HEADGEAR WITH FAN ASSEMBLY DEVICE

Abstract

A headgear with fan assembly device includes a hat having a front side, a back side, an interior cavity and an aperture disposed along a top side thereof. An adjustable headband is disposed within the interior cavity, and a fan shroud for supporting a motor that is in communication with a central hub having a plurality of fan blades is disposed along the aperture, and in line with the central axis of the hat.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to head covering devices, and more particularly to headgear, such as a hat, with an integrated cooling system for providing fresh air to the head of a wearer.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Workers and other such individuals who are regularly exposed to high temperature environments must take precautions against heat related injuries such as heat stroke, for example. Whether the environment is indoors, such as an iron and steel foundries, manufacturing plants, and commercial factories, for example, or outdoors such as lawn maintenance, construction, mining, and/or forestry, the combination of a hot environment combined with strenuous physical activity by the worker poses a constant safety threat.

This is especially true for these workers who must wear hard hats to protect their head from falling debris and other such hazards. Indeed, it is the very structural security of the hard hat itself that causes a greenhouse effect within the hat that does not allow the heat generated by the users head to escape.

In addition to the above, many individuals wear hats such as traditional baseball-style hats, for example, whenever they are outdoors. Hats are extremely useful for providing a shield against sunlight, and often include markings and other such indicia that reflects the interest of the wearer. However, even ball caps have a tendency to trap heat along the head of the wearer, and therefore can also pose a risk during extended use.

Although there have been previous attempts to introduce motorized fans onto hard hats, the majority of these devices have not had commercial success due to the minimal amount of airflow that actually reaches the users head, and the fact that the motor, fan and/or batteries are typically offset from the center of gravity, thereby causing neck strain to the wearer.

In light of the above, it would be beneficial to provide a headgear device with a fan assembly that can be utilized in any number of situations to provide fresh air to the head of a user without suffering from the drawbacks described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a headgear with fan assembly device. One embodiment of the present invention can take the form of a hat that includes a front side, a back side, an interior cavity and an aperture disposed along a top side thereof. The hat can also include an adjustable headband and a fan shroud for supporting a motor that is in communication with a central hub having a plurality of fan blades. The fan shroud and central hub are positioned along the central axis of the hat so as to ensure the center of gravity of the hat is not disturbed and to prevent neck strain by the user wearing the hat.

Another embodiment of the present invention can include a removable battery compartment having a remotely located control switch and belt clip for allowing the device to operate requiring a battery to be located on the hat itself.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the headgear with fan assembly device that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the headgear with fan assembly device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded parts view of the headgear with fan assembly device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded cross section view of the headgear with fan assembly device in operation, wherein certain components are removed for ease of illustration.

FIG. 5 is a back side view of the headgear with fan assembly device, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of a headgear with a fan assembly device 10 that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the device 10 can include a hat 11, an adjustable headband 20 and a fan assembly 30.

The headgear can preferably take the form of a rigid or semi-rigid hat 11 that includes an exterior surface 12, a front side 13, a back side 14, and an outward protruding visor 15, forming an interior cavity 16. A generally circular aperture 17 can be disposed along an upper surface of the hat 11 that is defined by a lip 17a having a plurality of spaced openings 17a1 disposed thereon. As will be described below, the aperture 17 can function to receive and secure the fan assembly to the hat.

The hat 11 can preferably be constructed from a strong, impact resistant thermoplastic material such as polyethylene (HDPE) or polycarbonate, for example, which is traditionally used in the construction of hard hats. The hat 11 can also include any number of additional elements such as optional padding (not illustrated), markings, and other such indicia without limitation. Although described above as having a hard hat design with a particular shape, this is for illustrative purposes only as those of skill in the art will recognize that the hat 11 can include any number of traditional hat shapes, and can be constructed from any number of different materials utilizing any number of different construction methodologies. Several examples include, motorcycle and automotive helmets, sports helmets, and any number of traditional hats used for activities such as fishing, sports, and the like. Accordingly, the hat 11 is not limited to a hard hat. However, in instances where the hat is utilized as a hard hat, it is contemplated that approval from a regulatory agency such as OSHA would be obtained prior to construction.

An adjustable headband 20 can be positioned within the interior cavity of the hat 16 in order to receive the head of a user. The headband 20 can preferably include a pair of elongated straps 21 and 22 that cross together 23 along a central axis X of the hat. A generally circular crown member 24 can be in communication with each of the straps 21 and 22, and can be positioned equidistantly about the central axis and adjacent to the crossing point 23. The cross members 21 and 22 can be secured to the inside proton of the hat via any number of adjustable connectors 25, such as a buckle, or hook and loop material, for example. Additionally, an optional chin strap 26 having a centrally located buckle 27 can be provided.

As will be described below, when utilized in conjunction with a fan assembly, the headband 20 can function to align the head of a wearer directly beneath the center of gravity of the fan, and simultaneously maintain a uniform space around the head, in order to allow complete air circulation within the hat cavity. In the preferred embodiment, each of the straps 21, 22, 26 and the crown member 24 can each be constructed from a resilient material such as nylon, for example. Of course, any number of other such materials can also be utilized herein.

The fan assembly 30 can function to provide fresh air to the interior cavity of the hat 11. In one embodiment, the assembly 30 can include a fan motor 31 having a drive shaft 32 for imparting a rotational force onto a central hub 33 having a plurality of fan blades 34 extending outward therefrom.

As shown, a generally circular fan shroud 35 can function to align and secure the assembly along the central axis X of the hat. As such, the shroud can preferably include an upper portion 35a having a centrally located opening 35a1 for receiving the motor 31 and drive shaft 32, respectively. A plurality of generally curved and evenly spaced outward radiating support members 35b connect the upper portion of the shroud 35a to a lower lip 35c having a plurality of openings 35c1 disposed thereon.

As the assembly 30 is designed to be incorporated into the construction of the hat itself, the lower lip 35c can preferably include a shape and dimension that is complementary to the shape and dimension of the aperture 17 of the hat. To this end, the lip 35c can be positioned along the aperture lip 17a and each of the plurality of openings 17a1 and 35c1 can be aligned so as to receive conventional mounting hardware 5 such as screws, bolts, and other such connectors. Of course, any means for securing the assembly 30 to the hat 11 can also be utilized, several non-limiting examples including adhesives such as glue and resin, or welds, for example. Moreover, although described above as separate components, the shroud 35 and the hat 11 can be constructed as a single unitary element at an original time of manufacture.

The motor 32 can be electrically connected 36 to any suitable DC power source, such as a lithium Ion battery 37, for example. The battery can preferably be located within a battery compartment 19 that is preferably disposed along the back side of the hat. Additionally, a switch 38 can be provided for selectively activating and deactivating the motor to rotate the fan. Of course, any number of different types of batteries can be utilized, and the switch can include any known mechanism for controlling the operation of the fan, including the ability to adjust the operating speed of the fan itself.

In one preferred embodiment, the motor housing, central hub and fan blades can be constructed from a lightweight material such as injected molded plastic, for example, and the fan shroud 35 can be constructed from an identical material as the hat 11 itself, so as to protect the head of the user against falling debris and other such hazards when utilized has a hard hat.

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded cross section view of the device 10 in operation, wherein certain components are removed for ease of illustration. As shown, the fan assembly 30 draws air A through the shroud 35 and into the interior cavity 16 of the hat 11. As stated above, the headband 20 maintains the users' head 1 along the central axis X, in order to ensure the entire weight of the device is in line with the users' center of gravity. Additionally, by maintaining a uniform gap between the users head and the body of the hat, air is able to circulate within the entirety of the interior cavity so as to provide fresh air to keep the users' head cool when wearing the hat.

In addition to the above, a plurality of optional deflectors 41 can be disposed throughout the interior cavity 16. As shown, each of these deflectors can include an angled surface for deflecting the air towards the center of the hat. Such a feature prevents air from passing through the bottom of the hat without making contact with the users head.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the device 10 that further includes a detachable battery compartment 50. As shown, the compartment can include a generally hollow main body 51 having a hingedly attached cover 51a for receiving one or more batteries 37 described above. In the preferred embodiment, a switch 38 for controlling the operation of the fan can be located on the compartment body 51 and a clip 52 can be provided for securing the compartment to the belt of a user. The compartment 50 can be communicatively linked to the motor 31 via an elongated reinforced cable 53 in order to provide power thereto when the switch is in the “on” position.

Such a feature can allow the device 10 to accommodate larger batteries, thereby providing longer run time of the fan, and has the added benefit of removing the weight of the battery from the head of the user, thereby greatly reducing the risk of neck fatigue when utilized for extended periods of time.

The cable 53 can be hard wired directly between the compartment 50 and the motor 31, or can include a coupler 54 for splitting the cable into two halves 53a and 53b, thereby allowing the cable and battery compartment to be removable from the hat. Cable couplers and other such devices which can include opposing halves that are each secured to a cable in order to connect the same together are extremely well known in the art. Such a feature can be beneficial in situations where the hat is to be utilized without requiring power to the fan (such as in cool temperatures).

As described herein, one or more elements of the device 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A headgear with fan assembly device, comprising:

a hat that includes a front side, a back side, an interior cavity and an aperture disposed along a top side thereof and defined by an upper lip;

an adjustable headband disposed within the interior cavity of the hat; and

a fan assembly that includes a fan shroud for supporting a motor that is in communication with a central hub having a plurality of fan blades extending outward therefrom, said shroud including a lower lip that is in communication with the upper lip of the hat, and functions to position the motor and central hub along a central axis of the hat.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said fan shroud further comprises:

an upper portion having a centrally located opening for receiving the motor; and

a plurality of generally curved and evenly spaced outward radiating support members that are each in communication with the upper portion of the shroud and the lower lip of the shroud.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of shroud openings that are disposed along the lower lip of the shroud; and

a plurality of hat openings that are disposed along the upper lip of the hat, said shroud openings and hat openings each having a complementary shape and location, and are configured to each engage a conventional hardware device to secure the fan assembly to the hat.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the hat and the fan shroud include a unitary construction.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein each of the aperture and the fan shroud includes a generally circular shape.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable headband comprises:

a pair of elongated straps having each end thereof secured to the interior cavity of the hat via a removable connectors, said straps being in communication with each other along the central axis of the hat; and

a generally circular crown member that is in communication with each of the pair of elongated straps, at a location that is equidistant from the communication point of the pair of straps.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of air deflectors disposed along the inside cavity of the hat, said deflectors functioning to direct air towards the central axis of the hat.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery compartment that is in communication with the hat;

a cable that is in communication with each of the fan motor and the battery compartment; and

a switch that is in communication with the cable.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a chin strap having an integrated buckle.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a visor that is secured to the front side of the hat, said visor extending outward therefrom.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the hat and fan shroud are constructed from at least one of polyethylene and polycarbonate.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the fan motor includes a lightweight DC powered motor.

13. A headgear with fan assembly device, comprising:

a hat that includes a front side, a back side, an interior cavity and an aperture disposed along a top side thereof and defined by an upper lip;

an adjustable headband disposed within the interior cavity of the hat;

a fan assembly that includes a fan shroud for supporting a motor that is in communication with a central hub having a plurality of fan blades extending outward therefrom, said shroud including a lower lip that is in communication with the upper lip of the hat, and functions to position the motor and central hub along a central axis of the hat;

a battery compartment having a generally hollow main body and a hingedly attached cover, said compartment being configured to receive at least one battery for operating the fan assembly;

an elongated cable that is in communication with each of the fan motor and the battery compartment;

a switch that is in communication with the cable, said switch being disposed along the battery compartment; and

a belt clip that is disposed along the battery compartment.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising:

a cable coupler that is secured onto the cable, and configured to allow a portion of the cable that is secured to the battery compartment to be disconnected from the portion of the cable that is secured to the fan motor.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein said fan shroud further comprises:

an upper portion having a centrally located opening for receiving the motor; and

a plurality of generally curved and evenly spaced outward radiating support members that are each in communication with the upper portion of the shroud and the lower lip of the shroud.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising:

a plurality of shroud openings that are disposed along the lower lip of the shroud; and

a plurality of hat openings that are disposed along the upper lip of the hat, said shroud openings and hat openings having a complementary shape and location and are configured to be engaged via conventional hardware to secure the fan assembly to the hat.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein each of the hat and the fan shroud include a unitary construction.