Wall Mounted Patents (Class 392/381)
  • Patent number: 10582815
    Abstract: The body air dryer for a bathing stall is a forced air drying system. The body air dryer for a bathing stall is configured for use with a shower stall. The body air dryer for a bathing stall is configured for use with a bather. The body air dryer for a bathing stall discharges heated air on to the bather for the purpose of drying the bather after bathing. The body air dryer for a bathing stall comprises a housing, a forced air system, a power circuit, and a water muffler. The forced air system, the power circuit, and the water muffler are contained within the housing. The forced air system discharges heated air on the bather. The power circuit connects the forced air system to an external power source. The water muffler is a structure that prevents water from entering the forced air system and the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Inventor: Randy Josey
  • Patent number: 9506696
    Abstract: A hand treatment device is provided for drying a user's hands with an airflow. The hand treatment device comprises a hand treatment chamber comprising a hand insertion section and an outflow sink for purging fluid carried by the airflow from the user's hands to the outflow sink. Therein, the airflow is generated by applying a negative pressure to the outflow sink, such that air is sucked from an environment of the hand treatment device through the hand insertion section into the outflow sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Seibt
  • Patent number: 9492039
    Abstract: An arrangement incorporates a sink and a hand dryer which extends over the sink. The hand dryer is of the type which uses an air-knife mechanically to wipe the water from the user's hands. The hand dryer comprising two elongate air-knife discharge outlets—each outlet discharging a respective air-knife down onto a hand of the user—the air-knife outlets being arranged side-by-side over the basin of the sink. Each air-knife outlet is arranged on an angle such that the inboard end the air-knife outlet is below the outboard end of the air-knife outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 9101251
    Abstract: The present invention features a handy dryer. The handy dryer comprises housing mountable to a wall or pole. Within the housing are a blower, an air divider and two air outlets. The air divider is adjustable to direct the blower air output through a damper between the air outlets. The first outlet is a blower spout with outlet vent circularly rotatable. The second outlet is an adjustable deflector with air flow direction regulated by vent level. The blower is powered by a built-in replaceable battery pack, which is rechargeable by external power source through a power adaptor jack. The blower can be activated within a pre-determined period by pressing a timer button, which is disposed on the housing and operatively engaged to an activator switch on the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventor: Brett E. Moorhouse
  • Patent number: 8772681
    Abstract: A blower urges an airflow, at a rate according to a user-controlled flow rate command, through an electric heater and the electrical heater heats the airflow at a heater power based on a user-input temperature command, the user-input flow rate command, and a measured mass flow rate of the airflow. The heater power is calculated based on the heat energy required to heat air to the given reference temperature, at a flow rate corresponding to the measured mass flow rate. Optionally, the temperature of the air entering the electric heater is measured, and the heater power is calculated based on the heat energy required to heat air from the measured temperature to the given reference temperature, at a flow rate corresponding to the measured mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Electronic Instrumentation and Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe T. May
  • Patent number: 8347522
    Abstract: A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, a motor arranged to drive the fan. At least one opening communicates with the fan and is arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The motor and fan arrangement generate an airflow across the cavity, wherein, in use, the pressure of the airflow emitted through the opening is at least 8 kPa. The motor has a rotor which, in use, may rotate at a speed of at least 80,000 rpm. The high velocity, high pressure airflow provided by the apparatus is capable of drying an object efficiently and quickly and is suitable for use in a hand dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 8326135
    Abstract: A portable area heating apparatus that utilizes a heat lamp for the heat source and a rear-situated fan to disperse the heated air is herein disclosed. The apparatus is intended for use in spot heating applications such as garages, workshops, and similar locations and is suitable for mounting on a floor or wall by use of a multi-functional bracket assembly. Since the heat lamp also produces a certain amount of light, the apparatus may also be used as a light source. The apparatus could also be mounted within an existing ductwork system to supplement a conventional central heating system in areas where extra heat is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Kent W. Gose
  • Patent number: 8302324
    Abstract: A hair dryer includes a housing, a fan unit, a heating element, a motor and a handle. The housing is the body of the hair dryer and has an inlet end and an outlet end. The motor rotates the housing relative to the handle in an oscillating manner. The fan unit is mounted in the housing so that air from vents at the inlet end pass through the fan unit to be blown out through the outlet end of the housing. As such, the housing moves without requiring any movement of the user's hand, wrist, or arm. The handle also has a controller for activating operation, adjusting speed, and setting temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Stella Sharon Connelly
  • Publication number: 20120027389
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling air flow of a drying unit. The apparatus includes a housing mounted below the dryer unit and a frame member coupled to the housing member. The frame member functions to intersect and deflect the air flow in a direction away from a floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Justin Klabin
  • Patent number: 8103155
    Abstract: A hands-free hair dryer mounting apparatus adapted for holding a hair dryer in a universal hair dryer holder assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support bracket that is removably affixed to a wall mounting plate adapted for secure attachment to a wall or other surface. A universal hair dryer holder, adapted for receiving and holding any type, size, or style of handheld hair dryer, projects outward from the bracket. The hair dryer holder is connected to an adjustable arm which contains a vertical pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The adjustable arm also contains a horizontal pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally vertical pivot axis. Angular adjustment in both the vertical and horizontal directions is accomplished by a spring biased interlocking joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: JRD International Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Dannenberg, William J Weiss, Carl J Regan, Jr., Manuel Duarte, Hendrik A. Theron, Stephen J. King
  • Patent number: 8081873
    Abstract: A hands-free hair dryer mounting apparatus adapted for holding a hair dryer in an oscillating universal hair dryer holder assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wall mountable housing that is removably affixed to a wall mounting plate adapted for secure attachment to a wall or other supporting surface. A universal hair dryer holder, adapted for receiving and holding any type, size, or style of handheld hair dryer, projects outward from the housing. The hair dryer holder is connected to an oscillating arm via a horizontal pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The oscillating arm extends into the base and is connected to an electric motor by mechanical linkage such that angularly adjustable side-to-side oscillation is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: JRD International Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Dannenberg, William J. Weiss, Carl J. Regan, Jr., Manuel Duarte, Hendrik A. Theron, Stephen J. King
  • Patent number: 8037619
    Abstract: An air intake structure is located on an airflow guiding casing of a hand dryer communicating with gaps formed between motor blades in the airflow guiding casing. It includes a flow directing frame located on the airflow guiding casing, an axle located in the center of the flow directing frame and a plurality of flow directing blades located between the flow directing frame and the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hokwang Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shen-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 7946055
    Abstract: A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, and a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow. At least one slot-like opening communicates with the fan and is arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The slot-like opening is formed between opposing walls which are manufactured from a thermosetting plastics material. By manufacturing the walls of the slot-like opening from a thermosetting plastic material such as melamine, the walls of the slot-like opening can be molded economically instead of machined from metal. The thermosetting plastic material is dimensionally stable when moulded, thermally resistant and impact resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: John Churchill, James Dyson, Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 7657162
    Abstract: A hand inserting portion is opened at one surface of a casing or at both the one surface and other surface of the casing. The hand inserting portion includes a space in which hands can be accommodated. A high-pressure-airstream generating unit generates a high-speed airstream. A nozzle is provided on each of two opposing sides of the hand inserting portion, from which the high-speed airstream is jetted into the space of the hand inserting portion. The nozzle includes a hole array formed by arranging a plurality of nozzle holes in a row. Air volume of the high-speed airstream is larger at a central portion of the hole array than at other portions of the hole array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Itoigawa, Keiji Kameishi
  • Publication number: 20100014844
    Abstract: A hands-free hair dryer mounting apparatus adapted for holding a hair dryer in a universal hair dryer holder assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support bracket that is removably affixed to a wall mounting plate adapted for secure attachment to a wall or other surface. A universal hair dryer holder, adapted for receiving and holding any type, size, or style of handheld hair dryer, projects outward from the bracket. The hair dryer holder is connected to an adjustable arm which contains a vertical pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The adjustable arm also contains a horizontal pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally vertical pivot axis. Angular adjustment in both the vertical and horizontal directions is accomplished by a spring biased interlocking joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Jeff Dannenberg, William J. Weiss, Carl J. Regan, JR., Manuel Duarte, Hendrik A. Theron, Stephen J. King
  • Patent number: 7596883
    Abstract: In a hand drying apparatus, a first air opening and a second air opening are arranged on opposing surfaces. The first air opening is displaced towards an interior of the hollow portion, for inserting wet hand, with respect to the second air opening such that axes of air jets output from the first air opening and the second air opening do not collide. Moreover, a surface that receives the air jet from an air opening on opposing surface is inclined toward the interior of the hollow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiji Kameishi
  • Patent number: 7471883
    Abstract: An electric heater and a fan are enclosed within a cylindrical case for blowing warmed air from one end of the case. The case is supported at a distal end by a flexible strut enabling selective positioning of the case for directing the warmed air in a preferred direction. The flexible strut is rotationally engaged in a base. The base supports the flexible strut and the case in a selectable orientation. A lamp is fixed to the underside of the case in a position for directing illumination downwardly; the lamp positioned such that a forward end of the case provides shadowing of the light from a baby's eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Inventors: Jess Micah Seutter, Christal G. Seutter
  • Publication number: 20080253754
    Abstract: A sterilizing hand-drying apparatus is used to produce a stream of sterilized, heated air for drying hands. The apparatus is provided with an electric control circuit that supplies electrical power to the apparatus. The electric control circuit has a cut-off mechanism that disables the supply of electrical power when the housing is opened. This minimizes the risk of the user being electrocuted when opening the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: ALPHA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION LTD
    Inventor: Richard Rubin
  • Publication number: 20080193111
    Abstract: An electric heater and a fan are enclosed within a cylindrical case for blowing warmed air from one end of the case. The case is supported at a distal end by a flexible strut enabling selective positioning of the case for directing the warmed air in a preferred direction. The flexible strut is rotationally engaged in a base. The base supports the flexible strut and the case in a selectable orientation. A lamp is fixed to the underside of the case in a position for directing illumination downwardly; the lamp positioned such that a forward end of the case provides shadowing of the light from a baby's eyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Jess Micah Seutter, Christal G. Seutter
  • Patent number: 6962005
    Abstract: A shower dryer system includes a dryer tower with nozzles for directing heated air into a shower enclosure interior. A programmed controller controls the rate of air flow and the temperature of air flow to and through the air nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Jacuzzi, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Khosropour, Harold Leung, Jim R. Pauls, Bob A. Davis
  • Patent number: 6950606
    Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus is provided in which an air blower and an electric heater assembly are located in a common housing with the heater assembly projecting into the housing from a wall thereof in transverse relationship to the blower. This configuration eliminates the need for a dedicated space for the electric heater downstream of the blower housing, which reduces the size of the apparatus. The wall of the housing includes an opening through which the heater assembly is insertable into the housing. The heater assembly includes a mounting plate to close off the wall opening and to removably mount the heater assembly with the housing. The heater assembly preferably further includes an open coil electric heater, with a major dimension of the heater being oriented generally parallel to the direction of air flow in the blower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Distributor Products LLC
    Inventors: Colby W. Logan, Donald E. Porterfield, Jerry L. Hensley, James W. Pickle
  • Patent number: 6928235
    Abstract: A forced air dryer designed to dry an infant's bottom during the diaper changing process comprises a housing having an end piece designed to reduce skin abrasion, skin heating, and air flow blockage. In one embodiment, the device is powered by a rechargeable electric battery. In another embodiment, the invention is associated with a diaper changing table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Shirley Pollack
  • Patent number: 6766589
    Abstract: A portable hand dryer has an air blower and, optionally, an air heater. The hand dryer includes a laterally protruding male electrical plug having at least two prongs which provides electricity to the blower and which allows the hand dryer to be supported from a structure wall. In one embodiment, the male plug can be folded flush with the rear wall of the hand dryer. In another embodiment, the hand dryer also has a laterally extending distal prong which provides additional support for the hand dryer along a structure wall. In yet another embodiment, the hand dryer comprises a spacer on a rear wall of the hand dryer to separate the rear wall from the structure wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventors: Maria Regina Bory, Christopher Gregory Bory
  • Patent number: 6349484
    Abstract: A body dryer is provided including a housing having an elongated height. Also included is a mirror mounted on the housing. A heating mechanism is situated along the height of the housing for expelling heated air therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: Sol Cohen
  • Publication number: 20020006275
    Abstract: A forced air dryer designed to dry an infant's bottom during the diaper changing process comprises a housing having an end piece designed to reduce skin abrasion, skin heating, and air flow blockage. In one embodiment, the device is powered by a rechargeable electric battery. In another embodiment, the invention is associated with a diaper changing table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: Shirley Pollack
  • Patent number: 6295410
    Abstract: A hand dryer timer having a switch in electrical communication with, and controlling the operation of a heater, a fan motor and a timer motor which are electrically connected to two nonneutral lines of a power source. A cam is mounted on a drive shaft of the timer motor such that the cam rotates with the drive shaft and also slides longitudinally over the drive shaft. The cam has a cam lobe adjacent an actuating arm of the switch. A biasing element is located between the timer motor and the cam and biases the cam to a first position aligning the cam lobe with the actuating arm of the switch. The switch includes two sets of switch contacts in a power circuit for the heater and fan motor, so that at the end of a drying cycle, the two sets of switch contacts are effective to electrically isolate the heater and fan motor from both non-neutral lines of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Valerie Helms, James D. Livers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6185838
    Abstract: A hand drier for drying the hands in a turbulent air flow region of cross flowing multiple air streams, and for recycling already heated air for reheating to conserve energy and having a housing and a fan in the housing to create air flow, scrolls for dividing the air flow into two air streams, and guiding them in opposite directions, a heater for heating the air, and, air outlets spaced apart from one another for receiving the air streams so as to redirect respective air streams from opposite directions and cause them to flow countercurrent in opposition to one another to produce a turbulent air flow where the two countercurrent air streams meet, in which the hands can be placed for drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Derek W. Moore
  • Patent number: 5873179
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for removing moisture from at least one user including a first set of riser ducts having openings, a first frame supporting the first set of riser ducts, each one of the first set of riser ducts having an elongated, tapered configuration allowing the volumetric capacity to decrease along a length thereof, and a first face plate arranged opposite the first set of riser ducts and having slots corresponding with the openings of the first set of riser ducts. The apparatus further including a first set of connecting duct segments communicating with the first set of riser ducts, respectively, each one of the first connecting duct segments having a length corresponding with each one of the first set of riser ducts, respectively, at least one motor for discharging air to the first set of connecting duct segments, and at least one heater for heating the air discharged by said at least one motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: Frederick Gregory, Michael P. Albanese
  • Patent number: 5651189
    Abstract: A system for drying a large object, such as the human body, in an effective and sanitary manner. The system comprises a blower secured in a housing constructed with a plenum assembly having a decreasing volumetric configuration for diffusing and projecting a sheet of air in a select direction at a relatively uniform velocity. The air is filtered before passing through the blower and is heated for the comfort of the user. In this manner a person can utilize the sanitary benefit of warm air drying instead of towels and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Bodi-Blo, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Coykendall, Barbara Davis Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5640781
    Abstract: A ceiling or wall mounted hair styling unit supplies a user controlled volume of hot and cold air through an extendable, hollow-armed delivery tube to an adjustable nozzle leaving the user's hands free to manipulate hair styling tools. The user controls the amount of heat and volume of air with a wireless, remote control contained in the handle of a hair brush or within a foot operated, wireless signaling device, leaving both hands free to maximize artistic styling potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Gary Patrick Carson
  • Patent number: 5642462
    Abstract: A rack assembly for drying and warming fabric articles which includes an elongated tube having an interior chamber housing an electrical dryer for warming the air and directing the air through the tube and over a plurality of elongated slots formed in the elongated tube to expel the air onto the fabric article. The slots may increase in length preceding away from the dryer and cooperate with a divider wall angling down preceding away from the dryer to reduce the transverse cross-section of the interior chamber to provide a uniform forced air flow from the elongated tube onto the fabric article. The elongated tube may further comprise a plurality ribs on its exterior for spacing the fabric article from the elongated slots. The rack assembly may be mounted to an existing towel rack bar by having openings at each end and a removable cover to extend to bar of the existing rack through the assembly and out the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Lyons Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Huff
  • Patent number: 5514346
    Abstract: A deodorizing and sterilizing dryer can readily provide deodorization, sterilization, and mold prevention for various goods, such as shoes, by supplying a deodorizing and sterilizing air stream. The deodorizing and sterilizing dryer includes, at one end, an outlet and, internally, a heater and a fan. Air that is heated by the heater is forced along an air stream path, which lies between the heater and the outlet, and contacts a columnar ceramic body that is impregnated with an acid solution and a columnar ceramic body that is impregnated with an alkaline chlorine dioxide solution. Both ceramic bodies have a plurality of lengthwise through holes, so as to supply deodorizing and sterilizing air that contains chlorine dioxide gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Sanai Fujita
  • Patent number: 5438763
    Abstract: A multipurpose electric dryer including a housing covered with a front cover, a blast fan installed in the housing and having an air output port coupled with a fully clad electric positive-temperature-coefficient heater and connected to a first air hole and a second air hole on the front cover, a sliding hanger moved in a vertical sliding way on the front cover, a hot air hose having one end fixedly connected to the second air hole and an opposite end coupled with an airflow nozzle, a shutter linked to the sliding hanger and moved to alternatively open the air holes, a spring fastened to the front cover to pull the shutter away from the second air hole, wherein when the air-flow nozzle is hung on the sliding hanger, the sliding hanger is downward to pull the shutter rightward, causing the shutter to open the first air hole and close said second air hole, permitting hot air be driven out of a front opening on the front cover for drying the hands; when the air-flow nozzle it removed from the sliding hanger, the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: Chiung-hsiang Yang
  • Patent number: 5404419
    Abstract: A cordless versatile dryer consists of an operating unit for blowing heated air carried within a housing for mounting onto a wall and having an optional radio housed therein. A manually adjusted L-shaped nozzle is rotatively affixed to the housing to direct the blown heated air in various directs to dry hands, face and hair. A battery pack is removably affixed to the housing and is electrically plugged into the operating unit. An optional eject button will release the battery pack and disengage it from the operating unit. A scale is attached to a track for measuring the height of persons standing under the housing, which travels on the scale, when the housing is placed in contact with the person's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Amos Artis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5377424
    Abstract: A body drying system is disclosed for drying the entire body of a user, or alternatively, the towel or robe of a user. The body drying system of this invention includes a rectangular housing with apertures formed within its forward face. The apertures are designed to allow for the passage of warmed air. The housing is specifically dimensioned to fit between a towel rack and the wall onto which the rack is mounted. Thus, the operator may stand in front of the apertures of the housing in order to dry himself or herself. Alternatively, the operator may hang a towel or robe on the rack in front of the apertures. Controls are provided for selecting the degree of heating, the starting time, and the stopping time of the drying system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Leandro R. Albanes
  • Patent number: 5269071
    Abstract: A hair drying device includes a blower unit incorporating a fan and a heater for generating a hot air blow and provided at its one end with an air outlet for discharging the hot air blow. The blower unit is pivotally supported to a frame which is adapted to be mounted in or on a generally vertical wall of a room for pivotally supporting the blower unit at the other end about a horizontal axis so that the blower unit is capable of moving about the horizontal axis within a predetermined angular range between a retracted position of directing the air outlet generally vertically downwardly and an extended position of directing the air outlet outwardly and downwardly. A start position is provided offset adjacent to the retracted position so as to define within the angular range a swing range extending from the start position to the extended position. The blower unit is driven to swing within the swing range about the horizontal axis in a reciprocating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Hamabe, Hideo Okutsu, Hirotaka Chosa, Akira Mori
  • Patent number: 5239610
    Abstract: An electric heating assembly adapted to be mounted onto and plugged into a wall-mounted electrical outlet includes a heating unit having a plug member an a back wall, thereof which is directly mateable with a power receptacle of the electrical outlet. The heating assembly also includes a mounting clip for securely coupling the heating unit to the electrical outlet so that the heating unit will not become inadvertently disengaged therefrom. The mounting clip includes a generally rectangular base portion securable to the outlet plate of the electrical outlet with the screw used to mount the outlet plate. The mounting clip also includes a pair of legs which extend away from the base portion and which mate with a pair of holes formed in the back wall of the heating unit above the plug member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Holmes Products Corp.
    Inventor: Steve Shao
  • Patent number: 5181328
    Abstract: A hair dryer comprises a housing (1) of which one portion comprises a mounting for securement on a wall (P), and which contains a hot air generator group (3-4) controlled by a switch (5) and adapted to establish a current of air between an air inlet opening (6) and a hot air outlet opening (7). The hot air outlet opening receives a connector (8) secured to a flexible tube (9) provided with a drying nozzle (10) which can be brought, either into a retracted or rest position in which the switch is open, or into a use position in which the switch is closed. The connector (8) is rotatably movably mounted on the air outlet opening (7), and comprises an actuator (14) for the switch (5) such that the movement of the nozzle (10) from its retracted or rest position to its use position brings, by transmission of the movement of the nozzle to the connector by the flexible tube, the switch into its closed position, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Moulinex (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Alain P. C. Bouverie
  • Patent number: 5177879
    Abstract: A hair dryer apparatus is arranged to include a portably mounted hair dryer assembly secured to a housing, with the housing including an air directing conduit directed therethrough for selective securement of a hand supported plate assembly permitting ease of drying of fingernail polish and the like, and a support plate for securing various garments thereto such as hosiery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Inventor: David J. Muta
  • Patent number: 5163234
    Abstract: The present invention is a warm-air machine control apparatus which is capable of blowing warm air from the beginning of the delivery of air without preheating an electric heater, and which comprises an electric fan (4), an electric heater (5) which heats air sent from the electric fan (4), a detector (7) which detects a first object to be detected within a first detecting range (a, c) and which also detects a second object to be detected within a second detecting range (b, d), and a control circuit which energizes the electric heater (5) when the detector (7) detects the first object of detection within the first detecting range (a, c), and which energizes the electric fan (4) when the detector (7) detects the second object of detection within the second detecting range (b, d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Inax Corporation
    Inventors: Ryohei Tsukamoto, Tadanobu Hosaka, Akio Nara, Takashi Kojima, Hidetaka Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5146695
    Abstract: A wall-mounted hand dryer incorporates a cowl (109) which is mounted on the underside of its cabinet (108) so that the mouth (112) of the cowl extends forwardly beyond the lower edge of the front face of the cabinet, on which an air outlet (106) is mounted. In use, hot air expelled from air outlet flows over the users hands (not shown) and a large proportion of the waste air is collected by cowl (109) and is directed to apertures in the underside of the cabinet (not shown) so that a closed path is formed which enables the air to recirculate. A correspondingly lower power electric heating element may be used, which alleviates the problem of electrical overload caused by a number of such hand dryers operating simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 5144757
    Abstract: A hair drying apparatus comprises a blower with a scroll internally provided with a fan having radial blades with flat lower edges and upper edges shaped to adapt to the scroll so as to define a substantially spiral path. Disposed below the scroll is an open external air inlet chamber containing the lower part of a motor which drives the fan so that said motor is cooled by the air in transit from the outside. The chamber substantially constitutes an extension of the spiral path in the scroll to which it is connected through a vertical aperture above which is disposed a horizontal baffle substantially flush with the lower edges of the blades of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Elite S.r.l.
    Inventor: Pasquale Sasso
  • Patent number: 5111594
    Abstract: A hand drier has an air outlet at which an object for drying is presented about which are mounted a plurality of transmitters of electromagnetic radiation located in the vicinity of the outlet, the transmitters being spaced apart one from another and from at least one receiver sensitive to the radiation. The receiver is masked to prevent direct emissions from any and all of the transmitters reaching the receiver; the transmitters and the, or each, receiver are located relative to a working volume at the air outlet operate so that on an object being located in the working volume a drying cycle is initiated by the passage of emission from the transmitters being scattered by the object so as to cause at least indirect emission from the object to fall on the, or at least one, receiver. Preferably the transmitters and the or each receiver are operable with electromagnetic radiation which is at or near the infra red portion of the spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Airdri Limited
    Inventor: Peter W. Allen
  • Patent number: 5099587
    Abstract: An assembly for efficiently supplying heated air to an enclosed area for drying the body of a person after bathing. The assembly has particular application for installation in an existing bathing area with a minimum of remodeling and with virtually all components being installed behind the walls and ceiling of the bathing area. The assembly includes blower means, duct means and heating means of special construction and location so as to more efficiently supply heated air to the bathing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Robert M. Jarosch
  • Patent number: 5084984
    Abstract: A clamshell housing encloses a nail dryer. The housing includes a cover pivotally connected to a base. The cover may be opened by applying leverage to it and exposing a nail drying zone. The cover may be pivotally closed to form a compact package when not in use. A nail drying fan is actuated when the cover is opened thus closing an electrical circuit. The electrical connection is interrupted when the cover is tipped into a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Yves Saint Laurent Parfums
    Inventors: Christian Duchoud, Serge Briee