Drying Locker Array For Firefighter Turnout Gear
A locker array apparatus includes a cabinet including a storage region, a plurality of air inlets of the storage region formed in an inlet portion of the cabinet, and a plurality of air outlets of the storage region formed in an outlet portion of the cabinet, the outlet portion being distal from the inlet portion and the storage region having a volume configured to contain at least one set of firefighter turnout gear, an airflow apparatus configured to generate an airflow, and a plenum in communication from the airflow apparatus to the plurality of air inlets to direct the airflow into the storage region through the plurality of air inlets, the plenum being separate from the storage region.
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of locker arrays and particularly to locker arrays having a climate-controlled storage region, suitable for drying firefighting turnout gear and the like.
Firefighters wear fire and heat resistant uniforms, called turnout gear, for protection while battling a fire. These uniforms breakdown quickly when subjected to ultraviolet (“UV”) light generated by the sun and some fluorescent bulbs. To protect the turnout gear, many fire departments store the gear within lockers away from UV light. In use, however, the turnout gear typically gets wet from water suppression used on the scene of a fire and also from perspiration. Accordingly, firefighters often enclose the freshly used turnout gear in the lockers with at least some degree of wetness. As a result, the gear may be damp and cold at the time of next use. In the worst case, mold, mildew, and the like develops on the gear, which can be noxious and allergenic to some users. Accordingly, improvements in the presently available locker arrays for storing firefighter turnout gear are desirable.
SUMMARYA locker array apparatus has been developed, which is suitable for the storage of wet, damp, or dry firefighter turnout gear. The locker array apparatus directs an airflow past each turnout gear within the locker array to promote evaporation of any water, which the turnout gear has absorbed. Accordingly, the locker array prevents mold, mildew, and the like from developing on the turnout gear while also shielding the turnout gear from ultraviolet light. The locker array apparatus includes a cabinet including a storage region, a plurality of air inlets of the storage region formed in an inlet portion of the cabinet, and a plurality of air outlets of the storage region formed in an outlet portion of the cabinet, the outlet portion being distal from the inlet portion and the storage region having a volume configured to contain at least one set of firefighter turnout gear, an airflow apparatus configured to generate an airflow, and a plenum in communication from the airflow apparatus to the plurality of air inlets to direct the airflow into the storage region through the plurality of air inlets, the plenum being separate from the storage region.
The foregoing aspects of a locker array apparatus for the storage of firefighter turnout gear are explained in the detailed description, with reference to the following figures in which:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the apparatus described herein, reference is made to the embodiments illustrated in the figures and described in the following written description. It should be understood that no limitation to the scope of the apparatus is thereby intended. It is further understood that the apparatus includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the apparatus as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this apparatus pertains.
As shown in
The cabinet 104 defines an air inlet portion 154 and an air outlet portion 158, which, together, enables air to enter the cabinet, flow through the storage region 156, and then exit the cabinet. As shown in
Each locker unit 152 includes a shelf element 170 positioned near an upper portion of a corresponding locker unit. The shelf 170 divides the locker unit 152 into an upper locker unit portion and a lower locker unit portion. An air vent 174 is provided in each shelf 170 to enable airflow between the upper and lower locker unit portions. The air vent 174 may be provided as numerous perforations, slots, or louvers.
As shown in
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With continued reference to
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In some embodiments, the locker array 100 includes a humidity sensor 180 electronically connected to the airflow apparatus 112. The humidity sensor 180 is positioned within the storage region 156 to the contact the air within the cabinet 104. The humidity sensor 180 monitors the relative humidity of the air within the cabinet 104 and generates an electronic humidity value, which is received by the airflow apparatus 112. In embodiments of the locker array 100 having a humidity sensor 180, the airflow apparatus 112 includes a controller (not shown) that compares the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor to a predetermined humidity value. If the controller determines that the measured humidity value is above the predetermined humidity value, the controller may activate the electrical motor to generate the airflow; whereas, if the controller determines that the measured humidity value is below the predetermined humidity value, the controller may deactivate the electrical motor to cease the airflow and conserve electrical energy.
In operation, the locker array apparatus 100 stores and dries articles stowed within the locker units 152. The locker array 100 is described herein as being useful for the storage and drying of firefighter turnout gear 158′; however, any type(s) of article may be stored and dried within the array 100 that fits within one of the locker units, including sporting equipment and outdoorsman gear. An exemplary set of firefighter turnout gear 158′ suitable for storage within one of the locker units 152 is shown in
Next, the user closes each door 172 and energizes the airflow apparatus 112, which generates a dry airflow that emanates from the air inlets 162. The airflow flows through each locker unit 152, including the regions above the shelves 170. One particular airflow path extends from the leftmost locker unit 152 of
An alternative embodiment of the locker array 100′ is shown in
The locker units 152, 152′ of the locker array 100 and 100′ may be freestanding locker units each having a sidewalls, a bottom side, a top side, and a backside. The freestanding locker units may be placed adjacent to each other to form the cabinet 104, 104′ of the locker array 100, 100′. Additionally, the freestanding locker units may be modified to receive and to expel the airflow generated by airflow apparatus 112, 112′.
While the locker array apparatus 100, 100′ has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the foregoing detailed description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications, and further applications that come within the spirit of the apparatus are desired to be protected.
Claims
1. A locker array apparatus comprising:
- a cabinet including a storage region, a plurality of air inlets of the storage region formed in an inlet portion of the cabinet, and a plurality of air outlets of the storage region formed in an outlet portion of the cabinet, the outlet portion being distal from the inlet portion and the storage region having a volume configured to contain at least one set of firefighter turnout gear;
- an airflow apparatus configured to generate an airflow; and
- a plenum in communication from the airflow apparatus to the plurality of air inlets to direct the airflow into the storage region through the plurality of air inlets, the plenum being separate from the storage region.
2. The locker array apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one set of firefighter turnout gear includes at least a pair trousers, a pair of boots, and a jacket.
3. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, the cabinet further comprising:
- a plurality of dividers positioned within the storage region to divide the storage region into a plurality of locker units, each of the locker units being associated with at least a corresponding one of the plurality of air inlets.
4. The locker array apparatus of claim 3, each divider of the plurality of dividers further comprising:
- an air vent to enable fluid communication between each of the locker units.
5. The locker array apparatus of claim 3, the cabinet further comprising:
- a plurality of support elements, each support element is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of locker units and is configured to support at least a portion of the at least one set of firefighter turnout gear.
6. The locker array apparatus of claim 3, the cabinet further comprising:
- a plurality of shelf elements, each shelf element being configured to divide a corresponding one of the plurality of locker units into a first locker unit portion and a second locker unit portion.
7. The locker array apparatus of claim 6, each shelf element of the plurality of shelf elements further comprising:
- an air vent to enable fluid communication between the first locker unit portion and the second locker unit portion.
8. The locker array apparatus of claim 3 wherein each locker unit is associated with at least a corresponding one of the plurality of air outlets.
9. The locker array apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet portion of the cabinet is a bottom side of the cabinet and the outlet portion of the cabinet is the upper portion of a sidewall of the cabinet.
10. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, wherein a bottom side of the cabinet is positioned upon an upper side of the plenum.
11. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the cabinet is the inlet portion and the plurality of air inlets are a plurality of perforations, each perforation of the plurality of perforations defining an area less than two square centimeters.
12. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of air outlets are a plurality of perforations, each perforation of the plurality of perforations defining an area less than two square centimeters.
13. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a humidity sensor positioned within the storage region, the humidity sensor being operably connected to the airflow apparatus and configured to generate a humidity value representative of a relative humidity of the storage region,
- wherein the airflow apparatus is configured to generate the airflow in response to the humidity value being above a predetermined valve and to cease generating the airflow in response to the humidity value being below the predetermined value.
14. The locker array apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cabinet is formed of a material configured to prevent the passage of ultraviolet light into the storage region.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 24, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 31, 2011
Applicant: MANASEK ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC (Greenwood, IN)
Inventor: William D. Boice (Noblesville, IN)
Application Number: 12/889,597
International Classification: A47B 81/00 (20060101);