Abstract:
A lower extremity dryer which allows a person to dry his/her lower extremities without having to bend over is disclosed. The lower extremity dryer has a conduit with an interior which extends from first portion an elevated position to a second portion which lies along a bathroom floor or along some other surface. The second portion has a plurality of outlets allowing air flow from the interior of the conduit to travel out of the conduit. The travel of airflow out of the conduit dries a person&#39;s lower extremities. A displaceable cover on the second portion allows a user to select the side of the lower extremity dryer from which the air flows.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Technical Field 
         [0004]    The present invention generally concerns the field of personal hygiene and proper drying of a person&#39;s lower extremities. Specifically, it concerns a lower extremity dryer which redirects airflow of a conventional hair dryer from an elevated position to a lower position and toward a user&#39;s lower extremities, thereby alleviating the need for bending over and towel drying these hard-to-reach areas. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Good personal hygiene practices are a necessary component of maintaining one&#39;s health. Included within good hygiene practices is a need to properly dry one&#39;s lower extremities, especially areas of the foot and, in particular, in between one&#39;s toes. Failure to properly dry these areas may result in the development of fungal infections such as tinea pedis—commonly known as “Athlete&#39;s Foot—or other related infections. 
         [0007]    Properly drying lower extremities can be challenging. Individuals with limited range of movement for example, older persons, those with disabilities, or simply those who are not flexible may have trouble bending over to towel dry their lower extremities. As alternative, such a person may lift his or her lower extremity closer toward his or her torso but doing so requires balance and still may not be possible for those with limited range of movement. Although, lower extremity dryers exists, many require the user to bend over to operate them or contain complicated components to enable operation without bending over. Thus, there is a need for a lower extremity dryer which does not require bending over during operation. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is directed to lower extremity drying apparatus which redirects air from a conventional hair dryer toward the lower extremities of a user. The invention includes a conduit comprised of a first portion connected through a bend to a second portion. The second portion lies generally parallel to the ground or other surface while the first portion extends away from the ground or other surface. The first portion is preferably double-walled and terminates at a first end with an opening into an interior of the conduit. The opening at the first end is elevated with respect to the second portion. Preferably, a receptacle is attached to the conduit at the opening to receive and seal entry of the conventional hair dryer. 
         [0009]    The conduit has an interior which extends between the first and second portions. The interior may be defined by differing interior surfaces of the first portion, the bend, and the second portion or may be defined by a single continuous interior surface extending between these elements. A plurality of outlets extends between the interior surface of the second portion and an exterior surface of the second portion. The plurality of outlets is disposed along the second portion in one or more groups of linear arrangements. Preferably, there is at least one linear arrangements of outlets on one side of the second portion and at least one linear arrangements on a second side of the second portion, with the two sides being opposite each other. 
         [0010]    A cover which is displaceable over the outlets is attached to the second portion of the conduit. Preferably, the exterior surface of the second portion is arced and is nested within a corresponding arced surface of the cover. A stud extending from the arced exterior surface of the second portion extends through a slot in the cover and attaches the cover to the second portion. In this regard, a retaining member on the stud prevents the cover from being displaced away from the second portion but still allows for displacement of the cover along the second portion. 
         [0011]    In use, air from the conventional hair dryer flows from the opening in the first end of the conduit through the interior of the conduit. At the second portion, the air travels unrestricted through outlets unless the cover is positioned over the outlets to conceal them. In the preferred embodiment, the cover displaces in an arced path along an arced on the arced exterior surface of the second portion and restricts airflow from outlets on the first side or from outlets on the second side, thereby allowing the user to select the side of the second portion from which air flows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with a conventional hair dryer inserted into a receptacle at an opening at a first end of a conduit. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the conventional hair dryer removed from the receptacle. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with a cover concealing a plurality of outlets. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional side view taken along section line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the cover displaced toward one side of the second portion. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view taken along section line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 , with the cover displaced to reveal outlets along one side of the second portion. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a first portion and a bend of the conduit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a conduit  10  is shown formed by a first portion  12  connected to a second portion  14  through a bend  16 . A first support  18  is attached to the second portion  14  of the conduit  10  between the bend  16  and a cover  20 . The cover  20  is also attached to the second portion  14 . The first support  18  helps stabilize the conduit  10  when it is placed on a surface (not shown) to maintain the first portion  12  in an upright position, allowing a receptacle  22  on a first end  26  of the conduit  10  to be elevated with respect to the second portion  14  of the conduit  10 . As shown, a conventional hair dryer  28  may be inserted into the receptacle  22  and directed into the conduit  10 . 
         [0020]    A second support  30  is attached at a second end  32  of the conduit  10 . Like the first support  18 , the second support  30  preferably is attached to the second portion  14  of the conduit  10 ; however, either or both supports  18 ,  30  may be attached to the conduit  10  elsewhere. For example, a single support (not shown) may extend from the first portion  12  toward the J ground (not shown). The second support  30  also helps stabilize the conduit  10  to maintain the first portion  12  in an upright position. In this regard, the preferred conduit  10  is a generally tubular structure and the first and second supports  18 ,  30  prevent the first portion  18  of the conduit  10  from rolling out of its upright position. It should be noted, however, that the second portion  14  of the conduit  10  may not be tubular and may be shaped such that the first and/or second supports  18 ,  30  are not necessary. 
         [0021]    A knob  34  is shown attached to the cover  20  in  FIG. 1 . Preferably, the knob  34  is attached to the cover  20  near the bend  16  but could be located elsewhere on the cover  20 . As will be seen, the knob  34  may be pushed or pulled to displace the cover  20  relative to the second portion  14  of the conduit  10 . In this regard, the cover  20  is attached to the second portion  14  with a stud  36  extending from the second portion  14  through a slot  38  in the cover  20 . Depending on the embodiment, additional slots with studs therein may be present. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows the component parts of the preferred lower extremity dryer in an exploded view. At the first end  26 , the receptacle  22  has been removed from the first portion  12 , revealing an opening  40  into an interior  42  of the conduit  10 . Preferably, the opening  40  is at least as large as an output end  44  of the hair dryer  28  and is located at the first end  26  of the conduit  10  as shown. However, it could be slightly larger or slightly smaller than the output end  44  of the hair dryer  28  or may be located elsewhere on the first portion  12  of the conduit  10  with the first end  26  closed such as, for example, if the opening  40  were part of a Wye-type fitting (not shown) installed on the first portion  12  of the conduit  10 . 
         [0023]    The receptacle  22  may be any component which receives the output end  44  of the hair dryer  28  and aligns it with the opening  40 . Preferably, the receptacle  22  creates a seal against the output end  44  so that airflow from the hair dryer  28  flows through the receptacle  22  and proceeds into the opening  40  with minimal loss. The receptacle  22  is placed over the opening  40  at the first end  26  of the conduit  10  and is secured to the first end  26  with one or more fasteners  46 . If, however, the opening  40  were located elsewhere as mentioned above, the receptacle  22  would be placed over the opening  40  and secured to the first portion  12  of the conduit  10  at such alternative location. 
         [0024]    The first portion  12  of the conduit  10  inserts into a first end  48  of the bend  16  to connect the first portion  12  thereto. The interior  42  of the conduit  10  continues through the bend  16  into a second end  50  of the bend  16  and toward the second portion  14  of the conduit  10 . At the second end  50  of the bend  16 , a spacer  52  inserted into the first support  18  and the bend  16  connects those two items. The interior  42  of the conduit  10  continues through the spacer  52  and into the first support  18 . In the preferred embodiment, the first support  18  is a cross connector  54  with endcaps  56  connected to opposing ends  58  of the connector  54  via spacers  60  inserted into the endcaps  56  and the connector  54 . When conduit  10  and first support  18  are assembled, the part of the connector  54  extending between the endcaps  56  gives the conduit stability, as previously noted. 
         [0025]    The second portion  14  of the conduit  10  inserts into the cross connector  54  to connect the second portion  14  thereto and, when assembled, the part of the cross connector  54  extending from the second end  50  of the bend  16  to the second portion  14  is the pathway of the interior  42  of the conduit  10  to the second portion  14 . It should be noted, however, that in alternative embodiments the second portion  14  may insert directly into the second end  50  of the bend  16  with the first support  18  attached to the second portion  14  in some other manner 
         [0026]    The second portion  14  of the conduit  10  has a plurality of outlets  62  disposed along an exterior surface  64  of it. Preferably, the outlets are grouped in a first linear arrangement  66   a  along one side of the exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14  as shown in  FIG. 2  and in a second linear arrangement  66   b  along an opposite side of the exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14 . Although the linear arrangement on the opposite side of the second portion  14  cannot be seen in  FIG. 2 , one of the outlets  62  within that linear arrangement can be seen on an interior surface  68  within the second portion  14 . The stud  36  is shown removed from the exterior surface portion  14  with the cover  20  shown between the stud  36  and the second portion  14  is shown. Additionally, the knob  34  is removed from the cover  20 . 
         [0027]    The second support  30  is also shown exploded and detached from the second portion  14  in  FIG. 2 . Preferably, the second support  30  is formed by a Tee connector  70  with endcaps  72  at opposite ends. When assembled, the endcaps  72  and the opposite ends of the Tee connector  70  have spacers  74  inserted therein to connect those items to each other and the part of the Tee connector  70  extending between the endcaps  72  provides stability as previously noted. Additionally, when assembled the second portion  14  of the conduit  10  is inserted into the end of Tee connector  70  which does not have endcaps  72  in order to connect the second portion  14  thereto. Thus, in this embodiment the Tee connector  70  terminates the conduit  10  as its second end  32 . It should be noted, however, that in alternative embodiments the second support  30  may be configured differently and/or may be attached to the second portion  14  in some other manner. Additionally, the conduit  10  may not terminate at its second end  32  in further alternative embodiments such as, for example, if the conduit  10  had another portion (not shown) which extended vertically from the second end  32 , similar to the manner in which the first portion  12  extends vertically from the bend  16 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows the lower extremity dryer assembled and from a side view. The receptacle  22  is connected at the first end  26  of the conduit  10  with fasteners  46  securing the receptacle  22  to the first portion  12 . The first portion  12  is inserted into the first end  48  of the bend  16  to connect it thereto. The first support  18  is connected to the second end  50  of the bend  16  with the spacer  52  (not shown) inserted into the second end  50  and into the cross connector  54 . This first support  18  is connected to the second portion  14  and is thereby attached thereto. In this regard, part of the second portion  18  is inserted into the cross connection  54  opposite of the bend  18 . The second portion  14  is also connected to the second support  30  by being inserted into the Tee connector  70  at the second end  32  of the conduit  10 . 
         [0029]    The cover  20  is attached to the second portion  14  of the conduit  10  with the stud  36  extending through the slot  38  in the cover  20 . A retaining member  76  is on the stud  36  just above an exterior surface  78  of the cover  20 . The retaining member  76  may be in the form of a head on the stud  36  as shown or in some other form which prevents the cover  20  from being displaced away from its attachment to the second portion  14  of the conduit  10 . Additionally, it should be noted that the stud  36  and the retaining member  76  may be integrally formed as a single component from the same material such as, for example, a screw with a head thereon (not shown), or, may be formed from separate pieces attached to each other. 
         [0030]    The knob  34  is also shown extending from the exterior surface  78  of the cover  20 . The knob may be attached to the cover  20  in a number of ways. In the preferred embodiment, for example, the knob  34  is threaded onto a fastener (not shown) extending through the cover  20 . Additionally, the exterior surface  78  of the cover  20  is shown aligned with an exterior surface  80  of the first support  18  and an exterior surface  82  of the second support  30  in  FIG. 3 . It should be noted, however, that such alignment may not be present depending on the shape and configuration of the cover  20 , the first and second supports  18 ,  30 , and/or the second portion  14  of the conduit  10 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows the cover  20 , the slot  38 , and the second portion  14  of the conduit  10  from a cross-sectional side view along section line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 3 , with the stud  36  and the retaining member  76  in a side plan view. Preferably, the retaining member  76  is positioned on the stud  36  so that it contacts the exterior surface  78  of the cover  20  and maintains the cover  20  against the exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14 . In this regard, the exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14  arced and is nested within and immediately adjacent to an interior surface  84  of the cover  20  which is arced. It should be noted, however, that the interior surface  84  of the cover  20  may be located further from the exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14  if the location of the retaining member  76  on the stud  34  were further from the exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14 . 
         [0032]    The interior  42  of the conduit  10  defined by the interior surface  68  within the second portion  14  is also shown in  FIG. 4 . The plurality of outlets  62  extends from the interior surface  68  of the second portion  14  to its exterior surface  64 , allowing air or other fluids in the interior  42  of the conduit  10  to travel out of the outlets  62  in the disposed along the second portion  14 . The first linear arrangement  66   a  of outlets  62  and the second linear arrangement  66   b  of outlets  62  are shown on opposite sides of the second portion  14  so that the second portion  14  is bilaterally symmetric about a plane of symmetry (not shown) extending along its length. The cover  20  is in a position which conceals the outlets  62  and restricts air flow from the interior  42 . In this regard, the slot  38  in the cover  20  is arced and the cover  20  is positioned so that the stud  34  is at the midpoint of the arc. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show the cover  20  has been displaced from its position in  FIGS. 3 and 4  so that the second linear arrangement  66   b  of outlets  62  is no longer concealed. In the embodiment shown, the knob  34  has been pushed or pulled so that the interior surface  84  of the cover  20  is rotated about the exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14 , leaving the stud  36  at one end of the arced slot  38 . In this position, the second linear arrangement  66   b  of outlets  62  is not concealed and airflow or other fluid communication from the interior  42  of the conduit  10  through the first linear arrangement  66   a  is not restricted. Meanwhile, however, the first linear arrangement  66   a  of outlets  62  remains concealed and airflow or fluid communication from the interior  42  of the conduit  10  is restricted with respect to those outlets  62 . 
         [0034]    It should be noted that the slot  38  may be configured differently in alternative embodiments and, therefore, the cover  20  may be displaced in a different manner to allow for unrestricted airflow from the plurality of outlets  62 . For example, the slot  38  may extend as a straight line along the length of the second portion  14  so that the cover  20  is displaceable toward and away from the second end  50  of the bend  16  (not shown). Additionally, the plurality of outlets  62  may be arranged according to the displacement path of the cover  20  and with a longitudinal slot  38 , for example, the outlets  62  may be located on only a single side of the second portion  20  rather than on opposite sides. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  also shows the opening  40  into the interior  42  of the conduit  10  through the receptacle  22  attached at the first end  26  thereof. The receptacle  22  has one or more sealing members  86  extending over the opening  40 . The sealing members  86  are made from a resilient material, such as an elastomer, which presses against the output end  44  of the air dryer  28  when it is inserted into the receptacle  22 . After the output end  44  has been withdrawn, the resiliency of the sealing members  86  causes them to displace back into the position shown in  FIG. 5 . In the preferred embodiment, the receptacle  22  is foamed using a Plumb-Pak® three inch (3″) diameter fixed post garbage disposal splash guard (Model No. PP22012) mounted within a 3″×2″ Flexible Coupling offered by American Valve® under Model No. RC 75X50, with the bands around the flexible coupling removed. Both of these items are made from an elastomeric material and the splash guard may be sewn or affixed in some other way to the inner circumference of the three inch (3″) end of the flexible coupling. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-section side view which illustrates the double-wall construction of the first portion  12  and the bend  16  of the conduit  10  previously noted. The receptacle  22  has been removed from the first end  26  of the conduit  10 , revealing the opening  40  into the interior  42  of the conduit  10  within the first portion  12 . Defining the interior  42  of the conduit  10  in the first portion  12  is an inner sidewall  88 . The inner sidewall  88  is positioned within an outer sidewall  90  with a cavity  92  between the two sidewalls  88 ,  90 . The position of the inner sidewall  88  within the outer sidewall  90  is maintained by one or more rivets  94  extending between the sidewalls  88 ,  90  through intermediate members  96 . The intermediate members  96  preferably extend far enough around the inner sidewall  88  to ensure that a uniform distance is maintained between the first and second sidewalls  88 ,  90  throughout the cavity  92 . 
         [0037]    At the first end  48  of the bend  16 , the first and second sidewalls  88 ,  90 , as well as the intermediate member  96  near the first end  48  of the bend  16 , terminate into an internal member  98  inserted into the bend  16  from its first end  48 . The internal member  98  creates an inner wall  100  within part of the bend  16  next to an outer wall  102  of the bend  16 , thereby creating a double-wall construction through part of the bend  16 . 
         [0038]    The double-wall construction within the first portion  12  of the conduit  10  and in part of the bend  16  of the conduit  10 , prevents these elements from becoming too hot. In this regard, air from the hair dryer  28  may heat the inner sidewall  88  of the first portion  12  and the inner wall  100  of the bend  16 ; however, the outer sidewall  90  of the first portion  12  and the outer wall  102  of the bend  16  will remain cool to the touch. 
         [0039]    With the first portion  12  in an upright position and the receptacle  22  elevated with respect to the plurality of outlets  62  along the second portion  14 , a user can insert the hair dryer  28  into the receptacle  22  without having to bend over. To achieve this result, the first portion  12  of the conduit  10  extends from the bend  16  a sufficient length for the user to reach the receptacle  22  with limited or no bending at the knees. In the preferred embodiment, the first portion  12  of the conduit  10  is longer than the second portion  14  of the conduit  10 . It is anticipated, however, that the first portion  12  may be shorter than the second portion  14  if the second portion  14  extends a significant distance from the bend  16 . 
         [0040]    Preferably, when the first portion  12  is upright the overall height of the conduit  10  and the receptacle  22  is thirty-two to thirty-five inches (32″-35″) high, while the length of the second portion  14  of the conduit  10  is twenty-four to twenty-six inches (24″-26″) long. Additionally, the outer sidewall  90  of the first portion  12  and the second portion  14  of the conduit  10 , as well as the spacers  56 ,  74 , are preferably constructed of a two inch (2″) nominal size, schedule 40 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe conforming to ASTM standards D1785 and F480. The bend  16 , the cross connector  54  and its endcaps  56 , as well as the Tee connector  70  and its endcaps  72 , are sized so that corresponding part from either the first portion  12 , the second portion  14 , or the spacers  56 ,  74 , creates an interference fit therein. 
         [0041]    For the double-wall construction in the first portion  12 , a one-and-one-half inch (1.5″) PVC pipe is inserted within the outer sidewall  90  of the first portion  12  to form the inner sidewall  88  therein. Plastic hanger strap is then inserted into the cavity  92  between the inner and outer sidewalls  88 ,  90  and fixed into place with one or more rivets  94 . The internal member  98  which forms the double-wall construction in the bend  16  is also formed using one-and-one-half inch (1.5″) PVC pipe. In this regard, a one-and-one-half inch (1.5″) ninety degree (90°) elbow (not shown) is used. Approximately one-and-one-half inches (1.5″) of the pipe are removed from both ends of the elbow and the remaining portion is heated to render it pliable. When pliable, the remaining portion is formed into the internal member  98  which fits into the bend  16 , thereby forming the inner and outer walls  100 ,  102  of the bend  16 . 
         [0042]    The cover  20  is also heated and rendered pliable to form it. First a two inch (2″) nominal size PVC pipe (not shown) is cut to a length of about two inches (2″) less than the length of the second portion  14 . Then, about one fourth of the two inch (2″) is removed lengthwise along the pipe, leaving a “C”-shaped pipe remaining. The “C”-shaped pipe is then heated and, once rendered pliable, it is widened to fit on the exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14 . The slot  38  is cut therein and the knob  34  is added thereto. The cover  20  is then placed on the exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14 . 
         [0043]    On the second portion  14 , the preferred shape and size of each of the outlets  62  in the linear arrangements  66   a,    66   b  is a 1 1/32″ to ⅜″ diameter circle, with one-half inch (½″) between outlets  62  (as measured from centers of the outlets  62 ) and forty-seven (47) outlets  6  in each of the linear arrangements  66   a,    66   b.  This number and size or outlets  62  has been shown to prevent the hair dryer  26  from becoming overheated and shutting off. The outlets  62  are preferably drilled into the second portion  14  prior to the cover  20  being installed. 
         [0044]    With the above-described preferred dimensions, the preferred lower extremity dryer of the present invention fits within a standard bathroom. In this regard, the preferred embodiment is about as high as a standard bathroom countertop and the second portion  14  of the conduit  10  and the cover  20  attached thereto may be positioned at least partially within the space of a standard toe kick plate for bathroom cabinets (not shown). Additionally, the bathroom cabinets may be installed with the lower extremity dryer integrated therein. For example, the receptacle  22  may extend from a hole in a bathroom countertop (not shown) with the conduit  10  extending from the hole an along the toe kick plate (not shown). 
         [0045]    It should also be noted that the conduit  10  does not necessarily have to be tubular in shape with a circular cross section interior  54 . In fact, it is anticipated that the conduit  10  may be shaped differently in alternative embodiments. For example, the conduit  10  may be in the form of a prism with a polygonal cross section interior (not shown). If such were the case, part of the exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14  may still be arced and nested within the interior surface  84  of the cover  20 . In yet even a further alternative, the interior surface  84  of the cover  20  may be shaped to correspond with a differently shaped exterior surface  64  of the second portion  14 , perhaps displacing longitudinally along the exterior surface  64  rather than rotating about it. Finally, it should be noted that the first portion  12  and second portions  14  of the conduit  10  may not be shaped similar to each other in further alternative embodiments provided, however, that the interior  42  of the conduit  10  extends through them. 
         [0046]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the above description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.