Bladeless bubble fan

Abstract

A bladeless bubble fan includes a housing defining a plurality of inlets and having enclosed therein an impeller for drawing air through the inlets from an exterior thereof, at least a portion of the housing forming a closed geometrically shaped outer shell and defining an axial passageway therethrough. An inner air guide is received in the housing and coaxial with the closed geometrically shaped outer shell and in combination with the outer shell defines a plenum therebetween in fluidic communication with an output of the impeller and further defines a peripheral outlet of the plenum. A bubble ring is affixed to the inner air guide and coaxial therewith. The bubble ring has a plurality of closely spaced fins extending inwardly toward an axis of the axial passageway.

Claims

1. A bladeless bubble fan comprising: a housing defining a plurality of inlets and having enclosed therein an impeller for drawing air through the inlets from an exterior thereof, at least a portion of the housing forming a closed geometrically shaped outer shell and defining an axial passageway therethrough; an inner air guide received in the housing and coaxial with the closed geometrically shaped outer shell and in combination with the closed geometrically shaped outer shell defining a circular plenum therebetween in fluidic communication with an output of the impeller and further defining a peripheral outlet of the plenum; and a bubble ring affixed to the inner air guide and coaxial therewith, the bubble ring having a plurality of closely spaced fins extending inwardly toward an axis of the axial passageway.

2. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 1 wherein the housing includes a handle extending from the closed geometrically shaped outer shell.

3. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 2 wherein the inlets are defined in the handle and the impeller is mounted in the handle.

4. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 3 wherein an electric motor is mounted in the handle and oriented to drive the impeller.

5. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral outlet of the plenum is defined by a leading edge of the closed geometrically shaped outer shell and a leading edge of the inner air guide.

6. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 5 wherein the peripheral outlet is oriented to direct airflow from the peripheral outlet through the axial passageway.

7. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 1 wherein the bubble ring is affixed at an outlet of the axial passageway.

8. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 7 wherein the bubble ring includes an inner flange extending inwardly toward the axis of the axial passageway.

9. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of closely spaced fins are formed upon the inner flange and radially aligned with the axis of the axial passageway.

10. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 9 wherein adjacent ones of the closely spaced fins define a slot therebetween for receiving and retaining a liquid bubble solution.

11. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 1 further including a bubble pan attached to and selectively detachable from a trailing edge of the inner air guide for receiving a liquid bubble solution.

12. A bladeless bubble fan comprising: a housing defining a plurality of inlets and having enclosed therein an impeller for drawing air through the inlets from an exterior thereof, at least a portion of the housing forming a closed geometrically shaped outer shell defining an axial passageway therethrough; an inner air guide received in the housing and coaxial with the closed geometrically shaped outer shell and in combination with the closed geometrically shaped outer shell defining a plenum therebetween in fluidic communication with an output of the impeller wherein a leading edge of the closed geometrically shaped outer shell and a leading edge of the inner air guide define a peripheral outlet of the plenum; and a bubble ring affixed to the inner air guide at an outlet of the axial passageway and coaxial therewith, the bubble ring having a plurality of closely spaced fins extending inwardly toward an axis of the axial passageway.

13. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 12 wherein the housing includes a handle extending from the closed geometrically shaped outer shell.

14. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 13 wherein the inlets are defined in the handle and wherein an electric motor and the impeller rotatingly attached thereto are mounted in the handle.

15. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 12 wherein the peripheral outlet is oriented to direct airflow from the peripheral outlet through the axial passageway.

16. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 12 wherein the bubble ring includes an inner flange extending inwardly toward the axis of the axial passageway.

17. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 16 wherein the plurality of closely spaced fins are formed upon the inner flange and radially aligned with the axis of the axial passageway and further wherein adjacent ones of the closely spaced fins define a slot therebetween for receiving and retaining a liquid bubble solution.

18. The bladeless bubble fan according to claim 12 further including a bubble pan attached to and selectively detachable from the trailing edge of the inner circular air guide, the bubble pan defining a trough for receiving a liquid bubble solution.

19. A bladeless bubble fan, comprising: a toy for creating bubbles, said toy comprising a housing defining an axial passageway therethrough and further having a handle including an impeller embedded therein for movement of air through the axial passageway, wherein the impeller is displaced from the axial passageway for creating bubbles without the use of blades within the axial passageway for moving air to create the bubbles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 presents an elevation view of a bladeless bubble fan embodying the present invention viewed toward the mouth of the bladeless fan.

(3) FIG. 2 presents an exploded side view of the bladeless bubble fan of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 presents a top isometric exploded view of the bladeless bubble fan of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 presents a cross-sectional view of the bladeless bubble fan shown in FIG. 1 and taken along the line 4-4, FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 presents an isometric view of the air guide.

(7) FIG. 6 presents an end elevation view of the bubble ring

(8) FIG. 7 presents a partial cross-sectional view of the bubble ring shown in FIG. 6 and taken along the line 7-7, FIG. 6.

(9) FIG. 8 presents a segmental view of the bubble ring shown in FIG. 6 and taken along the line 8-8, FIG. 6 illustrating adjacent fins molded onto the inner flange.

(10) FIG. 9 presents an isometric view of the bubble pan removed from the bladeless bubble fan.

(11) Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) The invention relates to the field of entertainment and toy apparatuses. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus for creating a plurality of soap bubbles. The apparatus includes a bladeless fan such as one taught in U.S. Pat. No. 8,197,226 B2. A circular housing defines an axial air passageway extending from a mouth of the circular housing to an exit. A bubble ring for retaining a bubble solution between adjacent ones of a plurality of fins is attached at the peripheral aspect of the circular housing defining the exit. An impeller contained within a handle of the apparatus directs a flow of air through the plenum of a circular housing. The airflow then exits the plenum through a peripheral outlet thereby inducing additional airflow from the ambient air adjacent the mouth of the circular housing and through an axial passageway to impinge upon the bubble ring containing a bubble solution retained in the slots between adjacent fins thereby creating a plurality of bubbles.

(13) Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a bladeless bubble fan 100 is illustrated wherein the fan 100 has a housing 110 formed as a circular outer shell 112 and a handle shell 114 depending therefrom. A handle cover 116 mates with the handle shell 114 and retains therein a motor casing 130 retaining an electric motor 132 and an air impeller 134 therein. The handle shell 114 and the handle cover 116 each define a plurality of inlet apertures 118 to permit air to flow therethrough and exit from an upper portion of the handle formed by the handle shell 114 and the handle cover 116. The handle shell 114 further defines a battery cavity 120 below the electric motor casing 130 and contains a plurality of battery contacts 124 electrically interconnecting a plurality of batteries 122 for powering the motor 134. A switch 128 is connected within the circuitry formed by the interconnection of batteries 122, electrical contacts 124 and motor 134 to selectively activate motor 134 between an ON state and an OFF state in a manner known in the art. A battery cover 126 is selectively removable from the handle shell 114 to provide access to the interior of the battery cavity 120 for removal and replacement of the batteries 122.

(14) The circular outer shell 112 receives a circular air guide 150 (FIG. 5) which is coaxially aligned with the circular the outer shell 112 along an axis 106. An inner surface 136 of the outer shell 112 and an outer surface 152 of the air guide 150 combine to define a circular plenum 154 extending about the circumference of the air guide 150 and fluidly communicative with the impeller 134. The outer shell 112 and air guide further define a mouth 140 at an air inlet end and an airflow exit 182 at an air outlet end with an air passageway 142 extending along axis 106. A leading edge 158 of the air guide 150 is spaced from the outer shell 112 to form a peripheral air outlet 156 for the circular plenum 154 for air exit into the air passageway 142. The air outlet 156 is formed to direct the airflow therethrough into the air passageway 142 and toward the airflow exit 182.

(15) A bubble ring 170 (FIGS. 6-8) is affixed to a trailing edge 160 of the air guide 150 and is coaxial therewith. The bubble ring 170 has a circular wall 172 and a horizontal outer flange 174 extending radially outward therefrom. A lower portion 184 of the circular wall in combination with the outer flange 174 engage the trailing edge 160 of the air guide 150 to securely retain the bubble ring 170 to the air guide 150. The manner of engagement can be one of multiple configurations known in the art. An upper flange 176 extends radially inwardly from the circular wall 172 and has formed thereon a plurality of closely spaced fins 178. Each fin 178 extends along a radial line from the axis 106 such that adjacent ones of the fins 178 define a slot therebetween and extend inwardly beyond an inner edge 186 of the flange 176 and below the flange 176. In such manner, the plurality of fins 178 extends into the air passageway 142 in a radial direction with respect to axis 106.

(16) Referring to FIG. 9, a bubble pan 190 has a floor 194, a circular outer wall 192 and a central column 196 to form a trough 197 for receiving a liquid bubble solution. The outer wall 192 is sized and configured to engage the outer portion of the trailing edge 160 of the air guide 150 in a manner known in the art such as to be selectively attachable and detachable from the trailing edge 160. The outer wall 192 can also have formed therein one or more spouts for a controlled pouring of liquid such as a liquid bubble solution from the trough 197 into a container.

(17) In use, an individual desiring to create bubbles for enjoyment or play can utilize the bladeless bubble fan 100 by removing the battery cover 126 from the handle shell 114 and inserting the correct number and size of batteries in the battery cavity 120. The battery cover 126 is then replaced in the handle shell 114. The bubble pan 190 is detached from the bladeless bubble fan 100 and placed on a horizontal surface. A quantity of liquid bubble solution is poured into the trough 197 of the bubble pan 190. The quantity of liquid bubble solution is sufficient great enough that the bubble ring 170 can be immersed in the liquid.

(18) The bladeless bubble fan 100 is then raised and held upright. A quantity of liquid bubble solution is retained in the slots 180 between adjacent ones of the fins 178 of the bubble ring 170. The switch 128 is activated to engage the motor 132. The motor 132 rotates the impeller 134 creating airflow from inlet apertures 118 up through an interior of the handle formed by handle shell 114 and handle cover 116. The airflow then is directed into the circular plenum 154 and exits the plenum 154 through the peripheral air outlet 156 defined by the leading edge 158 of the air guide 150 and the circular outer shell 112. The airflow exiting the peripheral air outlet 156 is directed through the air passageway 142 and further induces ambient air to enter the mouth 140 and combine with the airflow from the peripheral air outlet 156. The combined airflow is then axially directed at the plurality of fins 178 and slots 180 retaining liquid bubble solution therebetween. As the airflow impinges on the liquid retained by the fins 178 and slots 180, the surface tension of the liquid and the airflow combine to create a plurality of bubbles until the liquid bubble solution is depleted. The switch 128 is then disengaged to turn the motor 132 OFF.

(19) At this time the fins 178 of the bubble ring 170 can be re-immersed in the liquid bubble solution in the bubble pan 190 and the process repeated to create more bubbles until use of the bladeless bubble fan 100 is completed. Once use is completed, excess liquid bubble solution can be poured from the bubble pan 190 back into a container using spout 198, and the bubble pan 190 is again affixed to the trailing edge 160 of the air guide 150 until the user desires to again create bubbles for play and enjoyment.

(20) Although the forgoing detailed description is directed to a bladeless bubble fan embodiment, including preferred embodiments with a circular housing 110 and a circular air guide 150 defining a circular air passageway having a handle extending therefrom, those practiced in the art will readily recognize that the housing 110, air guide 150, and bubble ring 170 can be formed as any closed geometric shape, but not limited to, such as an oval, an ellipse, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, or an octagon, or an open geometric shape Likewise the bubble pan 190 would be similarly shaped to receive therein the closed geometric shape of the housing 110 and air guide 150. Further, the impeller 134 and driving motor 132 need not be in a handle 114 of the bladeless bubble fan 100, nor does the Bladeless bubble fan 100 need a handle 114. The motor 132 and impeller 134 can be housed within the housing 110, or a stationary base (not shown).

(21) The above description is considered that of certain embodiments of the present invention only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention hereof.