Ice chest air conditioner

• US 20080022712A1
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bobby Lee Carr
• Original Assignee: Bobby Lee Carr
• Inventors: Carr, Bobby Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,603,875 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/425
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/20 Lunch or picnic boxes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/14 with built-in rolling means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/12 transportable
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0017 using cold storage bodies, e.g. ice
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

An battery-powered, portable air conditioner apparatus is provided having an insulated chest with two holes in the lid. A fan is positioned in one of the holes for drawing air into the chest, where heat is exchanged with the contents of the chest, and the other hole is a vent, through which the conditioned air exits. The air conditioner apparatus may be provided with a receptacle that is capable of engaging rechargeable, cordless power tool battery packs.

Claims

1. A portable air conditioning device, comprising

(a) an insulated chest having (i) a body, with an opening at one end;

and (ii) a lid, covering the opening in the body, the lid having first and second holes through its thickness, wherein the body and lid form the outer walls of the chest;

(b) a fan, positioned in the first hole in the lid to direct a stream of air downward into the chest;

(c) a vent, positioned in the second hole in the lid, to allow the stream of air to pass from inside the chest to outside the chest; and

(d) a power unit, having (i) a rechargeable battery pack, containing one or more batteries, electrically connected to the fan; and

(ii) a switch, located on the electrical circuit between the battery pack and the fan, for turning the fan on and off.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the power unit is attached to the chest.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the side of the chest has an exterior shell, an insulation layer and an interior shell, and wherein the receptacle is electrically connected to the fan by a wire positioned between the exterior and interior shells of the walls of the chest.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the chest has a volume of from 8 to 64 quarts.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the power unit further comprises a receptacle, attached to the outside of the chest and electrically connected to the fan, wherein the receptacle engages the battery pack and (i) provides an electrical connection between the battery pack and the fan;

and (ii) temporarily attaches the battery pack to the chest.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the battery pack is a rechargeable, cordless power tool battery pack.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the opening of the body is defined by a rim, and the lid at least partially overlays and is supported by the rim.

8. A portable air conditioning device, comprising

(a) an insulated chest having (i) a body, defined by sides and a bottom and having an opening at one end defined by a rim forming the upper edge of the body;

and (ii) a lid, covering the opening in the body, wherein the lid least partially overlays the rim and is supported thereby, the lid having first and second holes through its thickness;

(b) a fan, positioned in the first hole in the lid to direct a stream of air downward into the chest;

(c) a vent, positioned in the second hole in the lid, to allow the stream of air to pass from inside the chest to outside the chest; and

(d) a power unit, attached to the outside of the chest, having (i) a replaceable, rechargeable battery pack, containing one or more batteries, electrically connected to the fan; and

(ii) a switch, located on the electrical circuit between the battery pack and the fan, for turning the fan on and off.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the lid is attached to the body by a hinge.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the power unit is attached to a side of the body of the chest.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the side of the chest has an exterior shell, an insulation layer and an interior shell, and wherein the battery pack is electrically connected to the fan by a wire positioned between the exterior and interior shells of the side of the chest.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the lid is comprises an exterior shell, an interior shell and a layer of insulation between the exterior and interior shells, and the lid is substantially planar in shape and is horizontal when closed.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the power unit further comprises a receptacle, attached to the outside of the chest and electrically connected to the fan, wherein the receptacle engages the battery pack and (i) provides an electrical connection between the battery pack and the fan;

and (ii) temporarily attaches the battery pack to the chest.

14. The device of claim 8, further comprising a cover plate, substantially the size of the first hole in the lid, and overlaying the first hole.

15. A portable air conditioning device, comprising

(a) an insulated chest having (i) a body, with an opening at one end, defined by a rim forming the upper edge of the body;

and (ii) a lid covering the opening in the body and attached to the body by a hinge, whereby the lid is at least partially supported by and overlaying the rim, the lid having first and second holes through its thickness, and wherein the lid, when closed, forms a substantially planar, horizontal surface;

(b) a fan, positioned in the first hole in the lid to direct a stream of air downward into the chest;

(c) a vent, positioned in the second hole in the lid, to allow the stream of air to pass from inside the chest to outside the chest; and

(d) a power unit, having (i) a receptacle attached to the outside of the chest and electrically connected to the fan;

(ii) a removable, rechargeable battery pack, containing one or more batteries, engaged with, supported by and electrically connected to the receptacle; and

(iii) a switch, located on the electrical circuit between the receptacle and the fan, for turning the fan on and off.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the receptacle is comprised of (i) a removable adapter configured to engage and make an electrical connection with the battery pack;

and (ii) a base attached to the chest and configured to engage and hold the adapter; and

(iii) means to electrically connect the adapter to the fan; and

wherein the battery pack is a cordless power tool battery pack.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the lid is capable of supporting at least 150 lbs.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the chest has a volume of 12 to 24 quarts.

19. The device of claim 15, further comprising a cover plate, substantially the size of the first hole in the lid, and overlaying the first hole.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the battery pack is a rechargeable, cordless power tool battery pack.