U.S. patent application number 13/111250 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-01 for portable air moving device with multi-directional grill.
This patent application is currently assigned to LASKO HOLDINGS, INC.. Invention is credited to James PERELLA.
Application Number | 20110294413 13/111250 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45016075 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110294413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PERELLA; James |
December 1, 2011 |
PORTABLE AIR MOVING DEVICE WITH MULTI-DIRECTIONAL GRILL
Abstract
A portable air moving device possessing improved characteristics
for air stream directing. The device includes; an air generator, a
housing, and multiple independently adjustable grill segments. The
device may include an electric heating element.
Inventors: |
PERELLA; James; (West
Chester, PA) |
Assignee: |
LASKO HOLDINGS, INC.
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
45016075 |
Appl. No.: |
13/111250 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61380798 |
Sep 8, 2010 |
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61349250 |
May 28, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
454/322 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/322 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/10 20060101
F24F013/10 |
Claims
1. A portable air moving device comprising: a housing defining and
interior space; an air inlet in said housing allowing air to enter
said interior space; an air outlet allowing air to exit said
interior space; an air generator located within said interior space
of said housing; an air directing grill located proximate said air
outlet, said air directing grill comprising; two or more grills
segments, said grill segments being independently movable relative
to each other.
2. The portable air moving device of claim 1, further comprising:
an air stream entering said interior space of said housing through
said air inlet; said air stream passing through said air generator
and subsequently exiting said housing through said air outlet and
said air directing grill as an exhaust air stream; and said exhaust
air stream comprising at least two independently directable exhaust
air streams, each independently directable exhaust air stream
corresponding to one of said two or more grill segments through
which said exhaust air stream flows.
3. The portable air moving device of claim 2, wherein each grill
segment of said two or more grill segments rotates about a
substantially vertical axis of rotation, and said rotation of each
of said at least two grill segments directs one of said at least
two independently directable exhaust air streams flowing through
that grill segment along a horizontal plane.
4. The portable air moving device of claim 3, wherein said
substantially vertical axis of rotation of each grill segment of
said at least two grill segments are substantially co-linear.
5. The portable air moving device of claim 3, wherein said at least
two independently directable exhaust air streams comprise an area
affected by said exhaust air stream define by an exhaust air stream
angle .alpha., and wherein said at least two independently
directable exhaust air streams can be directed to increase and/or
decrease said exhaust air stream angle .alpha..
6. The portable air moving device of claim 5, wherein said at least
two independently directable exhaust air streams are horizontally
off-set by an amount substantially equal to an angular off-set of
said at least two grill segments with respect to said substantially
vertical axis of rotations.
7. The portable air moving device of claim 5, further comprising:
an oscillation mechanism, wherein said oscillation mechanism
oscillates said housing about a substantially vertical axis of
oscillation; and wherein said oscillating of said housing
oscillates said at least two independently directable exhaust air
streams and comprises an increased area affected by said exhaust
air stream defined by coverage angle .beta., and said coverage
angle .beta. is increased and/or decreased by increasing and/or
decreasing said exhaust air stream angle .alpha..
8. The portable air moving device of claim 2, further comprising a
heating element located within said interior space of said housing
and between said air generator and said air outlet, wherein said
air stream passes through said heating element, and said exhaust
air stream exits said housing as a heated exhaust air stream.
9. The portable air moving device of claim 1, wherein said air
generator further comprises a centrifugal air blower.
10. The portable air moving device of claim 1, further comprising a
base connected to a lower portion of said housing and supporting
said housing in a vertical and upright position relative to a
support surface.
11. The portable air moving device of claim 10, wherein said base
further comprises a riser wherein said riser elevates said housing
above said support surface.
12. The portable air moving device of claim 1, wherein said grill
segments are movable relative to said housing, and each grill
segment is independently movable with respect to other grill
segments.
13. The portable air moving device of claim 1, wherein said grill
segments are movable relative to said air inlet.
14. The portable air moving device of claim 2, wherein said at
least two independently directable exhaust air streams are movable
relative to said air inlet.
15. The portable air moving device of claim 1, wherein said air
generator further comprises an air guide and an air cut off and
said grill segments are movable relative to said air guide, said
air cut off, and said housing.
16. The portable air moving device of claim 2, wherein said air
generator further comprises an air guide and an air cut off and
said at least two independently directable exhaust air streams are
movable relative to said air guide, said air cut off, and said
housing.
17. A multi-directional grill for a portable air moving device
comprising: a first grill segment connected to a housing of said
portable air moving device proximate an elongate air outlet,
wherein said first grill segment comprises a vertical axis of
rotation about which said first grill segment may rotate with
respect to said air outlet; at least a second grill segment
connected to said housing of said portable air moving device
proximate said air outlet, said at least a second grill segment
located above said first grill segment, said at least a second
grill segment being substantially vertically aligned with said
first grill segment, said at least a second grill segment comprises
a vertical axis of rotation about which said second grill segment
may rotate with respect to said air outlet, wherein said vertical
axis of rotation of said at least a second grill segment is
substantially co-linear with said vertical axis of rotation of said
first grill segment; wherein said first grill segment and said at
least a second grill segment rotate independently of one
another.
18. The multi-directional grill of claim 17, wherein a horizontal
width of an exhaust air stream exiting said elongate air outlet of
said portable air moving device is adjustable by said independent
rotation of said first and said at least a second grill
segments.
19. The multi-directional grill of claim 18, further comprising an
oscillation mechanism, wherein said oscillation mechanism
oscillates said multi-directional grill and said exhaust air stream
affects an increased area defined by a coverage angle .beta., and
said coverage angle .beta. is increased and/or decreased by
adjustment of said independent rotation of said first grill segment
about its vertical axis of rotation and said at least a second
grill segment about its vertical axis of rotation.
20. The multi-directional grill of claim 18, further comprising an
electric heating element, wherein an air stream passes through said
electric heating element prior to passing through said
multi-directional grill and said air stream exits said portable air
moving device comprises a heated exhaust air stream.
21. The multi-directional grill of claim 18, further comprising at
least a third grill segment connected to said housing of said
portable air moving device proximate said air outlet, said at least
a third grill segment located above said second grill segment, said
at least a third grill segment being substantially vertically
aligned with said first and second grill segments, said at least a
third grill segment comprises a vertical axis of rotation about
which said third grill segment may rotate with respect to said air
outlet, wherein said vertical axis of rotation of said at least a
third grill segment is substantially co-linear with said vertical
axis of rotation of said first and second grill segments; wherein
said third grill segment, said second grill segment, and said first
grill segment each rotates independently of any other of said grill
segments.
22. A method of adjusting an area affected by an exhaust air stream
produced by a portable air moving device, said method comprising:
providing a housing defining an interior space; inducing an air
flow into said interior space using an air generator; generating an
exhaust air flow exiting from said interior space using said air
generator; dividing said exhaust air flow into two or more exhaust
air streams as said exhaust air flow exits said interior space
using at least two grill segments; independently adjusting a
direction of each of said two or more exhaust air stream relative
to each other by independently rotating each of said at least two
grill segments;
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: oscillating said
housing along a vertical axis; expanding an area affected by said
exhaust air flow over an increased area of coverage by said
oscillation; and adjusting a size of said area affected by said
exhaust air flow by adjusting said direction of each of said two or
more exhaust air streams relative to each other.
24. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of heating
said air flow prior to exiting said interior space.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/349,250 filed May 28, 2010 and U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/380,798 filed Sep. 8,
2010.
TECHNOLOGY FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to portable column tower fans
and portable electric heaters. More specifically, the present
invention relates to an air directing grill augmenting the ability
of the device to affect different size areas.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Fans have been used or many years to provide a cooling
sensation for the user. The cooling sensation associated with fans
of all types is dependent upon developing a moving current of air
passing over the user. The passage of an air current over the user
increases the evaporation of moisture from the skin surface of the
user. A liquid must extract the necessary heat of vaporization in
order to make the phase change to the gaseous state. Evaporating
liquids extract heat from the remaining liquid and other materials
in contact with the liquid. When subjected to elevated ambient
temperatures evaporation is an important means of heat transfer
away from the human body.
[0004] To increase and assist in this process a series of portable
electric devices have been developed. One such device is the column
tower fan. A column tower fan utilizes an elongated impeller to
create a vertical column of air. One advantage of the conventional
column tower fan is the fact that the vertical aspect ratio of the
device efficiently uses floor space. Space efficiency is especially
important when the device is used in a room, such as for example a
bed room in which other large pieces of furniture are present.
Another advantage of a conventional column tower fan is the
transverse impeller used in the device is relatively quiet when
compared to conventional fans that utilize axial type blades.
[0005] Although space efficient and quiet, there are several
disadvantages that accompany the conventional column tower fan. One
disadvantage is the narrow width of the air stream. The width of
the air stream minimizes the area affected by the air current,
which in turn minimizes the area in which the cooling affect of the
device can be sensed. In an attempt to overcome this disadvantage,
conventional column tower fans have added features such as
oscillation. Although oscillation mitigates this disadvantage it
simply deprives one area from the cooling effect of the air current
until the oscillating movement returns the air current to that
area.
[0006] Responses to these problems have varied, for example U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,321,034, 6,830,433 and 7,059,826. As can be seen, these
responses are complicated and expensive requiring the need to
rotate air generator components and complete sections of the device
housing.
[0007] Although the above mentioned patents increases the width of
the exhaust air stream when compared to a conventional tower fan
these embodiments have disadvantages as well. The exhaust air
stream in the mentioned patents is divided by moving one section of
the housing relative to another section of the housing. As can be
appreciated the mechanisms, additional parts and additional
assembly labor required to achieve the relative movement of the
housing sections increases the manufacturing complication and as a
result the cost of the product to the consumer.
SUMMARY
[0008] In view of the deficiencies of conventional column tower
fans what is needed is a device that preserves the advantages while
overcoming the deficiencies. The portable air moving device with
multi directional grill according to embodiments of the present
invention provides a simple yet economical structure that preserves
the space saving and low noise characteristics while increasing the
area of coverage of the air current.
[0009] As described and shown, the portable air moving device with
multi directional grill uses a novel grill design to increase the
coverage area of the air current. The use of a grill structure with
multiple segments allows the air current to be segmented, each
segment capable of being controlled independently to effect
directional control of each segmented air current. As a result, in
lieu of the single column of air produced by conventional column
tower fans and tower heaters, the portable air moving device with a
segmented, multi-directional grill produces multiple streams of air
that can be independently controlled and adjusted to cover a larger
or smaller area, as desired.
[0010] One aspect of the invention includes a housing defining an
interior space and an air inlet in the housing allowing air to
enter the interior space along with an air outlet allowing air to
exit the interior space.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention is the location of an air
generator within the interior space of said housing.
[0012] Yet another aspect of the invention is the inclusion of an
air directing grill located proximate the air outlet including two
or more grills segments being independently movable relative to
each other. In some embodiments, the portable air moving device
includes a single air outlet opening having multiple grill
segments, each grill segment being capable of independent movement
with respect to other grill segment(s).
[0013] Another aspect of the invention is the vertical alignment of
the two or more grill segments along a substantially co-linear axis
of rotation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention is best understood from the following detailed
description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.
It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various
features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the
dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or
reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following
Figures:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a portable air moving device with multi directional
grill;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the portable air moving device
with multi directional grill of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a top view showing performance characteristics of
a portable air moving device with multi directional grill;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing
improved performance characteristics of a portable air moving
device with multi directional grill;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top view showing additional performance
characteristics of a portable air moving device with multi
directional grill; and
[0020] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the portable air moving device
with multi directional grill including an electric heating
element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of portable air moving device with multi directional
grill 100. Portable air moving device with multi directional grill
100 includes housing 200 defining first interior space 202. Air
inlets 204 allow air to enter interior space 202. Movable grill
segments 250 and 252 allow air to exit interior space 202. As
shown, base 300 comprises riser 310 and stabilizer 320. Riser 310
is attached to lower portion of housing 200. In other embodiments
(not shown), the housing may be connected directly to a base.
[0022] Arrows 254 and 256 show the possible movement of grill
segments 250 and 252, respectively. Arrows 254 and 256 show the
independent movement of each grill segment 250 and 252 relative to
each other. As shown by arrows 254 and 256 the grill segments 250
and 252 are capable of horizontal movements. The ability to adjust
the position of grill segments 250 and 252 independently enhance
the functionality of the device for the user, as shown in and
described with respect to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
[0023] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the multi-directional tower
fan of FIG. 1. As shown, housing 200 includes housing rear 206,
housing front 208, housing top 210, and housing bottom 212. Housing
rear 206 may include air inlets 204. Housing front 208 includes air
outlet 214. As shown, in some embodiments air outlet 214 includes a
single air outlet.
[0024] As shown, grill frame 240 is assembled over air outlet 214.
Grill segments 250 and 252 are assembled into grill frame 240,
which in turn assures that air stream 150 will pass through grill
segments 250 and 252. The air segments 250 and 252 are capable of
independent movement with respect to one another and as a result
may split air stream 150 into two separate air exhaust streams 150a
and 150b.
[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, housing bottom 212 is adapted
to interface with oscillation motor 270, link arm 272, and link
274. Oscillation motor 270 may be fixed to upper adaptor 312 which
in turn is adapted to assemble housing 200 onto the upper end of
riser 310. Oscillator motor 270 may be used to generate a
horizontal movement of housing 200 thereby increasing the coverage
area of the exhaust air flow, (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0026] As shown, control 216 is located proximate and under housing
top 210. Control 216 is used to control the functions of the fan
such as, for example: on/off, oscillation, impeller speeds, timers,
etc.
[0027] Located within interior space 202 of housing 200 is air
generator 400. In the illustrated embodiment, air generator 400
includes air cut off 402, motor 404, impeller 406, air guide 408,
and upper bearing 410. As shown, air generator 400 uses impeller
406 which is a transverse or crossflow impeller.
[0028] Base 300 is used to maintain portable air moving device with
multi directional grill 100 in an upright position. Base 300 may
include stabilizer 320, lower adaptor 314, riser 310, and upper
adaptor 312. It is contemplated that base 300 may be utilized
absent riser 310.
[0029] As shown air stream 150 passes into and through housing 200
as a substantially straight vector. Air stream 150 is divided into
multiple exhaust air streams 150a, 150b as it passes through grill
segments 250 and 252, respectively.
[0030] Although two grill segments 250 and 252 were shown in the
exemplary embodiments, the invention is not so limited. It is
contemplated that two or more grill segments could be used without
departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, three
grill segments may be used; four grill segments may be used, five
grill segments may be used; etc.
[0031] In addition, although the illustrated embodiment shown two
grill segments that are substantially the same size, the invention
is not so limited. It is contemplated that the grill segments may
be different sizes. Further, although the illustrated embodiment
shown two grill segments having substantially similar louver
elements and louver spacing, the invention is not so limited. It is
contemplated that each grill segment could comprise different
louver elements and/or louver spacing.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a top view showing performance characteristics of
portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 100. As
shown in FIG. 3, grill segments 250 and 252 are aligned to generate
an exhaust air stream, comprising exhaust air streams 150a and
150b, having a minimized air stream angle .alpha. 354 defined by
exhaust air boundaries 354a and 354b. As shown, exhaust air stream
150a and exhaust air stream 150b are substantially vertically
aligned.
[0033] The area affected by the exhaust air stream can be increased
by oscillation movement (represented by arrow 350) of housing 200.
This increased affected area is shown by coverage angle .beta. 352
defined by exhaust air boundaries 352a and 352b. This is a possible
configuration for portable air moving device with multi-directional
grill 100.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a top view showing enhanced performance
characteristics of portable air moving device with
multi-directional grill 100. As shown in FIG. 4, grill segments 250
and 252 are independently rotated relative to each other to
generate an exhaust air stream, comprising exhaust air streams 150a
and 150b, having a maximized air stream angle .alpha. 358 defined
by exhaust air boundaries 358a and 358b. As shown, exhaust air
stream 150a and exhaust air stream 150b are vertically off-set by
an amount substantially equal to the angular off-set of grill
segments 250 and 252.
[0035] The area affected by the exhaust air stream can be increased
by oscillation movement (represented by arrow 350) of housing 200.
This increased affected area is shown by coverage angle .beta. 356
defined by exhaust air boundaries 356a and 356b. This configuration
for portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 100 is
a performance enhancement not present in conventional tower fans
and tower heaters.
[0036] It is contemplated that grill segments 250 and 252 may be
automatically oscillated along movements 254 and 256. Such
automatic oscillation may oscillate the grill segments together or
in opposite oscillation directions. Such automatic grill
oscillation may be used with or without oscillation movement 350 of
housing 200.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a top view showing further enhanced performance
characteristics of portable air moving device with
multi-directional grill 100. Similar to FIG. 4 grill segments 250
and 252 are rotated relative to each other to generate an exhaust
air stream having a maximized air stream angle .alpha. 358. As
shown in FIG. 5, housing 200 may be located in the corner 506 of a
room, represented by walls 502 and 504. The location of the device
in corner 506 results in increased space saving within a room.
[0038] However, when the device is located in corner 506 of the
room, as shown, the ability to oscillate housing 200 by oscillation
movement 350 may be impeded. An example of one such impediment is
the physical interference of housing 200 with either of walls 504
and 502 during oscillation. A second example of a possible
impediment is the location of air inlets 204 located in a rear
portion of housing 200 (see FIG. 2) relative to walls 504 and 502.
As air inlets 204 move towards either of walls 504 and 506 during
oscillation, the air flow into housing 200 may be impeded and the
performance of the device may degrade.
[0039] When the device is located in corner 506 of a room, as shown
in FIG. 5, the ability to adjust the area effected by the generate
exhaust air stream is non-existent or impaired absent the ability
to rotate grill segments 250 and 252 relative to each other. This
configuration for portable air moving device with multi-directional
grill 100 is a space saving enhancement not present in conventional
tower fans and tower heaters that depend solely on oscillation.
[0040] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of portable air moving device
with multi-directional grill 600. Portable air moving device with
multi directional grill of FIG. 6 is similar to portable air moving
device with multi directional grill 100 of FIG. 2. Portable air
moving device with multi directional grill 600 includes heating
element 602 located between impeller 654 of air generator 650 and
air outlet 214.
[0041] Heating element 602 is used to raise the temperature of the
air flow generated by air generator 650 prior to exiting interior
space 202 of housing 200. As such, the enhanced performance
characteristics and advantages of a portable air moving device with
multi-directional grill 100, as shown and described with respect to
FIGS. 4 and 5, are also applicable to the heated air stream of
portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 600.
[0042] As shown, heating element 602 is a Positive Temperature
Coefficient (PTC) heater but the invention is not so limited. It is
contemplated that other types of heating elements could be used
without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0043] It is also contemplated that other air conditioning
structures could be used in lieu of heating element 602. For
example, humidification mechanisms, air filtration mechanisms,
and/or air purification mechanisms could be placed within interior
space 202 of housing 200 either before or after air generator
650.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, air generator 650 is a centrifugal type
air blower. Air generator 650 includes blower shell 656 including
intake port 656a and exhaust port 656b. Motor 652 is connected to
and rotates impeller 654 located inside blower shell 656. As shown,
air generator 650 includes an additional blower shell 656 and
impeller located on the opposite side of motor 652.
[0045] Portable air moving devices with multi-directional grill 100
and 600, as shown and described. overcome many if not all of the
deficiencies of conventional column tower fans and tower column
heaters. The portable air moving device with multi-directional
grill 100 and 600 describes a structure that preserves the space
saving and low noise characteristics while increasing the area of
coverage of the exhaust air current.
[0046] The use of a novel grill design including grill segments 250
and 252 having independent movement relative to each other
increases the coverage area of the generated exhaust air steam. The
use of grill segments 250 and 252 greatly decreases manufacturing
complication and cost when compared prior designs that require the
rotation of air generator components and the rotation of complete
sections of the device housing.
[0047] Although the invention has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the
appended claims should be construed to include other variants and
embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in
the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *