Collapsible drying apparatus and method for forming and collapsing said apparatus

Abstract

A collapsible drying apparatus and method for forming and collapsing such apparatus, said apparatus comprising a frame having an expanded state and a collapsed state, a web substantially stretched over the frame, at least one support member coupled to the frame, and a strap having its ends coupled to the web, including a releasable fastener located a predetermined distance from one of the ends of the strap, and having adjustable length to apply a corresponding tension to the frame and the web, biasing the apparatus into a convexly accurate condition.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A collapsible apparatus comprising: 
       a collapsible frame for drying;  
       a web substantially stretched over said collapsible frame;  
       at least one support member coupled to said frame; 
       a strap having a first end and a second end;  
       each of said first end and said second end being coupled to said web, whereby said collapsible frame and said web are formed in a convexly arcuate position.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said frame is oval in shape. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said strap further comprises a releasable fastener located a predetermined distance from said first end of said strap. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein a pair of diametrically opposed support members are coupled to said frame. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim  4   3 , wherein said frame may be folded in a collapsed state by disengaging said fastener and by rotating said support membersframe in opposite directions. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a pair of circular web portions is formed from said frame. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said support members  circular web portions are biased toward each other, thereby folding adjacently said circular web portions. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said strap secures said frame in said collapsed state by engaging said fastener. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said web comprises a fabric material. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said strap has an adjustable length. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said frame is biased by said strap in to a convexly arcuate condition. 
     
     
       12. A method for folding a collapsible drying apparatus comprising a web substantially stretched over a frame, said frame having an expanded state and a collapsed state, two opposing support members coupled to said frame,  a strap having two ends, each end being coupled to said web, and a releasable fastener coupled to said strap, said method comprising the steps of: 
       disengaging said releasable fastener attached to said drying apparatus;  
       rotating said support members  frame in opposite directions wherein a pair of circular web portions is formed from said frame;  
       biasing said support members  circular web portions toward each other; and  
       engaging said releasable fastener.  
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , said method further comprising, before engaging said releasable fastener, the step of wrapping said strap around said frame in said collapsed state. 
     
     
       14. A method for forming a drying apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: 
       securing a web around a frame for drying;  
       coupling opposed adjustable straps to said web;  
       connecting said adjustable straps by means of a releasable fastener, whereby said frame and said web are formed in a convexly arcuate position.  
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein said method further comprises the step of coupling at least one support member to said frame. 
     
     
       16. The  A method of  claim 14 , wherein said method further comprises a first step of  for forming a drying apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: 
       connecting the ends of an elongated wire to form said  a frame. ;  
       
         securing a web around said frame for drying;  
       
       
         coupling opposed adjustable straps to said web; and  
       
       
         connecting said adjustable straps by means of a releasable fastener, whereby said frame and said web are formed in a convexly arcuate position.