Headworn Defogger

Abstract

A head-worn air pump is provided which directs a stream of air to the goggles between the user and the transparent/translucent surface. The air pump can be attached to the rear portion of the goggle strap, or to an auxiliary or supplemental strap, so as to be behind the user and out of the line of sight of the user. One or more flexible tubes or hoses can be attached to a manifold or plenum receiving air under pressure from the pump, and lead from the rear of the head to one or both sides of the goggles. A rechargeable battery can power the air pump, and the pump can be switched on and off by a button on the pump housing, even by a user wearing gloves or hand coverings. The battery can be recharged by a conventional USB connection. The air can be supplied either at ambient temperature or refrigerated and/or heated, as desired in particular applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for providing a stream of air toward eye-wear to assist in preventing viewing obstruction, comprising:
 a housing mountable adjacent to the user's head,   an air pump assembly mounted with the housing, having a fan and a control circuit to selectively operate the fan,   a manifold mounted to the housing, for receiving compressed air from the fan,   a power supply mounted with the housing for operating the fan, and   at least one tube connected to the manifold for receiving compressed air and directing that air toward the eye-wear.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  including a strap for securing eye-wear to the head of a user, and the housing is attached to that strap. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the manifold divides the airflow from the fan into separate air streams, and multiple tubes are provided for receiving the separate air streams and separating directing airflow to different locations adjacent the eye-wear. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the eye-wear are protective goggles which surround the area around the user's eyes to prevent contact with those eyes by exterior materials, the goggles including a viewing surface, and the tubes directing airflow adjacent the viewing surface to prevent or reduce fogging of the viewing surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the manifold is selectively removable from the housing to allow use of alternative manifold structures. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the housing is formed, at least in part, to conform to its adjacent mounting surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the power supply includes a battery which may be recharged via a conventional USB cable. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the air pump includes means for heating the compressed air. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  including means for altering the temperature of the compressed air provided to the goggles.