APPARATUS TO PREVENT CLOGGING OF DRYER VENTS

Abstract

An apparatus including a housing, a lid, a filter, a slot, a handle, an elongate member, an elbow-shaped connector, and an air flow sensing device. The filter is connected to the lid and configured to collect lint. The slot is located inside the inner chamber of the housing and is configured to receive the filter. The elongate member extends from a first-side-surface of the housing and is configured to be connected to a dryer vent hose. The elbow-shaped connector extends from a second-side-surface of the housing and is configured to be connected to a clothes dryer. The air flow sensing device may be attached to the elongate member or compartment configured to determine airflow and trigger an audible alarm when airflow decreases below a preset threshold. The apparatus prevents dryer vents from clogging, and is fully monitored.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/464,155 filed Feb. 27, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of indicators and sensors and more specifically relates to a dryer vent status indicator.

2. Description of Related Art

Many people use a clothes dryer. A clothes dryer is a powered household appliance that is used to remove moisture from a load of clothing and other textiles, usually shortly after they are washed in a washing machine. Moisture and lint are byproducts of the drying process, and are pulled from the drum by a fan motor and then pushed through the remaining exhaust conduit to the exterior fitting located immediately behind the dryer. Residential fires can occur from numerous malfunctioning devices in a home, and a common cause of fires is a clogged dryer vent. Individuals may have no way of knowing poor airflow is occurring through a dryer vent until the vent is manually inspected. With a clogged dryer vent, dryers will not work efficiently and clothes may remain damp. In addition, the dryer could overheat and require extensive repairs. An effective alternative is required.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,981 to Richard John Harpenau relates to restriction detecting systems for clothes dryer exhaust systems. The described restriction detecting systems for clothes dryer exhaust systems includes a restriction sensor system for identifying the existence of blockages in exhaust conduits of clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may include a pressure sensing device having a body configured to be coupled to an exhaust conduit of a clothes dryer. The pressure sensing device may be capable of determining changes in air pressure in the exhaust conduit. Once the air pressure present in the exhaust conduit exceeds a threshold air pressure, the pressure sensing device may send a signal to an indicator to generate an alarm, which may be a visual alarm or audible alarm, or both.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known indicators and sensors art, the present disclosure provides a novel apparatus to prevent clogging of dryer vents. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an apparatus which is configured to prevent dryer vents from clogging with extra filtration and monitored air flow.

An apparatus to prevent clogging of dryer vents is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a housing, a lid, at least one filter, a slot, a handle, an elongate member, an elbow-shaped connector, and at least one air flow sensor. The housing includes an inner chamber. The lid is preferably removably attached to the housing. The filter is connected to the lid and configured to collect lint. The slot is located inside the inner chamber of the housing and configured to receive the filter. The handle is coupled to the lid and configured to allow removal of the lid from the housing. The elongate member extends from a first-side-surface of the housing and is configured to be connected to a dryer vent hose. The elbow-shaped connector extends from a second-side-surface of the housing and is configured to be connected to a clothes dryer. The air flow sensing device may be attached to the elongate member or main compartment configured to determine airflow. The apparatus is configured to prevent dryer vents from clogging. It prevents lint buildup within dryer vents, completely eliminating the need to clean the vent. It effectively prevents house fires from occurring due to lint clogged in the dryer vent. It functions via a standard 120-volt outlet and includes an audible alarm to notify users of weak air flow within the system.

The power cord would plug into a standard outlet, that may then transform to 24 VDC. When the dryer is turned on the differential pressure switch (DPS-1) is activated and in series with (DPS-2). When the differential pressure switch (DPS-2) reads a low flow in the compartment box, the timing relay (TMR-1) will activate the audible alarm (ALM-1). The optional control relay (CR-1) is also activated by normally open dry contacts to a home security messaging system for the alert of a “dryer vent clog!”. None of the components are activated when the dryer is not running. The dryer vent compartment is fully monitored for a good air flow through the whole venting system.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an apparatus to prevent clogging of dryer vents, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to indicators and sensors and more particularly to an apparatus to prevent clogging of dryer vents as used to improve the safe and efficient use of dryers.

Generally, the present invention offers additional filtration to reduce cleaning of the dryer vent. It is a dryer vent status indicator. The system may be comprised of a housing, lint filter, pressure switch and an airflow sensing device. The housing may be box-style or cylindrical shape. The filter can be attached within the housing, the pressure switch and sensor may be integrated within. When the dryer turns on, a pressure switch may be used to activate the airflow sensor which is intended to be powered with a 120-volt AC plug. The sensor is configured to determine airflow and trigger an audible alarm when airflow decreases below a preset threshold. The system can be installed on both gas and electric clothes dryers. If the compartment is attached to the dryer on the floor, the extended handle option on the top portion will help access the filter from the front of the dryer if it cannot be reached from the side. The compartment also can be mounted with brackets to the wall or dryer to be installed at the top back area of the dryer for quick access.

Additional features may include an option to install a carbon-monoxide sensor attached to the power cord and a notification system sent through a smart device when the alarm is triggered. The device is intended to keep the dryer venting free of lint from the filter, and the airflow sensors offers monitoring for both the filters and original venting. The present invention keeps homeowners worry-free and assists with reducing the amount of cleaning required for the dryer vent. It may be constructed using metal or a rated plastic. The compartment may be available in various sizes to accommodate all user needs and preferences.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of an apparatus to prevent clogging of dryer vents 10. FIG. 1-2 show an apparatus to prevent clogging of dryer vents 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the apparatus to prevent clogging of dryer vents 100 may include a housing 112, a lid 116, a filter 118, a slot 120, a handle 122, an elongate member 124, an elbow-shaped connector 130, and an air flow sensor 136. The housing 112 includes an inner chamber 114. The apparatus 10 is configured to prevent dryer vents from clogging. The apparatus 10 provides an all in one safety device for a clothes dryer 134.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the apparatus 10 may include the housing 112, the lid 116, the filter 118, the slot 120, the handle 122, the elongate member 124, the elbow-shaped connector 130, and the air flow sensor 136. The lid 116 is preferably removably attached to the housing 112. The filter 118 is connected to the lid 116 and configured to collect lint. The slot 120 is located inside the inner chamber 114 of the housing 112 and configured to receive the filter 118. The handle 122 is coupled to the lid 116 and configured to allow removal of the lid 116 from the housing. An extendable handle 12 may also be included. The elongate member 124 extends from a first-side-surface 126 of the housing 112 and is configured to be connected to a dryer vent hose 128. The elbow-shaped connector 130 extends from a second-side-surface 132 of the housing 112 and is configured to be connected to a clothes dryer 134. The air flow sensor 136 is attached to the elongate member 124 and configured to determine airflow.

Referring now to FIG. 4 showing a perspective view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the housing 112 is box-shaped or cylindrically-shaped and it can be coupled with an exhaust vent of a clothes dryer 134 and the dryer vent hose 128. The housing 112 may be mounted to an upper portion 138 or a lower portion 140 of the clothes dryer 134. The housing 112 is mounted to the upper portion 138 or the lower portion 140 of the clothes dryer 134 with brackets or other suitable fasteners.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the apparatus 10 may include the housing 112, the lid 116, the filter 118, the slot 120, the handle 122, the elongate member 124, the elbow-shaped connector 130, and the air flow sensor 136. The air flow sensor 136 includes an alarm 141. The alarm 141 is configured to sound when airflow decreases below a preset threshold. The air flow sensor 136 includes a power cord 142 configured to connect to a 120V outlet. The filter 118 extends from a bottom surface 144 of the lid 116. The slot 120 is located nearer to the elongate member 124 than to the elbow-shaped connector 130. The handle 122 extends from a first side 146 of the lid 116 to a second side 148 of the lid 116. The filter 118 has a predetermined length which is equal to a height of the housing 112. The filter 118 has a predetermined width. The predetermined width of the filter 118 is equal to a width of the slot.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. An apparatus to prevent clogging of dryer vents, said apparatus comprising:

a housing, said housing having an inner chamber;

a lid, said lid being removably attached to said housing;

a filter, said filter being connected to said lid and configured to collect lint;

a slot, said slot located inside said inner chamber of said housing and configured to receive said filter;

a handle, said handle being coupled to said lid and configured to allow removal of said lid from said housing;

an elongate member, said elongate member extending from a first-side-surface of said housing and configured to be connected to a dryer vent hose;

an elbow-shaped connector, said elbow-shaped connector extending from a second-side-surface of said housing and configured to be connected to a clothes dryer;

an air flow sensing device, said air flow sensing device being attached to said elongate member and configured to determine airflow; and

wherein said apparatus is configured to prevent said dryer vents from clogging.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is box-shaped.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is cylindrically-shaped.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is mounted to an upper portion of said clothes dryer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is mounted to a lower portion of said clothes dryer.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said housing is mounted to said upper portion of said clothes dryer on a floor surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said housing is mounted to said lower portion of said clothes dryer with brackets.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said air flow sensing device includes an alarm, said alarm configured to sound when airflow decreases below a preset threshold.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said air flow sensor includes a power cord configured to connect to a 120V outlet, and transformed.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said filter extends from a bottom surface of said lid.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said slot is located nearer to said elongate member than to said elbow-shaped connector.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle extends from a first side of said lid to a second side of said lid.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said filter has a predetermined length.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said predetermined length of said filter is equal to a height of said housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said filter has a predetermined width.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said predetermined width of said filter is equal to a width of said slot.