Headgear with routed cooling airflow

Abstract

A headgear apparatus, which permits the flow of air through as conduit embedded within the interior of said apparatus. The device is a flexible comb-like arrangement, contoured to the general shape of a person's scalp. The teeth of the comb are constructed with outlets, permitting the passage of air from the embedded conduit through the outlets. Airflow is initiated and maintained by an electrically-driven miniature fan within a control unit, and propelled through the conduit. The apparatus may be further equipped with a coolant within the control unit to lower the temperature of air that is propelled through the conduit. A different embodiment of the device is fitted with control mechanisms to regulate the volume of airflow and to measure the temperature of the air being directed to the conduit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable, head-wearable apparatus for delivering channeled air currents directly onto the scalp and hair of a wearer, the apparatus comprising:
 a control unit, being an enclosed casing having a casing access door, an air intake port, as fan for propelling and pressurizing in-taken air, a plenum which houses said fan, electrical wiring circuitry connecting said fan and an electrical power source, an on-off electrical switch, terminals, and an integral spring-loaded clip for retention of a direct current battery;   a distribution tube having a first end attached in an airtight manner to an opening in said plenum for receiving air pressurized in said plenum, and a second end serving as an outlet for said propelled air;   a headgear section comprising an arcuate, elastomeric comb, said comb having undulations which form a plurality of successively interconnected teeth and spines, said elastomeric comb further having an initial end and a terminal end;   a flexible, continuous conduit, having an open end co-located with the initial end of said elastomeric comb, and a closed end, corresponding to the terminal end of said elastomeric comb, said conduit embedded interiorly to said teeth and spines, wherein said conduit further manifests an outlet through each of said respective teeth, said outlet ported directly from the conduit;   a spring-loaded, dual-pronged retainer for retention of a battery; and   a hollow connector, being as closed-in body consisting of a straight channel having an entry end and a discharge end; wherein   said hollow connector is attached, at its entry end to the second end of said distribution tube, and at its discharge end to a point co-located with the initial end of said elastomeric comb and the open end of said conduit thereby allowing the channeling of air propelled by said Fan into said conduit and the expelling of certain volumes of air through said conduit outlets.   
     
     
         2 . A portable, head-wearable apparatus for delivering channeled air currents directly onto the scalp and hair of a wearer, the apparatus comprising:
 a control unit, being an enclosed casing having a casing access door, an air intake port, a fan for propelling and pressurizing in-taken air, a variable-speed switch for regulating the rotational speed of said fan, and a plenum which houses said fan, electrical wiring circuitry connecting said fan and an electrical power source, a variable-resistance electrical switch, terminals, and an integral spring-loaded clip for retention of a direct current battery;   a distribution tube having a first end attached in an airtight manner to an opening in said plenum for receiving air pressurized in said plenum, and a second end serving as an outlet for said propelled air;   a headgear section comprising an arcuate, elastomeric comb, said comb having undulations which form a plurality of successively interconnected teeth and spines, said elastomeric comb further having an initial end and a terminal end;   a flexible, continuous conduit, having an open end co-located with the initial end of said elastomeric comb, and a closed end, corresponding to the terminal end of said elastomeric comb, said conduit embedded interiorly to said teeth and spines, wherein said conduit further manifests an outlet through each of said respective teeth, said outlet ported directly from the conduit;   a spring-loaded, dual-pronged retainer for retention of a battery; and   a hollow connector: being a closed-in body consisting of a straight channel having an entry end and a discharge end; wherein   said hollow connector is attached at its entry end to the second end of said distribution tube, and at its discharge end to a point co-located with the initial end of said elastomeric comb and the open end of said conduit, thereby allowing the channeling of air propelled by said ran into said conduit and the expelling of certain volumes of air through said conduit outlets.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , further containing within said plenum, a compartment for containment of a packaged quantity of dry ice, gel pack, frozen polymer, or similar refrigerant.