Personal Air Conditioning Unit

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements in air conditioned headwear, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a removable or independent air conditioning unit for use with with substantially any headwear, such as caps, hats, headbands, eyeglasses, and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Persons spending a considerable amount of time in the out-of-doors, such as workmen, athletes, sports fans, fisherman, and the like, frequently wear head gear to protect themselves from the heat or cold of the surrounding atmosphere. There is an every increasing demand today for providing the comfort of cooling of the wearer of the head gear during hot weather conditions, or the like, or heating of the wearer during cold weather conditions. Many air conditioned hats, helmets, or the like, have been provided for achieiving these end results, such as those shown in the Jublius Drox U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,423, issued May 29, 1973, and entitled "Hat With Ventilating Means," or my own prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,391,407, issued July 9, 1968, and entitled "Helmet," and 3,548,415, issued Dec. 22, 1970, and entitleed "Air Conditioned Helmet." These devices have certain disadvantages, however, in that the headwear is provided with permanently installed air conditioning units, and in the event there is no need or desire for using the air conditioning unit, the headwear may be burdensome to wear. Other types of these devices require that the headwear be altered in order to accommodate the air conditioning unit.

The present invention contemplates an independent or detachable air conditioning unit particularly designed and constructed for overcoming the foregoing disadvantages, and which may be utilized with substantially all types of headwear, such as hats, caps, helmets, headbands, eyeglasses, and the like. The novel air conditioning unit comprises an electric motor having an impeller or fan carried thereby, and removably disposed within a lightweight housing. The motor is preferably secured to an air inlet screen which may be removably secured to or within the headwear. A battery holder for receiving or supporting battery means is provided for the unit and the battery is electrically connected with the motor and an electric switch, which is also provided on the unit, and operable to selectively actuate the motor and fan.

The air conditioning unit may be secured to or in substantially any type of headwear in substantially any desired manner. For example, outwardly extending tab means may be provided on the air conditioning unit for insertion within recess means provided on the head wear for removably securing the unit to the head wear. Alternately, gripper means may be provided on the unit and the headwear for removably securing the unit to the headwear, or Velcro tape may be provided for securing the unit to the headwear, or substantially any other type securing means may be provided. Thus, the air conditioning unit may be quickly and easily installed on or in the headwear when desired, and quickly and easily removed therefrom when the headwear is to be otherwise used. The novel air conditioning unit is of an overall lightweight construction, preferably weighing not more than approximately three ounces, and is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an air conditioning unit embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an air conditioning unit embodying the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an air conditioning unit embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified air conditioning unit embodying the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a cap with a portion thereof cut-away for illustrating an air conditioning unit embodying the invention as installed thereon.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a pair of eyeglasses having an air conditioning unit embodying the invention installed thereon.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a helmet and illustrates an air conditioning unit of the invention installed therein.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a headband having an air conditioning unit embodying the invention installed thereon.

FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of a portion of a headwear illustrating a pocket for removably securing an air conditioning unit of the invention to the headwear.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, reference character 10 generally indicates an air conditioning unit for headwear comprising a housing 12 preferably constructed from a lightweight plastic material, but not limited thereto. As shows in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the housing 12 comprises a first substantially flat plate member 14 of a substantially circular configuration, but not limited thereto, and having a pair of oppositely disposed radially outwardly extending flaps or ears 16 and 18 preferably integral therewith. The central portion of the plate 14 is provided with a plurality of openings or apertures 20 whereby air may pass through the plate for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. In addition, a plurality of suitable batteries 22, preferably two, but at least one or more, are removably disposed in individual battery holders or brackets 24 mounted on or integral with the outwardly directed face of the plate 14 in any well known manner (not shown). A suitable switch member 26 is also mounted on the outwardly directed face of the plate 14 in any suitable manner and is electrically connected between the batteries 22 and a motor 28 for selective actuation of the motor.

A second substantially flat plate 30 is spaced from the plate 14 by a plurality of spaced support members 32, and the plate 30 is preferably provided with a plurality of openings 34 including a central opening 36 as particularly shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the plate 30 is of a substantially grid-type configuration whereby a stream of air may flow therethrough. The plate 30 may be constructed from a suitable lightweight plastic material, or may be constructed from a suitable mesh-like material, such as a screen (not shown), and functions as a grid for dispersing a flow of air therethrough. The plate 30 may be a temperature grid, if desired, for either warming or cooling the air passing therethrough, depending upon the desired end result for the use of the unit 10. Or alternately, a separate temperature grid (not shown) may be secured to one face of the plate 30 in any well known manner, to provide a flameless warming screen for heating the air passing therethrough, or may be a refrigerent gel screen as set forth in my aforementioned pending application for cooling the air passing therethrough.

The motor 28 extends inwardly from the plate 14 and may be of any suitable type, such as a 1.5 volt motor, and carries a fan or rotor 38 which is disposed between the screens or plates 14 and 30. The motor 28 and fan 38 are of a lightweight construction, and preferably weigh, in combination, less than one ounce. In addition, it is preferable that the fan 38 comprise blades made from a soft plastic material whereby the rotation of the blades may be stopped easily and harmlessly with a finger of the user of the unit 10. The fan 26 is rotated by the motor 28 in the usual manner and pulls air into the housing 12 through the first plate 14 and discharges air from the housing 12 through the screen or plate 30. Of course, the fan 38 is only activated when the switch 26 has been properly manipulated, as is well known.

As hereinbefore set forth, the battery or batteries 22 may be of any suitable type as required for supplying power to the motor 28, such as 1.5 volt dry cell batteries, but not limited thereto. The switch 26 may be of any suitable type, such as a toggle switch, push button type, or the like, for ready manipulation by the user of the unit 10 in order to selectively start and stop the operation thereof. The bracket or brackets 24 are preferably provided with the usual electrical contacts (not shown) for engagement with the opposite ends of the batteries 22, as is well known. One of said electrical contacts is electrically connected with the motor 28 by a lead 40 (FIG. 1) and the opposite electrical contact of the same bracket 24 is electrically connected with one contact of the other bracket 24 by a lead 42. The remaining contact is electrically connected with the switch 26 by a lead 44, and the switch 26 is electrically connected with the motor 28 by a lead 46. This places the switch 26 whereby one position thereof electrically connects the battery or batteries 22 with the motor 28 for actuation thereof, and another position of the switch 26 breaks the electrical connection between the battery or batteries 22 and the motor 28. Of course, the fan 38 is rotated continuously during the activation of the motor 28 for moving air through the housing 12 for discharge thereof through the panel or plate 30.

The air conditioning unit 10 may be removably secured to substantially any type headwear in any well known manner. However, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the flaps or ears 16 and 18 are particularly designed and constructed for a removable engagement with suitable pockets one of which is shown at 17 in FIG. 9 or recesses which may be provided on the headwear in any well known manner. Thus, the unit 10 may be quickly and easily installed on the headwear without substantial alteration of the overall appearance thereof when it is desired to heat or cool the air directed over the users head or across his face and forehead. The unit 10 may also be quickly and easily removed from the headwear when it is not needed, and the headwear may be utilized in its normal fashion.

For example, as schematically depicted in FIG. 7, the unit 10 may be removably secured within a helmet 48 in the manner as hereinbefore set forth, and may be utilized for heating or cooling air for discharge of the air onto the head (not shown) of the wearer of the helmet. By way of further example, the unit 10 as shown in FIG. 8 may be removably secured to a sweat band or independent headband 50 in such a manner that the plate 30 is disposed against the forehead, or the like, of the person using the apparatus 10. Of course, substantially any type of device for wearing on the head may be provided with the unit 10 in order to direct warm or cool air onto the head, or any portion thereof, or onto the shoulders, or the like, of the person using the device 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the invention is generally indicated at 52 and comprises a substantially semi-spherical housing 54 constructed from a suitable lightweight plastic material, or the like, and having a grid-type or open construction as clearly shown in the drawings. The open end 56 of the housing 54 is substantially closed by a plate or disc member 58 which may be generally similar to the plate 14, but not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the unit is provided with at least one, and preferably two, but not limited thereto, batteries 60 removably disposed in individual battery holders or brackets 62 which are secured to or integral with the outer face of the plate 58 in any well known manner. A motor 64 generally similar to the motor 28 is secured to the central portion of the plate 58 in any well known manner, and a switch 66 is also secured to the plate 58 in the same general manner as the switch 26. The switch 66 is electrically connected between the battery or batteries 60 and the motor 64 as hereinbefore set forth in order to provide selective actuation of the motor 64. In addition, a fan or rotor 68 similar to the fan 38 is carried by the motor 64 and rotates continuously when the switch 66 is in the "on" position, as is well known.

It will be readily apparent that the unit 52 may be quickly and easily installed in substantially any type of gear worn on the head, as hereinbefore set forth, and quickly and easily removed therefrom when the unit 52 is not required.

Referring now to FIG. 5, still another embodiment of the invention is generally indicated at 70, and as shown herein comprises a housing 72 which includes a first substantially elongated plate member 74 of a lightweight construction and of a grid-type configuration. Power means, such as a battery 76, is suitably secured to the outwardly directed face of the plate 74, and is electrically connected between a switch 78 and motor 80 which are also mounted on the plate 74. Of course, the electrical connection between the switch 78, motor 80 and battery 76 may be of any suitable or well known type whereby the motor 80 is activated only when the switch 78 is in the "on" position.

A second plate 82 is spaced from the first plate 74 by a plurality of spaced support members 84, and is preferably of an elongated grid-type configuration. As hereinbefore set forth, the plate 82 may be a temperature grid, if desired, or an independent temperature grid (not shown) may be disposed adjacent or secured to the plate 82 for warming or cooling any air passing through the plate 82. A fan 86 is carried by the motor 80 and is generally similar to the fan 38 for pulling air through the plate 74 and discharging air through the plate 82, as hereinbefore set forth.

As particularly shown in FIG. 5, the unit 70 may be removably installed in the bill 88 of a cap 90 in any suitable manner, such as a projection or knob member 91 secured to the unit 70 and removably engagable with an elastic band 93 or the like secured to the bill 88, without any substantial alteration of overall configuration of the cap. Thus, the cap 90 may be easily worn in its natural condition when the unit 70 is not required.

Referring now to FIG. 6, still another embodiment of the invention is shown wherein an air conditioning unit generally indicated as 92 is shown. The unit 92 comprises a small motor 94 of the same general type as the motor 28 removably secured in an opening 96 provided in the bridge portion 98 of a pair of eyeglasses 100. A fan 102 is carried by the motor 94, and as shown in FIG. 6 is disposed exteriorly of the eyeglass portion 104 of the eyeglasses 100. Thus, the fan will pull fresh air onto the forehead or face of the person wearing the glasses 100 having the unit 92 removably installed thereon. It will be readily apparent that the fan 102 may be disposed interiorly of the eyeglass portion 104, if desired, and a suitable guard plate, or the like, (not shown) may be provided between the fan 102 and the anatomy of the person wearing the glasses 100. In addition, at least one and preferably two batteries 106 (shown in broken lines) are removably secured to the frame portion 108 of the glasses 100, and a switch 110 is also removably secured to the frame 108 in any suitable manner (not shown). Of course, the switch 110 is electrically connected between the battery or batteries 106 and the motor 94 whereby the fan 102 may be selectively rotated by manipulation of the switch 110.

It will be apparent that the entire unit 92, including the motor 94, fan 102, and battery means 106, may be removably attached to substantially any normal or standard type eyeglasses. The means for removably securing the unit 92 to the eyeglasses may be of any suitable type such as clasps, clips, snaps, or the like (not shown).

It is to be understood that substantially any well known or desirable means may be provided for removably securing the unit 10, or other air conditioning units of the invention, to the headwear, or gear worn on the head or any portion thereof, such as Velcro tape, gripper means, zipper elements, or the like (not shown). In addition, headwear constructed from soft or flexible materials in the proximity of the desired mounting location for the unit 10 may be reinforced with any desired and well known material for facilitating the installation or attachment of the unit 10 to the headwear.

As hereinbefore set forth, the unit 10 may be utilized in combination with substantially any type headwear. It is to be noted, however, in each instance it is desirable to arrange the unit 10 on the headwear in such a manner that the air blowing from the detachable or removable unit moves onto the head, or any portion thereof such as the forehead, neck, shoulders, face, or the like, of the wearer. The draft of moving air is useful and advantageous not only for cooling, but also to blow away air pollutants, mosquitoes, flies, insects, and the like, even when the downwardly or otherwise flowing air is not additionally cooled or warmed by the temperature control plate 30. It has been found that the moisture frequently on the skin of the wearer in the form of perspiration aids in the cooling of the wearer as the moving air passes across the damp skin area or areas.

Whereas the invention as particularly described herein includes the use of a conventional electric motor, it is to be understood that substantially any other type of power means may be utilized in lieu thereof. For example, solar cells may be secured in the units in such a manner that the housing of the unit may become the collector surface for solar energy for use as the power for the units, or alternately, the solar cells may be secured to the headwear in such a manner that a portion of the headwear may be utilized as the collector surface therefor. In addition, whereas the band 50 as illustrated in FIG. 8 has been referred to as a headband, it is to be noted that the band 50 may be of a type to be worn about the neck of the user, or any portions of the anatomy wherein it is desired to provide a cooling or warming flow of air. Of course, in the event the removable air conditioning unit is utilized in combination with eyeglasses, the air current blowing directly onto the glass portion thereof substantially precludes loss of vision due to "fogging" when cold glasses are exposed to warm air, or by loss of vision by smoke, or the like, which may be blown away by the fan. In addition, it is anticipated that the open framework of the eyeglasses may be utilized in the manner as hereinbefore set forth even in the event that no glass is installed therein. The novel air conditioning unit may also be of a "snap on" type construction for installation on substantially any normal type of eyeglasses.

It is also anticipated that the air conditioning unit of the invention may be affixed in a self-contained fashion to a "walkie-talkie" helmet, to ear and hearing protector devices, such as used by airplane controllers on the ground at airports, and the like. Thus, the novel air conditioning unit of the invention makes personal air conditioning possible.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel air conditioning unit which may be quickly and easily installed or attached to substantially any type headwear, or other type wearing apparel, and may be readily removed therefrom when the use of the unit is no longer desired or necessary. The novel air conditioning unit comprising a housing which may be removably secured to the apparel at substantially any desired position thereon. Power supply means is operably secured to the motor and is provided with switch means for facilitating the selective operation of the motor and fan by the wearer of the apparel having the air conditioning unit installed thereon. The novel air conditioning unit is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.