Removable, ceiling-based drying apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor laundry drying solutions require significant floor and/or wall space, are cumbersome, and lack a convenient, space-saving alternative for air-drying laundry indoors.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling-mounted drying apparatus designed with brackets and a vinyl-coated stainless steel line, allowing easy installation and removal under the ceiling, utilizing minimal space and avoiding the need for floor or wall installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional floor or wall-mounted drying racks are used, then laundry can be dried indoors, but significant floor and/or wall space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The drying apparatus is mounted on the ceiling, utilizing the vertical dimension and unused ceiling space instead of occupying floor or wall areas. This dimensional shift allows laundry drying functionality while preserving valuable horizontal and vertical wall surfaces for other uses.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the drying rack on the floor or wall as conventional solutions do, this invention inverts the mounting location to the ceiling. The apparatus hangs downward from the ceiling, providing an unexpected alternative that eliminates space occupation issues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If folding racks are used, then storage is possible, but significant space is required for both use and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus utilizes ceiling space for storage when not in use, rather than requiring floor storage space. The removable design allows it to be taken down and stored in a compact manner, while during use it occupies ceiling space rather than floor space.
3Ease of operation
If permanently mounted bulky folding racks are installed on walls, then indoor drying is enabled, but installation complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drying apparatus is divided into separate components: mounting brackets that attach to the ceiling and a removable drying rack portion. This segmentation allows for simple installation of just the mounting brackets, while the drying rack itself can be easily removed and stored when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus transitions from a static permanently mounted rack to a dynamic removable system. The mounting brackets remain fixed on the ceiling, while the drying rack portion can be easily attached and removed as needed, providing flexibility without permanent installation.
4Area of stationary object
If thin clotheslines are stretched across rooms, then drying space is created, but installation and removal become time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets are pre-installed on the ceiling with four screws, creating ready-to-use attachment points. When the drying apparatus is needed, it can be quickly attached to these pre-positioned brackets without requiring time-consuming installation of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the mounting brackets from the drying rack portion, the system allows for quick attachment and removal of just the drying rack component, eliminating the need to reinstall the entire system each time it is needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor, removable ceiling-based air-drying apparatus includes two opposing right angled brackets. Each bracket has two (2) slotted keyholes in the upper horizontal leg. Wood screws are partially screwed into the ceiling leaving a gap of ⅛″ from the ceiling to the screw head, for sliding and locking into the brackets' slotted keyholes for fastening it on the ceiling. The vertical leg has a lower horizontal tab with keyhole. The hypotenuse leg connects the upper horizontal leg with the vertical leg for strength when using the apparatus. A vinyl-coated line, including a turnbuckle, is connected to and spanned between the horizontal tabs of the vertical legs. The turnbuckle is turned by the user, to either increase the tension of the cable for ready use, or lessen the tension to allow the cable to be removed, thus freeing both brackets to be easily removed by sliding them off the screws.