Helmet mounted fan

Abstract

A helmet-mounted fan, including a main body that includes a fan assembly having at least two fan blades each including a foldable joint, a motor operatively coupled to the fan assembly, and a power supply, operatively coupleable to deliver power to the motor and configured to drive rotation of the fan when the power is delivered. A clip-on fastener releasably secures the fan assembly, motor and power supply to a helmet. The clip-on fastener including a generally planar base portion and a deformable, arcuate member extending from the base portion, wherein the base portion and arcuate member together define a clamp area that will tightly receiving the brim, visor or brow guard of a helmet, hat or other headwear to releasably secure the fan assembly to the helmet, hat or other headwear.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 357,915, filed Jun. 23, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]This disclosure relates generally to fans, and, more specifically, to a fan that advantageously repels hazardous dust.[0004]2. Background[0005]Dust is a serious health concern for contractors, workmen and other individuals who are exposed to dust on a regular basis. Besides being a minor annoyance, airborne dust particles may be inhaled into the lungs, where they have the potential to cause serious illness, injury or damage. While the human body possesses natural defenses that eliminate harmful particulates from inhaled air (such as mucus and cilia hairs), these defenses are not foolproof and some foreign particulate will invariably evade and / or overwhelm the body's natural defenses, if the dust is present in sufficient quantities. This can cause a wide ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In one aspect of this disclosure, a helmet mountable fan assembly is disclosed, comprising a fan blade assembly, a motor for turning the fan blade assembly, and a power supply for supplying power to the motor. An attachment device allows the helmet mountable fan assembly to be removably secured to a helmet.

[0009]In another aspect of this disclosure, a clip-on fastener is provided to allow for removably attaching the helmet mountable fan assembly to a helmet, hat or other headwear. The clip-on fastener comprises a generally planar base portion and a deformable, arcuate member extending from the base portion, wherein the base portion and arcuate member define a clamp area for tightly receiving the brim, visor or brow guard of a helmet, hat or other headwear to removably secure the fan assembly to the helmet, hat or other headwear.

Problems solved by technology

Dust is a serious health concern for contractors, workmen and other individuals who are exposed to dust on a regular basis.

Besides being a minor annoyance, airborne dust particles may be inhaled into the lungs, where they have the potential to cause serious illness, injury or damage.

While the human body possesses natural defenses that eliminate harmful particulates from inhaled air (such as mucus and cilia hairs), these defenses are not foolproof and some foreign particulate will invariably evade and / or overwhelm the body's natural defenses, if the dust is present in sufficient quantities.

This can cause a wide variety of problems, depending on where the dust particulate settles.

For example, inhalation of dust can cause inflammation of the mucous membrane, trachea or bronchi, fibrosis, silicosis and other problems that may even permanently impair lung function.

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