A drying apparatus

Abstract

A drying apparatus which includes a stand including a pair of supports connected pivotally to each other at their ends, the supports being pivotable between an inoperative condition wherein the supports are pivoted towards each other and an operative standing condition wherein the supports are pivoted away from each other, typically so as to be capable of standing on a surface (not shown), and a fan arrangement which includes generally toroidal-shaped blades and which is mounted within a receiving zone defined in one of the supports, for allowing air to be blown between the supports and over a surface to be dried.

Description

[0001] A DRYING APPARATUS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This invention relates to a drying apparatus for drying a surface.

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the invention, there is provided a drying apparatus including: - a stand including a pair of supports connected pivotally to each other at their ends, the supports being pivotable between an inoperative condition wherein the supports are pivoted towards each other and an operative standing condition wherein the supports are pivoted away from each other; a fan arrangement which includes generally toroidal-shaped blades, and which is mountable within a receiving zone defined in one of the supports, for allowing air to be blown between the supports and over a surface to be dried.

[0006] The stand may include a sign displayed thereon. The sign may be in the form of a warning sign for warning passers-by that a surface is slippery when wet. The stand may be in the form of a conventional “slippery-when-wet” sign. Alternatively, the sign may be in the form of an advert. The advert may include printed and / or digital media. The supports may have a generally planar form. The supports may include a surface for displaying a sign, advert, or warning, preferably in the form of an image or text, to a passer-by. It is to be appreciated that in the operative standing condition, the supports are pivoted away from each other so as to form a generally inverted V-shape for allowing the supports to support themselves, preferably so that the warning sign is on display to passers-by, and in the inoperative condition, the support members are pivoted towards each other and are folded over or overlaying each other, typically for flattening the stand to facilitate storage and / or stowage thereof.

[0007] The supports may have a thickness in the region of 10mm to 30mm, preferably having a thickness in the region of 15mm. A handle may be provided for allowing a user to hold and move the stand. The handle may include apertures defined through the end regions of the supports.

[0008] The fan arrangement may have a generally planar form which may correspond to the generally planar form of the support. The fan arrangement may have a thickness which may correspond to the thickness of the support, preferably being as close thereto as possible, for allowing outer surfaces of the fan arrangement to be flush with outer surfaces of the support.

[0009] The fan arrangement may include any number of toroidal-shaped blades. The toroidal-shaped blades may consist of blades which are curved and looped around to form a continuous ring shape. It is to be appreciated that having toroidal shaped blades is believed to direct airflow more effectively. Further, toroidal-shaped blades are believed to allow focused and directed airflow patterns to be created, which is typically desired in drying surfaces. Yet further, the continuous ring-shaped or toroidal-shaped blades reduce turbulence which in turn, improves efficiency. The toroidal-shaped blades may have any suitable angle, length, thickness, pitch and / or curvature for optimising airflow and efficiency within the size parameters defined by the stand of the drying apparatus.

[0010] The fan arrangement may include an outer frame or casing on which a motor assembly may be mounted, the motor assembly preferably being a small-scale electronic motor assembly. The motor assembly may include a stator portion, which typically includes wire coils wound around extensions of stacked electrically insulated metallic plates, and a rotor portion which may include a locating shaft receivable by a complementary receiving aperture defined in the stator portion of the motor. The toroidal-shaped fan blades may be mounted on or formed integrally with the rotor portion of the motor. The motor may be in the form of a brushless DC (Direct Current) motor. The brushless DC motor may be in the form of an outrunner-type brushless DC motor. The motor assembly 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 motor assembly may have a rated current in the range of 0.1 A to 1A, preferably beina in the region of 0.3A. The motor assembly may have a power input in the range of 1 W to 5W, preferably being in the region of 1 ,5W. A PCB (Printed Circuit Board) may be mounted to a rear portion of the stator portion of the motor, which PCB permits interconnection between coils of the stator portion, controllers and a power source. The controllers may include speed controllers and PWM (Pulse Width Modulator) controllers for ensuring optimum operating efficiency of the motor.

[0011] The power source may be in the form of a battery. The battery may have a slim and / or compact profile or shape, preferably being generally planar. The battery may be mounted within the outer casing of the fan arrangement. Alternatively, the battery may be mounted within a battery receiving zone defined in the support. The battery may be in the form of any suitable long-life and / or rechargeable battery. The battery may be in the form of any battery of the group including an alkaline, rechargeable NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride), lithium-ion, lead-acid and a power bank.

[0012] The outer casing may include a mounting arrangement for allowing the fan arrangement to be mounted on the support. The mounting arrangement may be in the form of any of the group including a screw-type mounting, snap-on or clip-on mounting, bracket mounting, rail mounting, adhesive mounting, clamp mounting, hinge mounting, and the like. The outer casing may have dimensions which correspond to the size and / or shape of the receiving zone of the support. In particular, the outer casing may have a length, height and / or thickness in the ranges of 100mm to 500mm, 100mm to 500mm, and / or 10mm to 40mm, respectively, preferably being in the region of 180mm, 180mm, and / or 15mm, respectively.

[0013] The fan arrangement may include a plurality of motor assemblies for improving air flow coverage on the surface to be dried. The plurality of motor assemblies may have fan blades of varying sizes for optimising air flow over the surface to be dried. For example, a motor assembly having a larger fan may be located generally centrally relative the casing and motor assemblies having smaller fans may be located towards the sides of the fan arrangement. In one form of the invention, the fan arrangement may be mounted pivotally on the one support for allowing the fan arrangement to pivot out of the receiving zone and into an operative pivoted position wherein air flow is directed substantially towards the surface to be dried. In this form of the invention, a stopper may be mounted on the other support for stopping the fan arrangement from pivoting beyond the operative pivoted condition. Alternative to the stopper, a biasing arrangement may be provided for biasing the fan arrangement into the inoperative condition. It is to be appreciated that the biasing member may be in the form of a spring-loaded hinge and may facilitate displacement of the fan arrangement into the inoperative condition, typically when the drying apparatus is no longer needed to dry a particular area of the floor. Further, in this form of the invention, a complementary receiving formation may be defined in the one support for receiving the stopper on the other support when the supports are displaced into the inoperative folded condition. Yet further, an inner surface of the other support may include a curved profile for accommodating an end region of the fan arrangement, preferably the outer casing thereof, as it follows a curved path while being displaced to and from the inoperative folded condition. It is to be appreciated that rollers may be provided for facilitating displacement of the outer casing of the fan arrangement between the operative and inoperative conditions, the rollers typically being mounted on the outer casing. The inner surface may have curved tracks defined therein or the whole inner surface may be curved. It is to be appreciated further that the rollers and the curved inner surface of the other support may permit smooth and / or seamless transition of the fan arrangement from the operative to the inoperative condition, typically allowing the fan arrangement to move into the receiving zone defined in the support with a brief pull or tug of a handle of the stand, which in turn will cause the supports to be displaced into the inoperative folded condition.

[0014] In another form of the invention, the fan arrangement may be mounted fast on one of the supports. In this form, a guide arrangement may be provided for guiding air flowing from the fan arrangement toward the surface to be dried. The guide arrangement may include an inlet for receiving air from the fan arrangement and an outlet which may be angled generally towards the surface to be dried. Also in this form, an outer surface of the support or an outer surface of the outer casing of the fan arrangement, may include perforations defined therein for allowing air flow therethrough, typically when the fan arrangement is active.

[0015] A pair of fan arrangements may be provided, wherein each of the supports includes a fan arrangement mounted fast thereon. Typically, one fan arrangement mounted fast on each support. In this form, the pair of fan arrangements may be orientated such that air blown therefrom converges toward a generally central region between the supports, the air streams from the fan arrangements preferably converging and deflecting each other generally towards the surface to be dried.

[0016] An inhibiting arrangement may be provided for inhibiting displacement of the stand relative the surface to be dried in the operative condition wherein the fans are activated. The inhibiting arrangement may be in the form of weights which may be attached to the stand for increasing the frictional force between the stand and the surface to be dried. Alternatively, the inhibiting arrangement may be in the form of a coating with a relatively high co-efficient of friction, such as rubber for example. The coating may be applied to surfaces of the stand which come into contact with the surface to be dried during the operative condition.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] 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.

[0019] In the drawings: -

[0020] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic showing a drying apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in an inoperative condition;

[0021] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional schematic showing the drying apparatus in an operative condition; Figure 3 is a front view showing the drying apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drying apparatus shown in Figure 3 along the line A-A;

[0023] Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the drying apparatus in Figure 4 indicated by the letter B; and

[0024] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional schematic showing a drying apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Referring now to figures 1 to 6, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a drying apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The drying apparatus 10 includes a stand 12 including a pair of supports 14 and 16 connected pivotally to each other at their ends, the supports 14 and 16 being pivotable between an inoperative condition wherein the supports 14 and 16 are pivoted towards each other and an operative standing condition wherein the supports 14 and 16 are pivoted away from each other, typically so as to be capable of standing on a surface (not shown), and a fan arrangement 18 which includes generally toroidal-shaped blades 20 and which is mounted within a receiving zone 22 defined in one of the supports 14, for allowing air to be blown between the supports 14 and 16 and over a surface (not shown) to be dried.

[0027] The stand includes a sign (not shown) displayed thereon. The sign can be in the form of a warning sign for warning passers-by that a surface is slippery when wet. Although not shown explicitly in the Figures, the stand 12 is intended to be in the form of a conventional “slippery-when-wet” sign. Alternatively, and also not shown in the Figures, the sign can be in the form of an advert. The advert can include printed or digital media. The supports 14 and 16 have a generally planar form. The supports 14 and 16 include surfaces for displaying a sign, advert, or warning, typically in the form of an image or text, to a passer-by. It is to be appreciated that in the operative standing condition, as shown most clearly in Figure 2, the supports 14 and 16 are pivoted away from each other so as to form a generally inverted V-shape for allowing the supports 14 and 16 to support themselves, typically so that the warning sign (not shown) is on display to passers-by, and in the inoperative condition, the supports 14 and 16 are pivoted towards each other and are folded over or overlaying each other, typically for flattening the stand 12 to facilitate storage and / or stowage thereof.

[0028] The supports 14 and 16 have a thickness in the region of 10mm to 30mm, typically having a thickness in the region of 15mm. A handle 24 is provided for allowing a user to hold and move the stand 12. The handle 24 includes apertures 26 defined through the end regions of the supports 14 and 16.

[0029] The fan arrangement 18 has a generally planar form which corresponds to the generally planar form of the support 14. The fan arrangement 18 has a thickness which corresponds to the thickness of the support 14, typically being as close thereto as possible, for allowing outer surfaces of the fan arrangement 18 to be flush with outer surfaces of the support 14.

[0030] The fan arrangement 18 includes an outer frame or casing 28 on which a motor assembly, broadly indicated by reference numeral 30, is mounted, the motor assembly typically being a small-scale electronic motor assembly. The motor assembly 30 includes a stator portion 32, which typically includes wire coils (not shown) wound around extensions of stacked electrically insulated metallic plates (not shown), and a rotor portion 34 which includes a locating shaft 36 receivable by a complementary receiving aperture 38 defined in the stator portion 32 of the motor assembly 30. The toroidal fan blades 20 are formed integrally with the rotor portion 34 of the motor assembly 30. The motor assembly 30 is in the form of a brushless DC (Direct Current) motor. The brushless DC motor is in the form of an outrunner-type brushless DC motor. The motor assembly 30 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 motor assembly 30 has a rated current in the range of 0.1 A to 1 A, typically being in the region of 0.3A. The motor assembly 30 has a power input in the range of 1W to 5W, typically being in the region of 1 ,5W. A PCB (Printed Circuit Board) (not shown) is mounted to a rear portion of the stator portion 32 of the motor assembly 32, which PCB permits interconnection between coils (not shown) of the stator portion 32, controllers (not shown) and a power source in the form of a battery 40. The controllers (not shown) typically include speed controllers and PWM (Pulse Width Modulator) controllers for ensuring optimum operating efficiency of the motor assembly 30.

[0031] The battery 40 has a slim and / or compact profile or shape, typically being generally planar. The battery 40 is mounted within a battery receiving zone 43 defined in the support 14. The battery 40 is in the form of any suitable long-life and rechargeable battery. The battery 40 is in the form of any battery of the group including an alkaline, rechargeable NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride), lithium-ion, lead-acid and a power bank.

[0032] The outer casing 28 includes a mounting arrangement (not shown) for allowing the fan arrangement 18 to be mounted on the support 14. The mounting arrangement (not shown) is in the form of any of the group including a screw-type mounting, snap- on or clip-on mounting, bracket mounting, rail mounting, adhesive mounting, clamp mounting, hinge mounting, and the like. The outer casing 28 has dimensions which correspond to the size and shape of the receiving zone 22 of the support 14. In particular, the outer casing 28 has a length, height and thickness in the ranges of 100mm to 500mm, 100mm to 500mm, and 10mm to 40mm, respectively, typically being in the region of 180mm, 180mm, and 15mm, respectively.

[0033] In this embodiment, the fan arrangement 18 is mounted pivotally on the one support 14 for allowing the fan arrangement 18 to pivot out of the receiving zone 22 and into an operative pivoted position wherein air flow is directed substantially towards the surface to be dried, as most clearly seen in Figure 2. Further, in this embodiment, a stopper 42 is mounted on the other support 16 for stopping the fan arrangement 18 from pivoting beyond the operative pivoted condition. Yet further, in this embodiment, a complementary receiving formation 44 is defined in the one support 14 for receiving the stopper 42 on the other support 16 when the supports 14 and 16 are displaced into the inoperative folded condition. Although not shown in the Figures, an inhibiting arrangement (not shown) is provided for inhibiting displacement of the stand 12 relative the surface (not shown) to be dried in the operative condition wherein the motor assembly 30 is activated. The inhibiting arrangement (not shown) can be in the form of weights which are attached to the stand 12 for increasing the mass, and with it, the frictional force between the stand 12 and the surface (not shown) to be dried. Alternatively, the inhibiting arrangement (not shown) can in the form of a coating with a relatively high co-efficient of friction, such as rubber for example. The coating can be applied to surfaces of the stand 12 which come into contact with the surface (not shown) to be dried during the operative condition.

[0034] Referring now to Figure 6, reference numeral 110 refers generally to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of the supports 114 and 116 include a fain arrangement 118.1 and 118.2, respectively, mounted fast thereon. The pair of fan arrangements 118.1 and 118.2 are orientated such that air blown therefrom converges toward a generally central region between the supports 114 and 116, the air streams from the fan arrangements preferably converging and deflecting each other generally towards the surface (not shown) to be dried.

[0035] 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 may be varied as desired.

[0036] Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other modifications, variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence form part of the invention as herein described and / or exemplified. It is further to be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention. The inventor believes that the drying apparatus in accordance with the present invention is advantageous in that using toroidal-shaped fan blades to generate airflow to dry a surface exhibits the following advantages compared to conventional fans: - low noise, focused air flow, high pressure to power consumption ratio; improved efficiency, improves overall efficiency of the fan arrangement, which in turn may reduce battery requirements or increase operation time of the motor assembly. Further, the degree of flushness between the fan arrangement and the supports and the fan arrangement which is mounted fast to the supports exhibits a robust design with fewer moving parts which results in improved capability to withstand wear and tear from conventional use.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A drying apparatus including: - a stand including a pair of supports connected pivotally to each other at their ends, the supports being pivotable between an inoperative condition wherein the supports are pivoted towards each other and an operative standing condition wherein the supports are pivoted away from each other; a fan arrangement which includes generally toroidal-shaped blades, and which is mounted within a receiving zone defined in one of the supports, for allowing air to be blown between the supports and over a surface to be dried.

2. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the supports include a surface for displaying a sign, advert or warning to a passer-by.

3. A drying apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein a handle is provided for allowing a user to hold and move the stand.

4. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the fan arrangement has a thickness which corresponds to the thickness of the support for allowing outer surfaces of the fan arrangement to be flush with outer surfaces of the support.

5. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the fan arrangement includes an outer casing on which a motor assembly is mounted.

6. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outer casing includes a mounting arrangement for allowing the fan arrangement to be mounted on the support.

7. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the mounting arrangement is in the form of any of the group including a screw-type mounting, snap-on or clio-onmounting, bracket mounting, rail mounting, adhesive mounting, clamp mounting, and hinge mounting.

8. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one or more of claims 5 to 7 wherein the outer casing has dimensions which correspond to the size and shape of the receiving zone of the support.

9. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the fan arrangement includes a plurality of motor assemblies for improving air flow coverage on the surface to be dried.

10. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the plurality of motor assemblies have fan blades of varying sizes for optimising air flow over the surface to be dried.1 1. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the fan arrangement is mounted pivotally on the one support for allowing the fan arrangement to pivot out of the receiving zone and into an operative pivoted position wherein air flow is directed substantially towards the surface to be dried.

12. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein a stopper is mounted on the other support for stopping the fan arrangement from pivoting beyond the operative pivoted condition.

13. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein a biasing arrangement is provided for biasing the fan arrangement into the inoperative condition.

14. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein a complementary receiving formation is defined in the one support for receiving the stopper on the other support when the supports are displaced into the inoperative folded condition.

15. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one or more of claims 1 1 to 14 wherein an inner surface of the other support includes a curved profile for accommodating an end region of the fan arrangement, preferably the outer casing thereof, as it follows a curved path while being displaced to and from the inoperative folded condition.

16. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the inner surface has curved tracks defined therein or the whole inner surface is curved.

17. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the fan arrangement is mounted fast to one of the supports.

18. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein a guide arrangement is provided for guiding air flowing from the fan arrangement toward the surface to be dried.

19. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the guide arrangement includes an inlet for receiving air from the fan arrangement and an outlet which is angled generally towards the surface to be dried.

20. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one or more of claims 17 to 19 wherein an outer surface of the support or an outer surface of the outer casing of the fan arrangement, includes perforations defined therein for allowing air flow therethrough when the fan arrangement is active.

21. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein a pair of fan arrangements are provided, wherein each of the supports include a fan arrangement mounted fast thereon.

22. A drying apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the pair of fan arrangements are orientated such that air blown therefrom converges toward a generally central region between the supports, the air streams from the fan arrangements converging and deflecting each other generally towards the surface to be dried.

23. A drying apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein an inhibiting arrangement is provided for inhibiting displacement of the stand relative the surface to be dried in the operative condition wherein the fans are activated.

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