Cooling apparatus

Abstract

A cooling apparatus ( 1 ) comprises a base ( 3 ) for supporting the apparatus on the ground, a column ( 5 ) extending upwardly from the base to a height greater than the average height of a sitting person, cooling means ( 27 ) located at the top of the column ( 5 ) and supported thereby for cooling the adjacent air and fan means ( 29 ) for directing the cooled air laterally and preferably downwards into the area surrounding the column. The apparatus is both freestanding and self contained. Preferably, the compressor of a standard refrigeration system is located in the base, and the evaporator and condenser units are located in an upper section of the apparatus, with the plumbing and electrical wiring connections located in the column.

1 . A cooling apparatus comprising: 
 a) support means,    b) cooling means located at the top of the support means and supported thereby for cooling the adjacent air, the cooling means extending upwardly to a height greater than the average height of a seated person,    c) fan means located at the top of the support means and supported thereby for directing the cooled air laterally into the area surrounding the support means.    
     
     
         2 . A cooling apparatus comprising: 
 a) a base for supporting the apparatus on the ground,    b) a column extending upwardly from the base to a height greater than the average height of a seated person,    c) cooling means located at the top of the column and supported thereby for cooling the adjacent air,    d) fan means located at the top of the column and supported thereby for directing the cooled air downwards into the area surrounding the column,    e) the apparatus being freestanding and self contained.    
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the column extends to a height greater than 40 inches.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the column extends to a height greater than the average height of a standing person.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the column extends to a height greater than 69 inches.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a housing provided at the top of the column for receiving the cooling means and fan means.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the housing forms a canopy.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the housing comprises an upper conical section and a lower coaxial frusto-conical section in which the maximum diameter of the upper section is larger than the minimum diameter of the lower section and the maximum diameter of the lower section is greater than the maximum diameter of the upper section.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising within the housing refrigeration means comprising an evaporator and associated evaporator fan.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein refrigeration means comprises a condenser and an associated condenser fan.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising refrigeration means comprising an evaporator and associated evaporator fan and a condenser and an associated condenser fan, wherein the evaporator and its associated fan are located in the lower section of the housing and the condenser and associated fan are located in the upper section of the housing.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising in the lower section of the housing a first set of grilles or louvers arranged in its periphery for the passage of air into or out of the housing and a second set of grilles or louvers in its lower surface for the passage of air out of or into the housing.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first set of grilles or louvers comprise an air inlet for ambient air while the second set of grilles or louvers comprise an air outlet for cooled air.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the second set of grilles or louvers comprise an air inlet for ambient air while the first set of grilles or louvers comprise an air outlet for cooled air.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising in the upper section of the housing a third set of grilles or louvers arranged in its periphery for the passage of air into the housing and a fourth set of grilles or louvers in its upper surface for the passage of heated air out of the housing.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the column is hollow, and further comprising a compressor in the base, and in the hollow column piping and electrical wiring between the compressor and the evaporator and associated evaporator fan and condenser and associated condenser fan.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising in the base storage for a cooling fluid for supply to the cooling means.  
     
     
         18 . A cooling apparatus comprising: 
 a) a base for supporting the apparatus on the ground,    b) support means extending upwardly from the base to a height greater than the average height of a seated person,    c) cooling means located at the top of the support means and supported thereby for cooling the adjacent air,    d) fan means located at the top of the support means and supported thereby for directing the cooled air laterally and downwards into the area surrounding the column,    e) the apparatus being configured such that the cooled air is distributed substantially 360° in all directions.    
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the apparatus is freestanding and self contained.  
     
     
         20 . A cooling apparatus comprising: 
 a) a base for supporting the apparatus on the ground,    b) a column extending upwardly from the base to a height greater than about 40 inches,    c) a housing provided at the top of the column,    d) refrigeration means comprising: 
 i) an evaporator and associated evaporator fan,  
 ii) a condenser and associated condenser fan,  
 iii) a compressor,  
 iv) the evaporator and associated evaporator fan and the condenser and associated condenser fan being positioned in the housing at the top of the column, the compressor being positioned in the base,  
 v) the column being hollow,  
 vi) piping and electrical wiring running through the hollow column and interconnecting the compressor in the base and the evaporator and associated evaporator fan and condenser and associated condenser fan in the housing at the top of the column.  
   
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 e) louvers or grilles in the housing for the passage of ambient air into the housing and cooled air out of the housing,    f) the fan means being positioned for directing the cooled air laterally and downwards into the area surrounding the column.    
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , 
 g) the apparatus being freestanding and self contained.    
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising means for switching the functions of the evaporator and condenser such that the apparatus provides heated air instead of cold air.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the switching means is controlled by a thermostat so that its operation depends on the ambient temperature.  
     
     
         25 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 e) infra-red heating elements distributed around the housing at the top of the column, and    f) means for activating the infra-red heating elements to heat the surrounding air.