Abstract:
A wet suit valet having a fixed or collapsible base member and a fixed or collapsible vertical post member extending upwardly from the base member, the vertical post member when extended having a plurality of apertures for the receipt of a plurality of outwardly extending arms oriented to support the elements of a surfer or diver&#39;s wet suit in an expanded orientation to expedite the drying thereof. The vertical post and arm can be of tubular form with perforations in the tubular walls to all for hot air to be introduced into the structure to circulate about and within the wet suit.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application 60/654,780, filed Feb. 22, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a wet suit valet assembly for drying out a diver&#39;s or surfer&#39;s wet suit after use.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Wet suits are typically used by scuba divers and surfers in the pursuit of their activities. The wet suits are normally fabricated from neoprene or other suitable rubber-like material and are designed to form fit to the upper torso and arms and the legs of the individual to maintain body temperature when surfing or scuba diving in waters of lower temperature. Additional wet suit pieces can include a balaklava for the head, gloves for the hands, and socks for the feet, all fabricated from the same type of material, i.e. neoprene or other suitable rubber-like material. The wet suit preserves the body heat for the individual allowing them to enjoy their past time for a greater period of time. In fact, in the design of wet suits, it is preferable that a small film of water be allowed to penetrate the wet suits and to form a film layer between the surfer or diver&#39;s body and the inner surface of the wet suit. This thin film layer further enhances the ability of the wet suit to maintain the warmth of the anatomy and prevent the loss of body heat.  
         [0006]     When the surfer or diver has finished his pursuit, the wet suit is typically removed and the neoprene or rubber-like material is thoroughly wet. It is then necessary to dry the wet suit before it is again utilized. Still further, the dampness of the wet suit through use, can also lead to the development of an odor associated therewith, caused by mold or bacteria. The sooner the diver or surfer&#39;s wet suit is dried after use, and the more thoroughly it is dried, prevents the development of a moldy-like odor and also lengthens the life expectancy of the wet suit by preventing premature rotting.  
         [0007]     In the past, wet suits were laid in the bath tub to dry or spread out on a flat surface to dry and in some instances, attempts were made to hang them from a clothes line. None of these drying methods are truly effective in that they normally require an extended period of time to effect the drying. The reason it takes so long for a wetsuit to dry is because the individual sections will close up when removed from the body.  
         [0008]     Still further, when a diver or surfer utilizes his wet suit at a location proximate the surfer or diver&#39;s home, the surfer or diver can utilize the aforesaid drying methods, despite their ineffectiveness. However, most divers and surfers vacation in order to pursue their past time, and living in a hotel or motel room for a week or two during vacation further aggravates the ability to completely dry the wet suit between uses.  
         [0009]     Applicant has developed a wet suit valet in the form of a tree stand which is collapsible so that it can be stored when not required, yet sturdy enough to be erected and support the various elements of the wet suit in an appropriate orientation to enhance drying. Still further, Applicant&#39;s wet suit valet in a collapsed mode allows it to be transported by the diver or surfer on vacation so that it can be utilized in the motel room or hotel room bathroom to be erected and support the various elements of the wet suit.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     An object of the invention is to provide for a novel wet suit valet for drying wet suits utilized by surfers and divers.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel wet suit valet which is collapsible.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel wet suit valet which when erected resembles a tree stand having various interconnected branches for the support of the various elements which comprise the wet suit.  
         [0013]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel wet suit valet which can be connected to a source of hot moistureless air which can circulate within the wet suit valet and ventilate from the wet suit valet to the inner surfaces and outer surfaces of the wet suit elements hung on the wet suit valet.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     A wet suit valet having a fixed or collapsible base member and a fixed or collapsible vertical post member extending upwardly from the base member, the vertical post member when extended having a plurality of apertures for the receipt of a plurality of outwardly extending arms oriented to support the elements of a surfer or diver&#39;s wet suit in an expanded orientation to expedite the drying thereof. The vertical post and arm can be of tubular form with perforations in the tubular walls to all for hot air to be introduced into the structure to circulate about and within the wet suit. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front planar view of one version of a diver&#39;s wet suit;  
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a front planar view of another version of a diver&#39;s wetsuit;  
         [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a front planar view of a surfer&#39;s wetsuit;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a planar front view of the wet suit valet;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the wet suit valet;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a front planar view of the valet illustrating one possible arrangement of the wet suit articles positioned thereon;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a front planar view of a second embodiment of the wet suit valet; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the wet suit valet. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]      FIGS. 1, 1A , and  1 B are planar front views of a surfer or diver&#39;s wet suits. The surfer or diver may wear all of the elements of the wet suit or depending on conditions, wear selective components of the wet suit.  
         [0025]     The wet suit  10  includes a torso portion  12  which covers the arms and upper torso of the surfer or diver and a leg portion  14  which covers the waist and legs of the diver. Additionally, depending upon conditions, the surfer or diver may wear a pair of neoprene boots  16 , neoprene gloves  18 , and a balaclava-like head portion  20  which covers the head and neck of the surfer or diver. In some instances, the torso portion and the leg portion  12  and  14  are separate elements and in some circumstances, they are formed as a one piece element, in either instance the torso portion is formed with a zipper  22  up the front. The elements when taken as a whole, protect the surfer or diver from the cold temperatures of the water while either surfing or diving.  
         [0026]     Since the elements of the wet suit are made of rubber-like material or neoprene, they absorb water when used and it is necessary to dry the wet suit between uses in order that the surfer or diver does not become immediately chilled upon putting on the wet suit. The wet suit valet serves for this purpose.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a planar front view of one embodiment of a wet suit valet  30  and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the wet suit valet  30 . The wet suit valet  30  consists of a base member  32  which engages a substrate such as a floor, deck, shower stall, bathtub, or the like. Extending upwardly from the base member, is a substantially vertical support member  34  which has a plurality of angularly outwardly extending arms  36 .  
         [0028]     Formed at the top end  38  of support member  34  is a cross member  40  which preferably is disposed in a plane offset from the vertical support member  34 . In this configuration, the various elements of the wet suit  10  may be hung for drying (See  FIG. 4 ). One pair of outwardly extending angular arms  36  could be utilized for supporting the boots  16  of the wet suit by sliding the ankle portion of the boots  16  over the angularly outwardly extending arms  36 . Another pair of the angularly outwardly extending arms  36  could be utilized for supporting the gloves  18  of the wet suit by sliding the interior of the gloves over the arms  36 . Cross member  40  could be utilized for hanging the torso portion  12  of the wet suit for drying. If the torso and leg portion  12  and  14  of the wet suit were of one piece construction, then the shoulder portion could be extended over the cross member  40  and the wet suit could hang downwardly there from in one piece. If the torso portion  12  of the wet suit and the leg portion  14  of the wet suit were of two piece construction, then each portion could be hung from an opposing end of cross member  40  for drying. The balaclava-like head portion  20  of the wet suit could be positioned on the upper end  38  of vertical support member  34  for drying if it was a separate element of the wet suit.  
         [0029]     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the surfer or diver could position the wet suit valet in a bathroom, in a bathtub, in a cellar or on an open deck or other suitable location in order to dry the wet suit.  
         [0030]     The embodiment of the wet suit valet illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  could be of integral fixed construction or could be designed such that the various elements of the wet suit valet, i.e. arms, cross member, base member and vertical support member, could be disengaged and dismantled for storage when not in use.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a front planar uiview of a second embodiment of the wet suit valet  30 A. In this embodiment, the wet suit valet  30 A is constructed of tubular members, preferably plastic, and is essentially of the same design as the wet suit valet disclosed in the first embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In this second embodiment, the tubular members are interconnected such that they provide for a tubular passageway for the introduction of air to augment the drying process. Vertical tubular support member  34 A has positioned proximate its lower end, and proximate the base member  32 A, an inlet conduit  33 A whose inner dimension allows for optional air delivery device  31 A. Angular arms  36 A and cross member  40 A are of tubular construction and their throughbores are in communication with the throughbore in support member  34 A. The ends of arms  36 A and cross members  40 A and support member  34 A are open. In this embodiment, the various elements of the wet suit are positioned as described with respect to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 , and  4 . A hair dryer  31 A in communication with an electrical outlet is then positioned with its nose or outlet portion inserted into inlet  33 A and turned on. In this configuration, the hair dryer forces hot air into tubular support member  34 A and upwardly and outwardly on angular outwardly extending arms  36 A in order to force hot air into the interior of the boots and gloves. The hot air is also forced upwardly and into cross member  40 A and out the opposing ends of cross member  40 A in order to force hot air into the upper torso portion  12  of the wet suit  10  and upper end  38 A into the head portion  20 A. The terminal ends of support member  34 A, angular arms  36 A and cross member  40 A may also include apertures or perforations  41 A to facilitate the drying process. In this configuration, the hot air forced into the tubular passageways of the wet suit valet enhances the drying process and decreases the time for drying. The embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 5  could be constructed of PVC or ABS type pipe of a suitable diameter.  
         [0032]      FIG. 6  illustrates a third embodiment of the wet suit valet specifically designed for traveling. Surfers and divers oftentimes vacation at locations which offer facilities for them to pursue their avocations. In such instances, the surfer or diver will not take the surfboard or diving gear with them, but rather rent them at the location. However, since the wet suit used in surfing or diving is dimensioned to the particular surfer or diver, he will in all likelihood take his own wet suit to the vacation location. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  is a wet suit valet  30 B which is easily foldable and stored, yet easily erected so as to allow the surfer or diver to take the wet suit valet  30 B with him on his vacation. In this configuration, the various elements of a wet suit valet  30 B are configured as collapsible elements. Vertical support member  34 B would be comprised of several separate sections having a bungee-like cord  35 B extending there between within the sections. If each section is pulled apart from its adjacent section, the vertical tubular support member can be collapsed into a series of elements with a bungee cord extending there between for storage. By pulling the elements apart aligning them and allowing the bungee cord to compress in a bias mode, the various elements can be formed together to form a vertical support member  34 B. The vertical support member  34 B thus described would be formed with various apertures  37 B along its length in order that the various angularly outwardly extending arms  36 B and cross member  40 B could be inserted therein. The bottom end of vertical support member  34 B would have apertures  39 B such that a plurality of horizontally oriented arms  32 B could be inserted thereby forming a base. In this configuration, the wet suit valet could be constructed of various elements, each of which would have a length of approximately 12 inches. The longer elements could be secured together by the bungee cord element extending there between and the sorter elements such as the outwardly extending arms  36 B would merely be frictionally engaged within the apertures preformed in elements of the vertical support member. In this configuration, a surfer or diver could pack a wet suit valet in his luggage for travel without taking up substantial room, yet be able to assemble the wet suit valet without tools in his hotel room or vacation premises in order to allow for the enhanced drying of the wet suit between uses. The wet suit valet of embodiment 3 could also be formed with a flexible loop  41 B at the upper end of support member  34 B to allow wet suit valet  30 B to be hung from a shower nozzle in a bathtub. In all three embodiments of the wet suit valet, it is the purpose and desire to expose as much surface area as possible of the wet suit elements to the ambient air to enhance and accelerate the drying process. The travel version will be designed to accommodate a standard hotel hair dryer to circulate air within the unit.  
         [0033]     While the present invention has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications or changes can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it is manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims and the equivalence thereof.