Joints and connections – Biased catch or latch – Leaf spring
Reexamination Certificate
2003-04-14
2004-07-20
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3679)
Joints and connections
Biased catch or latch
Leaf spring
C403S326000, C403S315000, C417S313000, C416S14600A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06764248
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector for a portable combination fan and mister.
2. Description of Related Art
With reference to
FIGS. 4 and 5
, a conventional portable combination fan and mister comprises a fan assembly (
60
), a connector (
70
) and a mister (
80
).
The fan assembly (
60
) has a front end (not numbered), a rear end (not numbered), a bottom surface (not numbered), a housing (
62
) and a fan (
64
). The fan (
64
) is mounted on the front end of the housing (
62
). The connector (
70
) is a U-shaped bracket and has multiple screws (
74
). The U-shaped bracket comprises a longitudinal strip (
76
) and two resilient clamps (
72
). The longitudinal strip (
76
) has two ends (not numbered) and multiple through holes (not numbered). The resilient clamps (
72
) are formed respectively on and extend perpendicular from opposite ends of the longitudinal strip (
76
). The connector (
70
) is attached to the housing (
62
) of the fan assembly (
60
) by passing the screws (
74
) through the through holes in the strip and screwing the screws (
74
) into corresponding threaded holes (not numbered) in the housing (
62
).
The mister (
80
) stores water, selectively dispenses a mist, detachably attaches to the connector (
70
) and comprises a reservoir (
86
) and a nozzle assembly (
82
). The reservoir (
86
) is a resilient hollow body and has a front end (not numbered), a rear end (not numbered), a front opening (not numbered), a rear opening (not numbered) and a cap (
84
). The front and rear openings have threaded protrusions and extend respectively from the front and rear ends of the reservoir (
86
). The cap (
84
) screws onto the threaded protrusion on the rear opening in the reservoir (
36
). The nozzle assembly (
82
) screws onto the threaded protrusion on the front opening in the reservoir (
86
).
The mister (
80
) is attached to the connector (
70
) by pressing the protrusions on the front and rear openings respectively into the clamps (
72
) on the bracket. The combination fan and mister is operated by turning on the fan and squeezing the resilient reservoir (
86
) to dispense a mist. With further reference to
FIG. 6
, the combination fan and mister blows the mist and air in a desired direction to provide a cooling effect.
However, the connector (
70
) is attached to the fan assembly (
60
) with screws so the fan assembly (
60
) cannot be conveniently separated from the connector (
70
). In another embodiment (not shown),.the connector (
70
) is implemented with a hook or loop fastener attached to the mister (
80
) and a complementary hook or loop fastener attached to the housing (
62
) of the fan assembly (
60
). In another embodiment (not shown), a cup-like bracket integrally formed with the reservoir (
36
) replaces the connector (
70
). The housing (
62
) can be inserted into and attached to the cup-like bracket. The two types of connectors (
70
) quickly attach the mister (
80
) to the housing (
62
), but extended use will make the mister (
80
) and the housing (
62
) loose.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional connector for a portable combination fan and mister.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a connector that will conveniently attach and detach the fan assembly and mister in a portable combination fan and mister.
To achieve the objective, a connector for a portable combination fan and mister in accordance with the present invention has a lock, a hook and a corresponding strongback. The hook is attached to the fan to hold the strongback that is attached to the mister. The lock securely holds the strongback in the hook.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3935613 (1976-02-01), Kaneko
patent: 4127911 (1978-12-01), Cupp et al.
patent: 4422212 (1983-12-01), Sheiman et al.
patent: 2 224 231 (1990-05-01), None
Dellett & Walters
Ferguson Michael P.
Knight Anthony
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