WEBB NICHOLAS J (US)
| US5123114A | 1992-06-23 | |||
| US5896579A | 1999-04-27 | |||
| US4462399A | 1984-07-31 | |||
| US4309774A | 1982-01-12 | |||
| KR100603327B1 | 2006-07-26 | |||
| US20090210988A1 | 2009-08-27 | |||
| US20090055987A1 | 2009-03-05 |
| CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A cooling device attachable to a welding mask to deliver an airflow to a breathable space between a shield member of the welding mask and a head of a wearer about which the shield member pivots, the cooling device comprising: a housing having an inlet portion on an exterior of the shield member and an air tube that extends from said housing into the breathable space, wherein a portion of said air tube that is disposed on an interior of the shield member forms a channel with said housing that accepts an edge of the shield member between said housing and said portion of said air tube; a fan assembly contained in said housing that draws the airflow in through said inlet portion and forces the airflow out of said air tube into the breathable space; and an adjusting member that releasably secures said housing to said portion of the shield member contained in said channel between said housing and said portion of said air tube. 2. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising a battery holder that connects to a portion of the welding mask that does not pivot with the shield member. 3. The cooling device of claim 2, wherein said battery holder connects to a fastening assembly of the welding mask that is fitted over the head of the wearer. 4. The cooling device of claim 3, wherein said fastening assembly includes an adjusting knob for adjusting the fastening assembly around the head of the wearer and said battery holder connects to said adjusting knob. 5. The cooling device of claim 4, wherein said adjusting knob is located behind the head of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the welding mask. 6. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising a spring clip that is connected to the housing, said spring clip is operable to releasably connect with the shield member and guide the shield member into a channel defined between said spring clip and said housing of the cooling device. 7. The cooling device of claim 6, wherein said adjusting member further comprises a ball and a socket member. 8. The cooling device of claim 7, wherein said spring clip and said ball and said socket member are connected to the housing, and wherein said spring clip contacts said interior of the shield member and said ball and said socket member contact the exterior of the shield member when the cooling device housing is releasably secured to the shield member. 9. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said air tube includes vents that direct the airflow toward a face of the wearer. 10. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said air tube includes vents that direct the airflow toward a top of the head of the wearer. 12. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said air tube includes vents that direct the airflow toward a back of the head of the wearer. 13. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said air tube includes vents that direct the airflow towards the top of and along the sides of the head of the wearer. 14. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a switch that selects between an on operating state, an off operating state, and a pulsed operating state of said fan assembly, wherein said fan assembly operates in the on operating state for a period and operates in the off operating state for period when operating in the pulsed operating state. 15. A cooling device attachable to a welding mask to deliver an airflow to a breathable space between a shield member of the welding mask and a head of a wearer about which the shield member pivots, the cooling device comprising: a housing having an inlet portion on an exterior of the shield member; an air tube that extends from said housing and into the breathable space, wherein a portion of said air tube is disposed on an interior of the shield member and forms a channel with said housing that is operable to accept an edge of the shield member between said housing and said portion of said air tube; a fan assembly contained in said housing that includes a motor and fan blades that draw the airflow in through said inlet portion and force the airflow out of said air tube into the breathable space; an adjusting member that releasably secures said housing of the cooling device to said portion of the shield member contained in said channel between said housing and said portion of said air tube; and a battery holder that connects to said fan assembly, wherein said battery holder is releasably connected to a portion of the welding mask that does not pivot with the shield member. 16. The cooling device of claim 15, wherein said battery holder includes a strap member defining a hole that is sized to be releaseably secure to an adjusting knob of the welding mask that is operable to fasten the welding mask to the head of the wearer. 17. The cooling device of claim 16, wherein said battery holder includes a compartment that is operable to receive a battery pack through an opening formed in said battery holder, wherein said compartment includes ridges that are operable to engage an outer surface of the battery pack to retain the battery pack in said compartment, wherein said battery holder also defines a removal hole for urging the battery pack from said compartment and through said opening of said battery holder. 18. The cooling device of claim 15 further comprising a switch on said housing that is operable to select an operating state of said fan assembly, wherein said switch selects one of an off operating state, an on operating state, and a pulsed operating state, wherein said fan assembly does not draw the airflow through said inlet portion when in said off operating state, wherein said fan assembly continuously draws the airflow through said inlet portion when in said on operating state, and wherein said fan assembly intermittently draws the airflow through said inlet portion when in said pulsed operating state. 19. The cooling device of claim 15, wherein said air tube includes vents that direct the airflow in multiple directions over the head of the wearer. 20. A cooling device attachable to a welding mask to deliver an airflow to a breathable space between a shield member of the welding mask and a head of a wearer about which the shield member pivots, the cooling device comprising: a housing having an inlet portion on an exterior of the shield member; an air tube that extends from said housing and into the breathable space, wherein a portion of said air tube is disposed on an interior of the shield member and forms a channel with an opposed portion of said housing that is operable to accept an edge of the shield member between said portion of the housing and said portion of said air tube; a fan assembly contained in said housing that includes a motor and fan blades that draw the airflow in through said inlet portion and force the airflow out of said air tube into the breathable space, wherein said housing includes a switch that selects an operating state of said fan assembly, and wherein said air tube includes vents that direct the airflow in multiple directions toward the head of the wearer; an adjusting member that releasably secures said housing to said portion of the shield member contained in said channel between said portion of said housing and said portion of said air tube, wherein said adjusting member includes a ball and a socket member on said portion of said housing and said adjusting member includes a spring clip on said portion of said housing, wherein said spring clip contacts said interior of the shield member and said ball and socket member contacts said exterior of the shield member when said housing releasably secures to said portion of the shield member; a battery holder that connects to said fan assembly, wherein said battery holder defines a hole that is sized to releasably connect to an adjusting knob of the welding mask that adjusts a fastening member to adjust the fit of the welding mask around the head of the wearer; and a cowl attached to at least one of said housing and said shield member for reducing the entry of outside air into the breathable space. |
FIELD
[0001 ] The present disclosure relates to cooling devices and more particularly to fan-based cooling devices for welding masks.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that cannot otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
[0003] Welders generally wear welding masks to protect their faces and eyes against splashing molten metals and exposure to intense light (e.g., ultraviolet light). The welding environment is generally hot. Wearing a mask in the hot environment, however, can increase discomfort to the welders.
SUMMARY [0004] The present teachings generally include a cooling device attachable to a welding mask to deliver an airflow to a breathable space between a shield member of the welding mask and a head of a wearer about which the shield member pivots. The cooling device generally includes a housing having an inlet portion on an exterior of the shield member and an air tube that extends from the housing into the breathable space. A portion of the air tube that is disposed on an interior of the shield member and forms a channel with the housing accepts an edge of the shield member between the housing and the portion of the air tube. A fan assembly contained in the housing draws the airflow in through the inlet portion and forces the airflow out of the air tube into the breathable space. An adjusting member releasably secures the housing to the portion of the shield member contained in the channel between the housing and the portion of the air tube. [0005] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings.
DRAWINGS [0006] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a side view of a welding mask with a cooling device in accordance with the present teachings.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the welding mask, the cooling device, and an associated battery holder in accordance with the present teachings.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the cooling device showing attachment of the cooling device to the welding mask using an adjusting member with a spring clip in accordance with the present teachings.
[0010] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an articulating ball and socket member of the adjusting member in accordance with the present teachings.
[0011 ] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a filtering device assembly of the cooling device in accordance with the present teachings.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of a fan assembly of the cooling device in accordance with the present teachings. [0013] FIG. 6 is a partial exploded assembly view of a battery holder in accordance with the present teachings.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating placement of the battery holder behind the head of the welder in accordance with the present teachings.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary control of the fan assembly using a switch in accordance with the present teachings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements.
[0017] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a cooling device 10 in accordance with the present teachings is attached to a welding mask 12. The welding mask 12 can include a fastening assembly 14 that fastens the welding mask 12 to a head of a wearer. The fastening assembly 14 can include a strap 16 and an adjusting knob 18 that can adjust the fastening assembly 14 to customize the fit to the head of the wearer. When a welder or other wearer wears the welding mask 12, a breathing space 13 can be formed between the welding mask 12 and the head of the wearer. The cooling device 10 can draw air from outside of the welding mask 12 through an inlet 11 on an exterior of the welding mask 12 and thus can introduce the air into the breathing space 13.
[0018] In FIG. 2, the welding mask 12 can include a cowl 20 that is connected to a top portion of the welding mask 12. The cowl 20 can cover the gap between a top portion of the welding mask 12 and the top of the head of the wearer and therefore can be shown to reduce the propensity of smoke from flowing into the breathing space 13. The cowl 20 can be made of cloth and can resemble a curtain. The cowl 20 can also be made of a flame resistant textile. The cowl 20 can also be molded so as to approximate the natural contours of the head of the wearer.
[0019] In FIG. 3, the cooling device 10 can include an air filter 22, a fan assembly 24, an air tube 26, and a spring clip 28. The fan assembly 24 can include a motor 48 and a fan having a plurality of fan blades 49. The air filter 22 can filter air drawn into the cooling device 10 and therefore can remove any debris or particulates from the surrounding outside air. The fan assembly 24 can introduce the filtered air into the breathing space 13.
[0020] The spring clip 28 can be made of steel or other suitable metal. The spring clip 28 can be provided in the channel 30 that can be defined underneath the fan assembly 24 and above the air tube 26. The channel 30 can accept a portion of the welding mask 12, which is usually a rear portion above and behind the head of the wearer. The spring clip 28 can assist in releaseably connecting the cooling device 10 to the welding mask 12. Because the spring clip 28 can extend along the air tube 26 and adjacent to an exterior surface of the air tube 26, the spring clip 28 can guide the air tube 26 into the breathing space 13. Moreover, the spring clip 28 can have a curved end 29 that can facilitate guiding the edge of the welding mask 12 in to the channel 30. Also, the curved end 29 of the spring clip 28 can direct air exiting the air tube 26 into the breathing space 13. [0021] The air tube 26 can receive air from an outlet of the fan assembly 24 to guide the air into the breathing space 13. The air tube 26 can be made of a flexible material to permit the wearer to adjust its position inside the welding mask 12. The air tube 26 can include a plurality of vent holes 15 opposite the fan assembly 24 that can introduce air in multiple directions into the breathing space 13. Air from the vent holes 15 can be specifically directed by a duct 17 onto the side and back of the head of the welder. Additional vent holes can be added along a bottom surface of the air tube 26 adjacent the head of the welder to direct a portion of the air to flow more directly on to the top of the head of the welder. [0022] In FIG. 3 and 3A, an adjusting member 35 can be connected to the cooling device 10 under of the fan assembly 24. The adjusting member 35 can include an articulating ball 19 and a socket member 21. The socket member 21 can include feet that can engage the welding mask 12. The socket 21 can engage the welding mask 12 on a surface opposite to the spring clip 28. The feet of the adjusting member 35 and the spring clip 28 can be clamped to the welding mask 12. Because the socket member 21 can articulate about the articulating ball 19, the adjusting member 35 can permit attachment of the cooling device 10 to a variety of welding mask geometries having varying thicknesses and/or shapes.
[0023] The cooling device 10 can include one or more of the adjusting members 35 arranged under the fan assembly 24. In one example, the cooling device 10 can omit the adjusting members 35 and rely on only the spring clip 28 to generate enough clamping force to attach to the cooling device 10 to the welding helmet 12. By way of this example, the spring clip 28 can be constructed from a relatively stiffer material, e.g.: stiffer, thicker steel, or a ribbed structure. Additionally, the spring clip 28 can be coated in a rubber material (i.e., rubberized) to provide additional friction between the spring clip 28 and the welding mask 12.
[0024] In FIG. 4, a filtering assembly 31 of the cooling device 10 can include an inner bezel housing 40 that can receive the air filter 22 and an outer bezel housing 42. The air filter 22 can be secured between the inner bezel housing 40 and the outer bezel housing 42. Air vents 23 in the inner and outer bezel housing 40, 42 can permit air to flow into the cooling device 10.
[0025] In FIG. 5, the fan assembly 24 can include a fan housing 46 and a motor 48 located inside the fan housing 46. Space occupied by the fan assembly 24 can be reduced because the motor 48 can be located inside the fan housing 46 between the fan blades 49. The motor 48 can generate a flow velocity in the range of 100 cubic feet per minute (CFM) to 900 cubic feet per minute. The housing 46 can be made of a lightweight material suitable for high-impact applications such as acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, polypropylene, carbon fiber, or Kevlar®.
[0026] In FIGS. 2 and 6, the cooling device 10 can be connected to a battery assembly 50. The battery assembly 50 includes a battery holder 52 for receiving a battery pack 54 with a suitable battery chemistry. The battery holder 52 can include a connecting member 55 that can define an opening 56. The opening 56 can be sized to be positioned over the adjusting knob 18 of the fastening assembly 14 so that the battery assembly 50 can be suspended from but secured to the adjusting knob 18. By suspending the battery assembly 50 from the adjusting knob 18, the battery assembly 50 can remain in the suspended position from the adjusting knob 18 when the welding mask 12 is lifted from the welder's head, especially because the wearer can raise and lower the welding mask 12 several times while welding. The battery assembly 50 can therefore be shown to not inhibit movement of the welding mask 12. Moreover, because the weight of the battery assembly 50 is not carried by the shell of the welding mask 12, the welding mask 12 can be shown to increase comfort and ease of use for the wearer. [0027] The battery holder 52 and the connecting member 55 can be constructed of a PVC vinyl, silicone, rubber or other elastomeric plastics. The battery pack 54 can be a lithium polymer or other high capacity battery pack so as to provide maximum power to the fan assembly 24 at the lowest weight.
[0028] The battery holder 52 of the battery assembly 50 can include longitudinal skids 60 that can be molded into the battery holder 52. The longitudinal skids 60 can facilitate removal of the battery pack 54 by reducing surface adhesion of the battery pack 52 to the battery holder 52. A battery removal hole 62 can allow the welder to insert their finger into the battery holder 52 to push the battery pack 54 out of the battery holder 52. A detachable power cord 64 can be used to connect the battery pack 54 to the fan assembly 24 to provide power to the fan assembly 24.
[0029] In FIG. 7, the fastening assembly 14 can include an adjusting knob 18 that can be located at or near the back of the head of the welder, in accordance with a further example of the present teachings. Accordingly, the battery assembly 50 can be hung behind the head of the welder instead of at the side of the head of the welder, as shown in FIG. 2. The welder can rotate the adjusting knob 18 to tighten or loosen the fastening assembly 14. The adjusting knob 18 can further include a release button 25 that can be used to loosen the fastening assembly 14 without needing to rotate the adjusting knob 18.
[0030] In FIG. 2, a switch 70 and a low battery indicator light 72 can be located on a side of the cooling device 10. The welder can switch on/off the fan assembly 24 using the switch 70. The low battery indicator light 72 can indicate when the battery pack 54 is low on charge. Circuitry can be provided in the cooling device 10 that cycles the fan assembly 24 on and off in order to optimize battery life.
[0031] In FIG. 8, an exemplary functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary control of the fan assembly 24 is shown using the switch 70. The battery pack 54 can provide power to a fan driver circuit 80 that can drive the fan assembly 24 based on a position of the switch 70. The switch 70 can be in one of three positions: off, on, and pulsed. The fan driver circuit 80 does not drive the fan assembly 24 when the switch 70 is in the off position. The fan driver circuit 80 can continuously drive the fan assembly 24 when the switch 70 is in the on position. The fan driver circuit 80 can periodically drive the fan assembly 24 when the switch 70 is in the pulsed position. When the switch 70 is in the pulsed position, a timing circuit 82 can be configured (and re-configured) to control a period when the fan assembly 24 is on and a period when the fan assembly 24 is off.
[0032] A level of charge of the battery pack 54 can be monitored by the battery monitoring circuit 84. The battery monitoring circuit 84 can turn on the low battery indicator light 72 when the battery pack 54 is discharged below a predetermined level.
[0033] Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.