Storage and Drying Unit for Storing and Drying Outerwear, Sports Clothing and Equipment

Abstract

A storage and drying unit for storing and drying outerwear, sports clothing or equipment is provided. The unit comprises an enclosure having a back wall, a top wall, and two side walls defining at least one chamber with an open front. The chamber may also include shelf members for supporting the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment. The walls and any shelf members include aeration holes for allowing movement of air through the chamber in order to facilitate the drying of the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment placed in the chamber. The unit may be provided with a drying fan to encourage an airflow past the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment in the chamber to facilitate drying of same. The unit may also be provided with hangars for hanging the outerwear, sports clothing or equipment. These hangars are sized and shaped to be removably inserted into any one of the aeration holes.

1 . A storage and drying unit for storing and drying outerwear, sports clothing or equipment, said storage and drying unit comprising:
 an enclosure having at least a back wall, a top wall, and two side walls defining at least one chamber with an open front;   a plurality of aeration holes disposed on at least one of said back wall, top wall, bottom wall and two side walls; and   a drying fan in communication with said chamber to direct airflow past said outerwear, sports clothing or equipment in said chamber to facilitate drying the same.   
   
   
       2 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure further has a bottom wall. 
   
   
       3 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 2 , wherein said bottom wall has a plurality of aeration holes. 
   
   
       4 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 2 , further comprising at least one roller mounted to said bottom wall for ease of location and relocation of said unit along a floor. 
   
   
       5 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is formed from a single wall element. 
   
   
       6 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is formed from a plurality of wall elements. 
   
   
       7 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 6 , wherein each one of said plurality of wall elements is identical in size and shape. 
   
   
       8 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , further including at least one hangar for hanging said outerwear, sports clothing or equipment, said hangar being sized and shaped to be removably attached to any one of said aeration holes. 
   
   
       9 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one roller mounted to a bottom portion of said unit for ease of location and relocation of said unit along a floor. 
   
   
       10 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one shelf member disposed within said chamber, said shelf member having a plurality of aeration holes. 
   
   
       11 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of vertical frame elements which are held in position by said at least one shelf member, wherein said vertical frame elements and said at least one shelf member form a frame, said frame supporting said back wall, top wall, and two side walls of said enclosure. 
   
   
       12 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a name plate attached to a top, front portion of said storage and drying unit. 
   
   
       13 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 12 , wherein said name plate is attached to said top wall. 
   
   
       14 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of vertical frame elements which are held in position by said top wall, wherein said vertical frame elements and said top wall form a frame, said frame supporting said back wall and two side walls of said enclosure. 
   
   
       15 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means to deodorize air emanating from said outerwear, sports clothing or equipment. 
   
   
       16 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 15 , wherein said means to deodorize air comprises a means to remove airborne particles. 
   
   
       17 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 16 , wherein said airborne particles comprise bacteria, mold spores, dust particles, pollen, or odour particles. 
   
   
       18 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 17 , wherein said means to remove said airborne particles is an ionizer. 
   
   
       19 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 18 , wherein said ionizer is positioned in the airflow directed by said drying fan. 
   
   
       20 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said drying fan is controlled by a programmable timer. 
   
   
       21 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is made of one or more of plastic, metal, wood, and fibre board. 
   
   
       22 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of vertical frame elements which are held in position by a plurality of horizontal frame elements, wherein said vertical frame elements and horizontal frame elements form a frame, said frame supporting said back wall, top wall, and two side walls of said enclosure. 
   
   
       23 . A storage and drying unit according to  claim 22 , wherein said vertical frame elements, and said horizontal frame elements are made of angled metal. 
   
   
       24 . A storage and drying unit for storing and drying outerwear, sports clothing or equipment, said storage and drying unit comprising:
 an enclosure having a back wall, a top wall, and two side walls defining at least one chamber with an open front;   a plurality of aeration holes disposed on at least one of said back wall, top wall, and two side walls; and   at least one hangar for hanging said outerwear, sports clothing or equipment, said hangar being sized and shaped to be removably inserted into any one of said aeration holes.   
   
   
       25 - 50 . (canceled) 
   
   
       51 . A storage and drying unit kit having components capable of being assembled into a storage and drying unit for storing and drying outerwear, sports clothing or equipment, said kit comprising:
 a plurality of frame elements, at least one back wall element, a top wall, and at least two side wall elements adapted to form an enclosure defining at least one chamber with an open front, wherein one or more of said back wall element, top wall, and two side wall elements have a plurality of aeration holes disposed thereon; and   a hangar for hanging said outerwear, sports clothing or equipment, said hangar being sized and shaped to be removably inserted into any one of said aeration holes.   
   
   
       52 - 54 . (canceled)