Fan and canopy assembly for riding vehicle

Abstract

A riding vehicle is provided with a downdraft fan assembly mounted on a vehicle roll bar for providing a flow of ambient air over the vehicle operator and a canopy carried by the fan assembly and providing solar and precipitation protection for the operator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A canopy for a riding vehicle, comprising:
 a top surface;   a peripheral rim;   a bottom surface; and   a fan assembly coupled to the bottom surface.   
     
     
         2 . The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the canopy is coupled to a roll-over protective structure of the riding vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The canopy of  claim 2 , wherein the canopy is coupled to a horizontal cross member of the roll-over protective structure. 
     
     
         4 . The canopy of  claim 2 , wherein the canopy is mounted on the roll-over protective structure. 
     
     
         5 . The canopy of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame coupling the canopy and the fan assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the fan draws air from above the fan and projects the air below the fan. 
     
     
         7 . The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the fan is coupled to the bottom surface at one or more locations within central portion of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         8 . A fan assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
 a frame;   a fan; and   a canopy extending over the frame and fan,   wherein the fan assembly is coupled to a roll-over protective structure of the vehicle.   
     
     
         9 . The fan assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the fan assembly is coupled directly to the roll-over protective structure of the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The fan assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the fan assembly is coupled indirectly to the roll-over protective structure of the vehicle via one or more of a canopy assembly, an additional frame element, or a coupling element.