Patent Abstract:
A clothes dryer adapter. The adapter includes (a) a first cylindrical portion with a generally cylindrical tubular segment having a first longitudinal axis, a inlet portion, an inlet end cap located at an effective inlet end, and an outlet end, and (b) a second cylindrical portion interfittingly engaging the first cylindrical portion for rotatable adjustment with respect thereto. the second cylindrical portion is similar to the first cylindrical portion, and has an inlet end, an outlet end cap located at an effective outlet end, and an outlet portion for discharge of hot dryer exhaust air therefrom. The two portions are rotatably adjustable, before assembly, but sized and shaped for interfitting mating engagement to form a sturdy, sealable dryer vent when fully assembled, having an inlet portion and an outlet portion with parallel but offset longitudinal axes.

Full Description:
[0001]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.  
         TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    My invention relates to dryer vents, and more particularly, to dryer vents which can be manufactured in a desired size and simply attached to achieve alignment between a dryer outlet and a discharge vent line.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    In residential construction, whether in single family residences, or in apartments, or otherwise, it is common practice to provide space to accommodate space for, and operable connection of, an electric or gas heated dryer. The builder of the residence generally will install an outlet receptacle for hot air discharged from a dryer, either in a location as indicated in the plans, or in a location where the construction workers judge most practical. Accepted building practice generally results in locating a dryer vent receptacle in the general vicinity of the required location, yet, still slightly mislocated with respect to the clothes dryer hot air exhaust outlet. Most modern clothes dryers have a hot air exhaust which is centered in the rear of the dryer, and most often located about five inches above the floor. Because of various reasons, such as (a) final floor height has not been established at time the receptacle is placed in the wall, (b) a pipe, drain, stud, is in the way, or (c) the fact that clothes dryers come in various sizes with varying outlet heights and varying lateral location of the hot air exhaust outlet, inevitably a need arises for an adjustment to be made, either at the dryer hot air exhaust outlet, or at the receptacle in the wall. Devices to correct large misalignments are available, such as flexible plastic or metal tube and extensible ducts. However, it would be desirable if suitable devices for correction of small misalignments were available. Importantly, the misalignment is usually small, often within three or four inches, although it may be in any direction, i.e., up, down, left, right, or any angular direction in between.  
           [0004]    Even though various dryer adapters have been developed over years of practical experience, it would still be quite desirable to reduce the time and aggravation which must necessarily be incurred in the installation of a dryer. In particular, labor saving techniques, i.e., changes in the apparatus which would reduce the cost of installation, would be welcome by the contractors charged with installing such dryers, and simplified structures to facilitate quick installation would be most welcome by the “do-it-yourself” homeowner.  
         OBJECTS, ADVANTAGES, AND NOVEL FEATURES  
         [0005]    It is the object of my invention to provide a novel dryer vent adapter that is easily assembled from opposing slip-fit cylindrical portions.  
           [0006]    It is an object of the invention to provide an adapter that allows a dryer to fit tightly against a wall, without having to be concerned with restricted airflow through crushed and/or contorted vent ducts.  
           [0007]    Importantly, for installing a dryer, inter-engaging first and second slip-fit cylindrical portions are rotatably adjustable with respect each to the other, so that any angular position can be achieved, in order to correct the misalignment, and thus provide inlets and outlets at precisely the required location.  
           [0008]    It is an advantage that my dryer adapter provides a secure, sheet metal housing for hot dryer exhaust air. rather than requiring the use of flexible plastic or other less robust materials.  
           [0009]    Further, it is another advantage of my dryer adapter design that the inlet section of the first cylindrical portion can be aligned with the outlet section of the second cylindrical portion, so that if perchance there is no misalignment between the receptacle and the dryer hot exhaust outlet, then my adapter can function to join the parts without need to resort to a still different connector.  
           [0010]    From the foregoing, it will be apparent to the reader that one very key, important and primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel, rotatably adjustable dryer vent adapter which simplifies the installation of clothes dryers in a variety of possible dimensions. This is done by providing a first cylindrical portion having an inlet tube and an inlet cap, and a second cylindrical portion having an outlet tube and an outlet cap, each of the cylindrical portions can be rotably adjusted with respect to the other, and each having interlocking edges and flanges for precisely and securely interfitting the mating surfaces of each of the first and second cylindrical portions, so that they are easily joined into a finished, sealed, substantially leakless dryer vent adapter.  
           [0011]    Other important but more specific objects of the invention reside in the provision of a clothes dryer vent adapter as described herein which:  
           [0012]    can be manufactured in preselected size, including overall diameter, inlet and outlet tube configuration, and inlet and outlet tube location on the first and second cylindrical portions, to provide a tight fitting finished clothes dryer vent of preselected size;  
           [0013]    can be manufactured in a simple, straightforward manner to provide a sturdy, strong, long lasting dryer vent adapter;  
           [0014]    which in a relatively inexpensive manner can reduce inventory costs at the distribution level, and can increase the flexibility of the field assembly to provide a useful and simple dryer vent  
           [0015]    can be manufactured in a suitable material, including sheet metal, to match the desired hot air outlet duct requirements of local governmental authorities.  
           [0016]    can be provided ready to install, with inlets and outlets of predetermined size, to match the most commonly utilized dryer vent system sizes.  
           [0017]    can be finished with a substantially liquid gas tight sealed joint utilizing duct tape or the like on sheet metal, to substantially resist leakage of hot exhaust air containing water vapor through the joints occurring at the adapter, i.e., between the clothes dryer and the outlet receptacle provided.  
           [0018]    Other important objects, novel features, and additional advantages of my invention will become apparent to the reader from the foregoing and from the appended claims and as the ensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0019]    I have now invented and disclose herein a novel two part, rotatable dryer vent adapter. The dryer vent adapter includes a first, somewhat pie-pan shaped cylindrical portion with a generally cylindrical tubular segment having a first longitudinal axis, a inlet portion, an inlet end cap located at an effective inlet end, and an outlet end, and a second, somewhat pie-pan shaped cylindrical portion interfittingly engaging the first cylindrical portion for rotatable adjustment with respect thereto. The second cylindrical portion is similar to the first cylindrical portion, and has an inlet end, an outlet end cap located at an effective outlet end, and an outlet portion for discharge of hot dryer exhaust air therefrom. The two portions are rotatably adjustable, before assembly, but sized and shaped for interfitting mating engagement to form a sturdy, sealable dryer vent when fully assembled. Importantly, the device provides a dryer vent adapter having an inlet portion and an outlet portion with parallel but offset longitudinal axes.  
           [0020]    My novel dryer vent adapter system provides a simple, foolproof design for installation of common residential clothes dryers of various designs. This dryer vent adapter design provides a significant improvement in the art by reducing complexity of installation of dryers, by providing a uniform unit design, and thus reducing inventory costs for carrying the necessary parts to provide installation of dryers in various situations.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING  
       [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my clothes dryer vent adapter, shown in the hand of a workman, in readiness for fitting in order to install a clothes dryer.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of my dryer adapter, showing the first cylindrical portion with inlet tube and inlet cap, and the second cylindrical portion with outlet tube and outlet cap, and the inter-engaging flanges which allow a secure fit between the first and second cylindrical portions.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing, in unassembled position, the first and second cylindrical portions of the dryer vent adapter.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing the first and second cylindrical portions of the dryer vent adapter being assembled.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view, showing the first and second cylindrical portions of the dryer, similar to the view just provided in FIG. 4, but showing the reverse side, and slightly more fully assembled.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a vertical elevation view, showing the inlet side of a first embodiment of my fully assembled dryer adapter, ready for installation, for use in the case where the misalignment being corrected is slight, so “daylight” can be seen through a visible portion V which is provided in a concave alignment aperture region.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a vertical elevation view, showing the outlet side of a second embodiment of an assembled adapter, showing the inlet portion in a first position relative to the outlet portion, and also showing in double broken lines, a second possible location for the inlet portion relative to the outlet portion. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]    Attention is directed to FIG. 1 of the drawing, where a clothes dryer vent adapter  9  is illustrated in a fully assembled position, and to FIG. 2 of the drawing, where a vertical cross-sectional view is provided to illustrate the various components of my dryer vent adapter  9 . The vent adapter  9  has a somewhat pie-pan shaped first generally cylindrical portion  10 , and a somewhat pie-pan shaped second generally cylindrical portion  12 . These first and second generally cylindrical portions are interfittingly engagable for rotation each with respect to the other, prior to assembly.  
         [0029]    The first cylindrical portion  10  has a substantially cylindrical tubular segment  14  having a first longitudinal axis  16  and a radius R 14 , an effective inlet end  18 , and an outlet end  20 . An inlet end cap  22  is provided, affixed to the effective inlet end  18  of the substantially cylindrical tubular segment  14 . Preferably, the inlet end cap  22  is provided oriented transversely to the first longitudinal axis  16 . An inlet portion  30  is provided, preferably tubular, and more preferably in the form of a third substantially cylindrically tube in shape. The inlet portion  30  extends for a length L 30  along a centerline denoted as centerline CL 30 . The inlet portion  30  is sealingly affixed at an outlet end  31  to the inlet end cap  22 . Ideally, this is accomplished via use of a starting collar having a plurality of precut tabs  32 , with the precut tabs  32  securely affixed to the interior wall portion  34  of the inlet end cap  22 .  
         [0030]    The second cylindrical portion  12  has a substantially cylindrical tubular segment  44  having a second longitudinal axis  46 , a radius R 44 , an inlet end  50 , and an effective outlet end  48 . An outlet end cap  52  is provided, affixed to the effective outlet end  48  of the substantially cylindrical tubular segment  44 . Preferably, the outlet end cap  52  is oriented transversely to the second longitudinal axis  46 . An outlet portion  60  is provided, preferably tubular, and more preferably cylindrically tubular in shape. The outlet portion  60  extends from an inlet end  61  outward for a length L 60  along a centerline denoted as centerline CL 60 . Ideally, the outlet portion  60  provides a fourth substantially cylindrical tubular portion, that is sealingly affixed to the outlet end cap  52 . Ideally, this is accomplished, at least in part, via use of a starting collar having a plurality of precut tabs  62 , with the precut tabs  62  securely affixed to the interior wall portion  64  of the outlet end cap  52 . For attachment to a dryer exhaust receptacle (not shown) in a building structure, I prefer to provide the tubular outlet portion  60  with flutes  68 .  
         [0031]    For providing secure assembly, I prefer that the inlet or first cylindrical portion  14  be provided with fluting  80  approaching the outlet end  20 , and, more preferably, that the fluting  80  is provided between the outlet end  20  and a point  82  that is near, but spaced toward the outlet end  20  from the inlet end cap  22 .  
         [0032]    Importantly, the dryer vent adapter  9  as described herein includes first  10  and said second  12  cylindrical portions that are freely rotatable, before assembly, with 360 degrees of freedom, but that are secured, after assembly, in a tight, non-slip engagement fashion. In this manner, the joint  90  therebetween can be sealed in conventional fashion, such as by duct tape, after the desired orientation is achieved. In any event, it is important to realize that the inlet portion  30  and the outlet portion  60  are adjustably alignable along a common longitudinal axis, shown in FIG. 2 as the combination of CL 30  and CL 60 ′, or, alternately, as also shown in FIG. 2, that the outlet portion  60  can be adjusted anywhere over 180 degrees, of rotation, so that the centerline thereof may vary anywhere between CL 60  and CL 60 ′ wherein the inlet portion  30  and the outlet portion  60  are adjustably alignable along parallel but offset longitudinal axes.  
         [0033]    For conventional construction in the United States, I have found that it is convenient to provide the dryer vent adapter in a nominal overall diameter D of eight (8) inches, equal to approximately 2 times R 14  (inside diameter) as indicated in FIG. 2, and as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and to whom this disclosure is directed. In such cases, the inlet portion  30  is normally provided with a nominal overall diameter of four (4) inches. Also, it is customary to provide an outlet portion  60  of equivalent diameter to the inlet, or of four (4) inches in diameter.  
         [0034]    My novel dryer vent adapter  9 , as described herein, utilizes first  10  and second  12  cylindrical portions that are freely rotatable, before assembly, with 360 degrees of freedom, so that the inlet  30  and outlet  60  portions are adjustable between (a) a first position wherein the inlet portion  30  and outlet portion  60  are oriented along a common longitudinal axis, and (b) a second position where the inlet portion  30  and said outlet portion  60  are oriented along parallel but offset longitudinal axes. In one commonly utilized configuration, where the overall diameter of the first 10 and second 12 cylindrical portions are of a nominal eight (8) inches in diameter, where the inlet portion  30  and said outlet portion  60  are each provided in a nominal four (4) inch diameter, I have found that the configuration provides for any desired correction distance R, from zero (0.0) inches to about three and seven tenths (3.7) inches of offset. In FIG. 7, various correction distances of R, R′, and R″ are illustrated. Note that as depicted with closely located inlet portion  30  and outlet portion  60 , the configuration provides a free area portion V, or V′ extending clear through the dryer vent adapter  9  along a common longitudinal axis. For installation purposes, the correction angle desired can be pre-marked on applicable parts.  
         [0035]    Although any desired overall diameter D (discussed above) or length L 44  of tubular portion  44 , or length L 14  of tubular portion  14  can be utilized consistent with a dryer adapter  9  of selected size, it is important to provide components with an interfitting, or at least a rotatable engagement design, as depicted, or another functional equivalent. For example, the invention may be alternately described as having two basic parts, an inlet section  10  and an outlet section  12 . The inlet section  10  has an inlet circular peripheral edge portion, an inlet end cap  22 , and a tubular inlet portion  30 . Likewise, the outlet section  12  has an outlet circular peripheral edge portion, and outlet end cap  52 , and a tubular outlet portion  60  sealingly affixed to the outlet end cap  52 . The inlet section  10  and the outlet section  12  may be, but not necessarily need be, provided in a generally “circular pie-pan” shape as mentioned above. The inlet circular peripheral edge portion and the outlet circular peripheral edge portion are configured for mating engagement to provide a substantially sealed assembly forming a chamber C (see FIG. 2) for passage of gas therethrough, as also depicted by arrows G in FIG. 2. Importantly, the inlet section  10  and the outlet section  12  are, before final assembly, each freely rotatable with respect to each other.  
         [0036]    Also, it can be noted from FIGS. 3 and 7 that the generally cylindrical tubular segments  14  and  44  can each be formed via use of lengths of sheet metal, with pop rivets  90  or other suitable fasteners. In FIG. 7, for example, cylindrical tubular segment  44  has a first end  92 , and a second end  94 , with an overlapping portion  96 , wherethrough pop-rivets  90  are affixed.  
         [0037]    Various other details are sufficiently set forth in the drawing as provided herein to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, and need not be further described by additional writing in this detailed description.  
         [0038]    It is to be appreciated that my dryer vent adapter vent is an important improvement in the state of the art of dryer vent adapters, especially for providing an adapter to accommodate misalignment of dryer exhaust outlets and hot exhaust receptacles, without taking up excess floor space or resorting to flexible tubing. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the my novel dryer vent adapter may be modified from those embodiments provided without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages provided by this invention, and may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, these adapters can be made in a variety of materials, including galvanized sheet metal, aluminum, aluminum alloys, suitable plastics, suitable rubber compositions, and various composite materials. Also, other manufacturing processes may be utilized to provide parts achieving the same results with slightly different structure, such as vacuum forming, deep drawing, or injection molding. Moreover, the design need not be limited exclusively to dryer vents, and can be utilized in other ductwork applications as necessary to correct similar misalignment problems. Therefore, the embodiments presented herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. As such, this disclosure is intended to cover the structures described herein, and not only structural equivalents thereof, but also equivalent structures. Thus, the scope of the invention, as indicated by the drawing and by the foregoing description, is intended to include variations from the embodiments provided which are nevertheless described by the broad meaning and range properly afforded to the plain meaning of the description set forth herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3