US20160230777A1

US20160230777A1 - Portable Cooling Fan and Support System

Info

Publication number: US20160230777A1
Application number: US14/614,640
Authority: US
Inventors: Ngon Dong Dao; Tan Le; Marc Ian Drucker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-05
Filing date: 2015-02-05
Publication date: 2016-08-11

Abstract

A portable fan includes a housing having a first face with a first ridge and a second face with a second ridge. A recess is defined between the first and second ridges. A support member is connected to the housing. The support member can be wrapped around the recess for storage and can provide mechanical support for the housing during therapeutic use of the fan. The support member can include a handle that can be disposed under a mattress to anchor the portable fan while the patient is in bed. A second recess can be defined in the housing to receive an electric cord for storage.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application is directed to portable devices for circulating air to cool a patient. More particularly, the application is directed to a cooling fan having a flexible support system that is easily stowed and transported by its user.

BACKGROUND

Ventilation fans are used for moving and circulating air in or through a location depending on the positioning of the fans therein. People commonly use such fans for cooling themselves in hot weather because of the cooling effect of flowing air over the person if the person is in or near the flow path of the air moved by the fan.
Persons with various medical conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, often suffer from “hot feet” or other feeling of increased warmth of a body part. This symptom can be uncomfortable to the patient, particularly at night when the patient is attempting to sleep.
Various fan assemblies that are presently available can be used to alleviate the “hot feet” symptom, such as box fans, oscillating fans, and similar devices. A problem with these fans is they are not easily portable when a user travels, for example on a business trip when the patient does not have significant extra space to carry a larger fan. In addition, the fans on the market cannot be easily adjusted to direct air towards a desired body part while the patient is in bed. In addition, the fans on the market do not have a means to manage the electrical cord to prevent accidental tripping or to streamline the aesthetic appearance of the fan assembly.
Particularly, currently available ventilation fans are not conveniently portable and are not generally suited for travel applications. Some fans are provided with rigid support brackets and are only intended for fixed mounting applications and are therefore essentially not portable at all. Other fans, e.g., oscillating room fans, are provided with a support post, which is typically a vertical cylindrical post about three or four feet in length. These products are not practically transportable and would be inconvenient to pack into one's travel luggage to say the least.
Yet other fans are more compact and come with spring or clamping mounts and short articulating or flexible stalks on which they are secured. These portable fans could possibly fit into some travel luggage, but are still limited in their utility. First, these types of portable fans are generally only available with short (e.g., 6 to 9 inch long) support posts, which do not allow much flexibility in positioning the fans. The support structures for such portable fans have a generally limited range of positioning. Also, the support posts of such system do not extend long enough to put the fans in suitably high elevations above a mounting point. In another limiting aspect, these types of fans are generally DC powered (battery or rechargeable). DC powered personal fans have a limited operating window before they require recharging or new batteries. In either case, their user would have to carry a charging station or spare batteries to continue the use of such DC fans, which makes them unacceptable for extended (e.g., overnight or long flight) use. Where small portable fans are AC powered they typically come attached to an electrical power cord typically measuring several feet in length. Such a power cord can be bunched up for packing in a suitcase or bag, but easily unravels and becomes tangled in itself or tangled with other belongings when packed for travel, or could be damaged or damage other items when packed for travel.
Publication US 2014/0112791 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,320,450 and similar art describe ventilation fans that can be mounted to adjustable support legs and to articulated support posts or to bendable support legs, which can therefore direct the output of the fans towards a desired direction. These systems suffer from some or all of the above-mentioned limitations.
All of the above examples have limited positioning and portability features and are not suitable for secure placement in certain environments such as will be described below. What is needed is a fan assembly that is practical for traveling users, that can be stowed in an organized and efficient compact manner, and that is also functional for users who require overnight or extended use of the fans.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, a portable fan includes a housing defining a cavity. The housing has a front face and a rear face. The front face has a front flanged face having a ridge that extends along an outer perimeter of the front face, and the rear flanged face has a rear ridge that extends along an outer perimeter of the rear face. The front and rear ridges define a recessed housing portion therebetween. A fan is disposed in the housing.
A support member is connected to the housing. The support member is capable of flexing from a portable position in which at least a portion of the support member is wrapped around the recessed housing portion, to a therapeutic position in which the support member extends away from the housing to position the fan for circulating air towards a patient.
A wire and/or electric cord is disposed in a conduit defined in the support member. The wire is in electrical communication with the fan for providing electricity thereto.
In another aspect, a portable fan comprises a housing defining a cavity. The housing has a front flanged face and a rear flanged face and a sidewall between the front and rear faces. The front face has a front ridge that extends along an outer perimeter of the front face. The rear face has a rear ridge that extends along an outer perimeter of the rear face. The housing defines a first recess between the front ridge and a middle ridge defined in the sidewall of the housing. The housing further defines a second recess between the middle ridge and the rear ridge. A fan is disposed in the housing.
A support member is connected to the housing. The support member is capable of flexing from a first portable position in which at least a portion of the support member is wrapped around the first recess, to a therapeutic position in which the support member extends away from the housing to position the fan for circulating air towards a patient.
A cord is connected to a distal end of the support member. The cord is in electrical communication with the fan for providing electricity thereto. The cord is capable of flexing from a second portable position in which at least a portion of the cord is wrapped around the second recess, to a deployed position in which the cord extends away from the housing to connect to a power supply.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary device for cooling a patient.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary therapeutic use for a device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device in a therapeutic position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device in a therapeutic position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device in a portable position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a device.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a device.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a device in a deployed configuration.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate perspective views of an embodiment of a device in a storage configuration.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a device.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a device.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a device.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A portable fan includes a housing having at least one recess in a sidewall. The recess(es) can store a support member and/or an electric cord around the housing when the portable fan is in a storage position. In therapeutic use, the support member and/or the electric cord are unwounded. The support member provides mechanical support to the fan for positioning the fan to direct cooling air towards a patient (e.g., towards the patient's feet). An optional handle is disposed at a distal end of the support member for providing additional mechanical support, for example when the support member is inserted under a mattress to cool the patient in bed. The handle can couple the support member and the electric cord. The recess(es) can include a narrowed gap through which the support member and/or the electric cord passes to a second gap for wrapping around the housing. The narrowed gap can mechanically secure the support member and/or the electric cord when they are in the storage position.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary device 10 for cooling a patient. The device 10 includes a housing 100 that has a front face 105 and a rear face 110. The front face 105 has a first flange 115 extending along an outer perimeter 120 of the front face 105. The rear face 110 has a second flange 130 extending along an outer perimeter 135 of the rear face 110. The first and second flanges 115, 130 define a recessed portion 140 therebetween. In an aspect, housing 100 is substantially shaped like a spool having a recessed cylindrical middle section 140 of a first diameter disposed between a pair of flanged faces 115, 130 having diameters greater than said first diameter.
As illustrated, the front face 105 and the rear face 110 are generally circular, however other shapes are within the scope of the invention. For example, the front and rear faces 105, 110 can be rectangles, squares, triangles, etc., Alternatively, the front and rear faces 105, 110 can be oval or similar shape. In some embodiments, the front and rear faces 105, 110 are different shapes (e.g., the front face 105 is circular and the rear face 110 is rectangular).
The housing 100 defines a cavity 145 that extends from the front face 105 to the rear face 110 of the housing 100. In some embodiments, the cavity 145 extends only partially through the housing 100 (e.g., from the front face 105 to an interior region (not shown) of the housing 100). As illustrated, the cavity 145 is cylindrical, however other shapes are within the scope of the invention, such as rectangular prisms, cubes, and the like. A fan 150 is disposed in the cavity 145. The fan 150 can be disposed proximal to the front face 105, proximal to the rear face 110, or at any location therebetween. In some embodiments, two or more fans are disposed in the cavity, for example one fan 150 can be disposed proximal to the front face 105 and a second fan 150′ (not shown) can be disposed proximal to the rear face 110.
A flexible and/or adjustable support member 160 is connected to the housing 100. In some embodiments, the support member 160 includes a plurality of segments for adjusting the position of the device 10, similar to a bendable straw. The flexible and/or adjustable support member 160 can be made from plastic, metal or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, the support member 160 either acting alone, or in conjunction with its attachment mechanism, provides flexibility in as many as 5 dimensions/axes (X, Y, Z, overall length, rotational). In some embodiments, the support member 160 is highly flexible while in others the support member 160 is less flexible and/or inflexible. For example, the support member 160 can be highly flexible and can be wrapped around the recessed portion 140 for portability and/or storage, as described below. In addition, the support member 160 can position the fan 150 (e.g., by flexing a portion of the support member 160) so that the fan 150 circulates air across a desired body area (e.g., the feet), as described below. This adjustability, in conjunction with any speed control provided by the fan 150, allows a user to control which body part(s) the fan 150 circulates air across as well as the speed or volume of air being circulated. For example, the fan 150 can be set at a low speed and disposed close to a user. In another example, the fan 150 can be set at a high speed and disposed far away from the user. In each example, a desired body part of the user can receive the same air flow/volume from the fan 150 but, in the latter example, the fan 150 may not circulate air across other body parts and/or a person sleeping adjacent to the user, thus leaving him/her undisturbed.
A wire/power cord 170 extends through a conduit 180 in the support member 160. The wire 170 is in electrical communication with the fan 150 and can be electrically connected to a power source (not shown), such as an external electrical outlet or an internal or external battery. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the wire 170 includes an optional plug 190 for connecting to an external electrical outlet.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary therapeutic use for a device 20. The device 20 includes a housing 200 that defines a cavity 245 to receive a fan 250, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 1. The housing 200 also defines an optional battery compartment 205. The housing 200 is connected to a proximal portion 265 of a support member 260. A distal portion 270 of the support member 260 is disposed under a bottom surface 210 of a mattress 220 (e.g., between the mattress 220 and a box spring 230) on a bed 240. The support member 260 is flexible and adjustable so that it can be bent to position the fan 250 to circulate air towards a user, such as toward a user's feet 280 as illustrated in FIG. 2, and to pass under the mattress 220.
In some embodiments, the support member 260 is modular and/or segmented. For example, the support member 260 can be a gooseneck arm such as a LOC-LINE® modular hose manufactured by Lockwood Products, Inc. of Lake Oswego, Oreg. Alternatively, the support member 260 can be a bendable metal, such as a metal gooseneck manufactured by SnakeClamp Products, LLC of Riner, Va., a plastic (e.g., LOC-LINE®), or a combination thereof. For example, the support member 260 can be assembled of multiple segments of different types (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.), or there may be a hybrid gooseneck that is manufactured from both metal and plastic parts.
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device 30 in a therapeutic position. A support member 300 on the device 30 includes multiple segments 310 a, 310 b . . . 310 n. As illustrated, the segments 310 a, 310 b . . . 310 n are generally conical but one skilled in the art will recognize that the segments 310 a, 310 b . . . 310 n can be other shapes (e.g., spheres). The segments 310 a, 310 b . . . 310 n allow the support member 300 to be adjustable, for example to create an angular section 320. In addition, the segments 310 a, 310 b . . . 310 n can be modular, which allows a user and/or a manufacturer to lengthen or shorten the support member 300 by adding or removing segments 310 a, 310 b . . . 310 n. An optional control button 315 is disposed on the support member 300. The optional control button 315 can turn on and off a fan 390 and/or control the velocity of the fan 390. Alternatively, the optional control button 315 can be a button, knob, slider or other known mechanism. The optional control button 315 can also be positioned along the support member 300, on a handle, on a power cord (e.g., the wire/power cord 170), or disposed on the housing 360 of the device 30.
The support member 300 includes a proximal portion 330, a middle portion 340, and a distal portion 350. The proximal portion 330 connects to the housing 360 of the device 30 at a connection point 370. The proximal portion 330 is parallel to a first axis 375, which is perpendicular to a tangent line 385 to the connection point 370. It is noted that one skilled in the art will understand that the support member 300 and the housing 360 can be disposed at various relative orientations to each other without diverting from the scope of the disclosure.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the proximal portion 330 is approximately orthogonal to the distal portion 350 of the support member 300. By forming the angular section 320, the distal portion 350 can be placed under a workpiece, such as a mattress, to anchor the support member 300 so that the device 30 can be positioned near a patient (e.g., while the patient is in bed). As such, the fan 390 on the device 30 can circulate cooling air towards a patient, for example, while the patient is in bed. The fan 390 can rotate and pivot with respect to the support member 300 to direct cooling air to the patient as needed.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the support member 300 can be adjusted in a variety of positions depending on the therapeutic need of the patient. For example, the angular section 320 can form a 30 degree angle, a 45 degree angle, a 60 degree angle, or other angle. Similarly, the support member 300 can include multiple angular sections 320, 320′ (not shown), etc. In some embodiments, the support member 300 includes an angular section (not shown) in the proximal portion 330 to direct the fan 390 downwards (e.g., generally in the direction of the distal portion 350) towards a patient's feet or other body part.
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a device 40 in a therapeutic position. The device 40 includes a support member 400 that has a proximal portion 430, a middle portion 440, and a distal portion 450, as discussed above. The proximal portion 430 connects to a housing 460 of the device 40 at a connection point 470. The proximal portion 430 is parallel to a first axis 475, which is parallel to a tangent line 485 to the connection point 470.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device 50 in a portable or storage position. As discussed above, the device 50 includes a housing 500 having a pair of flanged faces, a front face 505 and a rear face 510. A fan 590 is disposed in the housing 500 between said faces 505, 510. A recessed portion 540 is defined between a front flange 515 on the front face 505 and a rear flange 520 on the rear face 510 of the housing 500. In some embodiments, the recessed portion 540 is a groove. As illustrated, the housing 500 is generally in the shape of a spool. A support member 560 is wrapped and/or spooled around the recessed portion 540 of the housing 500. By wrapping and/or spooling the support member 560 around the recessed portion 540, the overall size of the apparatus 50 is decreased, which can be beneficial when storing or transporting the apparatus 50. In some embodiments, an electric cord 580 is wrapped and/or spooled around the recessed portion 540.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the housing 500 includes an optional notch 570 that is configured to receive a distal portion 565 of the support member 560. Alternatively, the optional notch 570 is configured to receive the electric cord 580, which, in some embodiments, passes through a conduit in the support member 560. In either case, the optional notch 570 can retain (e.g., by friction or as a press-fit) the support member 560 and/or the electric cord 580, for example, to prevent the support member 560 and/or electric cord 580 from loosening during storage and/or transit.
FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of a device 60. The device 60 includes a housing 600, as generally described above. A first support member 610 and a second support member 620 are connected to the housing 600. The first support member 610 can be the same or different than the second support member 620. As illustrated, the first support member 610 and the second support member 620 are each formed from modular segments as described above. However, it is noted that the first and second support members 610, 620 can be any type of flexible support member as described above. Alternatively, the first support member 610 can be flexible and the second support member 620 can be less flexible and/or inflexible (or vice versa). If the second support member 620 is less flexible and/or inflexible, the second support member 620 can be secured to the housing 600 with an adjustable and/or rotatable mounting. The second support member 610 can increase the stability of the device 60 during therapy, for example, by providing a second anchor point under a mattress. Additional support members can be included in the device 60 as needed, for example to form a tripod or similar support structure.
In some embodiments, the first support member 610 is comprised of modular segments having a first shape (e.g., the generally conical shape illustrated in FIG. 6) and the second support member 620 is comprised of modular segments having a second shape (e.g., spherical shapes). Alternatively, the first support member 610 is segmented but not modular and the second support member 620 is segmented and modular. In addition, the first support member 610 and/or the second support member 620 can be formed out of a thermoplastic and/or metal, as described above, which is not segmented. The first support member 610 and/or the second support member 620 can include a control switch and/or a conduit for a wire, as discussed above.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a device 70. The device 70 includes a housing 700 connected to a support member 720, as discussed above. A fan 790 is disposed in the housing 700. A generally U-shaped handle member 775 is connected to a distal portion 750 of the support member 720. It is noted that the handle member 775 can be another shape, such as a right-angled handlebar, a bracket, etc. The handle member 775 includes a grip portion 780 and sidebar portions 785A, 785B. In the deployed configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, the handle member 775 can be disposed under a mattress to support the device 70 while in operation. Angled portions 785C, 785D are integrally connected to sidebar portions 785A, 785B, respectively. Angled portion 785D is also connected to the distal portion 750 of the support member 720.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the device 70 with the handle member 775 disposed between a mattress 720 and a box spring 730 of a bed 740. For clarity, FIG. 8 includes a cutaway section 710 to illustrate how the handle member 775 fits under the mattress 720. In use, the handle member 775 would be hidden underneath the mattress 720 and blanket 725. The handle member 775 can be constructed out of a rigid material (e.g., a thermoplastic, a metal, etc.) to support and/or anchor the device 70 under the mattress 720. It is noted that the bed 740 is illustrated as an example and the device 70 can be used with other objects such as a couch, a chair, etc. In addition or in the alternative, the handle member 775 can be disposed on the floor.
The distal portion 750 of the support member 720 connects to the angled portion 785D of the handle member 775 proximal to an edge 745 of the mattress 720. This allows the support member 720 to be constructed out of a more flexible material that does not need to withstand the weight and pressure of the mattress 720 (and the user laying on the mattress 720). As illustrated, the angled portion 785D extends to the edge 745 of the mattress 720. However, the angled portion 785D can terminate before or after the edge of the mattress 745 in some embodiments. The handle member 775 can have an irregular shape and/or multiple sections (e.g., angular sections) to increase the surface area and/or friction between the handle member 775 and the mattress 720 or similar object (e.g., a couch) so the handle member 775 can be more securely retained and/or anchored under the mattress 720 (or similar object). As would be recognized by those skilled in the art, the handle member 775 can have various designs/shapes (including materials of the handle member 775) to provide an increased surface area and/or frictional surface.
An electric cord 782 passes through an aperture 777 defined in the angled portion 785C of the handle member 775 to carry electricity to the fan 790. The electric cord 782 can also pass through a conduit in the support member 720 (e.g., as described above with respect to FIG. 1). Alternatively, an electrical connection is integrated into the handle member 775 and/or the support member 720 in which case the electric cord 782 does not extend to the fan 790. In that scenario, the electric cord 782 is in electrical communication with the fan 790 but they may not be in physical contact with each other.
FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a device 90 in a storage configuration. First and second sidebars 985A, 985B of handle member 975 are disposed on opposing sides of the housing 960 of the device 90. As described above, angled portions 985C, 985D are connected to first and second sidebars 985A, 985B, respectively. The housing 960 includes a top flanged face with ridge 915A, a bottom flanged face with ridge 915B, and a middle ridge 915C. Each face of the housing may be molded integrally with the housing or may comprise an annulus, disk or flanged ridge. Therefore, the opposing pair of faces in the body of said apparatus comprises at least two flanged or ridged structures to support the stowage of electrical cord windings 982, flexible support member windings 920 and/or handle 975. A first recess 942 is defined between the top ridge 915A and the middle ridge 915C. A second recess 944 is defined between the middle ridge 915C and the bottom ridge 915B. A space 915 for receiving a hand and/or fingers is defined between grip portion 980 and the housing 960. In general, the device 90 in the storage configuration resembles a padlock. In some embodiments, the handle 975 is secured to the flanged faces/ ridges 915A, 915B, and/or 915C instead of, or in addition to, the recesses 942, 944.
Electric cord 982 is connected to angled portion 985D of handle member 975, as described above. In the storage configuration illustrated in FIG. 9, the electric cord 982 wraps and/or spools around the first recess 942 to compactly store the electric cord 982, for example during travel. For clarity, the electric cord 982 is only partially wrapped and/or spooled around the first recess 942 in FIG. 9 (a portion 982A of the electric cord 982 extends to the left-hand side of the housing 960). Likewise, the support member 920 wraps and/or spools around the second recess 944 to compactly store the support member 920, for example during travel.
In some embodiments, the angled portion 985C includes a curved extension that wraps around the housing 960 to mechanically secure the handle member 975 to the housing 960. The curvature of the curved extension can be slightly greater than the curvature of the housing 960 so that the curved extension remains relatively secure against the housing 960 due to frictional or press-fit securement of the parts. Making the ridges described above from a semi-rigid material such as plastic or thin metal allows for press fitting of the cord and/or handle of the apparatus into properly sized grooves or between the slightly flexible faces of the spool-shaped housing 960.
FIG. 10 illustrates the device 90 from another perspective. A dowel, bolt, or other threaded, welded or molded pin 91 can be used to secure the two faces of the apparatus together. In addition or in the alternative, a cap 92 can be disposed over the fan housing (not shown) for aesthetic purposes.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device 90 in a storage configuration. As discussed above, the electric cord 982 is wrapped and/or spooled around the first recess 942, which is defined between the top ridge 915A and the middle ridge 915C. Likewise, the support member 920 is wrapped and/or spooled around the second recess 944, which is defined between the middle ridge 915C and the bottom ridge 915B. The handle member 975 is disposed in the second recess 944 on the outside of the spooled support member 920.
FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the device 90′ in a storage configuration. As illustrated, the middle ridge 915C and the bottom ridge 915B include optional raised edges 918 and/or 922, respectively. The raised edges define an outer gap 924 therebetween and an inner gap 926 for receiving the support member 920. The raised edges decrease the height of the outer gap 924 such that the outer gap 924 is narrower than the inner gap 926. The decreased height of the outer gap 924 can mechanically secure the support member 920 during storage using a snap-in, press fit or equivalent securement means. A force is required to move the support member from the inner gap 926 to the outer gap 924 across the raised edges 918 and/or 922, spreading said upper and lower ridges apart. In an aspect, forming the device of a semi-rigid material such as plastic or thin metal allows for such flexibility to spread open outer gap 924, which will spring return to its natural state. In addition or in the alternative, the support member 920 can be configured to be mechanically secured to the ridges 915A, 915B, and/or 915C.
Similar raised edges can be disposed in the first recess 942 to secure the electric cord 982. The handle member 975 is disposed on the outside of the raised edges 918, 922 to secure the support member 920 against the housing 960 and in the second recess 944. Alternatively, the handle member 975 can be disposed on the inside of the raised edges 918, 922.
FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of device 1300. As described above, the device 1300 includes first and second recesses 1342, 1344. An electric cord 1382 is disposed in the first recess 1342. The electric cord 1382 is connected to an electric plug 1360. The electric plug 1360 includes a storage plate 1365 that is configured to be insertable into the first recess 1342 to retain the electric cord 1382. The plate 1365 has a width 1370 that is approximately equal to or slightly less than a width 1372 of the first recess 1342 so that the plate 1365 fits snugly in the first recess 1342. The plate 1365 includes an optional rounded end 1367 for inserting into the first recess 1342. In addition to retaining the electric cord 1382, the plate 1365 provides a means to store and manage the plug 1360, for example during travel.
FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the electric plug 1360. The plate 1365 includes a curved edge 1367 that approximately matches the curvature of the first groove 1342 in housing 1300. By matching the curvature of the curved edge 1367 and the first groove 1342, the plate 1365 conforms to the shape of the first grove 1342 for more efficient storage and for a more secure retention of the electric cord 1382. The first groove can include raised edges, as discussed above, for a more secure retention of the plate 1365 and cord 1382.
Therefore, the present invention provides an electrical fan disposed in a cavity of a device housing. The housing may be spool-shaped and have a pair of flanged or ridged faces surrounding said cavity of the device housing. A flexible electrical power cord and a flexible but supportive support member such as a goose neck extension can be wound about the device housing between said faces of the device for stowage or travel. When in use, the power cord and the flexible support member are unwound from their stowed positions into a deployed position to permit positioning the device in a desired location, including under a bed mattress, box spring, bedding, cushion or other item. In some aspects the electrical power cord can run through the center of a hollow flexible support structure and therefore be wound simultaneously therewith. In other aspects the electrical cord and the flexible support structure are wound about the body of the housing separately and in appropriately sized recessed grooves therein. In yet another aspect, the device has a graspable handle portion at a terminus of the flexible support structure that permits carrying the device and assists in supporting it during operation. The foregoing embodiments allow a person who needs a cooling fan during travel or sleep to compactly store the device when not in use or packed into his or her luggage, and to insert the device under a mattress near the bottom of a bed to cool the person's feet or other body parts as desired.
The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular embodiments described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the present claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present disclosure. The claims are intended to cover such modifications.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable fan comprising:

a housing defining a cavity, the housing having a front face and a rear face, the front face having a front flange that extends along an outer perimeter of the front face, the rear face having a rear flange that extends along an outer perimeter of the rear face, wherein the front flange and the rear flange define a recessed housing portion therebetween;

a fan disposed in the cavity;

a support member connected to the housing, the support member capable of flexing from a stowed position in which at least a portion of the support member is wrapped around the recessed housing portion, to a deployed position in which the support member extends away from the housing to position the fan for circulating air towards a user; and

a wire disposed in a conduit defined in the support member, the wire in electrical communication with the fan for providing electricity thereto.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member comprises a flexible tube.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member is comprised of modular segments.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the modular segments are articulated.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is substantially cylindrical.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the housing is in a shape of a spool having a central body portion containing said fan disposed between said front and rear flanged faces.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cavity and central body portion are substantially cylindrical in shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing defines a notch to receive a distal end of the support member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second support member connected to the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a handle, the handle having a grip portion connected to a first sidebar and a second sidebar, the first sidebar connected to a distal end of the support member, the second sidebar connected to the wire.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first and second sidebars are disposed on opposing sides of the housing when the support member is in the portable position.

12. A portable fan comprising:

a housing defining a cavity, the housing having a front face and a rear face, the housing further having a sidewall between the front face and the rear face, the front face having a front ridge that extends along an outer perimeter of the front face, the rear face having a rear ridge that extends along an outer perimeter of the rear face, the housing defining a first recess between the front ridge and a middle ridge defined in the sidewall of the housing, the housing further defining a second recess between the middle ridge and the rear ridge;

a fan disposed in the cavity;

a support member connected to the housing, the support member capable of flexing from a first portable position in which at least a portion of the support member is wrapped around the first recess, to a therapeutic position in which the support member extends away from the housing to position the fan for circulating air towards a patient; and

a cord connected to a distal end of the support member, the cord in electrical communication with the fan for providing electricity thereto, the cord capable of flexing from a second portable position in which at least a portion of the cord is wrapped around the second recess, to a deployed position in which the cord extends away from the housing to connect to a power supply.

13. The portable fan of claim 12 wherein the first recess has an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion having an outer gap defined by a raised edge of the front ridge and the middle ridge, the inner portion having an inner gap defined by a recessed edge of the front ridge and the middle ridge, wherein the outer gap is narrower than the inner gap.

14. The portable fan of claim 12 wherein the second recess has an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion having an outer gap defined by a raised edge of the front ridge and the middle ridge, the inner portion having an inner gap defined by a recessed edge of the front ridge and the middle ridge, wherein the outer gap is narrower than the inner gap.

15. The portable fan of claim 12 further comprising a handle, the handle having a grip portion connected to a first sidebar and a second sidebar, the first sidebar connected to a distal end of the support member, the second sidebar connected to the cord.

16. The portable fan of claim 12 further comprising an electric plug connected to the cord, the electric cord having a storage plate configured to be insertable into the second recess, the storage plate including a sidewall having a width approximately equal to a width of the second recess.

17. The portable fan of claim 16 wherein the sidewall conforms to a shape of the second recess.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the support member is comprised of modular segments.

19. The portable fan of claim 12 wherein the support member comprises a gooseneck tube.

20. The portable fan of claim 12 wherein the modular segments are articulated.