Kellogg, Michael S. (Oconomowoc, WI)
Krotts, Dean B. (Milwaukee, WI)

09/574757

09/21/2004

05/18/2000

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Bajer Design & Marketing, Inc. (Pewaukee, WI)

34/442

34/103, 34/619, 160/370.210, 34/239, 34/237

F26B25/00; F26B25/00

34/239, 34/91, 34/442, 296/97.8, 34/103, 34/237, 34/619, 160/370.22, 160/351, 160/370.21, 296/97.7, 160/329

1155475			Fay	220/9.3
1167497			Hayes
1180574			Despot	220/9.3
1538260	Tobacco-firing device		Street et al.	220/493
1581888	Collapsible receptacle		Thomas	222/572
1691904	Collapsible hat bag		Gamble	206/8
1979978	Hand bag and case		Martin	190/115
1994235	Brief case or the like		Solomon	383/33
1999424	Traveling bag		Seitz	190/119
2182932	Package		Sanford	220/9.2
2269574	Wired bag		Benenfeld	190/126
2298786	Reinforcing seam for overnight, bathing, and other bags		Dubofsky et al.	220/9.3
2575893	Collapsible heat-insulated container		Seaman	383/25
2625973	Laundry hamper		Weldon et al.	206/459.5
2710084	Traveling bags		Braverman	190/107
2714978	Device for drying sweaters		Smith	34/237
2746582	Luggage bags		Cart	190/115
2778560	Collapsible box		Pfeiffer	220/9.2
3233644	Hamper		Bono	220/9.1
3336969	Vehicle windshield and rear window cover		Marchman	160/370.21
3373925	Carrier bags and handles for attachment thereto		Gatward	383/20
3675667	SELF-ERECTING TENT		Miller	135/126
3696850	MULTIPLE UNIT HAND LUGGAGE		Roenblum	190/108
3960161	Portable structure		Norman	135/126
3990463	Portable structure		Norman	135/126
4055239	Luggage case		Weiner	190/126
4538365	Horizontal drip dryer		Aho	34/239
4642934	Transportable live well liner		Carlson et al.
4697357	Garment-drying netting platform		Van Vliet	34/611
4784248	Piping for luggage and the like		Workman	190/126
4813520	Externally and detachably framed collapsible baggage		Lin	190/107
4815784	Automobile sunshield		Zheng	296/97.7
4825892	Instantly stable, quickly erectable and quickly collapsible portable structure		Norman	135/126
4858634	Self erecting structure		McLeese	135/126
4862602	Drying frame		Krill	34/239
4895230	Collapsible softside luggage case with self-erecting feature		King	190/107
4951333	Beach blanket		Kaiser et al.	5/417
4995487	Wheeled suitcase and luggage support		Plath	190/18A
D315432	Sweater dryer		Smith	D32/58
5009189	Aquatic cage and method		Neff	119/200
5024262	Compactly foldable automobile sunshade		Huang	160/370.2
5035460	Automobile window protector		Huang	296/95.1
5038812	Quickly erectable, quickly collapsible, self supporting portable structure		Norman	135/126
5072828	Knock-down roadside trash protector		Irvine	220/4.33
5090588	Portable containment for chemicals		Van Romer et al.	220/573
5116138	Flexible, collapsible container		Macsenti et al.	383/33
5213147	Method and apparatus for folding and collapsing objects supported by flexible loops		Zheng	160/370.2
5358440	Collapsible flying disc		Zheng	446/48
5560385	Collapsible play structures		Zheng	135/125
5664596	Collapsible play structures		Zheng	135/126
5664886	Debris capturing lawn net		Hutchinson	383/4
5671479	Reversibly collapsible lap tray		Dedrick	2/46
5800067	Pop-up collapsible protective device		Easter	383/104
5816279	Collapsible play structures		Zheng	135/126
5845697	Spring loop with protective covering		Zheng	160/370.21
D406423	Pop open hamper		Kellogg et al.	D32/37
5901926	Collapsible flying structures		Zheng	244/153R
5910038	Constructional toy pieces		Zheng	446/114
5910058	Portable play structures		Zheng	473/481
5927793	Self-deploying vehicle cover		McGrath, Jr.	296/136
5938496	Constructional pieces with deformable joints		Zheng	446/106
5941265	Collapsible structures having overlapping support loops		Zheng	135/125
5975101	Collapsible sunshields, partitions and shade structures having overlapping support loops		Zheng	135/125
6006772	Collapsible containers		Zheng	135/126

Wilson, Pamela

Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.C.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible apparatus comprising: a collapsible frame for drying; a web substantially stretched over said collapsible frame; at least one support member coupled to said frame; a strap having a first end and a second end; each of said first end and said second end being coupled to said web, whereby said collapsible frame and said web are formed in a convexly arcuate position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is oval in shape.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said strap further comprises a releasable fastener located a predetermined distance from said first end of said strap.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a pair of diametrically opposed support members are coupled to said frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 3, wherein said frame may be folded in a collapsed state by disengaging said fastener and by rotating said support members frame in opposite directions.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a pair of circular web portions is formed from said frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said support members circular web portions are biased toward each other, thereby folding adjacently said circular web portions.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said strap secures said frame in said collapsed state by engaging said fastener.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said web comprises a fabric material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said strap has an adjustable length.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said frame is biased by said strap in to a convexly arcuate condition.

12. A method for folding a collapsible drying apparatus comprising a web substantially stretched over a frame, said frame having an expanded state and a collapsed state, two opposing support members coupled to said frame, a strap having two ends, each end being coupled to said web, and a releasable fastener coupled to said strap, said method comprising the steps of: disengaging said releasable fastener attached to said drying apparatus; rotating said support members frame in opposite directions wherein a pair of circular web portions is formed from said frame; biasing said support members circular web portions toward each other; and engaging said releasable fastener.

13. The method of claim 12, said method further comprising, before engaging said releasable fastener, the step of wrapping said strap around said frame in said collapsed state.

14. A method for forming a drying apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: securing a web around a frame for drying; coupling opposed adjustable straps to said web; connecting said adjustable straps by means of a releasable fastener, whereby said frame and said web are formed in a convexly arcuate position.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises the step of coupling at least one support member to said frame.

16. The A method of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises a first step of for forming a drying apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: connecting the ends of an elongated wire to form said a frame. ; securing a web around said frame for drying; coupling opposed adjustable straps to said web; and connecting said adjustable straps by means of a releasable fastener, whereby said frame and said web are formed in a convexly arcuate position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to household products and specifically to a collapsible drying apparatus for convenient drying, storage, and transportation. The need for this invention arises in typical households. It is particularly difficult to dry certain garments used in the household, especially those made out of heavy fabrics, such as wool. Such garments must be laid on a smooth surface and air-dried over a period of time.

Several prior art devises have attempted to provide solutions to this problem. However, none provide the convenient, economical, and easy to use features of the present invention. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,147 to Zheng discloses a method and apparatus for folding and collapsing an object incorporating a flexible loop. The need for a cable having it ends passing through an opening and then tied to second and third points along the loop restricts the use of the object in the drying process. Furthermore, the invention does not allow both sides of the garment to be freely exposed to air movement. U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,602 to Krill teaches a collapsible drying rack including a series of horizontal tubular plastic frame elements connected together by corner elements and a mesh sheet mounted on the frame. However, taking apart such a device appears to be a laborious process and storing it is a challenge in relatively narrow place, such as traveler's bag. Reliability may be a problem also, because plastic elements tend to break easily.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,357 to Van Vliet discloses a clothes-drying platform composed of a net stretched between frame members knitted through the margins of the net. The platform can be supported alternatively by swingable, retractable legs, by suction cups, or by a suspension sling. The platform is not foldable and, therefore, is harder to transport or to store.

It is an object of this invention to provide a collapsible drying apparatus that is easy to set up, easy to fold into a compact configuration, and to be conveniently stored and transported. It is a further object of this invention to provide such an apparatus that can be sturdily supported in a convexly arcuate position so that air can freely circulate above and below the object or garment to be dried. Another object of this invention is to provide a method for forming and collapsing a drying apparatus that is effortless and involves a minimal number of steps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the preferred embodiment of the collapsible drying apparatus comprises a frame having an expanded state and a collapsed state and a web substantially stretched over the frame. In it preferred embodiment, two opposing support members are coupled to the frame. A strap having it ends coupled to the web comprises a releasable fastener located a predetermined distance from one of the strap's ends. The ends of the strap may also be coupled to the frame. The strap has an adjustable length and applies a variable tension to the frame in it expanded state and also to the web. As a result of the applied variable tension, the web and the frame take a convexly arcuate position that allows support of the garment or other article for drying and air movement.

In order to fold the apparatus into its collapsed state, the user needs to disengage the fastener, thereby releasing the tension applied to the web and to the frame. Then, the user rotates the support members or opposed sides of the frames in opposite directions in planes perpendicular to a plane defined by the frame and the web, and then biases the support members or sides toward each other. These actions force the frame to collapse by creating a pair of circular web portions folded adjacently. Finally, the user wraps the strap around the frame and the two web portions and engages the fastener, thereby securing the frame in its collapsed state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the invention, showing the frame in its expanded state.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of the frame, showing the crimped roll pin connecting the ends of the frame.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the invention, showing the frame in its collapsed state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention, showing the frame and the web in a convexly arcuate position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention, showing an alternate convexly arcuate position of the frame and the web.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible drying apparatus 10 , is illustrated in FIG. 1 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the apparatus 10 comprises a frame 20 and a web 30 . Referring to FIG. 2 , the frame 20 is preferably made out of spring steel wire 22 , also known as music wire. However, other alternative materials may be used in the construction of the frame 20 , such as any flexible material or even plastic. The wire 22 dimensions are known in the art and the preferred embodiment uses spring steel wire with a diameter of 0.0915 inches and 1050-1060 carbon steel composition, although other dimensions and compositions could be used. The wire 22 is cut to predetermined lengths and its ends are connected together by a roll pin 24 , such as to form an oval-shaped frame 20 . The roll pin 24 is provided with a crimp 26 to better secure the ends of the wire 22 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the web 30 is preferably made out of nylon mesh, although any cloth material capable of allowing water and air circulation could be used. An edging 25 , made preferably, but not necessary, out of a stretch resistant material, such as nylon, envelops entirely the length of the frame 20 . In the preferred embodiment, the web 30 has an oval shape and is sewn to the edging 25 . As a result, in its relaxed state, the web 30 is stretched over the frame 20 . FIG. 1 also shows two optional support members 40 , 42 positioned diametrically opposed to one another and connected to the frame 20 . The support members 40 , 42 are preferably hollow cylindrical tubes designed to offer stability to the apparatus 10 during the drying process. A strap 50 has its ends 52 , 54 coupled to the web 30 and includes a releasable fastener 60 . The fastener 60 is fixedly attached to the strap 50 at a predetermined distance from the end 52 of the strap 50 . The portion of the strap 50 situated toward the end 54 is adjustable to allow application of a variable tension to the frame 20 and the web 30 . As a result, the frame 20 and the web 30 take variable convexly arcuate positions, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 . The amount of tension needed depends on the weight of the item to be dried. If the garment or other item to be dried is heavy, a higher tension should be applied to the frame 20 , therefore increasing the height of the frame 20 in its arcuate position. The item has then better support during the drying process. If the item is lighter, a proportionately lower tension would be necessary.

The fastener 60 can be disengaged at any time, after the drying process is complete, to allow collapsing of the frame 20 for storage or transportation purposes. After the releasable fastener 60 is disengaged, the apparatus 10 will take the form illustrated in FIG. 1 . In order to collapse the apparatus 10 , the user rotates the support members 40 , 42 in opposite directions, in planes perpendicular to a plane defined by the frame 20 and the web 30 . The rotation will create two circular web portions 70 . Then the user biases the support members 40 , 42 toward each other, thereby allowing the two web portions 70 to fold adjacently, as shown in FIG. 3 . Further referring to FIG. 3 , the final step requires the user to wrap the strap 50 around the frame 20 and the two adjacent web portions 70 and to engage the fastener 60 , thereby securing the apparatus 10 in its collapsed state.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and descried. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.