System, method, and apparatus for displaying graphic images on air circulation devices

Abstract

An air circulation unit, such as a portable evaporative cooler, has one or more graphic image displays. The display may comprise advertising signage, such as the name or logo for marketing the goods or services of a sponsor thereof. The display is affixed to hardware that is adjacent to the intake, the exhaust, or both surfaces. The display may comprise a printed screen having an image formed on a substrate that is permeable to air flow. The display may be mounted to a wire frame or other hardware that is secured adjacent to the intake or exhaust. The surface area of the display may be equal to, greater than, or less than the surface areas of the intake or exhaust, and may be spaced apart therefrom along an axis extending in a direction of the airflow at a suitable distance depending on the application.

1 . An air circulation device, comprising:
 a body having air flow ports for intake and exhaust that generally define an axis of air flow therethrough, each of which is permeable to air flow; and   a graphic image display mounted to the body adjacent to and directly in an air flow path of at least one of the air flow ports, the graphic image display being permeable to air flow therethrough in an axial direction.   
     
     
         2 . An air circulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the graphic image display is located adjacent to the intake. 
     
     
         3 . An air circulation device according to  claim 2 , wherein the graphic image display permits at least 90% unobstructed airflow to the intake at a distance of about one to three inches from the intake with no appreciable reduction in performance of the air circulation device. 
     
     
         4 . An air circulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one of the air flow ports has an air flow port surface area, and the graphic image display has a graphic image surface area that is similar in size to the air flow port surface area. 
     
     
         5 . An air circulation device according to  claim 4 , wherein the graphic image surface area is greater than the air flow port surface area. 
     
     
         6 . An air circulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the graphic image display comprises a printed screen having an image formed on a substrate that is permeable to and does not significantly impede air flow therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . An air circulation device according to  claim 6 , wherein the printed screen is mounted to hardware that is secured adjacent to said at least one of the air flow ports, and the printed screen is spaced apart from said at least one of the air flow ports along an axis extending in a general direction of the airflow. 
     
     
         8 . An air circulation device according to  claim 7 , wherein the hardware comprises a support frame for supporting the printed screen, a plurality of brackets for mounting the support frame to the body, and fasteners for securing the brackets to the body, and wherein the support frame comprises a wire mesh having a tubular frame circumscribing a perimeter thereof, and at least one bar extending from the tubular frame to at least one of the brackets. 
     
     
         9 . An air circulation device according to  claim 7 , wherein the printed screen is secured to the hardware with hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         10 . An air circulation device according to  claim 7 , wherein the hardware is attached to the air circulation unit without the use of any tools, and the hardware merely attaches to existing external features on the air circulation device and does not require any modification of the air circulation device. 
     
     
         11 . An air circulation device according to  claim 6 , wherein the substrate is formed from mesh vinyl comprising at least a 50% printable surface. 
     
     
         12 . An air circulation device according to  claim 12 , wherein the mesh vinyl comprises an approximately 70% printable surface. 
     
     
         13 . An air circulation device according to  claim 6 , wherein the image comprises advertising signage for marketing goods or services of a sponsor thereof. 
     
     
         14 . An air circulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the graphic image display provides physical protection for the air circulation device and acts as an air filter to said at least one of the air flow ports. 
     
     
         15 . An air circulation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air circulation device is a portable evaporative cooling device having a frame with wheels for portability, the body is an air conduit housing that defines the air flow ports, and further comprising a fluid reservoir for containing a volume of fluid, a motor for operating a fan blade assembly, and a pump and plumbing, and the portable evaporative cooling device evaporates, moisturizes, and directionally moves air flow through the air conduit housing to provide chilled ventilation for users located downstream from the exhaust. 
     
     
         16 . An air circulation device, comprising:
 a body having air flow ports for intake and exhaust that generally define an axis of air flow therethrough, each of which is permeable to air flow;   a graphic image display mounted to the body adjacent to and directly in an air flow path of at the intake, the graphic image display being permeable to air flow therethrough in an axial direction, the graphic image display comprising a printed screen having an image formed on a substrate that is permeable to air flow therethrough; and   the printed screen is mounted to hardware that is secured to the body adjacent to the intake, and the printed screen is spaced apart from the intake along an axis extending in a general direction of the airflow.   
     
     
         17 . An air circulation device according to  claim 16 , wherein the graphic image display is spaced apart from the intake at a distance of about 1 inch along the axis, the intake has an intake surface area, and the graphic image display has a graphic image surface area that is greater than the intake surface area. 
     
     
         18 . An air circulation device according to  claim 16 , wherein the hardware comprises a support frame for supporting the printed screen, a plurality of brackets for mounting the support frame to the body, and fasteners for securing the brackets to the body, and wherein the support frame comprises a wire mesh having a tubular frame circumscribing a perimeter thereof, and at least one bar extending from the tubular frame to at least one of the brackets. 
     
     
         19 . An air circulation device according to  claim 16 , wherein the printed screen is secured to the hardware with hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         20 . An air circulation device according to  claim 16 , wherein the hardware is attached to the air circulation unit without the use of any tools, and the hardware merely attaches to existing external features on the air circulation device and does not require any modification of the air circulation device. 
     
     
         21 . An air circulation device according to  claim 16 , wherein the substrate is formed from mesh vinyl comprising at least a 70% printable surface. 
     
     
         22 . An air circulation device according to  claim 16 , wherein the image comprises advertising signage for marketing goods or services of a sponsor thereof. 
     
     
         23 . An air circulation device according to  claim 16 , wherein the graphic image display provides physical protection for the air circulation device and acts as an air filter to the intake. 
     
     
         24 . An air circulation device according to  claim 16 , wherein the air circulation device is a portable evaporative cooling device having a frame with wheels for portability, the body is an air conduit housing that defines the air flow ports, and further comprising a fluid reservoir for containing a volume of fluid, a motor for operating a fan blade assembly, and a pump and plumbing, and the portable evaporative cooling device evaporates, moisturizes, and directionally moves air flow through the air conduit housing to provide chilled ventilation for users located downstream from the exhaust.