Fabric article drying rack assembly mountable to a support assembly utilizing heated air flow

• US 5,642,462 A
• Filed: 08/12/1994
• Issued: 06/24/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lyons Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lyons Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Huff, Gary D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeffery, John A.
• Application Number:
  US08/289,786
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 34/619, 34/621, 34/622, 34/202, 34/232, 34/233, 219/521, 219/385, 392/379, 392/382, 392/383, 392/381, 392/363, 392/370, 223/51, 211/87, 211/96, 211/105.1, 248/214, 248/222.3, 248/251
• US Class Current: 392/382
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/06 combined with means for drying towels A47K10/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 25/18 mainly open, e.g. dish, tray, pan , rack for drying agricultural produce A01F25/12
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 9/003 Small self-contained devices, e.g. portable

Abstract

A rack assembly for drying and warming fabric articles which includes an elongated tube having an interior chamber housing an electrical dryer for warming the air and directing the air through the tube and over a plurality of elongated slots formed in the elongated tube to expel the air onto the fabric article. The slots may increase in length preceding away from the dryer and cooperate with a divider wall angling down preceding away from the dryer to reduce the transverse cross-section of the interior chamber to provide a uniform forced air flow from the elongated tube onto the fabric article. The elongated tube may further comprise a plurality ribs on its exterior for spacing the fabric article from the elongated slots. The rack assembly may be mounted to an existing towel rack bar by having openings at each end and a removable cover to extend to bar of the existing rack through the assembly and out the openings. The rack assembly may also be mounted directly to a wall by using removable end caps and wall mount brackets.

Claims

1. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element mounted within said tube for warming the air;

a fan mounted within said tube for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the elongated tube and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan; and

a first end cap located substantially outside the elongated tube at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap located substantially outside the elongated tube at the second end wall of the elongated tube, the first end cap being engaged with the first end wall and the second end cap being engaged with the second end wall, each of the end caps being extendable laterally from the elongated tube and mountable to a support panel for mounting the rack assembly at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying.

2. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a first and second wall bracket capable of being mounted to the support panel and adapted to engage the first and second end caps respectively;

and

means for securing the first and second end caps to the first and second wall brackets to prevent release.

3. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

means for mounting the elongated tube to a support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying; and

the means for mounting further comprising;

a first end cap located substantially outside the elongated tube mounted at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap located substantially outside the elongated tube mounted at the second end wall of the elongated tube, each of the end caps mounted to extend laterally from the elongated tube;

a first and second wall bracket capable of being mounted to the support panel and adapted to engage the first and second end caps respectively; and

means for securing the first and second end caps to the first and second wall brackets to prevent release.

4. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having spaced ends, a first end wall at one of the ends, a second end wall at the second end, an interior chamber in the tube substantially closed by the end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and to the plurality of slots;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

means for mounting the elongated tube to a support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying;

the interior chamber having a generally linear longitudinal axis extending from the fan across the plurality of slots, the fan blowing the air along one general path, the one general path being predominately about the generally linear longitudinal axis to force the air to exit the interior chamber through the plurality of slots, and the air impacting the second end wall to further force the air to exit the interior chamber through the plurality of slots; and

an air directing wall located in the interior chamber at the fan, the wall being about the generally linear longitudinal axis and tapering toward the generally linear longitudinal axis away from the fan to direct the air along the one general path to force the air to exit the interior chamber through the plurality of slots.

5. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward, the plurality of slots being elongated slots spaced longitudinally along the elongated tube and varying in length becoming shorter from the first end wall to the second end wall;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article, the fan being adjacent the first end wall;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a divider wall extending longitudinally through the interior chamber toward the second end wall, the divider wall reducing the cross-section of the interior chamber to force the air through the plurality of slots to exit the interior chamber; and

means for mounting the elongated tube to a support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying.

6. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein the elongated tube further comprises a plurality of ribs spaced longitudinally therealong and extending outward from the outer surface for spacing the fabric article from the elongated slots.

7. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article, the fan being adjacent the first end wall;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

means for mounting the elongated tube to a support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying; and

a divider wall extending longitudinally through the interior chamber from the fan toward the second end wall, the divider wall reducing the cross-section of the interior chamber to facilitate forced flow of the air through plurality of slots.

8. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein the plurality of slots are elongated slots spaced longitudinally along the elongated tube.

9. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

means for mounting the elongated tube to a support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying;

the means for mounting further comprising;

a first end cap mounted at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap mounted at the second end wall of the elongated tube, each of the end caps mounted to extend laterally from the elongated tube;

a first and second wall bracket capable of being mounted to the support panel and adapted to engage the first and second end caps respectively; and

the means for securing further comprising;

each of the first and second end caps having an end cap interior surface, the end cap interior surface defining an interior end cap chamber; and

each of the first and second wall brackets having an exterior surface complementarily configured for allowing the first and second end caps to slide on the respective wall bracket, whereby each of the first and second wall brackets at least partially resides in the respective first and second end cap interior chamber with the respective first and second end cap interior surface engaging the respective exterior surface of the respective wall bracket to prevent release.

10. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

means for mounting the elongated tube to a support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying; and

the means for mounting further comprising;

a first end cap at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap at the second end wall of the elongated tube;

a first and second wall bracket mounted to the support panel for securing the first end cap and second end cap to the support panel; and

a pair of pivotable mounts for mounting each of the first and second end caps to the first and second end walls of the elongated tube respectively, the pivotable mounts allowing each end cap to rotate from a first position in which the end cap is locked and positioned laterally from the elongated tube for receiving the wall bracket to a second position in which the end cap is free to slide relative to the elongated tube for removing the end cap.

11. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 10 in which the pivotable mounts allow at least 90 degrees of rotation to enable each end cap to be rotated between the first and second positions.

12. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

means for mounting the elongated tube to a support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying; and

the means for mounting further comprising;

a rack bar mounted to the support panel for supporting the rack assembly;

a top cover having a top exterior surface capable of supporting the fabric article, a first cover end wall and a second cover end wall, each of the first and second cover end walls defining an opening;

each of the first and second end walls of the elongated tube defining an opening that cooperates with the openings of the first and second cover end walls of the top cover to form openings in the rack assembly, and the rack bar extending longitudinally through the rack assembly and out the openings in the assembly when supporting the rack assembly.

13. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein the top cover is removable for placing the rack bar through the rack assembly and out the openings of the rack assembly and includes means for securing the top cover to the rack assembly and for releasing the top cover from the rack assembly.

14. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the means for securing and releasing the top cover from the rack assembly comprises:

the top cover having a pair of cover edges;

the elongated tube having a pair of tube edges, the tube edges are aligned with the cover edges when the cover is secured to the elongated tube;

at least one alignment tab extending adjacently from one of the tube edges and at least one locking tab extending adjacently from the other tube edge and having means for locking the cover to the elongated tube; and

at least one slot located adjacent one of the cover edges for receiving the at least one tab to align the cover with the elongated tube and to prevent shifting of the cover relative to the elongated tube.

15. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein the at least one alignment tab includes three alignment tabs, the at least one locking tab includes three locking tabs and the at least one slot includes three slots.

16. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element mounted within said tube for warming the air;

a fan mounted within said tube for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the elongated tube and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a first end cap at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap at the second end wall of the elongated tube, each of the end caps being extendable laterally from the elongated tube and mountable to a support panel for mounting the rack assembly at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying; and

a pair of pivotable mounts for mounting each of the first and second end caps at the first and second end walls of the elongated tube respectively, the first and second end walls each defining mounting apertures, the mounting apertures further defining at least one keyway aperture, the first and second end caps each having at least one tab, and the pivotable mounts allowing each end cap to rotate from a first position in which the tab of the end cap is disposed from the keyway to lock the end cap and to position the end cap laterally from the elongated tube to a second position in which the tab of the end cap is located at the keyway for the end cap to slide relative to the elongated tube for removing the end cap.

17. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 16 in which the pivotable mounts allow at least 120 degrees of rotation to enable each end cap to be rotated between the first and second positions.

18. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located within said tube for warming the air;

a fan located within said tube for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the elongated tube and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan; and

a first end cap at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap at the second end wall of the elongated tube, each of the end caps being extendable laterally from the elongated tube and mountable to a support panel for mounting the rack assembly at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying;

a first and second wall bracket capable of being mounted to the support panel and adapted to engage the first and second end caps respectively; and

means for securing the first and second end caps to the first and second wall brackets to prevent release, the means for securing further comprising;

each of the first and second end caps having an end cap interior surface, the end cap interior surface defining an interior end cap chamber; and

each of the first and second wall brackets having an exterior surface complementarily configured for allowing the first and second end caps to slide on the respective wall bracket, whereby each of the first and second wall brackets at least partially resides in the respective first and second end cap interior chamber with the respective first and second end cap interior surface engaging the respective exterior surface of the respective wall bracket to prevent release.

19. A rack assembly mountable to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element for warming the air;

a fan for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the elongated tube and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan; and

a rack bar mounted to a support panel and extending through the rack assembly for mounting the rack assembly at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying.

20. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 19 further comprising:

a cover having an exterior surface capable of supporting the fabric article, a first cover end wall and a second cover end wall, each of the first and second cover end walls having an opening; and

each of the first and second end walls of the elongated tube having an opening that cooperates with the openings of the first and second cover end walls of the cover to form openings in the rack assembly, and the rack bar extending longitudinally through the rack assembly and out the openings in the assembly when supporting the rack assembly.

21. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 20 wherein the cover is removable for placing the rack bar through the rack assembly and out the openings of the rack assembly and includes means for securing the cover to the rack assembly and releasing the cover from the rack assembly.

22. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 21 wherein the means for securing the cover to the rack assembly and for releasing the cover from the rack assembly comprises:

the cover having a pair of cover edges;

the elongated tube having a pair of tube edges, the tube edges are aligned with the cover edges when the cover is secured to the elongated tube;

at least one alignment tab extending adjacently from one of the tube edges and at least one locking tab extending adjacently from the other tube edge and having means for locking the cover to the elongated tube; and

at least one slot located adjacent one of the cover edges for receiving the at least one tab to align the cover with the elongated tube and to prevent shifting of the cover relative to the elongated tube.

23. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 22 wherein the at least one alignment tab includes three alignment tabs, the at least one locking tab includes three locking tabs and the at least one slot includes three slots.

24. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having spaced ends, a first end wall at one of the ends, a second end wall at the second end, an interior chamber in the tube substantially closed by the end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and to the plurality of slots;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a support panel;

means for mounting the elongated tube to the support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying;

the interior chamber having a generally linear longitudinal axis extending from the fan across the plurality of slots, the fan blowing the air along one general path, the one general path being predominately about the generally linear longitudinal axis to force the air to exit the interior chamber through the plurality of slots, the air impacting the second end wall to further force the air to exit the interior chamber through the plurality of slots; and

an air directing wall located in the interior chamber at the fan, the wall being about the generally linear longitudinal axis and tapering toward the generally linear longitudinal axis away from the fan to direct the air predominately alone the one general path to force the air to exit the interior chamber through the plurality of slots.

25. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article, the fan being adjacent the first end wall;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a support panel;

means for mounting the elongated tube to the support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying; and

a divider wall extending longitudinally through the interior chamber from the fan toward the second end wall, the divider wall reducing the cross-section of the interior chamber to facilitate forced flow of the air through the plurality of slots.

26. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 25 wherein the plurality of slots are elongated slots spaced longitudinally along the elongated tube.

27. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward, the plurality of slots being elongated slots spaced longitudinally along the elongated tube and varying in length becoming shorter proceeding from the first end wall to the second end wall;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article, the fan being adjacent the first end wall;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a divider wall extending longitudinally through the interior chamber toward the second end wall for reducing the cross-section of the interior chamber to facilitate forced flow of the air through the plurality of slots;

a support panel; and

means for mounting the elongated tube to the support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying.

28. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 27 wherein the elongated tube further comprises a plurality of ribs spaced longitudinally therealong and extending outward from the outer surface for spacing the fabric article from the elongated slots.

29. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a support panel;

means for mounting the elongated tube to the support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying; and

the means for mounting further comprising;

a first end cap mounted at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap mounted at the second end wall of the elongated tube, each of the end caps mounted to extend laterally from the elongated tube;

a first and second wall bracket capable of being mounted to the support panel and adapted to engage the first and second end caps respectively; and

means for securing the first and second end caps to the first and second wall brackets to prevent release.

30. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 29 wherein the means for securing further comprises:

each of the first and second end caps having an end cap interior surface, the end cap interior surface defining an interior end cap chamber; and

each of the first and second wall brackets having an exterior surface complementarily configured for allowing the first and second end caps to slide on the respective wall bracket, whereby each of the first and second wall brackets at least partially resides in the respective first and second end cap interior chamber with the respective first and second end cap interior surface engaging the respective exterior surface of the respective wall bracket to prevent release.

31. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a support panel;

means for mounting the elongated tube to the support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying; and

the means for mounting further comprising;

a first end cap at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap at the second end wall of the elongated tube;

a first and second wall bracket mounted to the support panel for securing the first end cap and the second end cap to the support panel; and

a pair of pivotable mounts for mounting each of the first and second end caps to the first and second end walls of the elongated tube respectively, the pivotable mounts allowing each end cap to rotate from a first position in which the end cap is locked and positioned laterally from the elongated tube for receiving the wall bracket to a second position in which the end cap is free to slide relative to the elongated tube for removing the end cap.

32. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 31 in which the pivotable mounts allow at least 90 degrees of rotation to enable each end cap to be rotated between the first and second positions.

33. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an interior chamber located between the first and second end walls, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element located in the interior chamber for warming the air;

a fan located in the interior chamber for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the interior chamber and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a support panel;

means for mounting the elongated tube to the support panel at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying; and

the means for mounting further comprising;

a rack bar mounted to the support panel for supporting the rack assembly;

a top cover having a top exterior surface capable of supporting the fabric article, a first cover end wall and a second cover end wall, each of the first and second cover end walls defining an opening;

each of the first and second end walls of the elongated tube defining an opening that cooperates with the openings of the first and second cover end walls of the top cover to form openings in the rack assembly, and the rack bar extending longitudinally through the rack assembly and out the openings in the assembly when supporting the rack assembly.

34. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 33 wherein the top cover is removable for placing the rack bar through the rack assembly and out the openings of the rack assembly and includes means for securing the top cover to the rack assembly and for releasing the top cover from the rack assembly.

35. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 34 wherein the means for securing and releasing the top cover from the rack assembly comprises:

the top cover having a pair of cover edges;

the elongated tube having a pair of tube edges, the tube edges are aligned with the cover edges when the cover is secured to the elongated tube;

at least one alignment tab extending adjacently from one of the tube edges and at least one locking tab extending adjacently from the other tube edge and having means for locking the cover to the elongated tube; and

at least one slot located adjacent one of the cover edges for receiving the at least one tab to align the cover with the elongated tube and to prevent shifting of the cover relative to the elongated tube.

36. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 35 wherein the at least one alignment tab includes three alignment tabs, the at least one locking tab includes three locking tabs and the at least one slot includes three slots.

37. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element for warming the air;

a fan located within the tube for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the elongated tube and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a support panel; and

a first end cap located substantially outside the elongated tube at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap located substantially outside the elongated tube at the second end wall of the elongated tube, the first end cap being engaged with the first end wall and the second end cap being engaged with the second end wall, each of the end caps being extendable laterally from the elongated tube and mountable to a support panel for mounting the rack assembly at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying.

38. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 37 further comprising a first and second wall bracket capable of being mounted to the support panel and adapted to engage the first and second end caps respectively;

and

means for securing the first and second end caps to the first and second wall brackets to prevent release.

39. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element for warming the air;

a fan for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the elongated tube and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a support panel; and

a first end cap at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap at the second end wall of the elongated tube, each of the end caps being extendable laterally from the elongated tube and mountable to the support panel for mounting the rack assembly at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying; and

a pair of pivotable mounts for mounting each of the first and second end caps at the first and second end walls of the elongated tube respectively, the pivotable mounts allowing each end cap to rotate from a first position in which the end cap is locked and positioned laterally from the elongated tube to a second position in which the end cap is free to slide relative to the elongated tube for removing the end cap.

40. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 39 in which the pivotable mounts allow at least 120 degrees of rotation to enable each end cap to be rotated between the first and second positions.

41. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element for warming the air;

a fan for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the elongated tube and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a support panel;

a first end cap at the first end wall of the elongated tube and a second end cap at the second end wall of the elongated tube, each of the end caps being extendable laterally from the elongated tube and mountable to the support panel for mounting the rack assembly at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying;

a first and second wall bracket capable of being mounted to the support panel and adapted to engage the first and second end caps respectively; and

means for securing the first and second end caps to the first and second wall brackets comprising;

each of the first and second end caps having an end cap interior surface, the end cap interior surface defining an interior end cap chamber; and

each of the first and second wall brackets having an exterior surface complementarily configured for allowing the first and second end caps to slide on the respective wall bracket, whereby each of the first and second wall brackets at least partially resides in the respective first and second end cap interior chamber with the respective first and second end cap interior surface engaging the respective exterior surface of the respective wall bracket to prevent release.

42. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an outer surface capable of supporting the fabric article and a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward;

an electric heating element for warming the air;

a fan for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the elongated tube and onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a support panel; and

a rack bar mounted to the support panel and extending through the rack assembly for mounting the rack assembly at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying.

43. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 42 further comprising:

a cover having an exterior surface capable of supporting the fabric article, a first cover end wall and a second cover end wall, each of the first and second cover end walls having an opening; and

each of the first and second end walls of the elongated tube having an opening that cooperates with the openings of the first and second cover end walls of the cover to form openings in the rack assembly, and the rack bar extending longitudinally through the rack assembly and out the openings in the assembly when supporting the rack assembly.

44. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 43 wherein the cover is removable for placing the rack bar through the rack assembly and out the openings of the rack assembly and includes means for securing the cover to the rack assembly and releasing the cover from the rack assembly.

45. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 44 wherein the means for securing the cover to the rack assembly and for releasing the cover from the rack assembly comprises:

the cover having a pair of cover edges;

the elongated tube having a pair of tube edges, the tube edges are aligned with the cover edges when the cover is secured to the elongated tube;

at least one alignment tab extending adjacently from one of the tube edges and at least one locking tab extending adjacently from the other tube edge and having means for locking the cover to the elongated tube; and

at least one slot located adjacent one of the cover edges for receiving the at least one tab to align the cover with the elongated tube and to prevent shifting of the cover relative to the elongated tube.

46. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 45 wherein the at least one alignment tab includes three alignment tabs, the at least one locking tab includes three locking tabs and the at least one slot includes three slots.

47. A rack assembly mounted to a support panel for drying fabric articles hung thereover with air comprising:

an elongated tube having a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, a plurality of slots in the elongated tube and extending through the outer surface for directing the air outward, and a cover, the cover having an exterior surface capable of supporting the fabric article, a first cover end wall and a second cover end wall, each of the first and second cover end walls having an opening;

each of the first and second end walls of the elongated tube having an opening that cooperates with the openings of the first and second cover end walls of the cover to form openings in the rack assembly, and the rack bar extending longitudinally through the rack assembly and out the openings in the assembly when supporting the rack assembly;

an electric heating element for warming the air;

a fan for directing the air over the electric heating element and toward the second end wall over the plurality of slots to force the air to exit the elongated tube onto the fabric article;

an electric motor for driving the fan;

a support panel; and

a rack bar mounted to the support panel and extending through the rack assembly at an elevated position for enabling the fabric article to be suspended from the elongated tube adjacent the plurality of slots for drying.

48. A rack assembly in accordance with claim 47 wherein the cover is removable for placing the rack bar through the rack assembly and includes means for securing the cover to the rack assembly and releasing the cover from the rack assembly.