PORTABLE FAN

Abstract

A portable misting fan including a body having interconnected upper and lower sections thereby circumferentially defining a passageway with respective open ends therebetween, said upper section comprising an arcuate internal reservoir therein, said internal reservoir having an inlet and at least one outlet, a fan assembly arranged at least partially within said passageway, a sonic disk in communication with said at least one outlet and positioned in front of said fan assembly, and a mounting arm pivotably connected to said body about an axis perpendicularly arranged with respect to said open ends of said passageway, where the sonic disk assembly is designed to selectably atomize and disperse waterthe water communicated from the internal reservoirfrom the sonic disk assembly in a continuous or intermittent manner.

Claims

1. A portable misting fan, comprising: a body having interconnected upper and lower sections thereby circumferentially defining a passageway with respective open ends therebetween, said upper section comprising an arcuate internal reservoir therein, said internal reservoir having an inlet and at least one outlet; a fan assembly arranged at least partially within said passageway; a sonic disk assembly in communication with said at least one outlet and positioned in front of said fan assembly; and, a mounting arm pivotably connected to said body about an axis perpendicularly arranged with respect to said open ends of said passageway, wherein said sonic disk assembly is adapted to selectably atomize and disperse water, communicated from said internal reservoir, therefrom in one or more of a continuous or intermittent manner.

2. The portable misting fan recited in claim 1 further comprising a battery in communication with said fan assembly.

3. The portable misting fan recited in claim 1 further comprising mounting means removably connected to a distal end of said mounting arm.

4. The portable misting fan recited in claim 3, wherein said mounting means comprises one or more of a movably connected clamp, a movable connected suction cup, a magnet, or a movably connected cup-holder mount.

5. The portable misting fan recited in claim 1 further comprising a first, second, and third outlet, which aforementioned outlets are in communication with said sonic disk assembly.

6. The portable misting fan recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one perforated grate removably attached to one or more of each of said open ends of said passageway.

7. The portable misting fan recited in claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with said fan assembly and said sonic disk assembly, said controller adapted to toggle power to said fan assembly and to toggle activation of said sonic disk assembly.

8. The portable misting fan recited in claim 7 further comprising a perforated grate attached to one of said open ends of said passageway distally arranged relative to said sonic disk assembly, said perforated grate having said fan assembly and said controller arranged therein.

9. The portable misting fan recited in claim 8 further comprising a battery in communication with said controller, said fan assembly, and said sonic disk assembly.

10. A portable misting fan, comprising: a body having interconnected upper and lower sections thereby circumferentially defining a passageway with respective open ends therebetween, said upper section comprising an arcuate internal reservoir therein, said internal reservoir having: an inlet; a first outlet; a second outlet; and, a third outlet; a perforated faceplate having a dispensing aperture arranged therein, said faceplate arranged to substantially cover and be removably connected to one of said open ends; a perforated backplate having an aperture therein, said blackplate arranged to substantially cover to one of said open ends; a fan assembly arranged at least partially within said passageway and connected to said perforated backplate within said aperture of said backplate; a sonic disk assembly in communication with said outlets and positioned in front of said fan assembly proximate said front perforated faceplate; and, wherein said sonic disk assembly is adapted to selectably atomize and disperse water, communicated from said internal reservoir, therefrom in one or more of a continuous or intermittent manner through said dispensing aperture of said faceplate.

11. The portable misting fan recited in claim 10 further comprising a mounting arm pivotably connected to said body about an axis perpendicularly arranged with respect to said open ends of said passageway.

12. The portable misting fan recited in claim 10 further comprising a battery in communication with said fan assembly.

13. The portable misting fan recited in claim 10 further comprising mounting means removably connected to a distal end of said mounting arm.

14. The portable misting fan recited in claim 13, wherein said mounting means comprises one or more of a movably connected clamp, a movable connected suction cup, a magnet, a movably connected cup-holder mount.

15. The portable misting fan recited in claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with said fan assembly and said sonic disk assembly, said controller adapted to toggle power to one or more of said fan assembly or said sonic disk assembly.

16. A portable misting fan, comprising: a body having interconnected upper and lower sections thereby circumferentially defining a passageway with respective open ends therebetween, said upper section comprising an arcuate internal reservoir therein, said internal reservoir having: an inlet; a first outlet; a second outlet; and, a third outlet; a perforated faceplate having a dispensing aperture arranged therein, said faceplate arranged to substantially cover and be removably connected to one of said open ends; a perforated backplate having an aperture therein, said blackplate arranged to substantially cover to one of said open ends; a fan assembly arranged at least partially within said passageway and connected to said perforated backplate within said aperture of said backplate; a sonic disk assembly in communication with said outlets and positioned in front of said fan assembly proximate said front perforated faceplate; and, a mounting arm pivotably connected to said body about an axis perpendicularly arranged with respect to said open ends of said passageway, wherein said sonic disk assembly is adapted to selectably atomize and disperse water, communicated from said internal reservoir, therefrom in one or more of a continuous or intermittent manner through said dispensing aperture of said faceplate.

17. The portable misting fan recited in claim 16 further comprising a battery in communication with one or more of said fan assembly or said sonic disk assembly.

18. The portable misting fan recited in claim 16 further comprising a controller in communication with said fan assembly and said sonic disk assembly, said controller adapted to toggle power to one or more of said fan assembly or said sonic disk assembly.

19. The portable misting fan recited in claim 16 further comprising mounting means removably connected to a distal end of said mounting arm.

20. The portable misting fan recited in claim 19, wherein said mounting means comprises one or more of a movably connected clamp, a movable connected suction cup, a magnet, or a movably connected cup-holder mount.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0013] Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:

[0014] FIGS. 1A and 1B generally show perspective views of the present invention;

[0015] FIGS. 2A and 2B show perspective views of the invention shown in FIG. 1A with the front grate removed;

[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the invention shown in FIG. 1A;

[0017] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the main body of the invention shown in FIG. 1A;

[0018] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4B-4B in FIG. 4A;

[0019] FIGS. 5A and 5B are exploded views of the fan assembly of the invention shown in FIG. 1A;

[0020] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the sonic disk assembly of the invention shown in FIG. 1A;

[0021] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6B-6B in FIG. 6A;

[0022] FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6C-6C in FIG. 6A;

[0023] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate exploded views of the mounting assembly of the invention shown in FIG. 1A;

[0024] FIG. 7C illustrates a cup-holder mount embodiment of the mounting assembly;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 1A; and, FIG. 9 is a high-level schematic of a representative control board and components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects.

[0027] Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Those in the art will understand that any suitable material, now known, or hereafter developed, may be used in forming the present invention described herein.

[0028] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments.

[0029] It should be noted that the terms including, includes, having, has, contains, and/or containing, should be interpreted as being substantially synonymous with the terms comprising and/or comprises.

[0030] It should be appreciated that the term substantially is synonymous with terms such as nearly, very nearly, about, approximately, around, bordering on, close to, essentially, in the neighborhood of, in the vicinity of, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term proximate is synonymous with terms such as nearby, close, adjacent, neighboring, immediate, adjoining, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. The term approximately is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.

[0031] It should be understood that use of or in the present application is with respect to a non-exclusive arrangement, unless stated otherwise. For example, when saying that item x is A or B, it is understood that this can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the other of A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word or is not used to define an exclusive or arrangement. For example, an exclusive or arrangement for the statement item x is A or B would require that x can be only one of A and B. Furthermore, as used herein, and/or is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.

[0032] Moreover, as used herein, the phrases comprises at least one of and comprising at least one of in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase used in at least one of: is used herein. Furthermore, as used herein, and/or is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase used in at least one of: or one of: is used herein.

[0033] Furthermore, as used herein, and/or is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.

[0034] In reference to FIGS. 1A through 2B, which collectively show perspective views of the present invention, portable misting fan 10 (hereinafter fan 10). Generally, fan 10 may include body 12 having front end 14 and back end 16, and with interconnected, i.e., integral, upper section 20 and lower section 22 which circumferentially define passageway 18 extending therethrough. Passageway 18 is bounded by two openings at respective ends, which openings accept perforated grates 28 and 30 therein. First opening 24 of passageway 18 is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. First axis AX1 extends longitudinally through a substantially center position of passageway 18 and both of the openings thereof.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, fan assembly 34 is arranged within passageway 18 and is preferably mounted to and extends from grate 30. Fan assembly 34 includes fan 36 having a plurality of fan blades. Sonic disk assembly 32 is positioned in front of fan 36 within passageway 18, i.e., arranged proximate first opening 24. Preferably, a center point of fan 36 is arranged on first axis AX1 and a center point of sonic disk assembly 32 is also arranged on first axis AX1.

[0036] Mounting arm assembly 38 is pivotally and removably connected to body 12 and is arranged to rotate about second axis AX2. Preferably, mounting arm 38 extends distally from body 12 and includes mounting device 40 removably connected to its distal end.

[0037] In reference to the aforementioned figures and FIG. 3, passageway 18 includes oppositely arranged openings, opening 24 and opening 26, where opening 24 is a front opening and opening 26 is a rear opening. Arranged within upper section 20 of body 12 is arcuate internal reservoir 42 (discussed further, infra), which has proximal inlet 44 substantially arrange within mouth 56 that protrudes from a top of upper section 20. Mouth 56 may include threading 58 thereon allowing cap 70 to be threadably secured to mouth 56, thereby sealing internal reservoir 42.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, mounting arm assembly 38 is removably and pivotably connected to body 12 at mounting sections 52 and 54 (both shown in FIG. 4B), where the mounting sections extend from both upper section 20 and lower section 22 from opposite sides thereof. Preferably, the mounting sections each having an aperture arranged therein where the apertures are centered about second axis AX2. In one possible arrangement, mounting arm assembly 38 includes base 158 having first arm 154 and second arm 156 extending therefrom. First arm 154 terminates at end 150 and second arm terminates at end 152, whereas ends 150 and 152 are arranged distally from base 158. End 150 includes mounting aperture 162 therein and end 152 includes mounting aperture 164 therein. Mounting apertures 162 and 164 are arranged to align with mounting sections 52 and 54, where threaded connectors 166 and 168 engage both mounting apertures 162 and 164 and the apertures of the mounting sections to removably and pivotably secure mounting arm assembly to body 12. It should be noted that any acceptable connector type may be used to removably secure mounting arm assembly 38 to body 12, so long as alternative connector types allow ends 150 and 152 to rotate about axis AX2. Connector 160 is secured to base 158 and extends in an opposite direction of arms 154 and 156. Connector 160 is arranged to removable engage connector of mounting device 40, where mounting device 40 is shown having magnet 172 attached and extending from connector 170. Mounting device 40 is discussed in greater detail in view of FIGS. 7A and 7B, infra.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, perforated grate 28, i.e., a first faceplate, is arranged to removably secure within opening 24 of body 12 and perforated grate 30 is arranged to either removably or fixedly secure (via fasteners) within opening 26 of body 12. Perforated grate 30 generally houses fan assembly 34 which includes motor 48 and fan 36. Perforated grate 30 and fan assembly 34 are discussed in greater detail in view of FIGS. 5A and 5B, infra.

[0040] FIGS. 4A and 4B show body 12 in an isolated perspective view and a cross-sectional taken generally along line 4B-4B. As discussed supra, mounting sections 52 and 54 extend from opposite sides of body 12 and substantially arranged between upper section 22 and lower section 24 of body 12, such that mounting apertures arranged therein are substantially colinear and arranged along axis AX2. As shown in FIG. 4B, upper section 22 includes arcuate internal reservoir 42 therein. Reservoir 42 is in communication with inlet 44, first distal inlet 62, second distal inlet 64, outlets 46, 48, and 50. Distal inlet 62 is arranged proximate lower section 22 and is formed between slope 66 and reservoir floor 60 and distal inlet 64 is arranged proximate lower section 22, opposite distal inlet 62, and is formed between slope 68 and reservoir floor 60. Distal inlets 62 and 64 are in communication with outlets 48 and 50. The aforementioned arrangement of outlets 46, 48, and 50, being arranged distally in relation to inlet 44, allow gravity to carry water arranged within outlet to one or more of outlets 46, 48, and 50, such that if body 12 is rotated about axis AX1 or AX2 (via the mounting arm assembly), water within reservoir 42 will flow through one or more of outlets 46, 48, and 50. The arrangement of distal inlets 62 and 64 (which are in communication with outlets 48 and 50) between slopes 66 and 68 and reservoir floor 60 ensure that once a water level within reservoir 42 is lower than outlet 46, the water will still be able to flow, via gravity, into outlets 48 and 50. Thus, the curvature or arcuate configuration of reservoir floor 60 and slopes 66 and 68 substantially creates a pair of funnels for water flowing through distal inlets 62 and 64 into outlets 48 and 50.

[0041] FIGS. 5A and 5B show exploded perspective views of fan assembly 34 and perforated grate 30. In a preferred embodiment, perforated grate (or backplate) 30 includes aperture 76 therein. Aperture 76 is arranged to accept motor assembly 78 of fan assembly 34 therein, preferably via a plurality of apertures, thusly allowing fan assembly 34 to be removed from grate 30. In one possible embodiment, motor assembly 78 comprises a brushless DC motor which is arranged within at least a water resistant and/or waterproof housing/shroud and having drive shaft 82 extending from an opposite end of cavity 80. Drive shaft 82 is arranged to accept fan 36 thereon. Cavity 80, or component housing, is arranged to accept control board 82 therein, which may be secured therein via fasteners or the like. Control board 82 generally includes plurality of inputs 84, e.g., on/off fan power toggles and/or continuous/intermittent/none misting toggles, battery 86, battery connector 88, at least one printed circuit board (PCB) 92, which may be two PCBs comprising a battery PCB and a motor control and mister control PCB, battery level indicators 90, and power/misting setting indicators 94.

[0042] Battery 86 may be two 3.7v 5000 mah batteries wired in parallel for a total capacity of approximately 10,000 Mah or may be an alternative battery configuration so long the selected battery is rechargeable and can efficiently power motor assembly 78 for an extended duration in arid and/or humid environments. Battery 86 is in communication with PCB 92, or multiple PCBs in alternative configurations, battery connector 88, and motor assembly 78. Battery connector 88 is a charger input and may be configured as a plurality of connectors, such as, but not limited to, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Micro USB, Thunderbolt, or like alternatives, such that connector 88 may be used to connect battery 86 to a power source to charge battery 86, and/or power motor assembly 78 if battery 86 has no charge.

[0043] Plurality of inputs 84 are in communication with at least one PCB 92 such that PCB 92 is in communication with motor assembly 78 and battery 86, whereas plurality of inputs 84 control motor assembly 78 and thus the speed of fan 36. In a preferred embodiment, PCB 92 is also in communication with sonic disk assembly 32 (see FIGS. 6A through 6C, infra) and controls atomization (misting) of water from the sonic disk assembly by selectably, via plurality of inputs 84, communicating an electrical current to the sonic disk assembly. In some embodiments, PCB 92 may also include a buzzer or alarm thereon, which may be configured to make a noise when plurality of inputs 84 are actuated and/or when connector 88 is in communication with a power source.

[0044] As such, one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that control board 82 will have a microcontroller being able to control communications from plurality of inputs 84 to the various aforementioned components, turn of the sonic disk assembly in response to a communication received therefrom, toggle indicator lights in response to power on/off, fan speed settings, misting control settings of the sonic disk assembly, control a buzzer, etc. As such, any capable microcontroller now known, or hereinafter developed, is intended within the scope of the appending claims to provide the functionality of the present invention.

[0045] FIGS. 6A through 6C illustrate sonic disk assembly 32 isolated from the body, specifically a perspective view and a pair of cross-sectionals taken generally along lines 6B-6B and 6C-6C, respectively. In one possible embodiment, sonic disk assembly 32 includes body 94, cover 96, gasket 98 having sonic disk 110 therein, internal cavity 106 having first inlet 100, second inlet 102, and third inlet 104 in communication with internal cavity 106. Internal cavity 106 has opening 108 which cover 96, and gasket 98 within cover 96, seal. Conduits 112, 122, and 132 are arranged to engage inlets 100, 102, and 104, respectively.

[0046] Conduit 112 includes ends 114 and 116 having connectors 118 and 120 thereon, respectively, where connector 118 removably engages inlet 100, via threading or other removable securement means that maintain a water-tight connection. Conduit 122 includes ends 124 and 126 having connectors 128 and 130 thereon, respectively, where connector 128 removably engages inlet 102, via threading or other removable securement means that maintain a water-tight connection. Conduit 132 includes ends 134 and 136 having connectors 138 and 140 thereon, respectively, where connector 134 removably engages inlet 104, via threading or other removable securement means that maintain a water-tight connection. Connectors 120, 130, and 140 are arranged to engage the outlets of the body (see FIG. 4B, outlets 46, 48, and 50 of upper section 20 of body 12 thereby fluidly connecting reservoir 42 and internal cavity 106) thereby allowing water to flow from within the reservoir of the body into internal cavity 106 of sonic disk assembly 32. Since body 94 and internal cavity 106 is generally arranged distally in relation to the outlets of the body, i.e., has a floor lower than the outlets, gravity and the weight of the water will continuously feed water into internal cavity 106 until the reservoir of the body is empty.

[0047] Sonic disk 110, which may be a piezoelectric atomizer, is arranged within gasket 98 such that a surface thereof is facing outwardly from opening 108 and a respective opposite surface is facing into internal cavity 106. Sonic disk 110, as discussed above, is in communication with control board 82 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) such that when the respective input is actuated on control board 82, an electrical current is sent to sonic disk 110, thereby activating it. When sonic disk 110 is activated, water within internal cavity 106 that is in contact with disk 110 is atomized and the atomized water is then expelled through pores arranged substantially within the center of disk 110, which pores are of such a size that, when water is not atomized, it cannot pass through disk 110, i.e., when disk 110 is not activated, water will not pass therethrough. In a non-limiting example, disk 110 may be a piezoelectric atomizer and may receive 113 kHz current from the control board upon actuation of an input, discussed supra. Additionally, disk 110 may receive pulses, or intermittent electrical current, thereby atomizing water in intervals, thus preserving the water level within the reservoir of the body.

[0048] In some embodiments, internal cavity 106 of sonic disk assembly 32 may have a water sensor in communication with the control board, which sensor will automatically halt electric current being sent to disk 110 when water is no longer detected within internal cavity 106.

[0049] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate exploded views of mounting device 40. Generally, mounting device 40 comprises connectors 160 and 170. Connector 160 is generally a base connector which is arranged to be secured to the mounting arm assembly (see FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 3) and may comprise mounting body 174, extension 176, tabs 178 and 180, and mounting aperture 182. Extension 176 protrudes from body 174 and has tabs 178 and 180 extending therefrom. Tabs 178 and 180 are springingly connected to extension 176, such that if force is applied to respective outer surfaces of the tabs in a radially inward direction towards mounting aperture 182, the configuration biases tabs 178 and 180 to apply an opposite force in the radial outward direction, in other words, tabs 178 and 180 are biased in the configuration shown and return to that position absent the aforementioned forces. Mounting aperture 182 may be used to accept a fastener therein allowing the mounting body to be connected to the mounting arm assembly. Connector 170 is generally an accessory connector, e.g., has magnet 172 attached thereto or has a clamp-like device attached thereto. Connector 170 may comprise mounting body 184, which may be an annular-like protrusion, hexagonal, etc., forming a wall surrounding mounting aperture 190 to create space 192 therein, tab apertures 186 and 188 disposed within the wall formed by body 184, and magnet 172or an alternative mounting apparatus such as a clamp-like device.

[0050] Connector 160 is arranged to be removably engaged within connector 170. Specifically, when tabs 178 and 180 are depressed radially inward, body 174 can be inserted, at least partially, within space 192 of mounting body 184, where tabs 178 and 180 will release in a radially outward direction and be seated at least partially within tab apertures 186 and 188 once mounting body 174 is at least partially within space 192, thereby connecting connector 160 to connector 170. Similarly, if tabs 178 and 180 are depressed radially inward when resting at least partially within tab apertures 186 and 188, body 174 may be removed from space 192 of mounting body 184. In other words, the aforementioned configuration of the mounting device is a quick-release type connection.

[0051] In some arrangements, connector 170 may be fixedly secured to a plurality of different mounting elements, such as cup-holder body 210, as shown in FIG. 7C, or a body having a suction cup, or suction-cup like attachment apparatus, either directly, or in a movably-arranged manner, e.g., a ball-joint, pivotably, rotatably, etc. Cup-holder body 210 is arranged to be seated, at least partially, within a typical cup-holder that may be found in vehicles, such as golf-carts. Cup-holder body 210 may include weights and/or be weighted to prevent the body of the misting fan and mounting arm assembly from tipping and/or removing cup-holder body 210 from a respective cup holder when the portable misting fan is attached, via the mounting arm assembly, thereto.

[0052] A representative suction cup mounting that may accommodate connector 170 thereon, with or without a movable arm, is shown and described in U.S. Design Patent No. D688,726, issued Aug. 27, 2013, which design patent is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0053] Another possible representative cup-holder mount that may accommodate connector 170, with or without a pivotable mechanism extending therefrom, is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,576,905, issued Mar. 3, 2020, which patent is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0054] A possible representative clamp, or spring clamp mount, that may accommodate connector 170, is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,953,256, issued Apr. 9, 2024, which patent is incorporate by reference herein in its entirety.

[0055] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of portable misting fan 10 taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 1A. In some embodiments, faceplate or grate 28 is removably attached to both upper section 20 and lower section 22 of body 12 and has protrusion 194 extending therefrom proximate reservoir 42 and has protrusion 196 arranged opposite protrusion 194 extending in direction towards backplate or grate 30. Protrusion 194 resembles a tab or thin body which is arranged to be seated within slot 198 of upper section 20, which slot is closed but extends into reservoir floor 60. Protrusion 196 may be configured as a leaf spring with a hook-like end, thus protrusion 196 may move when pressure is applied on its terminal end. Protrusion 196 is arranged to be at least partially seated within release aperture 204 and abut retention tab 202 of release button 200, thereby frictionally securing protrusion 196 therein, i.e., frictionally securing protrusion 196 to lower section 22, such that the hook-like end of protrusion 196 also contacts an inner edge of release aperture 204preventing protrusion 196 from being pulled out of release aperture 204 in a direction towards opening 24. Release button 200 is arranged to translate within release aperture 204 when force is applied thereon. When force is applied in a direction towards upper section 20 on release button 200, retention tab 202 pushes the hook-like end of protrusion 196 in a direction towards upper section 20 and out of release aperture 204, thereby allowing grate 28 to be pulling out of opening 24 and also allowing protrusion 194 to be removed from slot 198. This configuration allows grate 28 to be quickly removed from opening 24, allowing access to the components arranged within passageway 18, e.g., sonic disk assembly 32, fan 36, fan assembly 34, motor assembly 78, etc.

[0056] In other configurations, grate 28 may include dispensing aperture 206 arranged in a substantial center thereof. One or more of cover 96 or body 94 of sonic disk assembly 32 may be at least partially seated within dispensing aperture 206, thereby maintaining disk 110 in a substantially central location within dispensing aperture 206 to allow atomized water AW to be expelled therefrom and through dispensing aperture 206. When fan assembly 34 is activated, fan 36 produces air flow in air flow direction AFD which will disperse atomized water AW from disk 110producing a water misting effect.

[0057] In some embodiments, cap 70 may include retainer clip 208 extending distally therefrom. Retainer clip 208 may be configured with a plurality of arms which extend past an internal diameter of proximal inlet 44 to keep cap 70 from being accidentally removed. The arms of retainer clip 208 may be semi-flexible, such that when cap 70 is pulled with force and in a direction away from proximal inlet 44, the arms will collapse in a radially inward direction, thereby allowing cap 70 to be removed.

[0058] The following description should be taken in view of the aforementioned figures and FIG. 9. FIG. 9 high-level schematic of a representative control board and components of portable misting fan 10 that generally shows representative electrical communications, including electrical current (e.g., power) from control board 82 between the components of portable misting fan 10, e.g., motor assembly 78, sonic disk assembly 32, battery 86, battery connector 88, PCBs 92, indicators 90, etc. It should be appreciated that FIG. 9 is merely representative and one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various combinations, alternatives, etc. may be possible to power and control the present invention, as such, FIG. 9 should not be considered restrictive on the scope of the appending claims.

[0059] Thusly, the embodiments shown and described are merely exemplary and various alternatives, combinations, omissions, of specific components, or foreseeable alternative components, understood by one having ordinary skill in the art, described in the present disclosure or within the field of the present disclosure, are intended to fall within the scope of the appending claims.

[0060] It will be appreciated that various aspects of the invention and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0061] 10 Portable misting fan [0062] 12 Body [0063] 14 Front end [0064] 16 Back end [0065] 18 Passageway [0066] 20 Upper section [0067] 22 Lower section [0068] 24 First opening [0069] 26 Second opening [0070] 28 First grate [0071] 30 Second grate [0072] 32 Sonic disk assembly [0073] 34 Fan assembly [0074] 36 Fan [0075] 38 Mounting arm assembly [0076] 40 Mounting device [0077] 42 Arcuate internal reservoir [0078] 44 Proximal inlet [0079] 46 First outlet [0080] 48 Second outlet [0081] 50 Third outlet [0082] 52 First mounting section [0083] 54 Second mounting section [0084] 56 Mouth [0085] 58 Threading [0086] 60 Reservoir floor [0087] 62 First distal inlet [0088] 64 Second distal inlet [0089] 66 First reservoir wall slope [0090] 68 Second reservoir wall slope [0091] 70 Cap [0092] 72 Internal end [0093] 74 External end [0094] 76 Aperture [0095] 78 Motor assembly [0096] 80 Cavity [0097] 82 Control board [0098] 84 Plurality of inputs [0099] 86 Battery [0100] 88 Battery connector [0101] 90 Plurality of indicators [0102] 92 PCBs [0103] 94 Body [0104] 96 Cover [0105] 98 Gasket [0106] 100 First inlet [0107] 102 Second inlet [0108] 104 Third inlet [0109] 106 Internal cavity [0110] 108 Opening [0111] 110 Disk [0112] 112 First conduit [0113] 114 End [0114] 116 End [0115] 118 Connector [0116] 120 Connector [0117] 122 Second conduit [0118] 124 End [0119] 126 End [0120] 128 Connector [0121] 130 Connector [0122] 132 Second conduit [0123] 134 End [0124] 136 End [0125] 138 Connector [0126] 140 Connector [0127] 150 First end [0128] 152 Second end [0129] 154 First arm [0130] 156 Second arm [0131] 158 Base [0132] 160 Connector [0133] 162 Mounting aperture [0134] 164 Mounting aperture [0135] 166 First threaded connector [0136] 168 Second threaded connector [0137] 170 Connector [0138] 172 Magnet [0139] 174 Mounting body [0140] 176 Extension [0141] 178 Tab [0142] 180 Tab [0143] 182 Mounting aperture [0144] 184 Mounting body [0145] 186 Tab aperture [0146] 188 Tab aperture [0147] 190 Attachment aperture [0148] 192 Space [0149] 194 Protrusion [0150] 196 Protrusion [0151] 198 Slot [0152] 200 Release button [0153] 202 Retention tab [0154] 204 Release aperture [0155] 206 Dispensing aperture [0156] 208 Retainer clip [0157] 210 Cup-holder body [0158] AFD Air flow direction [0159] AW Atomized water [0160] AX1 First axis [0161] AX2 Second axis