Patent Application
20230279874
The present invention generally relates to fans. More specifically, the invention relates to a portable fan that may be removably installed on a ceiling, wall or other structure, without requiring any modification of the structure.
Many older residential buildings do not have air conditioning or ceiling fans. These facilities include, but are not limited to, apartments, dormitories, older homes, and older condominiums. As a result, the comfort of the occupant, particularly in summer months, can be severely impacted by heat. Other buildings with air conditioning may have rooms or areas in rooms where additional ventilation is needed or just an area where comfort may be improved with the providing of a fan.
Current portable fans are floor or table supported devices that take up valuable space on the floor or table. In addition, these fans may not be aesthetically appealing and may collect dust. Furthermore, installing a ceiling fan may not be practical, particularly in short-term or rental living quarters, because of the various requirements, including obtaining of the landlord's permission, the lack a ceiling light for retrofitting purposes, the skill and knowledge of the occupant for a do-it-yourself installation, in addition to cost and convenience.
In satisfying the above need, as well as overcoming the enumerated drawbacks and other limitations of the related art, the present invention provides a portable fan assembly is provided that is configured for mounting to a non-upwardly facing, horizontal flat surface without requiring modification of the surface.
In another aspect of the invention, a portable fan assembly is provided that includes a motor, a shaft rotatably driven by the motor and a plurality of fan blades coupled to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft. The fan assembly further includes a mounting mechanism configured to releasably mount the fan to a flat surface.
In another aspect, the mounting mechanism is configured to releasably mount the fan to at least one of a vertical, oblique or lower horizontal surface.
In a further aspect, the mounting mechanism is configured to releasably mount the fan to the surface without requiring modification of the surface.
In a still a further aspect, the mounting mechanism is a non-clamping variety of mounting mechanism.
In an additional aspect, the mounting mechanism is a vacuum mounting system.
In yet another aspect, the mounting mechanism includes at least one suction cup.
In still a further aspect, the mounting mechanism includes an adhesive material.
In an additional aspect, the mounting mechanism includes an adhesive strip or adhesive pad.
In another aspect, the mounting mechanism includes a plurality of suction cups spaced about an axis of rotation of the motor.
In yet a further aspect, the mounting mechanism includes a plurality of suction cups spaced about an axis of rotation of the fan blades.
In an additional aspect, the plurality of suction cups are equidistantly spaced about the axis of rotation of the fan blades.
In still another aspect, the mounting mechanism defines a mounting plane.
In a further aspect, the mounting mechanism includes a plurality of suction cups that define a mounting plane.
In an additional aspect, the fan blades are rotatable about an axis of rotation and the axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane.
In another aspect, the fan blades are rotatable in a plane substantially parallel to the mounting plane.
In a further aspect, the fan blades are rotatable about axis of rotation that is adjustable relative to the mounting plane.
Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art after review of the following description with reference to the drawings and the claims that are appended to inform a part of this specification
The following figures and descriptions are meant to be illustrative of at least one preferred implementation incorporating the principles of the present invention. One skilled in the art will really appreciate that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention. The terminology used herein is therefore intended to be understood in the nature of words of description and not words of limitation.
As used in the description that follows, directional terms such as “upper” and “lower” are used with reference to the orientation of the elements as presented in the figures. Accordingly, “upper” indicates a direction toward the top of the figure and “lower” indicates a direction toward the bottom of the figure. The terms “left” and “right” are similarly interpreted. The terms “inward” or “inner” and “outward” or “outer” indicate a direction that is generally toward or away from a central axis of the referred to part whether or not such an access is designated in the figures. An axial surface is therefore one that faces in the axial direction. In other words, an axial surface faces in a direction along the central axis. A radial surface therefore faces radially, generally away from or toward the central axis. It will be understood, however, that in actual implementation, the directional references used herein may not necessarily correspond with the installation and orientation of the corresponding components or device.
Referring now to the drawings, illustrated therein is a portable ceiling/wall fan 10 that incorporates the principles of the present invention. The fan 10 includes as its principle components an electric motor 12 that drives an output shaft 14 in rotation. Coupled to the output shaft 14 is a hub 16 and a plurality of fan blades 18, both of which rotate with the output shaft 14. The fan blades 18 may be fixed or replaceable and may be provided in a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing configurations and are shaped such that when rotated air is moved in a direction generally aligned with the axis about which the hub 16 is being rotation. Air flow is in one direction when the rotation is clockwise about the axis, and is in an opposite direction when the rotation is counter clockwise.
The motor 12 of the fan 10 may be powered by a variety of sources, including, without limitation, a battery, a rechargeable battery, a solar panel or a power cord to be plugged into a conventional electrical outlet, such as a 120V or 110VC electrical outlet.
The motor 12 is preferably enclosed within a housing 20, which may be formed of metal or plastic, provided with sufficient venting to adequately cool the motor 12 during operation of the fan 10.
While shown as being completely exposed, the fan blades 18 may be enclosed in a protective cover or grill, that, while allowing adequate airflow from the operation of the fan blades 18, prevents inadvertent physical contact with the blades 18 during their operation. Additionally, the cover/grill will protect the fan blades 18 during handling of the fan 10 or during an inadvertent dropping or falling of the fan 10.
Coupled to the housing 20 is a mounting mechanism 22 that enables the fan 10 to be removably mounted to a smooth surface of a supporting structure without requiring modification of the surface. For example, and without being limited thereto, the mounting mechanism 22 is sufficiently strong so as to enable the fan 10 to be mounted to the horizontal, downward facing surface of a ceiling or the vertical or oblique surface of a wall, door, window or cabinet. When mounted to a support surface, the fan blades 18 are oriented so as to rotate in a plane that is generally parallel to the plane of the support surface. In other words, the axis of rotation of the fan blades 18 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support surface. In one embodiment, the orientation of the fan blades 18 is fixed relative to mounting mechanism 22, as mentioned above, to ensure that the fan blades 18 do not strike the supporting surface during operation of the fan 10. In an alternative embodiment, the orientation of rotational axis of the fan blades 18 is moveable relative to a mounting plane (discussed further below) of the fan 10 to allow a user to direct the fan 10 to direct air as desired without having to reposition the mounting mechanism 22 and the fan 10. The degree of movement, however, is limited based on the diameter of the fan blades 18 so as to prevent contact with the support surface during operation of the fan 10.
As used herein, the term without requiring “modification of the surface” means that the fan mounts directly to support surface without use of an any type of hanger or fastener extending directly into the wall, such as a hook, screw, bolt, nail or other fastener, or indirectly into the support surface with use of any type of hollow or solid wall anchor provided in the wall, such as a plastic wall anchor, threaded wallboard anchor, toggle bolt, lag shield, etc., that has been inserted into the support surface. Cleaning of the support surface is not considered a modification of the surface as that term is used herein.
As provided in the exemplary embodiment described in detail herein, the mounting mechanism 22 is a mounting system employing a vacuum to secure the fan 10. As such, the mounting mechanism may include a plurality of suction cups 24 supported by a frame 26 secured to the housing 20. As discussed below, alternatives to the suction cups 22 may be employed.
The frame 26 is formed of a rigid material, such as a cast aluminum alloy or a rigid plastic, and is configured to space each of the suction cups 24 apart, generally equally about the housing 20 to stably support the fan 10 on the surface. In the illustrated embodiment, four suction cups 24 are provided and each suction cup 24 is supported on the end of an arm 28 of the frame 26 such that the mounting mechanism 22 defines a mounting plane that corresponds to the plane of the supporting surface. The arms 28 position the suction cups 24 equally spaced/positioned about the fan 10 and/or housing 20 in a generally rectangular configuration, but other configurations may be provided.
The suction cups 24 may be formed of a rubber material, such as natural rubber, silicone rubber, PVC plastic or neoprene, but also may be made of other materials offering similar characteristics. While four suction cups 24 are illustrated, a greater or lesser number of suction cups 24 may be employed. Also, the suction cups 24 may have a different form other than the shown round cup shape and may be square in shape, for example, or may have multiple vacuum chambers per “cup.”
The ends of the arms 28 may be provided with bells or domes 30 in which the suction cups 24 are positioned and retained. The bells 30 cover the suction cups 24 and prevent dislodgement thereof through inadvertent contact with the suction cups 24. The bells 30 also support a manual lock/release lever 32 coupled to the suction cup. The lock/release levers 32 are movable between lock and release positions and include a cam surface that, when in the lock position, increases the suction power of the suctions cups 24 by increasing the negative pressure formed between the suction cup 24 and the surface when the suction cup 24 is initially pressed onto the support surface. In the release position, the negative pressure is reduced allowing the edge or lip of the suction cup 24 to lifted, thereby fully releasing the negative pressure and disengaging the suction cup 24 from the support surface. Such lock/release levers for use in conjunction with suction cups are generally known and, therefore, are not further described herein.
As an alternative to the manual lock/release levers 32, the suction cups 24 may be coupled to an electronic vacuum source (not shown) for activation/engagement of the suction cups 32 and include a release valve (not shown) to enable release of the vacuum, disengagement of the suction cups 24, and removal of the fan 10. The vacuum source may be automatic controlled and continuously or periodically apply vacuum to the suction cups 24, or remotely controlled both for application of additional vacuum or release thereof.
The fan 10 may optionally include safety wire for additionally attachment of the fan 10 to the supporting surface. One end of the safety wire may be secured to the housing 10, or other part of the fan 10, and the other end secured to another portion of the supporting surface, either with or without modification of the supporting surface.
Further, the fan 10 may include a safety switch, cutting off power to the motor 12 when the fan 10 is not mounted to a supporting surface. The safety switch may take the form of a dead man's switch mounted to the rear side of the fan and biased into an open position. Upon mounting of the fan 10 to a supporting surface, the safety switch is depressed and closed by engagement with the supporting surface, allowing power to flow to the motor 12. Upon the fan 10 being disengaged with the supporting surface, the safety switch is biased into the open position and power is prevented from flowing to the motor.
While the above discussion references suction cups as the mechanism by which the fan is mounted to the surface of the structure, it will be appreciated that mechanisms other than suction cups may be employed, either in conjunction with or as a complete alternative to the suction cups. For example, adhesive material, including a pressure sensitive adhesive material, may be applied to the suction cups or applied to a flat pad/surface replacing the suction cups (or formed as a portion of the frame). The adhesive material may be in liquid or tape form and may take the form of a pair of adhesive strips where one adhesive strip is mounted to the flat pad/surface of the mounting mechanism and the other adhesive strip is mounted to the surface of the supporting structure. The adhesive strips may further be releasably securable to each other by various means. Such means may include hook and loop fasteners, releasable adhesives, etc.
As a person skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the above description is only meant as an illustration of an implementation of the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, this description is not intended to limit the scope or application of this invention since the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change, all without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the following claims.
This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to provisional application No. 63/316,283, filed Mar. 3, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63316283 | Mar 2022 | US |
