U.S. patent application number 11/913989 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-17 for tent fan.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE COLEMAN COMPANY, INC.. Invention is credited to Michael D. Brockel, Kelly D. Wright.
Application Number | 20080169013 11/913989 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37397302 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080169013 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brockel; Michael D. ; et
al. |
July 17, 2008 |
Tent Fan
Abstract
A tent fan (20) for moving air through a tent (50) or canopy.
The tent fan (20) includes a housing (22) with magnets (36, 38),
and a separate metal plate (40). The metal plate (40) may be placed
on the opposite side of a screen (54) from the housing (22) and may
be attached to the magnets (36, 38). In this manner, the tent fan
(20) is mounted for directing air into or out of the tent (50) or
canopy through the screen. The metal plate (40) is bent at one end
so that it may act as a stand for the tent fan (20) to be arranged
in an upright manner. A special port (52) may be provided for
fitting the tent fan on a side or top of a tent (50) or a
canopy.
Inventors: |
Brockel; Michael D.;
(Wichita, KS) ; Wright; Kelly D.; (Highland
Village, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG, VOIT & MAYER, LTD.;(SEATTLE OFFICE)
TWO PRUDENTIAL PLAZA, SUITE 4900
CHICAGO
IL
60601-6731
US
|
Assignee: |
THE COLEMAN COMPANY, INC.
Wichita
KS
|
Family ID: |
37397302 |
Appl. No.: |
11/913989 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
May 11, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US06/18218 |
371 Date: |
November 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60679705 |
May 11, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/93 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/14 20060101
E04H015/14 |
Claims
1. A fan for moving air through a tent or canopy, the tent or
canopy including a fabric structure, the tent fan comprising: a
housing; a fan blade mounted in the housing; a structure separate
from the housing, one of the housing and the structure comprising
at least one magnet, and the other of the housing or structure
comprising a ferromagnetic material attracted to said at least one
magnet; and the housing, the structure, the magnet, and the
ferromagnetic material being arranged and configured such that when
the magnet is mounted on one side of a fabric material for a tent
or canopy and the ferromagnetic material is on the opposite side,
the housing is supported on the fabric material by connection of
the magnet to the ferromagnetic material.
2. The fan of claim 1, wherein lower portions of the structure and
the housing are configured so that when the ferromagnetic material
is attached to the housing, the fan is supportable on the lower
portions so that the fan may extend upright.
3. The fan of claim 2, wherein the structure comprises a metal
plate formed of ferromagnetic material, the metal plate being
configured to extend against the housing with the lower portion of
the metal plate being bent away from the lower portion of the
housing.
4. The fan of claim 3, wherein said at least one magnet is mounted
on the housing, and the structure comprises a metal plate formed of
ferromagnetic material.
5. The fan of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an opening for
receiving the fan blade.
6. The fan of claim 5, wherein the structure attaches around the
opening.
7. The fan of claim 5, further comprising a protective structure
extending over the opening on opposite sides of the fan blade.
8. The fan of claim 7, wherein the protective structure comprises
spokes extending over the opening.
9. The fan of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a notch into
which at least a part of the structure fits.
10. The fan of claim 1, further comprising a battery pack connected
to the housing by a cord.
11. A tent comprising a screened port for fitting the tent fan of
claim 1.
12. A tent or a canopy and fan combination, comprising: a fabric
material forming a wall for the tent or canopy; a screen in the
fabric material; a fan, comprising: a housing mounted on the first
side of the screen; a fan blade mounted in the housing; a structure
mounted on the opposite side of the screen from the housing, one of
the housing and the structure comprising at least one magnet, and
the other of the housing or structure comprising a ferromagnetic
material attracted to said at least one magnet; and, the housing,
the structure, the magnet, and the ferromagnetic material being
arranged and configured such that the housing is supported on the
fabric material by connection of the magnet to the ferromagnetic
material, and the fan blade is mounted so that when rotating the
blade draws air through the screen.
13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the housing comprises an
opening for receiving the fan blade.
14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the structure attaches
around the opening.
15. The combination of claim 14, further comprising a protective
structure extending over the opening on opposite sides of the fan
blade.
16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the protective structure
comprises spokes extending over the opening.
17. The combination of claim 12, wherein the housing comprises a
notch into which at least a part of the structure fits.
18. The fan of the combination of claim 12.
19. The combination of claim 12, wherein the screen covers an
opening of a port that is sized to receive the housing.
20. The combination of claim 12, further comprising a battery pack
connected to the housing by a cord.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/679,705, filed May 11, 2005, and
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to tents or canopies, and
more specifically to ventilation in a tent or canopy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Camping is a popular recreational activity enjoyed by many.
Some people camp so that they may enjoy the outdoors, and others
use camping as an inexpensive alternative to staying in a
hotel.
[0004] Often campers stay in a tent, either in a campsite, or in a
suitable location somewhere outdoors. In general, a tent is a
collapsible shelter, which typically is made of a tough fabric or
plastic and is held up by poles or another suitable structure.
[0005] Because a tent is often a closed structure, often the air
within the tent becomes stale. Condensation, stale air, and aroma
from a fetid tent mate are often expelled by providing tent
ventilation. This ventilation can be provided, for example, by
keeping the doors slightly open or by having windows in the tent.
More recently, tents have been designed so they have a mesh top. A
rain fly extends over the tent and is spaced from the mesh top by
the pole structure for the tent. In theory, the air flows out of
the tent through the mesh material at the top of the tent and into
the area between the rain fly and the tent. This air then
circulates out from under the rain fly.
[0006] Although the mesh and rain fly construction of tents works
well, the rain fly does not always provide optimal ventilation.
Often, the rain fly extends almost to the ground and if a breeze is
not directed properly between the tent and the rain fly, stale air
and condensation may still accumulate underneath the rain fly and
proper ventilation may not be supplied.
[0007] Another structure that is often used while camping is a
canopy. In general, a canopy is a covering that provides shelter.
For camping, canopies are typically made of fabric and are designed
to be folded into a compact configuration for storage. A canopy may
or may not have walls, such as screen walls. A canopy may be, for
example, set up over a picnic area, used adjacent to a tent for a
storage area, serve as a shelter from the rain, or used as a
screened area to avoid bugs.
[0008] Canopies also need ventilation. In general, canopies have an
apex and two or more sides that extend down from the apex and that
are attached to poles or another support. Condensation and stale
air can accumulate under this apex. In addition, in hotter weather,
the environment under an unvented canopy can become rather
warm.
[0009] Although the ventilation systems described above work well
for circulating air in tents and canopies, often there is
insufficient air movement in the environment of the tent or canopy
to remove heat from the tent or canopy. In addition, during
extremely wet conditions, condensation may not be removed from
tents at a rate to satisfy its occupants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The following presents a simplified summary of some
embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic
understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive
overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify
key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of
the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of
the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
detailed description that is presented later.
[0011] In accordance with an embodiment, a tent fan is provided for
moving air through a tent or canopy. In an embodiment, the tent fan
includes a housing with magnets, and a separate metal plate. The
metal plate may be placed on the opposite side of a screen from the
housing and may be attached to the magnets. In this manner, the
tent fan is mounted for direct circulation into the tent or canopy
through the mesh. One fan may be used with a tent or canopy, and
may direct air either in or out of the tent or canopy.
Alternatively, two or more of the tent fans may be used to direct
air either in and out of the tent or canopy, or both.
[0012] In accordance with an embodiment, the metal plate is bent at
one end so that it may act as a stand for the tent fan to be
arranged in an upright manner independent of a tent or a
canopy.
[0013] In accordance with another embodiment, a port is provided in
a tent specifically sized for the tent fan.
[0014] Other features of the invention will become apparent from
the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with
the drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded, side perspective view of a tent fan
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a bottom side perspective view of the tent fan,
with a metal plate removed;
[0017] FIG. 3 is side perspective view of the tent fan with the
metal plate in place; and
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the tent fan shown
attached to a tent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] In the following description, various embodiments of the
present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation,
specific configurations and details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it
will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without the specific details.
Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in
order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference
numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1
shows a tent fan 20 in accordance with an embodiment. Although
described herein as a "tent fan," the tent fan 20 may not only be
used with tents, but also with canopies or in other
applications.
[0021] The tent fan 20 includes a housing 22. A control knob 24 is
mounted on the housing for turning on and off rotation of a fan
blade 26, and controlling speed and/or direction of the fan blade.
Other controls may be used, including a slide switch, push buttons,
and/or a remote control. Protective spokes 28, 30 are arranged on
opposite sides of the fan blade 26.
[0022] In the embodiment shown, the tent fan 20 is powered by
batteries 32 that are mounted behind a battery door 34. An electric
motor (not shown) is configured to be powered by the batteries and
to rotate the fan blade 26. In the embodiment shown, the batteries
are four D-cell batteries, but the batteries may alternatively be a
different number or size, such as eight AA-cell batteries. In
addition, a rechargeable battery or batteries may be used. Also, in
accordance with another embodiment, the electric motor may be
powered by a battery pack 60 (shown in phantom in FIG. 3),
rechargeable or not, that is connected by cord 62 to the housing
22.
[0023] In an embodiment, the tent fan includes a battery pack that
is separate from the housing 22 (e.g., the battery pack 60). In
accordance with another embodiment, the battery pack includes
controls for controlling rotation of the fan blade 26. For example,
the controls may include a slide switch control on the battery
pack. In an embodiment in which operation controls are provided on
a separate battery pack, the housing 22 may be devoid of controls
for operation of the fan blade 26. By removing the controls and
batteries from the housing 22, the housing may be made much lighter
and/or may be operated without having access to the housing.
[0024] The fan blade 26 may be formed, for example, of a foam
material, a semi-flexible plastic material, or another suitable
material. The housing 22 is preferably formed of plastic, but
another material may be used.
[0025] The housing 22 includes two magnets 36, 38 (FIG. 2) mounted
on a rear side of the housing adjacent to an opening for the fan
blade 26. Although the embodiment shows two magnets 36, 38, one
magnet, or more than two magnets may be used.
[0026] A metal plate 40 (best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided
that includes arms 42 that match an outer contour of the opening
for the fan blade 26 in the housing 22. The metal plate 40 also
includes a bend 44 at a lower end. The metal plate 40 may
alternatively be shaped in a different manner, or may be provided
as multiple pieces. In addition, if desired, a metal plate or other
metal structure may be provided on the fan, and magnets may be
provided as a separate structure or structures. In an embodiment,
the metal structure, such as the plate, exhibits ferromagnetic
properties, in that it sticks to a magnet. As an example, iron,
nickel, cobalt, gadolinium, or another suitable ferromagnetic
material may be used.
[0027] In accordance with an embodiment, to install the fan 20 on a
tent or canopy, the metal plate 40 is placed on an opposite side of
mesh or screen material from the housing 22. The mesh or screen
material may be, for example, on a wall of a tent or a canopy,
serving as a door or a window. The metal plate is attached through
the mesh or screen material to the magnets 36, 38. To this end, a
lip 46 is provided around the opening for the fan blade 26 which
helps to align and place the metal plate 40 against the magnets 36,
38, and provides a "bite" for the fan 20 when the fan is attached
to a fabric structure, preventing the fan from sliding down the
fabric.
[0028] When the metal plate 40 is in place, and the housing 22 is
mounted against a screen material or mesh for a tent or canopy, the
tent fan 20 may be turned on, for example by using the control knob
24, to allow air to flow through the mesh material. In an alternate
embodiment, a remote control (not shown) may be used to control
operation of the tent fan 20.
[0029] The protective spokes 28 and 30 ensure that the fan blade 26
is spaced from the mesh or screen material. The tent fan 20 may be
mounted in this manner on either the outside or inside of a tent or
canopy, so as to blow air in or out of the tent or canopy. In an
alternate embodiment, the tent fan 20 may include a reversible
motor, so that the fan blade 26 may rotate in either direction, and
thus may be mounted on the inside or outside and provide airflow
either in and out of the tent or canopy, without having to remove
and remount the fan 20.
[0030] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the bend 44 in the metal plate 40
provides a structure for supporting the tent fan 20 in an upright
position when the tent fan is placed on its lower end on the
ground. The bend 44 extends outward from the housing 22 when the
metal plate 40 is attached to the magnets 36, 38, with a distal end
of the bend 44 spaced well outward from the housing, and a lower
edge of the distal end extends parallel to a lower edge of the
housing. This spacing of the lower edge of the bend 44 from the
lower edge of the housing 22, and the flat, elongate configuration
of these two pieces provides a pair of legs for supporting the tent
fan 20 on a flat surface, such as a tent floor.
[0031] If desired, the housing 22 may include more than one fan
blade, and the fan blade or fan blades may be powered by a source
other than batteries. In addition, as described above, in
accordance with an embodiment, a battery pack 60 (shown in phantom
in FIG. 3) or other power source may be provided as a separate
structure from the fan housing 22, and may be connected by a wire
62 or other electrical connection to the housing. Use of such a
remote battery pack 60 removes the weight of the batteries 32 from
the fan, permitting the fan to be suspended from a tent or canopy
with less strain on the walls or roof of the fabric.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a tent 50 having a screened port 52 that is
arranged at a bottom of the tent 50 and is configured to be the
size and shape of the fan. The screened port 52 includes screen
material 54 extending over its surface, and may include a closure
to prevent rainwater from entering the tent during inclement
weather. Such a port 52 may be used on a variety of different
fabric structures, including tents and canopies, and on different
locations on the structures, including the sides or roofs of the
structures.
[0033] Other variations are within the spirit of the present
invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated
embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described
above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms
disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the
appended claims.
[0034] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as
partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together,
even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention
and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless
otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be
construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the
practice of the invention.
[0035] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *