The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to ceiling fans. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to ceiling fans that may comprise two clasping or contouring covers with curvilinear segments.
The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to ceiling fans. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to ceiling fans that may comprise a body comprising a top cover, a bottom cover, and an internal cavity therebetween. Curvilinear segments of the top cover may contour against curvilinear segments of the bottom cover. Fan blades may be secured between the top cover and the bottom cover, and may extend through a lateral recess of the body. The top cover and the bottom cover may form a body comprising a substantially discoidal or substantially oblate spheroid geometry.
In some embodiments, the bottom cover of the body may comprise a center recess. The bottom cover of the body may further comprise a cover panel disposed over the center recess. A motor may be disposed within the internal cavity of the body, between the top cover and the bottom cover. In some embodiments, disposing a motor within the internal cavity may comprise mounting, positioning, or otherwise affixing the motor within the internal cavity. A ceiling attachment or a downrod may be secured to the top cover of the body. In some embodiments, curvilinear segments of the top cover and curvilinear segments of the bottom cover may comprise corresponding curvatures. In some embodiments, a plane of the fan blade may be aligned oblique to a rotational plane of the ceiling fan.
In some embodiments, the fan blade may further comprise a fan blade recess extending through the fan blade. The bottom cover of the body may further comprise a peg configured to be secured within the fan blade recess. The top cover of the body may further comprise a pin configured to be secured within the fan blade recess. The top cover of the body may further comprise a fastener opening configured to receive a fastener therein. Said fastener may be fastened through and secured against the fastened opening of the top cover and then further fastened and secured against a fastener opening in the bottom cover of the body.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a method of assembling a ceiling fan. The method may comprise providing a bottom cover of a body, the bottom cover comprising a peg. The method may further comprise providing a fan blade comprising a fan blade recess. The method may further comprise securing the peg of the bottom cover within the fan blade recess. The method may further comprise providing a top cover of the body, the top cover comprising a pin. The method may further comprise aligning the pin with at least a portion of the fan blade recess. The method may further comprise securing the pin of the top cover within the fan blade recess. In some embodiments, the top cover and the bottom cover may form an internal cavity therebetween. In some embodiments, curvilinear segments of the top cover may contour against curvilinear segments of the bottom cover.
In some embodiments, the bottom cover of the body may comprise a center recess. A cover panel may be disposed over the center recess. A motor may be within the internal cavity of the body. In some embodiments, the body may comprise a substantially discoidal geometry. In some embodiments, the body may comprise a substantially oblate spheroid geometry. In some embodiments, a plane of the fan blade may be aligned oblique to a rotational plane of the ceiling fan. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise securing a ceiling attachment to the top cover of the body. The method may further comprise securing the ceiling fan to a ceiling. The method may further comprise securing a fastener through a fastener opening of the top cover of the body.
Some embodiments of the disclosure may be understood by referring, in part, to the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to devices, systems, methods of making, and methods of assembling, ceiling fans. Features of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying figures. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be best understood by one of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the accompanying figures and the description herein.
In some embodiments, the downrod 40 may be a separate component secured to the top cover 20 of the body. In some embodiments, the downrod 40 may be monolithic with the top cover 20 of the body 10. The downrod 40 may advantageously allow for the ceiling fan 100 to be secured to a ceiling. As shown in
In some embodiments, the downrod 40 may comprise or be part of a ceiling fan attachment. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise a ceiling fan 100 comprising a ceiling attachment, such as the downrod 40, secured to the top cover 20 of the body 10.
The top cover 20 and the bottom cover 30 may each comprise a disc-like geometry. The top cover 20 and the bottom cover 30 may contour against each other or may be assembled in a manner that may advantageously provide for a compact and smooth body 10. In some embodiments, the top cover 20 and the bottom cover 30 may form a body 10 that comprises a substantially discoidal geometry. In some embodiments, the top cover 20 and the bottom cover 30 may form a body 10 that comprises a substantially oblate spheroid geometry. The discoidal geometry and/or the oblate spheroid geometries may be the result of a clamshell structure of the top cover 20 and the bottom cover 30 of the body 10. Said geometries may advantageously provide for greater ease in assembly, fewer overall components, and other structural benefits in a ceiling fan assembly.
The ceiling fan 100 may comprise one or more fan blades 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D. As shown in
As shown in
In other embodiments, a light kit or other components may not be present in the center recess 32. For such embodiments, it may be advantageous to cover the center recess 32. As shown in
As shown in
The bottom cover 30 of the body 10 may comprise a disc-like geometry with curved edges. The curved edge or rim may comprise separate sections. Some sections may be a fan blade interface section 37 configured to allow a fan blade 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D to be secured thereon. As shown in
As shown in
As explained, the curved edge or rim may comprise separate sections. Some sections may be a segment 36 that may not be configured to interface with a fan blade 50. Instead, segment 36 of the bottom cover 30 may be configured to interface and/or contour against a corresponding segment of the top cover 20 of the ceiling fan 100. Segment 36 of the bottom cover 30 and a corresponding segment of the top cover 20 may be curvilinear and may comprise corresponding curvatures. Segment 36 of the bottom cover 30 and a corresponding segment of the top cover 20 may each comprise a curvature such that the two segments may easily or smoothly contour against one another when the top cover 20 is assembled over the bottom cover 30.
The securing end 54 may comprise at least one fan blade recess 52 therein. For example, as seen in
In some embodiments, the fan blade recess 52 may comprise a geometry of two cylindrical regions. The two cylindrical regions may or may not overlap. The two cylindrical regions that make up the fan blade recess 52 may comprise differing sizes or radiuses. At least one of the cylindrical regions that make up the fan blade recess 52 may be configured to secure the securing feature 38 of the bottom cover 30 of the body 10 of the ceiling fan 100 therein. The securing feature 38 may be secured within the fan blade recess 52 through various methods.
In some embodiments, the fan blade recess 52 may be aligned over a depression or threading cavity within the bottom cover 30. Described further, at least one of the cylindrical regions of the fan blade recess 52 may align with a depression of the bottom cover 30. The alignment may advantageously allow the securing feature 38 to be lowered or secured into a channel formed by the aligned cylindrical religion and depression. For example, the securing feature 38 may be fastened into the channel via a threading on an elongated body portion of the securing feature 38. Said threading may be secured against a corresponding threading in either the cylindrical region of the fan blade recess 52, the depression of the bottom cover 30, or both. A spherical head portion of the securing feature 38 may advantageously promote stability and security of the securing feature 38 disposed within the cylindrical cavity of the fan blade recess 52 and the depression of the bottom cover 30.
In some embodiments, the geometry of the fan blade recess 52 may comprise two overlapping cylindrical regions, wherein a first cylindrical region may comprise a greater radius than a second cylindrical region. The securing feature 38 may be received into the fan blade recess 52 along the first cylindrical region comprising a greater radius. Then, after being received into the first cylindrical region, the securing feature 38 may be slid into the second cylindrical region with a smaller radius. The spherical head portion of the securing feature 38 may have a diameter greater than that of the second cylindrical region. Accordingly, the securing feature 38 disposed within the second cylindrical region may be substantially limited in movement. The greater diameter of the spherical head portion of the securing feature 38 may prevent the fan blade 50 from being removed from the body cover 30 by simply lifting the fan blade 50. Though not limited to particular embodiments, such method of securing the fan blade 50 to the bottom cover 30 may be particularly advantageous when the securing feature 38 is monolithic with the bottom cover 30 of the body 10.
As shown in
As shown in
The curved edge or rim may comprise separate sections. Some sections may be a fan blade interface section 27 configured to allow a fan blade 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D to be secured thereon. The securing end 54 of the fan blade 50 may be secured between the fan blade interface section 27 of the top cover 20 and the fan blade interface section 37 of the bottom cover 30.
As shown in
Other sections of the curved edge or rim of the top cover 20 may comprise a segment 26 that may not be configured to interface with a fan blade 50. Instead, segment 26 of the top cover 20 may be configured to interface and/or contour against the segment 36 of the bottom cover 30 of the ceiling fan 100. Segment 26 of the top cover 20 and the segment 36 of the bottom cover 30 may be curvilinear and may comprise corresponding curvatures. Curvilinear segment 26 of the top cover 20 and curvilinear segment 36 of the bottom cover 30 may each comprise a curvature such that the two segments may easily or smoothly contour against one another when the top cover 20 is assembled on or over the bottom cover 30.
The top cover 20 may also comprise a fastener opening 22 configured to receive a fastener therein. The fastener opening 22 may comprise an internal thread to secure a fastener therein.
As shown in
As shown in the see-through view of
As shown in
As shown in
Lateral recess 90 may comprise various geometries. In some embodiments, the lateral recesses 90 may be substantially rectangular. In some embodiments, the lateral recess 90 may or may not be substantially orthogonal to an axis of the downrod 40. Lateral recess 90 may be disposed oblique to a rotational plane of the ceiling fan 100. For example, the lateral recess 90 may be tilted or be at an angle with respect to a vertical axis of the downrod 40. A tilted or angled lateral recess 90 may advantageously allow for a fan blade 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D to be assembled at an angle or oblique to a rotational plane of the ceiling fan 100. In some embodiments, the lateral recess 90 may comprise a curved geometry. A curved lateral recess 90 may advantageously be able to accommodate curved fan blades 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D. Other variations may be made to the size, shape and/or positioning of the lateral recesses 90 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
As shown in
As shown in
The fastener 80 may be threaded and secured through the fastener opening 22 of the top cover 20. In some embodiments, the bottom cover 30 or other components within the internal cavity 70 may comprise an aligned opening with corresponding threading configured to receive a lower portion of the fastener 80 therein. Fastener 80 may enter through the fastener opening 22 of the top cover 20 and be threaded through, for example, both the fastener opening 22 of the top cover 20 and also a fastener receiver threading in the bottom cover 30.
For example, as shown in
As shown in the figures, fan blades 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D may comprise a slant or tilt from the horizontal plane of the ceiling fan 100. Said slant or tilt may be the same or different for each of the fan blades 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D.
In some embodiments, the fan blades 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D may comprise a curved structure. The curved structure of the fan blades 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D may advantageously promote better or more efficient air circulation by the ceiling fan 100.
In some embodiments, the fan blades 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D may comprise a securing end 54 (as shown in
In some embodiments, the lateral recess 90 may comprise a slightly larger opening than that of the dimensions of the securing end 54 of the fan blades 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D. The slightly larger opening may facilitate greater ease in the fan blade 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D extending through the lateral recess 90.
Features and components of the present disclosure may have various dimensions. Said dimensions may be varied without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the body 10, the top cover 20, and the bottom cover 30 may comprise diameters of about 280 mm. In some embodiments, the body may have a thickness of about 75 mm. In some embodiments, the downrod 40 may have a diameter of about 26 mm. Such dimension are given by the way of example only and are not intended to be limiting.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art who have the benefit of the instant disclosure, other equivalent or alternative compositions, devices, methods, and systems for ceiling fans can be envisioned without departing from the description contained herein. Accordingly, the manner of carrying out the disclosure as shown and described is to be construed as illustrative only.
Persons skilled in the art may make various changes in the shape, size, number and/or arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the instant disclosure. For example, the position and number of fan blades 50 may be varied. In some embodiments, securing features 38 or pins 28 may be interchangeable. As another example, the position and number of fan blade recesses 52 may be varied. As shown in
In addition, the size of a device and/or system may be scaled up or down to suit the needs and/or desires of a practitioner. Each disclosed method and method step may be performed in association with any other disclosed method or method step and in any order according to some embodiments. Where the verb “may” appears, it is intended to convey an optional and/or permissive condition, but its use is not intended to suggest any lack of operability unless otherwise indicated. Persons skilled in the art may make various changes in methods of preparing and using a device and/or system of the disclosure.
Also, where ranges have been provided, the disclosed endpoints may be treated as exact and/or approximations as desired or demanded by the particular embodiment. Where the endpoints are approximate, the degree of flexibility may vary in proportion to the order of magnitude of the range. For example, on one hand, a range endpoint of about 50 in the context of a range of about 5 to about 50 may include 50.5, but not 52.5 or 55. On the other hand, a range endpoint of about 50 in the context of a range of about 0.5 to about 50 may include 55, but not 60 or 75. In addition, it may be desirable, in some embodiments, to mix and match range endpoints. Also, in some embodiments, each figure disclosed (e.g., in one or more of the examples and/or drawings) may form the basis of a range (e.g., depicted value +/− about 10%, depicted value +/− about 50%, depicted value +/− about 100%) and/or a range endpoint. With respect to the former, a value of 50 depicted in an example and/or drawing may form the basis of a range of, for example, about 45 to about 55, about 25 to about 100 and/or about 0 to about 100.
All or a portion of a device and/or system for ceiling fans may be configured and arranged to be disposable, serviceable, interchangeable and/or replaceable. These equivalents and alternatives, along with obvious changes and modifications, are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the disclosure as illustrated by the appended claims.
The title, abstract, background, and headings are provided in compliance with regulations and/or for the convenience of the reader. They include no admissions as to the scope and content of prior art and no limitations applicable to all disclosed embodiments.
This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/965,069 filed on Jan. 16, 2014. The entire contents of the Application listed above are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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