IT202000015172A1 - COOLING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

Description of Patent for Industrial Invention having the title:

?COOLER?.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cooling device.

Pi? in detail, the present invention relates to a cooling device applicable to beach beds, or the like.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

In bathing establishments, on cruise ships, in swimming pools, but not only, sunbeds are very common that users use to relax in the sun.

There are various types of cots, made of different materials and with adjustment functions, a canopy to protect the head, foldable, and other features.

As the climatic conditions vary, and also in relation to the positioning of each sunbed on the beach, in the swimming pool, or in specially designated areas on a cruise ship, the user lying on the sunbed can? feel a certain sensation of discomfort, mainly due to the heat in the absence of adequate natural ventilation.

Especially at the beach, such discomfort can often be relieved if the user positions himself in the immediate vicinity of the sea, but often there? Not ? possible, especially on busy days.

An alternative, unfortunately not very practical, can? be the use of fans, or the like, if the user has them.

Another existing solution, for this problem, pu? consist of small portable battery-operated centrifugal fans.

This solution too? decidedly not very functional, both to obtain an adequate positioning and fixing in the area surrounding the cot, and because? if the fan is positioned incorrectly or precariously, especially on the beach, it can raise sand, and this pu? annoy people who are nearby.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The technical task of the present invention? therefore to improve the state of the art.

Within the scope of this technical task, it is an object of the present invention to obviate the previously complained of drawbacks.

Another object of the present invention ? develop a cooling device that allows the user to alleviate the sensation of discomfort, due to the heat, when lying in the sun on a sun lounger, or similar.

Another object of the present invention ? create a cooling device that does not disturb people in the areas surrounding the user.

Another object of the present invention ? make available an easily transportable cooling device.

A further object of the present invention ? devise a cooling device that can be easily moved from one table to another.

Another object of the present invention ? create a constructively simple cooling device.

Another object of the present invention ? develop a completely autonomous cooling device from the point of view of energy supply.

This aim and these aims are achieved by the cooling device according to the attached claim 1.

The device comprises a box-shaped support, provided with a compartment which contains a fan.

The support also comprises an air inlet mouth and a delivery duct for the air, taken from the fan, from the external environment, both communicating with the compartment.

The dispensing duct ends with a dispensing mouth; the delivery duct can? be removable and interchangeable.

According to one aspect of the invention, the support comprises connection means to the perimeter frame of a cot, or the like, configured to constrain the support to the frame, so that the delivery spout is oriented to send, towards the body of the cot, the support. user lying on the couch, a substantially laminar and tangential flow of air with respect to the plane on which the user lies.

According to the invention, the modality of connection of the support to the perimeter frame of the couch, its positioning, and the arrangement of the air outlet, allow to obtain a very concentrated ventilation flow of the user, and in which the dispersions in the surrounding environment are minimized.

? It is preferable to install the device support in the area of the cot frame where the user?s feet are normally located.

In this way, a very localized laminar flow of air is obtained, which invests the whole body of the user, without disturbing the people who are in the surrounding area, without raising sand, etc.

According to another aspect of the invention, the aforesaid connection means are configured in such a way that the support, once constrained to the perimetrical frame of the cot, is completely or at least partially below it, and in a substantially hidden position, what? not to interfere with the movements of the user lying on the couch.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the fan is of the tangential type, and therefore has a very limited transversal size.

Consequently, this allows the support, which houses it, to be made with very limited transversal bulk, making the device particularly suitable for fastening to the perimeter frame of a cot.

The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention will be better understood by any person skilled in the art from the following description and from the annexed tables of drawings, given as a non-limiting example, in which:

figure 1 ? an axonometric view of the cooling device according to the invention, fixed to a cot, or the like, shown in a partial way and in dotted lines;

figure 2 ? an isometric view of the cooler; figure 3 ? a front view of the cooler;

figure 4 ? a top view of the cooler;

figure 5 ? a side view of the cooler attached to the frame of a cot, or the like;

figure 6 ? an isometric view, partially sectioned and with some parts removed for greater clarity, of the cooling device;

figure 7 ? an exploded isometric view of the cooler;

the figure 8 ? an exploded isometric view, from a different angle, of the same device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figure 1, ? 1 indicates as a whole a cooling device according to the present invention.

The cooling device 1 comprises a support 2; the support 2 is box-shaped, or substantially box-shaped.

The support 2 comprises a compartment 3, configured to contain a fan 4. The support 2 comprises an air inlet mouth 5, drawn by the fan 4 from the external environment; the air inlet mouth 5 substantially coincides with the opening of the compartment 3, and therefore communicates with the compartment 3 itself.

The support 2 also comprises a delivery duct 6 for the air drawn by the fan 4 from the external environment.

The dispensing duct 6 ? communicating with compartment 3; the dispensing duct 6 ends with a dispensing mouth 7.

The inlet mouth 5, the compartment 3 and the dispensing duct 6 communicate with each other, and define an air flow path which passes through the support 2. The support 2 also comprises connection means 8 to the frame T of an L cot, or similar.

The cot L? illustrated schematically, and with broken lines, in figure 1. The connection means 8 are configured in such a way as to constrain the support 2 to the frame T of the cot L, in a given position, and according to a given orientation.

Pi? in detail, and according to one aspect of the invention, the connection means 8 are configured to constrain the support 2 to the frame T, so that the delivery mouth 7 of the delivery duct 6 is oriented according to a plane substantially orthogonal to the plane P defined by the perimeter frame T of the couch L. In other words, and as better clarified hereinafter, the connection means 8 are configured to constrain the support 2 to the frame T, so that the direction of the outgoing air flow from the spout 7 is substantially parallel to the plane P defined by the frame T of the couch L.

The plane P defined by the frame T of the couch L means the plane on which the user lies down; more in detail, it is the plane defined by the main portion of the frame T.

Usually, it is a plan that, in use, ? arranged horizontally, or substantially horizontally.

The support 2 has a substantially box-like shape, for example a parallelepiped, or substantially parallelepiped, elongated shape.

The edges of holder 2 can be rounded, so? to make it more handy.

The support 2 comprises an upper wall 9, a front wall 10, a lower wall 11, a rear wall 12, a first side wall 13 and a second side wall 14.

The support 2 also comprises a first housing 15.

The first housing 15 houses the actuation means 16 of the fan 4. The support 2 also comprises a second housing 17.

The second slot 17 pu? to accommodate one, or more, tanks of liquid, to be dispensed, in nebulized form, within the flow of air that comes out of the dispensing mouth 7.

For simplicity, the aforementioned tanks are not shown in the attached figures; they can be of any type suitable for this application, without limitations.

These tanks can be associated with respective dispensing means, which communicate with the inlet section of the dispensing conduit 6, and which atomise the liquid to be dispensed, in a manner suitable for the present application.

The aforesaid dispensing means can comprise dispensing ducts integrated in the support 2, or dispensing ducts brought back and fixed to the support 2 itself in some way.

The dispensable liquids can be, for example, water, for the purpose of cooling the user, or tanning liquids, or still others, without limitations.

The first housing 15 and the second housing 17 are aligned with each other; furthermore, they are arranged alongside compartment 3.

For this reason, the compartment 3, with respect to the support 2, has a longitudinal development (referring to its largest dimension) which essentially corresponds to the sum of the length of the first housing 15 and the second housing 17.

Support 2 can? comprising a further third housing 17a.

The third slot 17a pu? be used, for example, as a glove compartment, or to contain any additional accessories or optional components of which it can? be provided with device 1.

The third slot 17a pu? be expected at one of the ends? of the support 2, with reference to its longitudinal development.

In correspondence with the opening of compartment 3 ? fixed a grate 18; the grate 18 ? fixed to the support 2, and/or to the frame of the fan 4, in a removable manner, for example with screws, or the like.

The grate 18 allows the entry of air, taken from the outside, into the compartment 3.

The first housing 15 and the second housing 17 are divided by a septum 19.

The first housing 15 and the second housing 17 are closed, respectively, by a first lid 20 and by a second lid 21.

The third slot 17a, if present, ? closed by a respective third cover 17b.

The opening of compartment 3 ? made in the lower wall 11 of the support 2, to optimize the intake of air from the external environment; instead, the openings of the first housing 15 and of the second housing 17 are made in the upper wall 9 of the support 2, i.e. are opposite to the opening of compartment 3.

The connection means 8 to the frame T of the cot L comprise at least one hooking element 22, associated with the support 2, and at least one abutment surface 23, provided in the support 2 itself.

The abutment surface 23 ? provided in the upper wall 9 of the support 2. The abutment surface 23 ? preferably flat, but could also have a different configuration.

For example, the abutment surface 23 could be configured so as to increase the friction in contact with the frame T of the couch L.

The coupling element 22 ? associated with the support 2 so that the perimeter frame T of the couch L (in particular, a portion of this frame T) is firmly clamped between the hooking element 22 itself and the abutment surface 23.

Pi? in particular, the coupling element 22 ? associated with support 2 in an adjustable way, cos? to be able to clamp, together with the abutment surface 23, frames T (or portions of frames T) of couches L of different sizes and/or shapes.

The hooking element 22 comprises an angular element 24, comprising, in turn, a first portion 24a, provided with a slot 25, and a second portion 24b, perpendicular to the first portion 24a.

In use, the second portion 24b ? parallel to the abutment surface 23.

The hooking element 22 also comprises an adjustment screw 26.

The adjustment screw 26 comprises, in turn, a threaded stem 27 and a knob 28.

The adjustment screw 26 ? configured so that its threaded stem 27 passes through the slot 25 of the angular element 24, and engages in a corresponding threaded hole (not visible in the figures) provided in the support 2, in particular in the rear wall 12 of the support 2.

The rear wall 12 of the support 2 can? comprise grooves 24c along which the second portions 24b of the angular elements 24 can slide. By loosening the adjustment screw 26 through the knob 28, ? It is possible to position the second portion 24b of the angular element 24 at different distances with respect to the abutment surface 23, widening or narrowing the insertion opening of the frame T: this allows to obtain the constraint of the support 2 to frames T of different dimensions and/or or geometry.

Pi? preferably, the connection means 8 comprise two identical hooking elements 22, provided at the ends? opposing support 2, for reasons of symmetry and stability? of the connection of the support 2 to the frame T of the couch L.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing duct 6 is configured in such a way that the direction F of the air flow, which leaves the outlet 7, is substantially parallel to the plane P defined by the frame T of the couch L (as shown in figure 2).

In other words, the delivery duct 6 ? configured so that the direction F of the air flow, which comes out of the delivery mouth 7, is substantially parallel to the upper wall 9 of the support, and also to the abutment surface(s) 23 of the connection means 8.

In practical use - and as further clarified below - this means that the flow of air, emitted from the delivery outlet 7, laps the body of the user lying on the bed L, advancing substantially along a horizontal plane.

The dispensing duct 6, viewed from the side, is substantially conforming to ?C? (that is, its longitudinal section is substantially shaped like a ?C?).

In other words, the delivery duct 6 ? configured in such a way as to determine a complete, or substantially complete, reversal of the direction F of the air flow leaving the delivery of fan 4.

How can you? clearly understood by observing, for example, figures 1 and 5, the support 2 and the relative connection means 8 are configured in such a way that the support 2, once constrained to the perimeter frame T of the bed L, is located below the same (completely or at least partially), and in a substantially hidden position, so? not to interfere with the movements of the user lying on the couch L.

Furthermore, thanks to this solution, the air is drawn, by the fan 4, from an area which, in use, is placed in the shade of the bed L, and therefore is at a lower temperature than the surrounding air, which instead is? exposed to the sun.

The inlet section of the delivery duct 6 ? perpendicular to the abutment surface 23.

The dispensing duct 6 extends from the rear wall 12 of the support 2. According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing duct 6 is? convergent, proceeding from the inlet section towards the delivery mouth 7 (see for example figure 6).

In other words, the section of the delivery duct 6 ? progressively decreasing, proceeding in the direction F of the air flow leaving the delivery mouth 7 (that is, from the inlet section to the outlet section of the delivery duct 6).

This expedient allows to obtain an acceleration of the air flow as it passes through the delivery duct 6: the air flow, therefore, touches the user's body with a speed suitable for making the user perceive a feeling of well-being and relief when exposed to the sun with high temperatures.

The dispensing spout 7 has a substantially elongated rectangular section; its longitudinal dimension ? much greater than the transversal one.

This allows to obtain a substantially laminar flow of air coming out of the dispensing mouth 7, and therefore concentrated to tangentially touch the body of the user lying on the couch L.

This solution has the purpose of minimizing the dispersion of the air flow in the surrounding environment: the effect of heat removal from the user's body is therefore maximized.

In practice, the longitudinal dimension of the dispensing mouth 7 (and therefore also of the dispensing duct 6) is? equal to the overall longitudinal dimension of the support 2, except for the encumbrance of the connection means 8, which are provided at the ends? of support 2.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing duct 6 is removable from support 2; thanks to this?, the delivery duct 6 ? also interchangeable. The delivery duct 6 can? then be replaced with another one of different dimensions and/or geometric characteristics.

How can you? observe in figure 7, the delivery duct 6 can? comprise a flange 6a, provided with holes 6b for fixing the support 2 to the rear wall 12, for example with screws or other similar means.

Correspondingly, the rear wall 12 of the support 2 comprises an opening 6c, communicating with the compartment 3, to which ? the flange 6a of the delivery duct 6 can be coupled/connected (see in particular figure 8).

According to a further aspect of the invention, the fan 4 is tangential type. This is a type of fan used, for example, in the components of air conditioning systems, and the like.

The main advantage connected with the use of this type of fan? its very limited transversal size, which makes its housing in narrow and elongated compartments optimal.

The drive means 16 of the fan 4 comprise a primary power supply and control board 29, to which the fan 4 is connected. operationally connected. The primary board 29 ? installed inside the first housing 15.

The first side wall 13 of the support 2 comprises a first hole 30 and a second hole 31, which communicate with the first housing 15.

Through the first hole 30 pu? pass the adjustment axis 32 of the potentiometer of the primary board 29; from the outside, a knob 33 is connected to the aforesaid adjustment axis 32, to allow speed control? of the motor 34 of the fan 4.

The drive means 16 also comprise a battery 35 for powering the motor 34 of the fan 4.

The 35 battery? contained in the first housing 15, in particular in a specially provided pocket 15a; the battery 35 can? be rechargeable.

In the second hole 31 of the first side wall 13 can? a first connector 36 for recharging the battery 35 is engaged.

The first connector 36 pu? be of the type suitable for connecting the battery 35 directly to the electric power supply network, to carry out its recharge via a transformer.

Support 2 can? further comprising a port 37, of the USB type, for recharging external devices such as cell phones, smartphones, tablets, and the like, by means of a suitable cable.

The door 37, installed inside the first slot 15, is accessible from the outside through a third hole 38, provided in the first side wall 13.

In one of the walls 9-14 of the support 2 (preferably in the first side wall 13) can? furthermore, a seat 39 is provided for housing a charge indicator 40 of the battery 35, operatively connected to the primary board 29.

Support 2 can? be made of plastic material with suitable characteristics, or also of metal (for example aluminum).

In practical use, therefore, the support 2, through the connection means 8, is fixed to the frame T of the cot L, preferably to the portion of the frame T which corresponds to the area of the user's feet, when this is? lying on the couch L itself.

After having started the motor 34 of the fan 4 using the knob 33, at the speed? desired, the tangential fan 4 draws the air from the external environment through the grate 18.

The air is sucked into the compartment 3, and passes through the fan 4; the latter directs the air into the delivery duct 6, which expels it through the delivery mouth 7, until it touches the body of the user lying on the bed L.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuating means 16 of the fan 4 can be controlled by means of a suitable application, installed on a smartphone, tablet, or the like, suitable for communicating with the primary board 29 via a wireless connection.

Yes ? what? seen how the invention achieves the proposed aims.

Thanks to important characteristics of the invention, such as the positioning of the support 2 with respect to the frame T of the couch L, the modality? of connection of the support 2 to the frame T, the conformation of the delivery duct 6, and the shape of the section of the delivery mouth 7, the flow of air 1 delivered by the device 1? very circumscribed and concentrated, and touches the body of the user lying on the couch L in a substantially tangential manner with respect to the plane P defined by the frame of the couch L itself, minimizing dispersion into the surrounding environment.

The user therefore feels a remarkable sensation of well-being even when the climatic conditions (temperature, air humidity) are uncomfortable.

At the same time, given that the air flow is located on the user?s body, no disturbance is caused to people who are nearby.

The proposed solution? constructively simple, light and cheap, easily transportable and easy to install/disassemble.

In some versions of the invention, not shown in the attached figures, the cooling device 1 can be provided with multimedia entertainment means, such as for example an audio file player, or the like.

These entertainment means can be integrated in the first housing 15, and can be accessed, for example, through a special interface made in one of the walls 9-14 of the support 2.

The present invention ? been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can be devised without departing from the scope of protection offered by the claims which follow.

Claims (10)

1. Cooling device (1) for beds and the like, comprising a box-shaped support (2) provided with a compartment (3) which contains a fan (4), said support (2) further comprising an air inlet ( 5) and a delivery duct (6) of the air, drawn by said fan (4) from the external environment, both communicating with said compartment (3), said delivery duct (6) ending with a delivery mouth (7 ), characterized in that said support (2) comprises connection means (8) to the perimeter frame (T) of a cot (L), or the like, configured to constrain said support (2) to the frame (T), so that said outlet (7) is oriented to send, towards the body of the user lying on the couch (L), a substantially laminar and tangential flow of air with respect to the plane (P) on which the user lies. 2. Cooling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said connection means (8) are configured so that said support (2), once constrained to the perimeter frame (T) of the cot (L), is located below the same, completely, or at least partially, and in a substantially hidden position, so? not to interfere with the movements of the user lying on the couch (L). 3. Cooling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said fan (4) is tangential type. 4. Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said support (2) comprises a USB-type port (37), for recharging external devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, and the like, via a suitable cable. 5. Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting means (8) comprise at least one hooking element, associated with said support (2), and at least one abutment surface (23) provided in said support (2), said coupling element (22) being associated with said support (2) in an adjustable manner, and in such a way that the perimetric frame (T) of the cot (L) is clamped between said coupling element (22) and said abutment surface (23). 6. Cooling device (1) according to claim 5, wherein said coupling element (22) comprises an angular element (24), comprising, in turn, a first portion (24a), provided with a slot (25 ), and a second portion (24b), perpendicular to said first portion (24a) and parallel to said abutment surface (23), said coupling element (22) also comprising an adjustment screw (26) provided with a threaded stem (27), able to pass through said slot (25) and to engage in a corresponding threaded hole provided in said support (2). 7. Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising actuation means (16) of said fan (4) installed in a first housing (15) of said support (2), said actuation means (16) comprising a primary power supply and control card (29), to which said fan (4) is connected. operatively connected, and a battery (35) for supplying the motor (34) of said fan (4). 8. Cooling device according to the preceding claim, wherein said actuation means (16) of said fan (4) can be controlled by means of a suitable application, installed on a smartphone, tablet, or the like, suitable for communicating with said primary board ( 29) via a wireless connection. 9. Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said support (2) comprises a second housing (17) for accommodating at least one tank of liquid to be dispensed, in nebulized form, within the air flow which it comes out of said dispensing mouth (7). 10. Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said delivery duct (6) is configured in such a way as to cause a complete, or substantially complete, inversion of the direction (F) of the air flow leaving the delivery of said fan (4).