Patent Application
20210018017
The invention is directed to an assembly of fans, for example box fans.
In certain locations, for example, restaurants, bars, music venues, shops, both indoor and outdoor, wherever people congregate, there is a need for air movement to improve comfort, for example, cooling. Air movement may be provided by ceiling fans, but that this vertical air movement, at times, may need to be supplemented with other, for example, horizontal air movement. Moreover, that supplemental horizontal air movement source should be easily moved, for example, moved and set in place by few individuals, not generate much noise, and low energy consuming.
Accordingly, there is a need for a portable air movement source that may be easily moved, generates little noise, and consumes low amounts of energy.
A portable air movement source includes: a plurality of framed box fans stacked upon and secured to one another, the plurality of framed box fans number between 2 and 4; each framed box fan including a plurality of box fans joined together in frame surrounding the plurality of box fans, the plurality of box fans number between 2 and 4, and each box fan creates a breeze noticeable at 7-25 feet from the box fan; the frame includes a first generally rectangular member and a second generally rectangular member spaced away from the first member, wherein the plurality of box fans is located within and surrounded by the first generally rectangular frame member and the second generally rectangular frame member, the frame is made of metal, plastic, wood, and/or composite materials; and a plurality of caster affixed to the frame whereby the portable air movement source is moveable.
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Referring to the drawing, wherein like elements have like numerals, there is shown an embodiment of the portable air movement source (or fan bank assembly) 10. In general, source 10 may include several horizontal rows 12, 14, 16 of framed box fans sitting atop and removably fastened to one another and resting on and removably fastened to a plurality of casters 18. Each of the forgoing elements will be discussed in greater detail below. ‘Releasably affixed,’ referring to the rows of framed fans and caster to the rows, is not limited and may be accomplished in any fashion. An example for a mechanism for ‘releasably affixed’ may be a conventional zip tie or cable tie.
The portable air movement source 10 may have a total weight of about 100 pounds or less, so that it is easily moveable by few individuals, for example 1 or 2 individuals. The source 10 includes a number of rows, e.g., 12, 14, 16, of framed box fans 20. The number of rows may be between 2 and 4 and in some embodiments 3. The stacked framed box fans may be releasably affixed or secured together, so that the number of rows of stacked framed box fans may be changed.
The row or plurality of framed box fans may include between 2 and 4 box fans, and in some embodiments, 3 box fans. Box fan, as used herein, refers to a conventional box fan, the same that is readily available for retail purchase. Each box fan consumes less than 100 watt when set to maximum speed. Each box fan moves a high volume of air at a low velocity (e.g., creates a breeze noticeable, as defined by those of ordinary skill, at 7-25 feet from the box fan). The box fans are commercially available and conventional. A box fan may be: round, square, and/or rectangular, have a long dimension in the range of about 5-30 inches, a fan speed of about 500-1000 rpm (revolutions per minute), generate wind speed in a range less than 8 mph (miles per hour), and a noise level of less than about 5 dB (decibels). In some embodiments, each box fan may be a 20-inch square fan with a fan speed of about 850 rpm that generates a wind speed of about 5 mph. So, a gang of nine (9) box fans, as shown in
The frame 30 surrounding the plurality of box fans includes a first generally rectangular member 32 and a second generally rectangular member 34 spaced away from the first member by several struts 36, wherein the plurality of box fans is located within and surrounded by the first generally rectangular frame member and the second generally rectangular frame member. Strut 38 (vertical) may provide further structural support for frame 10. The frame members may be tubular or solid or hollow. The frame members may have any cross-sectional shape including, but not limited to circular, oval, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, L, and /or T. The frame members may be made of metal, plastic, wood, and/or composite materials. Frame members may be electrical metallic tubing (EMT) conduit, for example thin-walled conduit. Electrical metallic tubing may refer to any such conduit, for example, see: http://ecmweb.com/content/basics-steel-conduit and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki /Electrical_conduit, both incorporated herein by reference. Frame members may be made of thicker walled tubing, for example, black iron pipe (water pipe).
A plurality of casters 40 may be releasably affixed to the frame whereby the source 10 is moveable. At least one caster is lockable.
In use, several of rows are assembled with the casters and then placed as needed for additional cooling.
Alternatively, the source may be described as follows:
A portable air movement source comprises: a plurality of box fans joined together in frame surrounding the plurality of box fans.
A portable air movement source comprises: a plurality of framed box fans stacked upon and secured to one another, each framed box fan including a plurality of box fans joined together in frame surrounding the plurality of box fans.
The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and the essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.
This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/875,046 filed Jul. 17, 2019, which incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62875046 | Jul 2019 | US |
