TRANSPORTABLE AIR CIRCULATING AND COOLING ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A HEAD COVERING

Abstract

The present invention describes an air circulating and cooling assembly comprising a housing unit, adapted to quickly and easily secure onto a head covering, such as a hat, and an airflow distributor removably attached to the housing unit. The airflow distributor secures to the housing unit and has at least one vertically disposed aperture fluidly communicating air received from an air generator to the top of the user's head and at least one lateral disposed aperture fluidly communicating air received from the air generator along at least one side of said head covering. The airflow distributor is constructed and arranged to provide directional current flow of the air around the side and top of the head of the individual wearing the head covering wherein the current flow is expelled opposite from the head cover along the opposite side surface from where the airflow distributor is secured to the unit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an air circuiting and/or cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering; more particularly, to a portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat, the assembly designed for directing a supply of air to multiple sections of the hard hat, thereby evenly distributing and circulating air therein and cooling down the internal hard hat environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous jobs require the use of a safety hard hat, such as construction work. In fact, given improved safety standard and regulatory laws, hard hats are required tools of many trades. Safety hats are typically made of polyethylene plastic, making it lightweight, durable, easy to mold and non-conductive to electricity. Despite being lightweight, users are often required to wear hard hats for extended time periods. For jobs performed under high heat and/or excessive sunlight, continuous wearing of hard hats can be extremely uncomfortable for the wearer. Standard complaints about hard hats are that they are too hot. Removal of the hard hat can provide comfort. However, such relief is temporary as extended breaks are not usually tolerated. Modifications to the hard hat have been made to reduce excessive heat. For example, the S62 yellow hard hat made by Bullard® was designed with heat releasing vents for keeping workers cool. The vented shell was designed to allow air to flow inside the hard hat, keeping the user cool and comfortable while providing quality protection.

Cooling mechanisms using fans to cool the internal area of a hat is known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,356 describes a cooling fan for a hard hat mounted on the surface of the hard hat. U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,451 is directed to a hat which is described as having an enclosed fan unit. The fan is described as being attached to the back of the hat and providing air flow over the head of the user. Because the cooling unit is encased within the hat, it is not portable. Lack of portability is disadvantageous because, once the fan is broken, a new hat is required. Moreover, lack of portability results in increased cost associated with use of cooling features as the user is prevented from using a single cooling unit for different hats.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,114,194 is directed to a rear mounted plenum assembly described as having a fan mounted therein. The fan may be located around the back of a hard hat to direct air around the top of the head enclosed in the webbing. The assembly is built into the hard hat, and therefore suffers from the same lack of portability issues as described above.

U.S. Patent Application 2007/0061946 is directed to a cooling unit for a hard hat that is described as being removable. The device contains a housing unit that contains a fan, a power source, and a single tubular structure that is coupled to the hard hat. The device is designed to provide air flow using the single tubular structure so that air flow is directed in a single direction. The '946 application fails to describe directed air flow in multiple directions.

Therefore, what is needed in the art is an air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering that minimizes air flow dissipation by directing the air flow to multiple locations within the head covering, thereby providing a circulating effect and enhanced cooling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an air circulating and cooling assembly comprising a housing unit and an airflow distributor removably attached to the housing unit. The housing unit is adapted to easily and quickly install onto a head covering, such as a hat. The airflow distributor secures to the housing unit and has at least one vertically disposed aperture fluidly communicating air received from an air generator to the top of the users head, and at least one lateral disposed aperture fluidly communicating air received from the air generator along at least one side of the head covering. The airflow distributor is constructed and arranged to provide directional current flow of the air around the side and top of the individual's head wearing the head cover wherein the current flow is expelled opposite from the head cover along the opposite side surface from where the airflow distributor is secured to the unit.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering that does not require modifying the head covering.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a removable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a removable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat.

Yet still another objective of the present invention is to provide an air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering which contains a removable airflow distributor.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering which contains a removable airflow distributor having at least one vertically disposed aperture and at least one lateral aperture.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering which is adapted to provide multi-directional airflow within a head covering.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering which is adapted to provide multi-directional airflow within a head covering thereby providing a pattern of airflow circulation for enhanced cooling effect.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering which is adapted to provide multi-directional airflow within a head covering, thereby providing a pattern of airflow circulation resulting in evenly distributed air within the head covering, thereby providing for enhanced cooling effect.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat which is adapted to provide multi-directional airflow within a hard hat, thereby providing a pattern of airflow circulation for enhanced cooling effect.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat which is adapted to provide multi-directional airflow within the hard hat, thereby providing a pattern of airflow circulation for enhanced cooling effect.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a left side perspective view of a portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a right side perspective view of the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a right side perspective view of the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a left side perspective view of the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the external surface of the first portion of the external section of the housing unit;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the internal surface of the first portion of the external section of the housing unit;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the airflow generator inserted within the external section of the housing unit;

FIG. 10B is a front perspective view perspective view of the airflow generator removed from the housing unit;

FIG. 11A is a rear perspective view of the internal surface of a second portion of the external section of the housing unit;

FIG. 11B is a rear perspective view of the second portion of the external section of the housing unit with a battery pack inserted therein;

FIG. 11C is a top view of the internal section of the housing unit; illustrating the terminal end and corresponding opening;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an airflow distributor illustrating the connecting side;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an airflow distributor illustrating the air distributing side;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the internal surface of a typical hard hat;

FIG. 15 is a plane view of the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention secured to a hard hat;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a typical hard hat with the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention secured thereto;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the interior of a typical hard hat with the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention secured thereto;

FIG. 18 illustrates the air flow pattern generated by the portable air circulating and cooling assembly in accordance with the present invention secured to a hard hat;

FIG. 19 illustrates the air flow pattern as it travels from the back of the hard hat to the front.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Now referring to the figures in general, and specifically in FIGS. 1-7, set forth is an illustrative embodiment of a removable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering. The air circulating and cooling assembly 10 comprises a housing unit 12 and an airflow distributor 14 removably attached to the housing unit. The housing unit is adapted to easily and quickly install onto a head covering, such as a hat. While the embodiment of the hat as described herein is a safety hard hat typically used in the construction industry, any hat worn by an individual that is subject to excessive buildup of heat could benefit from the present invention. Both the housing unit 12 and an airflow distributor 14 may be made of the same material, such as a hard plastic. Alternatively, the unit 12 and an airflow distributor 14 may be made of different materials such that the housing unit is made of a hard, inflexible material, such as a plastic material, and the airflow distributor 14 flexible material, such as a rubber material. In another alternative embodiment, housing unit 12 may be made of a combination of materials such that at least one portion is made from a hard inflexible plastic material (i.e. the internal section 18, see next paragraph for description) and at least one other portion, i.e. the portion that extends into a hat such as the external section 16, see next paragraph for a description), is made of a flexible rubber material.

The housing unit 12 has an external section 16 for positioning along the outer surface of the hard hat and an internal section 18 for positioning along the internal surface of the hard hat. The external section 16 and the internal section 18 have a bridge 20 therebetween. The bridge 20 preferably forms a U-shaped structure, but such shape is not intended to be limiting. The housing unit 12 is constructed and arranged to hold therein necessary components to provide a functional device designed to provide air circulation by evenly distributing air to the multiple sections of the hard hat simultaneously, thereby reducing the overall temperature of the hard hat environment.

As an illustrative embodiment, the housing unit 12 comprises a front cover 22, see FIGS. 8, 9, 10A and 10B, and a back cover 24, see FIGS. 11A and 11B. The external surface 26 of the front cover 22 contains a grid-like cut out region 28 which allows for ambient air to be drawn into the housing unit 12. Additional cut outs 30 and 32, positioned along the top 33 of the housing unit 12 are sized and shaped to receive functional control units such as power buttons or charging unit, as described later. Along the left side 34 and right side 36 are first portions 39 of a securing member, illustrated herein as a strap holder 38. Although the strap holder is illustrated as being made of two portions secured together to form the working unit, the strap holder 38 can be made of a single unit attached thereto or integrally formed to the housing unit 12. The strap holder 38 contains two L-shaped arms 40 and 42 attached or integrally formed to the left side 34 or the right side 36 of the housing unit 12. The L-shaped arms 40 and 42 extend therefrom to form a first space 44 sized and shaped for receiving and holding a strap. The terminal ends 46 and 48 of the L-shaped arms 40 and 42 are separated by a gap 50 which also functions to allow easy insertion and removal of a strap.

Referring to FIG. 9, the internal surface 52 of the front cover 22 is illustrated. A plurality of recessed areas 54 with openings 56 are arranged to provide a means for securing functional components to the internal surface 52. To provide a supply of airflow within the housing unit 12, an airflow generator 58 is secured to compartment 60, see FIG. 10A, using a securing mechanism such as a screw 62 inserted into opening 56. The airflow generator 58 may be a fan unit, such as a brushless fan or a blower. Preferably, the airflow generator 58 is a centrifugal fan 64, see FIG. 10B, which is designed to move air into the unit 12 with an increase in pressure to create an airflow supply through the use of impellers. While the centrifugal fan 64 is illustrated, other known airflow generators or fan units known to one of skill in the art may be used. The centrifugal fan 64 contains a fan housing unit 66 having a fan wheel 68 composed of a plurality of fan blades 70 or ribs mounted about a hub which is rotated by a driveshaft (not illustrated). Rotation of the fan blades draws air into the centrifugal fan 64 to the side, see arrows 72, turns 90 degrees and exits through an opening 74, see arrows 76. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the airflow generator 58 (shown in a housing unit 77) is arranged within compartment 60 so as to direct airflow generated into compartment 78. An opening 80 of the housing unit 77 rests flush with dividing wall 82 as to prevent airflow generated from being dissipated or directed to intended areas of the housing unit 12. To generate a higher pressure ratio, i.e. the ratio of the discharge pressure over suction pressure, greater than 1.1, the fan may be replaced by a blower.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the internal surface 84 of the back cover 24 is illustrated. The back cover 24 is constructed and arranged to secure to the front cover 22 to form the housing unit 12. Positioned along the left side 86 and the right side 88 is the second half 90 of the securing member 38, comprising of two generally L-shaped arms 92 and 94 attached or integrally formed to the left side 86 or the right side 88 of the housing unit 12. The L-shaped arms 92 and 94 extending therefrom to form a first space 96 sized and shaped for receiving and holding a strap. The terminal ends 98 and 100 of the L-shaped arms 92 and 94 are separated by a gap 102 which also functions to allow easy insertion and removal of a strap or band. Securing of the front cover 22 to the back cover 24 is accomplished by aligning the two sections together so that posts 104 frictionally fit into recesses 104 located on the generally L-shaped arms 40 and 42 of the front cover 22. Use of screws (not illustrated) inserted into and secured within openings 106 (back cover 24) and openings 108 (front cover 22) may provide further means of fastening. Additionally, the back cover contains a flange 110 circumscribed about the perimeter which can be inserted within a recessed channel 112 located about the front cover 22 to provide air tight securing, thereby preventing airflow from escaping the housing unit 10 as well as preventing outside moisture from entering therein.

The internal surface 84 of the back cover 24 may be divided into several compartments, each holding functional components of the air circulating and cooling assembly 10. For example, compartment 114 is sized and shaped to contain a removable battery 116, such as a 5V lithium battery. The removable battery 116 is electrically coupled to airflow generator 58 to provide a source of electrical power to generate a continuous supply of airflow. The internal surface 84 of the back cover 24 also supports a circuit board, such as a printed circuit board 118 via support structures 118 and 120. The printed circuit board 118 may include, for example, a microcontroller (not illustrated) and associated circuitry (not illustrated). The microcontroller may be designed to interface to switching circuitry that selectively closes and opens one or more paths that allow the battery 116 to power on and off the airflow generator 58. The microcontroller also interfaces with one or more user operated switches 124. The user operated switch 124 allows the user to control the operation of the device, through on/off functionality (i.e. turning the airflow generator fan or blower on or off, or intermittent such that the fan or blower is automatically cycled on/off for predetermined time periods) or airflow generator speed such as slow/normal/fast modes corresponding to the speed of the fan or blower.

To recharge the battery 116, the internal surface 84 of the back cover 24 also supports a charge connector port, illustrated as a micro USB port 126. The printed circuit board 118 includes charging circuitry, operably coupled between the micro USB connector port 126 and the battery 116 that operates to charge the battery using electrical power signals supplied thereto by external power sources. Other charge connectors may be used as well, including a standard electrical outlet plug. Additionally, the housing unit 12 may be adapted, i.e. to include a solar power panel and associated circuitry, to store and use solar power. Preferably, the battery generates power for at least 8 hours and has a charging capacity of over 1800 A. At the top 130 of the back cover 24 are indicating lights 132 and 134. The lights 132 and 134 may be different colors, i.e. one green light for indicating full battery charge, one red for indicating low battery level. Additionally, one or both may be designed to blink.

When sealed with the front cover 22, compartment 136 aligns with compartment 76, allowing airflow to move from opening 80 of the airflow generator 58 thereto. A support panel 138 functions to support the battery 116 and to provide sealing of compartment 136, thereby preventing fluid escaping into the housing unit 12. The front surface 140 is designed to have an inset region so that once the front cover and back cover seal together a seal is formed around the opening 80. Compartment 136 contains airflow passageway 142, see FIG. 11A, which terminates in opening 144 at the terminal end 146 of the internal section 18, which may be divided into two channels 148 and 150, see FIG. 11C. The airflow generated by the airflow generator 58 is directed to the airflow passageway 142. The airflow generated is directionally guided to opening 144 through the use of the bridge 20. The bridge 20 is preferably a generally tubular, hollow structure constructed and arranged to help secure the removable air circulating and cooling assembly 10 to the hard hat, as described later.

Attached to the internal section 18 of the housing unit 12 is the removable airflow distributor 14, see for example FIG. 1. The airflow distributor 14 contains a front end 152, a back end 154, and a main body 156 therebetween. The airflow distributor 14 is adapted to provide directional air flow in a plurality of directions, thereby creating circulating air flow about the users head inserted within the hard hat. Since the airflow distributor 14 attaches to the housing unit 12, the air distributor provides an additional mechanism of securing the removable air circulating and cooling assembly 10 to the hard hat.

The back end 154 is adapted to quickly and easily be attachable to and removable (released) from the housing unit 12. Openings 158 and 160 are sized and shaped to receive tabs 162 and 164, see FIG. 11B and FIG. 7, thereby locking the two structures together so that the terminal end 146 is positioned within the slotted opening 166, see FIG. 13. As described above, one of the main functions of the airflow distributor 14 is to directionally distribute airflow generated to one or more locations. To that effect, the airflow distributor 14 may be hollow or partially hollow to allow for passage of air within. The airflow distributor 14 contains at least one aperture chamber, and preferably a plurality of aperture chambers 168, 170, 172, 174, and 176 for providing directed airflow delivery.

In contrast to prior art cooling systems, the present invention minimizes air flow dissipation by directing the air flow to one or more locations of the hard hat, thereby providing a circulating effect and enhanced cooling. Each of the aperture chambers 168, 170, 172, 174, and 176 terminate in a vent or aperture. Preferably, the airflow distributor 14 has at least one vertically disposed aperture and at least one laterally disposed aperture. For example, at least one vertically disposed aperture is formed by the aperture chamber 172 terminating in aperture 178. The at least one vertically disposed aperture is formed by chambers 168 and 170 terminating apertures 180 and 182 respectively.

Additionally, vertically disposed apertures are formed by chambers 174 and 176 terminating in apertures 184 and 186 respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 14, air flow, illustrated as arrows 190-198, is directed through aperture chambers 168, 170, 172, 174, and 176 and out to the hard hat environment through apertures 178, 180, 182, 184 and 186, thereby providing directional current flow of the air around the side and top of the head of the individual wearing the hard hat, wherein the current flow is expelled opposite from hard hat along opposite side surface from the airflow distributor securement. The laterally disposed apertures may be staged or arranged in a plurality of arrangements. For example, the laterally disposed apertures may be placed on the left side, right side, top side, bottom side, or combinations thereof. The laterally disposed apertures may be staged in a parallel manner so that one aperture is directly above or below another aperture. Alternatively, the vertically disposed apertures may be arranged in a staggered arrangement. Each aperture may include a curved surface to direct the airflow in an angled direction relative to the aperture. Alternatively, one or more aperture may contain a flap for directing the air flow at a directional angle relative to the aperture.

As described previously, the circulating and cooling assembly 10 is designed for use in combination with a head covering. FIGS. 15-19 illustrate the circulating and cooling assembly 10 in use with a standard hard hat typically used in the construction industry for safety purposes. While the hard hat is illustrated as an exemplary head covering, the air circulating assembly 10 may be secured to or otherwise used with other hats, including but not limited to a football helmet. While attachment to certain hats, like the football helmet, can create dangerous conditions when secured to the helmet in use, the advantage of the air circulating assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention is that it is easily transportable and easily securable to any hat. As such, in cases like a football helmet where any additional piece connected to the helmet may be dangerous while playing, the present invention could be utilized when individuals are not directly involved in live action. Rather, the air circulating assembly 10 may be attached to a player's helmet during timeouts, while not playing on the field, or for a quick cool down.

Referring to FIG. 15, the circulating and cooling assembly 10 is shown coupled to the back end 200 of a standard hard hat 202 using a strap 203 secured to the strap holder 38. When activated, the circulating and cooling assembly 10 provides for airflow, see arrow 206, above the user's head 204 as well as airflow, see arrows 208 and 210, to the side of the user's head 204. As shown, the external section 16 is positioned along the outer surface 212 of the hard hat, and the internal section 18 is positioned along the internal surface 214, see FIG. 17. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the standard hard hat 202 contains a rim 216 along the back end 200. The housing unit 12 is coupled to the hard hat 202 so that the rim 216 is inserted within and rests at a lipped portion 218, see FIG. 6, of the housing unit 12. The terminal end 146 may include a beveled edge to provide ease of fit. Once in position, the airflow distributor 14 is inserted so that openings 158 and 160 receive tabs 162 and 164. The airflow distributor 14 extends up into the hard hat 202. Once activated, the airflow generator 58 provides a continuous stream of airflow that is directed to the at least one vertically disposed aperture and the at least one laterally disposed aperture. Using at least one vertical aperture and at least one lateral aperture provides a unique air flow pattern that delivers airflow to the top and sides of the back portion of the hard hat 202, see FIG. 18. As air moves from the back of the hard hat along the upper surface and the side surfaces, airflow is directed toward the front 220 of the hard hat 202 along the top and sides of the user's head, see FIG. 19. Such pattern creates a system in which air flow travels above the user's head as well as the sides as it is directed towards the front section 220 of the hard hat 202. The airflow thus creates a circulating effect and minimizes patches of cool spots created by devices that do not utilize lateral and vertical directed airflow.

The circulating and cooling assembly 10 is further designed to be securable to a hard hat without interfering with additional structural features, such as head fastening straps 222 attached to the interior surface 214, see FIG. 17.

While detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering comprising:

a housing unit for removable attachment to a head covering, said housing unit having an external section pensionable along an outer surface of said head covering and an internal section positionable along an internal section of said head covering, said external section and said internal section having a hollow bridge therebetween;

an airflow generator placed within said external section, said airflow generator having a battery operated air blower for drawing unconditional air into said external section, said unconditional air directed through said bridge;

an airflow distributor removably secured to said internal section, said airflow distributor having at least one vertically disposed aperture fluidly communicating air received through said bridge along an upper internal surface of said head covering and at least one laterally disposed aperture fluidly communicating air received through said bridge along at least one side of said head covering, said airflow distributor constructed and arranged to provide directional current flow of the air around the side and top of the head of the individual wearing said head cover wherein the current flow is expelled opposite from said head cover along opposite side surface from said airflow distributor securement.

2. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering according to claim 1 wherein said bridge forms a U-shaped structure.

3. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering according to claim 1 wherein said housing unit includes a lip formed in said bridge for positioning said housing unit to an edge of said head covering.

4. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering according to claim 1 wherein said housing unit further includes at least one strap holder secured to said external section, said strap holder receptive to an adjustable strap that wraps around the external surface of the head covering to maintain positioning.

5. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering according to claim 1 wherein said airflow distributor further includes a releasable fastener for securement to said internal section.

6. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering according to claim 1 wherein said airflow distributor contains a plurality of lateral disposed apertures for direction control of said airflow.

7. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering according to claim 6 wherein each said lateral aperture is staged along a vertical length thereof.

8. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering according to claim 1 wherein said airflow distributor further contains aperture chambers sized to provide directional airflow along a predetermined path.

9. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a head covering according to claim 1 further including a charging port.

10. A portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat comprising:

a housing unit for removable attachment to a head covering, said housing unit having an external section pensionable along an outer surface of said hard hat and an internal section positionable along an internal section of said hard hat, said external section and said internal section having a hollow U-shaped bridge therebetween;

an airflow generator placed within said external section, said airflow generator having a battery operated air blower for drawing unconditional air into said external section, said unconditional air directed through said bridge;

an airflow distributor removably secured to said internal section, said airflow distributor having at least one vertically disposed aperture fluidly communicating air received through said bridge along an upper internal surface of said head covering and at least one laterally disposed aperture fluidly communicating air received through said bridge along at least one side of said head covering, said airflow distributor constructed and arranged to provide directional current flow of the air around the side and top of the head of the individual wearing said head covering wherein the current flow is expelled opposite from said head cover along opposite side surface from said airflow distributor securement.

11. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat according to claim 10 wherein said housing unit includes a lip formed in said bridge for positioning said housing unit to an edge of a brim of said hard hat.

12. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat according to claim 10 wherein said housing unit further includes at least one strap holder secured to said external section, said strap holder receptive to an adjustable strap that wraps around the external surface of said hard hat to maintain positioning.

13. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat according to claim 10 wherein said airflow distributor further includes a releasable fastener for securement to said internal section.

14. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat according to claim 10 wherein said airflow distributor contains a plurality of laterally disposed apertures for directional control of said airflow.

15. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat according to claim 10 wherein each said lateral aperture is staged along a vertical length thereof.

16. The portable air circulating and cooling assembly for use in combination with a hard hat according to claim 10 wherein said airflow distributor further contains aperture chambers sized to provide directional airflow along a predetermined path.