Patent Publication Number: US-2023139448-A1

Title: Portable Drying System and Method of Using Same

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/275,173, entitled “Portable Drying System and Method of Using Same” filed on Nov. 3, 2021, the application of which is incorporate herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter of the invention relates generally to drying mechanisms and more particularly to a portable drying system and method of using same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In certain activities, articles of clothing may get wet effecting comfort and/or performance. For example, in golf, a golfer&#39;s golf glove may get wet due to rain, sweat, and/or retrieving golf balls from water hazards, wet areas, and the like. Continuing the golf example, it may take a significant amount of time for a wet golf glove to air dry. Consequently, the golfer may be forced to play a significant portion of the round using the wet or damp golf glove, which may adversely affect the glove performance and/or comfort of the wearer. Currently, there is no convenient and effective way to dry, for example, a wet or damp golf glove while play is in progress. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a portable drying system is provided. The portable drying system may include a base plate; one or more holder frames disposed on a first side of the base plate, wherein each of the one or more holder frames may define an airflow channel therethrough, each airflow channel may extend through the base plate; and an attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism may be configured to attach the portable drying system to another structure. The attachment mechanism may include an adjustable clamp devise, which may be generally C-shaped. The one or more holder frames may be generally circular in shape. The one or more holder frames may include one or more cut out portions about a periphery thereof. The one or more holder frames may be configure to receive a glove thereon. The base plate may further include a first attachment mating portion, and wherein the first attachment mating portion may be configured to engage with a corresponding one of a second attachment mating portion of the attachment mechanism. The first attachment mating portion may include first locking features, and wherein the first locking features may be configured to engage with corresponding ones of second locking features of the second attachment mating portion, and wherein when the first locking features may be engaged with the corresponding ones of the second locking features, the first attachment mating portion and the second attachment mating portion may be locked in place relative to one another, and when the first locking features are not engaged with the corresponding ones of the second locking features the first attachment mating portion and the second attachment mating portion may be rotatable about one another. The first locking features may include one of dimples or bumps and the second locking feature may include the other of the one of corresponding dimples or bumps, and wherein the dimples or bumps may be arranged in a circular line. The system may further include a fan mount body, wherein the fan mount body may be disposed on a second side of the base plate opposite that of the one or more holder frames, and wherein a rear portion of the fan mount body may be at least partially open and configured to receive a blower fan. The system may further include one or more of a blower fan, a heater, and/or a light. The blower fan may be attached to the fan mount body and configured to supply airflow to each airflow channel of the one or more holder frames. The system may further include a power source for providing power to one or more of the blower fan, heater, and/or light. The power source may include at least one of a battery pack and/or a remote power source. The system may further include a controller, wherein the controller may be configured to control the operations of one or more of the power source, blower fan, heater, and/or light. The fan mount body may further include a first attachment mating portion, and wherein the first attachment mating portion is configured to engage with a corresponding one of a second attachment mating portion of the attachment mechanism. The system may further include a desiccant pack holder, wherein the desiccant pack holder is arranged in proximity to the airflow channels of the one or more holder frames. 
     In another embodiment, a method of using a portable drying system is provided. The method may include providing a portable drying system. The portable drying system may include a base plate; one or more holder frames disposed on a first side of the base plate, wherein each of the one or more holder frames define an airflow channel therethrough, each airflow channel extending through the base plate; and an attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism may be configured to attach the portable drying system to another structure. The method may further include attaching the portable drying system to a structure; and installing one or more articles to be dried on the one or more holder frames. The method may further include activating a blower fan, wherein the blower fan may be attached to the portable drying system and configured to supply airflow to the airflow channels of the one or more holder frames. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described the subject matter of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a block diagram of an example of a portable drying system for conveniently drying an article of clothing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3    illustrate side views of an example instantiation of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a side view of another configuration of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  5    through  FIG.  9    illustrate various views of another example instantiation of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates perspective views of an example of a power source of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  11    through  FIG.  18    illustrate various views of an example of a clamp device of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  19    through  FIG.  26    illustrate various views of another example of a clamp device of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  27    through  FIG.  30    illustrate various views of an example of an airflow mount of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  5    through  FIG.  9   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  31    and  FIG.  32    illustrate various views of an example portable drying system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  33   ,  FIG.  34   , and  FIG.  35    illustrate various views of another example of an airflow mount of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  36   ,  FIG.  37   , and  FIG.  38    illustrate various views of another example of an airflow mount of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  39   ,  FIG.  40   , and  FIG.  41    illustrate various views of yet another example of an airflow mount of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  42    illustrate various views of an example of a blower fan of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  43    illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method of using the portable drying system for conveniently drying an article of clothing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  44 A  and  FIG.  44 B  illustrate an example of the portable drying system shown in  FIG.  5    through  FIG.  9    when in use and affixed to a golf cart, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG.  45    illustrates a block diagram of an example of a portable drying system in a networked system configuration and including wireless communication capability, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The subject matter of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the subject matter of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the subject matter of the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 
     In some embodiments, the subject matter of the invention provides a portable drying system and method of using same. 
     In some embodiments, the portable drying system and method may provide a clamp device for coupling to any holding article, a blower fan, a power source, and an airflow mount for holding any article to be dried. 
     In some embodiments, the portable drying system and method may provide a clamp device for coupling to any portion of a golf cart, a blower fan (e.g., a DC muffin fan, a power source (e.g., a battery pack), and an airflow mount for holding one or more golf gloves to be dried, and optionally a heater, and optionally a light source, and/or and optionally a desiccant pack holder. 
     In some embodiments, the portable drying system and method may provide an airflow mount that may include one or more substantially circular holder frames, such as, but not limited to, three holder frames arranged in a triangular configuration, three holder frames arranged in a line, two holder frames arranged side-by-side, one holder frame, and so on. 
     In some embodiments, the portable drying system and method may provide the clamp device for coupling to any holding article and the airflow mount for holding any article to be dried, absent the blower fan and the power source. 
     In some embodiments, the portable drying system and method may provide a networked system by which a user may communicate wirelessly with the portable drying system via a drying system mobile app. 
     In some embodiments, the portable drying system and method may provide a networked system that may include a clamp device, a blower fan, a power source, an airflow mount, a controller, a heater, a light source, a desiccant pack holder, and a communications interface for communicating wirelessly with, for example, a drying system mobile app installed on a smart device, such as a mobile phone, and wherein a user may control the blower fan, the power source, the heater, and/or the light source using the drying system mobile app. 
     Further, a method of using the portable drying system is provided. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1    is a block diagram of an example of a portable drying system  100  for conveniently drying an article of clothing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one example, portable drying system  100  may be used for conveniently holding and drying a golf glove. In this example, portable drying system  100  may include a clamp device  110 , a blower fan  140 , a power source  142 , an airflow mount  160 , and optionally a heater  190 , and optionally a light source  192 , and optionally a desiccant pack holder  194 . Further, a controller  196  may be provided to control the operations of blower fan  140 , power source  142 , heater  190 , and/or light source  192 . Further, power source  142  may be provided to power any active components, such as blower fan  140 , heater  190 , light source  192 , and controller  196 . 
     Controller  196  may be any standard controller or microprocessor device that is capable of executing program instructions. Controller  196  may be used to manage the overall operations of portable drying system  100 . Heater  190  may be, for example, a DC powered resistive type heater that may be arranged either upstream or downstream of blower fan  140 . In one non-limiting example, heater  190  may be a 50 watt heater. In another non-limiting example, heater  190  may be a 70 watt heater. However, heater  190  may be of any suitable wattage. Heater  190  may be a built in/integrated component or an add on component. Light source  192  may be any light source for providing/improving drying capabilities in place of or in addition to heater  190 . In one example, light source  192  may be installed external to airflow mount  160  but directed toward, for example, subject article  215 . In another example, one or more light sources  192  may be arranged inside airflow mount  160  and in the airflow path. Desiccant pack holder  194  may be holding one or more desiccant packs (not shown). Desiccant pack holder  194  may be arranged between blower fan  140  and airflow mount  160  to help mitigate high humidity in the ambient air and aid in drying. 
     In portable drying system  100 , blower fan  140 , heater  190 , light source  192 , and/or desiccant pack holder  194  may be optional. That is, portable drying system  100  may include any combinations of blower fan  140 , heater  190 , light source  192 , and/or desiccant pack holder  194 . 
     Clamp device  110  of portable drying system  100  may be any type of clamping mechanism that is operable by hand and that may be easily adjusted and secured to any other article capable of receiving and supporting clamp device  110 . For example, clamp device  110  may be coupled to a holding article  210 . Portable drying system  100  may be used to hold and dry a subject article  215 . In one example, subject article  215  to be held and dried may be a golf glove. In this example, holding article  210  may be a golf cart. However, portable drying system  100  is not limited to use with a golf glove and golf cart only. Portable drying system  100  may be used to hold and dry any other types of articles and may be mounted on any other types of holding articles. 
     Blower fan  140  may be any blower fan that is suitably sized to dry, for example, one or more articles of clothing, such as one or more golf gloves. In one example, blower fan  140  may be a standard DC powered muffin fan, such as a 5-volt, 12-volt, or 24-volt DC muffin fan. The footprint of blower fan  140  may be, for example, about 3 to 4 inches square or about 3 to 4 inches round. An example of blower fan  140  is shown hereinbelow with reference to  FIG.  42   . 
     In one non-limiting example, power source  142  may be a 5-volt, 12-volt, or 24-volt DC power source, such as a 5-volt, 12-volt, or 24-volt battery. In another non-limiting example, power source  142  may be 12 v in the range of 6-30 amps. However, power source  142  may be of any suitable voltage and/or amps greater or less than the examples described herein. Power source  142  may include one or more rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries, such as, for example, battery pack  542 , (see  FIG.  10   ). In one example, power source  142  (e.g., battery pack  542 ) may be provided as a built in/integrated component, along with clamp device  110 , blower fan  140 , and/or airflow mount  160 . In another example, power source  142  (e.g., battery pack  542 ) may be an add-on component separate from clamp device  110 , blower fan  140 , and/or airflow mount  160 . In another example, power source  142  may be a remote power source, such as, for example, the golf cart power supply. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3    are side views of an example instantiation of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example,  FIG.  2    shows an example of blower fan  140  suppling a pair of substantially circular holder frames  170  of airflow mount  160 . Further, in the example, clamp device  110  couples to one side of airflow mount  160 . For example, when in use, and referring now to  FIG.  3   , a golf glove  215 , which is one example of subject article  215 , may be stretched onto one of the holder frames  170  and in the airflow path of blower fan  140 . Further,  FIG.  3    shows the clamping portion of clamp device  110  coupled to holding article  210 , which may be, for example, any portion of a golf cart  210 , e.g., windshield frame. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4    is a side view of another configuration of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this example configuration of portable drying system  100 , blower fan  140  may be omitted and golf glove  215  may be air dried by the movement of the golf cart  210 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5    through  FIG.  9    are various views of a portable drying system  105 , which is another example instantiation of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this example, portable drying system  105  may include a clamp device  310 , blower fan  140  that is powered via a battery pack  542  (see  FIG.  10   ), and an airflow mount  560 . Further, airflow mount  560  may be, for example, a two-port airflow mount. 
     In this example, clamp device  310  may be affixed to one side of airflow mount  560  and battery pack  542  may be affixed to the opposite side of airflow mount  560 . Further, blower fan  140  may supply the air inlets of the two holder frames  170 . Further, two fasteners  112  may be provided. One fastener  112  may be for coupling clamp device  310  to the side of airflow mount  560 . Clamp device  310  may be rotated about this fastener  112  for setting the angle of clamp device  310  with respect to airflow mount  560 . Then, another fastener  112  may be for tightening and/or loosing clamp device  310 . More details of an example of clamp device  310  are shown and described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG.  11    through  FIG.  18   . More details of an example of the two-port airflow mount  560  are shown and described hereinbelow with reference to  FIG.  27    through  FIG.  30   . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  10    is perspective views of an example of battery pack  542 , which is just one example of power source  142  of portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . In this example, battery pack  542  may include a battery  544  held within a battery housing  546 . Battery housing  546  may be designed to fasten to airflow mount  560 , as shown in  FIG.  5    through  FIG.  9   . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  11    through  FIG.  18    are various views of an example of clamp device  310  of portable drying system  105  shown in  FIG.  5    through  FIG.  9   , which is one example of clamp device  110  of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . For example,  FIG.  11    shows a front perspective view,  FIG.  12    shows a back perspective view,  FIG.  13    shows a cross-sectional view,  FIG.  14    shows a bottom view,  FIG.  15    shows a top view,  FIG.  16    shows a front view,  FIG.  17    shows a back view, and  FIG.  18    shows a side view of clamp device  310 . 
     In this example, clamp device  310  may include a main arm  114  that has a mating portion  116  at one end and a clamp portion  120  at the opposite end. Mating portion  116  further includes certain locking features  118 , such as a plurality of dimples or bumps, arranged in a circular line. Locking features  118  of mating portion  116  are designed to engage with opposite locking features of any airflow mount  160 . Further, a clamp pad  122  may be provided on a clamping surface of clamp portion  120 . Further, a slide member  124  protrudes from one side of main arm  114  about mid-way along its length. 
     Clamp device  310  may further include a clamp member  126  that is designed to engage with slide member  124  of main arm  114  and provide the opposite clamping surface to that of clamp portion  120  of main arm  114 . Accordingly, a clamp pad  128  may be provided on a clamping surface of clamp member  126 . Further, a thru-hole  130  may be provided through mating portion  116  of main arm  114 . Further, a thru-hole  132  may be provided through slide member  124  of main arm  114  and extending through clamp member  126 . Thru-holes  130  and  132  may be provided to receive fasteners that may be tightened and/or loosened. In one example, the clamping function of clamp device  310  is adjustable and wherein the clamp may open in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches wide, or other suitable width based. Generally, the components of clamp device  310  shown in  FIG.  11    through  FIG.  18    may be formed of any rigid, lightweight, and water-resistant material, such as, but not limited to, molded plastic, aluminum, and the like. 
     Further, and referring now to  FIG.  13   , clamp pad  122  and clamp pad  128  of clamp device  310  may sit in a recessed region to ensure their structural reliability. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  19    through  FIG.  26    is various views of an example of clamp device  410  of portable drying system  105  shown in  FIG.  5    through  FIG.  9   , which is another example of clamp device  110  of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . For example,  FIG.  19    shows a front perspective view,  FIG.  20    shows a back perspective view,  FIG.  21    shows a cross-sectional view,  FIG.  22    shows a bottom view,  FIG.  23    shows a top view,  FIG.  24    shows a front view,  FIG.  25    shows a back view, and  FIG.  26    shows a side view of clamp device  410 . 
     Clamp device  410  is substantially the same as clamp device  310  shown in  FIG.  11    through  FIG.  18    except that it may be sized and/or dimensioned differently. For example, clamp device  310  shown in  FIG.  11    through  FIG.  18    may be sized to handle a portable drying system  105  that includes blower fan  140 . By contrast, clamp device  410  shown in  FIG.  19    through  FIG.  26    may be sized to handle a portable drying system  105  that is absent blower fan  140 . That is, clamp device  310  may be sized larger than clamp device  410  because of the extra bulk and weight of blower fan  140 . The clamp device  410  on the portable drying system  105  that is absent blower fan  140  can be made smaller to save cost, since the portable drying system  105  units that do not include the blower fan  140  are much lighter (and by extension have a much lower inertia). That is, the clamping forces required to hold the portable drying system  105  that is absent blower fan  140  from moving around, for example, during golf cart travel and while bouncing along through the bumps of the course are lower. 
     Further, and referring now to  FIG.  21   , clamp pad  122  and clamp pad  128  of clamp device  410  sit in a recessed region to ensure their structural reliability. 
     Generally, the components of clamp device  410  shown in  FIG.  19    through  FIG.  26    may be formed of any rigid, lightweight, and water-resistant material, such as, but not limited to, molded plastic, aluminum, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  27    through  FIG.  30    is various views of an example of airflow mount  560 , which is an example of airflow mount  160  of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . Further, airflow mount  560  is included in portable drying system  105  shown in  FIG.  5    through  FIG.  9   . For example,  FIG.  27    shows a perspective view,  FIG.  28    shows a front view (i.e., the air outlet side),  FIG.  29    shows a back view (i.e., the air inlet side), and  FIG.  30    shows a side view of airflow mount  560 . 
     In one example, airflow mount  560  may include a base plate  162  integrated atop a fan mount body  174  that is open to the rear to receive blower fan  140 . Certain locking features  166 , such as a plurality of dimples or bumps, may be arranged in a circular line on one side of fan mount body  174 . The locking features  166  of airflow mount  560  are designed to engage with opposite locking features  118  of any clamp device  110  (e.g., clamp devices  310 ,  410 ). 
     Further, a thru-hole  168  is provide through fan mount body  174  and at about the center of the locking features  166 . In this example, airflow mount  560  is a two-port airflow mount, meaning that it is capable of holding, for example, two golf gloves  215 . Accordingly, airflow mount  560  may include a pair of holder frames  170 . Each of the holder frames  170  defines an airflow channel  172  from fan mount body  174  and through which air may flow. 
     In this example, each of the holder frames  170  may be sized to receive a golf glove  215 . More particularly, holder frames  170  may be sized to receive a men&#39;s or a women&#39;s or a junior size golf glove  215 . In one example, for a men&#39;s size golf glove, the top diameter of holder frame  170  may be in the range of about 70 mm to about 74 mm, e.g., about 72 mm, the neck diameter of holder frame  170  may be in the range of about 60 mm to about 64 mm, e.g., about 62 mm, the base to top distance of holder frame  170  may be in the range of about 44 mm to about 48 mm, e.g., about 46.6 mm, the top to neck distance of holder frame  170  may be in the range of about 10 mm to about 15 mm, e.g., about 13 mm, the top straight lip of holder frame  170  may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 5 mm, e.g., about 3 mm, and the center to center spacing between two holder frames  170  may be in the range of about 90 mm to about 94 mm, e.g., about 92 mm. 
     In another example, for a women&#39;s or junior size golf glove, the top diameter of holder frame  170  may be in the range of about 54 mm to about 58 mm, e.g., about 56 mm, the neck diameter of holder frame  170  may be in the range of about 45 mm to about 51 mm, e.g., about 48.2 mm, the base to top distance of holder frame  170  may be in the range of about 34 mm to about 39 mm, e.g., about 36.6 mm, the top to neck distance of holder frame  170  may be in the range of about 10 mm to about 15 mm, e.g., about 13 mm, the top straight lip of holder frame  170  may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 5 mm, e.g., about 3 mm, and the center to center spacing between two holder frames  170  may be in the range of about 78 mm to about 72 mm, e.g., about 80 mm. 
     Generally, airflow mount  560  shown in  FIG.  27    through  FIG.  30    may be formed of any rigid, lightweight, and water-resistant material, such as, but not limited to, molded plastic, aluminum, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  33   ,  FIG.  34   , and  FIG.  35    is various views of an example of airflow mount  660 , which is another example of airflow mount  160  of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . In this example, airflow mount  660  may be a three-port airflow mount, meaning that it is capable of holding, for example, three golf gloves  215 . For example,  FIG.  33    shows a side perspective view,  FIG.  34    shows a back perspective view, and  FIG.  35    shows a side view of airflow mount  660 . 
     In this example, the three holder frames  170  are arranged in a triangular configuration. Further, differing from airflow mount  560  shown in  FIG.  27    through  FIG.  30   , airflow mount  660  is absent fan mount body  174 . Rather, it includes the three holder frames  170  mounted atop base plate  162  only. According, airflow mount  660  further includes a mating portion  164  on one side or edge of base plate  162 . Mating portion  164  includes the circular arrangement of locking features  166 . The locking features  166  of airflow mount  660  are designed to engage with opposite locking features  118  of any clamp device  110  (e.g., clamp devices  310 ,  410 ). 
     Generally, airflow mount  660  shown in  FIG.  33   ,  FIG.  33   , and  FIG.  35    may be formed of any rigid, lightweight, and water-resistant material, such as, but not limited to, molded plastic, aluminum, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  36   ,  FIG.  37   , and  FIG.  38    is various views of an example of airflow mount  760 , which is yet another example of airflow mount  160  of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . In this example, airflow mount  760  may be a two-port airflow mount, meaning that it is capable of holding, for example, two golf gloves  215 . For example,  FIG.  36    shows a side perspective view,  FIG.  37    shows an end view, and  FIG.  38    shows a side view of airflow mount  760 . Airflow mount  760  is substantially the same as airflow mount  660  shown in  FIG.  33   ,  FIG.  34   , and  FIG.  35    except that it includes two holder frames  170  instead of three. 
     Generally, airflow mount  760  shown in  FIG.  36   ,  FIG.  37   , and  FIG.  38    may be formed of any rigid, lightweight, and water-resistant material, such as, but not limited to, molded plastic, aluminum, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  39   ,  FIG.  40   , and  FIG.  41    is various views of an example of airflow mount  860 , which is still another example of airflow mount  160  of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . In this example, airflow mount  860  may be a three-port airflow mount, meaning that it is capable of holding, for example, three golf gloves  215 . For example,  FIG.  39    shows a side perspective view,  FIG.  40    shows an end view, and  FIG.  41    shows a side view of airflow mount  860 . Airflow mount  860  is substantially the same as airflow mount  760  shown in  FIG.  36   ,  FIG.  37   , and  FIG.  38    except that it includes three holder frames  170  arranged in a line instead of two. 
     Airflow mount  160  of portable drying system  100  is not limited to the examples shown hereinabove with reference to  FIG.  27    through  FIG.  41   . These are exemplary only. For example, airflow mount  160  of portable drying system  100  may be implemented to include any number, arrangement, and size of holder frames  170 . 
     Generally, airflow mount  860  shown in  FIG.  39   ,  FIG.  40   , and  FIG.  41    may be formed of any rigid, lightweight, and water-resistant material, such as, but not limited to, molded plastic, aluminum, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  42    is various views of an example of blower fan  140  of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . Again, blower fan  140  may be, for example, a standard DC powered muffin fan, such as a 5-volt, 12-volt, or 24-volt DC muffin fan. The footprint of blower fan  140  may be, for example, 3 to 4 inches square or 3 to 4 inches round. By way of example,  FIG.  42    shows a perspective view, a front view, and a side view of a standard muffin fan. In this example, blower fan  140  may include a power wire of cable that has a USB connector for plugging into, for example a 5 volt battery or a separate USB power source. In one example, the USB connector may have a 5 volt to 12 volt regulator built in. 
     In one embodiment, portable drying system  100  may include a timer relay  198 , such as a 12 volt digital timer relay. The timer relay  198  may be in communication with controller  196  and/or any one or more of the powered components of the portable drying system  100 , e.g., heater  190 , light source  192 , blower fan  140 , and/or power source  142 . Timer relay  198  may include an adjustment mechanism, and would allow, for example, a user to set a time of operation of one or more of the powered components of the portable drying system  100 , for example heater  190 , so the powered component will run for a set period of time and then cut off automatically, e.g., after 15 minutes, or other suitable amount of time. Timer relay  198  would allow the user to optimize battery time by limiting the time any one or more of the powered components of the portable drying system  100  are running. 
     In one embodiment, one or more of the components of the portable drying system  100 , for example, but not limited to, one or more of the controller  196 , timer relay  198 , heater  190 , light source  192 , blower fan  140 , battery pack  542 , battery  544 , and/or desiccant pack holder  194  may be housed or partially housed in a housing  197 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  43    is a flow diagram of an example of a method  900  of using the portable drying system  100  for conveniently drying an article of clothing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Method  900  may include, but is not limited to, the following steps. 
     At a step  910 , a portable drying system is provided. For example, portable drying system  100  may be provided, as described hereinabove with reference to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  43   . Further, portable drying system  100  may be provided for conveniently drying an article of clothing, such as subject articles  215 . In another example, portable drying system  105  as shown in  FIG.  5    through  FIG.  9    may be provided for conveniently drying an article of clothing, such as, but not limited to, one or more golf gloves  215 . 
     At a step  915 , the clamp device of the portable drying system is coupled to a holding article. For example, clamp device  110  of portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1    may be coupled to holding article  210 . In another example, clamp device  310  shown in  FIG.  11    through  FIG.  18    may be coupled to holding article  210 , such as to golf cart  210 . In another example, clamp device  410  shown in  FIG.  19    through  FIG.  26    may be coupled to holding article  210 , such as to golf cart  210 . In yet another example, and referring now to  FIG.  44 A  (not drawn to scale), portable drying system  105  (see  FIG.  5    through  FIG.  9   ) including clamp device  310  may be affixed to golf cart  210 . In this example, portable drying system  105  is oriented such that airflow mount  560  is facing the rear of golf cart  210 . This orientation serves to assist the airflow for drying when golf cart  210  is moving. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the clamp device  310 ,  410 , when coupled to the holding article  210 , for example, a golf cart, may be configured such that a standard golf cart windshield, such as a plexiglass wind screen, found commonly on most golf carts, can be placed in their upright position (closed) and the clamp device  310 ,  410  does not interfere with its operation. That is, the clamp device  310 ,  410 , may be generally C-shaped, and when installed on a front post of the windshield frame of a golf cart, no portion of the clamp device  310 ,  410  would wrap around a front side of the windshield frame post, and would therefore not interfere with the operation of the windshield. The portable drying system  100  may be attached to any post of the golf cart, and may be positioned either outboard or inboard of a cab of the golf cart. 
     At a step  920 , the article to be dried is installed on the airflow mount of the portable drying system. For example, subject article  215  to be dried is installed on airflow mount  160  of the portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  3   . In another example, and referring now to  FIG.  44 B  (not drawn to scale), golf gloves  215  to be dried is installed on airflow mount  560  of the portable drying system  105 . In this example, the fingers of golf gloves  215  are facing the rear of golf cart  210 . 
     In one example, each of the golf gloves  215  may be held by wrapping it around the protrusions of holder frames  170  of airflow mount  560  and then tightening the Velcro around the protrusions like one would tighten it around one&#39;s wrist. The basic shape of holder frames  170  has a neck which mimics the wrist. Then, the top, lip, and top to neck transition, which mimics the decreasing size from the hand to the wrist. This captures the glove onto the protrusion, like it is captured when wearing. In one example, the clamp device  310 ,  410  may be connected to either side post of, for example, a golf cart, and the rotationally adjusted so the centerline of an installed golf glove  215  along its length may be parallel to the ground. 
     At a step  925 , if present, one or more of the powered drying components of the portable drying system, such as heater  190 , blower fan  140 , and/or light source  192  may be activated by for example an activation (or power) switch. For example, heater  190  of portable drying system  100  shown in  FIG.  1    may be activated. In one embodiment, timer relay  198  may be set such that the heater  190  runs for a set period of time, e.g., 15 minutes. In another embodiment, without a powered drying component, the method  900  would end. In such an embodiment, air flow from the holding article moving (e.g., a golf cart) would act to dry the article. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  45    is a block diagram of an example of a portable drying system  1000  in a networked system configuration and including wireless communication capability, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this example, portable drying system  1000  may be a networked system that may include clamp device  110 , blower fan  140 , power source  142 , airflow mount  160 , heater  190 , light source  192 , controller  196 , timer relay  198 , and/or desiccant pack holder  194  as described hereinabove with reference to  FIG.  1   . However, portable drying system  1000  may further include a communications interface  1010 . 
     Further, a user  102  may be associated with portable drying system  1000 . In one example, user  102  may be a golfer. User  102  may have a portable smart device  1020  for communicating with controller  196  and/or any one or more of timer relay  198 , blower fan  140 , power source  142 , heater  190 , and/or light source  192 . Portable smart device  1020  may be, for example, a mobile phone (or smart phone), a tablet device, a smartwatch, and/or the like. 
     A drying system mobile app  1022  may be installed and running on the user  102 &#39;s portable smart device  1020 . In one example, drying system mobile app  1022  may be implemented, for example, as a .NET application, a desktop application, a mobile app, an application program interface (API), and the like. Drying system mobile app  1022  may be designed to operate on any device platform, including for example, Windows, Android, Apple, and the like. Accordingly, user  102  may interact with controller  196  using drying system mobile app  1022  for controlling any one or more of timer relay  198 , blower fan  140 , power source  142 , heater  190 , and/or light source  192 . 
     Communications interface  1010  may be any wireless communication interface by which information may be exchanged with other devices, such as the user  102 &#39;s portable smart device  1020 . Examples of wireless communication interfaces may include, but are not limited to, an Intranet connection, Internet, ISM, Bluetooth® technology, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) technology, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, IEEE 402.11 technology, ZigBee technology, Z-Wave technology, 6LoWPAN technology (i.e., IPv6 over Low Power Wireless Area Network (6LoWPAN)), ANT or ANT+ (Advanced Network Tools) technology, radio frequency (RF), Infrared Data Association (IrDA) compatible protocols, Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), Shared Wireless Access Protocol (SWAP), any combinations thereof, and other types of wireless networking protocols. 
     Further, while light source  192  may be installed external to airflow mount  160  but directed toward, for example, golf gloves  215 . In another example, one or more light sources  192  may be arranged inside each of the holder frames  170  of airflow mount  160  and in the airflow path. 
     In summary and referring now again to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  45   , portable drying system  100 ,  105 , and/or  1000  and method  900  may provide clamp device  110 ,  310 , and/or  410  for coupling to any holding article  210  for holding any subject article  215  to be dried. In one example, portable drying system  100 ,  105 , and/or  1000  and method  900  may provide clamp device  110 ,  310 , and/or  410  for coupling to any portion of a golf cart  210  for holding one or more golf gloves  215  to be dried. 
     In some embodiments, portable drying system  100 ,  105 , and/or  1000  and method  900  may provide an airflow mount  106 , such as airflow mounts  560 ,  660 ,  760 , and  860 , that may include one or more substantially circular holder frames  170 , such as, but not limited to, three holder frames  170  arranged in a triangular configuration (e.g., airflow mount  660 ), three holder frames  170  arranged in a line (e.g., airflow mount  860 ), two holder frames  170  arranged side-by-side (e.g., airflow mounts  560 ,  760 ), one holder frame  170 , and so on. 
     In some embodiments, portable drying system  100 ,  105 , and/or  1000  and method  900  may provide clamp device  110 ,  310 , and/or  410  and airflow mount  160 ,  560 ,  660 ,  760 , and/or  860 , absent blower fan  140 . 
     In some embodiments, portable drying system  100 ,  105 , and/or  1000  and method  900  may provide a networked system that may include clamp device  110 , blower fan  140 , power source  142 , airflow mount  160 , controller  196 , heater  190 , and communications interface  1010  for communicating wirelessly with, for example, drying system mobile app  1022  installed on smart device  1020 , such as a mobile phone, and wherein a user  102  may communicate wirelessly with portable drying system  100 ,  105 , and/or  1000  to control controller  196 , timer relay  198 , blower fan  140 , power source  142 , heater  190 , and/or light source  192  using drying system mobile app  1022 . 
     Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth. 
     Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items. 
     For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the subject matter of the present invention. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments ±100%, in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions. 
     Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range. 
     Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.