Abstract:
An apparatus and method of drying and sanitizing sports gear or other clothing includes an upward-extending rack; a support base to support the rack; a plurality of arms on the rack to support the clothing, the arms angled like the arms of a tree; an ozone generator; and a removable, flexible enclosure that covers the rack and is secured to the rack so as to retain the ozone near to the clothing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/390,277, filed Oct. 6, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to apparatus to handle clothing and more specifically to an apparatus and method of drying and sanitizing sports gear. 
         [0003]    After using sports equipment, the equipment may get wet and sweaty. To keep such equipment well maintained and ready to use again safely, drying and sanitizing the equipment is well recommended. 
         [0004]    It would be desirable to have an apparatus for drying and sanitizing personal sports equipment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, a device to dry equipment includes an upward-extending rack; a support base to support the rack; a plurality of arms on the rack to support the equipment; an ozone generator; and an enclosure to retain the ozone near to the equipment. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, a device to dry sweat from clothing includes an upward-extending rack; a support base to support the rack; a plurality of arms on the rack to support the clothing, the arms angled like the arms of a tree; an ozone generator; and a removable, flexible enclosure that covers the rack and is secured to the rack so as to retain the ozone near to the clothing. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of drying equipment includes supporting the equipment upon arms of an upward-extending rack; generating ozone; and enclosing the rack within a removable enclosure that retains the ozone near to the equipment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a drying and sanitizing sports gear apparatus in use according to the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of the unloaded apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the drying rack of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, which may be used in industry and include the best mode now known of carrying out the invention, are hereby described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description, or may be learned without undue experimentation. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, except where otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments, even if phrased in terms of “the invention” or what the embodiment “is,” is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but describes the manner and process of making and using the invention. The coverage of this patent will be described in the claims. The order in which steps are listed in the claims does not necessarily indicate that the steps must be performed in that order. 
         [0012]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides an apparatus and a method for drying and sanitizing personal sports gear. 
         [0013]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a drying and sanitizing sports gear apparatus  10  may include a drying rack  20 . Drying rack  20  may have a support base and may extend upward like a tree with angled arms. When the apparatus  10  is in use, sports equipment  30  may be set on the arms, such as gloves, skates, pads and helmet. The support base may be cross shaped or star shaped. Embodiments of drying rack  20  may be constructed from tubular material such as pipes, which may be perforated or open ended. Air and ozone may be blown into the equipment for drying and sanitizing. An ozone generator  16  may be coupled to drying rack  20 . The coupling could be a direct connection or with a hose  18 . A flexible enclosure  12  may be placed over the drying rack  20 , which may be loaded with sports gear/equipment  30  and secured at the bottom to contain the ozone for the duration of a treatment. The flexible enclosure may be a leak proof plastic bag that may be secured at the base with a fastener. 
         [0014]    As depicted in the embodiment if  FIG. 2 , drying rack  20  may extend upward like a tree with angled arms. A support base and the arms may be reconfigured to accommodate different types of equipment. The apparatus  10  may be used as a drying/sanitizing rack for sports equipment and other items worn by humans such as coats, shoes, boots, or any article of clothing that need to be dried and or sanitized. The ozone generator  16  may be customized with options such as timers, variable output levels, fan speeds. Longer exposure to ozone and or to higher concentration of ozone increases the effectiveness of sanitization. The flexible enclosure or cover  12  could be commercially available household plastic bag or it could be custom made from airtight material with zippers or tent like features. Fastener  14  is provided to secure flexible enclosure  12  over drying rack  20 . Cinching strap, adhesive tapes and likes could be used as fastener  14 . 
         [0015]    As depicted in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a drying rack  20  shape and height may be reconfigurable to accommodate varying type of sport gears and equipments. In one implementation, the height of drying rack  20  stands approximately 4.5 feet tall. Drying rack  20  may be made of several tubular materials such as metal or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping. Drying rack  20  may be assembled from a plurality of commercially available parts, hollow tube/pipes  22 , hollow tube/pipe fittings  24 , end caps  26  and hooks or clasps  28 . 
         [0016]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for drying and sanitizing personal sports gear. The method may allow setting a duration of a sanitization time. It may also provide a means to set an optimum ozone level provided by the ozone generator. 
         [0017]    Embodiments of a rack may have an approximate height of 50″, and width of 24″. A 57″×37″ plastic cover may utilize a ratchet clip to close the cover at the bottom. Embodiments may be for personal, home use, such as a stand which is no more than the height of a person&#39;s suit of clothing, such as 6 feet tall. This may allow the drying and sanitizing sports gear apparatus may also be used for drying or sanitizing a single set of clothing worn by people such as coats, shoes, boots, etc. The area of application of the sports gear apparatus may be directed toward personal use; however its broader commercial use is also feasible. 
         [0018]    An embodiment of a personal sports gear drying and sanitizing apparatus may comprise: a drying rack having a support base and an upward extended tree-like armed structure, with at least one arm; an ozone generator coupled to drying rack; a flexible enclosure removably covering the drying rack; and a fastener securing the flexible enclosure at the support base.