BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan incorporating the present invention
FIGS. 2-5 are diagrammatic views showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a partial edge view of another embodiment of the cover.
FIG. 7 is a partial edge view of the assembled cover of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of the cover of FIG. 6.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrate several embodiments of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a ceiling fan incorporating an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, ceiling fan 10 includes a plurality of fan blades 12 circumferentially arrayed about and attached to a blade hub 14. The blade hub 14 is mounted to a motor contained in a motor housing 16 supported by down rod 18. Motor housing 16 is of a ferrous material such as iron or steel. According to the present invention, cover 20 is attached to motor housing 16 by means of a magnetic assemblage.
FIGS. 2-5 show an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, motor housing 30 is of cylindrical shape and has a flexible cover 32 attached to it. Cover 32 includes a flexible wrap 34 of plastic, fabric, or the like, having a magnetic assemblage 36 for attaching wrap 34 to motor housing 30. In certain embodiments, the wrap 34 comprises layers of material, such as a layer of flexible plastic and a layer of fabric, or two layers of plastic. The layers may include an insulation material, or an outer layer of decorative material for aesthetic effects.
Magnetic assemblage 36 is shown in FIG. 4 as including a plurality of magnets 38 located in pockets 40 (FIG. 5) proximate to the ends 42 of the wrap 34. Other arrays of magnets either greater or fewer in number, and in other configurations are also possible. Further, the magnets may be distributed along the length of the wrap 34 instead of at just the ends 42. In addition, the wrap 34 can have a layer of material with magnetic particles distributed throughout at least a region of the material for magnetic attachment. If the motor housing is not magnetic, magnetic regions can be affixed to the motor housing to which the cover of the invention is magnetically attached.
In operation, the wrap 34 is wrapped around the motor housing 16 with the ends 42 coming together at a seam 44. The magnets 38 secure the wrap 34 to the motor housing 16.
While the above embodiment of the invention performs its intended function, it is possible that vibration of the motor housing may urge the ends 42 away form each other and expose portions of the motor housing. In order to overcome that possibility the invention provides a ship lapped connection on the ends of the cover. The ship lapped connection will hold the ends of the cover together to prevent the magnets from sliding apart while under the influence of vibration or other separating forces.
A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6-8. The cover 100 has a front surface 110 that faces away from the motor housing and a rear surface 112 that faces toward the motor housing. At end 102 the ship lap joint is a recess 104 that extends about half the thickness of the body 100. On the opposite end 103 there is a mating recess 105. Ship lap end 102 has a rounded, convex ridge 136 that extends along the height of the cover or a significant portion thereof. Ship lap end 103 has a receiver channel 137 with a concave surface that generally corresponds to the convex ridge 136. Bias ridges 138, 139 extend along the surface of the recess 103 on opposite sides of the channel 137. The edges of the bias ridges adjacent the channel extend partially over the channel. When the cover 100 is wrapped around a motor housing, ship lap end 102 overlaps with the ship lap end 103, and the convex ridge 136 presses against the bias ridges 138, 139 and forces them away from the receiver channel 137 so that the convex ridge 136 fits into the receiver channel 137. The body of the cover is resilient and the bias ridges bear against the edges of the convex ridge 136 to keep it in place. The lapped ends of the assembled cover form a narrow seam 115.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be made with the above ship lapped ends or ridge/groove connections, or any other suitable connection for holding one ship lapped end on another ship lapped end. In operation, the magnets 141 in the pockets 140 support the cover on the fan motor housing and keep the cover on the surface of the housing. The ship lapped connections keep the ends of the cover closed.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080089791
