GB2402613A

GB2402613A - Motorised clothes dryer apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2402613A
Application number: GB0313219A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Anthony Gaston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-09
Filing date: 2003-06-09
Publication date: 2004-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-09
Also published as: GB0313219D0; GB2402613B

Abstract

The rotary clothes dryer apparatus comprises an electric motor unit (10) having a drive shaft (12) disposed on a vertical axis and having an aperture (17) in the upper end of the drive shaft into which the central pole of a clothes dryer may be inserted and driven by the motor. The motor unit is supported by a ground or socket engaging means (13) and may have a re-chargeable battery, a charger base unit being provided to receive the motor unit for charging the battery. The motor is preferably a low voltage motor.

Description

1 2402613 Title: CLOTHES DRYER APPARATUS This invention relates to a

clothes dryer apparatus particularly but not solely for use with a rotary dryer of the kind for use in the open-air and having a central pole supporting a plurality of radial arms between which extend a series of parallel lines for supporting the clothes for drying.

An object of the invention is to improve drying time.

According to the invention there is provided a clothes dryer apparatus comprising an electric motor having an output drive shaft, ground or socket 0 engaging means for supporting the motor with the axis of the drive shaft substantially vertical, and means for effecting a driving connection between the drive shaft and a central pole of a rotary dryer.

Further according to the invention there is provided a clothes dryer apparatus comprising an electric motor having an output drive shaft, having an aperture therein, ground or socket engaging means for supporting the motor with the axis of the drive shaft substantially vertical, and a rotary dryer having a central pole engageable within said aperture whereby the pole is rotatably connected to the drive shaft of the motor.

The invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is an elevation of the motor unit and clothes dryer, and FIGURE 2 is a part sectional view of the motor unit and base unit charger.

The clothes dryer apparatus comprises a motor unit 10 having a housing 1 1 and an output drive shaft 12. To the lower end of the housing there is attached a spigot 13 of which the upper part 13a is tapered and the lower part 13b is cylindrical. The spigot 13 is preferably designed to match the aperture of a ground socket normally provided to support a rotary clothes dryer commonly known.

The motor unit 10 includes within its housing 11 a low-voltage motor (I 2v tic) and a rechargeable battery 14 which has leads 15 passing through the housing to terminals 16.

lo The shaft 12 is provided with a blind aperture 17 into which fits the lower end of the central pole 18 of the rotary dryer which is thereby drivably connected to the shaft.

For the purpose of recharging the motor unit there is provided a base unit having a battery charger 26 convertible to the mains supply. The base unit is Is apertured (27) to receive the motor unit when recharging, contacts 28 being provided to engage the terminals 16. An on/off switch 29 is provided between the battery and motor.

It is intended that the motor and re-chargeable battery unit should be capable of turning the rotary dryer for a minimum period of two hours. The motor unit is weatherproof whereas the base unit may be designed for use under cover.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, the motor unit may comprise simply a low voltage motor (12v do) which may be fed by means of a supply lead which may be connected to a mains transformer unit. The latter may be provided in a secure position e.g. the garden shed, where a mains supply is available. In the alternative embodiment the inclusion of the base unit is obviated.

With the use of the invention the known rotary dryer may be readily adapted so that the washing is rotated at a slow, steady speed to enable faster out door drying. The effect of turning will increase airflow over the clothes and expose them to maximum available sunlight.

Claims

1. A clothes dryer apparatus comprising an electric motor unit having an output drive shaft, ground-or socket-engaging means for supporting the motor unit with the axis of the drive shaft substantially vertical, and means for effecting a driving connection between the drive shaft and the central pole of a rotary dryer.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for effecting connection is an aperture in the output end of the drive shaft for receiving lo the central pole of a rotary dryer.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim] or 2, wherein the means for supporting the motor comprises a spigot secured to the motor unit for engaging the aperture of a ground socket.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the motor unit comprises a low voltage motor.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a built-in rechargeable battery is provided within the motor housing.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein battery terminals are provided on the exterior of the motor housing for re-charging.

so

7. An assembly comprising an apparatus as claimed in claim 6, and a base unit, said base unit including a battery charger unit connectible to the mains supply and having contacts engageable with the battery tenninals when the motor unit is fitted to the base unit.

8. A clothes dryer apparatus substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base unit is apertured to receive and support the motor unit during re-charging.

9. A clothes dryer apparatus comprising an electric motor having an output drive shaft, having an aperture therein, ground or socket engaging means for supporting the motor with the axis of the drive shaft substantially vertical, and a rotary dryer having a central pole engageable within said aperture whereby the pole is rotatably connected to the drive shaft of the motor.

10. A clothes dryer apparatus substantially as described with reference to the lo accompanying drawing.

An assembly comprising an electric motor unit and a battery charging unit substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A clothes dryer apparatus comprising an electric motor unit having an output drive shaft, ground-or socket-engaging means for supporting the motor unit with the axis of the drive shaft substantially vertical, and means for effecting a driving connection between the drive shaft and the central pole of a rotary dryer comprising an aperture in the output end of the drive shaft for receiving the central pole of a rotary dryer, wherein the means for supporting the motor comprises a spigot secured to the motor unit for lo engaging the aperture of a ground socket.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor unit comprises a low voltage motor.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the motor is encased in a housing and wherein a built-in rechargeable battery is provided within the motor housing.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein battery terminals are provided on the exterior of the motor housing for re-charging.

5. An assembly comprising an apparatus as claimed in claim 4, and a base unit, said base unit including a battery charger unit connectible to the mains supply and having contacts engageable with the battery terminals when the motor unit is fitted to the base unit.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base unit is apertured to receive and support the motor unit during re-charging.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 and including a rotary dryer having a central pole engageable within said aperture whereby the pole is rotatably connected to the drive shaft of the motor.