Body drying apparatus

• US 5,873,179 A
• Filed: 10/31/1997
• Issued: 02/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frederick Gregory, Michael P. Albanese
• Original Assignee: Frederick Gregory, Michael P. Albanese
• Inventors: Gregory, Frederick, Albanese, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, PAMELA ANNE
• Application Number:
  US08/961,902
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 34/90, 34/91, 34/233, 34/97, 34/225, 392/380, 392/381
• 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

The present invention includes an apparatus for removing moisture from at least one user including a first set of riser ducts having openings, a first frame supporting the first set of riser ducts, each one of the first set of riser ducts having an elongated, tapered configuration allowing the volumetric capacity to decrease along a length thereof, and a first face plate arranged opposite the first set of riser ducts and having slots corresponding with the openings of the first set of riser ducts. The apparatus further including a first set of connecting duct segments communicating with the first set of riser ducts, respectively, each one of the first connecting duct segments having a length corresponding with each one of the first set of riser ducts, respectively, at least one motor for discharging air to the first set of connecting duct segments, and at least one heater for heating the air discharged by said at least one motor. The present invention provides each one of the holes of the first set of riser ducts ejecting a uniform velocity of air flow resulting in a uniform wall.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing moisture from a user or users comprising:

a first air distribution panel including a first set of riser ducts, a first support frame, and a first face panel;

said first set of riser ducts of said first air distribution panel having a plurality of openings;

said first support frame of said first distribution panel supporting said first set of riser ducts;

each one of said first set of riser ducts of said first air distribution panel having an elongated, tapered configuration allowing a volumetric capacity to decrease along a length thereof;

said first face panel of said first air distribution panel arranged opposite said first set of riser ducts and having a plurality of slots which correspond with said plurality of openings of said first set of riser ducts;

a first set of connecting duct segments communicating with said first set of riser ducts of said first air distributing panel, respectively;

each one of said first connecting duct segments having a length corresponding with each one of said first set of riser ducts, respectively;

at least one motor for discharging air to said first set of connecting duct segments;

at least one heater for heating the air discharged from said at least one motor;

wherein each one of said plurality of holes of said first set of riser ducts ejects an uniform velocity of air flow resulting in an uniform wall of air for removing the moisture from the user.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second air distribution panel including a second set of riser ducts, a second support frame, and a second face panel;

said second set of riser ducts of said second air distribution panel having a plurality of openings;

said second support frame of said second air distributing panel supporting said second set of riser ducts;

each one of said second set of riser ducts having an elongated, tapered configuration allowing a volumetric capacity to decrease along a length thereof;

said second face panel of said second air distribution panel arranged opposite said second set of riser ducts and having a plurality of slots which correspond with said plurality of openings of said second set of riser ducts;

a second set of connecting duct segments communicating with said second set of riser ducts, respectively;

each one of said second connecting duct segments having a length corresponding with each one of said second set of riser ducts, respectively;

a second heater for heating the air discharged from said at least one motor;

wherein each one of said plurality of holes of said second set of riser ducts ejects an uniform velocity of air flow resulting in a uniform wall of air for removing the moisture from the user.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first air distribution panel and said second air distribution panel are mounted to a first and second wall, respectively, and said first air distribution panel and said second air distribution panel are arranged perpendicular to each other.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of said first and second air distribution panels having a thickness of less than four inches.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said first and second air distribution panels having a thickness of less than one inch.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the length of each one of said first set of connecting duct segments is different from an adjacent one of said first set of connecting duct segments, the length of each one of said second set of connecting duct segments is different from an adjacent one of said second set of connecting duct segments, each of said first connecting duct segments provides each one of said first set of riser ducts with the same volume of air, respectively, and each of said second connecting duct segments provides each one of said second set of riser ducts with the same volume of air, respectively.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said at least one motor is located equidistant from said first and second air distribution panel.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first air distribution panel having a thickness of less than four inches.

9. She apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first air distribution panel having a thickness of less than one inch.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length of each one of said first set of connecting duct segments is different from an adjacent one of said first set of connecting duct segments and each of said first connecting duct segments provides each one of said first set of riser ducts with the same volume of air, respectively.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each one of said first set of ducts are substantially the same size, shape and dimension.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a multipurpose seat housing, including an air permeable surface for allowing air to pass to said at least one motor, protecting said at least one motor and the user from being harmed, and enabling the user to sit.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light for sanitizing the air discharged by said at least one motor.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a filter for filtering at least one of air passing to said at least one motor and the air discharged by said at least one motor.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control panel.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible hose for drying any part of a body of the user.