US20220065473A1 - Window fan with screen covering - Google Patents
Window fan with screen covering Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220065473A1 US20220065473A1 US17/002,317 US202017002317A US2022065473A1 US 20220065473 A1 US20220065473 A1 US 20220065473A1 US 202017002317 A US202017002317 A US 202017002317A US 2022065473 A1 US2022065473 A1 US 2022065473A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- covering
- window fan
- fasteners
- fan system
- housing unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 241000239290 Araneae Species 0.000 description 4
- 241000238631 Hexapoda Species 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007812 deficiency Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F7/00—Ventilation
- F24F7/007—Ventilation with forced flow
- F24F7/013—Ventilation with forced flow using wall or window fans, displacing air through the wall or window
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/20—Casings or covers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2221/00—Details or features not otherwise provided for
- F24F2221/20—Details or features not otherwise provided for mounted in or close to a window
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Curtains And Furnishings For Windows Or Doors (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a window fan with a removable screen covering.
- Window fans are a practical low cost alternative to air conditioning units for maintaining a comfortable temperature and ventilation within a building. Like a portable window air conditioning unit, a window fan is typically installed within the frame of a window. However, unlike a portable window air conditioning unit, a window fan is relatively inexpensive to operate.
- A window fan typically contains a housing unit with a front and rear panel, a fan, a motor and a control element. The front and rear panels both contain openings (e.g., grilles) so that when turned on, the window fan draws in air from the outside into the building (e.g., intake mode), or draws air from inside the building out (e.g., exhaust mode).
- Because the exterior side of the window fan is exposed to the outside environment, the interior of the fan's housing is exposed to and can accumulate environmental elements such as dust, rain, ice, dirt, insects, spider webs, leaves, etc. which can decrease the performance of the window fan. Moreover, insects, spiders, airborne particles and debris, and the like may enter the building through the grilles when the fan is not in use.
- To deal with these two potential problems, window fan users typically must remove or uninstall the window fan from the window frame so the window can be closed. When the user wishes to use the window fan again, he or she must reinstall the window fan.
- As such, there is a need for an improved window fan or device that prevents the entry of insects, spiders, airborne particles and debris, and the like into a building and which does not have to be removed and reinstalled.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, a window fan system includes a housing unit having a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel and the rear panel having grilles, a fan disposed between the front panel and the rear panel, a covering, and a plurality of fasteners, each including a first fastening member on the housing unit and a second fastening member on the covering designed to connect with the first fastening member. The covering is configurable in an installed state and a stored state, a grille on the front panel or the rear panel is covered by the covering in the installed state and the grille on the front panel or the rear panel is not covered by the covering in the stored state. A holder supports the covering when the covering is in the stored state. The holder is one of one of the plurality of fasteners, a storage fastener, and/or a retainer.
- The covering is a screen allowing passage of air therethrough and preventing then entry of insects, spiders, airborne particles and debris, and the like into the building.
- The covering is rolled up in the stored state and held on a side of the grille in the stored state. Thus, the air flows more freely through the grilles and fan unit when the covering is in the stored state allowing the fans to more efficiently circulate air.
- In one embodiment, the the holder includes the retainer that maintains the covering in the rolled up condition in the stored state. The retainer is, for example, a strap that is releasably connected to the housing unit or tie strings that are attached to the covering itself or to the housing unit.
- In a further embodiment, the holder includes at least one of the plurality of fasteners and is connected in the stored state. The covering is releasably connected to the one of the plurality of fasteners so that the covering can be removed from the housing unit for cleaning and/or replacement.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the holder is a storage fastener, which is different from the plurality of fasteners. The storage fastener requires manipulation of a portion of the first fastening element to allow disconnection of the second fastening element and each of the plurality of fasteners allows disconnection of the second fastening element from the first fastening element without any manipulation of the first fastening element. The first fastening member of the storage fastener is in a closed state to maintain a connection between the first fastening member and the second fastening member of the storage fastener and includes a resilient element that is manipulable by an external force to open the closed state and release the connection between the first fastening member and the second fastening member.
- In a further embodiment, the holder includes the retainer and one of the storage fastener or that at least one of the plurality of fastening elements. In this embodiment, the retainer includes tie strings attached to the covering.
-
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a window fan according to an embodiment of the present invention with a covering in an installed state attached to an interior side of a fan housing. -
FIG. 2 is an illustration of the window fan ofFIG. 1 with the covering stored in a stored state. -
FIG. 3A is an illustration of the section A ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3B is an illustration of the section B ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3C is an illustration of the section C ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4A is an illustration of an embodiment of a first fastening element on the housing unit. -
FIG. 4B is an illustration of another embodiment of a first fastening element on the housing unit. -
FIG. 5 is an illustration of another embodiment of a fastener for attaching the covering to the fan housing. -
FIG. 6 is an illustration of a further embodiment of a fastener for attaching the covering to the fan housing. -
FIG. 7 is an illustration of yet another embodiment of a fastener for attaching the covering to the fan housing. -
FIG. 8 is an illustration of a further embodiment for holding the covering in the stored state. -
FIG. 9 is an illustration of the cover attached to the window fan. -
FIG. 10 is an illustration of Section A ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 11 is an illustration of Section B ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 12 is an illustration of another embodiment for holding the covering in the stored state. - A window fan with a covering is herein provided which will overcome the deficiencies of the prior art window fan. A covering in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is preferably a flexible bug screen. Alternatively, the cover may also include a material impermeable to the elements. The impermeable cover goes over and seals the openings or grilles of the window fan, prevents the natural air flow or circulation of air from inside to outside (or vice versa) is stopped, and reduces the tendency of the window fan housing to accumulate enviromental elements.
- In the present invention, the window fan comprises a housing unit having a front panel and a rear panel, the front and rear panels having grills; a fan disposed between the front and rear panels; a drive motor operatively connected to the fan; a control element operatively connected to the motor; at least one covering; a plurality of first fastening members on at least one side of the housing unit; and a plurality of second fastening members on the covering designed to connect with the plurality of first fastening members on the housing unit.
- The fan blades may be of any shape conventionally used in window fans. The motor is connected to the fan and the control element, which may be any such control element known in the art to turn the power on/off and adjust the speed of the fan.
- As shown in
FIGS. 1-2 , thewindow fan 10 includes ahousing unit 12, which includes grilles 13 on both the rear and front panels 14 (only the front panel is shown inFIGS. 1-2 ). Because of these grilles 13, air will naturally flow from outside to inside or vice versa. Acontrol element 17 of thewindow fan 10 can include several speeds for adjusting the speed of the fan /motor (e.g., high, low). In the embodiment shown, thecontrol element 17 includes pushbuttons. However, a rotary switch or any other conventional switch(es) may also be used for thecontrol element 17 instead of the pushbuttons. - The
window fan 10 is provided with acovering 15 which covers the grilles 13 on thefront panel 14. The covering 15 is preferably attached on thefront panel 14 for ease of access. However, the covering 15 may be alternatively attached to the rear panel of thehousing unit 12, or separate coverings can be attached to the rear and front panels. - As stated above, the
covering 5 is preferably a screen similar to known window and door screens and can be made from a mesh of plastic wire, fiberglass, or any conventional screen materials. As an alternative, thecovering 5 may be a solid cover made of fabric, plastic, rubber, or any other conventional cover materials. In one embodiment, the covering is designed to match the shape of grilles 13 or the shape of openings 13 onpanel 14 ofhousing unit 12 and seal them from the environment. The covering 15 may be windproof, waterproof and/or insulated as well. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the covering 15 is attached to thehousing unit 12 byfirst fastening members 16 a andsecond fastening members 16 b (collectively referred to asfastening members housing unit 12, including grille 13. Thefastening members - Each of the
fastenng members first fastening members housing 12 and the covering 15 includes a plurality ofsecond fastening members 19 a, 19 b attached to the covering 15 and designed to connect with respectivefirst fastening members housing unit 12. For example, as shown inFIGS. 3A-C , the plurality offirst fastening members 18 b on the housing unit 12 (such as the front panel 14) can be in the form of protrusions, extensions or mounting hooks which connect to the respective attachment loops or holes (representing the plurality ofsecond fastening members 19 b) oncover 15. In one example shown inFIG. 4A , thefirst fastening members front panel 14. In another example shown inFIG. 4B , thefirst fastening members front panel 14 and extend across a hole or depression 27 in thefront panel 14. In this embodiment, thefirst fastening members 18 a are the same as thefirst fastening members 18 b and the second fastening members 19 a are the same as thesecond fastening members 19 b. - The plurality of
first fastening members housing unit 12 can be located anywhere onhousing unit 12, including on grille 13 and on either or both of front and rear panels. As shown inFIGS. 1, 3A -C, the covering 15 is attached tohousing unit 12 for example, by simply connecting or mating the plurality offirst fastening members front panel 14 with the corresponding plurality ofsecond fastening members 19 a, 19 b on thecovering 15. In one embodiment, threefirst fastening members FIGS. 1, 3A -C, the upperfirst fastening member first fastening member - The covering 15 is shown as being rectangular in
FIG. 1 . However, the covering 15 may by any shape or size particularly suited for a specific fan unit. For example,FIG. 9 shows an oblong shaped covering 15. The plurality ofsecond fastening members 19 a, 19 b on covering 15 can be located anywhere on covering 15. Preferably, the plurality of second fastening members are located on covering 15 in locations which correspond to the location of the plurality offirst fastening members housing unit 12 so that the connection can be more uniform. Thesecond fastening members 19 a, 19 b can be any one of many known fastening devices, including loops of elastic, rubber, rope, nylon, metal, plastic, etc.; pile and loop fasteners, mechanical fasteners such as snaps or twist connectors. Thesecond fastening members 19 a, 19 b can be sewn, secured or attached to the covering 15 using any conventional methods. Preferably, thesecond fastening members 19 a, 19 b are resistant to being pulled off the covering 15 (e.g., at least resistant to 15 pounds of pulling pressure). - The covering 15 is stored on a side of the grille 13 when the covering 15 is not in use according to another embodiment of the invention. For example,
FIG. 2 shows the covering 15 stored in an uncovered or stored state. The covering 15 is a flexible material that can be folded or rolled up to be stored in the stored state. In a preferred embodiment, the covering 15 is rolled up in the stored state. However, covering may alternatively be folded, for example, by an accordion fold. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 2 , the rolled up covering 15 is stored on a lateral side of the grilles 13. However, the rolled up covering 15 may alternatively be stored above or below the grilles 13 in the stored state. - In one embodiment, the
first fastening members second fastening members 19 a, 19 b are loops, preferably elastic loops, and are placed over respective ones of thefirst fastening members first fastening members 18 a of thefirst fasteners 16 a are connected with the respective loops 19 a of thefirst fasteners 16 a in both the stored state and the covered state. Thefirst fastening members 18 b of thesecond fasteners 16 b are connected only when the covering is in the covered state and are disconnected in the stored state. Thus, thefirst fasteners 16 a are storage fasteners that function as a holder in the stored state to support the covering 15 on thehousing unit 12. Thesecond fasteners 16 b are deployed fasteners that are disconnected in the stored state. - In another embodiment, the first (storage)
fasteners 16 a are different than the second (deployed)fasteners 16 b. In the following examples, the second (deployed)fasteners 16 b include, for example, thefirst fastening members 18 b and theloops 19 b described above or any other fasteners. Because the first (storage)fasteners 16 a are designed to support the covering 15 in the stored position, the first (storage)fasteners 16 a are designed in this embodiment to be more difficult or require more force to disconnect than the seond (deployed)fasteners 16 b. For example,FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the first (storage)fastener 16 a is a hook and loop fastener or pile andloop fastener 24. In a further embodiment shown inFIG. 6 , the first (storage)fasteners 16 a that hold the covering 15 in the stored state aresnap connectors 26. In yet another embodiment shown inFIG. 7 , the first (storage)fasteners 16 a include aclip 28 with a movable portion, i.e.,resilient arm 30, that rests against or forms a small gap with abase 31 and forms a ring or eye that holds theloop 19. Theresilient arm 30 is manipulable (see arrow inFIG. 7 ) to open the ring or eye and allow removal of the loop 19 a. Further, the first (storage)fastener 16 a in the form of theclip 28 may be releasably connected to thehousing unit 12 using ascrew 31 so that abroken clip 28 can be easily replaced. Instead of thescrew 31, a snap-fit connection, or other known releasable fasteners may be used to connect theclip 28 to thehousing unit 12. - A retainer in the form of a retaining
strap 20 holds the rolled up covering 15 in the rolled up condition when the covering 15 is in the stored state. The retainingstrap 20 has oneend 22 connected to thehousing unit 12 and an opposite end with a connector 23. The oneend 22 is preferably connected tohousing unit 12 by an adhesive, plastic weld, screw, or bolt. The connector 23 is a releasable connector such as a snap connector as shown. Alternatively, the connector 23 is pile and loop fasteners or hook connector. Instead of the retainingstrap 20, the retainer can includestring ties 33 shown inFIG. 8 that hold the covering 15 in the stored state. The string ties 33 may be attached to the covering 15 or to thehousing unit 12. Thus, the retainer can function as the holder to support the covering 15 either along or in combination with the first (storage)fasteners 16 a. - As a further alternative, one of the
elastic loops 19 b attached to the covering 15 as shown inFIG. 12 . In theFIG. 12 elastic loop 19 b is attached to afirst fastening element 18 c used exclusively in the stored state. As yet a further alternative, theelastic loop 19 b could be fastened to one of thefirst fastening elements 18 a. - In one embodiment of the invention, only the retainer is the holder that supports the covering 15 on the
housing unit 12 in the stored state and all of the plurality offasteners - Having thus described the basic concept of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications will occur and are intended to those skilled in the art, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested hereby, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (14)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/002,317 US20220065473A1 (en) | 2020-08-25 | 2020-08-25 | Window fan with screen covering |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/002,317 US20220065473A1 (en) | 2020-08-25 | 2020-08-25 | Window fan with screen covering |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20220065473A1 true US20220065473A1 (en) | 2022-03-03 |
Family
ID=80358384
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/002,317 Abandoned US20220065473A1 (en) | 2020-08-25 | 2020-08-25 | Window fan with screen covering |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20220065473A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6221120B1 (en) * | 1997-04-25 | 2001-04-24 | Gary C. Bennington | Cleanable screen guard for fin-coil heat exchangers |
US10576869B2 (en) * | 2017-01-26 | 2020-03-03 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Self-retractable cargo net |
-
2020
- 2020-08-25 US US17/002,317 patent/US20220065473A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6221120B1 (en) * | 1997-04-25 | 2001-04-24 | Gary C. Bennington | Cleanable screen guard for fin-coil heat exchangers |
US10576869B2 (en) * | 2017-01-26 | 2020-03-03 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Self-retractable cargo net |
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