SLAT SYSTEM FOR A HEATING STRUCTURE
A slat is configured for use with a heating structure. The slat includes at least one elongated body. An attachment device is coupled to a top end of the at least one elongated body. The attachment device is configured to secure to the heating structure so that the at least one elongated body extends between a top and a bottom of the heating structure.
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This application is a continuation application of, and claims priority to, PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US22/44701 filed on Sep. 26, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDThe present disclosure relates to a heating structure and, more particularly, to a slat, board, panel, or frame device for forming a fluid retention space within the heating structure (such as a board, a panel, or a frame device and its parts to so capture heat herein referred to as “slat” or if plural “slats”). The slat can be hung on the structure to capture heat.
Using a warm and dry towel to dry oneself off is a comforting feeling and preferable alternative to a damp cold towel. In order to have readily available warm dry towels, some users utilize towel warmers. While these towel warmers provide some warmth, they do not evenly warm/dry towels and mostly heat the towel at the point of contact. Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus to evenly warm and dry a towel. In particular, a need exists for an apparatus to form a fluid capture space for retaining the heat from the towel warmer.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.
According to a first aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a slat is configured for use with a towel rack. The slat includes at least one elongated body. An attachment device is coupled to a top end of the at least one elongated body. The attachment device is configured to secure to the towel rack so that the at least one elongated body extends from a top of the towel rack. The at least one elongated body is configured to provide a barrier along at least one side of an item positioned on the towel rack to restrict fluid flow around the item. A heat reactive material extends along the at least one elongated body.
In some embodiments of the first aspect, the at least one elongated body can include a pair of elongated bodies extending from the attachment device. Each of the pair of elongated bodies can be configured to extend downward from the towel rack. An opening can be formed between the pair of elongated bodies. The attachment device can be coupled to the top end of the towel rack so that at least a portion of the towel rack extends through the opening. The slat can be configured to move along the towel rack to position the at least one elongated body adjacent to the item positioned on the towel rack. In an embodiment the slat can be configured with rollers, wheels, tracks, friction reducing components, or combinations thereof to facilitate the slat's movement along the towel rack In an embodiment, at least one component of the towel rack can be configured with rollers, wheels, tracks, friction reducing components, or combinations thereof to facilitate the slat's movement along the towel rack. In an embodiment the slat and at least one component of the towel rack can be configured with rollers, wheels, tracks, friction reducing components, or combinations thereof to facilitate the slat's movement along the towel rack. In an embodiment the slat is slidably moveable along the towel rack. The attachment device can move along the top of the towel rack. The slat can be a first slat that is configured to cooperate with a second slat to provide barriers along the sides of the item positioned on the towel rack. The first slat can be moveable to a position adjacent a first side of the item. The second slat can be moveable to a position adjacent a second side of the item. The at least one elongated body can be formed from the heat reactive material. The heat reactive material can include at least one of a heat resistant material, a heat reflective material, or a heat trapping material. The heat reactive material can include at least one of wool, cotton, foam, canvas, leather, linen, rayon, polyester, silk, suede, denier, nylon, mylar, cordura, polypropylene, insulation, rubber or other heat reactive material. The at least one elongated body can include a heating element. An aroma-therapy system can be provided to disperse aroma-therapy around the item.
According to a second aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a heating structure is configured to heat an item. The heating structure includes a frame having a top and a bottom. The item is configured to position on the frame and hang between the top and the bottom of the frame. A heating element is configured to discharge heat from the frame. In an embodiment, the heating element is configured to heat a space surrounding the heating structure, heat an item associated with the heating structure, or combinations thereof via conduction. In an embodiment, the heating element is configured to heat a space surrounding the heating structure, heat an item associated with the heating structure, or combinations thereof via convection. In an embodiment, the heating element is configured to heat a space surrounding the heating structure, heat an item associated with the heating structure, or combinations thereof via discharge of a heated fluid from the frame. In an embodiment the heated fluid may be a gas, a liquid, or combinations thereof. A slat is coupled to the frame. The slat includes at least one elongated body. An attachment device is coupled to a top end of the at least one elongated body. The attachment device is secured to the top of the frame so that the at least one elongated body extends toward the bottom of the frame. The at least one elongated body provides a barrier along a side of the item to retain the heat, the heated fluid, or combinations thereof discharged from the heating element. A heat reactive material extends along the at least one elongated body.
In some embodiments of the second aspect, the at least one elongated body can include a pair of elongated bodies extending from the attachment device. Each of the pair of elongated bodies can extend toward the bottom of the frame. An opening can be formed between the pair of elongated bodies. The attachment device can be coupled to the top end of the frame so that at least a portion of the frame extends through the opening. The at least one elongated body can be configured to move along the heating structure to position the at least one elongated body adjacent to the item positioned on the heating structure. In an embodiment the at least one elongated body can be configured with rollers, wheels, tracks, friction reducing components, or combinations thereof to facilitate the at least one elongated body's movement along the heating structure In an embodiment, at least one component of the heating structure can be configured with rollers, wheels, tracks, friction reducing components, or combinations thereof to facilitate the at least one elongated body's movement along the heating structure. In an embodiment the at least one elongated body and at least one component of the heating structure can be configured with rollers, wheels, tracks, friction reducing components, or combinations thereof to facilitate the at least one elongated body's movement along the heating structure. In an embodiment the at least one elongated body is slidably moveable along the heating structure. The attachment device can move along the top of the frame. A first slat and a second slat can be provided. The first slat can be moveable to a position adjacent a first side of the item. The second slat can be moveable to a position adjacent a second side of the item. The at least one elongated body can be formed from the heat reactive material. The heat reactive material can include at least one of a heat resistant material, a heat reflective material, or a heat trapping material. The heat reactive material can include at least one of wool, cotton, foam, canvas, leather, linen, rayon, polyester, silk, suede, denier, nylon, mylar, cordura, polypropylene, insulation, rubber or other heat reactive material. The heating element can be positioned in the at least one elongated body. An aroma-therapy system can be provided to disperse aroma-therapy around the item.
According to a third aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a slat configured for use with a heating structure includes at least one elongated body. An attachment device is coupled to a top end of the at least one elongated body. The attachment device is configured to secure to the heating structure so that the at least one elongated body extends between a top and a bottom of the heating structure. The at least one elongated body is configured to provide a barrier along a side of an item positioned on the heating structure to retain heat, heated fluid, or combinations thereof discharged from the heating structure. A heating element is positioned in the at least one elongated body.
In some embodiments of the third aspect, a fan can be configured to disperse heat from the heating element through at least one vent formed in the elongated body. An aroma-therapy system can be provided to disperse aroma-therapy around the item.
Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed material belongs.
Referring to
A slat 40 is coupled to the frame 12. It will be appreciated that the slat 40 can be coupled to the top 18 or bottom 20 of the frame. The slat 40 can be formed integrally with the frame 12. Optionally, the slat 40 is a separate component that couples to the top 18 of the frame 12. In some embodiments, the slat 40 is retrofit to an existing heating structure 10. It will be appreciated that the slat 40 can be positioned on any existing heating structure, built into any new heating structure, or hung on a towel rack and configured to provide heat itself to a towel. The slat 40 includes an attachment device 42 that couples to the frame 12. In the illustrative embodiment, the attachment device 42 is a hooked segment that is sized and shaped to position on the top horizontal bar 24. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the attachment device 42 can be coupled to the bottom 20 of the heating structure 10.
It will be appreciated that other attachment devices can be contemplated. For example, the attachment device 42 in this context can refer to a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together, generally used to create non-permanent joints (e.g., releasable or lockable), including anchor bolts, battens, bolts (including screws), brass fasteners, buckles, buttons, cable ties, captive fasteners, clamps (or cramps, including hose clamps), clasps (including lobster clasps), clekos, clips (including circlips, hairpin clips, paper clips, and terry clips), clutches, drawing pins (thumbtack), flanges, frogs, grommets, hook-and-eye closures, hook and loop fasteners (including Velcro®), latches, nails, pegs (including clothespins and tent pegs), PEM nuts, pins (including bowtie cotter pins, circle cotters, clevis fasteners, cotters, dowels, linchpins, R-clips, split pins, spring pins, and tapered pins), retaining rings (including circlips and e-rings), rivets, rock bolts, rubber bands (or bands of other materials), screw anchors, snap fasteners, staples, stitches, straps, threaded fasteners (including captive threaded fasteners, nuts, screws, washers, threaded inserts, and threaded rods), ties, toggle bolts, treasury tags, twist ties, wedge anchors, and zippers.
A pair of elongated bodies 50 extend from the attachment device 42 toward the bottom 20 of the frame 12. That is, each elongated body 50 extends from at attachment end 52 couple to the attachment device 42 to a free end 54. Each of the elongated bodies 50 has the same length 56; however, it will be appreciated that the lengths 56 of each elongated body can differ. In some embodiments, the elongated bodies 50 have an adjustable length 56 that adjusts to a length of the towel 14. For example, the elongated bodies 50 can have telescoping members that enable the length 56 to be adjusted. An opening 58 is formed between the pair of elongated bodies 50. The attachment device 42 is coupled to the top 18 of the heating structure 10 so that at least a portion of the heating structure 10 extends through the opening 58. That is, the slat 40 at least partially encloses the heating structure 10. The elongated bodies are deformable and configured to provide a barrier along a side of the towel 14, as shown in
The slats 40 are configured to move along the heating structure 10 to position the elongated bodies 50 adjacent to the towel 14. For example, the attachment device 42 moves along the top 18 of the heating structure 10 to move the respective slat 40. The two slats 40 illustrated in
In some embodiments, the slat 40 is formed from a heat reactive material. As used herein “heat reactive” means any material that is at least one of heat resistant, heat reflective, or heat trapping. A “heat resistant” material is any material that resists deformation from heat. For example, the heat resistant material can be a foam or a rubber. A “heat reflective” material is any material that reflects heat from its surface. For example, the heat reflective material can be a metal or composite that forms a reflective surface. A “heat trapping” material is any material that retains heat within an enclosed space. For example, the heat trapping material can be a fabric, such as a wool or a cotton. A “heat reactive” material can be any combination of heat resistant, heat reflective, and heat trapping. The heat reactive material can include at least one of wool, cotton, foam, canvas, leather, linen, rayon, polyester, silk, suede, denier, nylon, mylar, cordura, polypropylene, insulation, rubber or other heat reactive material.
Referring to
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The slat 40 illustrated in
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It will be appreciated that any of the features described above can be reasonably combined to form other embodiments of a heating structure and/or heating component.
Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to make the present disclosure in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, illustrative embodiment, proof, or finding. It should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably or preferred in the description above indicates that the feature so described can be more desirable, it nonetheless cannot be necessary and embodiments lacking the same can be contemplated as within the scope of the disclosure, that scope being defined by the claims that follow.
In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” “at least a portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used, the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all possible alternatives, modifications, aspects, combinations, principles, variations, and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosure as defined herein or by any of the following claims are desired to be protected. While embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same are to be considered as illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Additional alternatives, modifications and variations can be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, while multiple inventive aspects and principles have been presented, they need not be utilized in combination, and many combinations of aspects and principles are possible in light of the various embodiments provided above.
Claims
1. A slat configured for use with a towel rack, the slat comprising:
- at least one elongated body,
- an attachment device coupled to a top end of the at least one elongated body, wherein the attachment device is configured to secure to the towel rack so that the at least one elongated body extends from a top of the towel rack, wherein the at least one elongated body is configured to provide a barrier along a side of an item positioned on the towel rack to restrict fluid flow around the item, and
- a heat reactive material extending along the at least one elongated body.
2. The slat of claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated body includes a pair of elongated bodies extending from the attachment device, wherein each of the pair of elongated bodies is configured to extend downward from the towel rack.
3. The slat of claim 2, wherein an opening is formed between the pair of elongated bodies, wherein the attachment device is coupled to the top end of the towel rack so that at least a portion of the towel rack extends through the opening.
4. The slat of claim 1, wherein the slat is configured to move along the towel rack to position the at least one elongated body adjacent to the item positioned on the towel rack.
5. The slat of claim 4, wherein the attachment device moves along the top of the towel rack.
6. The slat of claim 1, wherein the slat is a first slat that is configured to cooperate with a second slat to provide a plurality of barriers, wherein a first barrier of the plurality of barriers is configured to restrict fluid flow along a first side of the item and wherein a second barrier of the plurality of barriers is configured to restrict fluid flow along a second side of the item.
7. The slat of claim 6, wherein:
- the first slat is moveable to a position adjacent the first side of the item, and
- the second slat is moveable to a position adjacent the second side of the item.
8. The slat of claim 1, wherein the heat reactive material includes at least one of a heat resistant material, a heat reflective material, or a heat trapping material.
9. The slat of claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated body includes a heating element.
10. The slat of claim 1, further comprising an aroma-therapy system configured to disperse aroma-therapy around the item.
11. A heating structure configured to heat an item, the heating structure comprising:
- a frame having a top and a bottom, wherein the item is configured to position on the top of the frame and hang toward the bottom of the frame,
- a heating element configured to discharge heat from the frame, and
- a slat coupled to the frame, the slat comprising:
- at least one elongated body,
- an attachment device coupled to a top end of the at least one elongated body, wherein the attachment device is secured to the frame so that the at least one elongated body extends between the top and the bottom of the frame, wherein the at least one elongated body is configured to provide a barrier to fluid flow along a side of the item to restrict heated fluid from flowing away from the item, and
- a heat reactive material extending along the at least one elongated body.
12. The heating structure of claim 11, wherein the at least one elongated body includes a pair of elongated bodies extending from the attachment device, wherein each of the pair of elongated bodies extends toward the bottom of the frame.
13. The heating structure of claim 12, wherein an opening is formed between the pair of elongated bodies, wherein the attachment device is coupled to the top end of the frame so that at least a portion of the frame extends through the opening.
14. The heating structure of claim 11, wherein the slat is configured to move along the frame to position the at least one elongated body adjacent to the item.
15. The heating structure of claim 14, wherein the attachment device moves along the top of the frame.
16. The heating structure of claim 11, further comprising a first slat and a second slat.
17. The heating structure of claim 16, wherein:
- the first slat is moveable to a position adjacent a first side of the item, and
- the second slat is moveable to a position adjacent a second side of the item.
18. The heating structure of claim 11, wherein the heat reactive material includes at least one of a heat resistant material, a heat reflective material, or a heat trapping material.
19. The heating structure of claim 11, wherein the heating element is positioned in the at least one elongated body.
20. The heating structure of claim 11, further comprising an aroma-therapy system configured to disperse aroma-therapy around the item.
21. A slat configured for use with a heating structure, the slat comprising:
- at least one elongated body,
- an attachment device coupled to a top end of the at least one elongated body, wherein the attachment device is configured to secure to the heating structure so that the at least one elongated body extends between a top and a bottom of the heating structure, wherein the at least one elongated body is configured to provide a barrier to fluid flow along a side of an item positioned on the heating structure to retain heat from the heating structure within a space defined by the at least one elongated body and the item, and
- a heating element is positioned in the at least one elongated body.
22. The slat of claim 21, a fan configured to disperse the heat from the heating element through at least one vent formed in the elongated body.
23. The slat of claim 21, further comprising an aroma-therapy system configured to disperse aroma-therapy around the item.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 9, 2023
Publication Date: Mar 28, 2024
Applicant: Vistarock Holdings LLC (Keller, TX)
Inventors: James Wallander (Keller, TX), William Wallander (Dallas, TX)
Application Number: 18/231,895