, the operator may stand in front of the apertures of the housing in order to dry himself or herself. Alternatively, the operator may hang a towel or robe on the rack in front of the apertures. Controls are provided for selecting the degree of heating, the starting time, and the stopping time of the drying system.

Claims

1. A body drying system for blow drying the entire body of an individual after bathing comprising:

a substantially rectangular housing having a forward face, a rearward face, an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of apertures formed within the forward face, the plurality of apertures being six circular apertures positioned in two columns and wherein each set of louvers is a plurality comprised of louver elements which extend radially outward from the center of each of the circular apertures, each set of louvers being rotatively coupled to one of the circular apertures, the rectangular housing dimensioned to be received with its forward face adjacent to a towel rack and its rearward face adjacent to a bathroom wall onto which the rack is mounted;

a set of louvers positioned within each of the apertures of the housing;

a heating element positioned within the housing adjacent the forward face;

a blower positioned within the housing intermediate the rearward face and the heating element, the blower serving to direct air towards the apertures of the housing;

a timing mechanism positioned within the forward face of the housing, the timing mechanism operatively coupled to both the heating element and the blower; and

a temperature control switch positioned within the forward face of the housing, the switch having settings corresponding to low, medium and high, the temperature control switch operatively coupled to the heating element.

2. The body drying system of claim 1 and further including:

a hand held nozzle attachment adapted to be removably coupled to one of the apertures of the forward face of the housing, the nozzle attachment having a forward end and a rearward end;

a tapered air deflector having a forward end and a rearward end, the tapered air deflector defining the rearward end of the hand held nozzle attachment;

a magnetic flange adapted to be sealingly secured about one of the apertures of the forward face of the housing, the magnetic flange defining the rearward end of the tapered air deflector; and

an air outlet portion having a forward end with a handle and a rearward end with a flexible base therebetween the rearward end of the outlet portion being attached to the forward end of the tapered air deflector, the air outlet defining the forward end of the hand held nozzle attachment.

3. The body drying system of claim 1 and further including:

an air freshening attachment adapted to be removably coupled to one of the apertures of the forward face of the housing, the attachment having a central chamber for the receipt of a fragrant material, the attachment also having holes for the passage of air through the attachment and fragrant material; and

a magnetic element secured to the attachment for removably coupling the attachment to the forward face adjacent to an aperture.

4. A body drying system for blow drying the entire body of an individual after bathing comprising:

a substantially rectangular housing having a forward face, a rearward face, an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of apertures formed within the forward face, the plurality of apertures being six circular apertures positioned in two columns and wherein each set of louvers is a plurality comprised of louver elements which extend radially outward from the center of each of the circular apertures, each set of louvers being rotatively coupled to one of the circular apertures, the rectangular housing dimensioned to be received with its forward face adjacent to a towel rack and its rearward face adjacent to a bathroom wall onto which the rack is mounted;

a set of louvers positioned within each of the apertures of the housing;

a heating element positioned within the housing adjacent the forward face;

a blower positioned within the housing intermediate the rearward face and the heating element, the blower serving to direct air towards the apertures of the housing;

a timing mechanism positioned within the forward face of the housing, the timing mechanism operatively coupled to both the heating element and the blower;

a temperature control switch positioned within the forward face of the housing, the switch having settings corresponding to low, medium and high, the temperature control switch operatively coupled to the heating element; and

a towel rack, the towel rack having parallel short arms having inner ends secured to the wall and having outer ends with a horizontal bar coupling the outer ends of the arms, the towel rack being positioned wherein the upper extent of the housing is located between the arms, bar and wall.