PORTABLE FAN

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a portable fan for the use in firefighting and other ventilation use-cases. The portable fan provides firefighters the ability to provide positive pressure ventilation in use for fighting fires which does not require power cables or combustible fuel powered motors, and provides increased portability, reduced risk, and reduced deployment time associated with managing and fighting a fire.

Claims

1. A portable fan comprising: a frame comprising a first frame portion and a second frame portion; a hinge interconnecting the first frame portion and the second frame portion, the hinge having a first axis of rotation; a wheel assembly rotatably interconnected to the first frame portion about a second axis of rotation, the wheel assembly configured to engage the ground, and the second axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation; a fan assembly comprising a motor, the fan assembly rotatably interconnected to the first frame portion about a third axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the first axis and second axis of rotation; the fan assembly having a range of adjustability about the third axis of rotation; and a fourth axis parallel to the first axis; wherein in a first configuration, the first frame portion and the second frame portion are configured to form a substantially contiguous border around the fan assembly that is radially offset from the fourth axis, wherein in a second configuration, the second frame portion is configured to extend away from the hinge in an upward direction, and wherein the range of adjustability of the fan in the first configuration is equal to the range of adjustability of the fan in the second configuration.

2. The portable fan of claim 1 further comprising: a power assembly connected to the first frame portion, the power assembly comprising a rechargeable battery holster, an AC power interface, and a control circuit for controlling the supply of electricity to the motor.

3. The portable fan of claim 2 further comprising: a first battery dock having a first side and a second side, the first side configured to matably engage a first battery, and the second side configured to matably engage the battery holster, wherein mating the first battery with the first side of the first battery dock, and mating the second side of the first battery dock with the battery holster, results in the first battery and the control circuit being electrically connected.

4. The portable fan of claim 3 further comprising: a second battery dock having a first side and a second side, the first side configured to matably engage a second battery, and the second side configured to matably engage the battery holster, wherein mating the second battery with the first side of the second battery dock, and mating the second side of the second battery dock with the battery holster, results in the second battery and the control circuit being electrically connected.

5. The portable fan of claim 4, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive power from the first battery and the second battery.

6. The portable fan of claim 5, wherein the first battery and the second battery comprise differing power capacities.

7. The portable fan of claim 6, wherein the control circuit is configured to selectively draw power from the first battery and the second battery individually.

8. The portable fan of claim 7, wherein the control circuit is configured to recharge the batteries from AC power received through the AC power interface.

9. The portable fan of claim 1 further comprising at least one foot disposed on a bottom aspect of the portable fan.

10. The portable fan of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of feet disposed on the bottom aspect of the portable fan, wherein the wheel assembly of the portable fan is offset from the ground, and wherein the wheel assembly engages the ground when the portable fan is rotated toward the wheel assembly.

11. A portable fan comprising: a frame comprising a first frame portion and a second frame portion; a frame release; a hinge interconnecting the first frame portion and the second frame portion, the hinge having a first axis of rotation; a hinge lock; a wheel assembly having two wheels, the wheels rotatably interconnected to the first frame portion about a second axis of rotation, the wheel assembly configured to engage the ground, and the second axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation; a plurality of feet disposed on a bottom aspect of the portable fan; a fan assembly comprising a motor, the fan assembly rotatably interconnected to the first frame portion about a third axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the first axis and second axis of rotation; the fan assembly having a range of adjustability of at least about 180 degrees about the third axis of rotation; and a fourth axis parallel to the first axis; wherein at least one of the hinge lock and the frame release must be actuated in order to transition the portable fan from a first configuration to a second configuration; wherein in the first configuration, the first frame portion and the second frame portion are configured to form a substantially contiguous border around the fan assembly that is radially offset from the fourth axis, wherein in the second configuration, the second frame portion is configured to extend away from the hinge in an upward direction, wherein the range of adjustability of the fan in the first configuration is equal to the range of adjustability of the fan in the second configuration, and wherein wheels engage with the ground when the portable fan is rotated toward the wheel assembly.

12. The portable fan of claim 12 further comprising: a power assembly connected to the first frame portion, the power assembly comprising a rechargeable battery holster, an AC power interface, and a control circuit for controlling the supply of electricity to the motor; a first battery dock having a first side and a second side, the first side configured to matably engage a first battery, and the second side configured to matably engage the battery holster; a second battery dock having a first side and a second side, the first side configured to matably engage a second battery, and the second side configured to matably engage the battery holster, wherein mating the batteries with the first side of the battery docks, and mating the second side of the battery docks with the battery holster, results in the batteries and the control circuit being electrically connected.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1A—A perspective view of certain embodiments in first configuration

[0021] FIG. 1B—A front view of certain embodiments in first configuration

[0022] FIG. 2A—A front view of certain embodiments in second configuration

[0023] FIG. 2B—A side view of certain embodiments in second configuration

[0024] FIG. 3A—A front view of certain embodiments

[0025] FIG. 3B—A top view of certain embodiments

[0026] FIG. 4A—A front view of certain embodiments showing a first configuration and second configuration

[0027] FIG. 4B—A front view of certain embodiments showing a first configuration and second configuration

[0028] FIG. 5A—A perspective view of certain embodiments

[0029] FIG. 5B—A bottom view of certain embodiments

[0030] FIG. 6A—A front view of certain embodiments in second configuration with a fan assembly directed in a downward direction

[0031] FIG. 6B—A side view of certain embodiments in second configuration with a fan assembly directed in a downward direction

[0032] FIG. 6C—A side view of certain embodiments in second configuration showing potential fan assembly positions

[0033] FIG. 7A—A perspective view of certain embodiments

[0034] FIG. 7B—A front view of certain embodiments

[0035] FIG. 8A—A side view of certain embodiments

[0036] FIG. 8B—A power assembly of certain embodiments

[0037] FIG. 8C—A battery dock and battery of certain embodiments

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Certain embodiments of the present invention, shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1B, comprise a portable fan 1000 having a frame 1100, fan assembly 1200 and power assembly 1300. The frame 1100 of certain embodiments comprises a first frame portion 1110 rotatively connected by a hinge 1130 to a second frame portion 1120. The hinge 1130, consistent with a first axis of rotation 1140, allows the second frame 1120 portion to rotate upwards from a first configuration 2000 as shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1B, to a second configuration 2100 shown in FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B. In certain embodiments, a first configuration 2000 comprises the first frame portion 1110 and the second frame portion 1120 surrounding the fan assembly. Alternatively, the second configuration 2100 comprises the second frame 1120 portion in an open configuration in relation to the first frame portion 1110.

[0039] A fan assembly 1200, shown in FIG. 3A-FIG. 3B, of certain embodiments comprises a motor 1210, a fan blade 1220, and a shroud 1230. However, it will be appreciated that a fan or fan assembly surrounds a machine used to produce airflow in a desired direction. It will be further appreciated that certain fan assemblies rely on differing technology to produce airflow including axial-flow fans as shown, centrifugal fans, and bladeless indirect viscous-shear fans such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,445 to Peter Gammack, et al—the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Thus, embodiments comprising an axial-flow fan, centrifugal fan, bladeless indirect viscous-shear fans are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0040] In certain embodiments, shown in FIG. 4A-FIG. 4B, the first configuration 2000 comprises the second frame portion 1120 and the first frame portion 1110 in a substantially contiguous border around the fan assembly 1200. Alternatively, in a second configuration 2100, the second frame portion 1120 of the frame is rotated upward and away from the fan assembly 1200 about the first axis of rotation 1140, thereby configuring the second frame portion 1120 to be used for transporting the portable fan 1000, similarly to a hand truck. In the second configuration 2100 a user is able to use a distal end 1122 of the second frame portion to rotate the portable fan 1000 to engage a roller assembly 1600, thereby permitting the user to pull or push the portable fan 1000 to a desired location without the need to lift the portable fan 1000 from the ground.

[0041] In certain embodiments, referencing FIG. 4A, to allow the rotation of the second frame portion 1120 in relation to the first frame portion 1110, a user must actuate a hinge lock 1500. The hinge lock 1500 maintains the position of the second frame portion 1120 in relation to the first frame portion 1110 when not actuated. It will be appreciated that a hinge lock 1500 is not limited to locking the frame 1100 in a first configuration 2000 and second configuration 2100 as shown. In certain embodiments, a frame release 1550 (shown in FIG. 1A) located between the distal end 1112 of the first frame portion and a distal end 1122 of the second frame portion must be actuated to allow the rotation of the second frame portion 1120 from the first frame portion 1110 in transitioning from a first configuration 2000 to a second configuration 2100. In certain embodiments, frame release 1550 maintains the position of the second frame portion 1120 in relation to the first frame portion 1110 when not actuated.

[0042] In certain embodiments of a portable fan 1000, shown in FIG. 5A-FIG. 5B, a wheel assembly 1600 comprises a first wheel 1610 and a second wheel 1620 rotatably interconnected to the first frame portion 1110 wherein the first wheel 1610 and the second wheel 1620 rotate about a second axis of rotation 1630. In certain embodiments the second axis 1630 of rotation is parallel with the first axis of rotation 1140.

[0043] In certain embodiments, shown in FIG. 5B, a portable fan 1000 further comprises feet interconnected to a bottom aspect 1150 of the first frame portion 1110 configured to engage with the ground. The feet 1700 contact the ground, prior to a user engaging a wheel assembly 1600 with the ground, such that the feet 1700 provide a static base for the portable fan 1000 when not in transport by a user. Although embodiments are shown disclosing four feet 1700, it will be appreciated that embodiments having a singular foot, less than four feet, or more than four feet are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that embodiments having feet 1700 configured to engage with the ground connected to a bottom aspect 1150 of the first frame portion fan while the wheel assembly 1600 is engaged with the ground is within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0044] In certain embodiments, shown in FIG. 6A-FIG. 6C, the fan assembly 1200 is rotatably interconnected to the first frame portion 1110, wherein the fan assembly 1200 is rotatable about a third axis 1240. In certain embodiments, the third axis 1240 is substantially orthogonal to the first axis 1140 and the second axis 1630. The fan assembly 1200 is rotatably adjustable while the portable fan 1000 is in a first configuration 2000 or a second configuration 2100. Thus, the fan assembly 1200 is rotatably adjustable to allow configuration wherein the fan can be configured to provide positive pressure ventilation in a forward attack, a positive tilt attack (upward angle), negative tilt attack (downward angle), vertically upwards such as necessary for an attic attack or vertically downward such as necessary for a manhole attack. Certain embodiments allow rotatable adjustability within the frame 1100 without restriction regardless of if the portable fan 1000 is in a first configuration 2000 or second configuration 2100. Thus, a fan assembly 1200 has an equal range of rotatable adjustability in a first configuration 2000 as in a second configuration 2100. Certain embodiments comprise a range of rotatable adjustability of 90 degrees upward, and 90 degrees downward for a total of 180 degrees range of rotatable adjustability. It will be appreciated that certain embodiments may have up to 360 degrees of rotatable adjustability, or continuous adjustability while keeping within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the frame 1100 surrounds the fan assembly 1200. The frame 1100 comprises radial offsets 1170 from a fourth axis 1160 which is parallel to the first axis 1140 and the second axis 1630 as shown in FIG. 7A-FIG. 7B. It may be desired, but is not required that the fourth axis 1160 is coincident with a central aspect of the fan assembly 1200. Furthermore, the radial offsets 1170 need not be equivalent in each radial direction from the fourth axis 1160 in order to be in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be appreciated that although a generally rectangular frame 1100 is shown, a frame 1100 having alternative shapes such as round or oblong are in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be further appreciated that a frame can have a shape configured to surround a single fan assembly or multiple fan assemblies as desired while in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0046] Certain embodiments, shown in FIG. 8A-FIG. 8C, comprise a power assembly 1800 connected to the first fame portion 1110 wherein the power assembly 1800 comprises an AC interface 1810, a control circuit 1820 for controlling the power provided to the motor of the fan assembly 1200. In certain embodiments a power assembly 1800 further comprises a battery holster 1830 electrically connected to the power assembly 1800. The battery holster 1830 is configured to slidably receive a battery dock 1840 wherein a first side 1841 of the battery dock is configured to interconnect with the battery holster 1830 and the second side 1842 of the battery dock is configured to interconnect with a rechargeable battery 1850 wherein the contacts 1843 of the battery dock interface with the contacts 1851 of the battery. The battery holster 1830 of certain embodiments is configured to be within the envelope of the frame 1100 particularly when the frame 1100 is in a first configuration 2000.

[0047] Certain embodiments comprise a battery holster 1830 configured to slidably receive a first battery dock 1840 and a second battery dock 1840, thus enabling the electrical connection of a first battery 1850 and a second battery 1850 to the power assembly 1800. In certain embodiments a control circuit 1820 is configured to receive power from the first battery 1850 and the second battery 1850 simultaneously. In certain embodiments, a first battery 1850 and a second battery 1850 have differing power capacities, and the control circuit 1820 is configured to selectively draw power from the first battery 1850 or the second battery 1850 individually, equally simultaneously, or draw differing electrical loads from the first battery 1850 and second battery 1850 simultaneously. Furthermore, the control circuit 1820 of certain embodiments is configured to receive AC power from the AC interface 1810 to alternatively power the portable fan 1000, recharge the batteries 1850, or simultaneously recharge the batteries 1850 and power the portable fan 1000.

[0048] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, the inventions described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “adding” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.