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Title:
A CLOTHES DRYING DEVICE FOR USE WITH WALL MOUNTED RADIATORS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/113712
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A clothes drying device for use with wall mounted radiators A device for drying clothes configured to mount above a wall-mounted radiator comprising an enclosure adapted to mount on a wall above a wall mounted radiator, the enclosure comprising: a frame comprising a left and a right hand wall, a first and a second door mounted on the frame, movable between an open position in which the doors are spaced apart and a closed position, clothes support means within the enclosure comprising two or more support elements and a support rod mounted on and between the support elements, a lower opening provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass into the enclosure, an upper opening provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass out from the enclosure, and a door support rail on which a door may slide between the open and closed positions.

Inventors:
MULHOLLAND PATRICK JOHN GERALD (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2016/050205
Publication Date:
July 21, 2016
Filing Date:
January 15, 2016
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
MULHOLLAND PATRICK JOHN GERALD (GB)
International Classes:
D06F57/12
Domestic Patent References:
WO2014056787A12014-04-17
Foreign References:
FR2198374A51974-03-29
FR2581527A11986-11-14
DE961294C1957-04-04
GB687786A1953-02-18
EP0245066A21987-11-11
FR2659545A11991-09-20
EP2423606A22012-02-29
US3866336A1975-02-18
AT7188U12004-11-25
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
WALKER, Neville (Swanage Dorset BH19 1DF, GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

A device for drying clothes configured to mount above a wall-mounted radiator comprising: an enclosure adapted to mount on a wall above a wall mounted radiator, the enclosure includes a frame having a left and a right hand wall, a first and a second door mounted on the frame is movable between an open position, in which the doors are spaced apart, and a closed position; a door support rail on which the doors are able to slide between the open and closed positions; a clothes support means within the enclosure comprises two or more support elements; a support rod mounted on and between the support elements; a lower opening is provided between the left and right hand walls through which air passes into the enclosure; an upper opening is provided between the left and right hand walls, through which air passes out from the enclosure; the device has a fascia extending downwards from the enclosure which in use is adapted to be located on a front surface of the radiator to provide a unified appearance to the device and to channel air across the radiator and upwards towards the lower opening.

A device according to claim 1 comprising a base closing the space between the left and right hand walls, wherein the lower opening comprises a lower vent provided in the base.

A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising an upper wall closing the space between the left and right hand walls wherein the upper opening comprises an upper vent provided in the upper wall.

A device according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each vent comprises a vent control to control the open area of the vent.

A device according to any preceding claim wherein the doors are configured to slide vertically with respect to the frame.

6. A device according to any preceding claim comprising an actuator system mounted on the frame and connected to the doors such that when one door is moved in a first direction the other is moved in the opposite direction.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the actuator system comprises: a toothed rack provided on the second door and a linear actuator comprising:

a cog adapted to engage the rack, a drive spindle is adapted to drive the cog when the spindle is rotated, and a drive cord is attached to and around the drive spindle adapted to rotate the spindle as the cord is pulled, the drive cord being attached also to the first door.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the first door is the lower door and is adapted to move downwards from the closed position to open the enclosure, and the second door is the upper door and is moved upwards by means of the linear actuator.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the doors are adapted such that the first door is heavier than the second door and the device is configured such that the first door is retained in place in the closed position and is releasable to allow it to move downwards.

10. A device according to claim 8 wherein the doors are adapted such that the weights of the first and second doors are balanced.

1 1 . A device according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the first door is movable outwards from the frame and is retained in the closed position when at a first position outwards relative to the frame and released to move vertically when moved to a second position further outwards relative to the frame.

12. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a catch adapted to hold each door in the closed position until the catch is operated to release the doors. 13. A device according to any preceding claim including a drying device within the enclosure to remove moisture from air within the enclosure.

14. A device according to claim 1 3 wherein the drying device comprises a moisture absorbent material.

15. A device according to claim 13 wherein the drying device comprises a cooling device comprising a cooled surface on which moisture may condense. 16. A device according to any preceding claim wherein an inner face of the fascia has a layer of s material so as to prevent damage to the radiator.

17. A device according to any preceding claim having a front fascia and a rear fascia.

18. A device according to any preceding claim further comprising a fan.

19. A device substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures.

Description:
A clothes drying device for use with wall mounted radiators

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to devices for drying clothes and in particular a drying device having an enclosure suitable to contain clothes for drying that is adapted to receive heated air and to be mounted above a radiator in use.

Background

Clothes are often dried by rising warm air, for example in airing cupboards containing heaters, in drying cabinets having dedicated heating means provided within them, or on specifically shaped drying devices such as towel rails.

Often clothes are dried on other non-dedicated devices such as central heating radiators. This is inefficient and unsightly and can lead to significant amounts of moisture in the air of a home. As a result, air humidity is altered and mould growth may be prompted within properties by drying of clothing in this fashion. Therefore alternative methods of drying clothes in the home must be considered.

It is an unsolved problem to provide an effective and aesthetically pleasing device that allows clothes to be dried in a living area, especially in a compact space. In particular, the prior art does not provide an effective means to use pre-existing radiators to dry clothes effectively and in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Chinese Utility Model CN203007683U (Kong) discloses: A laundry rack fixed on heating radiators belongs to a clothing drying device, and comprises a cabinet body, cabinet doors and a fixing frame, wherein the outer side of the cabinet body is connected with the cabinet doors by hinges; ventilation openings are formed in the cabinet doors; a clothing hanging rod is arranged at the top end in the cabinet body; a plurality of hooks are mounted on two side surfaces in the cabinet body; the upper end of the back face of the cabinet body is connected to the fixing frame; and a shoe drying rack is arranged above the fixing frame.

European Patent Application EP2599419 (Glynn) discloses: An airing device comprises an airing rack arranged to extend from a relatively flat storage state to a deployed state in which the rack is extended to provide a surface from which clothes may be hung; and a radiator arranged to move from a storage state in which the radiator is disposed substantially vertically to a deployed state in which the radiator extends away from a wall on which it is mounted. In its deployed state, the airing rack locates over the radiator when in its deployed state. International Patent Application WO2008013382 (Kim et al) discloses a laundry dryer and a controlling method of a dryer, which can dry clothes, cloth items, bedding and laundry objects efficiently.

French Patent Application FR2771475 (Peyronny) discloses a combined radiator and heating cabinet consisting of a cabinet made from heat resisting material with an electrical radiator fixed in its lower part at the front. The radiator is fitted in an opening in the face of the cabinet. The combined radiator and heating cabinet consists of a cabinet made from heat resisting material with an electrical radiator fixed in its lower part at the front.

Chinese Utility Model CN201782986U (Fu) discloses a wall mounted towel and underwear disinfection cabinet comprising a cabinet body and cabinet door. French Patent Application FR2969667 (Jeuneu) discloses a dryer having a clothes line assembled inside a furniture element with moveable walls for opening and closing the furniture element.

US Patent Application US2005/0278972-A1 (Maruca) discloses a low temperature clothes dryer having a drying chamber with removable horizontal screen for supporting clothing items and a hanging bar for hanging clothes to be dried.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a device for drying clothes configured to mount above a wall-mounted radiator comprising: an enclosure adapted to mount on a wall above a wall mounted radiator, the enclosure includes a frame having a left and a right hand wall, a first and a second door mounted on the frame is movable between an open position, in which the doors are spaced apart, and a closed position; a door support rail on which the doors are able to slide between the open and closed positions; a clothes support means within the enclosure comprises two or more support elements; a support rod mounted on and between the support elements; a lower opening is provided between the left and right hand walls through which air passes into the enclosure; an upper opening is provided between the left and right hand walls, through which air passes out from the enclosure; the device has a fascia extending downwards from the enclosure which in use is adapted to be located on a front surface of the radiator to provide a unified appearance to the device and to channel air across the radiator and upwards towards the lower opening. Typically the device is mounted on a wall above the radiator. Preferably the device has a front fascia extending downwards from the lower opening and configured to lie in front of the radiator when the device is mounted above it. In this way heated air is channelled upwards to and through the vents to the enclosure so as accelerate drying.

The device functions optimally when the doors are closed so as to define a drying area in which items to be dried are located and through which heated air from the radiator is free to circulate and flow.

In some embodiments the device may in addition or as an alternative have a fascia extending from a rear face of the enclosure. For example the device may have a front and rear fascia so as to straddle the radiator and further enhance channelling of heated air through the device as well as providing improved stability of the device. This arrangement may remove requirement for the device to be wall mounted and may permit the device to be located on free standing radiator.

In some embodiments the fascia may extend substantially to the ground or to the lower edge of the radiator so as to cover the entire front face of the radiator. In other embodiments the fascia may cover part of the radiation so as to only partially overlap the front face of the radiator.

Preferably the fascia may be adapted to have a similar appearance to the doors so as to provide a unified, elegant appearance to the device.

Additionally the fascia and typically also the doors may be adapted to match the appearance of the radiator so as appear as part of the radiator.

Advantageously the fascia also provides additional stability to the device when located above the radiator because the fascia prevents the device from wobbling when the fascia is in contact with a front face of the radiator and its lower opening is in contact with an upper face of the radiator.

An inner face of the fascia may be coated with a resiliently deformable material such as silicon rubber or a soft material or a fabric or a fibrous material so as to prevent damage to the radiator when the fascia is placed on or against the radiator and in order to channel heated air to the lower opening.

The fascia is formed from a strong, durable, heat stable material such as metal so as to be suitable for channelling heated air and which can be subjected to warm/hot temperatures for long periods of time.

In some embodiments at least part of the device may be magnetic so as to magnetically connect to a radiator formed from a ferrous material.

Preferably the enclosure has a base closing the space between the left and right hand walls, the base includes the lower opening in the form of a lower vent. In some embodiments the vent may be adjustable so as to alter the amount of heated air that passes through the device. For example for devices that require gentle drying such as wool or silk, the vents may be partially closed so as to restrict heated air flow. Whereas for quicker drying of less delicate materials such as cotton, the vent(s) may be fully open so as to further accelerate drying.

During some uses of the device at least one door may be left partially open during drying so as to increase air flow, for example to reduce condensation or when drying delicate items that may require lower drying temperatures.

In some embodiments the enclosure comprises an upper wall closing the space between the left and right hand walls. The upper wall includes the upper opening in the form of an upper vent.

As with the lower vent the upper vent may be adjustable so as to alter the amount of heated air that passes through the device. In this way the device is adapted to dry clothes hung from the support rods within the enclosure. Warm air rising from the radiator enters the enclosure via the lower opening, passes over/through the clothes and exits via the upper opening, carrying moisture with it.

In some embodiments the support rods may be hingeably attached to the support elements so that the rod can pivot away from the enclosure making it easier to load items to be dried onto the rods. In this way each rod can be loaded with items and can then be pivoted back to within the enclosure so that the rod is parallel to the doors of the device.

In some embodiments the rods may be in the form of hooks projecting perpendicular relative the orientation of the doors. The lower vent may be configured to receive warm air rising from the radiator. The lower vent may comprise an opening having an elongated shape extending along the base of the frame, being configured to be substantially above the radiator when the device is mounted on the wall. The lower vent may comprise air guiding means extending downwards from the base to guide rising air towards the opening. One or both vents may comprise a vent control means to control the open area of the vent.

Typically the doors are moveable in a sliding manner. In some embodiments the doors slide vertically. Further embodiments may have horizontally sliding doors.

The use of sliding doors allows the device to have a shallow profile against the wall while the doors are open. Use of vertically opening sliding doors allows the device to have a narrow profile left to right, while achieving a wide opening when the doors are apart. In other embodiments the doors may be hinged so as to pivot and swing outwards or upwards during opening and closing. In yet further embodiments only one door may be provided to access the enclosure. For example in preferred embodiments the doors may be configured to slide vertically on the frame wherein the lower door passes across part of the radiator when opened.

The device may further comprise an actuator system mounted on the frame and connected to the doors such that when one door is moved in a first direction the other is moved by the actuator means in the opposite direction.

In some embodiments the actuator system comprises: a toothed rack provided on a second door and a linear actuator comprising: a cog adapted to engage the rack, a drive spindle adapted to drive the cog when the spindle is rotated, and a drive cord attached to and around the drive spindle which is adapted to rotate the spindle as the cord is pulled, the drive cord also being attached to the first door. The device may be configured such that when the doors are closed the cord is wrapped around the spindle and when the doors are moved apart the cord is pulled in a first direction so as to rotate the spindle, rotation of the cog drives the toothed rack linearly in a direction opposite to the first. In this way as the doors are opened by moving the first door, the cord is pulled, so moving the second door in the opposite direction to the first. In some embodiments the first door is the lower door and is adapted to move downwards from the closed position to open the enclosure, and the second door is the upper door and is moved upwards by means of the linear actuator.

In some embodiments the doors are adapted such that the first door is heavier than the second and the device is configured such that the first door is retained in place in the closed position and is releasable to allow it to move downwards. In some embodiments the first door is movable outwards from the frame and is retained in the closed position when moved outwards at a first position relative to the frame, and released to move vertically when moved to a second position, which is optionally further outwards from the frame. In some embodiments the device comprises a catch adapted to hold the first door in the closed position until the catch is operated to release the first door.

In this way in use the weight of the first door may act to open both doors when the first door is released, the first door moving downwards under gravity and pulling the second door upwards by means of the linear actuator.

The weight of the first and second doors may be adapted such that the weights of the first and second doors are substantially or wholly balanced. In this way the doors are counterbalanced such that only a small force is needed to move them apart.

Advantageously the device assists in removal of moisture from drying clothing, by containing such moisture and removing said moisture from the local atmosphere.

The device may further comprise a drying device within the enclosure to remove moisture from air within the enclosure. The drying device may be positioned in the upper half of the enclosure, for example adjacent to the upper wall.

In some embodiments the device may include moisture absorbing materials such as silica crystals or silica gel so as to absorb and hold moisture that would otherwise escape into the room environment.

In an alternative embodiment the drying device may comprise a cooling device comprising a cooled surface on which moisture may condense, for example a Peltier (RTM) cooler module. In yet further embodiments the drying device may comprise a dehumidifier device as known in the art so as to capture moisture before it is released into the room therefore reducing build-up of moisture (humidity) and therefore associated moulds that may cause or exacerbate health issues such as asthma.

The device may further comprise a fan to assist with drawing air into or moving air within the enclosure. The fan may be configured to move air out from the enclosure via the upper vent. The device may be configured such that the upper vent may connect to a conduit to vent moist air outside the building.

The device may be mounted on the wall by means known in the art so as to secure the device in position during loose and to ensure it cannot topple from above the radiator during use. For example the device may comprise two or more wall mounting means such as lugs or brackets as known in the art. A lug may comprise an aperture adapted to fit over a fixing previously mounted in the wall.

It is envisaged that the device may be mounted slightly above the top of the radiator so as to not be in direct contact with the top of the radiator. In this way heated air channelled upwards by the fascia is free to flow into the lower opening/vent of the device. Furthermore the device is not liable to rub or damage the radiator or be subjected to portions of the device becoming excessively heated due to being in contact with the radiator.

In other embodiments the device may include legs that engage with the top of the radiator so as to elevate the device from the radiator by a distance defined by length of the legs so as to permit heated air channelled by the fascia to readily enter the enclosure. The legs may typically be located on the base or lower frame of the device. The device is preferably formed from materials resistant to moisture, for example stainless steel, coated steel, moulded or sheet polymers, waterproofed bonded wood materials such as marine plywood. The support rods may be formed from metal, for example coated steel tube, or waterproofed wood composite. The linear actuator may be formed from moisture resistant metal parts or moulded polymers.

The device may be sized to fit over standard radiators as known in the art. For example, an embodiment may be dimensioned to fit over a flat panel radiator of dimension 1800mm x 595mm. The device may be dimensioned to suit the wall size and ceiling height of a building, and may be provided in a range of fixed sizes or may be made on a bespoke basis to suit an application. The invention is not limited by the width, height or depth of the device, and appropriate measurements will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

In some embodiments the drying device may include a handle so that the device can be readily lifted and fitted into position for use and removed when not in use.

In yet further embodiments the device may include a thermometer to measure temperature within the enclosure. In this way a user may be able to estimate drying times based on the temperature. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the invention with the doors open;

Figure 2 shows a front isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a rear isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a front isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 2 with the doors closed;

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1 showing the lower vent in the base; Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section through the embodiment as shown as A-A in figure 1 , with the doors open, showing the central vertical support and the drying device;

Figure 7 shows a vertical cross section through the embodiment as shown as B-B in figure 1 , with the doors open, showing the linear actuator;

Figure 8 shows a side view of the drying device with the doors closed;

Figure 9 shows a side view of the drying device with the doors open;

Figure 10 shows a front isometric view of a drying device with no support elements or support rods fitted;

Figure 1 1 shows a side view detail of the linear actuator as shown in Figure 7; and

Figure 12 shows a cut-away isometric detail of the linear actuator as shown in Figure 1 1 . Detailed Description of Figures Referring to Figures 1 to 12 an embodiment of a drying device 100 according to the invention comprises an enclosure 10 adapted to mount on a wall 12 above a wall mounted radiator 14. The enclosure has: a frame 16 comprising a left hand wall 18 and a right hand wall 20; a first door 22 and a second door 24 mounted on the frame, movable in a sliding manner between an open position in which the doors are spaced apart and a closed position in which they adjoin along an edge of each door; clothes support means within the enclosure comprising two or more support elements 26 and a support rod 34 mounted on and between the support elements; a lower opening 36 provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass into the enclosure; an upper opening 38 provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass out from the enclosure; a door support rail 40 (see Figure 6) on which a door may slide between the open and closed positions and a fascia 80 extending downwards from the enclosure which in use is adapted to be located adjacent a front surface of the radiator to provide a unified appearance to the device and to channel heated air across the radiator and upwards towards the lower opening.

The fascia 80 is typically a planar lip extending downwards from a front face of the enclosure 10.

This embodiment comprises two central vertical support elements 28, 30 that oppose support elements 26 that are provided on the left and right hand walls. In this way the support elements are arranged opposite one another so as to receive ends of a support rod 34.

Figure 10 shows the drying device without support elements 26 for locating support rods. It is envisaged that the support elements 26 may be displaceable so as to be located in different arrangements depending upon what items are to be dried, or that the rods can be displaced from the support elements 26 so as to be re-located depending upon items being dried. The region between support elements 28 and 30 may be a storage area for spare or additional rods 34. In this embodiment the enclosure 10 comprises a base 42 closing the space between the left and right hand walls 18, 20 and the lower opening 36 comprises a lower vent provided in the base 42.

In this embodiment the enclosure 10 comprises an upper wall 44 closing the space between the left and right hand walls 18, 20 and the upper opening 38 comprises an upper vent provided in the upper wall 44.

The lower opening/vent 36 comprises a plurality of apertures extending along the base 42, being configured to be substantially above the radiator when the device is mounted on the wall.

In this embodiment the doors 22, 24 are configured to slide vertically on the frame 16 between an open position as shown in Figures 1 to 3, 6, 7, 9 and 10, and a closed position as shown in figure 4 and 8, the first door 22 is the lower door and the second door 24 is the upper door.

In Figure 4 the drying device 100 is shown mounted on a wall wherein the front face of the device corresponds to the visual appearance of the radiator 14 so that the device 100 appears integrated with the device.

The drying device has an actuator system 46 mounted on the frame 16 and connected to the doors 22, 24 such that when the first door is moved the second door is moved by the actuator system in the opposite direction. In Figures 1 1 and 12 an actuator system 46 is shown having: a toothed rack 48 provided on the second door 24 and a linear actuator 50 comprising: a cog 52 engaging the rack 48, a drive spindle 54 to drive the cog, and a drive cord 56 attached to and around the drive spindle to rotate the spindle as the cord is pulled, the drive cord being attached also to the first door at attachment point 57.

The device is configured such that when the doors are closed the cord 56 is wrapped around the spindle 54 and when the doors are moved apart the cord is pulled in a downwards direction so as to rotate the spindle, rotation of the cog drives the toothed rack linearly upwards.

In this embodiment the doors 22, 24 are adapted such that the first door is heavier than the second and the device is configured such that the first door is retained in place in the closed position and is releasable to allow it to move downwards. In this embodiment the first door is movable outwards from the frame and is retained in the closed position when at a first position outwards relative to the frame and released to move vertically when moved to a second position further outwards from the frame. The device may further comprise a catch (not shown) adapted to hold the first door in the closed position until the catch is operated to release the first door.

In this way in use the weight of the first door acts to assist a user to open both doors when the first door is released, the first door moving downwards under gravity and pulling the second door upwards by means of the linear actuator.

The weight of the first and second doors is adapted such that the weights of the first and second doors are substantially balanced, with a slightly greater weight associated with the first door. In this way the doors are almost counterbalanced such that only a small force is needed to move them apart.

The fascia 80 is adapted to mount on the front surface of the radiator so as to provide a unified, elegant appearance to the device. The first, lower door is configured to move outwards from the front of the frame when opened, so may move downwards in front of the fascia 80 when open, and move back to lie substantially flush with the fascia board when closed. The enclosure preferably has a back wall 62 (see Figure 1 and Figure 3) to close the rear of the enclosure from the wall, so in use to prevent clothes from touching the walls or moisture from reaching the wall. The embodiment further comprises a drying device 64 as shown in Figures 1 , 2 6 and 10, located within the enclosure 10 to remove moisture from air within the enclosure 10. The drying device 64 is positioned in the upper region of the enclosure 10 adjacent to the upper wall 44. The drying device 64 contains a moisture absorbent material such as silica gel so as to capture and store moisture and thereby prevent it from escaping into the surrounding environment or from compensating within the enclosure 10 that may result in delayed drying.

The embodiment may be formed from materials resistant to moisture, for example stainless steel, coated steel, moulded or sheet polymers, waterproofed bonded wood materials such as marine plywood. The support rods may be formed from metal, for example coated steel tube, or waterproofed wood composite. The linear actuator may be formed from moisture resistant metal parts or moulded polymers.

Preferably the drying device may be formed from metal so as to readily conduct heat through the device thereby enhancing the drying process.

The device may be sized to fit over standard radiators as known in the art. For example, this embodiment may be dimensioned to fit over a flat panel radiator of dimension 1800mm x 595mm. It is appreciated the device may be sized to fit any radiator. Furthermore the front face of the device may be adapted to correspond to the radiator above which it is fitted. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.