Portable ventilation system

Abstract

Provided herein is a portable device useful for providing ventilation to a selected area via circulation of ambient air. A device according to the present invention is especially well-suited to providing ventilating air to a person resting on a bed, by directing air from the room to the volume defined by the top surface of the mattress of the bed and a bed covering disposed thereon. Use of the present invention increases the ability of persons to achieve restful sleep by enabling convenient control of the air surrounding the person to a comfortable level.

1 ) A device useful for providing a moving current of ventilating air which comprises: 
 a) a base portion having a hollow interior portion and further comprising: 
 i) at least one inlet opening through which air may be admitted, and  
 ii) an exit opening through which air may exit;  
   b) an air conduit channel means having an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion; wherein said inlet end portion of said air conduit channel is in effective fluid communication with said exit opening of said base portion;    c) at least one fan means disposed between said inlet opening in said base portion and said outlet end portion of said air conduit channel for causing ambient air to flow from said inlet opening of said base portion to the outlet end portion of said air conduit channel;    d) a support bar means attached to said air conduit channel.    
   
   
       2 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said support bar means is disposed to be substantially parallel to the outlet end portion of said air conduit channel means.  
   
   
       3 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said support bar means is disposed to be directly in the path of air exiting said outlet end portion of said air conduit channel.  
   
   
       4 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said support bar means is adjustably attached to said air conduit channel to provide adjustment of the distance between the outlet end portion of the air conduit channel and the support bar means.  
   
   
       5 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said base portion comprises a flat lower surface which is adapted to rest on a substantially horizontal surface.  
   
   
       6 ) A device according to  claim 5  wherein said air conduit channel means is substantially vertically disposed with respect to the flat lower surface of said base portion.  
   
   
       7 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein the fan means is disposed within the base portion.  
   
   
       8 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said air conduit channel means is substantially rectangular in cross-section.  
   
   
       9 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein the direction of airflow through said air conduit channel is in a direction which is substantially vertical with respect to the earth's surface.  
   
   
       10 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein the direction of air admitted into the inlet opening of the base portion is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the flow of air through the air conduit channel  
   
   
       11 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein the support bar means is disposed to be within the flow of air exiting said air conduit portion sufficiently to substantially alter the direction of flow of air exiting said air conduit.  
   
   
       12 ) A device according to  claim 2  wherein the support bar means alters the direction of flow of air exiting said air conduit in an amount of between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees.  
   
   
       13 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein the support bar is substantially linear and is disposed to be non-parallel to the outlet end portion of the air conduit means  
   
   
       14 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said support bar is curved.  
   
   
       15 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said support bar means is attached to said air conduit channel by means of two support arms  
   
   
       16 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said support arms are attached to said air conduit by a hook-and-loop type fastener.  
   
   
       17 ) A device according to  claim 1  further comprising a support shelf means attached to the face of said air conduit channel means.  
   
   
       18 ) A device according to  claim 17  wherein said support shelf is adjustably attached to said air conduit channel.  
   
   
       19 ) A device useful for providing ventilating air to a volume defined by the upper surface of a bed and a bed covering selected from the group consisting of: a bed sheet, and a blanket, said device comprising an air conduit channel having an air inlet end and an air outlet end, further comprising a fan means disposed to cause air to flow into said air inlet end and to exit said air outlet end, and further comprising a support bar means adjustably attached to said air conduit wherein said support bar means is disposed to be in the direct path of air exiting said air outlet end of said conduit channel.  
   
   
       20 ) A combination comprising: 
 a) a device according to  claim 1;     b) a bed comprising a mattress having a top surface; and    c) a bed covering disposed upon the top surface of said mattress;    wherein said support bar means is in contact with said bed covering sufficiently to define a volume of air between the top surface of said mattress and said bed covering.    
   
   
       21 ) A combination according to  claim 20  wherein air is expelled out of said outlet end portion of said air conduit channel means and into said volume of air.