Abstract:
A solar powered personal fan with a much broader spectrum of both portable and fixed operating applications whereas prior art is application specific. This device also provides a plurality of fixed and portable power supplies. A solar panel, rechargeable battery pack or home charger can all be used as a power supply to operate the present invention.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to fans and, more specifically, to a solar powered fan which provides a compact cylindrical housing that can be comfortably hand held. The small compact design can be easily stored and transported on one&#39;s person, in a brief case or beach bag. 
     The present invention also provides a small portable solar panel which can be used to directly power the fan motor or recharge the optional battery pack. A plurality of various length cables provides a conduit for power from the solar panel to the fan. 
     Additionally, the present invention provides a plurality of adjustable pitch mounting stands to constrain the fan to a variety of surfaces for stationary use. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other solar powered fan devices designed for personal cooling or ventilation. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,645 issued to Wolfe, et al. on Feb. 13, 1990. 
     Another patent was issued to Hwang on Nov. 27, 1990 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,126. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,169 was issued to Chen on Jan. 22, 1991 and still yet another was issued on Sep. 3, 1991 to Wu, et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,258. 
     Another patent was issued to Juang on Sep. 22, 1992 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,736. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,265 was issued to Kawaguchi, et al. on Oct. 5, 1993. Another was issued to Ferng on Dec. 31, 1996 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,909 and still yet another was issued on Mar. 7, 2000 to Asenguah, et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,291. 
     Another patent was issued to Sibbe on May 30, 1984 as German Patent No. DE3337241. Yet another U.K. Patent No. GB2241378 was issued to Forsyth on Aug. 28, 1991. Another was issued to Takahashi on Oct. 3, 1995 as Japan Patent No. JP7253096 and still yet another was issued on Jul. 18, 2003 to Sha as Japan Patent No. JP2003201990. 
     A solar ventilator ( 1 ) is fittable to an edge ( 2 ) having first and second sides corresponding to first and second regions. The edge can be of a barrier, e.g. of a movable window of a motor vehicle or of a building. The ventilator has a suspension ( 5 ) for suspending the ventilator from the edge so that the ventilator will be adjacent the first region. The ventilator has a housing ( 4 ) having inlet and outlet portions ( 11 ,  12 ) for enabling air to be transferred therebetween from a region to the other region. A fan ( 13 ) is comprised by the housing so as to enable the transfer of air. A solar generator ( 15 ) drives the fan. The ventilator may be arranged for direct or indirect reception of solar radiation. 
     A lamp with a power source to supply a fan, comprising a light installation, a solar cell connected inside of the lampshade, a rechargeable battery to be charged with electrical power by means of the solar cell, and a small fan or other small electrical apparatus attached to the rechargeable battery. As the light installation uses alternating-current, radiation energy sent from the light bulb, is converted by the solar cell&#39;s photoelectric effect to provide current again to charge a rechargeable battery, thereby supplying the small fan or any other electrical apparatus (such as shaver, transistor radio) with the required power source to operate, and thereby save energy. 
     A vehicular internal fan ventilator, which includes a housing having set therein an internal ventilating chamber with a cross-flow air fan, a motor, a storage batteries and selector and a switch and a linkage to an oblique, external portion of housing which is fixedly mounted a solar cell board to collect solar energy for the motor and/or to charge the storage batteries. The housing comprises a top retainer rib and a bottom window glass channel for convenient installation in with a separate, flexible and cuttable packing strip in a car between door frame upper trim and window glass of a vehicle. 
     A motor-driven, window mounted portable fan with cigarette-lighter plug. The fan, or impeller, is mounted in an impeller housing which in turn is mounted centrally on one face of a window prop. The window prop is rectangular in shape and has lengthwise slideways on both of its sides. Extension pieces fit in the slideways so that the slideways can be lengthened to fit different sized windows. Opposite the impeller housing is a rain cover and a vent lid, which covers a vent. The vent lid is opened and closed by a motor, via an activation arm. 
     An automatic solar-powered car ventilator to be installed between the upper horizontal bar of the window sash and the upper horizontal edge of a movable window glass in a window in a car door having a main body and two auxiliary bodies extending from both sides of the main body to be cut to suit the width of the movable window glass. A ventilating means including a fan, a motor to drive the fan to suck in the open air and exhaust out the air in the car. A base to mount the fan and the motor and a housing to shield the fan, the motor and the base. A solar-energy board being combined with the main body or the ventilating means by means of two clamps on the board movably catching hold of either two holders on the main body or on the ventilating means to generate electricity to power the motor by absorbing the sunlight. 
     A deodorizer which comprises a deodorant member, an electric motor, a fan fixed to the electric motor, a receptacle having these members accommodated therein, and a solar cell provided in the receptacle and adapted to supply a driving electric power to the electric motor, whereby, owing to the blowing action of the fan, air is caused to enter the interior the receptacle from an air suction port and pass there through and is blown out from an air blowout port to outside the receptacle, and the air is caused to flow around a portion of the receptacle where the solar cell is installed. 
     A solar power-operated cooling system installed in a motor vehicle for circulation of air, including a solar power device having a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted for converting the radiant energy of sunlight into electric power and a power output terminal for output of electric power from the photovoltaic cells, an electric connector having an input terminal connected to the power output terminal of the solar power device and at least two output terminals, at least one blowing fan and at least one exhaust fan respectively installed in the interior door panel assemblies of the motor vehicle and electrically connected to the output terminals of the electric connector and driven to draw fresh air into or to draw hot air out of the motor vehicle. 
     The present invention discloses an apparatus ( 10 ) for providing solar powered air circulation to the face and upper body of the user. A means for mounting photoelectric cells ( 16 ) to the apex of the top of a hat ( 12 ) is provided which cells  16  are connected by wire ( 24 ) to a directionally selective fan ( 14 ) which is located under the brim ( 18 ) of the hat ( 12 ). The fan ( 14 ) receives air transmitted through a conduit ( 20 ) under the brim of the hat ( 12 ) which has its air inlets ( 22 ) on the lateral edges of the brim ( 18 ) of the hat ( 12 ). The fan ( 14 ) is also provided with a horizontally movable axle ( 26 ) means whereby it is partially rotatable in the horizontal axis to selectively distribute the air. An alternative embodiment ( 30 ) is provided wherein the components of the present invention are assembled onto a modular semi-flexible frame ( 30 ) which can be attached to an existing favorite cap ( 12 ) by means of hook and loop material ( 36 ) thereby providing a portable cooling unit which can be easily attached to various hats. 
     The fan for producing wind or for cooling excessive temperatures is intended for direct and personal use by persons who are away from their usual premises and do not have any power mains supply available (for example train compartment etc.), but wish to protect themselves from or to alleviate excessive temperatures or their unpleasant attendant manifestations (including perspiration). The fans currently available commercially are fundamentally unsuitable for this. On the one hand they are too large and bulky—on the other hand they do not have an independent power supply, that is they are tied to buildings. The fan submitted in the present application, however, fulfils these substantive requirements. It is of light, handy design and is equipped with built-in and independent power supply facilities. These independent electrical energy sources in particular comprise an accumulator, with a charging device and a mains connection, a storage battery, also with a charging device and a mains connection, a dry battery and last but not least solar power on the basis of the photo-voltaic effect. 
     A portable air-conditioner using an electronic heat pump  3 , e.g. a Peltier effect device, designed to run on solar or battery power and suitable for use in vehicles and similar confined spaces or carried as a personal comfort device. The air-conditioner can be left to operate unattended for long periods. The air-conditioner may be constructed with heat sinks  1 ,  2  and a fan  4  all contained in a casing with one or more electronic heat pumps  3 , and may be powered by a solar panel or automobile accumulator. The casing may be fitted to a vehicle window frame using an attachment ( 11 ,  FIG. 3 ). 
     PURPOSE: To realize the without place restriction by providing a fan motor and impellers in a housing, providing a lid body that is pivotingly supported at the housing and closes an air suction opening or an exhaust opening, and driving the fan motor by means of the power generation output of a solar battery provided on a surface that is exposed at the time of lid body opening. CONSTITUTION: An air suction opening  2  is formed on one surface of a housing  1  of a rectangular box shape, and an exhaust opening is formed on the other surface of the housing  1 , and on the inside, a fan motor  4  is provided. Plural impellers  6  are provided at an approximately bowl-like rotor  5  to be rotated by means of the fan motor  4 . A lid body  27  is openably/closably supported at the lower side edge of the air suction opening  2  of the housing  1 , and a solar battery  28  is provided on a surface to be exposed at the time of lid body  27  opening. The solar battery  28  is made up of, for example, plural amorphous solar battery cells that are arranged in a surface state and are connected to each other in series, parallel or in the combination of these, and wiring is conducted so that the fan motor  4  may be driven by means of its power generation output. Thus, this portable type blower can be used simply without receiving place restriction. 
     PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easily carriable fan with solar panels which can be used outdoors with no power supply. 
     While these solar devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a solar powered personal fan. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide compact round housing that can be comfortably hand held. The housing also provides a hemispherical threaded cap with a cable jack for powering the fan by means of a solar panel. A switch with a serrated sliding operator, that is flush with the cylindrical surface of the fan housing controls power to the fan motor. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a small, portable solar panel to either power the fan directly or recharge the optional battery pack. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide optional battery pack to increase the portability of the present invention. The battery pack provides a means for using the fan in applications where conjunction of the present invention to the solar panel would not be practical. Such situation would include use on public transportation such as a bus, train or taxi. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of stands for constraining the fan housing for stationary use. One such stand provides a circular base comprised of a ball joint and a semi circular surface or cradle to support the fan for stationary use. Two holes in the base provide a means of permanently constraining the base to any surface with screw type fasteners. Plugs mounted to the base by a flexible tab provide a method to conceal these holes when the base is used for portable applications of the present invention. A spring loaded clip style base also provides a method of temporarily constraining the fan to a plurality of surfaces. The clip style base provides two rectangular plates held together at a hinged fastening point. A torsion spring provides the force to grip a surface between the mating points of the clip plates. The top plate provides a ball joint with a cradle similar to the previously mention base. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a battery charger that can be plugged into any outlet in the home or office for an additional method of charging the optional battery pack when use of the solar panel is not practical. This charger also provides a method for charging a plurality of battery packs for extended portable use of the present invention. Cable used for powering the fan from the solar panel may also be used with this charger. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a leather protection cover to secure and protect the cells of the solar panel. A belt clip on the case provides a method of securing the cover to the user belt. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a solar powered personal fan with a much broader spectrum of both portable and fixed operating applications whereas prior art is application specific. This device also provides a plurality of fixed and portable power supplies. A solar panel, rechargeable battery pack or home charger can all be used as a power supply to operate the present invention. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention assembled; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a fan holder of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second fan holder of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a fan holder of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second fan holder of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the present invention within its case; and 
         FIG. 13  is an illustrative view of the present invention within its case and clipped to a user&#39;s belt. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Portable Solar Powered Fan with Alternate Charging and Powering Means of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
       10  Portable Solar Powered Fan with Alternate Charging and Powering Means of the present invention 
       12  portable fan 
       14  housing of  12   
       16  solar panel 
       18  solar cell 
       20  power cable 
       22  base member 
       24  base stand 
       26  base clip 
       28  user 
       30  cable jackport 
       32  interchangeable power adapter 
       34  power switch 
       36  tape or Velcro placement area 
       38  ball and socket joint 
       40  hardware recess 
       42  flexible flap of  24   
       44  plug of  42   
       46  fan cradle 
       48  base of  24   
       50  top plate of  26   
       51  pivot plate 
       52  bottom plate of  26   
       53  pivotable connection 
       54  pivot point of  26   
       56  torsion spring 
       58  vulcanized rubber coating 
       60  positive terminal point 
       62  negative terminal point 
       64  rechargeable battery pack 
       66  motor 
       68  fan blade 
       70  household outlet 
       72  charging unit 
       74  solar panel cover 
       76  cable jack access recess 
       78  clear plastic 
       80  cover flap 
       82  belt clip of  74   
       84  belt 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention is a portable, compact solar powered fan  10  that can be used indoors or outdoors, on public transportation such as buses or commuter trains and in private vehicles. The fan  12  is powered by a small solar panel  16  or with an optional rechargeable battery pack. A length of electrical cable  20  provides that the fan  12  can be deployed at a distance from the solar panel  16  determined by the length of cable  20 . A plurality of base members  22  provide a means of constraining the fan for stationary applications. Shown is the user  20  employing a base stand  24  to hold the fan  12 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the portable compact solar powered fan  12  of the present invention  10  that includes a solar panel  16  comprising a plurality of solar cells  18 , a pair of adjustable pitch base members  22  including a base stand  24  and a base clip  26 . A length of electrical cable  20  communicates between cable jacks  30  integral with the solar panel  16  and the fan  12 . Optionally, the fan can be powered by replacing the interchangeable power adapter  32  with a rechargeable battery pack. A power switch  34  is disposed on the housing  14  of the fan  12 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention  10  assembled. Shown is the portable, compact solar powered fan  12  with the cable  20  connected cable jacks  30  of the fan  12  and the solar panel  16 . Various lengths of cable  20  are available to satisfy the user&#39;s preference for a variety of applications. A tape or Velcro placement area is located on the bottom of the solar panel  16  to prevent the inadvertent movement thereof. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a base member  22  of the present invention. Shown is the base stand  24  with a ball and socket joint  38  that allows the fan cradle  46  to pitch to a desired angle. Hardware recesses  40  in the base  48  provide a method for constraining the base stand  24  to a flat surface with common fasteners such as screws or small bolts. Flexible flaps  42  with plugs  44  conceal the recesses  40  for portable use of the base stand  24 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a base clip  26  of the present invention. Shown is another portable, compact solar powered fan holder having a base clip  26  with a ball and socket joint  38  that allows the fan cradle  46  to pitch to a desired angle. The base clip  26  allows the user to clip the fan to any object or surface within the limits of the clip in the open position. A torsion spring  56  concentrically constrained along the axis of the pivot point  54  provides the force to grip a surface between the top plate  50  and the bottom plate  52  of the base clip  26 . Vulcanized rubber coating  58  on the plate ends provide additional adhesion and prevent any lateral movement of the base clip  26 . The pivot point  54  comprises a pair of opposing pivot plates  51  extending both from said top plate  50  and said bottom plate  52  in overlapping fashion and have a pivotable connection  53 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the solar powered fan  12  in a stationary application with the base stand  24 . The fan housing  14  is clipped into the cradle  46  and retained by a friction fit therebetween. The fan  12  and cradle  46  may then be rotated or pitched about the center point of the ball joint  38 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second fan holder of the present invention  10  in use. The second fan holder is a base clip  26  comprises a top plate  50  and a bottom plate  52  having a torsion spring  56  disposed at the pivot point  54  and is used to constrain the base  26  to a surface or object. The housing  14  of the fan  12  is clipped into the cradle  46  and retained by a friction fit between the cradle  46  and housing  14 . The fan  12  and cradle  46  may then be rotated or pitched about the center point of the ball joint  38 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the portable, compact solar powered fan  12  having an interchangeable power adapter  32  provides a connection point to operate the fan directly from the solar panel. Optionally the fan  12  can be powered by rechargeable battery pack with appropriate circuit and switch means for user selectable fan power source. The configuration of the positive terminal point  60  and the negative terminal point  62  and connection points that supply power to the motor are identical for both the power adapter  32  and the rechargeable battery pack. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . A rechargeable battery pack  64  may be used to replace the interchangeable power adapter to power the motor  66  to drive the fan blades  68 . This provides a means of total portability of the fan unit  12  without the solar panel  16 . The solar panel  16  may also be used to recharge the battery pack  64  when the cable  20  is plugged into the respective cable jacks  30  and the fan  12  is not in operation. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Optionally, the rechargeable battery pack  64  may be charged from a household outlet  70 . The present invention  10  is also supplied with a transformer type charger  72  for use with household outlets. The same cables  20  used to power the unit from the solar panel are used with this additional charging unit  72  by plugging it into the respective jacks  30 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the solar panel  16  of the present invention  10 . Shown is the portable, compact solar panel  16  including a leather protection cover  74  to secure and protect the solar cells  18 . The cover  74  is installed via a Velcro flap  80  that allows for a firm fit and provides a cable port access recess  76  to allow for the cable connection. The cell  18  portion of the cover  74  is a clear plastic material  78 , allowing direct radiant energy penetration to the cells  18 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the solar panel  16  of the present invention  10  with the leather protection cover  74  installed with the Velcro flap  80  to secure and protect the solar cells  18 . The cover  74  allows for a firm fit and provides a cable port access recess  76  to allow for the cable connection. The cell portion of the cover  74  is a clear plastic material  78 , allowing direct radiant energy penetration to the cells  18 . 
       FIG. 13  is an illustrative view of the solar cover  16  within its cover  74  and clipped to the belt  82  of the user  28  and secured therein by the Velcro cover flap  80 . The belt clip  84  is provided for convenient carrying by a user  28 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention