U.S. patent application number 16/567381 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-12 for apparatus for drying a wetsuit.
The applicant listed for this patent is Brian Bowman, Henry Warder. Invention is credited to Brian Bowman, Henry Warder.
Application Number | 20200079482 16/567381 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69720883 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-12 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200079482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bowman; Brian ; et
al. |
March 12, 2020 |
Apparatus for drying a wetsuit
Abstract
An apparatus for drying a wetsuit (`Dryer Cup`) is composed of
an elongate member and a fluid receptacle. The dryer cup is
configured such that the retained water in the wetsuit drains into
the fluid receptacle. This allows the user to dry the wetsuit
indoors without dripping water on the floor. The elongate member
keeps the sleeves of the wetsuit open for air exchange. This
improves dry time of the wetsuit, and allows for the option to
introduce a fan or other method to improve air flow through the
wetsuit garment.
Inventors: |
Bowman; Brian; (Carlsbad,
CA) ; Warder; Henry; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bowman; Brian
Warder; Henry |
Carlsbad
San Francisco |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69720883 |
Appl. No.: |
16/567381 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62396766 |
Sep 19, 2016 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 59/02 20130101;
B63C 2011/046 20130101; B63C 11/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63C 11/04 20060101
B63C011/04; D06F 59/02 20060101 D06F059/02 |
Claims
1. A dryer cup to facilitate drying of garments comprising; At
least one elongate member, where the elongate member is
substantially tube shaped having an outside surface, inside
surface, top surface and bottom surface. The outside surface is
configured to engage the inside of the garment opening. The inside
surface is configured to provide an opening for air exchange. A
bowl shaped fluid receptacle which may be attached to the elongate
member to allow fluid to flow from the garment to the outside
surface and collect in the fluid receptacle.
2. A dryer cup in claim 1 where the outside surface diameter
changes along its length
3. A dryer cup in claim 1 that is comprised of two parts; At least
one outer component that is able to be connected to and removed
from an inner component, where the inner component is comprised of
a bowl shaped fluid receptacle attached to an elongate member.
4. A dryer cup in claim 1 where an electric fan is mounted to the
inside surface to force air through the garment
5. A dryer cup in claim 1 where an electric fan is mounted to the
inside surface in such a way that allows for removal of the
electric fan
6. A dryer cup in claim 1 where an electric fan is mounted to the
outside surface to force air through the garment
7. A dryer cup in claim 1 where the outside surface has at least
one helical groove that provides a pathway(s) for fluid to drain
from the inner surface of the garment
8. A dryer cup in claim 1 where the outside surface has at least
one extruded cut that provides a pathway(s) for fluid to drain from
the inner surface of the garment
9. A dryer cup in claim 1 where the elongate member has a plurality
of longitudinal cuts to create flexible elongate members that flex
for insertion into the garment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] N/A
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of Invention
[0002] The embodiments of this invention relate to the drying of
sports equipment. More specifically the invention relates to the
drying of wetsuits used for insulation in water related
activities.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] Water related activities often require wetsuits to protect
the user from the cold, abrasion and provide buoyancy. Wetsuits and
wetsuit boots are typically made from foamed neoprene rubber. The
neoprene rubber provides a barrier to the water and insulates.
Wetsuit construction can also include fabrics, textiles and various
densities of foams to provide various levels of comfort,
flexibility and insulation. These materials will retain water after
their use. The retained water can harbor bacteria that cause odor
and retained water is undesirable when the user repeatedly wears
the apparel. For these reasons it is desirable to dry the apparel
quickly before the next use.
[0004] Drying wetsuits and wetsuit boots usually entails hanging
the apparel to allow the water to run off the apparel and
evaporate. Drying apparel can be done outside where the water can
drip onto the ground. However, when drying the apparel indoors it
can often be a challenge to find a good place to hang the wetsuit
and let it drip dry due to water dripping off the apparel on to the
ground. Drying the wetsuit indoors is important for users in an
apartment or an office setting where access to an outdoor area is
not possible.
[0005] There are some products on the market out there to address
the challenge of drying a wetsuit indoors. Special hangers (U.S.
Pat. No. 8,621,762) have been developed to speed up the drying
process using fans to facilitate the evaporation. Another product
has been developed (U.S. Pat. No. 8,739,432) to facilitate the
drying process by keeping the sleeve and leg holes open.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention, in brief, is a wetsuit dryer cup. The dryer
cup is composed of a top surface, bottom surface, outside surface,
inside surface and fluid receptacle. The outside surface of the
dryer cup is configured to fit inside the opening of the wetsuit
garment. The outside surface of the dryer cup also provides a fluid
pathway to the fluid receptacle. The inner surface provides a
pathway for air to enter the garment. The fluid receptacle is
configured to catch and retain water that flows off the outer
surface of the dryer cup and the outside of the garment. The dryer
cup is inserted into the opening of the garment to collect the
fluid and provide a pathway for airflow to assist in the drying of
the garment.
[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, the outside surface
fluid pathway is a helical groove. The helical groove is configured
to be `threaded` into the garment opening such that the outside
surface diameter is greater than the garment diameter and slightly
stretches the garment to provide enough grip to hold the dryer cup
in place where it can collect water. The inside surface provides an
opening for air to easily enter and exit the garment.
[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, the dryer cup is
held in place by flexible fingers that spring outwards to provide
the grip necessary to hold the cup in place.
[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the outside surface
fluid pathways are inner cuts that divide the outside surface of
the invention into lobes, allowing the fluid to flow through.
[0010] In another embodiment an electric fan is mounted to the
inner surface to force air through the garment via a cylindrical
channel in the middle portion of an elongate member.
[0011] The present invention may also include a fan system
integrated into the outside portion of the invention, which can be
removed from the invention. The outside portion can be attached to
the inside portion of the invention, thereby creating a negative
pressure inducing pathway for air flow that can multiply the rate
of air flow into the wetsuit garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1. is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the dryer cup.
[0013] FIG. 2. is a perspective view of a wetsuit.
[0014] FIG. 3. is a perspective view with dryer cups installed in
the leg openings of a wetsuit.
[0015] FIG. 4. is a cross-section view of the dryer cup installed
in the leg opening of a wetsuit.
[0016] FIG. 5. is a perspective view of the dryer cup with flexible
members.
[0017] FIG. 6. is a cross-section view of the dryer cup with
electric fan in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 7. is a perspective view of the dryer cup with two
inner surfaces in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 8. is a cross-section view of the dryer cup with fluid
and air flow vectors to show intended function of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 9. is a close-up view of the helical groove in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 10. is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 11. is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention.
[0023] FIG. 12. is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the invention that may include different components in an
assembly.
[0024] FIG. 13. is an exploded cross sectional view of the
preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 12.
[0025] FIG. 14. is a cross sectional view of the preferred
embodiment shown in FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ELEMENTS
[0026] Specific embodiments of the disclosed device and method of
use will now be described with reference to the drawings. Nothing
in this detailed description is intended to imply that any
particular component, feature, or step is essential to the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of the dryer cup (1) where
a tubular elongate member (2) is connected to a fluid receptacle
(3). The elongate member has cylindrical outer surface starting at
a diameter (4) at the top surface (5) and increases in diameter to
a point down the outer surface towards the bottom surface (6). The
outer surface reaches a widest point (7) that is wider than at the
top surface (5) and is configured to be wider than the diameter of
the garment. The outer surface decreases in diameter from the
widest section (7) towards the bottom surface (6). At the bottom
surface (6) the outer surface interfaces with the fluid receptacle
(3). The outer surface has two helical grooves (8) that are 180
degrees apart. The helical grooves allow the user to thread the
elongate member (1) into the garment and provides a fluid pathway
from the inside of the garment to the fluid receptacle (3).
[0028] The fluid receptacle diameter (9) is greater than the
greatest diameter of the outer surface (7). The fluid receptacle is
configured to have sufficient volume to retain all of the water
shed from the garment.
[0029] At the top surface (5), the outer surface interfaces with
the cylindrical inner surface (10). The inner surface (10) extends
from the top surface (5) to the bottom surface (6). The inner
surface (10) is configured to allow air to flow in and out of the
garment.
[0030] FIG. 2. is a wetsuit (11). The wetsuit has openings at the
neckline (12), end of the sleeves (13) and at the end of the legs
(14).
[0031] FIG. 3. is a wetsuit (11) with a dryer cup (1) installed in
each of the leg openings (14).
[0032] FIG. 4. is a cross-section of dryer cup (1) installed in an
opening (13,14) of a garment. The garment engages the outside
surface of the elongate member (2). The fluid receptacle (3) is
attached to the elongate member (2) at the bottom surface (6). The
cross-section view clearly shows the inside surface (10) of the
elongate member (2).
[0033] FIG. 5. is another embodiment of the dryer cup (1) where the
elongate member has a plurality of longitudinal slits (15) to
create flexible members (16).
[0034] FIG. 6. is a cross-section of a dryer cup (1) with an
electric fan (17) mounted to the inner surface (10) of the elongate
member (2).
[0035] FIG. 7. is a perspective view of the dryer cup with two
elongate members (18) with one fluid receptacle (19) attached to
both elongate members (18).
[0036] FIG. 8. is a cross-section view of the of the dryer cup (20)
with fluid (21) and air (22) flow vectors to show intended function
of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 9. is a close-up view of the helical groove in one
preferred embodiment (23).
[0038] FIG. 10. is another preferred embodiment of the dryer cup
(24) where a tubular elongate member with an increased material
volume (25) is connected to a fluid receptacle (26). The specific
preferred embodiment in FIG. 10 functions similarly to the
preferred embodiment described in FIG. 1, where the bulbous member
attached to the elongate tubular member is intended to be pushed
inside of the opening of the wetsuit garment sleeve. This
embodiment may include cuts (27) in the bulbous member to allow for
fluid flow from the garment into the fluid receptacle portion (26)
of the embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 11. is another preferred embodiment of the dryer cup in
which a tubular elongate member (28) with a diameter intended to be
larger than the garment sleeve opening may be included. The
preferred embodiment may include ridges (29) along the elongate
member to aid in the insertion of said elongate member into the
wetsuit garment sleeve opening.
[0040] FIG. 12. is another preferred embodiment of the dryer cup in
which the embodiment exists as three separate components; an outer
component (30) an inner component (31) and a component designed to
house an electric fan (32). This specific embodiment in FIG. 12.
functions similarly to the preferred embodiment described in FIG.
10, where the bulbous member (33) attached to the elongate tubular
member is intended to be pushed inside of the opening of the
wetsuit garment sleeve. This embodiment may include cuts for fluid
flow path as well.
[0041] FIG. 13. is an exploded cross sectional assembly view of the
embodiment described in FIG. 12. A possible attachment method
between the outer component (30) and inner component (31) in the
form of a threaded feature (34) is demonstrated in FIG. 13. A
possible location for the insertion of an electric fan on the
component designed to house an electric fan (32) is shown (35). A
possible attachment method between the component designed to house
an electric fan (32) and the outer component (30) in the form of
shafts (36) and holes (37) is shown.
[0042] FIG. 14. is a cross sectional assembly view of the
embodiment described in FIG. 12. A possible air flow path driven by
the location of an electric fan (35) is shown (38). Such a path may
increase the efficiency of air flow through negative pressure air
multiplication, while still allowing external air to flow through
the middle of the tubular elongate member of the outer component
(30). The external air flow path through the elongate member is
demonstrated as shown (39)
* * * * *