Patent Abstract:
A device for attaching an exhaust channel between a clothes dryer and a wall or floor vent, the device having a bracket connecting to the exhaust channel, includes a bracket having a dryer connector and an end connected to the exhaust channel. The bracket is sufficiently elongated to permit insertion of the dryer connector from the front of the dryer while permitting the opposing end thereof to be attached to the exhaust channel connected to the wall or floor vent. An opposing dryer bracket may be mounted on the back of the dryer to support the attachment of the bracket. Reinforcing this connection is a channel formed at the base of the dryer bracket. An edge of the bracket is placed within the dryer bracket thereby providing a secure connection. Additionally, the dryer bracket may contain a fastening device, which fastens and locks onto the vent bracket for further support.

Full Description:
This invention relates to a device for attaching an exhaust pipe to a clothes dryer and more particularly to a device for attaching an exhaust hose or pipe to a dryer which permits the pipe to be conveniently attached to or detached from the dryer, when the dryer is in a cramped or difficult to reach place 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Every clothes dryer requires an exhaust channel to function efficiently. Normally, the exhaust channel has a hose attached to a dryer connector at one end and wall or floor vent at the other. In order to simplify the attaching of the exhaust channel, a flexible hose is known and used. However, for safety reasons, in some cases, use of the flexible hose is restricted. With such a restriction, installation of a clothes dryer becomes more difficult. 
   A clothes dryer is difficult to move. Yet, movement of the clothes dryer is mandatory for connection and cleaning of the exhaust channel. If a method can be found, which reduces the movement of the clothes dryer while installing the exhaust channel, great advantages can be obtained. 
   If the flexible hose is not used, a metal pipe is the desired replacement for the exhaust channel. Since the installation of the dryer is often in a very confined space, it becomes difficult to maneuver and attach the metal pipe to the dryer at one end and the exhaust vent at the other end, so a minimal length of flexible hose is used to connect an exhaust channel to a dryer exhaust outlet. While the flexible hose stands a better chance of collecting lint than the metal pipe, both types do collect lint and thereby present a fire hazard. As the length of the exhaust hose or pipe increases, the danger of lint collection increases, as does the fire danger. In order to keep the exhaust channel free of lint during operation of the dryer, the exhaust pipe must be detached from the clothes dryer occasionally to give access for inspection and removal of any accumulated lint. This is very desirable to minimize the danger of such fire. Thus, the prior art suffers from numerous drawbacks for the connection and disconnection of the exhaust channel. If the connection and disconnection can be simplified, while improving fire safety, great advantages can be obtained. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a device for attaching an exhaust channel between a clothes dryer and a wall or floor vent, which permits a connection and disconnection of the exhaust channel in an unencumbered fashion while at the same time maintaining the maximum airflow efficiency of the dryer. 
   A further objective of this invention is the provision of a device for facilitating a convenient access for the removal of lint from the exhaust channel of a dryer. 
   Another objective of this invention is the provision of a device for facilitating the removal of lint from the rear proximity of the dryer. 
   Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a device, which allows a user to connect the exhaust channel from while standing in front of the clothes dryer. 
   A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a device for connecting an exhaust channel to a clothes dryer, which is easily installed. 
   Also an objective of this invention is the provision of a device, which allows a user to disconnect the exhaust channel while standing in front of the dryer. 
   Another objective of this invention is the provision of a device for connecting an exhaust channel to a clothes dryer, which greatly simplifies such attachment. 
   A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a device which reduces the drying time of the materials dried in the dryer. 
   Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a device which produces a quicker drying time in a dryer. 
   Still a further objective of this invention is the provision of a device which reduces the wear and tear on the dried materials in a dryer. 
   Yet a further objective of this invention is to provide a device to facilitate the attachment and detachment of an exhaust channel for a dryer for convenient inspection and cleaning in and around the exhaust channel which greatly reduces the risk of fire. 
   A still further objective of this invention is to provide a device which allows a minimum length exhaust channel between the dryer and the wall or floor vent further enhancing efficient airflow and thereby reducing the accumulation of lint and the fire hazard. 
   These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a device for attaching an exhaust channel between a clothes dryer and a wall or floor vent, which device is sufficiently elongated to permit remote attachment of a dryer connector to the dryer end thereof while permitting the opposing end thereof to be attached to the wall or floor vent with the dryer in its final space. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of attaching device  100  for attaching an exhaust or an exhaust hose  110  to a dryer  112 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exploded, perspective view of attaching device  100  in relation to dryer  112 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts an exploded, perspective view of attaching device  100  in relation to dryer  112  shown in phantom based on a reverse view of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of dryer bracket  120  for attaching device  100 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of dryer bracket  120  for attaching device  100  based on a reverse view of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a side view of dryer bracket  120  for attaching device  100 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a front plan view of dryer bracket  120  for attaching device  100 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a rear plan view of dryer bracket  120  for attaching device  100 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of vent pipe bracket  150  which mates to dryer bracket  120 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of vent pipe bracket  150  which mates to dryer bracket  120  based on reverse view of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  depicts a side view of vent pipe bracket  150  which mates to dryer bracket  120 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts a side view of vent pipe bracket  150  which mates to dryer bracket  120 . 
       FIG. 13  depicts a front plan view of vent pipe bracket  150  which mates to dryer bracket  120 . 
       FIG. 14  depicts an exploded, perspective, reverse view of vent pipe bracket  150  mating with bottom mounting grip  174 . 
       FIG. 15  depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of the attachment device  100  for attaching to the dryer  112 . 
       FIG. 16  depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of the dryer bracket  120 . 
       FIG. 17  depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of the dryer bracket  120 . 
   

   Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   This device simplifies the attachment of the exhaust channel to the clothes dryer, in a difficult to access space behind the dryer. This structure allows the length of the exhaust channel to be kept to a minimum, thereby allowing optimum air velocity through the exhaust channel from the dryer. This also helps in reducing the tendency of the system to collect lint, because of the more efficient air flow. 
   The device for attaching an exhaust channel to a clothes dryer not only provides a quick and positive detachable connector, but it may be operated from a standing position in front of the dryer, with little or no need to move the dryer away from the wall. Consequently, this device reduces the risk of fire by lowering the probability of lint collection through the use of a shorter exhaust channel. Furthermore, the device reduces the risk of fire by providing easy access for the removal of any collected lint. At the same time, the device allows for quicker drying times resulting in energy savings and a reduction of the wear and tear on both the dryer and the clothes or other materials dried. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , attaching device  100  for attaching an exhaust hose  110  to a clothes dryer  112  is operable from the front  114  ( FIG. 2 ) of dryer  112 , in order to properly attach exhaust hose  110  to dryer  112 . In this fashion, the exhaust hose  110  may be attached to dryer  112  from the front  114  thereof without or with minimal moving of the dryer  112 . The attaching device  100  may be attached to clothes dryer  112  by a fastening device  106 , such as bendable tabs, a magnetic catch, a mechanical spring catch, a slip ring retainer, screws or nuts and bolts, a twist tab and slot and the like. 
   Adding  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  to the consideration, attaching device  100  in relation to dryer  112  has a dryer bracket  120  and a vent pipe bracket  150 . The vent pipe bracket  150  has a handle  158  fixed thereto by attachment screws  164 . This handle  158  enables attachment of the exhaust hose  110  to dryer  112  from the front  114  of the dryer  112 . 
   The dryer bracket  120  may be added to dryer  112  with mounting screws  118  as an add-on or after market part. Dryer bracket collar  121  slips over dryer collar  130 . Dryer bracket  120  also may be manufactured as a part of dryer  112 . The key is that the mounting functions of dryer bracket  120  be available to secure vent pipe bracket  150  thereto. Pipe bracket  150  is held to exhaust hose  110  by hose clamp  108 . 
   Further considering  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 8 , dryer bracket  120  is attached to dryer  112 . Dryer bracket  120  has a tapered housing  122 . Tapered housing  122  includes a housing base  124  with a first base vertical side rail  126  and a second base vertical side rail  128  oppositely disposed therefrom. The dryer bracket  120  includes a bracket collar  121  adjacent to base  124  of dryer bracket  120 . Bracket collar  121  fits onto dryer collar  130 , which may come with dryer  112  for the attachment of exhaust hose  110 . 
   In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the dryer bracket comes as an add-on or after market part. Several means exist for the attachment of the dryer bracket  120  to the dryer  112 . Preferably, two lower mounting feet  134  and an upper mounting foot  140  are provided. In this embodiment, the lower mounting feet  134  are positioned just above a dryer collar  130  while the upper mounting foot  140  is placed just below the top of the dryer bracket  120 . Lower mounting feet  134  extend in parallel yet opposite horizontal directions and are separated by a small offset distance along the vertical dimension of the dryer bracket  120 . 
   Upper mounting foot  140  extends in a vertical direction toward the bottom of the dryer  112 . The mounting feet  134  and  140  jut out of the dryer bracket  120  and are adjacent to the back of the dryer  112  when mounted. Each mounting foot  134  and  140  contains a mounting foot aperture  137 . 
   The dryer bracket  120  includes a bracket collar  121  adjacent to the base  124  of dryer bracket  120 . Bracket collar  121  fits onto dryer collar  130 , which comes with dryer  112 . Lower mounting feet  134  are within housing base  124  of dryer bracket  120  and may be bent or otherwise shaped to assist with the attaching of the dryer bracket  120  to the dryer  112 . 
   If desired, mounting apertures  136 , surrounding the bracket collar  121  can additionally or optionally secure the dryer bracket  120  to dryer  112 . Adjacent to the bracket collar  121  at the base of dryer bracket  120  is channel  138 . Channel  138  helps support, locate, or capture vent pipe bracket  150  on the dryer  112 , by being vertical in relation to housing base  124 . Cutouts  146  add further support. Dryer collar  130  may be trimmed to fit dryer bracket  120  closer to the back of dryer  112  for easier mounting. 
   Oppositely disposed from bracket collar  121  in housing base  124  is upper mounting foot  140 . Upper mounting foot  140  serves the same purpose as lower mounting feet  134 . Adjacent to upper mounting foot  140  is base fastening device  142 , used to secure vent pipe bracket  150  to dryer bracket  120 . Clearly, mounting aperture  136  or lower mounting feet  134  can be optionally used at the discretion of the installer to properly and securely mount dryer bracket  120  to the back of the dryer  112 . 
   With the additional consideration of  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 , and  FIG. 13 , the structures of vent pipe bracket  150  in combination with dryer bracket  120  can be determined. Vent pipe collar  152  receives exhaust hose  110  from wall or floor vent for dryer  112 . The vent pipe bracket  150  can be mounted on dryer bracket  120  with vent pipe collar  152  aligned. 
   Assisting with such mounting is channel support  154  which fits into channel  138 . Vent pipe bracket  150  has a shape similar to that of dryer bracket  120 . Vent pipe collar  152  aligns with bracket collar  121 . Cutouts  146  receive fastening device  142  on dryer bracket  120  to further support joining 
   Vent pipe bracket  150  has a vent base  160  with vent rails  162  on either long side thereof. Vent rails  162  cooperate with first base vertical side rail  126  and a second base vertical side rail  128  to releasably join vent pipe bracket  150  and dryer bracket  120 . Exhaust hose  110  can be mounted on vent pipe collar  152  before such joining is done. Locking slot  156  receives fastening device  142  of dryer bracket  120  to provide for a secure support. 
   Handle  158  on vent pipe bracket  150  simplifies the attaching process. Handle  158  provides a front surface  159 , in order to display information in the form of a product name or logo, a company address, a web side, product instructions, warnings, advertisements or other desired material. Consequently, vent pipe bracket  150  may be of sufficient height above the dryer  112  so as to permit users to legibly read messages written on the front surface  159  of the handle  158 . 
   Additionally, the handle  158  permits the exhaust hose  110  to be simply attached to the dryer  112 . Exhaust hose  110  is first attached to vent pipe collar  152 . Then vent pipe bracket  150  is secured to dryer bracket  120  from the front  114  of dryer  112 . While any method can be used to install the dryer bracket  120 , normally installation is achieved by a user standing in front  114  of the dryer  112 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 , vent pipe bracket  150  is secured to the dryer  112  with top grip  172  the joined to dryer  112  by mounting screws  118 . Additionally bottom mounting grip  174  is secured with mounting screws  118  or maybe manufactured as part of the dryer back. Over this structure, is secured exhaust hose  110  with hose clamp  108 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 16 , an alternate embodiment of the dryer bracket  120  is shown. Often adjustments must be made to the bracket collar  121  in order to appropriately fit the dryer bracket  120  in a selected location or within the dryer  112 . In this embodiment, the bracket collar  121  is not an integral part of dryer bracket  120 . 
   Slidable collar  166  slidably fits into a bracket aperture  168  and is stopped therein by collar flange  170 . Upon installation of the dryer bracket  120 , slidable collar  166  can be secured through the dryer bracket aperture  168 . The separation of the dryer bracket  120  and slidable collar  166  facilitates measurement and trimming of the slidable bracket collar  121  at the work site if required. Consequently, the dryer bracket  120  can remain installed while the bracket collar  121  is being trimmed. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 17 , an alternative design permits the installation of the exhaust hose  110  to the vent pipe brackets  150  without a vent pipe collar  152  or hose clamp  108 . Instead, a rolled edge  180  is used at the vent pipe bracket opening  188 . Typical exhaust hoses  110  are made from a spring  184  surrounded by a flexible, sometimes plastic, sheath  182 . 
   In this embodiment, the exhaust hose  110  is installed by compressing the first coil of spring  186  in the sheath so that the diameter is small enough to fit through the vent pipe bracket opening  188 . The exhaust hose  110  is simply inserted and pulled through the opening and over the rolled edges  180 . Rolled edges  180  allow installation of the exhaust hose  110  without damage to the plastic sheath  182 . 
   This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
   Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular are. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3