GB2534170A

GB2534170A - A clothes drying device for use with wall mounted radiators

Info

Publication number: GB2534170A
Application number: GB1500615.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mulholland Patrick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-01-15
Filing date: 2015-01-15
Publication date: 2016-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-15
Also published as: WO2016113712A1; GB2534170B; GB201500615D0

Abstract

A device for drying clothes configured to mount above a wall-mounted radiator comprising an enclosure 10 adapted to mount on a wall 12 above a wall mounted radiator 14, the enclosure comprising: a frame 16 comprising a left 18 and a right 20 hand wall, a first 22 and a second 24 door mounted on the frame, movable between an open position in which the doors are spaced apart and a closed position, clothes support means within the enclosure comprising two or more support elements 26 and a support rod 34 mounted on and between the support elements, a lower opening 36 provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass into the enclosure, an upper opening 38 provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass out from the enclosure, and a door support rail 40 on which a door may slide between the open and closed positions.

Description

A clothes drying device for use with wall mounted radiators

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for drying clothes and in particular to enclosures suitable to contain clothes for drying.

Background

Clothes are often dried by rising warm air, for example in airing cupboards containing water heaters, in drying cabinets having heating means having dedicated heating means provided within them, or on specifically shaped drying devices such as towel rails. Often clothes are dried on other non-dedicated devices such as central heating radiators. This is inefficient and unsightly and can lead to significant amounts of moisture in the air of a home. In addition or the alternative mould growth may be prompted within properties by drying of clothing in this fashion, which has prompted governmental and industry action for preferable alternatives.

It is an unsolved problem in the prior art to provide an effective and aesthetically 20 satisfying device to allow clothes to be dried in a living area, especially in a small space. In particular, the prior art does not provide an effective means to use preexisting radiators to dry clothes effectively and in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: CN203007683U discloses: A laundry rack fixed on heating radiators belongs to a clothing drying device, and comprises a cabinet body, cabinet doors and a fixing frame, wherein the outer side of the cabinet body is connected with the cabinet doors by hinges; ventilation openings are formed in the cabinet doors; a clothing hanging rod is arranged at the top end in the cabinet body; a plurality of hooks are mounted on two side surfaces in the cabinet body; the upper end of the back face of the cabinet body is connected to the fixing frame, and a shoe drying rack is arranged above the fixing frame. According to the utility model, as the laundry rack is fixed on the heating radiators, during heating in winter, people can put just washed clothing and shoes in the laundry rack for fast drying, and the clothing and the shoes can not be damaged or soiled; if no clothing needs to be dried, the laundry rack can not affect normal heat dissipation of the heating radiators; and as the laundry rack is attractive in appearance, a living room can not seem to be cluttered.

This device is a crude cupboard without a back, adapted to stand on the ground in front of and covering a radiator, and having a separate laundry rack within it mounted on the radiator.

EP2599419 discloses: An airing device comprises an airing rack (5,6) arranged to extend from a relatively flat storage state to a deployed state in which the rack is extended to provide a surface from which clothes may be hung; and a radiator (1) arranged to move from a storage state in which the radiator is disposed substantially vertically to a deployed state in which the radiator extends away from a wall on which it is mounted. In its deployed state, the airing rack locates over the radiator when in its deployed state.

This device represents a class of devices in which a radiator folds out from a wall. 20 This requires a complex support arrangement and a hinged water connection, and does not provide an efficient or aesthetically satisfying solution to the problem.

W0200813382 discloses: The present invention relates to a laundry dryer and a controlling method of a dryer, which can dry clothes, cloth items, beddings and laundry objects (hereinafter, laundry) efficiently. A dryer includes a cabinet in which laundry is placed, a low temperature air generation unit that generates relatively low temperature air supplied to the cabinet to dry the laundry, and a path through which the relatively low temperature air is supplied to the cabinet. in another aspect, a controlling method of a dryer includes generating relatively low temperature air, and drying laundry by using the relatively low temperature air.

This disclosure represents a class of devices that are simply drying cupboards with a dedicated heater provided within them.

FR2771475 discloses: The combined radiator and heating cabinet consists of a cabinet (1) made from heat resisting material with an electrical radiator (3) fixed in its lower part at the front. The radiator is fitted in an opening in the face of the cabinet. The combined radiator and heating cabinet consists of a cabinet (1) made from heat resisting material with an electrical radiator (3) fixed in its lower part at the front. The radiator is fitted in an opening in the face of the cabinet so that heat from it radiates into the place/room where it is fitted. The warm air from the radiator is directed to the interior of the cabinet for drying or heating its contents. A grill (11) is fitted in the upper part of the cabinet and the cabinet is also fitted with support frames (5,6) specifically designed for rows of articles.

Again this device has an electric heater at its base. It does not use a pre-existing heater, and is large and unsuited for use in a small living space.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a device for drying clothes configured to mount above a wall-mounted radiator comprising an enclosure adapted to mount on a wall above a wall mounted radiator, the enclosure comprising: a frame comprising a left and a right hand wall, a first and a second door mounted on the frame, movable between an open position in which the doors are spaced apart and a closed position, clothes support means within the enclosure comprising two or more support elements and a support rod mounted on and between the support elements, a lower opening provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass into the enclosure, an upper opening provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass out from the enclosure, and a door support rail on which a door may slide between the open and closed positions.

Typically the doors are moveable in a sliding manner. In some embodiments the doors slide vertically. Further embodiments may have horizontally sliding doors.

In some embodiments the enclosure comprises a base closing the space between the left and right hand walls and the lower opening comprises a lower vent provided 35 in the base.

Advantageously the device assists in removal of moisture from drying clothing, containing such moisture and removing said moisture from the local atmosphere.

In some embodiments the enclosure comprises an upper wall closing the space 5 between the left and right hand walls and the upper opening comprises an upper vent provided in the upper wall.

The lower vent may be configured to receive warm air rising from the radiator. The lower vent may comprise an opening having an elongated shape extending along the base of the frame, being configured to be substantially above the radiator when the device is mounted on the wall. The lower vent may comprise air guiding means extending downwards from the base to guide rising air towards the opening. One or both vents may comprise a vent control means to control the open area of the vent.

The doors may be configured to slide vertically on the frame.

In this way the device is adapted to dry clothes hung from the support bars within the enclosure. Warm air rising from the radiator enters the enclosure via the lower opening, passes over the clothes and exits via the upper opening, carrying moisture with it. The use of sliding doors allows the device to have a shallow profile against the wall while the doors are open. Use of vertically opening sliding doors allows the device to have a narrow profile left to right, while achieving a wide opening when the doors are apart.

The device may further comprise an actuator system mounted on the frame and connected to the doors such that when one door is moved in a first direction the other is moved by the actuator means in the opposite direction.

In some embodiments the actuator system comprises: a toothed rack provided on a second door and a linear actuator comprising: a cog adapted to engage the rack, a drive spindle adapted to drive the cog when the spindle is rotated, and a drive cord attached to and around the drive spindle adapted to rotate the spindle as the cord is pulled, the drive cord being attached also to the first door.

The device may be configured such that when the doors are closed the cord is wrapped around the spindle and when the doors are moved apart the cord is pulled in a first direction so as to rotate the spindle, rotation of the cog drives the toothed rack linearly in a direction opposite to the first.

In this way as the doors are opened by moving the first door, the cord is pulled, so moving the second door in the opposite direction to the first. In some embodiments the first door is the lower door and is adapted to move downwards from the closed position to open the enclosure, and the second door is the upper door and is moved upwards by means of the linear actuator.

In some embodiments the doors are adapted such that the first door is heavier than the second and the device is configured such that the first door is retained in place in the closed position and is releasable to allow it to move downwards. In some embodiments the first door movable outwards from the frame and is retained in the closed position when at a first position outwards relative to the frame and released to move vertically when moved to a second position further outwards from the frame. In some embodiments the device comprises a catch adapted to hold the first door in the closed position until the catch is operated to release the first door.

In this way in use the weight of the first door may act to open both doors when the first door is released, the first door moving downwards under gravity and pulling the second door upwards by means of the linear actuator.

The weight of the first and second doors may be adapted such that the weights of the first and second doors are substantially or wholly balanced. In this way the doors are counterbalanced such that only a small force is needed to move them apart.

In some embodiments the device further comprises a front fascia extending downwards from the base and configured to lie in front of the radiator when the device is mounted above it. The fascia may extend substantially to the ground or may cover part of the radiation. In this way the fascia may act to channel air upwards past the radiation towards the lower vent. The fascia may be adapted to have a similar appearance to the doors so as to provide a unified, elegant appearance to the device.

The device may further comprise a drying device within the enclosure to remove moisture from air within the enclosure. The drying device may be positioned in the upper half of the enclosure, for example adjacent to the upper wall. A drying device may comprise a moisture absorbent material such as silica gel. A drying device may comprise a cooling device comprising a cooled surface on which moisture may condense, for example a Peltier cooler. A drying device may comprise a dehumidifier device as known in the art.

The device may further comprise a fan to move air into or within the enclosure. The 10 fan may be configured to move air out from the enclosure via the upper vent. The device may be configured such that the upper vent may connect to a conduit to vent moist air outside the building.

The device may be mounted on the wall by means known in the art. The device may 15 comprise two or more wall mounting means such as lugs or brackets as known in the art. A lug may comprise an aperture adapted to fit over a fixing previously mounted in the wall.

The device may be formed from materials resistant to moisture, for example stainless steel, coated steel, moulded or sheet polymers, waterproofed bonded wood materials such as marine plywood. The support rods may be formed from metal, for example coated steel tube, or waterproofed wood composite. The linear actuator may be formed from moisture resistant metal parts or moulded polymers.

The device may be sized to fit over standard radiators as known in the art. For example, an embodiment may be dimensioned to fit over a flat panel radiator of dimension 1800mm x 595mm. The device may be dimensioned to suit the wall size and ceiling height of a building, and may be provided in a range of fixed sizes or may be made on a bespoke basis to suit an application. The invention is not limited by the width, height or depth of the device, and appropriate measurements will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the invention with the doors open. Figure 2 shows a front isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a rear isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a front isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 2 with the doors closed.

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1 showing the 5 lower vent in the base.

Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section through the embodiment as shown as A-A in figure 1, with the doors open, showing the central vertical support and the drying device.

Figure 7 shows a vertical cross section through the embodiment as shown as B-B in 10 figure 1, with the doors open, showing the linear actuator.

Figure 8 shows a side view detail of the linear actuator as shown in figure 7.

Figure 9 shows a cut-away isometric detail of the linear actuator as shown in figure 8.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to figures 1 to 9 an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprises an enclosure 10 adapted to mount on a wall 12 above a wall mounted radiator 14, the enclosure comprising: a frame 16 comprising a left hand wall 18 and a right hand wall 20, a first door 22 and a second door 24 mounted on the frame, movable in a sliding manner between an open position in which the doors are spaced apart and a closed position in which they adjoin along an edge of each door, clothes support means within the enclosure comprising two or more support elements 26 and a support rod 34 mounted on and between the support elements, a lower opening 36 provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass into the enclosure, an upper opening 38 provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass out from the enclosure, and a door support rail 40 on which a door may slide between the open and closed positions.

This embodiment comprises two central vertical support elements 28, 30 and the support elements 26 are provided on the left and right hand walls and the faces of 35 the vertical support elements facing them.

In this embodiment the enclosure comprises a base 42 closing the space between the left and right hand walls and the lower opening 36 comprises a lower vent provided in the base.

In this embodiment the enclosure comprises an upper wall 44 closing the space between the left and right hand walls and the upper opening 38 comprises an upper vent provided in the upper wall.

The lower vent comprises a plurality of apertures extending along the base of the 10 frame, being configured to be substantially above the radiator when the device is mounted on the wall.

In this embodiment the doors are configured to slide vertically on the frame between an open position as shown in figures 1 to 3 and a closed position as shown in figure 15 4, the first door 22 is the lower door and the second door 24 is the upper door.

The embodiment further comprises an actuator system 46 mounted on the frame and connected to the doors such that when the first door is moved the second door is moved by the actuator system in the opposite direction.

In some embodiments the actuator system 46 comprises: a toothed rack 48 provided on the second door 24 and a linear actuator 50 comprising: a cog 52 engaging the rack 48, a drive spindle 54 to drive the cog, and a drive cord 56 attached to and around the drive spindle to rotate the spindle as the cord is pulled, the drive cord being attached also to the first door at attachment point 57.

The device is configured such that when the doors are closed the cord 56 is wrapped around the spindle 54 and when the doors are moved apart the cord is pulled in a downwards direction so as to rotate the spindle, rotation of the cog drives the toothed rack linearly upwards.

In this embodiment the doors are adapted such that the first door is heavier than the second and the device is configured such that the first door is retained in place in the closed position and is releasable to allow it to move downwards. In this embodiment the first door is movable outwards from the frame and is retained in the closed position when at a first position outwards relative to the frame and released to move vertically when moved to a second position further outwards from the frame. The device may further comprise a catch (not shown) adapted to hold the first door in the closed position until the catch is operated to release the first door.

In this way in use the weight of the first door acts to assist a user to open both doors when the first door is released, the first door moving downwards under gravity and 10 pulling the second door upwards by means of the linear actuator.

The weight of the first and second doors is adapted such that the weights of the first and second doors are substantially balanced, with a slightly greater weight associated with the first door. In this way the doors are almost counterbalanced such 15 that only a small force is needed to move them apart.

In this embodiment the enclosure further comprises a fascia board 60 adapted to mount on the front surface of the radiator so as to provide a unified, elegant appearance to the device. The first, lower door is configured to move outwards from the front of the frame when opened, so may move downwards in front of the fascia board when open, and move back to lie substantially flush with the fascia board when closed.

In this embodiment the enclosure further comprises a back wall 62 to close the rear 25 of the enclosure from the wall, so in use to prevent clothes from touching the walls or moisture from reaching the wall.

The embodiment further comprises a drying device 64 within the enclosure to remove moisture from air within the enclosure, positioned in the upper half of the enclosure 30 adjacent to the upper wall, containing a moisture absorbent material such as silica gel.

The embodiment may be formed from materials resistant to moisture, for example stainless steel, coated steel, moulded or sheet polymers, waterproofed bonded wood 35 materials such as marine plywood. The support rods may be formed from metal, for example coated steel tube, or waterproofed wood composite. The linear actuator may be formed from moisture resistant metal parts or moulded polymers.

The device may be sized to fit over standard radiators as known in the art. For 5 example, this embodiment may be dimensioned to fit over a flat panel radiator of dimension 1800mm x 595mm.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for drying clothes configured to mount above a wall-mounted radiator comprising an enclosure adapted to mount on a wall above a wall mounted radiator, the enclosure comprising: a frame comprising a left and a right hand wall, a first and a second door mounted on the frame, movable between an open position in which the doors are spaced apart and a closed position, clothes support means within the enclosure comprising two or more support elements and a support rod mounted on and between the support elements, a lower opening provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass into the enclosure, an upper opening provided between the left and right hand walls through which air may pass out from the enclosure, and a door support rail on which a door may slide between the open and closed positions.
2. A device according to claim 1 comprising a base closing the space between the left and right hand walls wherein the lower opening comprises a lower vent provided in the base.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising an upper wall closing the space between the left and right hand walls wherein the upper opening comprises an upper vent provided in the upper wall.
4. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a vents comprises a vent control to control the open area of the vent.
5. A device according to any preceding claim 1 wherein the doors are configured to slide vertically on the frame.
6. A device according to any preceding claim further comprising an actuator system mounted on the frame and connected to the doors such that when one door is moved in a first direction the other is moved by the actuator means in the opposite direction.
7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the actuator system comprises: a toothed rack provided on the second door and a linear actuator comprising: a cog adapted to engage the rack, a drive spindle adapted to drive the cog when the spindle is rotated, and a drive cord attached to and around the drive spindle adapted to rotate the spindle as the cord is pulled, the drive cord being attached also to the first door.
8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the first door is the lower door and is adapted to move downwards from the closed position to open the enclosure, and the second door is the upper door and is moved upwards by means of the linear actuator.
9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the doors are adapted such that the first door is heavier than the second and the device is configured such that the first door is retained in place in the closed position and is releasable to allow it to move downwards.
10. A device according to claim 8 wherein the doors are adapted such that the weights of the first and second doors are substantially or wholly balanced.
11. A device according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the first door is movable outwards from the frame and is retained in the closed position when at a first position outwards relative to the frame and released to move vertically when moved to a second position further outwards relative to the frame.
12. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a catch adapted to hold a door in the closed position until the catch is operated to release the door.
13. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a front fascia extending downwards from the base and configured to lie in front of the radiator when the device is mounted above it.
14. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a drying device within the enclosure to remove moisture from air within the enclosure.
15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the drying device comprises a moisture absorbent material.
16. A device according to claim 14 wherein the drying device comprises a cooling device comprising a cooled surface on which moisture may condense such as a Peltier cooler.
17. A device according to any preceding claim further comprising a fan.
18. A device according to any preceding claim sized to fit over a standard radiator as known in the art.
19. A device according to claim 18 adapted to fit over a flat panel radiator of dimension 1800mm x 595mm.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A device for drying clothes configured to mount above a wall-mounted radiator comprising: an enclosure adapted to mount on a wall above a wall mounted radiator, the enclosure comprising: a frame comprising a left and a right hand wall, a first and a second door mounted on the frame movable between an open position, in which the doors are spaced apart, and a closed position; a door support rail on which the doors may slide between the open and closed positions; a clothes support means within the enclosure comprises two or more support elements; a support rod mounted on and between the support elements; a lower opening is provided between the left and right hand walls through which air passes into the enclosure; an upper opening is provided between the left and right hand walls, through which air passes out from the enclosure; the device has a fascia extending downwards from the enclosure which in use is adapted to be located on a front surface of the radiator to provide a unified appearance to the device and to channel air across the radiator and upwards towards the lower opening.2. A device according to claim 1 comprising a base closing the space between I- 20 the left and right hand walls, wherein the lower opening comprises a lower vent provided in the base. C\I3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising an upper wall closing the space between the left and right hand walls wherein the upper opening comprises an upper vent provided in the upper wall.4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each vent comprises a vent control to control the open area of the vent.5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the doors are configured to slide vertically with respect to the frame.6. A device according to any preceding claim comprising an actuator system mounted on the frame and connected to the doors such that when one door is moved in a first direction the other is moved in the opposite direction.7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the actuator system comprises: a toothed rack provided on the second door and a linear actuator comprising: a cog adapted to engage the rack, a drive spindle is adapted to drive the cog when the spindle is rotated, and a drive cord is attached to and around the drive spindle adapted to rotate the spindle as the cord is pulled, the drive cord being attached also to the first door.8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the first door is the lower door and is adapted to move downwards from the closed position to open the enclosure, and the second door is the upper door and is moved upwards by means of the linear actuator.9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the doors are adapted such that the first door is heavier than the second door and the device is configured such that the first door is retained in place in the closed position and is releasable to allow it to move downwards.10. A device according to claim 8 wherein the doors are adapted such that the weights of the first and second doors are balanced. I-20 11. A device according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the first door is movable C\I outwards from the frame and is retained in the closed position when at a first position outwards relative to the frame and released to move vertically when moved to a second position further outwards relative to the frame.12. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a catch adapted to hold each door in the closed position until the catch is operated to release the doors.13. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a drying device within the enclosure to remove moisture from air within the enclosure.14. A device according to claim 13 wherein the drying device comprises a moisture absorbent material.15. A device according to claim 13 wherein the drying device comprises a cooling device comprising a cooled surface on which moisture may condense.16. A device according to any preceding claim further comprising a fan.17. A device according to any preceding claim adapted to fit over a flat panel radiator of dimension 1800mm x 595mm.18. A device substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures.O