HEADGEAR WITH FAN ASSEMBLY DEVICE

A headgear with fan assembly device includes a hat having a front side, a back side, an interior cavity and an aperture disposed along a top side thereof. An adjustable headband is disposed within the interior cavity, and a fan shroud for supporting a motor that is in communication with a central hub having a plurality of fan blades is disposed along the aperture, and in line with the central axis of the hat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 1-3illustrate one embodiment of a headgear with a fan assembly device10that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the device10can include a hat11, an adjustable headband20and a fan assembly30.

The headgear can preferably take the form of a rigid or semi-rigid hat11that includes an exterior surface12, a front side13, a back side14, and an outward protruding visor15, forming an interior cavity16. A generally circular aperture17can be disposed along an upper surface of the hat11that is defined by a lip17ahaving a plurality of spaced openings17a1disposed thereon. As will be described below, the aperture17can function to receive and secure the fan assembly to the hat.

The hat11can preferably be constructed from a strong, impact resistant thermoplastic material such as polyethylene (HDPE) or polycarbonate, for example, which is traditionally used in the construction of hard hats. The hat11can also include any number of additional elements such as optional padding (not illustrated), markings, and other such indicia without limitation. Although described above as having a hard hat design with a particular shape, this is for illustrative purposes only as those of skill in the art will recognize that the hat11can include any number of traditional hat shapes, and can be constructed from any number of different materials utilizing any number of different construction methodologies. Several examples include, motorcycle and automotive helmets, sports helmets, and any number of traditional hats used for activities such as fishing, sports, and the like. Accordingly, the hat11is not limited to a hard hat. However, in instances where the hat is utilized as a hard hat, it is contemplated that approval from a regulatory agency such as OSHA would be obtained prior to construction.

An adjustable headband20can be positioned within the interior cavity of the hat16in order to receive the head of a user. The headband20can preferably include a pair of elongated straps21and22that cross together23along a central axis X of the hat. A generally circular crown member24can be in communication with each of the straps21and22, and can be positioned equidistantly about the central axis and adjacent to the crossing point23. The cross members21and22can be secured to the inside proton of the hat via any number of adjustable connectors25, such as a buckle, or hook and loop material, for example. Additionally, an optional chin strap26having a centrally located buckle27can be provided.

As will be described below, when utilized in conjunction with a fan assembly, the headband20can function to align the head of a wearer directly beneath the center of gravity of the fan, and simultaneously maintain a uniform space around the head, in order to allow complete air circulation within the hat cavity. In the preferred embodiment, each of the straps21,22,26and the crown member24can each be constructed from a resilient material such as nylon, for example. Of course, any number of other such materials can also be utilized herein.

The fan assembly30can function to provide fresh air to the interior cavity of the hat11. In one embodiment, the assembly30can include a fan motor31having a drive shaft32for imparting a rotational force onto a central hub33having a plurality of fan blades34extending outward therefrom.

As shown, a generally circular fan shroud35can function to align and secure the assembly along the central axis X of the hat. As such, the shroud can preferably include an upper portion35ahaving a centrally located opening35a1for receiving the motor31and drive shaft32, respectively. A plurality of generally curved and evenly spaced outward radiating support members35bconnect the upper portion of the shroud35ato a lower lip35chaving a plurality of openings35c1disposed thereon.

As the assembly30is designed to be incorporated into the construction of the hat itself, the lower lip35ccan preferably include a shape and dimension that is complementary to the shape and dimension of the aperture17of the hat. To this end, the lip35ccan be positioned along the aperture lip17aand each of the plurality of openings17a1and35c1can be aligned so as to receive conventional mounting hardware5such as screws, bolts, and other such connectors. Of course, any means for securing the assembly30to the hat11can also be utilized, several non-limiting examples including adhesives such as glue and resin, or welds, for example. Moreover, although described above as separate components, the shroud35and the hat11can be constructed as a single unitary element at an original time of manufacture.

The motor32can be electrically connected36to any suitable DC power source, such as a lithium Ion battery37, for example. The battery can preferably be located within a battery compartment19that is preferably disposed along the back side of the hat. Additionally, a switch38can be provided for selectively activating and deactivating the motor to rotate the fan. Of course, any number of different types of batteries can be utilized, and the switch can include any known mechanism for controlling the operation of the fan, including the ability to adjust the operating speed of the fan itself.

In one preferred embodiment, the motor housing, central hub and fan blades can be constructed from a lightweight material such as injected molded plastic, for example, and the fan shroud35can be constructed from an identical material as the hat11itself, so as to protect the head of the user against falling debris and other such hazards when utilized has a hard hat.

FIG. 4is a schematic exploded cross section view of the device10in operation, wherein certain components are removed for ease of illustration. As shown, the fan assembly30draws air A through the shroud35and into the interior cavity16of the hat11. As stated above, the headband20maintains the users' head1along the central axis X, in order to ensure the entire weight of the device is in line with the users' center of gravity. Additionally, by maintaining a uniform gap between the users head and the body of the hat, air is able to circulate within the entirety of the interior cavity so as to provide fresh air to keep the users' head cool when wearing the hat.

In addition to the above, a plurality of optional deflectors41can be disposed throughout the interior cavity16. As shown, each of these deflectors can include an angled surface for deflecting the air towards the center of the hat. Such a feature prevents air from passing through the bottom of the hat without making contact with the users head.

FIG. 5illustrates an alternate embodiment of the device10that further includes a detachable battery compartment50. As shown, the compartment can include a generally hollow main body51having a hingedly attached cover51afor receiving one or more batteries37described above. In the preferred embodiment, a switch38for controlling the operation of the fan can be located on the compartment body51and a clip52can be provided for securing the compartment to the belt of a user. The compartment50can be communicatively linked to the motor31via an elongated reinforced cable53in order to provide power thereto when the switch is in the “on” position.

Such a feature can allow the device10to accommodate larger batteries, thereby providing longer run time of the fan, and has the added benefit of removing the weight of the battery from the head of the user, thereby greatly reducing the risk of neck fatigue when utilized for extended periods of time.

The cable53can be hard wired directly between the compartment50and the motor31, or can include a coupler54for splitting the cable into two halves53aand53b, thereby allowing the cable and battery compartment to be removable from the hat. Cable couplers and other such devices which can include opposing halves that are each secured to a cable in order to connect the same together are extremely well known in the art. Such a feature can be beneficial in situations where the hat is to be utilized without requiring power to the fan (such as in cool temperatures).

As described herein, one or more elements of the device10can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others.