Flying Insect Repelling Hat

Abstract

Here is disclosed a hat having a crown and a brim, the brim having a peripheral edge, a front portion a back portion, and opposite left and right side portions. Left, right, front and back electric fans are positioned on the brim adjacent the peripheral edge. The left, right, front and back electric fans are each configured to blow air downwardly away from the crown at a rate of at least 10 cfm. The left, right, front and back electric fans are positioned 90° from each other on the brim. The device further includes a control unit mounted in the hat and operatively coupled to the left, right, front and back electric fans for driving the fans, the control unit having at least one storage battery. Finally, the device includes a switch coupled to the control unit for turning the fans on and off.

Therefore, what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for repelling flying insects when worn on a user's head, the device comprising:
 a. A hat having a crown and a brim, the brim having a front portion a back portion, and opposite left and right side portions, the brim having a circumscribing peripheral edge;   b. Left and right electric fans positioned on the left and right portions of the brim adjacent the peripheral edge;   c. Front and back electric fans positioned on the front and back portions of the brim adjacent the peripheral edge;   d. The left, right, front and back electric fans each being configured to blow air downwardly away from the crown at a rate of at least 10 cfm;   e. The left, right, front and back electric fans being positioned 90° from each other on the brim;   f. A control unit mounted in the hat and operatively coupled to the left, right, front and back electric fans for driving the fans, the control unit having at least one storage battery;   g. A switch coupled to the control unit for turning the fans on and off.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a photovoltaic solar cell mounted on the hat, the photovoltaic solar cell coupled to the control unit, the control unit configured to recharge the storage battery from the photovoltaic solar cell. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit is mounted within a pocket formed in an underside of the crown, the pocket having an opening dimensioned to permit access to the storage battery of the control unit. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  further comprising a photovoltaic solar cell mounted on the hat, the photovoltaic solar cell coupled to the control unit, the control unit configured to recharge the storage battery from the photovoltaic solar cell. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the brim is configured to be sufficiently pliable to be bent into a plurality of angles, the brim being further configured to be sufficiently stiff so that the brim will remain at that angle after it is bent. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the control unit includes a motor controller for controlling the supply of electric power to each of the fans, the motor controller configured to keep each of the fans blowing at a rate of no less than 10 cfm to no more than 15 cfm.