Stand and heat recycler for laundry dryer

• US 5,806,207 A
• Filed: 12/22/1997
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Melcena K. Merrigan
• Original Assignee: Melcena K. Merrigan
• Inventors: Merrigan, Melcena K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, PAMELA ANNE
• Application Number:
  US08/995,630
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: 34/86, 34/90, 34/91, 34/108, 34/109, 34/201, 34/219, 34/225, 34/235, 34/595, 34/603
• US Class Current: 34/603
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/20 General details of domestic laundry dryers D06F59/00 takes precedence

Abstract

A heat salvaging device for a household laundry drier. The device may serve both as a stand for the drier and a device for salvaging waste heat from the drying process. The heat salvaging operation is controlled by controlling a single vent in the stand.

Claims

1. For use with a household laundry drier having a flexible exhaust hose, a stand comprising a structure with a box shape adapted to support said drier, said stand enclosing at least one open chamber, entrance means in said chamber for the attachment of said hose to duct exhaust air from said drier into said chamber.

2. The stand of claim 1 in which a lint trap is located in said entrance means between said hose and said chamber.

3. The stand of claim 1 in which said chamber is formed to provide alternate outlets for said exhaust air, said outlets being operable alternately to provide alternate routes for the discharge of said exhaust air.

4. The stand of claim 3 which said stand is for use in a laundry room having an exterior wall, said alternate outlets including a first outlet placed in said stand to exhaust into said room and a second outlet placed adjacent said exterior wall in position to exhaust through said exterior wall.

5. The stand of claim 4 in which said first outlet includes a closeable grill by which the flow of exhaust air will be substantially prevented.

6. The stand of claim 5 which said second outlet includes a closure flap adapted to close said second outlet.

7. The stand of claim 6 in which said closure flap is hinged to be normally closed by the force of gravity, auxiliary springs connected to said flaps to provide added closing force, said force of gravity and the force of said springs being light enough to be overcome by pressure in said chamber when said first outlet is closed.

8. The stand of claim 1 in which said structure with a box shape is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said entrance means being formed in said upper chamber.