US3157475A

US3157475A - Combination clothes and hair dryer

Info

Publication number: US3157475A
Application number: US90051A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hubert L Stainbrook
Original assignee: Your Pleasure Corp
Current assignee: Your Pleasure Corp
Priority date: 1961-02-17
Filing date: 1961-02-17
Publication date: 1964-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 1981-11-17

Description

1964 H. L. STAINBROOK COMBINATION CLOTHES AND HAIR DRYER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 17, 1961 NOW 1964 H. L. STAINBROOK 3,

COMBINATION CLOTHES AND HAIR DRYER Filed Feb. 17, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 n n n n n n h n n n 1 1 Nov. 17, 1964 H. STAINBROOK COMBINATION CLOTHES AND HAIR DRYER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 17. 1961 Nov. 17, 1964 H. L. STAINBROOK 3,157,475

COMBINATION CLOTHES AND HAIR DRYER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 17, 1961 INVENTOR: fluaeerLSnwaeoox.

F g- 4 1 WQAJJM ATTORNEYS for the rotating tumbler:

United States Patent of California Filed Feb. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 90,051 8 Claims. (Cl. 34-91) This invention relates to a dryer for household use and is directed to the construction of a small portable highly versatile dryer that not only functions as a clothes dryer but also carries out other drying taslcs including drying hair and drying na l polish. This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application of the same title, Serial No. 736,058, filed May 19, 1958, now abandoned.

One problem is to make such a dryer small enough and light enough to be lifted and carried easily by a woman. Another problem is to provide such a dryer of pleasing appearance to be appropriate for use in apartments.

Another problem is to make such a dryer conveniently and quickly adaptable for its various uses. lt shouldbe a simple matter to shift from drying lingerie to drying hair and vice versa. It should be equally simple for example, to switch from drying hair to drying nail polish.

A further problem is to make such an appliance relatively inexpensive. The problem is to simplify the construction of an appliance which includes a rotary orum or tumbler for clothes, a blower to create a stream of drying air, means to heat the stream of air, a motor to actuate both the tumbler and the blower, and suitable provision for directing the heated stream of air for various drying operations outside of the tumbler.

Since both Weight and cost are so important, the motor must be relatively small. Any speed reducing transmission that is used must be simple, inexpensive and light in weight. To permit the heated stream of air to be supplied at a high rate for drying operations outs de of the tumbler, clutch means should be provided for disconnecting the tumbler from the motor so that the full power of the relatively light motor may be applied to the air stream.

The invention meets all of these problems and requirements by a number of features. Cost andweight are minimized by using a simple plastic tumbler mounted on a light weight support structure of open construction. The periphery of the tumbler is placed in frictional contact with the drive shaft of the motor for the purpose of driving the tumbler so that the tumbler itself ecornes a part of the speed-reducing transmission. The clutch means to disengage the tumbler from the motor consists simply of means to lift the end of the tumbler out of operating contact with the drive shaft.

To make the appliance versatile and quickly convertible to its various uses, the blower and its associated heater deliver the heated stream of air to one end of a flexible hose. The second end of the flexible hose is releasable from the tumbler and may be releasably connected to a suitable hair drying cap. 1

As will be made apparent, other features of the invention relate to various parts of the appliance. One feature is the simple construction of a stationary input climber Another feature is a simple declutching arrangement for lifting the tumbler away from the motor shaft. Another feature is the construction of the bearings for journaling the opposite ends of the tumbler. A further feature is the manner in which the support structure provides storage space for the flexible hose as 7 well as storage space for the hair drying cap.

' 7 he various features and advantages of the invention may be understood by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

in the drawings, which are to be regarded as merely illustrative:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention with portions broken away;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the structure associated with the bearing for the rear end of the tumbler;

FIG. 3 is a similar view illustrating the procedure for assembling the bearing;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of the bearing structure taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragment of FIG. 1 showing the structure associated with the second bearing that journals the front end of the tumbler;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 66 of FIG. 5;

PEG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of the clutch means for operatively disconnecting the tumbler from the motor;

316. 8 is an elevation of the front end of the tumbler;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the manually operable controls of the appliance;

FIG. 10 is a front end elevation of the appliance;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing how the appliance may be employed for drying hair;

FIG. 12 is a perspective View of a second embodiment of the invention; a

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the same embodiment partly in side elevation and partly in section; and

FIG. 14 is a transverse section taken as indicated by the line 14-14 of PK}. 13.

The principal parts of the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings include: a support structure, generally designated as, of open construction in the form of a wire frame of box-like configuration mounted on a plastic base plate 61; a tumbler, generally designated 62, having a plurality of input apertures 64 in its front end wall 65 and having a plurality of exhaust apertures 66 in its rear end Wall 68;

bearings

70 and 72 respectively journaling the opposite ends of the tumbler; a chamber member 74 having a cylindrical input port '75 and forming an input chamber 7s at the front end of the tumbler; a

blower 78 mounted on the support structure till; concealed heating elements till (FIG. 10) incorporated in the blower; a motor $2 for driving both the tumbler !52 and the blower; 73; and a clutch manually operable by a knob 84 (FIGS. 7 and 9) for disconnecting thetumbler from the motor to permit the full power of the motor to be delivered to the blower; a flexible conduit in the form of a corrugated hose 35 for delivering the stream-of heated air from the blower to the input port 75, the hose being disengageable from the input port; and a cap 86 for drying hair (FIG. ll) the cap being adapted for releasable connection to the hose 35.

The tumbler 62 may be constructed in any suitable manner from any suitable material. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the tumbler 62 is fabricated from linear polyethylene and is in the form of a cylindrical drum with a peripheral opening orhand hole that is normally closed by a hinged plastic lid 88. The plastic lid 83 seats in its closed position with a snap action and V is provided with an integral finger piece 90 to facilitate manipulation of the lid. 1

The structure associated with the bearing 70 for the rear end of the tumbler 62 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

This structure includes a pair of spaced wire fingers 92 that are part of the support structure and are formed [with upturned ends 94. The bearing 79 may be in the form of a relatively thickplastic plate having a circular opening 95 to receive and journal a corresponding trunnion 96 that isunited with the rear end wall 68 of the tumbler; Both the bearing 70 and the trunnion 96 may be made of suitable plastic, for example linear polyethylene.

In the construction shown, the bearing 70 has an inner circumferential rib 98 that engages a complementary outer circumferential groove 10%) of the trunnion 96. The plastic material of the bearing 70 issufiiciently resilient to permit the bearing to be assembled to the trunnion by simply forcing the bearing axially over the end of the trunnion. As best shown in FIG. 4 the bearing 70 is formed with a spaced pair of short vertical slots 192 to receive the two fingers 92 for support of the bearing. In the construction shown, the bearing 70 and the cooperating trunnion are both concealed by a plastic cap 104. The plastic cap 104 is apertured to permit the cap to be slidingly mounted on the two wire fingers 92. The rim of the cap abuts therear end wall 68 of the tumbler and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap backs against the wire support structure 60.

The procedure of assembling the structure associated with the bearing 70 is illustrated by FIG. 3. With the cap 104 slidingly mounted on the fingers 92 and with the bearing 70 removed from the fingers, the bearing is forced onto the trunnion 96 to the position shown. in FIG. 3. It is then a simple matter to maneuver the tumbler 62 to carry the bearing 70 on the trunnion into the interior of the cap into engagement with the wire fingers 92.

The structure associated with the second bearing 72 is shown in FIGS. 1, and 6. Here again the bearing 72 is in the form-of a thick plastic plate with a circular opening 106 to receive a corresponding trunnion 108 that fixedly projects from the front end wall 65 of the tumbler .62. As shown in FIG. 6, the bearing 72 has a pair of spaced vertical slots 110. The vertical slots 111 permit the bearing to be slidingly mounted on apair of relatively long straight parallel fingers 112 of the wire support structure 60. Here again the bearing member 72 has an inner circumferential rib 114'to seat in an outer'circumferential groove 115 in the trunnion 108. a

The chamber member 74 that forms the input chamber 76. has a cylindrical wall 116 that slidingly abuts the front end wall 65 of the tumbler 62 and has a forward transverse wall 118 that is suitably apertured to permit the chamber member to be slidingly mounted on the two spring pressure backs the brace member 122 against the wire support structure and presses the chamber member 74 against the front end wall 65 of the tumbler 62. In reaction to the spring pressure the rear end wall 68 of the tumbler presses against the rim'of the cap 104. With all of the relatively movable contacting parts made of a smooth slick plastic such as linear polyethylene the fricstraight fingers 112. The cylindrical wall of the previous- 1y mentioned input port 75 of the chamber member merges tangentially with the cylindrical wall 116 of the cham- 'ber'member and also merges tangentiallywith a cylindrical forwardly extending flange 129 of. the chamber member. The purpose of the cylindrical flange 120 is to cooperate with a brace member 122 that is slidingly mounted on the two straight fingers 112, the brace member being apertured to receive the two fingers.

. The brace member122 is formed with a circumferential cylindrical flange 124 that slidingly nests intol-the cylindrical flange 120 of the chamber member 74. Since v both the chamber member 74 and the brace member 122.

are mounted on the tworfingers 112 in spaced relation it is apparent that the telescoping'r'elationship between the braced member and the chamber member tends to stabilize'the, chamberv member and to 'maintain the axis of the chamber member parallel with the two straight fingers 112. It isto be noted that the chamber member 74 surrounds-the plurality 'of intake apertures 64 inrthe front endrwall 65 of the tumbler'and also surroundstthe bearing 72 and the trunnion 96 that is journaled the' bearing. a t

Suitable means is provided toyieldingly urge thecham- I ber. member 74 against-the end wall of the, tumbler 62 to minimize the leakage of heated airaround the rim ofthe chamber member. .For this purpose a pair of coil springs tional resistance to rotation of the tumbler 62 is insignificant.

The periphery of the front end of the tumbler 62 rests on a drive shaft 126 of the motor 82 to cause the tumbler to be rotated by the motor. Thus the relatively large diameter of the'tumbler combined with the small diameter of the drive shaft provides a speed reducing transmission. In the construction shown the periphery of the tumbler rests on an elastomer sleeve 128 that embraces the drive shaft and provides the required traction for rotating the tumbler. The two vertical slots in the bearing 72 are located and dimensioned to permit the front end of the tumbler to rest on-the elastomer sleeve is provided with aligned grooves 134 to seat a clutch member in the form of a metal rod 135. The metal rod 135 rests in the two grooves in a freely slidable maneuver. The metal rod 135 is of angular construction with a down wardly extending portion 136 that terminates in a handle portion 138. The handle portion 138 extends slidingly through an aperture in a panel 149 and carries the previ- I ously mentioned operating knob 84.

The portion of the metal rod 135 that extends along the recess 132 of the cradle is offset to form an upwardly extending cam dwell 142. Normally the cam dwell 142 2 is at the solid line position shown in FIG; 7 to avoid contact with the periphery of the tumbler 62. Whenever it is desired to disconnect the tumbler from the motor 82 the clutch knob 84 is shifted outward to the dotted position shown in FIG. 7 to shift the cam dwell 142 to the dotted position shown in FIG. 7. At this second position of the knob 84 the cam dwell 142 is moved into tangential contact with the periphery of the tumbler 62 to elevate the end of the tumbler to the position indicated by the broken line 144. The tumbler is then out of driving contact with the drive shaft 126. 7

As indicated in FIG. 9 the panel may be a sheet metal member mounted on the side of the wire support structure 66. In the construction shown the panel is formed with an upper pair of rolled tongues 145 embracing a' wire 146 of the support structure and is formed with a similar pair of lower rolled tongues 148 which embrace a second wire 150. The panel 140 serves as a control panel and for this purpose is not only equipped with the clutch knob 84 but is also equipped with a toggle switch 152'and a timer having a pointer shaped operatingknob 154. V v a V The toggle switch 152 controls the previously mentioned heating elements 89. They timer knob 154 is movable from an off position to selected positions around a circular scale 156 that is calibrated in terms of minutes of operation,- the maximum timing period being 60 minutes. The

timer also serves as a switch for controlling cn'ergization of the motor 82. Themotor" is deenergized when the timer knob 154is in the on" position shown in FIG. -9. I When the'timer knob is rotated to a selected position on thescale 156 the motor is energized and remains energized as the timer knob returns slowly to its oflposition.

125 may be mounted on the two straight fingers 112'respectively 'with the two springs in compression between the chambermemberam the brace member 122. .The

The flexible conduit or hose85 may be a plastic hose of.-

a well-known construction which is formed with a spiral corrugation with the turns of a spiral spring {not shown) embedded in the corrugations. For the purpose of releasably attaching one end of the hose 85 to the input port 75 of the input chamber 7 6 the input port is formed with a taper as indicated at 158 in FIG. 1. As best shown in the lower left portion of FiG. 1 the hose 85 has an end fitting 16% with a taper 162 to match the taper 158. This construction makes it possible to connect the hose 85 to the input port 75 by simply pushing the end fitting 16% into frictional engagement with the intake port, the inserted end fitting being shown in phantom in the upper right hand portion of PEG. 1.

In the present embodirnent of the invention the flexible hose 85 is also adapted for releasable connection with the blower 78. For this purpose the blower 78 has a cylindrical outlet fitting 164 that is internally tapered in the same manner as the input port 75. The second end of the flexible hose is formed with a second end fitting 165 which is tapered to seat frictionally in the outlet fitting 164.

The cap 85 for drying hair may be dimensioned to enclose a head of hair in the manner shown in FIG. 11. In the present embodiment of the invention the cap 86 has an inlet fitting 166 to receive a heated stream of air and the cap may be suitably apertured for exhaust or" the moisture-laden air. The inlet fitting 165 is internally tapered in the same manner as the previously mentioned inlet port 75 to frictionally receive the previously mentioned end fitting 169 of the hose.

When the cap 86 is not in use it may be stored in a suitable receptacle 168 (FIG. that is carried by the support structure 69 to one side of the tumbler 62. When the appliance is not in use, the hose 85 may be placed in a storage space in the support structure under the tumbler as shown in phantom in FIG. 1.

The manner in which the described appliance serves its purpose may be readily understood from the foregoing description. To use the appliance for drying lingerie, the clutch knob 84 is placed at its inner position shown in FIG. 7 to permit the motor to rotate the tumbler. The lingerie is placed inside the tumbler and the lid 88 is closed. The flexible hose 85 is installed in the position shown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 10 with one end or the hose connected to the blower 78 and the other end connected to the input chamber 76.

The toggle switch 152 is then turned to its on position if it is not already in its on position. Since the toggle switch is in series with the switch of the timer the heating elements 3% cannot be energized unless the motor circuit is closed by the timer to actuate the blower 78. The timer knob 154 is then turned to a point on the scale 156 selected for an appropriate drying period. The rotation of the timer knob away from its off position closes the motor circuit and simultaneously closes the circuit for energizing the heating elements 8% During the ensuing drying period both the tumbler 62 and the blower 7 8 are actuated by the motor. The stream of air heated by the heating elements 8% is conveyed by the flexible hose 35 to the input chamber 75 adjacent the rotating end of the tumbler, The heated air passes from the input chamber 75 through the input apertures as into the interior of the drum of the tumbler and the moistureladen air is exhausted from the rotating tumbler through the exhaust apertures 66. At the end of the predetermined time period the timer knob 154 returns to its off position with consequent de-energization of both the motor 82 and the heating elements 8%).

If it is desired to employ the flexible hose 85 as a nozzle for directing a stream of hot air for a drying purpose outside of the tumbler, for example for drying nail polish, the clutch knob 84 is pulled out from its retracted position to lift the tumbler 62 out of contact with the elastorner sleeve 128 to disconnect the tumbler from the motor. The end of the flexible hose 85 with the end fitting lot} is then withdrawn from the input port 75 of the input chamber 76. The timer knob 154 is then adjusted for an. appropriate period of time. The adjustment of the timer knob ener- 6 gizes both the blower and the heating elements to cause the heated air to be discharged from the flexible hose 85.

If it is desired to use the appliance for drying hair the clutch knob 84 is pulled out to disconnectthe tumbler item the motor so that all of the power of the motor may be applied to the blower. The cap '86is then attached to' the second end of the hose and the cap is placed on the users head in the manner indicated in FIG. 11. The timer is then adjusted for an appropriate time interval with consequent energization of both the motor and the heating elements.

The second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 12-14 has a frame 10 which includes suitable upright supports or

standards

11 and 12 and

tie members

13 and 14. The upright standard 12 carries a transverse support bracket 15 which, in turn, carries a rear end bearing 16. Journaled in the bearing '16 is a trunnion =17 that extends from the rear end wall 18 of a rotary cylindrical tumbler or dry drum l9. A suitable fixed chamber member 29 carried by the upright standard 12 has a circumferential flange 21 with an abutment surface 22 in sliding contact with the outer surface 23 of the rear end wall 18 of the tumbler '19.

Support brackets 24 mounted on the standard 11 carry a front end bearing 25 for the tumbler 19. The bearing 25 has a vertically elongated aperture 26 and a trunnion 27 fixed to the frontend wall 28 of the tumbler rotatably rests in the lower end of the elongated aperture.

A suitable chamber member 29 carried by the standard 11 has a circumferential flange 30 with an abutment surface 31 slidingly engaging the outside surface '32 of th front end wall 28 of the tumbler 19. A blower 33 mounted on the irame 10 has the usual blower fan 34. Incorporated in the blower are heating coils 35 to heat the air that is discharged from the blower. A motor 36 has a drive shaft 37 one end of which carries the blower fan 34. The second end of the drive shalt 37 carries an elastomeric sleeve 38 which is in frictional contact with the p ripheral surface 39 of the tumbler 19 for the purpose of rotating the tumbler.

The heated air discharged from the blower 33 is conducted through a flem'ble hose 44. The flexible hose 40 has a suitable end fitting 41 which is adapted to fit frictionaliy into an input port 42 of the chamber member 29. Heated air discharged from the space 43 in the chamber member 29 enters a first drying chamber 44 of the tumbler 19 through input apertures 45 in the front end wall 28 of the tumbler. The heated air passes from the first drying chamber 44 through a central opening 46 of a tnansverse passage 47 into a second drying chamber 44. From't-he second drying chamber 44 of the tumbler, the moistureladen air flows through exhaust apertures 48 in the rear end wall 18 of the tumbler into the exhaust chamber 49 that is formed by the chamber member 20. Finally the moisture-laden air is exhausted into the atmosphere. through the exhaust opening 50 of the chamber member 20.

A clutch means for disconnecting the tumbler from the motor comprises a bent transverse rod 51 of the configuration indicated in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 13, the rod 51 is rotatably mounted in bracket means 52 to permit the rod to be rot-atedlfrom a lower position shown in solid lines to an upper vertical position shown in broken lines. When the rod 51 is swung to the vertical position it raises the tumbler 19 from driving contact with the elastomeric sleeve 38.

The second embodiment of the invention includes the usual hair drying cap 53 which may be releasably mounted on the flexible hose 4i). It is apparent that the second embodiment of invention functions in substantially the a same manner as the first embodiment.

My description in specific detail of the selected embodiments of the invention will suggest various changes, sub stitutions and other departures from my disclosure within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 7

I claim: 7 V t 1. A dryerfor householduse comprising: a support structure; a tumbler; said tumbler having an opening through which'a-rticles to be placed within said tumbler may be passed; a closure for said opening; exhaust air, outlet means for the tumbler; a blower carried by said support structme to create a stream of air; means to heat the stream of air; a trunnion element fixedly mounted on one end of the tumbler; means to journal the other end of the tumbler on said support structure; a bearing element to journalsaid trunnion element; means on said support structureslidably connected to said bearing element to permit limited vertical movement of the bearing element relative .to the support structure; power means operatively connected to said blower for actuation thereof; a flexible conduit for connection at one of its ends to said blower to convey the heated air from the blower; means forming an air input port for said tumbler; means to connect the second end of the flexible'conduit to said input port whereby heated air is delivered interior-lyof said tumbler, said connecting means being releasable to permit the conduit to direct the heated air for a drying operation exteriorly of the .tumbler; rotary drive means actuated by said power means, said one end of the tumbler normally resting on the rotary drive means for rotation of the tumbler by the power means; and manually operable means to lift said one end of the .tumbler out of contact with said rotary drive means whereby the power means maybe disconnected from the tumbler to deliver all of its power to said blower when the second end of thefiexible conduit is disconnected froni said input port.

2. A combination as set forth inclaim 1 in which said bearing element ha'sia pairof vertical slots lying respectively on opposite sides of its axis; and in which said support structure has two fingers slidably engaging said slots to guide said one end of the tumbler vertically when said 7 left means is operated.

3. The combinationtas set forth in claim 1 in which said manually operable lift means comprises a cam positioned under the tumbler transverselythereof; said cam having .*a lobe movabletangentially of the tumbler to lift the tumbler.

4. A dryer for household use comprising: a support structure; a power-actuated tumbler, one end ofthe tum:

bler having a plurality of air input apertures; said tumbler having an opening through which articles to be placed within'said tumbler may be passed; a closure for said opening; exhaust air outletmeansfor the tumbler; 'a hearing to journal said one end of the ttunble'r, said support structure supporting said bearing; means to journal the other end of the tumbleron the support structure; an

open-sided chamber member having its open side against said one end of the tumbler in the region of said input apertures to form an input .chamber for the tumbler, said chamber member having an input port and being slidingly and non-rotatably mounted on said support structure in position enclosing said plurality of input apertures and saidbearing; spring means .urging said chamber member ,iagainst said one end of the tumbler; a blower carried by said support structure't-o create a stream of air; means to heat the stream of air; a flexible conduit for connection at one of its ends to said blower to convey the. heated air; and means -.to connect the second end'of the flexible conduit to'said input port, said connecting means being releasable t to permit the conduit to direct the heated air for a drying operation exteriorly the, tumbler; a 5. A dryer' 'for household use'comprising: a suppor structure; a tumbler, one end of the tumbler having a plurality of air input apertures; an outlet means for exhausting'air from said tumbler; said tumbler having an opening through which articles to be placed within said tumbler may be passed; a closure for said opening; a bearing to journal said one end of the tumbler, said support structure supporting said bearing; means to journal the other end 8 r of the tumbler on the support structure; an open-sided chamber member having its open side against said one end of the tumbler in the region of said input apertures to form an input chamber for the tumbler, said chamber member having an input port and being slidingly and nonto the chamber member and having a continuous flange in sliding telescoped relation with saidflange of the chamber member; spring means in compression between sa1d brace member and said chamber member to urge the cham-. ber member against the tumbler; a blower carried by said support structure to create a stream of air; means to heat the stream of air; power means to actuate both said tumbler and said blower; and a flexible conduit to convey the heated stream of air from the blower to said input port of the chamber member. V I

6. A dryer for household use comprising: a support structure; a tumbler rotatably mounted on said support structure; said tumbler having an opening through which articles to be placed within said tumbler may be passed; a closure for said opening; means forming a stationary air input .port for said tumbler; exhaust air outlet means for said tumbler; a blower carried by said support structure to create a stream of air; means to heat the stream of air; power means operatively connected to said blowerfor actuation thereof; a flexible conduit for connection at one of its ends to said blower to convey the heated air from the blower; means to connect the second end of the flexible conduit to said input port whereby heated air is delivered I interiorly of said tumble-r; said connecting means being releasable to permit the conduit to direct the heated air for a drying operation exteriorly of said tumbler; means ineluding releasable clutch means to ioperat-ively connect said power means to said tumbler, said clutch means including rotary drive means normally engaging an outer circumferential portion of said tumbler for rotation of the tumbler thereby; and manually operable means to lift said circumferential portion of the tumbler out of contact with said rotary drive means whereby the power means may be disconnected from the tumbler to delivery all of its power to said blower when the second end of the flexible conduit is disconnected trom said'inputport.

'7. The combination as set forth in the'clairn 6 in which said rotary drive means comprises an annular elastomer member. t

8. The combination as set forth in claim 6 in which said manually operable means comprises a cam positioned under the tumbler transversely thereof; said cam having a lobe movable tangentially of the tumbler to lift the tumbler.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,751,841 Pickens i Mar.'25, 1930 2,248,585 .Ross et a1. July 8, 1941 2,424,737 Broglie July 29, 1947 2,496,517 Bradley Feb. 7, 1950 2,497,224 Laure -Feb. 14, 1950 r 2,597,215 Wright et a1. May 20, 1952 2,603,816 McFarland July 22, 1952 2,711,194 Shields June 21, 1955 2,712,183 Jo'rgenson July 5,- 1955 r 2,740,203 MacDonald Apr. 3, 1956 2,748,615 Nistri June 5, 1956 2,818,659 Hague u Jan. 7,1958 7 2,827,276 Racheter j Mar. 18, 1958 2,856,700 'Wales Oct. 2l, 1958 -3,008,351 Smith Nov. 14, 1961 3,064,360 Sholin Novfzo,

Claims

1. A DRYER FOR HOUSEHOLD USE COMPRISING: A SUPPORT STRUCTURE; A TUMBLER; SAID TUMBLER HAVING AN OPENING THROUGH WHICH ARTICLES TO BE PLACED WITHIN SAID TUMBLER MAY BE PASSED; A CLOSURE FOR SAID OPENING; EXHAUST AIR, OUTLET MEANS FOR THE TUMBLER; A BLOWER CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT STRUCTURE TO CREATE A STREAM OF AIR; MEANS TO HEAT THE STREAM OF AIR; A TRUNNIUM ELEMENT FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON THE END OF THE TUMBLER; MEANS TO JOURNAL THE OTHER END OF THE TUMBLER ON SAID SUPPORT STRUCTURE; A BEARING ELEMENT TO JOURNAL SAID TRUNNION ELEMENT; MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT STRUCTURE SLIDABLY CONNECTED TO SAID BEARING ELEMENT TO PERMIT LIMITED VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF THE BEARING ELEMENT RELATIVE TO THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE; POWER MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID BLOWER FOR ACTUATION THEREOF; A FLEXIBLE CONDUIT FOR CONNECTION AT ONE OF ITS ENDS TO SAID BLOWER TO CONVEY THE HEATED AIR FROM THE BLOWER; MEANS FORMING AN AIR INPUT PORT FOR SAID TUMBLER; MEANS TO CONNECT THE SECOND END OF THE FLEXIBLE CONDUIT TO SAID INPUT PORT WHEREBY HEATED AIR IS DELIVERED INTERIORLY OF SAID TUMBLER, SAID CONNECTING MEANS BENG RELEASABLE TO PERMIT THE CONDUIT TO DIRECT THE HEATED AIR FOR A DRYING OPERATION EXTERIORLY OF THE TUMBLER; ROTARY DRIVE MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID POWER MEANS, SAID ONE END OF THE TUMBLER NORMALLY RESTING ON THE ROTARY DRIVE MEANS FOR ROTATION OF THE TUMBLER BY THE POWER MEANS; AND MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS TO LIFT SAID ONE END OF THE TUMBLER OUT OF CONTACT WITH SAID ROTARY DRIVE MEANS WHEREBY THE POWER MEANS MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE TUMBLER UT OF CONTACT WITH SAID ROTARY DRIVE MEANS WHEREBY THE POWER MEANS MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE TUMBLER TO DELIVER ALL OF ITS POWER TO SAID BLOWER WHEN THE SECOND END OF THE FLEXIBLE CONDUIT IS DISCONNECTED FROM SAID INPUT PORT.