Abstract:
A handheld electric blower for stimulating and accelerating a fire includes: a hollow, generally cylindrical shaped body having a tapered, open front tip and an open rear end; a turbine blade positioned within the body; an electric motor positioned within the body and operationally coupled to the turbine blade; an adjustable baffle positioned within the front tip of the body; and a baffle control provided on an external surface of the body to adjust the position of the baffle to decrease or increase the flow of air through the body. Activation of the electric motor causes the turbine blade to rotate, thereby drawing air into the open rear end of the body and directing the air out of the tip.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/528,395 entitled “Handheld Battery Operated Blower” filed Aug. 29, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates, in general, to blowers and, more particularly, to blowers that are portable, handheld, and battery operated and configured for use to quickly and safely kindle or maintain a fire. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Traditional squeeze type bellows have existed for centuries and are known prior art. Historically, traditional bellows were necessary for kindling and maintaining wood, coal, or charcoal burning fires, but are today pieces of decorative art rather than efficient tools. Traditional bellows are manually operated and provide an intermittent, rather than continuous flow of air which is more efficient in kindling and maintaining a fire. Traditional bellows typically lack portability. 
         [0006]    There have also been a number of attempts to create a blower to run on electricity or batteries. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,788 to Goldstein discloses an electric bellows system for stimulating and igniting a fire in a safe and efficient manner. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,034 to Wonisch discloses an apparatus for starting and fanning a fire and U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,173 to Thomson et al. discloses a fire booster to aid in building a fire in fireplaces, wood burning stoves, campfires, and charcoal grills. However, while each of these devices may work as intended and fulfill their respective objectives, each device suffers from various deficiencies. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a need exists for a blowing device that is small enough to be portable and fit comfortably in the hand. A further need exists for a blowing device that provides an efficient flow of air through the device. An additional need exists for a blowing device that is powerful enough to make a significantly noticeable increase in the activity and temperature of a fire when applied. Finally, a need exists for an economical blowing device that is easy to operate. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a portable, handheld, and battery powered blower that is easy to operate yet powerful enough to make a significantly noticeable increase in the activity and temperature of a fire when applied. In addition, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a blower that can also be used to: blow ashes back into a fireplace; blow crumbs from a picnic table; and be used as a personal cooling device or any other use a person might find for a simple, portable blower. 
         [0009]    Provided is a handheld, battery operated blower that can be used to quickly and safely accelerate an ember or flame to kindle or maintain a fire in a wood or coal burning fireplace, stove, campsite fire, or charcoal grill. The blower has a hollow, generally cylindrical shaped body that houses a motor and fan arrangement for drawing air from an open rear end of the body to a front portion of the body. The body also houses batteries for supplying power to the motor and includes a power button on the outside surface thereof for starting and stopping the motor. The blower has a shape and a configuration that allows for effective air flow, along with the use of a turbine blade rather than a traditional bladed fan to create a significant flow of air and a baffle to increase or decrease the flow of air, as needed. 
         [0010]    More specifically, provided is a handheld electric blower for stimulating and accelerating a fire that includes: a hollow, generally cylindrical shaped body having a tapered, open front tip and an open rear end; a turbine blade positioned within the body; an electric motor positioned within the body and operationally coupled to the turbine blade; an adjustable baffle positioned within the front tip of the body; and a baffle control provided on an external surface of the body to adjust the position of the baffle to decrease or increase the flow of air through the body. Activation of the electric motor causes the turbine blade to rotate, thereby drawing air into the open rear end of the body and directing the air out of the tip. 
         [0011]    A power button may be provided on the external surface of the body to allow a user to activate the electric motor. The power button and baffle control may be manufactured from a polymeric material with fluorescence added such that the blower can be easily located and used in dark situations. The body may manufactured from a polymeric material. However, the material used to construct the various components of the handheld electric blower is not to be construed as limiting the present invention as any suitable materials may be utilized. In addition, a battery compartment may be provided within the body to house at least one battery for supplying power to the electric motor. The turbine blade may include eight blades. Each of the eight blades extend from a hub at an angle of about 28 degrees and then twists at an angle of about 52 degrees. 
         [0012]    Also provided is a method of stimulating and accelerating a fire that includes: providing a handheld electric blower. The handheld electric blower includes a hollow, generally cylindrical shaped body having a tapered, open front tip and an open rear end; a turbine blade positioned within the body; an electric motor positioned within the body and operationally coupled to the turbine blade; an adjustable baffle positioned within the front tip of the body; and a baffle control provided on an external surface of the body to adjust the position of the baffle to decrease or increase the flow of air through the body. The method also includes: directing the front tip toward a fire; and activating the electric motor to cause the turbine blade to rotate, thereby drawing air into the open rear end of the body and directing the air out of the tip. 
         [0013]    The method may further include adjusting the position of the baffle to decrease or increase the flow of air through the body using the baffle control. The step of activating the electric motor may be accomplished by pressing a power button provided on the external surface of the body. 
         [0014]    In addition, provided is a handheld electric blower for stimulating and accelerating a fire that includes: a hollow, generally cylindrical shaped body having a tapered, open front tip and an open rear end; a turbine blade positioned within the body; and an electric motor positioned within the body and operationally coupled to the turbine blade. Activation of the electric motor causes the turbine blade to rotate, thereby drawing air into the open rear end of the body and directing the air out of the tip. The blower may further include an adjustable baffle positioned within the front tip of the body; and a baffle control provided on an external surface of the body to adjust the position of the baffle to decrease or increase the flow of air through the body. 
         [0015]    These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a left front perspective view of a blower in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a left rear perspective view of the blower of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the blower of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a left side view of the blower of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the blower of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a left front exploded view of the blower of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a left front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a blower in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , a blower  10  includes a hollow, generally cylindrical shaped body that houses an electric motor  26  and a turbine blade  30  for drawing air from an open rear end of the body to a front tip  2  of the body. The blower  10  includes a baffle control  4 , a power button  6 , a hinge  8 , and battery compartment cover  12  on the top surface and a retainer ring  14  at the rear of the unit. The retainer ring  14  includes retainer ring locking slots  38  (see  FIG. 6 ). Also shown is the front tip  2  of the blower  10 . Visible on the bottom surface is a footer  16 , grip left side  18 , and strap ring  20 . The blower also includes a grip right side  52 . 
         [0025]    With specific reference to  FIG. 5 , positioned within the inside of the blower  10  is a baffle  22 , front screw boss  24 , blade cowling  40 , electric motor  26 , power button contact  28 , turbine blade  30 , battery compartment  32 , batteries  34 , front screw boss  24 , and rear screw boss  36 . 
         [0026]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , the blower  10  having a baffle control  4 , power button  6 , hinge  8 , and battery compartment cover  12  on the top surface and a retainer ring  14  at a rear portion thereof, also includes the front tip  2  that directs the flow of air and contains the footer  16 , a hole to contain the baffle control  4 , and markings to show the direction to turn the control to open or close the baffle  22 . The size and shape of the front tip  2  is designed to maximize the flow of air through the device and contains an opening at the tip. 
         [0027]    The grip right side  52  and grip left side  18  are joined together with screws that go through the holes in the grip left side  18  and are secured into the front screw boss  24  and rear screw boss  36 . The grip right side  52  and grip left side  18  join together to create a hole at the top to contain the power button  6  and receptacles for the hinge  8 , the two sides of which are at the front of the battery compartment cover  12 . 
         [0028]    The retainer ring  14  at the rear of the blower  10  serves as the air intake and contains locking slots  38  that secure the battery compartment door. The retainer ring  14  also contains a strap ring  20  to accept a small leather strap or other device for hanging the blower  10 . The strap ring  20  also serves as a balancing point to keep the blower  10  in proper orientation when set down. The back of the retainer ring  14  is flat so it can stand upright if set down on the rear end. 
         [0029]    Turning now to the inner workings of the device,  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the baffle  22  and baffle control  4  provided to regulate the flow of air through the blower  10 . The baffle control  4  can be turned left or right by twisting the baffle  22  to present a greater or lesser surface to decrease or increase the flow of air through the body of the blower  10 . 
         [0030]    The shape of the blower  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , has been carefully designed to accomplish multiple goals. First, the shape of the blower  10  promotes the greatest flow of air so the blower  10  can be held at a safe distance and still create a noticeable increase in the activity and temperature when applied. In addition, the shape of the blower is of a size that fits comfortably in an adult hand. 
         [0031]    A further aspect of the blower  10  of the present invention is that it utilizes a turbine blade  30  rather than a conventional fan blade. The turbine blade  30  has more aggressive blade angles and more blades with closer distances than a traditional fan blade. For instance, turbine blade  30  includes eight blades extending from a hub. Each of the eight blades extend from the hub at an angle of about 28 degrees and then twists at an angle of about 52 degrees. The outside diameter of the turbine blade  30  is approximately 1.575 inches and the outside diameter of the hub is about 0.575 inches. The use of the turbine blade  30  in conjunction with the shape of the device allows the blower  10  to create a significantly noticeable increase in the activity and temperature of the fire when applied. 
         [0032]    The power button  6  interacts with the power button contact  28  to power the electric motor  26  only when the button is depressed. The electric motor  26 , when powered, causes the turbine blade  30  to rotate, thereby drawing air into the blower  10  through the retainer ring  14  and directing the air out of the tip  2 . 
         [0033]    Each component of the blower  10 , with the exception of the electric motor  26 , batteries  34 , and power button contact  28 , are made from AFS plastic in a variety of colors and finishes. The power button  6  and baffle control  4  are made from AFS plastic in a variety of colors and finishes with fluorescence added. Alternatively, each component of the blower  10 , with the exception of the electric motor  26 , batteries  34 , and power button contact  28 , may also be made from high strength, heat resistant plastic in a variety of colors and finishes. The power button  6  and baffle control  4  are made from high strength, heat resistant plastic in a variety of colors and finishes with or without fluorescence added. Please note that this is not to be construed as limiting the present invention as the components of the blower may be made of any other suitable material. The power button  6  and power button contact  28  can be designed with a locking mechanism, if desired. 
         [0034]    The blower  10  can use a different number or size of batteries than illustrated in  FIG. 6 , assuming they fit within a similar shape and are not allowed to protrude further into the interior space thereby limiting the flow of air. The blower  10  can also be powered by a combination of rechargeable batteries and a charging unit or through an AC adapter. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment of the blower, designated generally as reference numeral  50 , is illustrated. The blower  50  is identical to blower  10  except that it is manufactured without the baffle  22  and baffle control  4 . Blower  50 , even without baffle  22  and baffle control  4 , still functions to create a significantly noticeable increase in the activity and temperature of the fire. 
         [0036]    The blower  10 ,  50  of the present invention provides several advantages and features when compared with conventional blowers. First, the power button  6  and baffle control  4  are made from AFS plastic in a variety of colors and finishes with fluorescence to make the blower  10 ,  50  easy to find and use in dark situations. In addition, the power button  6  interacts with the power button contact  28  to power the motor only when the power button  6  is depressed. If the blower  10 ,  50  is dropped, it ceases blowing immediately, eliminating the risk of continuing to accidentally blow air into the fire possibly causing an unsafe situation. 
         [0037]    The footer  16  functions as a wide, primary balancing point and the strap ring  20  as a secondary balancing point so the blower  10 ,  50  sits in the proper orientation when set down making it more attractive when not in use and easier to pick up in the proper orientation for immediate action when put back into use. 
         [0038]    Furthermore, the blower  10  uses a turbine blade  30 , with more aggressive blade angles and more blades with closer distances than a traditional fan blade. It is the use of the turbine blade  30  in conjunction with the shape of the blower  10 ,  50  that allows it to create a significantly noticeable increase in the activity and temperature of the fire when applied. Tests with traditional fan blades simply fail to create the necessary flow of air to effectively raise the temperature and spread the fire. 
         [0039]    While specific embodiments of the device of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the device of the present disclosure which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.