EP0153513A1 - A sports racket handle drying device - Google Patents
A sports racket handle drying device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0153513A1 EP0153513A1 EP84301021A EP84301021A EP0153513A1 EP 0153513 A1 EP0153513 A1 EP 0153513A1 EP 84301021 A EP84301021 A EP 84301021A EP 84301021 A EP84301021 A EP 84301021A EP 0153513 A1 EP0153513 A1 EP 0153513A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tube
- handle
- fan
- racket
- sports racket
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F26—DRYING
- F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
- F26B9/00—Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitation; Domestic airing cupboards
- F26B9/003—Small self-contained devices, e.g. portable
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B61/00—Tennis nets or accessories for tennis or like games, e.g. volley-ball
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a sports racket handle drying device.
- the grip of the handle of a sports racket (for example, a tennis, badminton or squash racket) inevitably becomes wet during play owing to perspiration of the player.
- a sports racket for example, a tennis, badminton or squash racket
- players have used a towel to dry the handle grip during intervals in the game. This is not only an inefficient_ but also a time-consuming operation and leaves less time, especially during tournament play when only short predetermined intervals are allowed, for the player to attend to his personal needs.
- the present invention provides a sports racket handle drying device, the device comprising an electrically operated fan, a tube for receiving the handle of the sports racket and means for actuating the fan, in response to the presence of the handle in the tube, to effect flow of air between the tube and the handle.
- the device according to the invention allows a player to place the racket handle in the tube whereby the fan is actuated to produce a flow of air between the tube and the handle and thereby to dry the handle.
- the fan can be arranged to suck air through the tube or to blow air along the tube.
- a particularly simple arrangement is provided if the fan is disposed at one end of the tube and the handle is insertable into the tube through its other end.
- the fan could be mains-operated it is preferred if it is battery-operated which makes the device safer in use and also more portable.
- a heater may be provided so that the fan effects a warm air flow over the handle but it is preferred if the air flow is unheated so that it effects cooling of the handle. In this way the grip is not only dried but also cooled which provides a better feel for the player after the device has been used.
- the actuating means is arranged to be maintained in its actuating condition by the weight of the racket. This leads to a very simple construction.
- the switch may comprise a normally open movable contact which is held in its closed position by the weight of the racket when the handle is in the tube.
- the device includes a support means by which the tube can be maintained in an upright position when it has received the racket handle.
- the support means can take various forms but it is preferred if it comprises supporting legs or feet forming a tripod or if it comprises a weighted base. In this way the device can be simply mounted on a flat surface or on the floor.
- the device comprises a base 1 a fan unit housing 2 and a tube 3 for receiving the handle of a sports racket.
- the base 1 enables the device to be supported on a flat surface and is suitably weighted to ensure that the device is stable in that condition when a racket handle is inserted into the tube 3 and the tube provides the only support for the racket.
- the housing 2 accommodates an electric motor 4 for driving a fan 5. Power to the motor is provided by a battery 6 which is mounted in a holder 7 arranged on the outside of the housing 2.
- an electric switch 10 Arranged on a bracket 8 at an upper opening 9 in the housing is an electric switch 10 which includes a fixed contact 11 and a-normally open movable contact 12.
- the motor 4, the switch 10 and the battery 6 are connected in circuit as shown in Fig. 2.
- the tube is detachably connected to the housing 2 by releasable clips 13 to facilitate cleaning and/or inspection of the tube or the fan unit.
- the movable contact 12 protrudes slightly into the tube.
- the drying device as described and illustrated above.
- the battery can be arranged within the housing 2.
- a support means for example a bracket can be provided (attached for example to the housing 2) in order to support the device on a fixed member (not shown) - for example, part of an umpire's chair - and that support means may be used instead of, or in addition to the weighted base 1.
- the support means may also comprise, instead of the base 1, support legs or feet to form a tripod-like stand.
- the legs may be detachably hinged to the end of the housing 2 remote from the tube 3 andbe capable of movement from an operative condition in which the legs are splayed apart to a non-operative condition in which the legs are parallel to each other and to the axis of the tube 3.
- the fan can also be arranged to suck - rather than blow - air through the tube and out through the slots in the housing 2.
- the tube 3 may be attached to the fan unit housing -2 in other ways - for example by screw-threaded engagement.
- the diameter of the tube 3 should be large enough to accommodate standard ranges of racket handle diameters and it will be appreciated that the diameter of the tube should not be too large (that is to say the gap between the racket handle and the tube should not be too great) as this would reduce the drying efficiency of the device.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
A sports racket handle drying device comprises an electrically operated fan (5), a tube (3) for receiving the handle of the sports racket and means (6, 10, 11 & 12) for actuating the fan, in response to the presence of the handle in the tube, to effect flow of air between the tube and the handle.
Description
- The present invention relates to a sports racket handle drying device.
- The grip of the handle of a sports racket (for example, a tennis, badminton or squash racket) inevitably becomes wet during play owing to perspiration of the player. Heretofore,players have used a towel to dry the handle grip during intervals in the game. This is not only an inefficient_ but also a time-consuming operation and leaves less time, especially during tournament play when only short predetermined intervals are allowed, for the player to attend to his personal needs.
- The present invention provides a sports racket handle drying device, the device comprising an electrically operated fan, a tube for receiving the handle of the sports racket and means for actuating the fan, in response to the presence of the handle in the tube, to effect flow of air between the tube and the handle.
- The device according to the invention allows a player to place the racket handle in the tube whereby the fan is actuated to produce a flow of air between the tube and the handle and thereby to dry the handle.
- The fan can be arranged to suck air through the tube or to blow air along the tube.
- A particularly simple arrangement is provided if the fan is disposed at one end of the tube and the handle is insertable into the tube through its other end.
- Although the fan could be mains-operated it is preferred if it is battery-operated which makes the device safer in use and also more portable.
- A heater may be provided so that the fan effects a warm air flow over the handle but it is preferred if the air flow is unheated so that it effects cooling of the handle. In this way the grip is not only dried but also cooled which provides a better feel for the player after the device has been used.
- It is of advantage if the actuating means is arranged to be maintained in its actuating condition by the weight of the racket. This leads to a very simple construction.
- Various actuating means can be employed but it is of advantage if it is an electric switch. In that case, the switch may comprise a normally open movable contact which is held in its closed position by the weight of the racket when the handle is in the tube.
- It is of advantage,, to enable the device fully to support the racket and to allow the player to attend to his personal needs, if the device includes a support means by which the tube can be maintained in an upright position when it has received the racket handle.
- The support means can take various forms but it is preferred if it comprises supporting legs or feet forming a tripod or if it comprises a weighted base. In this way the device can be simply mounted on a flat surface or on the floor.
- A portable sports racket handle drying device, the device being constructed in accordance with the present invention, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:-
- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation, partially in section, of the device, and
- Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram incorporating a motor for the fan of the device.
- Referring to the accompanying drawings, the device comprises a base 1 a fan unit housing 2 and a
tube 3 for receiving the handle of a sports racket. - The base 1 enables the device to be supported on a flat surface and is suitably weighted to ensure that the device is stable in that condition when a racket handle is inserted into the
tube 3 and the tube provides the only support for the racket. - The housing 2 accommodates an electric motor 4 for driving a fan 5. Power to the motor is provided by a
battery 6 which is mounted in aholder 7 arranged on the outside of the housing 2. - Arranged on a
bracket 8 at an upper opening 9 in the housing is anelectric switch 10 which includes a fixedcontact 11 and a-normally openmovable contact 12. The motor 4, theswitch 10 and thebattery 6 are connected in circuit as shown in Fig. 2. - The tube is detachably connected to the housing 2 by
releasable clips 13 to facilitate cleaning and/or inspection of the tube or the fan unit. When the tube is in position on the housing 2 themovable contact 12 protrudes slightly into the tube. - When the racket handle is inserted into the
tube 3 the weight of the racket presses themovable contact 10 downwards until it engages the fixed contact 9, those contacts being maintained in engagement as long as the racket is left with its handle in thetube 3. Engagement of the two contacts completes the circuit (Fig. 2) and the motor drives the fan to blow air along thetube 3, from bottom to top as shown in Fig.1, which effects drying of the grip of the handle. - Various modifications can be made to the drying device as described and illustrated above. For example the battery can be arranged within the housing 2. For many purposes, however, it is convenient to have a holder outside the housing as this facilitates insertion and removal of the battery as and when required.
- Further, a support means for example a bracket can be provided (attached for example to the housing 2) in order to support the device on a fixed member (not shown) - for example, part of an umpire's chair - and that support means may be used instead of, or in addition to the weighted base 1.
- The support means may also comprise, instead of the base 1, support legs or feet to form a tripod-like stand. The legs may be detachably hinged to the end of the housing 2 remote from the
tube 3 andbe capable of movement from an operative condition in which the legs are splayed apart to a non-operative condition in which the legs are parallel to each other and to the axis of thetube 3. - The fan can also be arranged to suck - rather than blow - air through the tube and out through the slots in the housing 2.
- The
tube 3 may be attached to the fan unit housing -2 in other ways - for example by screw-threaded engagement. - Clearly the diameter of the
tube 3 should be large enough to accommodate standard ranges of racket handle diameters and it will be appreciated that the diameter of the tube should not be too large (that is to say the gap between the racket handle and the tube should not be too great) as this would reduce the drying efficiency of the device. - It will be evident that the device described and illustrated above allows the player to insert the racket handle in the device and leave it there whilst he attends to his personal needs during intervals in the game.
Claims (10)
1. A sports racket handle drying device, the device comprising an electrically operated fan, a tube for receiving the handle of a sports racket and means for actuating the fan, in response to the presence of the handle in the tube, to effect flow of air between the tube and the handle.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the fan is arranged to suck or to blow air along the tube.
3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the fan is disposed at one end of the tube and the handle is insertable into the tube through its other end.
4. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the fan is battery-operated.
5. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the air flow is unheated.
6. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the actuating means is arranged to be maintained in its actuated condition by the weight of the racket.
7. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the actuating means comprises an electric switch.
8. A device as claimed in Claim 7 when appendant to Claim 6, in which the switch comprises a normally open movable contact which is held in its closed position by the weight of the racket when the handle is in the tube.
9. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the device includes a support means by which the tube can be maintained in an upright position.
10. A device as claimed in Claim 9, in which the support means comprises a tripod-like support.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB08232581A GB2130698B (en) | 1982-11-15 | 1982-11-15 | A sports racket handle drying device |
EP84301021A EP0153513A1 (en) | 1982-11-15 | 1984-02-16 | A sports racket handle drying device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB08232581A GB2130698B (en) | 1982-11-15 | 1982-11-15 | A sports racket handle drying device |
EP84301021A EP0153513A1 (en) | 1982-11-15 | 1984-02-16 | A sports racket handle drying device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0153513A1 true EP0153513A1 (en) | 1985-09-04 |
Family
ID=26093241
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP84301021A Withdrawn EP0153513A1 (en) | 1982-11-15 | 1984-02-16 | A sports racket handle drying device |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0153513A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2130698B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2575277A1 (en) * | 1984-12-21 | 1986-06-27 | Pouliquen Eric | Rapid drying device, in particular for tennis balls |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2042664A1 (en) * | 1970-08-28 | 1972-03-02 | Eberle Werke KG, 8500 Nürnberg | Electric drying device |
US4082276A (en) * | 1976-07-29 | 1978-04-04 | Marius Szafianski | Ventilated handle for tennis rackets or the like |
US4145821A (en) * | 1977-07-18 | 1979-03-27 | Schantz Robert I | Rug dryer |
FR2413619A1 (en) * | 1977-12-29 | 1979-07-27 | Plante Ets Jean | Mobile wood drying oven - comprises free standing airtight housing mounted on pneumatic tyred wheels and including sealing joint around base |
CH625878A5 (en) * | 1980-11-24 | 1981-10-15 | Rene Sierro | Stand-alone air drainer for cutlery and crockery |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL6515375A (en) * | 1965-11-26 | 1967-05-29 | ||
GB1602115A (en) * | 1978-05-26 | 1981-11-04 | Aroa B A | Hot air driers |
-
1982
- 1982-11-15 GB GB08232581A patent/GB2130698B/en not_active Expired
-
1984
- 1984-02-16 EP EP84301021A patent/EP0153513A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2042664A1 (en) * | 1970-08-28 | 1972-03-02 | Eberle Werke KG, 8500 Nürnberg | Electric drying device |
US4082276A (en) * | 1976-07-29 | 1978-04-04 | Marius Szafianski | Ventilated handle for tennis rackets or the like |
US4145821A (en) * | 1977-07-18 | 1979-03-27 | Schantz Robert I | Rug dryer |
FR2413619A1 (en) * | 1977-12-29 | 1979-07-27 | Plante Ets Jean | Mobile wood drying oven - comprises free standing airtight housing mounted on pneumatic tyred wheels and including sealing joint around base |
CH625878A5 (en) * | 1980-11-24 | 1981-10-15 | Rene Sierro | Stand-alone air drainer for cutlery and crockery |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2130698B (en) | 1985-10-02 |
GB2130698A (en) | 1984-06-06 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19860303 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19870312 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19870722 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: SACERDOTE, GIACOMO MAURIZIO |