HELMET MOUNTED FAN

Abstract

A helmet-mounted fan, including a main body that includes a fan assembly having at least two fan blades each including a foldable joint, a motor operatively coupled to the fan assembly, and a power supply, operatively coupleable to deliver power to the motor and configured to drive rotation of the fan when the power is delivered. A clip-on fastener releasably secures the fan assembly, motor and power supply to a helmet. The clip-on fastener including a generally planar base portion and a deformable, arcuate member extending from the base portion, wherein the base portion and arcuate member together define a clamp area that will tightly receiving the brim, visor or brow guard of a helmet, hat or other headwear to releasably secure the fan assembly to the helmet, hat or other headwear.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/357,915, filed Jun. 23, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates generally to fans, and, more specifically, to a fan that advantageously repels hazardous dust.

2. Background

Dust is a serious health concern for contractors, workmen and other individuals who are exposed to dust on a regular basis. Besides being a minor annoyance, airborne dust particles may be inhaled into the lungs, where they have the potential to cause serious illness, injury or damage. While the human body possesses natural defenses that eliminate harmful particulates from inhaled air (such as mucus and cilia hairs), these defenses are not foolproof and some foreign particulate will invariably evade and/or overwhelm the body's natural defenses, if the dust is present in sufficient quantities. This can cause a wide variety of problems, depending on where the dust particulate settles. For example, inhalation of dust can cause inflammation of the mucous membrane, trachea or bronchi, fibrosis, silicosis and other problems that may even permanently impair lung function.

Thus, there is a need for a simple device that repels hazardous dust, preventing it from being inhaled and causing damage to the lungs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect of this disclosure, a helmet mountable fan assembly is disclosed, comprising a fan blade assembly, a motor for turning the fan blade assembly, and a power supply for supplying power to the motor. An attachment device allows the helmet mountable fan assembly to be removably secured to a helmet.

In another aspect of this disclosure, the fan blade assembly includes joints so that individual fan blades can be folded inwards to a stowed position when the fan is not in use.

In another aspect of this disclosure, a clip-on fastener is provided to allow for removably attaching the helmet mountable fan assembly to a helmet, hat or other headwear. The clip-on fastener comprises a generally planar base portion and a deformable, arcuate member extending from the base portion, wherein the base portion and arcuate member define a clamp area for tightly receiving the brim, visor or brow guard of a helmet, hat or other headwear to removably secure the fan assembly to the helmet, hat or other headwear.

The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and technical advantages of one or more embodiments of this disclosure in order that the following detailed description may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of this disclosure will be described hereinafter, which may form the subject of the claims of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This disclosure is further described in the detailed description that follows, with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a helmet mountable fan;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the fan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the fan of FIG. 1 mounted on a helmet and in active operation directing dust away from the face of a user;

FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of the fan of FIG. 1 with the fan blades folded into a compact, stowed position;

FIG. 4B is a front elevation view of the fan of FIG. 1 with the fan blades folded into a compact, stowed position; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the helmet-mountable fan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application discloses a helmet-mountable fan designed to repel dust and other particulate matter from the face of a user, thereby preventing the dust from being inhaled into the lungs. As an additional benefit, dust particles will also be kept away from the face and the eyes, reducing annoyance and discomfort.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred helmet-mounted fan 100. Helmet-mounted fan 100 preferably comprises three main sections, the battery case assembly 101, motor and fan assembly 102, and attachment assembly 103. Battery case assembly 101 may be formed of any suitable material, and is preferably designed to accommodate both usage requirements and any desired size, shape or type of battery or other power supply. Standardized “double A” (AA) batteries may be preferable, as they offer a good balance between energy storage, weight and size. However other battery sizes may be utilized as desired, including (but not limited to) “triple A” (AAA)” size, “C” size, “D” size and 9-volt prismatic batteries. A spring 101a may be used to secure the battery in place and bias the battery against the contacts, preventing the negative and positive terminals of the battery from losing continuity with the circuit during movement of the helmet-mounted fan 100. A removable cover may also be provided to ease installation and removal of batteries. The cover preferably has a locking tab (typically included as part of a molded plastic case) that allows a user to secure the cover to the battery case assembly 101. Alternatively, the cover may be secured to the battery case assembly 101 via a screw or other type of fastener.

Motor and fan assembly 102 preferably encloses motor 105 and provides support for fan assembly 107. Motor and fan assembly 102 may also be designed according to end user requirements. It may take any desired shape and be formed of any desired material. A molded plastic case may be preferable, as plastic is lightweight, inexpensive and widely available. A switch 104 is preferably provided to control the operation of the helmet-mountable fan 100 via completion or interruption of electrical continuity circuit 104a between the battery case assembly 101 and the motor 105. Motor 105 is preferably any suitable appropriately sized, mass-producible motor that receives electrical energy via electrical continuity 104a and transforms it into kinetic rotational energy, thereby driving the operation of fan assembly 107.

Fan assembly 107 preferably includes at least two fan blades 107a and 107b. More fan blades may be provided if additional airflow is desired. Each fan blade preferably includes a joint 106a, 106b, which preferably allows each fan blade 107a and 107b to fold inwards into a compact, stowed position when the fan 100 is not in use, as depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Attachment assembly 103 preferably allows the helmet mountable fan 100 to secure itself to a helmet (such as a “hardhat”), or any other similar safety item, hat or clothing that is worn on the head and has a suitable surface on which to mount helmet-mountable fan 100. Attachment assembly 103 preferably includes a substantially planar base member 103b and a deformable clasp or member 103a extending from the base member 103b. Deformable clasp 103a preferably has a slightly arcuate configuration. The base member 103b and the deformable clasp member 103a define a clamp area or space 103d for tightly receiving the brim, visor or brow guard of a helmet, hat or other headwear via mechanical tension or friction to removably secure the fan assembly 100 to the helmet, hat or other headwear. The attachment assembly 103 is preferably integrally formed as a single assembly via, for example, plastic injection molding processes.

It is understood, however, that the helmet mountable fan 100 may be attached to a helmet, hat or other headwear in a manner other than the clip 103 described above. For example, attachment assembly 103 may instead utilize a hook and loop fastener, glue, mechanical fastener (such as (but not limited to) a screw or nut and bolt), a spring clamp, a stretch band that wraps around the top of the helmet, etc.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the helmet-mountable fan 100. Battery case assembly 101, motor and fan assembly 102, and attachment assembly 103 may be coupled to one another, thereby forming a fully assembled helmet-mounted fan 100. These three components 101, 102, 103 may be connected to each other to form a full body in a conventional manner, including (but not limited to) use of mechanical fasteners, glue, or by inherent design (e.g., locking tabs in molded plastic), etc. Alternatively, the three components may be integrally formed as a single assembly.

Battery assembly 101 is preferably designed to receive batteries 101b and 101c in a horizontal arrangement, as depicted in FIG. 2. Such an arrangement may be advantageous as it minimizes the overall height of the helmet-mounted fan 100, and provides for a more compact design and comfortable use. It is understood, however, that any arrangement for one or more batteries may be utilized as required. Fan blades 107a and 107b are preferably mounted in “push” position, and rotate in an arc 107c as shown, pushing airborne dust away from the face of a user.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the helmet-mountable fan 100 in active operation, directing airborne dust away from the face of a user. Helmet mountable fan 100 may be removably secured to the brim of an illustrative helmet 301 via a preferred clip-on embodiment of attachment assembly 103. It is understood, however, that other modes of attachment of the fan 100 to the helmet are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure. Airflow 302 may be generated by the spinning of the fan blade assembly 107, which redirects incoming airborne dust particulate away from the face of the user, as indicated by airflow lines 303a and 303b. Thus, the user of helmet-mountable fan 100 may enjoy substantially reduced levels of dust inhalation, in addition to reduced annoyance from dust build-up on the face and in the eyes.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the helmet-mountable fan 100 with the fan blades folded into a compact, stowed position. Fan blades 107a and 107b preferably fold inward towards the full body along joints 106a and 106b to create the stowed position, which may advantageously provide a compact configuration and protect fan blades 107a and 107b from accidental damage when not in use.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a helmet-mounted fan 400. Helmet mounted fan 400 preferably attaches to the dome of a helmet (or other head-worn clothing item or equipment) 401 via attachment assembly 402. Attachment assembly 402 may be built into helmet 401 or secured thereto via any suitable means, such as (but not including) glue, mechanical fastener (such as a screw or nut and bolt), hook and loop fastener, etc. Attachment assembly 402 may include a pivot pin or fastener 402a to connect to bridge segment 402b, allowing the user to tilt the helmet-mounted fan 400 at a preferred angle. For this reason, bridge segment 402b preferably has a sloped bottom surface (as depicted) to allow for a wider angle of downward movement.

Battery case assembly 403 may be designed to accommodate any size, shape or type of battery. Standardized “double A” (AA) sized batteries may be preferable, as they offer a good balance between energy storage, weight and size. However other battery sizes may be utilized as desired, including (but not limited to) “triple A” (AAA) size, “C” size, “D” size and 9-volt prismatic batteries. If desired, the batteries may also be rechargeable. A battery cover lock 403a may be provided in the battery case assembly 403 to secure a cover over an opening through which batteries can be inserted into the battery case assembly 403. A spring 403b may be used to secure the battery in place with mechanical tension, preventing the negative and positive terminals from losing continuity with the circuit.

Motor housing 404 preferably houses a motor 404a. Electrical connection 404b preferably provides electrical continuity between batteries stored in battery case assembly 403 and motor 404a. Motor 404a may thereby drive operation of fan assembly 406, which rotates in a direction appropriate to push air outwards and away from the face of a user. The fan assembly 406 may be supported by a support encasing 405a and 405b, which may either house a self-contained fan assembly or form part of its external shell.

It is understand that the motor 404a may alternatively be powered by a power source other than or in addition to batteries. For instance, the fan 100 may include one or more solar panels having an array of solar cells (e.g., photovoltaic array) that receives direct sunlight, which is converted to electrical power to drive the motor 404a and/or to charge rechargeable batteries stored in battery case assembly 403.

Having described and illustrated the principles of this application by reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it should be apparent that the preferred embodiment(s) may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the principles disclosed herein and that it is intended that the application be construed as including all such modifications and variations insofar as they come within the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A helmet-mounted fan, comprising:

a main body, comprising: (i) a fan assembly having at least two fan blades, the at least two fan blades each including a foldable joint, (ii) a motor operatively coupled to the fan assembly, and (iii) a power supply, operatively coupleable to deliver power to the motor and configured to drive rotation of the fan when the power is delivered; and

a clip-on fastener for releasably securing the fan assembly, motor and power supply to a helmet, the clip-on fastener comprising a generally planar base portion and a deformable, arcuate member extending from the base portion, wherein the base portion and arcuate member together define a clamp area that will tightly receiving the brim, visor or brow guard of a helmet, hat or other headwear to releasably secure the fan assembly to the helmet, hat or other headwear.

2. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 1, further comprising a moveable joint disposed between the clip-on fastener and the main body that allows the position of the helmet-mounted fan to be adjustable relative to the helmet.

3. A helmet-mounted fan, comprising:

a fan assembly having at least two fan blades;

a motor operatively coupled to the fan assembly;

a power supply, operatively coupleable to supply power to the motor and drive rotation of the fan; and

means for releasably securing the fan assembly, motor and power supply to a helmet.

4. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 3, wherein each of the at least two fan blades comprises a foldable joint near a base of each fan blade, allowing the fan blades to be positioned in a stowed configuration when not in use.

5. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 3, wherein the fan blades are circumferentially enclosed within a protective fan cover.

6. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 3, wherein the means for releasably securing is a clip-on fastener.

7. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 6, wherein the clip-on fastener comprises a generally planar base portion and a deformable, arcuate member extending from the base portion, wherein the base portion and arcuate member define a clamp area for tightly receiving the brim, visor or brow guard of a helmet, hat or other headwear to removeably secure the fan assembly to the helmet, hat or other headwear.

8. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 3, wherein the means for releasably securing means comprises a hook and loop fastener.

9. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 3, wherein the means for releasably securing comprises an adhesive.

10. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 3, wherein the means for releasably securing comprises a mechanical fastener.

11. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 3, wherein the means for releasably securing comprises a spring clamp.

12. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 3, wherein the means for releasably securing comprises a stretch band that wraps around the top of the helmet.

13. The helmet-mounted fan of claim 3, further comprising a moveable joint which allows the position of the helmet-mounted fan to be adjusted relative to the helmet.