U.S. patent application number 14/474335 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-03 for personal cooling device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kathryn Blunt. Invention is credited to Kathryn Blunt.
Application Number | 20160058134 14/474335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55401036 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160058134 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blunt; Kathryn |
March 3, 2016 |
Personal Cooling Device
Abstract
A personal cooling device that is constructed to resemble an
ornamental necklace wherein the personal cooling device is operable
to provide heat relief to a user. The personal cooling device
includes a ring shaped body that is hollow having a first end and a
second end. Operably coupled to the body intermediate the first end
and the second end is a power unit. The power unit includes a fan
assembly mounted therein that has a turbine style fan. The fan
assembly is suspendedly mounted within the interior volume of the
power unit via a plurality of support members. One of the plurality
of support members includes an air intake passage formed therein
that is operable to provide air to the fan assembly. The body
further includes two parallel rows of apertures extending the
length of the body that facilitate the distribution of an air
stream to a user.
Inventors: |
Blunt; Kathryn; (East
Providence, RI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Blunt; Kathryn |
East Providence |
RI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55401036 |
Appl. No.: |
14/474335 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 5/0023 20130101;
F24F 7/007 20130101; A44C 15/005 20130101; F24F 2221/38
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A44C 5/00 20060101
A44C005/00; A44C 15/00 20060101 A44C015/00; F24F 7/007 20060101
F24F007/007 |
Claims
1. A personal cooling device comprising: a body, said body having a
housing that is ring-shaped, said housing being hollow having an
interior volume; a power unit, said power unit coupled to said
body, said power unit having a housing and being substantially
hollow, said power unit further including a fan assembly disposed
therein, said fan assembly operable to generate a stream of air an
distribute into said body; at least two support members, said at
least two support members being operably coupled to the housing of
said power unit and said fan assembly, said at least two support
members operable to suspendedly mount said fan assembly within said
power unit; and wherein said body further includes a plurality of
apertures operable to have air egress therefrom.
2. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 1, wherein one
of said at least two support members further includes an air intake
passage, said air intake passage operable to supply air to said fan
assembly.
3. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 2, and further
including a power supply, said power supply being mounted within
said power unit, said power supply operably coupled to said fan
assembly.
4. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 3, and further
including a power button, said power button operably coupled to
said fan assembly, said power button having an exterior surface
that is ornamental in appearance.
5. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 4, wherein said
body further includes an exterior surface, said exterior surface
being ornamental in appearance.
6. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 5, wherein said
plurality of apertures are distributed in two rows along said body,
said two rows being parallel to each other.
7. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 6, wherein the
personal cooling device is manufactured in the form selected from a
group of one of the following: necklace or bracelet.
8. A personal cooling device operable to be worn as costume jewelry
comprising: a body, said body having a housing that is ring-shaped,
said body being substantially hollow, said body having a first end
and a second end, said housing having an interior surface and an
exterior surface; a power unit, said power unit coupled to said
body intermediate said first end and said second end, said power
unit being substantially hollow having an interior volume, said
power unit further having a fan assembly suspendedly mounted
therein, said fan assembly operable to provide an air flow to said
body; a plurality of support members, said plurality of support
members having a first end and a second end, said plurality of
support members operable to suspendedly mount the fan assembly
within the interior volume of the power unit; and a first row of
apertures, said first row of apertures being journaled through the
housing of said body, said at least one row of apertures extending
around the entire length of said body.
9. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 8, and further
including an air intake passage, said air intake passage being
formed in one of said plurality of support members, said air intake
passage operable to provide air input to said fan assembly.
10. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 9, wherein said
power unit further includes a power button, said power button being
centrally mounted to said power unit, said power button operably
coupled to said fan assembly, said power button further configured
with an ornamental exterior surface.
11. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 10, and further
including a power supply, said power supply being mounted within
said power unit, said power supply operably coupled to said fan
assembly.
12. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 11, wherein the
exterior surface of said body is configured to have an ornamental
appearance.
13. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 12, and further
including a second row of apertures, said second row of apertures
being parallel to said first row of apertures, said second row of
apertures extending the length of said body.
14. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 13, wherein the
personal cooling device is manufactured in the form selected from a
group of one of the following: necklace or bracelet.
15. A personal cooling device constructed to resemble a
choker-style ornamental necklace wherein the personal cooling
device functions to provide heat relief to the wearer comprising: a
body, said body having a housing that is ring-shaped, said body
being substantially hollow having an interior volume, said body
having a first end and a second end, said housing having an
interior surface and an exterior surface; a power unit, said power
unit coupled to said body intermediate said first end and said
second end, said power unit being substantially hollow having an
interior volume, said power unit further having a fan assembly
suspendedly mounted therein, said fan assembly including a housing
and a turbine style fan blade, said fan assembly operable to
provide an air flow to said body; a plurality of support members,
said plurality of support members having a first end and a second
end, said plurality of support members being rectangular in shape,
said plurality of support members operable to suspendedly mount the
fan assembly within the interior volume of the power unit; a first
row of apertures, said at least one row of apertures being
journaled through the housing of said body, said at least one row
of apertures extending around the entire length of said body; a
second row of apertures, said second row of apertures being
journaled through the housing of said body, said second row of
apertures being parallel to said first row of apertures, said
second row of apertures extending around the entire length of said
body.
16. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 15, and further
including an air intake passage, said air intake passage being
formed in one of said plurality of support members, said air intake
passage operable to provide air input to said fan assembly.
17. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 16, wherein
said power unit further includes a power button, said power button
being centrally mounted to said power unit, said power button
operably coupled to said fan assembly, said power button further
configured with an ornamental exterior surface.
18. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 17, wherein the
fan assembly is mounted such that the center of the fan assembly is
in the center of the interior volume of the power unit.
19. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 18, and further
including a power supply, said power supply being mounted within
said power unit, said power supply operably coupled to said fan
assembly.
20. The personal cooling device as recited in claim 19, wherein the
personal cooling device is manufactured in the form selected from a
group of one of the following: necklace or bracelet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to cooling devices,
more specifically but not by way of limitation, a personal cooling
device that is worn on a user wherein the device provides a
continuous stream of air that is operable to provide relief to a
user.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Millions of individual live in climates where arm
temperatures are present at least six months of the year. These
people seek relief from the heat using items such as fans and air
conditioners. Additionally, people will seek refuge from the heat
by involving themselves in various activities such as but not
limited to swimming. In addition to the climate, many individuals
experience uncomfortable warmth as part of various medical
conditions. By way of example but not limitation, as women enter
and begin to experience menopause it is very common for these women
to experience hot flashes. Hot flashes are short durations of time
wherein the women's body temperature increases and the women may
feel a rapid heartbeat and sweating. These symptoms are very common
for women experiencing menopause and they often seek relief using
various items such as cool wet cloths or seek an air-conditioned
building.
[0003] One problem with existing methods of relief from either heat
or symptoms such as the aforementioned is that these methods may or
may not be readily available. It may not be possible for a person
seeking relief to find either an air conditioned facility or that
person may not have within their disposal an item such as a wet
cloth that can be used to provide relief. Additional conventional
items such as cooling sprays and the like can have undesirable
effects such as dampening hair and have a negative impact on facial
makeup.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a personal cooling device
that is disguised as ornamental jewelry that is operable to provide
relief from heat symptoms to a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide a
personal cooling device operable to provide relief from heat and/or
heat like symptoms wherein the personal cooling device is worn as
ornamental jewelry.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
personal cooling device constructed to appear as ornamental jewelry
such as but not limited to a necklace, wherein the personal cooling
device includes a cylindrical hollow body having a decorative
exterior surface.
[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
personal cooling device that is constructed to appear as an
ornamental piece of jewelry wherein the personal cooling device has
disposed therein a miniature turbine style fan.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
personal cooling device resembling an ornamental necklace having a
hollow cylindrical body that includes a plurality of apertures
journaled through the body.
[0009] Still a further object of the present invention is to
provide a personal cooling device that is manufactured to appear as
an ornamental necklace that further includes a power supply
disposed within the hollow cylindrical body.
[0010] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a personal cooling device that is operable to provide relief from
heat or other heat-like symptoms wherein the personal cooling
device is manufactured to appear as ornamental jewelry wherein the
plurality of apertures are journal substantially around the entire
body of the device so as to distribute an airstream to a user.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
personal cooling device that is operable to provide a cooling air
supply to a user wherein the personal cooling device is constructed
to appear as ornamental jewelry that includes a replaceable power
supply.
[0012] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the
present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the
drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as
being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of
the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and
appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
Drawings wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the power unit of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein
various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to
scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are
referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated
a personal cooling device 100 constructed according to the
principles of the present invention.
[0017] An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein
with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in
the art will understand that the detailed description herein with
respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is
contemplated within the scope of the present invention that
alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by
way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the
present teachings of the present invention will recognize a
plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the
needs of the particular application to implement the functionality
of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular
implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various
modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present
invention.
[0018] It is to be further understood that the present invention is
not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and
applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it
is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used
for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is
not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must
be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms
"a", "an" and "the" include the plural reference unless the context
clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "an
element" is a reference to one or more elements and includes
equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All
conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense
possible. Thus, the word "or" should be understood as having the
definition of a logical "or" rather than that of a logical
"exclusive or" unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise.
Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to
functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be
construed to express approximation should be so understood unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0019] References to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "exemplary
embodiments", and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of
the invention so described may include a particular feature,
structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily
includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
[0020] Referring in particular to FIG. 1 herein, the personal
cooling device 100 includes a body 10 that is ring-shaped and is
manufactured from a durable material such as but not limited to
metal or plastic. The body 10 in its preferred embodiment is
manufactured having a sufficient diameter so as to be worn by a
user as a choker-style necklace. The body 10 is substantially
hollow so as to allow an air stream to pass therethrough as further
discusses herein. It is contemplated within the scope of the
present invention that the body 10 may be manufactured so as to be
rigid or that a material may be used that provides some
flexibility. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous
materials could be utilized to manufactured the body 10. The body
10 has an exterior surface 11. It is contemplated within the scope
of the present invention that the exterior surface 11 of the body
10 is ornamental in order to at least partially conceal the
apertures 40. It is further contemplated within the scope of the
present invention that the exterior surface could be encrusted with
numerous types of jewelry stones and/or be decorated using a
coating.
[0021] Releasably secured to the body 10 is the power unit 20. The
power unit 20 is releasably secured to end 8 and end 9 of the body
10 utilizing suitable durable techniques. The power unit 20 houses
the components further discussed herein that are operable to
provide a stream of air egressing from the plurality of apertures
40 in order to provide cooling relief to a wearer of the personal
cooling device 100. The power unit 20 includes outer housing 22
that is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but
not limited to plastic or metal. The power unit 20 is substantially
hollow having interior volume 24 and further being tubular in
shape. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention
that the power unit 20 could be formed in numerous different shapes
and sizes. Operably coupled to the power unit 20 is power button
30. The power button 30 provides an interface for the user to
activate and/or deactivate the personal cooling device 100. The
power button 30 is centrally mounted on the power unit 30 and its
centralized mounting location is desired as the power button 30 is
designed in the preferred embodiment to be encrusted with an
ornamental stone or to be ornamental in appearance. This design
conceals the power button 30 from its functional use and provides a
visual focal point of ornamentality.
[0022] Referring in particular to FIG. 2, a cross sectional view of
the power unit 20 is illustrated therein shown being adjacent a
portion of a human neck 99. Disposed within the interior volume 24
is a fan assembly 50. The fan assembly 50 is operably coupled to
power supply 60 via wire 59. Further the power supply 60 is
operably coupled to power button 30 via wire 69. The fan assembly
50 includes a housing 52 manufactured from a suitable durable
material such as but not limited to plastic. Rotatably mounted
within the housing 52 is a fan blade 54. The fan blade 54 is a
conventional turbine style fan blade that is operable to produce a
forced air stream. The air stream produced by the fan assembly 50
is directed into the hollow passage of body 10 and ultimately
egresses outward from the body 10 via the plurality of apertures
40. The air stream egressing from the apertures 40 serves to
provide some relief to a user from the symptoms of heat. The fan
assembly 50 is suspendedly mounted within the power unit 20 via
support members 80. The support members 80 include first end 81 and
second end 82 and are manufactured from a durable rigid material
such as but not limited to metal.
[0023] The support members 80 are secured to the interior of the
body 10 and the housing 52 utilizing suitable durable techniques.
While in the illustrated embodiment three support members 80 are
illustrated, it is contemplated within the scope of the present
invention that any number of support members 80 could be utilized
to suspendedly mounted the fan assembly 50. The suspended mounting
technique as disclosed herein is optimal as it provides for the
improved generation of an air stream to be forced in the interior
volume of the body 10. Support member 90 is constructed having air
intake passage 91 with opening 92. Support member 90 in addition to
functioning to suspendedly mount the fan assembly 50 is further
operable to provide an air intake via air intake passage 91.
Support member 90 provides the necessary air input for the fan
assembly to produce an air stream to be distributed into the body
10. While only one support member 90 is illustrated herein, it is
contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the
personal cooling device 100 could be constructed having more than
one support member 90 that includes an air intake passage 91.
[0024] As shown in particular in FIG. 2, it is contemplated within
the scope of the present invention that the personal cooling device
100 includes an upper row 39 and lower row 38 of apertures 40. The
positioning of the upper row 39 and lower row 38 are such that the
apertures 40 are generally obscured from a person standing adjacent
to a wearer of the personal cooling device 100 and further as shown
in FIG. 2, the upper row 39 and lower row 38 are positioned such
that when the personal cooling device is adjacent a human neck 99,
the apertures 40 deliver air at an upwards angle from the upper row
39 and a downwards angle from the lower row 38. While an upper row
39 and a lower row 38 are illustrated herein in the preferred
embodiment, it is contemplated within the scope of the present
invention that the personal cooling device 100 could have a single
row of apertures 40 or more than two rows of apertures 40.
Additionally, while a choker-style necklace is the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated within the
scope of the present invention that the personal cooling device 100
could be constructed as a bracelet or an anklet.
[0025] In the preceding detailed description, reference has been
made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in
which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in
which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and
certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail
to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is
to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized
and that logical changes may be made without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain
information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding
detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to
the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is
intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *