Dehydration device

• US 5,412,928 A
• Filed: 01/21/1994
• Issued: 05/09/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frederick Reithel
• Original Assignee: Frederick Reithel
• Inventors: Reithel, Frederick
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennet, Henry A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOERRLER, WILLIAM CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US08/183,819
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 34/104, 34/105, 34/106, 34/103, 34/437, 34/439, 34/440, 34/239, 223/85
• US Class Current: 34/104
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 23/205 with heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 59/02 for garments
• 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

A dehydration device is provided which consists of a portable framework. Structures are for suspending from the portable framework various components of turnout uniforms that are used by fire and rescue personnel. A mechanism is coupled to the portable framework for removing moisture in an accelerated time interval from the various components of the turnout uniforms.

Claims

1. A dehydration device which comprises:

a) a portable framework comprising a pair of spaced apart horizontal leg bases, two pair of casters, each said pair of casters mounted on opposite ends of each said horizontal leg base, two pair of stanchions, each said pair of stanchions affixed in an upstanding spaced apart position onto each said horizontal leg base, so that each said horizontal leg base is transversely aligned with respect to each said pair of stanchions, a perforated top rack extending horizontally between the upper ends of said two pair of stanchions, and a manifold conduit extending horizontally between the lower ends of said pair of stanchions adjacent said leg bases directly below and parallel with said top rack;

b) means comprising special hangers for suspending from said top rack various components of turnout uniforms that are used by fire and rescue personnel; and

c) means coupled to said portable framework for removing moisture in an accelerated time interval from the various components of the turnout uniforms comprising a plurality of air outlet pipes spaced apart in upright positions on top of said manifold conduit said pipes communicating with the interior of said conduit and means fluidly connected to a side of said manifold conduit for forcing air through said manifold conduit and out of all of said air outlet pipes, so that any wet turnout coats and bunker pants hanging down from said top rack will be dried by the forced air.

2. A dehydration device as recited in claim 1, wherein each said special hanger includes:

a) a flat bow having a plurality of apertures therethrough; and

b) a hook affixed to an upper apex central portion of said bow, so that said hook can engage with said top rack, while a turnout coat can be hung onto said bow.

3. A dehydration device as recited in claim 2, wherein each said special hanger further includes:

a) a U-shaped carry member attached to the underside of said bow; and

b) a clip on said carry member to hold the cuffs of a pair of bunker pants, so that the bunker pants will hang upside down.

4. A dehydration device as recited in claim 3, wherein said air forcing means is a control box that is fluidly connected to the side of said manifold conduit.

5. A dehydration device as recited in claim 4, wherein said control box includes:

a) a housing having a bottom wall, a top wall, a pair of side walls, a front wall and a rear wall having an opening therethrough connected into said manifold conduit; and

b) a blower in said housing for supplying the forced air into said manifold conduit.

6. A dehydration device as recited in claim 5, wherein said control box further includes a heater in said housing, which when activated will heat the forced air before entering said manifold conduit.

7. A dehydration device as recited in claim 6, wherein said control box further includes:

a) a relay/timer mounted onto one said side wall of said housing and electrically connected to said blower and said heater; and

b) a three-way selector switch on and electrically connected to said relay/timer, so that when said three-way selector switch is turned to a first position said blower will operate, turned to a second position said blower and said heater will operate and turned to a third position said blower and said heater will not operate.

8. A dehydration device as recited in claim 7, further including a sealing cap mounted in a removable manner upon a free end of one said air outlet pipe, so as to prevent the forced air from exiting said air outlet pipe when not in use.

9. A dehydration device as recited in claim 7, further including a boot dryer adaptor, a bunker pants drying adaptor, and a glove drying adaptor which can be selectively mounted in a removable manner upon a free end of an air outlet pipe for selective drying of wet boots, bunker pants and gloves.

10. A dehydration device as recited in claim 9, wherein said boot dryer adaptor includes:

a) a cap that fits upon the free end of said air outlet pipe; and

b) a perforated tube extending upwardly from said cap, so that the inverted wet boot can be placed upon said perforated tube.

11. A dehydration device as recited in claim 7, an inverted wet pair of bunker pants hanging down from one said special hanger can be placed over said bunker pants dryer adaptor to be dried therefrom.

12. A dehydration device as recited in claim 11, wherein said bunker pants dryer adaptor includes:

a) a cap that fits upon the free end of said air outlet pipe; and

b) two perforated tubes extending upwardly at an angle from opposite sides of said cap to fit into each leg portion of said inverted wet pair of bunker pants.

13. A dehydration device as recited in claim 12, wherein said glove dryer adaptor includes:

a) a cap that fits upon the free end of said air outlet pipe; and

b) four perforated tubes extending upwardly at angles radially about said cap, so that each of the inverted wet gloves can be placed upon each said perforated tube.