Wet suit valet assembly
A wet suit valet having a fixed or collapsible base member and a fixed or collapsible vertical post member extending upwardly from the base member, the vertical post member when extended having a plurality of apertures for the receipt of a plurality of outwardly extending arms oriented to support the elements of a surfer or diver's wet suit in an expanded orientation to expedite the drying thereof. The vertical post and arm can be of tubular form with perforations in the tubular walls to all for hot air to be introduced into the structure to circulate about and within the wet suit.
Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application 60/654,780, filed Feb. 22, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wet suit valet assembly for drying out a diver's or surfer's wet suit after use.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Wet suits are typically used by scuba divers and surfers in the pursuit of their activities. The wet suits are normally fabricated from neoprene or other suitable rubber-like material and are designed to form fit to the upper torso and arms and the legs of the individual to maintain body temperature when surfing or scuba diving in waters of lower temperature. Additional wet suit pieces can include a balaklava for the head, gloves for the hands, and socks for the feet, all fabricated from the same type of material, i.e. neoprene or other suitable rubber-like material. The wet suit preserves the body heat for the individual allowing them to enjoy their past time for a greater period of time. In fact, in the design of wet suits, it is preferable that a small film of water be allowed to penetrate the wet suits and to form a film layer between the surfer or diver's body and the inner surface of the wet suit. This thin film layer further enhances the ability of the wet suit to maintain the warmth of the anatomy and prevent the loss of body heat.
When the surfer or diver has finished his pursuit, the wet suit is typically removed and the neoprene or rubber-like material is thoroughly wet. It is then necessary to dry the wet suit before it is again utilized. Still further, the dampness of the wet suit through use, can also lead to the development of an odor associated therewith, caused by mold or bacteria. The sooner the diver or surfer's wet suit is dried after use, and the more thoroughly it is dried, prevents the development of a moldy-like odor and also lengthens the life expectancy of the wet suit by preventing premature rotting.
In the past, wet suits were laid in the bath tub to dry or spread out on a flat surface to dry and in some instances, attempts were made to hang them from a clothes line. None of these drying methods are truly effective in that they normally require an extended period of time to effect the drying. The reason it takes so long for a wetsuit to dry is because the individual sections will close up when removed from the body.
Still further, when a diver or surfer utilizes his wet suit at a location proximate the surfer or diver's home, the surfer or diver can utilize the aforesaid drying methods, despite their ineffectiveness. However, most divers and surfers vacation in order to pursue their past time, and living in a hotel or motel room for a week or two during vacation further aggravates the ability to completely dry the wet suit between uses.
Applicant has developed a wet suit valet in the form of a tree stand which is collapsible so that it can be stored when not required, yet sturdy enough to be erected and support the various elements of the wet suit in an appropriate orientation to enhance drying. Still further, Applicant's wet suit valet in a collapsed mode allows it to be transported by the diver or surfer on vacation so that it can be utilized in the motel room or hotel room bathroom to be erected and support the various elements of the wet suit.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the invention is to provide for a novel wet suit valet for drying wet suits utilized by surfers and divers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel wet suit valet which is collapsible.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel wet suit valet which when erected resembles a tree stand having various interconnected branches for the support of the various elements which comprise the wet suit.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel wet suit valet which can be connected to a source of hot moistureless air which can circulate within the wet suit valet and ventilate from the wet suit valet to the inner surfaces and outer surfaces of the wet suit elements hung on the wet suit valet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA wet suit valet having a fixed or collapsible base member and a fixed or collapsible vertical post member extending upwardly from the base member, the vertical post member when extended having a plurality of apertures for the receipt of a plurality of outwardly extending arms oriented to support the elements of a surfer or diver's wet suit in an expanded orientation to expedite the drying thereof. The vertical post and arm can be of tubular form with perforations in the tubular walls to all for hot air to be introduced into the structure to circulate about and within the wet suit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThese and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:
The wet suit 10 includes a torso portion 12 which covers the arms and upper torso of the surfer or diver and a leg portion 14 which covers the waist and legs of the diver. Additionally, depending upon conditions, the surfer or diver may wear a pair of neoprene boots 16, neoprene gloves 18, and a balaclava-like head portion 20 which covers the head and neck of the surfer or diver. In some instances, the torso portion and the leg portion 12 and 14 are separate elements and in some circumstances, they are formed as a one piece element, in either instance the torso portion is formed with a zipper 22 up the front. The elements when taken as a whole, protect the surfer or diver from the cold temperatures of the water while either surfing or diving.
Since the elements of the wet suit are made of rubber-like material or neoprene, they absorb water when used and it is necessary to dry the wet suit between uses in order that the surfer or diver does not become immediately chilled upon putting on the wet suit. The wet suit valet serves for this purpose.
Formed at the top end 38 of support member 34 is a cross member 40 which preferably is disposed in a plane offset from the vertical support member 34. In this configuration, the various elements of the wet suit 10 may be hung for drying (See
In the embodiment illustrated in
The embodiment of the wet suit valet illustrated in
While the present invention has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications or changes can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it is manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims and the equivalence thereof.
Claims
1. A wetsuit valet support for facilitating the drying of a wetsuit after use, the wetsuit valet support comprising:
- a base member in communication with a substrate;
- a central support member having a lower end secured to said base member and extending vertically upwardly there from terminating in an upper end;
- said upper end of said support arm designed for support of a wetsuit balaclava for drying;
- a T-shaped arm member positioned proximate said upper end of said support pole, a leg of said T-shaped arm in communication with said support pole, the extending arms of said T-shaped member designed to engage an inner shoulder and upper arm portion of a wetsuit;
- a first pair of angled arm members secured to said support pole between said T-shaped arm member and said base member and angled upwardly on opposing sides of said support pole, said first pair of angled arm members for support of a pair of wetsuit gloves for drying;
- a second pair of angled arm members positioned between said first set of angled arm members and said base member, said second set of angled arm members angled upwardly on opposing sides of said support pole for the support and drying of a pair of wetsuit boots.
2. The wetsuit valet support in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base, said central support member, and said T-shaped arm members and first and second pair of angled arm members of said wetsuit valet are fixedly secured.
3. The wetsuit valet support in accordance with claim 2 wherein said base member, central support member and said T-shaped arm members and said first and second angled arm members of said wetsuit valet are removably secured for storage.
4. The wetsuit valet support in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base member of said wetsuit valet is of such size and dimension so as to fit in a shower stall or in a bathtub to facilitate drainage.
5. The wetsuit valet support in accordance with claim 1 wherein said central support member, said T-shaped arm members and said first and second angled arm members are constructed of hollow tubes and said vertical support posts further includes an aperture proximate said base member, said aperture sized for frictionally engaging a nose of a hairdryer so as to impart a flow of hot air up said central support member and outwardly on said T-shaped support member and first and second pair of angled arm members so as to provide hot air to the interior surfaces of said wetsuit, said gloves, said boots, and said balaclava, thereby facilitating the drying thereof.
6. The wetsuit vale support in accordance with claim 5 wherein said T-shaped arm member and said first and second angled arm members are formed with a plurality of circumferential apertures to facilitate the drying process.
7. The wetsuit valet support in accordance with claim 1 wherein said central support member of said wetsuit valet is segmented, each of said segments is secured to an adjacent segment by means of an internal bungee cord allowing said central support member to be collapsed for storage or for travel, said upper segment of said central support member having a loop means secured thereto for hanging said central support member from a shower head, said upper segment having opposing apertures for receipt of support arms for said wetsuit, said lower segments having apertures for receipt of said angled arm members for positioning said wetsuit boots and said wetsuit gloves, said lower segment having a plurality of apertures for receipt of radially extending base members, said segmented wetsuit valet easily accommodatable in travel bags and easily erectable in a shower stall or a bath tub of a temporary residence, such as a hotel, motel or the like.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 27, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2006
Inventors: Glenn Roe (Brick, NJ), Denise Roe (Brick, NJ)
Application Number: 11/318,950
International Classification: A47B 43/00 (20060101);