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.
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
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)
