Personal fan device that produces sound

Abstract

The present invention discloses a personal fan device configured to transition between an open configuration for use and a closed configuration for storage or transportation. The fan device includes a sound generating structure such as a rattle and / or a clapper disposed on the fan device. When the fan device is moved, the handle causes a sound to be generated by the sound generating structure. A plurality of fan devices may be used to generate a high-decibel sound at an event such as a sports event or a performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a personal fan device configured to generate sounds that may occur when used by spectators at sports events or performances. The novel portable fan device transitions between an open configuration and a closed configuration and includes a rattle and / or a clapper on the handle of the fan device. When the device is moved, the handle generates sounds by the rattle (rattling) and / or the clapper (clapper). A plurality of fan devices may be used to generate high-decibel sounds at an event.

Background Art

[0002] When many people attend events such as sports events and performances, the ability to generate sounds to support or oppose aspects of a team, athlete, or performance enhances the event or performance experience. These people may shout, whistle, clap, or stomp their feet. Shouting or whistling is tiring and difficult to sustain for long periods, and clapping can also be tiring and painful to the hands, and stomping the feet can cause fatigue and foot pain as it produces limited sound on certain structures such as concrete stands. All of these methods of generating sound are difficult to maintain and may not be satisfactory because they cannot generate a large continuous sound without causing fatigue or discomfort to the sound producer.

[0003] Furthermore, many events are held outdoors or in places where a portable fan would be useful. For example, at a baseball game, spectators may use a personal fan device to cool off. In these and other situations, the use of a compact and portable personal fan device is beneficial for various reasons, but at least some existing fan devices cannot generate the desired type or amount of sound.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a sound generating device having a fan form factor that is compact, portable, and personal, and that can reliably generate a large amount of desired sound in order to improve the experience of participating in an event and other experiences. The present invention addresses this unmet need.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a fan device configured to transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration for storage or transportation and to transition from the closed configuration to the open configuration for use. The fan device includes a cover including a first member hinged to a handle and a second member hinged to the handle, and the first member and the second member move about one or more hinges relative to the handle. In the closed configuration, the fan device resembles a bat such as a baseball bat.

[0006] The cover encloses the fan in the closed configuration and exposes the fan in the open configuration. In various embodiments, the handle includes a hollow space that is provided with a plurality of beads configured to generate sound while the handle is being moved, and / or the handle includes a rattle attached thereto and configured to generate sound while the handle is being moved. The combination of the beads and the rattle can generate more sound and / or a greater variety of sounds than either the beads alone or the rattle alone.

[0007] In an embodiment, the fan includes a plurality of blades, and the plurality of blades are configured to transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration by sliding of the blades on the blades and rotation of the blades about a pivot point. However, in an alternative embodiment, the fan may include a single sheet that is foldable along a plurality of fold lines. Thus, in a particular embodiment of the fan device, any suitable fan configuration may be implemented.

[0008] In an embodiment, the handle is rigid and effectively conducts mechanical vibrations and sound vibrations. The movement of the handle causes the beads to move and contact the inner surface of the handle that defines the hollow space, generating sound. As a result, the rattle can generate sound when the fan device is moved in any of a plurality of directions or movements.

[0009] In an embodiment, the clapper includes a first clapping member and a second clapping member, and the movement of the handle causes the first clapping member to strike the second clapping member to generate sound. As a result, when the fan device is moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the clapper, the clapper can generate sound.

[0010] In an embodiment, the fan device further includes a spring that biases the first member and the second member of the cover. The spring can bias the first member and the second member into an open configuration. In this way, the user can be assisted in opening the device.

[0011] In an embodiment, the fan device further includes a hook and a fastener disposed on the cover, and the hook and the fastener are configured to maintain the fan device in a closed configuration. In an embodiment, the spring can bias the first member and the second member into an open configuration, and the hook and the fastener hold the cover in a closed configuration against the biasing force of the spring.

[0012] The present invention generally relates to a novel fan device that can be manufactured with suitable materials and processes and can be scaled up or down as required.

[0013] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] The features of the present invention are particularly pointed out in the claims, but the invention itself, its manufacturing method, and its usage method will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are annotated with the same numbers throughout.

[0015]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Here, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals may be used to indicate the same or similar elements for the sake of explanation. The figures are representative and should not be considered limiting.

[0017] This disclosure can be more easily understood by referring to the following detailed description of the disclosure and the examples included therein.

[0018] Before the articles, systems, devices, and / or methods of the present invention are disclosed and described, it should be understood that, unless otherwise specified, they are not limited to a particular implementation and, unless otherwise specified, are not limited to a particular method, and may of course vary. It should also be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing aspects only and are not intended to be limiting. Any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, but exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

[0019] All publications referred to herein are incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of disclosing and describing the methods and / or materials for which each publication is cited.

[0020] [Definitions] It should be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and are not intended to be limiting. When used in this specification and the claims, the term "comprising" can include the aspects "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of". Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In this specification and the claims that follow, several terms defined herein are referred to.

[0021] When used in this specification and the claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "an opening" can include two or more openings.

[0022] A range can be expressed in this specification as from one particular value and / or to another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes the range from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximate value using the preamble "about", it is understood that that particular value forms another aspect. Further, it will be understood that the endpoints of each range are important both in relation to the other endpoints and independently of the other endpoints. It is also understood that there are a plurality of values disclosed in this specification and that each value is also disclosed in this specification as "about" that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, "about 10" is also disclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two units is also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0023] As used in this specification, the terms "about" and "at or about" mean that the quantity or value may be the specified value, approximately the specified value, or substantially the same as the specified value. As used in this specification, the above phrases are generally understood to be nominal values indicating a variation of ±10% unless there are special instructions or assumptions. This term is intended to convey that similar values promote equivalent results or effects as recited in the claims. That is, it should be understood that quantities, sizes, shapes, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but are approximate and / or of magnitude, and may reflect tolerance values, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, etc., and other elements known to those skilled in the art if desired. Generally, a quantity, size, shape, parameter, or other quantity or characteristic is "about" or "approximate" whether or not expressly described as such. When "about" is used before a quantitative value, it should be understood that the parameter also includes that particular quantitative value itself unless otherwise specified.

[0024] As used herein, terms such as "first", "second", "first part", "second part", etc. do not indicate order, quantity, or importance, unless otherwise specified, and are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0025] As used herein, the term "optional" or "optionally" means that the event or situation described thereafter may or may not occur, and such a description includes both the case where the event or situation occurs and the case where it does not occur. For example, the phrase "optionally fixed to the surface" means that it can or cannot be fixed to the surface.

[0026] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that any method described herein is not intended to be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a particular order. Thus, when a method claim does not actually recite the order in which the steps should be followed, or when the steps are not specifically limited to a particular order in the claims or the specification, no order is intended to be inferred in any way. This applies to any possible implicit basis for interpretation, including logical issues regarding the arrangement of steps or the flow of operations, the plain meaning derived from grammatical construction or punctuation, and the number or type of aspects described in the specification.

[0027] The disclosed devices, systems, and articles of manufacture of the present disclosure, as well as the components used to manufacture them and the devices themselves used in the methods disclosed herein are disclosed. These materials and other materials are disclosed herein, and when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these materials are disclosed, it is not possible to explicitly disclose each and every individual and collective combination and permutation of these compounds, but it is understood that each is specifically contemplated and described herein. For example, if a particular material is disclosed and considered, and it is considered to make some changes to the material, then unless specifically indicated to the contrary, every combination and permutation of the material, as well as possible changes, are specifically contemplated. Thus, if classes of materials A, B, and C are disclosed, and classes of materials D, E, and F are disclosed, along with an example of a combination material A-D, then even if each is not individually described, each is considered individually and collectively, meaning that combinations of A-E, A-F, B-D, B-E, B-F, C-D, C-E, and C-F are considered disclosed. Similarly, any subset or combination of these is also disclosed. Thus, for example, subgroups of A-E, B-F, and C-E are considered disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of the present application, including but not limited to the steps of the methods of manufacturing and using the articles and devices of the present disclosure. Thus, if there are various additional steps that can be performed, it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed in a particular aspect or combination of aspects of the method of the present disclosure.

[0028] It is understood that the devices and systems disclosed herein have specific functions. This specification discloses specific structural requirements for performing the disclosed functions, and it is understood that there are various structures that can perform the same functions related to the disclosed structures, and that these structures generally achieve the same results.

[0029] Fan device The present disclosure provides a novel portable personal fan device configured to generate sound during use, for example, to generate sound when used by spectators at a sports event or performance such as a baseball game. The novel portable fan device transitions between an open configuration and a closed configuration and includes a rattle and / or a clapper on a handle of the fan device. When the device is moved, the handle generates sound by the rattle and / or the clapper. The fan device obviates the need for a person to use an additional or separate item to generate sound at an event and facilitates easy generation of sound. In this way, the fan device is more convenient and effective for sound generation and can also be used as a fan for cooling a person.

[0030] Hereinafter, FIGS. 1A-1I show several views of an exemplary fan device of the present invention in a closed configuration with and without a clapper attached. Generally, the present disclosure provides a fan device 10 configured to transition from an open configuration (see FIG. 1J) to a closed configuration (see FIGS. 1A-1I) for storage or transportation and from the closed configuration to the open configuration for use. The fan device 10 includes a cover 13 including a first member 13A hingedly attached to a handle 11 and a second member 13B hingedly attached to the handle 11, and the first member 13A and the second member 13B pivot about a hinge 21 relative to the handle 11. In the closed configuration, the fan device 10 resembles a bat such as a baseball bat as shown in the figure, and the cover may include an identification display such as "Fan Club" as shown in the figure, or may include a name of a sports team, a name of a performer, a name of a vendor, a name of a fan or a person, a name of a company or a product or a service, etc.

[0031] In various embodiments, the cover 13 encloses the fan in the closed configuration and exposes the fan in the open configuration. In an embodiment, the handle 11 includes a hollow space, and the hollow space is provided with a plurality of beads 20 configured to generate sound while the handle 11 is moving (see FIG. 4). A clapper 19 configured to generate sound while the handle 11 is moving may be attached to the bottom 15 of the handle 11 (see FIGS. 1F - 1I). The combination of the beads 20 and the clapper 19 can generate more sound and / or a more diverse range of sounds compared to the case of the beads 20 alone or the clapper 19 alone.

[0032] The clapper 19 includes a first clapping member (see 19A in FIGS. 3A - 3F) and a second clapping member (see 19B in FIGS. 3A - 3F). Due to the movement of the handle 11, particularly the movement perpendicular to the plane of the clapper 19, the first clapping member 19A strikes the second clapping member 19B to generate a clapping sound. In this way, the user can generate a clapping sound without necessarily clapping their hands.

[0033] Hereinafter, FIG. 1J shows a front view of an exemplary fan device in the open configuration. In an embodiment, the fan includes a plurality of blades 12, and the plurality of blades 12 are configured to transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration by sliding of the blades 12 on the blades 12 and rotation of the blades 12 about a pivot point 14. In an embodiment, the fan and / or the fan blades are made of a textile material, plastic, paper, or any combination thereof.

[0034] The following, FIGS. 2A and 2B show diagrams of an alternative exemplary fan device in a closed configuration. In an embodiment, the cover may be optional or may not be present in a particular fan device or configuration. In such a case, whether the fan device is in an open configuration (e.g., the fan blades are extended for use) or a closed configuration (e.g., the fan blades are retracted as shown in the figure), the fan blades 12 may be visible or may not be covered by the cover. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the clapper 19 may be attached to the bottom 15 of the handle 11 and used to generate a clapping sound.

[0035] The following, FIGS. 3A - 3F show some diagrams of an exemplary clapper according to the present invention. The clapper 19 includes a first clapping member flexibly attached to the mounting base 18B and a second clapping member flexibly attached to the mounting base 18B. The mounting base 18B can be attached to a corresponding attachment site 18A at the bottom 15 of the handle 11 of the fan device 10 as shown in FIG. 1E. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment site 18A is a female receiving portion (see 18A in FIG. 4), the mounting base 18B is a male member, can be inserted into the female receiving portion, and can be fixed to the female receiving portion by ribs of the male member that can be flexibly fixed within the cavity of the female receiving portion. However, alternative connection means are envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0036] The following, FIG. 4 shows a cross - sectional view of an exemplary handle with beads incorporated according to the present invention. In an embodiment, the handle 11 is rigid, effectively conducts mechanical vibrations and sound vibrations, the beads 20 move due to the movement of the handle 11, and contact the inner surface 21 of the handle that defines the hollow space to generate sound. The handle may be composed of any suitable material, including but not limited to metal, plastic, carbon fiber, wood, or any combination thereof.

[0037] The following, FIGS. 5A - 5C show some views of an exemplary fan blade according to the present invention. The fan blade 12 includes a narrow proximal portion 22 and a wide distal portion 23. The narrow proximal portion 22 includes an opening 12A, and through this opening 12A, the fan blade 12 can be pivotally attached to a pivot point (refer to the pivot point 14 of the fan blade in FIGS. 1J, 2A, and 2C). When the fan blade 12 moves around the pivot point 14, the fan can be opened or closed when the fan transitions between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

[0038] The following, FIG. 6 shows a top view of an exemplary fan device of the present invention in an open configuration. In an embodiment, the fan device 10 further includes a spring 14C that biases the first member 13A and the second member 13B of the cover from a closed configuration to an open configuration. In an embodiment, the fan device further includes hooks 16A and fasteners 16B that are disposed on the cover (13A, 13B) and configured to maintain the fan device in a closed configuration. As shown in the figure, the fan blades 12 overlap to some extent when in the open configuration.

[0039] The following, FIGS. 7A and 7B show views of an alternative exemplary fan device in a closed configuration. In an embodiment, the fan device 10 includes pivot points (14A, 14B) of two fan blades and may further include a spring 14C that biases the first member 13A and the second member 13B of the cover 13 from a closed configuration to an open configuration. However, since the expandable fan includes hinges 14A and 14B that cannot be fastened with a spring, in order to keep the fan in an open state, the user may need to grip both the left side piece 13A and the right side piece 13B of the handle 11 around the hinge. In the illustrated embodiment, the fan device 10 further includes a connection structure 16 (e.g., hooks 16A and fasteners 16B (refer to FIG. 6)) that is disposed on the cover 13 and configured to maintain the fan device 10 in a closed configuration. In this way, when the user grips the handle 11 of the device 10, the device can be moved to generate sound without accidentally opening the cover 13 of the fan device.

[0040] FIG. 8 below shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary fan device 10 in which the fan blade 12 and / or the cover members (13A, 13B) can be removed from the handle 11 by removing the screw-in pin 17B and the screw 17A that fix the fan blade 12 and / or the cover members (13A, 13B) to the handle 11. The fan device 10 may further include a spring 14C that biases the first member 13A and the second member 13B of the cover from a closed configuration to an open configuration. In this way, the use of the fan device 10 can be assisted by the biasing of the spring 14C.

[0041] Aspects of the present disclosure can be described and claimed in a specific statutory classification, such as a system statutory classification, but this is for simplicity only, and those skilled in the art will understand that each aspect of the present disclosure can be described and claimed in any statutory classification. Unless otherwise specified, no method or aspect described herein should be construed as requiring its steps to be performed in a particular order. Thus, when a method claim does not specifically recite in the claims or the description that the steps should be limited to a particular order, and in particular when not otherwise specified, it is not clearly intended to imply any inference of order in any way. This applies to any possible implicit basis for interpretation, including logical issues regarding the arrangement of steps or the flow of operations, the plain meaning derived from the grammatical construction or punctuation, or the number or type of aspects described in the specification.

[0042] Throughout this application, various publications can be referenced. The disclosures of these publications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this application to more fully describe the state of the relevant art to which this application pertains. The disclosed references are also individually and specifically incorporated herein by reference for the materials contained in the references as they are considered in a reliable context. Nothing described herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure has no right to antedate such publications by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of the publications provided herein may be different from the actual publication dates and need to be independently verified.

[0043] The scope of the present disclosure having patentability is defined by the claims and may include other embodiments that would occur to those skilled in the art. Such other embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have elements that are not different in language from the claims or have equivalent elements that are not substantially different in language from the claims.

[0044] To the extent that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings disclose any additional subject matter outside the scope of the following claims, such disclosure is not to be made public, and the right to file one or more applications claiming such additional inventions is reserved.

[0045] The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with appropriate modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0046] Accordingly, the present invention is shown and described in its most practical and exemplary embodiments. It should be recognized that departures may be made within the scope of the present invention. With respect to the description provided herein, it is contemplated that the optimal features of the present invention include variations in size, material, shape, form, function, and methods of operation, assembly, and use. All structures, functions, and relationships equivalent or essentially equivalent to those disclosed are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A fan device configured to transition between an open configuration and a closed configuration, comprising a cover having a first member hinged to a handle and a second member hinged to the handle, the cover enclosing the fan in the closed configuration and exposing the fan in the open configuration, the handle having a hollow space provided with a plurality of beads configured to generate sound while the handle is moving, the handle being configured to generate sound while the handle is moving and comprising a clapper attached thereto. A fan device.

2. The fan according to claim 1, wherein the fan comprises a plurality of blades, and the plurality of blades are configured to transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration by sliding of the blades on the blades and rotation of the blades about a pivot point.

3. The fan device according to claim 1, wherein the handle is rigid, effectively conducts sound vibrations, the beads move due to the movement of the handle, and contact the inner surface of the handle defining the hollow space to generate sound.

4. The fan device according to claim 1, wherein the clapper comprises a first clapping member and a second clapping member, and the first clapping member strikes the second clapping member due to the movement of the handle to generate sound.

5. The fan device according to claim 1, wherein the cover resembles a baseball bat in the closed configuration.

6. The fan device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring for biasing the first member and the second member of the cover.

7. The fan device according to claim 1, further comprising a hook and a fastener disposed on the cover and configured to maintain the fan device in the closed configuration.

8. The handle includes metal, plastic, carbon fiber, or wood, the fan device according to claim 1.

9. The fan includes woven fabric, plastic, or paper, the fan device according to claim 1.

10. A fan device configured to transition between an open configuration and a closed configuration, comprising a cover having a first member hinged to the handle and a second member hinged to the handle, the cover surrounding the fan in the closed configuration and exposing the fan in the open configuration, The spring biases the first member and the second member of the cover, The handle is rigid, effectively conducts sound vibrations, has a hollow space, a plurality of beads are provided in the hollow space, the beads move due to the movement of the handle and contact the inner surface of the handle defining the hollow space to generate sound, and / or the handle is configured to generate sound while the handle is moving and includes a clapper attached thereto, the clapper includes a first clapping member and a second clapping member, and the movement of the handle causes the first clapping member to strike the second clapping member to generate sound, The handle is disposed on the cover and includes a hook and a fastener configured to maintain the fan device in the closed configuration, a fan device.

11. The fan includes a plurality of blades, and the plurality of blades are configured to transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration by sliding of the blades on the blades and rotation of the blades about a pivot point, the fan device according to claim 10.

12. The cover resembles a baseball bat in the closed configuration, the fan device according to claim 10.

13. The handle includes metal, plastic, carbon fiber, or wood, the fan device according to claim 10.

14. The fan is the fan device according to claim 10, including woven fabric, plastic, or paper.

15. A fan device configured to transition between an open configuration and a closed configuration, comprising a cover including a first member hinged to a handle and a second member hinged to the handle, the cover surrounding the fan in the closed configuration and exposing the fan in the open configuration, the fan comprising a plurality of blades, and the plurality of blades are configured to transition between the closed configuration and the open configuration by sliding of the blades on the blades and rotation of the blades about a pivot point, the handle is rigid, effectively conducts sound vibrations, has a hollow space, the hollow space is provided with a plurality of beads, the beads move by the movement of the handle, and contact the inner surface of the handle defining the hollow space to generate sound, the handle is configured to generate sound while the handle is moving and includes a rattle attached thereto, the rattle includes a first clapper member and a second clapper member, and the movement of the handle causes the first clapper member to strike the second clapper member to generate sound, a fan device.

16. The fan device according to claim 15, wherein the cover resembles a baseball bat in the closed configuration.

17. The fan device according to claim 15, further comprising a spring for biasing the first member and the second member of the cover.

18. The fan device according to claim 15, further comprising a hook and a fastener disposed on the cover and configured to maintain the fan device in the closed configuration.

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