Abstract
A refrigeration neck fan system including articulable arms and cooling fans for adjustment by a wearer.
Claims
1. A refrigeration neck fan system, the system comprising: a. A middle segment containing a neck cooling plate; b. First and second cooling fans; and c. First and second flexible arms connected respectively to the first and second cooling fans, the first and second flexible arms being connected to opposing ends of the middle segment, wherein each of the first and second flexible arms are independently articulable.
2. The refrigeration neck fan system of claim 1, wherein the middle segment further contains a fan for introducing air to the middle segment and drawing heat away from the middle segment.
3. The refrigeration neck fan system of claim 1, further comprising a power bank and power connector for recharging the power bank when not in use.
4. A refrigeration neck fan system, the system comprising: a. A middle segment containing a neck cooling plate; b. First and second cooling fans; and c. First and second flexible arms connected respectively to the first and second cooling fans, the first and second flexible arms being connected to opposing ends of the middle segment, wherein each of the first and second flexible arms comprise multiple articulable bracket segments.
5. The refrigeration neck fan system of claim 4, wherein the middle segment further contains a fan for introducing air to the middle segment and drawing heat away from the middle segment.
6. The refrigeration neck fan system of claim 4, further comprising a power bank and power connector for recharging the power bank when not in use.
7. A refrigeration neck fan system, the system comprising: a. A middle segment containing a neck cooling plate; b. First and second cooling fans; and c. First and second flexible arms connected respectively to the first and second cooling fans, the first and second flexible arms being connected to opposing ends of the middle segment, wherein each of the first and second flexible arms comprise a set bracket segments located within a shell, each set of bracket segments encasing a support hose therein.
8. The refrigeration neck fan system of claim 7, wherein the middle segment further contains a fan for introducing air to the middle segment and drawing heat away from the middle segment.
9. The refrigeration neck fan system of claim 7, further comprising a power bank and power connector for recharging the power bank when not in use.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIGS. 1a and 1b show exposed top and top views, respectively, of a refrigeration neck fan system in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a refrigeration neck fan system in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the middle or refrigerated aluminum sheet section of a refrigeration neck fan system in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIGS. 4a-d shows exposed top views of the air inlet and outlet features of the middle or refrigerated aluminum sheet section of a refrigeration neck fan system in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a flexible arm in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the metal hose and bracket components of the flexible arm in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIGS. 7a, b, and c show, respectively, an exposed side view of the metal hose and shell in engagement with one another, a perspective view of the metal hose, and a perspective view of a shell component in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a partially exploded perspective view of a refrigeration neck fan system in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 9 shows a top view indicating the lateral range motion of the flexible arms of a refrigeration neck fan system in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 10 shows a front view indicating the twisting range motion of the flexible arms of a refrigeration neck fan system in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 11 shows a top view of an alternative a refrigeration neck fan system including a speaker system in accord with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 12 shows a back view of the middle or speaker section of a refrigeration neck fan system in accord with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 13 shows an exploded perspective view of the middle or speaker section of a refrigeration neck fan system in accord with another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be the preferred embodiment or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims in this patent.
[0035] FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 2 show general components of a first preferred embodiment of the FIG. 12 shows a back view of the middle or speaker section of a refrigeration neck fan system of the present invention. The basic assembly of this embodiment comprising a middle section comprising a refrigerated aluminum sheet 1, a pair of flexible arms 2 extending from each side of the middle section, and each of the flexible arms terminating in cooling fans 3.
[0036] FIGS. 3 and 4a-d showing further details of the middle section referenced in FIGS. 1-2. Specifically, the middle section includes a refrigerated aluminum sheet 18 for contacting a wearer's neck for cooling. The cooling process in maintained by air inlet 11 and heat exhaust fan 12, both supported by an endothermic aluminum alloy frame 13 for drawing cool air into the system and pulling heated air away from the wearer through the air outlet 19. The provision of cooled air to the refrigerated aluminum sheet 18 is further aided by cooling chip 15, which is located under the heat exhaust fan 12 and is sandwiched between two thermal sheets 14, 16. This array of the cooling chip 15 and the thermal sheets 14, 16 may be powered by a power cable 151 to a power source (not shown), and such components are further supported by a plastic frame 17. The middle section is then connected to the flexible arms via plastic brackets 21.
[0037] The structure of each flexible arm 2 and its corresponding cooling fan 3 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5-8. The proximal end of each flexible arm 2 starts with the plastic bracket 21, and then continues from an upper flexible rubber end fixing bracket 23, through a lower flexible rubber end fixing bracket 24, and finally to another plastic bracket 25 which connects to a fixed plastic fan case 31 which contains the cooling fan 32 therein. The upper and lower rubber end fixing brackets 23, 25 have encased therein a metal hose 22 for giving some rigidity to the flexible arm once articulated by the wearer. Finally, the assembly has a rubber shell 26 to act as the outer skin of the flexible arm.
[0038] The metal hose 22 is set in place relative to the upper flexible rubber end fixing bracket 23, and the lower flexible rubber end fixing bracket 24 through the use of a fixed piece 221 at each end of the hose 22 which is fixed in place by brackets 212, 252. The upper and lower rubber end fixing brackets 23, 25 are fixed relative to the rubber shell 26 via brackets 232, 242. Thus, the multiple fixing brackets 23, 24 in conjunction with the metal hose 22 enable a wide degree of lateral and rotational movement for each flexible arm 2, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, the arms 2 and/or the fixed plastic fan case 31 preferrably further contain certain electronics and user interface components for operating the fan, including a power bank 33 for supplying power to the unit, a circuit control PCB 34, a power start switch 35, a cooling switch 36 for activating the fans, and a micro USB port 37 for recharging the power bank 33 when the device is not in use.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 11-12, still another embodiment adds speaker features for interfacing with Bluetooth enabled electronics such as smart phones and the like. In this embodiment, the device is contained in a cover 11 which holds a printed circuit board 12 for operation of the speakers 13, mounted in brackets 14, which in turn is housed with recess 16. This embodiment further enable control of volume and power through user interface switches 17, 18, 19 to control volume and power to the speakers as needed. The cover has located on it an on/off switch 111, and a power indicator light 112 to enable power and a signal of power to the user. In addition, this embodiment may include an earphone jack 113 and a memory card slot 121 to further enhance the interface with content provided through the speakers 13.
[0041] The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims.
