This invention relates to ventilation exhaust fans, and in particular to apparatus, systems and methods of 80 and 90 CFM (cubic feet per meter) ventilation exhaust fans for bathrooms with telescoping side extension brackets and side by side motor and blower wheel, and being used with or without lights.
Various types of bathroom exhaust and ventilation fans have been proposed over the years. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,640 to Penlesky et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,851 to Samosky et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,175 to Larson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,579 to Larson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,770 to Larson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,203,416 to Craw et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,495 to Adrian et al., which are all incorporated by reference.
There have been many problems with the prior art. For example, many bath fans are difficult to be installed into a ceiling since the housings cannot be easily attached to different locations of joists in the ceiling. If a joist is off center to the middle of bathroom ceiling the bath fan is not easy to center in the room. Additionally, many of the bath fans have numerous parts which add extra manufacturing costs. And as a result a bath fan that requires assembly of the bath fan at a job site will incur undesirable extra labor and material costs to install. Additionally, many bath fans have to be wired to components inside of the housings which also requires extra expensive labor costs to make the connections onside during the installation of the bath fan.
Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide exhaust and ventilation fans, apparatus, systems and methods for bathrooms with telescoping side extension brackets and side by side motor and blower wheel that provides 80 (eighty) CFM (cubic feet of air per minute) of airflow, that are with or without lights.
A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide exhaust and ventilation fans, apparatus, systems and methods for bathrooms with telescoping side extension brackets and side by side motor and blower wheel that provides 90 (ninety) CFM (cubic feet of air per minute) of airflow, that are with or without lights.
A third objective the present invention is to provide ventilation fans, apparatus, systems and methods for bathrooms having flush mounted light sources with exterior perimeter grill having at least one vent opening(s) for passing air to a blower inside of the housing where the air does not pass into the light source and on any lights under the light lens cover.
A fourth objective the present invention is to provide ventilation fans, apparatus, systems and methods for bathrooms having flush mounted light sources with exterior perimeter grill having at least one vent opening(s) so that incoming air is guided around a blower fan and out the side opening and out the side exhaust opening of a housing, in order to reduce excess noise from air movement.
A fifth objective the present invention is to provide ventilation fans, apparatus, systems and methods for bathrooms with or without light sources with telescoping leg(s) on at least one outer wall of a housing for the attaching the housing to joists within a ceiling.
A sixth objective the present invention is to provide ventilation fans, apparatus, systems and methods for bathrooms with or without light sources having an exterior electrical box with exterior wiring box located outside of the housing.
A preferred embodiment of an exhaust fan, includes a single one-piece housing having closed side walls, closed top and open bottom, a blower wheel inside of the housing, an electrical motor for rotating the blower wheel that is side by side with each other, and side extension brackets on the housing for mounting the housings to support structures within a ceiling.
The motor can be an 80 (eighty) CFM (cubic feet per minute) generating motor. The motor can be a 90 (ninety) CFM (cubic feet per minute) generating motor.
The side extension brackets can include a first elongated side telescoping bracket directly mounted along one side wall of the housing, and a second elongated side telescoping bracket directly mounted along an opposite side wall of the housing, the second elongated side telescoping bracket being shorter than the first elongated side telescoping bracket.
A removable grill can cover the open bottom of the housing. Alternatively, a removable light shade can be separately detachable and attachable to the removable grill and light. A light box having closed sides and closed bottom can be included with the light being mountable inside of the light box, wherein air being drawn into the main housing by the blower passes around sides of the light box allowing for reducing heat generated from the light.
The exhaust fan can include a wiring box attached to an exterior side of the housing, wherein the wiring box includes a male plug and a female receptacle inside of the box for supplying an external power supply to the electrical motor.
The exterior mounted wiring box can also be used for supplying power connections to run the electrical motor and to power the light. The wiring box can include a first male plug and a first female receptacle inside of the box for supplying the external power supply to the electrical motor, and a second male plug and a second female receptacle inside of the box for supplying the external power supply to the light.
The blower wheel can be oriented in a vertical orientation, which improves airflow through the housing.
The light shade can include an elongated member which adjusts height of the shade relative to the housing.
Another embodiment of the ventilating exhaust fan, can include a single housing having closed side walls, closed top and open bottom, a blower wheel housing, a blower wheel inside of the blower wheel housing, an electrical motor for rotating the blower wheel that is side by side with each other inside of the blower wheel housing, a light supported by a support member attached to the housing, a grill cover having vents and a light shade for covering the housing, wherein incoming air into the housing passes to the blower wheel without contacting the light, a wiring box attached to an exterior surface of the single housing for supporting external wire connections for both the motor and the light, and side extension brackets on the housing for mounting the housings to support structures within a ceiling.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. telescoping side extension brackets
80 CFM Bath Exhaust Fans with Telescoping Side Extension Brackets (No Lights)
A list of the components for
Referring to
The vertical blower wheel design 140 allows for a smaller housing dimension, but also performs just as well as a horizontal design. A vertical design can help improve airflow because of the way the air enters the blower wheel 140 and is pushed out through the outlet end.
One side of the main housing 120 can be an exhaust side (left side) 80, with a funnel shaped outlet 20 with a movable damper 10. On the outlet side 80 and opposite side of the housing 120 can be bracket covers 100 mounted directly to the housing 120. Slidable mounting brackets 110 each with bent ends 112.
Electrical power can be supplied to the fan housing embodiment through a wiring box plate 90 having two sides and closed bottom that is mounted to an exterior side of the main housing 120. Male plug 180 (which connects power to motor 190) can attach to socket 60 through the plug plate 70. The socket 60 can be connected by connectors 65 to an external electrical power supply. An L shaped wiring box cover 50 can close off the open top and side of the box plate 90. The external wiring box 90 allows for ease in connecting and disconnecting power to the motor 190 without having to open the main housing 120.
A pair of grill clips 240 can springably hold the grill cover 260 to the blower housing 120 (
The capacitor box cover 210 acts as a protection for the wiring and also secures 175 to the bath fan housing. The 7 shaped flange 220 is the bottom piece of 210 that has an opening for the screw to fasten to fixing iron 130 on the bath fan housing. The Z shaped flange 230 is the same as 220 where it has an opening for a screw to secure to the fixing iron 130 on the bath fan housing.
80 CFM Bath Exhaust Fans with Telescoping Side Extension Brackets (with Lights)
Additional components will now be describes for this embodiment.
Referring to
The grill frame 290 functions similar to the grill cover 260, previously described, and instead can have two or more grill vents 292. In the middle of the grill cover 290 can be a removable lens cover 300. The grill cover 300 can snap into the opening in the center of the grill cover 290 with male and female members (not shown) around the perimeter of the lens cover 300. The grill cover 290 can be attached to the main housing 120 using springs 280, which function similarly to springs 240 that were previously described.
The light shade/cover is held in place by various components. There are 2 plastic pieces that extrude out from the lens cover and you line up the lens cover on one side of the grill so it inserts and then you push in the opposite side of the lens cover then push down so it falls inside the grill and release. Once you release the 2 clips will lock itself in place.
90 CFM Bath Fan with Flush Mount Light & Motor Beneath Blower Wheel
A list of components for
Referring to
An elongated connect screw 430 can have a bottom end screwably attached to a central portion of the floor 576 of the grill frame 570, and an upper threaded end that is attached to a dome shaped light shade 440 by a decorative nut 410 with decorative cover 420. Connect screw 430 can be threaded inside so it allows for height adjustment to fit standard and thicker ceiling boards as needed.
A decorative ring 470 can be held in place by being fixably adhered to one side ball members 560, with the opposite side of the ball members 560 being adhered to an outer perimeter surface of the grill cover 570. Both 560 and 470 are part of the flush mount design and used and are used for aesthetic purposes.
While the invention references fasteners, the fasteners, can be removable fasteners, such as but not limited to screws, bolts, and the like, as well as other types of fasteners, such as rivets, and the like.
Although the preferred embodiments describe the housings to be attached directly to joists in ceilings, the invention can apply to attaching the housings to structural members in walls, and other structural members behind ceilings and/or walls.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.
This invention claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/384,072 filed Sep. 17, 2010 which is incorporated by reference in its' entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1823479 | Venderbush | Sep 1931 | A |
2519503 | Rigaumont | Aug 1950 | A |
2689906 | Corbett | Sep 1954 | A |
2697163 | Spear | Dec 1954 | A |
2950859 | Kirk | Aug 1960 | A |
3065686 | Geocaris | Nov 1962 | A |
3068341 | Ortiz | Dec 1962 | A |
3125943 | Geocaris | Mar 1964 | A |
3223019 | Schuh | Dec 1965 | A |
3227063 | Lambert | Jan 1966 | A |
3246137 | Zagel | Apr 1966 | A |
3306179 | Lamble | Feb 1967 | A |
3665838 | Shepherd | May 1972 | A |
3785271 | Joy | Jan 1974 | A |
3796249 | McCabe | Mar 1974 | A |
4510851 | Sarnosky | Apr 1985 | A |
4526318 | Fleming et al. | Jul 1985 | A |
4537117 | Cavestany et al. | Aug 1985 | A |
4589476 | Berner | May 1986 | A |
4616696 | Brundrett | Oct 1986 | A |
4657291 | Kurosaki | Apr 1987 | A |
4681024 | Ivey | Jul 1987 | A |
4726559 | Hultmark | Feb 1988 | A |
4798518 | Holzberger | Jan 1989 | A |
4867640 | Penlesky et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4954049 | Armbruster | Sep 1990 | A |
5232152 | Tsang | Aug 1993 | A |
5567200 | Swartzendruber | Oct 1996 | A |
5620370 | Umai | Apr 1997 | A |
5934783 | Yoshikawa | Aug 1999 | A |
6161175 | Kim | Dec 2000 | A |
6215885 | Geiger | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6261175 | Larson | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6329908 | Frecska | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6340237 | Koga et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
D457232 | Miura | May 2002 | S |
D457616 | Yamanaka | May 2002 | S |
6384352 | Ellman et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6488579 | Larson | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6538881 | Jeakins | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6632006 | Rippel et al. | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6802770 | Larson | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6897580 | White | May 2005 | B2 |
6979169 | Penlesky | Dec 2005 | B2 |
D521145 | Craw | May 2006 | S |
7055582 | Erisgen | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7128303 | Penlesky | Oct 2006 | B2 |
D535433 | Craw | Jan 2007 | S |
7175309 | Craw | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7203416 | Craw et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
D565716 | Jacak | Apr 2008 | S |
D575387 | Zakula | Aug 2008 | S |
D577805 | Adrian | Sep 2008 | S |
D581508 | Miyake | Nov 2008 | S |
7455432 | Craw et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7455500 | Penlesky | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7481559 | Rashidi | Jan 2009 | B1 |
7591867 | Choi et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7606379 | Ivey et al. | Oct 2009 | B2 |
7654495 | Adrian | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7677964 | Bucher et al. | Mar 2010 | B1 |
7845803 | Lv et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7881827 | Park et al. | Feb 2011 | B2 |
7922335 | Sakai et al. | Apr 2011 | B2 |
7993037 | Buse | Aug 2011 | B1 |
D653323 | Jacak | Jan 2012 | S |
8104502 | Nakata | Jan 2012 | B2 |
D654998 | Zakula | Feb 2012 | S |
8113148 | Chem | Feb 2012 | B2 |
8172655 | Liu | May 2012 | B2 |
8218805 | Hornback | Jul 2012 | B2 |
8295504 | Ady et al. | Oct 2012 | B2 |
D681249 | Tom | Apr 2013 | S |
8485696 | Pringle et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8591037 | Nagumo et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
8961126 | Tom | Feb 2015 | B1 |
9022846 | Tom | May 2015 | B1 |
9097265 | Tom | Aug 2015 | B1 |
9103104 | Tom | Aug 2015 | B1 |
9188132 | Tom | Nov 2015 | B1 |
20030133815 | Grant | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20050006549 | Liu | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050111972 | Penlesky | May 2005 | A1 |
20060172693 | Lundquist | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060199515 | Lasko et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20070131827 | Nevers | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20080261508 | Deng | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080318515 | Yeung | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090028372 | Cerasuolo | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090073702 | Craw | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090116189 | Chang | May 2009 | A1 |
20090170421 | Adrian | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20100009621 | Hsieh | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100112927 | Marga | May 2010 | A1 |
20100171681 | Cabanas et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
20100226139 | Lynch | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20120250335 | Nakano | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20120274767 | Hornback | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20130084793 | Yang et al. | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20130114826 | Chang | May 2013 | A1 |
Entry |
---|
Tom, Lawrence, Office Action Summary mailed Nov. 7, 2014 for U.S. Appl. No. 13/289,312, filed Nov. 4, 2011, 14 pages. |
Tom, Lawrence, Listing of pending claims for U.S. Appl. No. 13/289,312, filed Nov. 4, 2011, 7 pages. |
Tom, Lawrence, Office Action Summary mailed Oct. 22, 2014 for U.S. Appl. No. 13/042,992, filed Mar. 8, 2011, 16 pages. |
Tom, Lawrence, Listing of pending claims for U.S. Appl. No. 13/042,992, filed Mar. 8, 2011, 7 pages. |
Tom, Lawrence, Office Action mailed Jan. 8, 2015 for U.S. Appl. No. 13/233,700, filed Sep. 15, 2011, 25 pages. |
Tom, Lawrence, Amendment Response filed Oct. 3, 2014 for U.S. Appl. No. 13/233,700, filed Sep. 15, 2011, 13 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61384072 | Sep 2010 | US |