Combination umbrella and fan

Abstract

A combination umbrella and fan includes a centrally located support rod having upper and lower ends with a fan housing secured to the upper end of the support rod. The fan housing includes a lower end having a plurality of open slots extending therethrough and a plurality of openings extending therethrough near an upper end. An electrically powered fan motor is provided, the fan motor having an output shaft secured to a propeller located within the fan housing. The fan motor is reversible for rotating the propeller in first and second directions. A power supply provides electrical power to the fan motor, the power supply including a switch for reversing the electric motor. A flexible cover member is provided and a plurality of spaced part rib members and stretchers are provided for supporting the cover member.

I/we claim:  
     
         1 . A combination umbrella and fan for providing improved comfort to a user comprising: 
 a centrally located support rod having upper and lower ends;    a fan housing secured proximate to the upper end of the support rod, the fan housing including a lower end having a plurality of open slots extending therethrough, the fan housing further including a plurality of openings extending therethrough proximate an upper end;    an electrically powered fan motor having an output shaft secured to a propeller which is located within the fan housing, the fan motor being selectably reversible for rotating the propeller in first and second directions;    a power supply for providing electrical power to the fan motor, the power supply including a switch for reversing the electric motor;    a flexible cover member; and    a plurality of spaced apart rib members and stretchers for supporting the cover member.    
     
     
         2 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lower end of the support rod includes a handle.  
     
     
         3 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lower end of the support rod includes an on/off switch for controlling the fan motor.  
     
     
         4 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power supply comprises at least one battery and at least one solar cell.  
     
     
         5 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the solar cell provides power to the fan motor.  
     
     
         6 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the solar cell maintains the charge level of the battery.  
     
     
         7 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the solar cell is located on the upper end of the fan housing.  
     
     
         8 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 4  further including at least one battery housing secured to the fan housing for supporting the at least one battery.  
     
     
         9 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 1  further including a peg member on the upper end of the fan housing.  
     
     
         10 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 1  wherein the fan housing is generally cylindrical with the openings extending at spaced locations through the circumferential surface thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the switch is located on the fan housing.  
     
     
         12 . The combination umbrella and fan as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fan motor is located in the fan housing.  
     
     
         13 . A combination umbrella and fan for providing improved comfort to a user comprising: 
 a centrally located support rod having upper and lower ends;    a cylindrical fan housing secured proximate to the upper end of the support rod, the fan housing including a lower end having a plurality of open slots extending through the circumferential surface, the fan housing further including a plurality of openings extending through the circumferential surface proximate an upper end;    an electrically powered fan motor having an output shaft secured to a propeller which is located within the fan housing, the fan motor being selectably reversible for rotating the propeller in first and second directions;    a power supply comprising at least one battery and at least one solar cell for providing electrical power to the fan motor, the power supply including a switch for reversing the electric motor;    a flexible cover member; and    a plurality of spaced apart rib members and stretchers for supporting the cover member.