Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The information disclosed relates to a system to dry the hands of athletes. 
     2. Background Information 
     Many sports require athletes to use their hands to perform. For example, football players use their hands to catch a football, basketball players use their hands to handle a basketball, gymnast use their hands to move themselves about gymnastic equipment, and tennis players use their hands to handle a tennis racket. In each situation, the athlete relies on good friction from their hands to manipulate the hand equipment. 
     When athletes exert themselves, their bodies sweat to help regulate its temperature. As the athletes muscles heat up due to exertion, more sweat is produced. Eccrine sweat glands are distributed over the entire body surface but are particularly abundant on the palms of hands. Thus, an athlete&#39;s hands are likely to produce a significant amount of sweat. Since sweat reduces a hand&#39;s friction, the athletes may have less control over hand equipment. Thus, there is a need for a system to dry an athlete&#39;s hands to allow him or her to perform better. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is a system to dry the hands of individuals. The system may include a pedestal, an air pedal and powder pedal hinged to the pedestal, a chamber having a dome connected to a shroud to define a chamber interior. The chamber interior may be divided into a first divided area, a second divided, and an overhead area that connects the first divided area to the second divided area. Each dived area may include a perforated tube to deliver pressurized air and powder into the chamber interior. An air compressor may be connected directly to the perforated tubes and connected to a powder chamber. In addition to pressurized air being delivered to the chamber interior, powder optionally may be delivered to the chamber interior. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a system  100  to dry the hands of athletes. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial sectional isometric view of system  100 . 
         FIG. 3  is an example of a use of system  100  by a player  10 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top partial section view of a use of system  100 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a system  100  to dry the hands of athletes. The system may include a tower  102  positioned between a pedestal  104  and a chamber  106 . Compressed air generated near the pedestal  104  may be passed through tower  102  into chamber  106  to permit an athlete to dry their hands. 
     Tower  102  may be an elongated, hollow cylinder. Pedestal  104  may be a hollow, cylindrical base configured to support tower  102 . Hinged to pedestal  104  may be an air pedal  108  and a powder pedal  110  positioned to the right of air pedal  108 . In addition, casters  112  may be attached to a bottom  114  of pedestal  104 . Each of air pedal  108  and powder pedal  110  may be spring loaded levers that may be operated by a human foot. Air pedal  108  may include a large “A” on a visible surface and powder pedal  110  may include a large “P” on a visible surface to distinguish the operation of each pedal. 
     Casters  112  may be small, pivoted wheels fastened to pedestal  104  to facilitate movement of system  100  from one location to another. Each caster  112  may include a locking brake  115  that, when engaged, may keep system  100  stationary. In one example, there may be four casters  112 . 
     Chamber  106  may be a hollow, semi-enclosed area where an athlete may dry that athlete&#39;s hands. Chamber  106  may include a shroud  116  having a left hand hole  118 , a right hand hole  120 , and a partition  122  that may provide a first divided area  124  and a second divided area  126  within chamber  106  that may correspond with left hand hole  118  and right hand hole  120 . Shroud  116  may include an annulus shape to assist in directing air flow towards the athlete&#39;s hands. Left hand hole  118  and right hand hole  120  each may be rectangular openings in shroud  116  positioned above air pedal  108  and powder pedal  110 . These openings may permit an individual to place that individual&#39;s hands within chamber  106   
     Partition  122  may be a vertical structure that may divide a chamber interior  128  into a three-part dispenser environment: first divided area  124 , second divided area  126 , and an overhead area  130  that may connect first divided area  124  to second divided area  126 . Partition  122  may assist in directing individual air flow towards each of the athlete&#39;s hands while overhead area  130  may communicate air flow from a higher air flow divided area to a lower air flow divided area. In one example, a height of partition  122  may be at least one of greater than and equal to a height of shroud  116 . In another example, a height of partition  122  may be at least one of less than and equal to a height of shroud  116 . 
     To contain air flows within chamber  106 , chamber  106  additionally may include a dome  132 . Dome  132  may be a concave shape where the concavity faces downward. In one example, dome  132  may be clear. In another example, dome  132  may be translucent. Dome may be made of plastic or glass and within dome  132  may be overhead area  130 . 
       FIG. 2  is a partial sectional isometric view of system  100 . System  100  additionally may include an air compressor  202 . Air compressor  202  may be a machine that compresses and directs air into a first air hose  204  and a second air hose  206 . In once example, air compressor  202  may be a ½-horsepower air compressor. First air hose  204  and second air hose  206  each may be ¼-inch diameter flexible hoses. Air compressor  202  may be connected to air pedal  108  and powder pedal  110 . When pressed, air pedal  108  may direct air compressor  202  to blow air into first air hose  204 . When powder pedal  110  is pressed, air compressor  202  may blow air into second air hose  206 . 
     System  100  further may include a left tube  208  and a right tube  210 . Left tube  208  may be positioned within first divided area  124  and right tube  210  may be positioned within second divided area  126 . Each of left tube  208  and right tube  210  may be hollow cylindrical conduits having holes or perforations  211  distributed along its length and configured to pass air and powder from an entrance through its interior and out through holes  211 . 
     Each of left tube  208  and right tube  210  may have a U-shape when viewed from a first direction and a semi-circular shape when view from ninety degrees to that first direction. Left tube  208  and right tube  210  may be interchangeable in that left tube  208  may be positioned within second divided area  126  and right tube  210  may be positioned within first divided area  124 . Both left tube  208  and right tube  210  may be connected to first air hose  204  to receive high pressured air from first air hose  204 . 
     System  100  also may include a powder container  212 , an air regulator  214 , a pressure gage  216 , an electrical box  218 , and a power cord  220 . Second air hose  206  may be connected to powder container  212  and powder container  212  may be connected to air regulator  214 . In turn, air regulator  214  may be connected to both left tube  208  and right tube  210 . Pressure gage  216  and electrical box  218  may be connected to air compressor  202  and power cord  220  may be connected to electrical box  218 . 
     Powder container  212  may be configured to hold powder, such as talcum powder, that may be utilized to keep hands dry. Air regulator  214  may assist in controlling the air pressure that leaves powder container  212 . Second air hose  206  may direct a flow of air into contact with powder in powder container  212  so that the air picks up powder and carries it through air regulator  214  and into left tube  208  and right tube  210 . Too much air pressure may cause excess talcum powder to be blasted out of powder container  212 . Thus, it may be important to regulate the air pressure that leaves powder container  212 . 
     Pressure gage  216  may be a device to measure the air pressure being produced by air compressor  202 . Electrical box  218  may be 110-volt electrical box contained within pedestal  102 . Leading from electrical box  218  to an exterior of the system may be power cord  220 . Power cord  220  may be plugged into an electrical outlet. 
       FIG. 3  is an example of a use of system  100  by a player  10 .  FIG. 4  is a top partial section view of a use of system  100 . System  100  may have a height  302  and a diameter  304 . In one example, height  302  may be approximately three to four feet tall and diameter  304  may be approximately twelve to eighteen inches in diameter. In another example, height  302  may be approximately three to six feet tall to account for the great height of basketball players. 
     To use system  100 , player  10  may place a left hand  12  into first divided area  124  and a right hand  14  into second divided area  126 . By stepping on air pedal  108 , player  10  may activate air compressor  202  and cause air compressor  202  to blow a forceful stream of air through first air hose  204  and into left tube  208  and right tube  210 . Air  16  ( FIG. 4 ) may exit perforations  211  in tubes  208 ,  210  to strike the user&#39;s hands  12 ,  14 , respectively. This may help evaporate sweat and moisture. If so desired, player  10  may also depress powder pedal  110 . This would cause air compressor  202  to blow a forceful stream of air through second air hose  206 . This air may then impact the powder within powder container  212  to draw powder  18  with it as the air passes through air regulator  214 . This powder  18  may pass through and out of tubing  208 ,  210  within shroud  116  and onto the individual&#39;s hands  12 ,  14 . 
     The system to dry the hands of athletes may be equipment for basketball teams, football teams, and tennis facilities. The system may provide an effective means of drying an athlete&#39;s hands, which may allow him or her to perform better. Using the system periodically during a sport activity may help keep a person&#39;s hands dry, which may ultimately enhance performance. 
     The system may include a cylindrical or silo shaped housing measuring approximately 3 to 4 feet tall and approximately 12 to 18 inches in diameter. The top of the unit may feature a clear, dome-shaped housing complete with a pair of rectangular openings on its lower front perimeter. These openings may allow an individual to place his hands within the unit. Two perforated metal tubes may be affixed around the interior perimeter of the unit&#39;s dome-shaped housing. Each tube may be connected to flexible ¼-inch diameter hose. One hose may be connected to a ½-horsepower air compressor located in the bottom of the system. The other may engage with an air regulator and powder dispenser assembly located near a top of the system. The powder dispenser may then be connected to the air compressor via an additional length of ¼-inch hose. 
     The air compressor may feature a dual-output design and may be wired to two pedal-style controls on the lower exterior of the unit. The left pedal may activate the air compressor, which may blow air through the tubing within the dome at the top of the unit. The right pedal may also activate the air compressor and may send a blast of air into the powder container. The powder may travel through the air regulator and may be dispensed within the dome via the other section of tubing. The air compressor may also be wired to a 110-volt electrical box contained within the bottom of the assembly. Leading from this box to the exterior of the unit may be a standard power cord, which may be plugged into an electrical outlet. Wheels may also be featured on the underside of the system and may allow the unit to be moved from place to place. Each wheel may also feature a locking brake, which may be applied to keep the unit stationary. 
     The system may be produced in different sizes for different applications. To use the system, an individual may place his hands through the openings at a top of the unit and into the clear dome. He may then step down on the left pedal at the bottom of the unit. This may activate the air compressor, which may blow a forceful stream of air through the tubing within the dome. The air may exit the perforations on the tube and strike the user&#39;s hands, which may help evaporate sweat and moisture. If so desired, the user may also depress the right pedal at the bottom of the unit. This may dispense a blast of talcum powder through the tubing within the dome and onto the individual&#39;s hands. 
     The system may fulfill a need for a device that may be utilized to dry an athlete&#39;s hands during a sports activity. Appealing features of the system may be its ease of use, portability, convenience, and ability to enhance performance among athletes. The system may provide a contained air blower that may allow an athlete to dry his or her hands during a sport activity. An individual may simply place his hands within the dome at the top of the unit and step on one of the pedals at the bottom of the device. This may release a continual blast of air into the dome, which may provide an effective means of drying the user&#39;s hands. 
     This may be particularly ideal for evaporating perspiration from an athlete&#39;s hands during a game or match. Using the system periodically may help the hands remain dry, which in turn may ensure the player may maintain a slip-free grip on a ball or piece of sports equipment. In this regard, the system may be particularly useful among athletes who play basketball, football, and tennis, as it may enhance performance. 
     In addition to drying hands, an athlete may use the system to apply talcum powder to his or her hands. Applying powder may provide an effective means of keeping an individual&#39;s hands dry for longer periods of time, which, again, may enhance performance. Since the system may dispense powder via an air compressor and system of tubing, it may provide a more even means of applying powder to the hands than can be achieved by dispensing powder from a bottle or another container. This may ensure the powder did not clump together on the user&#39;s hands and may thus prevent waste. 
     While the end users of the system may be athletes, the device may be utilized by professional, college, and scholastic basketball and football teams. It may also be utilized by the owners&#39; and operators of tennis facilities and health clubs and offered as a courtesy to players, members, etc. This system may be easy to use, convenient, practical, performance-enhancing, and durable for years of effective use. 
     The information disclosed herein is provided merely to illustrate principles and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the subject matter of the terms of the claims. The written specification and figures are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Moreover, the principles disclosed may be applied to achieve the advantages described herein and to achieve other advantages or to satisfy other objectives, as well.

Technology Category: 1