Fan-Based Cooler for Head-Protection Gear

Abstract

A cooler accessory for use with a hard hat or other head-protecting gear having a protective shell with a rim, the accessory including a housing that is attachable to the protective shell, tubing that extends from the housing, and airflow supply means (e.g., an electric fan assembly) for supplying a flow of air that passes through the tubing and exits therefrom. During use, the tubing extends below the rim of the protective shell for directing the flow of air supplied by the airflow supply means under the rim for injection toward space adjacent the user's body, thereby cooling the user's body. Preferably, the tubing is configured such that airflow is injected into an air gap between the user's head and the protective shell and over the user's head, thereby actively cooling the user's head. The housing can be removably secured to the protective shell of the head protection device by one of many different ways including adhesive means, a strap, clips, a slotted interface or other suitable fixation mechanisms.

1 . A device for use with head-protection gear that includes a protective shell with a rim, the device comprising:
 a housing;   securing means for removably securing the housing to the protective shell;   airflow supply means, supported by the housing, for supplying a flow of air; and   a tubular member that extends from the housing, the tubular member directing the flow of air supplied by the airflow supply means under the rim of the protective shell for injection toward space adjacent the user's body, thereby cooling the user's body.   
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the securing means comprises an adhesive pad for adhering the housing to the protective shell.   
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the securing means comprises a strap that has an encircling configuration for wrapping around the exterior of the protective shell.   
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the circumference of the strap is adjustable.   
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a battery compartment supported by the strap, the battery compartment disposed opposite the housing; and   at least one electrical conductor supported by the strap.   
   
   
       6 . A device according to  5 , further comprising:
 at least one support member that attaches the electrical conductor to the strap.   
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the securing means comprises a plurality of clips that project from the housing for engaging the rim of the protective shell.   
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the housing includes curved portions that generally conform to curved rear-portion of the rim of the protective shell, and the securing means comprises clips that project from the curved portions for engaging the rim of the protective shell.   
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the securing means includes one or more members that interface to corresponding one or more slots formed in the protective shell.   
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tubular member is adapted such that flow of air supplied by the airflow supply means is injected into an air gap between the user's head and the protective shell and over the user's head.   
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tubular member is flexible and pliable in a manner that enables a user to adjust position and orientation of the tubular member in order to control the direction of the airflow that exits therefrom.   
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the length of the tubular member is extendible.   
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the housing defines an interior air duct that extends from an opening to the tubular member, wherein the airflow supply means is mounted axially within the interior air duct.   
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the housing has a rear-facing intake port leading to the airflow supply means.   
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 the housing has an exhaust port leading to the tubular member, the exhaust port disposed in its bottom wall.   
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 the airflow supply means comprises a centrifugal fan assembly.   
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 the housing has an exhaust port leading to the tubular member, the exhaust port disposed in its front-facing wall.   
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the airflow supply means comprises an axial fan assembly.   
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 the tubular member is removably attached to the housing such that it covers the exhaust port.   
   
   
       20 . A device according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a grille that is removably attached to the housing such that it covers the exhaust port.   
   
   
       21 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a battery compartment that is supported by the housing and holds at least one battery for powering the airflow supply means; and   at least one user-manipulated switch and associated control circuitry that are supported by the housing and operate to selectively couple the at least one battery to the airflow supply means in response to user manipulation of the at least one switch.   
   
   
       22 . A device according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a first user-manipulated switch cooperates with associated control circuitry to operate in the following modes:
 i) a first mode wherein airflow supply means is powered off; and 
 ii) a second mode wherein the airflow supply means is automatically cycled on/off for predetermined on/off time periods. 
   
   
   
       23 . A device according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the first user-manipulated switch cooperates with associated control circuitry to operate in a third mode wherein the airflow supply means is continuously powered on.   
   
   
       24 . A device according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a second user-manipulated switch cooperates with associated control circuitry to operate in a fourth mode wherein the airflow supply means is automatically powered on for a predetermined time period, said fourth mode overriding the operations of the first and second modes.   
   
   
       25 . A device according to  claim 24 , wherein:
 the button switch provides an ergonomic design that facilitates finger manipulation by user's wearing gloves.   
   
   
       26 . A device according to  claim 21 , wherein:
 the control circuitry comprises a microcontroller that interfaces to switching circuitry that selectively opens and closes a current path between the at least one battery held in the battery compartment and the airflow supply means, the operation of the microcontroller dictated by user manipulation of the at least one switch.   
   
   
       27 . A device according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a connector that is supported by the housing and connects to an external power source, the external power source selected from the group including an AC/DC power converter, a DC/DC power converter, and a solar-cell power source.   
   
   
       28 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said housing is realized from a rigid plastic material.   
   
   
       29 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the airflow supply means comprises one of an electric fan assembly, an air blower, a centrifuge fan, and an air pump.   
   
   
       30 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the head-protection gear is a hard hat.   
   
   
       31 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the head-protection gear is one of a military helmet, motorcycle helmet, a helmet for alpine skiing and/or snowboarding.