TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a drying apparatus for drying a surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a drying apparatus including: - a blower for blowing air over a surface to be dried; and a mounting arrangement for mounting the blower on a stand placed in the vicinity of the surface to be dried in order to allow the blower to blow air over and dry the surface.

The blower may be in the form of a fan arrangement. The fan arrangement may include a body and a fan mounted on the body. The body may have a generally planar form. The body may include an air flow channel defined therethrough, the channel preferably extending substantially normally through operatively upper and lower surfaces of the body. The body may have a thickness in the range of 15mm to 50mm, preferably being in the region of 38mm. The fan may be mounted within the air flow channel of the body such that the fan is capable of displacing air through the air flow channel towards the surface to be dried. The fan arrangement may include a plurality of fans mounted on the body for improving coverage of air over the surface to be dried. The fan may have a substantially compact size and/or shape so as to minimise a weight and volume thereof. The fan may have a length, width and thickness in the range of 100mm to 180mm, 100mm to 180mm and 10mm to 20mm, respectively, preferably being in the region of 140mm, 140mm and 15mm, respectively. The fan may be in the form of a hydro bearing fan. The fan may have an operating voltage in the range of 1 .5V to 9V, preferably having an operating voltage in the region of 4.5V to 5V direct current. The fan may have a rated current in the range of 0.1 A to 1 A, preferably being in the region of 0.3A. The fan may have a power input in the range of 1 W to 5W, preferably being in the region of 1 ,5W. The fan may have a part number DP-N214A5-UPAL. The stand may include a sign displayed thereon, preferably a warning sign for warning passers-by that a surface is slippery when wet. The stand may include a pair of generally planar support members which are pivotally connected to each other at their end regions. The support members may include a surface on which to display a sign or warning, in the form of an image or text, to a passer-by. The stand may be displaceable between an operative standing condition wherein the support members are pivoted away from each other so as to form a generally inverted V-shape for allowing the support members to support themselves, preferably so that the warning sign is on display to passers-by, and an inoperative stowage condition wherein the support members are pivoted towards each other for allowing the stand to be stowed away.

The mounting arrangement may be configured to mount the blower between planar support members of the stand. The mounting arrangement may be configured to mount the blower displaceably on the support members for allowing the blower to be displaceable between an operative condition wherein the stand is in the standing condition and the blower is directed substantially towards the surface to be dried and an inoperative stowage condition wherein the blower is substantially sandwiched between the planar support members of the stand in its inoperative stowage condition.

The mounting arrangement may include an elongate extension extending from the body, which extension is sized, shaped and/or configured to define an elongate receiving zone for receiving a portion of the support member of the stand therein. More particularly, the elongate receiving zone may have a length which corresponds to a width of the support member so that the whole width thereof may be receivable therein. The elongate extension may define an opening at one end region of the elongate receiving zone for facilitating sliding receipt of a longitudinal edge region of the support member. It is to be appreciated that the receiving zone may also receive an operatively lower edge region of the support member wherein the blower is slid up the support member to the required position. A closure member may be provided for closing the opening defined in the elongate receiving zone and inhibiting displacement of the support member out of the receiving zone, the closure member typically preventing demounting of the blower relative the stand in use. The mounting arrangement may include a pair of elongate extensions as hereinbefore described which may extend from opposing end regions of the body for allowing the blower to be mounted on and between adjacent planar support members of the stand.

Retaining means may be provided for retaining the blower at a predetermined height relative the surface to be dried during the operative condition. The retaining means may be in the form of an inhibitor for inhibiting sliding displacement of the mounting arrangement and with it, the blower, relative the stand towards a ground surface in the operative condition. The inhibitor may extend from the support member of the stand, preferably extending from inner regions of both support members, at a height in the range of 50mm to 100mm, preferably being in the region of 60mm to 70mm, from the surface to be dried.

The mounting arrangement may include a plurality of engaging members extending from a periphery of the body. In particular, four engaging members may extend from the body, preferably one engaging formation extending from each corner region of the body. The engaging members may be sized, shaped and/or configured to engage with receiving formations defined in the support member. The receiving formations may be in the form of apertures defined in the support members, which apertures may be generally elongate and which may extend along a length of the support members for allowing the mounting arrangement and with it, the blower, to be displaceable relative the support members. More particularly, each support member may include an elongate aperture defined in both opposing side regions of the support member, the apertures typically corresponding to each of the respective engaging members. Alternatively, the receiving formations may be in the form of a bent over edge region and/or strengthening ribs which extend along a length of the support member towards opposing edge regions thereof. The mounting arrangement may include a hinge element for allowing pivotal interconnection between the body, preferably one end region thereof, and the stand, preferably a first support member of the stand. The hinge element may include a first portion which may be secured to the first support member, preferably being secured to an inner wall thereof. The first portion may be formed integrally with the support member or the first portion may be fastened to the support member by way of a conventional nut and bolt arrangement or adhesive. The hinge element may include a second portion which may be secured to the blower, preferably being secured to the body thereof. The second portion may be formed integrally with the body or the second portion may be fastened to the body by way of a nut and bolt arrangement. The hinge element may include a pin which may extend between and pivotally interconnect the first and second portions of the hinge element.

The mounting arrangement may include a support formation for supporting one end region of the body in an operative condition wherein the body is supported substantially parallel the surface to be dried and wherein the stand is in the operative standing condition. The support formation may be in the form of a stopper which may be mounted on a second support member of the stand. The stopper may be formed integrally with the second support member or the stopper may be fastened thereto by way of a nut and bolt arrangement.

The mounting arrangement may include a holder for holding the body and second support member together. The holder may be in the form of a rod having a generally U-shape when viewed in plan. End regions of the rod may be attachable to opposing end regions of the body. The holder may have a length larger than the width of the second support member so that the holder may receive the whole width thereof.

An energising means may be provided for energising the blower. The energising means may be in the form of a battery. The battery may be in the form of a conventional power bank. The power bank may have a charge rating in the range of 8 OOOmAh to 20 OOOmAh, preferably being in the region of 10 800 mAh. The power bank may have an output voltage in the range of 1 V to 9V, preferably being in the region of 5V. The power bank may have an output current in the range of 0.1 A to 3A, preferably being in the region of 1 A. The power bank may be configured to operate without memory effect. The battery may be mounted on the body, preferably being mounted within a battery receiving zone defined in the body. The battery receiving zone may be sized, shaped and/or configured to allow complementary receipt of the battery therein.

An activation means may be provided for activating the blower when the stand and the fan arrangement are displaced into the operative standing condition. In one form of the invention, the activation means may be in the form of a conventional switch or push-button switch. Alternatively, the activation means may be in the form of an electrical bridge for connecting terminals of an open electrical circuit extending between and interconnecting the energising means and the fan. The electrical bridge may be mounted on the stand in a position such that when the body of the fan arrangement and stand are displaced into the operative standing condition, the electrical bridge comes into contact with the terminals which closes the circuit and causes the fan to operate. More particularly, the electrical bridge may be sized, shaped and/or configured to enter an opening defined in the body, preferably an underside of the body, which opening exposes the terminals of the electrical circuit, when the stand and fan arrangement are displaced into the operative standing condition. The terminals may be in the form of spring members for reducing wear resulting from continuous use. The electrical bridge may be manufactured from any suitable conductive material. Preferably, the electrical bridge may be manufactured from a metallic material. The electrical bridge may extend from the stopper of the mounting arrangement. The electrical bridge may be the stopper of the mounting arrangement.

A charge level indicator may be provided for indicating a charge level of the battery. The charge level indicator may be in the form of a plurality of LED lights which may illuminate according to the charge level of the battery. In particular, a set of four LED lights may be provided wherein illumination of each light indicates a charge level of 25%. It is to be appreciated that when all four LEDs are illuminated, the battery charge level is typically in the region of 100%.

A charging means may be provided for allowing charging of the energising means. The charging means may be in the form of a charging port which may be in the shape of any suitable conventional charging port such as a USB port or the like.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a drying aid including: - a stand including: - a pair of elongate support members; and a connecting arrangement for pivotally interconnecting the pair of support members at end regions thereof; and a drying apparatus mounted on the stand for allowing air to be blown over a surface over which the stand is placed so as to dry the surface.

The stand may include a sign displayed thereon, preferably a warning sign for warning passers-by that a surface is slippery when wet.

The drying apparatus may be in the form of a drying apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A drying apparatus in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: -

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic showing a first embodiment of a drying apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 2 to 4 are three-dimensional schematics showing the manner in which a blower is mounted on a stand;

Figure 5a is a three-dimensional schematic showing a blower of the drying apparatus;

Figure 5b is a three-dimensional schematic showing an exploded view of the blower shown in Figure 5a;

Figure 6 is a three-dimensional schematic showing a second embodiment of the drying apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 is a side view of the drying apparatus shown in Figure 6;

Figures 8a and 8b are enlarged views of parts of the drying apparatus;

Figure 9 is a three-dimensional schematic showing the drying apparatus shown in Figure 6 in a stowage condition;

Figure 10a is a three-dimensional schematic showing a blower of the drying apparatus shown in Figures 6 to 9;

Figure 10b is a three-dimensional schematic showing an exploded view of the blower shown in Figure 10a; and

Figure 1 1 is a three-dimensional schematic showing an exploded view of a third embodiment of the drying apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 to 5, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a drying apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The drying apparatus 10 includes a blower in the form of a fan arrangement 12 for blowing air over a surface to be dried 13, and a mounting arrangement 14 for mounting the fan arrangement 12 on a stand 16 placed in the vicinity of the surface 13 to be dried in order to allow the fan arrangement 12 to blow air over and dry the surface 13.

The fan arrangement 12 includes a body 18 and a fan 20 mounted on the body 18. The body 18 has a generally planar form. The body 18 includes an air flow channel 22 defined therethrough, the channel 22 typically extending substantially normally through operatively upper and lower surfaces 24 of the body 18. The body 18 has a thickness in the range of 15mm to 50mm, typically being in the region of 38mm. The fan 20 is mounted within the air flow channel 22 of the body 18 such that the fan 20 is capable of displacing air through the air flow channel 22 towards the surface 13 to be dried. The fan arrangement 12 includes a plurality of fans 20 mounted on the body 18 for improving coverage of air over the surface 13 to be dried. The fan 20 has a substantially compact size and shape so as to minimise a weight and volume thereof, typically so as to minimise weight and volume of the fan arrangement 12 as a whole. The fan has a length, width and thickness in the range of 100mm to 180mm, 100mm to 180mm and 10mm to 20mm, respectively, typically being in the region of 140mm, 140mm and 15mm, respectively. The fan may be in the form of a hydro bearing fan. The fan has an operating voltage in the range of 1.5V to 9V, typically having an operating voltage in the region of 4.5V to 5V direct current. The fan has a rated current in the range of 0.1 A to 1 A, typically being in the region of 0.3A. The fan has a power input in the range of 1W to 5W, typically being in the region of 1.5W. The fan has a part number DP-N214A5-UPAL.

The stand 16 includes a sign (shown only in Figure 11 ) displayed thereon, typically a warning sign for warning passers-by that a surface is slippery when wet. The stand 16 includes a pair of generally planar support members 28 which are pivotally connected to each other at their end regions 30. The support members 28 include a surface 32 on which to display a sign or warning, in the form of an image or text, to a passer-by. The stand 16 is displaceable between an operative standing condition wherein the support members 30 are pivoted away from each other so as to form a generally inverted V-shape for allowing the support members 30 to support themselves, typically so that the warning sign is on display to passers-by, and an inoperative stowage condition wherein the support members 30 are pivoted towards each other for allowing the stand 16 to be stowed away.

The mounting arrangement 14 is configured to mount the fan arrangement 12 between planar support members 30 of the stand 16. The mounting arrangement 14 is configured to mount the fan arrangement 12 displaceably on the support members 30 for allowing the fan arrangement 12 to be displaceable between an operative condition wherein the stand 16 is in the standing condition and the fan arrangement 12 is directed substantially towards the surface 13 to be dried and an inoperative stowage condition wherein the fan arrangement 12 is substantially sandwiched between the planar support members 30 of the stand 16 in its inoperative stowage condition.

The mounting arrangement 14 includes an elongate extension 34 extending from the body 18, which extension is sized, shaped and configured to define an elongate receiving zone 36 for receiving a portion of the support member 30 of the stand 16 therein. More particularly, the elongate receiving zone 36 has a length which corresponds to a width of the support member 30 so that the whole width thereof is receivable therein. The elongate extension 34 defines an opening 38 at one end region of the elongate receiving zone 36 for facilitating sliding receipt of a longitudinal edge region 40 of the support member 30. It is to be appreciated that the receiving zone 36 may also receive an operatively lower edge region 42 of the support member 30 wherein the fan arrangement 12 is slid up the support member 30 to the required position. A closure member 44 is provided for closing the opening 38 defined in the elongate receiving zone 36 and inhibiting displacement the support member 30 out of the receiving zone 36, the closure member 44 typically preventing demounting of the fan arrangement 12 relative the stand 16 in use. The mounting arrangement 14 includes a pair of elongate extensions 34 as hereinbefore described which extend from opposing end regions of the body 18 for allowing the fan arrangement 12 to be mounted on and between adjacent planar support members of the stand 16. Retaining means (not shown) is provided for retaining the fan arrangement 12 at a predetermined height relative the surface 13 to be dried during the operative condition. The retaining means (not shown) is in the form of an inhibitor for inhibiting sliding displacement of the mounting arrangement 14 and with it, the fan arrangement 12, relative the stand 16 towards a ground surface 13 in the operative condition. The inhibitor (not shown) extends from the support member 30 of the stand 16, preferably extending from inner regions of both support members 30, at a height in the range of 50mm to 100mm, typically being in the region of 60mm to 70mm, from the surface 13 to be dried.

An energising means in the form of a battery 46 is provided for energising the fan arrangement 12. The battery 46 can be in the form of a conventional power bank. The power bank has a charge rating in the range of 8 OOOmAh to 20 OOOmAh, typically being in the region of 10 800 mAh. The power bank has an output voltage in the range of 1 V to 9V, typically being in the region of 5V. The power bank has an output current in the range of 0.1 A to 3A, typically being in the region of 1A. The power bank is configured to operate without memory effect. The battery 46 is mounted on the body 18, typically being mounted within a battery receiving zone 46 defined in the body 18. The battery receiving zone 48 is sized, shaped and configured to allow complementary receipt of the battery 46 therein.

An activation means (not shown) is provided for activating the fan 20 of the fan arrangement 12 when the stand 16 and fan arrangement 12 are displaced into the operative standing condition. The activation means (not shown) is in the form of a conventional switch or push-button switch (not shown).

A charge level indicator (not shown) is provided for indicating a charge level of the battery 46. The charge level indicator (not shown) is in the form of a plurality of LED lights (not shown) which may illuminate according to the charge level of the battery 46. In particular, a set of four LED lights (not shown) is provided wherein illumination of each light (not shown) indicates a charge level of 25%. It is to be appreciated that when all four LEDs (not shown) are illuminated, the battery charge level is typically in the region of 100%.

A charging means in the form of a USB charging port 50 is provided for allowing charging of the battery 46.

In a second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 6 to 10, reference numeral 110 refers generally to a drying apparatus having an alternative mounting arrangement 114.

In this embodiment, the mounting arrangement 114 includes a hinge element 152 for allowing pivotal interconnection between body 118, and a first support member 128.1 of the support members 128 of stand 116. The hinge element 152 includes a first portion 156 which is secured to the support member 128.1 , typically being secured to an inner wall thereof. The first portion 156 is fastened to the support member 128.1 by way of a conventional nut and bolt arrangement (not shown). The hinge element 152 includes a second portion 158 which is secured to the body 118 of the fan arrangement 112. The second portion 158 is formed integrally with the body 118. The hinge element 152 includes a pin 160 which extends between and pivotally interconnects the first and second portions 156 and 158 of the hinge element 152.

The mounting arrangement 114 includes a support formation in the form of a stopper 162 for supporting one end region of the body 118 in an operative condition wherein the body 118 is supported substantially parallel the surface 113 to be dried and wherein the stand is in the operative standing condition. The stopper 162 is mounted on a second support member 128.2 of the stand 116. The stopper 162 is fastened to the body 118 by way of a nut and bolt arrangement.

The mounting arrangement 114 includes a holder 164 for holding the body 118 and second support member together 128.2. The holder 164 is in the form of a rod having a generally U-shape when viewed in plan. End regions 166 of the rod 164 are attachable to opposing end regions of the body 118. The holder 164 has a length larger than the width of the second support member 128.2 so that the holder 164 receives the whole width thereof. The holder is configured to serve as a guide member for guiding the support member as the stand is displaced between the inoperative stowage and operative standing conditions. The holder is configured to serve as a handle for allowing a user to carry the stand.

An activation means in the form of an electrical bridge 170 is provided for activating the fan 120 of the fan arrangement 112 when the stand 116 and fan arrangement 112 are displaced into the operative standing condition. The electrical bridge 170 is configured to connect terminals (not shown) of an open electrical circuit (not shown) extending between and interconnecting the battery 146 and the fan 120. The electrical bridge 170 is mounted on the stand 116 in a position such that when the body 118 of the fan arrangement 112 and stand 116 are displaced into the operative standing condition, the electrical bridge 170 comes into contact with the terminals (not shown) which closes the circuit (not shown) and causes the fan 120 to operate. More particularly, the electrical bridge 170 is sized, shaped and configured to enter an opening 172 defined in the body 118, typically an underside of the body 118, which opening 172 exposes the terminals (not shown) of the electrical circuit (not shown), when the stand 116 and fan arrangement 112 are displaced into the operative standing condition. The terminals (not shown) are in the form of spring members (not shown) for reducing wear resulting from continuous use. The electrical bridge 170 is manufactured from any suitable conductive material. Typically, the electrical bridge 170 is manufactured from a metallic material. The electrical bridge 170 is the stopper 162 of the mounting arrangement 114.

In a third embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 1 1 , reference numeral 210 refers generally to a further embodiment of the drying apparatus in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, wheels 268 are provided for facilitating mobility of the stand 216 in use. Typically, the stand 216 having a fan arrangement 212 mounted thereon is dragged behind a person cleaning a floor. Further, a single, larger fan 220 is mounted on the fan arrangement 212.

It is, of course, to be appreciated that the drying apparatus in accordance with the invention is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and which is varied as desired.

The inventor believes that the drying apparatus in accordance with the present invention is advantageous in that it is capable of fitting onto conventional stands or sign structures having a slippery when wet warning displayed thereon. Furthermore, the invention reduces the amount of time required to dry a recently cleaned surface.