US20140090410A1

US20140090410A1 - Air cooling device

Info

Publication number: US20140090410A1
Application number: US13/633,598
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeff Decker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-02
Filing date: 2012-10-02
Publication date: 2014-04-03

Abstract

The present invention is an air cooling device that includes a base casing, an air flap disposed on top of the base casing that expels cool air from the base casing, a rotatable roll knob that allows a user to adjust a temperature of the expelled cool air and an attachment band attached to the base casing worn on by the user. There is also an air intake port that receives surrounding exterior air, a battery cover that covers and protects a battery housing, an activation switch, an enclosed mini-fan that provides suction to the surrounding air and a plurality of batteries that provide power to the air cooling device, where the batteries are housed in the battery housing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

During the relatively warm summer months, many people carry portable hand-held misting fans to keep cool. If an individual is working with their hands, it can be difficult to maintain a relatively cool temperature when outside.
The present invention generally relates to a cooling device. More specifically, the invention is an air cooling device.
It is an object of the invention to provide an air cooling device that is relatively easily and comfortably attached to a user body part.
It is an object of the invention to provide an air cooling device that is portable and provides cool air over a relatively long period of time.
It is an object of the invention to provide an air cooling device that can be utilized during strenuous activity to keep a user cool during the strenuous activity.
What is really needed is an air cooling device that is relatively easily and comfortably attached to a user body part that is portable and provides cool air over a relatively long period of time that can be utilized during strenuous activity to keep a user cool during the strenuous activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front perspective view of an air cooling device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a rear perspective view of an air cooling device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.
The phrase “in one embodiment” is utilized repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
FIG. 1A illustrates a front perspective view of an air cooling device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air cooling device 100 is relatively easily and comfortably attached to a user body part and is portable and provides cool air over a relatively long period of time that can be utilized during strenuous activity to keep a user cool during the strenuous activity. The strenuous activity can include physically exerting work, jogging, running or any other suitable strenuous activity. The user body part that the air cooling device 100 is attached to is typically underneath clothing and can be attached to a user's leg, a user's arm or other suitable body part.
The air cooling device 100 includes a base casing 110, an air flap 120, a roll knob 130, an attachment band 140, an air intake port 150, a battery cover 160 and an activation switch 170. The base casing 110 has a top 112, a front facing 114, a back facing 116, a side 117 and an interior 118. The base casing 110 has a generally rectangular shape 111 but can have any suitable shape such as a square, a circle or an oval (all not shown). The base casing 110 also includes a fan motor casing 113 within the interior 118 of the base casing 110. The base casing 110 is approximately 3-⅝ inches in length and approximately ½ inch in width but can be any suitable dimensions. The dimensions of the base casing 110 make the air cooling device 100 relatively more convenient and discrete to use than traditional air cooling devices. The base casing 110 is made of relatively durable but relatively soft plastic but can be made of any other suitable material such as metal as well. The base casing 110 includes a recording port 115 disposed on the side 117 of the base casing 110. The air flap 120 is disposed on the top 112 of the base casing 110 and expels relatively cool air from the top 112 of the base casing 110. Any user body part that is positioned in front of the top 112 of the base casing 110 will receive the expelled cool air generated from the air cooling device 100. The roll knob 130 is rotatable and allows a user to adjust the temperature of the expelled air from the air cooling device 100 by rotating the roll knob 130 to increase or decrease the temperature of the expelled air. The attachment band 140 is attached to the back facing 116 of the base casing 110 and is worn on a desired body part of a user.
The attachment band 140 can be worn on a user's leg, such as on a user's thigh, a user's arm such as on a user's upper arm or on any other suitable user's body part. The attachment band 140 is made of elastic breathable cloth or any other suitable elastic material and is stretchable to provide comfort to the user. The air intake port 150 receives surrounding air exterior to the base casing 110 that is cooled by the air cooling device 100 and expelled from the air flap 120. The air intake port 150 also has a protective screen 152 to prevent any debris from entering the interior 118 of the base casing 110. The air intake port 150 is disposed on a bottom 119 of the base casing 110, although the air intake port 150 can be disposed on any suitable location on the base casing 110. The battery cover 160 covers and protects a battery housing 162 that is within the interior 118 of the base casing 110. The battery cover 160 is fastened to the front facing 112 of the base cover 160 by a removable screw 164. The activation switch 170 activates and terminates the air cooling device 100. The activation switch 170 is a toggle switch 172 but the activation switch 170 can be any suitable type of activation switch such as a spring loaded button switch (not shown).
FIG. 1B illustrates a rear perspective view of an air cooling device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the air cooling device 100 with the attachment band 140 removed to expose and illustrate the back facing 116 and the side 117 of the base casing 110.
The air cooling device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1B is similar to the air cooling device 100 illustrated and described in FIG. 1A and its description and includes similar components such as a similar base casing 110, air flap 120, roll knob 130, attachment band 140, air intake port 150, battery cover 160 and activation switch 170.
The air cooling device 100 additionally includes an enclosed mini-fan 180 and a plurality of batteries 190. The enclosed mini-fan 180 provides suction to the surrounding air from the exterior of the base casing 110 and suctions the surrounding air into the air intake port 150 of the base casing 110 and through the air flap 120 of the base casing 110. In FIG. 1B, the air intake port 150 is disposed on the side 117 near the bottom 119 of the base casing 110. The surrounding air is cooled from the increased speed provided from the suction from the enclosed mini-fan 180 from the bottom 119 of the base casing 110 to the top 112 of the base casing 110, although a cooling element such as a FREON™ chlorofluorocarbon based releasing device (not shown) can be added to the air cooling device 100 to provide additional air cooling. The enclosed mini-fan 180 has a plurality of blades 182 that rotate to provide suction from the enclosed mini-fan 180, although the enclosed mini-fan 180 can also utilize a plurality of fins (not shown) as well. The batteries 190 that provide power to the air cooling device 100 are typically 3 triple A batteries 192, although the batteries can be a plurality of double A batteries (not shown), a plurality of single A batteries (not shown), or any other suitable size or quantity of batteries. The batteries 190 can be alkaline batteries 192, lithium batteries 194, polymer ion and lithium batteries 196 or any other suitable batteries. The batteries 190 can also be rechargeable batteries 198.
The air cooling device is a relatively small fan that is placed under a user's clothing. Made of plastic or other suitable material, the air cooling device has a securing band that wraps firmly around a thigh or other suitable portion of a user's body. Cooler air is drawn in from the bottom of the air cooling device and is blown directly at the area the air cooling device front is pointed towards. Measuring approximately 3-⅝ inches in length and approximately 12 inches in width, the air cooling device is powered by three AAA batteries or other suitable type and quantity of batteries. The air cooler device can also be provided electrical power and charged with a car charger. The air cooling device may be worn under pants, shorts, dresses or other suitable clothing. The air cooling device may be readily available for purchase at retail stores where electronics are sold. The air cooling device features a portable, battery powered fan that can be discreetly placed underneath clothing. The air cooling device is also designed in a variety of colors.
While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

Claims

1. An air cooling device, comprising:

a base casing with a top, a front facing, a back facing, a side, a bottom and an interior, said interior includes a fan motor casing;

an air flap disposed on said top of said base casing, said air flap expels cool air from said top of said base casing to cool a user and a user body part positioned in front of said top of said base casing;

a rotatable roll knob that allows said user to adjust a temperature of said expelled cool air from said air cooling device by rotating said roll knob, said roll knob is a selected one to increase and to decrease said temperature of said expelled cool air;

an attachment band attached to said back facing of said base casing, said attachment band is worn on said body part of said user;

an air intake port disposed on said bottom of said base casing, said air intake port receives surrounding air exterior to said base casing, said surrounding air exterior is cooled by said air cooling device and expelled from said air flap;

a battery cover that covers and protects a battery housing, said battery housing is within said interior of said base casing;

an attachment port disposed on said side of said base casing;

an activation switch that activates and terminates said air cooling device;

an enclosed mini-fan that provides suction to said surrounding air from said exterior of said base casing, said enclosed mini-fan suctions said surrounding air into said air intake port of said base casing and through said air flap of said base casing; and

a plurality of batteries that provide power to said air cooling device, said batteries are housed in said battery housing.

2. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said base casing has a generally rectangular shape.

3. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said base casing is made of durable plastic.

4. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said base casing is made of soft plastic.

5. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said base casing is approximately 3-⅝ inches in length and approximately ½ inch in width.

6. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment band is attached to said user's leg.

7. The air cooling device according to claim 6, wherein said attachment band is said user's thigh.

8. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment band is said user's arm.

9. The air cooling device according to claim 8, wherein said attachment band is said user's upper arm.

10. The air cooling device according to claim 1, said attachment band is made of elastic breathable cloth.

11. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said air intake port has a protective screen, said protective screen prevents debris from entering said interior of said base casing.

12. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said battery cover is fastened to said front facing of said base cover by a removable screw.

13. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said activation switch is a toggle switch.

14. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said enclosed mini-fan has a plurality of blades that rotate to provide said suction from said enclosed mini-fan.

15. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said surrounding air is cooled from increased speed provided from said suction from said enclosed mini-fan from a bottom of said base casing to said top of said base casing.

16. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said batteries are 3 triple A batteries.

17. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said batteries are alkaline batteries.

18. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said batteries are lithium batteries.

19. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said batteries are polymer ion and lithium batteries.

20. The air cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said batteries are rechargeable.