GB2247401A

GB2247401A - Rotary dryer protective cover

Info

Publication number: GB2247401A
Application number: GB9018480A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Janet Lesley Pedley; Patrick Joseph Edgewo Rhatigan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-08-23
Filing date: 1990-08-23
Publication date: 1992-03-04
Also published as: GB9018480D0

Abstract

A protective cover for a rotary dryer comprises a sheet of water-proof material (5) shaped to cover the top (9) of a rotary dryer, the sheet having at, or near, the centre thereof a central fixing means (6) for affixing the protective cover to the top end (9) of the post (1) of the rotary dryer. The cover is suitably provided with flaps (8) which drape down the sides of the rotary dryer, in use. <IMAGE>

Description

ROTARY DRYER PROTECTIVE COVER Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a protective cover for an outdoor rotary dryer.

Review of Most Relevant Art Known to the Applicant Rotary dryers exist in a variety of forms but all comprise a rotatable post having an upper section from which a number of spokes radiate, tlic spokes being strtlng with a aSese ar'ay of washing lines. Such dryers are as much prone to the vagaries of weather as conventional washing lines although their more compact size gives more opportunity to site them under shelter. The risk that laundry hung out to dry on the dryer may be drenched in a down-pour is one that a majority of users are prepared to take.

To the best of the applicant's knowledge, the make-shift use of a plastic dustbin liner hastily thrown over the rotary dryer at the first sign of rain is the closest anyone has yet come to providing a cover for a rotary dryer.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a cover for a rotary dryer that may be securely fitted to the dryer and left in place as protection against precipitation.

Summary of the Invention A protective cover for a rotary dryer which comprises a sheet of water-proof material shaped to cover the top of a rotary dryer, the sheet having at, or near, the centre thereof a central fixing means for affixing the protective cover to the top end of the post of the rotary dryer.

A rotary dryer having the afore-mentioned protective cover fitted thereto.

Preferably the central fixing means, when fitted to the post of the rotary dryer, forms an axial extension of the post. This is of particular value for dryers where the outer ends of the fully extended spokes thereof rise above the top end of the post.

Extending the post to above the level of the spoke ends enables water to run off from the cover.

Where the post of the rotary dryer is hollow, the central fixing means may comprise a sleeve shaped to fit securely within the hollow bore of the post.

Alternatively, the central fixing means may be shaped as a sleeve to fit over the top end of the post.

The sheet of water-proof material is preferably provided with fastening means to fasten the sheet to the outer ends of the spokes of the rotary dryer.

The cover may, advantageously, be provided with flaps which drape down the sides of the rotary dryer, in use.

Where such flaps are provided, they may be furled and held out of the way by holding means.

Preferably the water-proof material of the cover is resistant to the effects of ultra violet radiation.

Brief Description of the Drawing The single Figure, Figure 1, of the drawing is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of protective cover fitted to a rotary dryer.

Descrittion of the Preferred Embodiment A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Referring to Figure 1, a conventional rotary dryer is shown. The rotary dryer comprises a rotatable post 1 having an array of spokes 2 pivotally mounted to an upper end thereof. The spokes 2 are supported mid-way along their length by wire stays 3. These stays 3 slacken when the spokes are retracted in toward the sides of the stem 1. A series of washing lines 4 are strung between the spokes 2.

A protective cover comprising a sheet 5, single or laminated, continuous or patch-work, of water-impermeable plastic is fitted to the rotary dryer by means of a plastic sleeve 6 extending downwardly, in use, from the centre of the plastic sheet 5. The sleeve 6 fits closely over an upper end 9 of the post 1 of the rotary dryer. The upper periphery of the sheet 5 is fastened to the outer ends of the spokes 2 by means of plastic sockets 7 attached at appropriate positions to the sheet 5. The sockets 7, are fitted over the spokes 2, once the central sleeve 6 has been fitted over the post 1, by stretching the sheet 5. The sockets 7, when fitted, tauten the sheet 5 and minimise the risk of loss of the cover in high winds.

A number of curtain flaps 8 (only one shown in the drawing) drape down from the upper periphery of the sheet 5. These flaps 8 serve to protect laundry hung on the washing lines 4 from driving precipitation (laterally blown rain, sleet or the like). A length of the curtain flaps 8 is selected to optimise both extent of protection and drying efficiency. The flaps 8 may be furled out of the way when not required. Velcro tabs 9 are provided on the lower periphery of the flaps 8 to fasten them in a furled condition.

Although one preferred embodiment of the present invention hazes been described herein-above, various alternative embodiments are possible. For example, the sheet of water-proof material 5 may be inherently permeable but lacquered with a water-proof coating.

The central fixing means need not be a sleeve designed to fit over the top of the post 1. Where the post 1 is a hollow tube with an open upper end, the central fixing means 6 may be designed to fit within the upper end of the post 1. For maximum versatility of fitment of the sheet 5 to the ends of the spokes 2, rather than provision of individual sockets 7, ridged zones may be provided on the sheet 5 to co-operate with the ends of the spokes 2. The nature of the central fixing means 6 and the means 7 for fastening the upper periphery of the sheet 5 to the outer ends of the spokes 2 are ideally sufficiently flexible to enable the whole cover to be easily removed whenever desired.

Claims

Claims

A Aprotective cover for a rotary dryer which comprises a sheet of water-proof material shaped to cover the top of a rotary dryer, the sheet having at, or near, the centre thereof a central fixing means for affixing the protective cover to the top end of the post of the rotary dryer.
2. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central fixing means, when fitted to the post of the rotary dryer, forms an axial extension of the post.
3. A rotary dryer as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the post of the rotary dryer is hollow and the central fixing means comprises a sleeve shaped to fit securely within the hollow bore of the post.
4. A rotary dryer as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the sheet of water-proof material is provided with fastening means to fasten the sheet to the outer ends of the spokes of the rotary dryer.
5. A rotary dryer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the central fixing means and the fastening means enable the protective cover to be removed from the rotary dryer with ease.
6. A rotary dryer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover is provided with flaps which drap down the sides of the rotary dryer, in use.
7. A rotary dryer as claimed in claim 6, wherein holding means are provided to restrain the flaps when they are furled.
8. A rotary dryer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water-proof material of the cover is resistant to the effects of ultra violet radiation.
9. A rotary dryer having the protective cover of claim 1 fitted thereto.
10. A protective cover for a rotary dryer substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.