Drying and warming apparatus and method

A drying and warming apparatus comprising:

• a table top having a substantially horizontal planar surface, a top side, and a bottom side;
• a heating element for providing heat, the heating element adjacent the bottom side of the table top;
• a casing comprising a top portion attached to the bottom side of the table top, a bottom portion remote from the top portion, and a wall vertically extending between the top and bottom portions, the casing arranged substantially perpendicular to the table top and extending downwardly from the bottom side of the table top to substantially encase the heating element;
• a drying rack adjacent the bottom portion of the casing, the drying rack comprising a frame and at least one drying rod transversely secured within the frame;
• and
• at least one support member for supporting the table top, heating element, casing and drying rack.

A method of drying items, comprising:

• providing a drying and warming apparatus comprising:
• a table top having a substantially horizontal planar surface, a table top side, and a bottom side;
• a fan assembly means adjacent the bottom side of the table top;
• a casing comprising a table top portion attached to the bottom side of the table top, a bottom portion remote from the table top portion, and a wall vertically extending between the table top and bottom portions, the casing arranged substantially perpendicular to the table top and extending downwardly from the bottom side of the table top to substantially encase and obscure from view the fan assembly means;
• a drying rack adjacent the bottom portion of the casing, the drying rack comprising a frame and at least one drying rod transversely secured within the frame;
• and
• at least one support member for supporting the table top, fan assembly means, casing and drying rack;
• opening the drying and warming apparatus;
• placing a wet item on the at least one drying rod;
• closing the drying and warming apparatus;
• activating the drying and warming apparatus;
• waiting for the item to dry;
• opening the drying and warming apparatus;
• and
• removing the item from the rods.

A drying and warming apparatus comprising:

• a table top having a substantially horizontal planar surface, a top side, and a bottom side;
• a fan assembly means adjacent the bottom side of the table top;
• a heating element adjacent the fan assembly positioned substantially below the fan assembly means;
• a casing comprising:
• a top portion attached to the bottom side of the table top;
• a bottom portion remote from the top portion;
• a wall vertically extending between the top and bottom portions;
• and
• at least one opening for providing air intake, the at least one opening positioned substantially toward the top portion of the casing where the casing is attached to the bottom side of the table top, wherein the casing is arranged substantially perpendicular to the table top and extending downwardly from the bottom side of the table top to substantially encase the fan assembly means and the heating element;
• a drying rack adjacent the bottom portion of the casing, the drying rack comprising a frame and at least one drying rod transversely secured within the frame;
• at least two drawer track assemblies, each assembly comprising at least first and second members, the first member attachable to the drying rack and the second member supportable substantially below the casing, wherein the second member is engaged with the first member for supporting the drying rack and for sliding movement relative to the first member, the assemblies supporting the drying rack on opposite sides thereof;
• a control unit positioned adjacent the table top substantially outside the table top, the control unit comprising a controller for controlling the fan assembly means and the heating element;
• and
• at least four support members for supporting the table top, fan assembly, heating element, casing, drying rack, drawer track assemblies, and control unit.