Patent Application
20230096473
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/247,847, which was filed on Sep. 24, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates generally to the field of cooling devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a table fan device comprised of at least one fan that is further comprised of at least one fan blade, a housing, at least one button, and at least one motor. The device may, in differing embodiments, attach itself to the underside of a table via the use of fasteners and support arms. The device is powered by a motor that rotates the fan blades around a vertical shaft to create airflow. In this manner, the device efficiently expels airflow to create an ideal climate for its users. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
Many people enjoy sitting outdoors and around a table. However, the ideal climate for this type of activity can be very rare. Oftentimes, the weather is either too hot or too cold. As such, people may be forced to sit indoors and will miss out on enjoying the outdoors. To solve this, many people will be forced to use heavy and clunky fans or heaters to maintain an ideal climate while sitting outside. However, these fans are normally designed for indoor use and thus are not easily transported outdoors. Furthermore, it is difficult to place these devices in a way that evenly distributes their airflow to those who may be sitting around a table. This reduces the number of times in a year a person can comfortably sit outside.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a table fan device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a table fan device that produces adequate airflow to either cool or warm people who are sitting at or around a table. Moreover, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a table fan device that can be attached to a table so that the airflow may be evenly dispersed around the table. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a table fan device that can reverse the rotation of its blades to move air either from the top or bottom side of the device. Lastly, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a table fan device that can be easily recharged through solar panels.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a table fan device. The table fan device is preferably comprised of at least one fan that is further comprised of at least one fan blade, a housing, at least one button, and at least one motor. In a differing embodiment, the device may be comprised of at least one fan that is further attached to a table designed to hold said fan on the bottom surface of the table. To accomplish this, at least one support arm may be attached to the underside of the table, and the fan, in turn, may be attached to the support arms via fasteners so that the fan is suspended above the ground but underneath the table. To operate the fan, a motor can be turned on or off through the use of a button located on the housing to rotate the fan blades. The motor may be powered by a battery that is rechargeable through a power cord that is attached to the device or via solar panels.
In this manner, the table fan device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a device that can be used to create an ideal climate for users sitting around an outdoor table. Further, the direction of air flowing through the device can be easily changed to allow air to be moved to a desired area or in a desired flow pattern.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a table fan device. In one primary embodiment, the device may be comprised of at least one fan that is further primarily comprised of at least one fan blade, a housing, at least one button, and at least one motor. In a differing embodiment, the device may be comprised of at least one fan that is further attached to a table designed to hold said fan on the bottom surface of the table. The table may be any type of table manufactured with at least one leg. The table may feature at least one support arm that is attached to the bottom surface of the table. The fan, in turn, may be attached to the support arm through at least one fastener. In this manner, the fan will be secured underneath the table and suspended above the ground. This allows for the airflow produced by the fan to be evenly dispersed from underneath the table.
Preferably, the housing is manufactured from a metal material, such as stainless steel or aluminum. The fan blade is preferably comprised of a plastic material. The fan blade is attached to the device by a vertical shaft and rotates around the vertical shaft when engaged. The fan is powered by a motor, which in turn is powered by a battery. Preferably, the battery is rechargeable via a power cord. In different embodiments, the motor may be powered by solar panels which are attached to either of the top, side, or bottom surfaces of the housing.
Accordingly, the table fan device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a continuous blast of air to those nearby to either cool or warm them when needed. Moreover, because the device features a motor and a rechargeable battery, the table fan device is easily engaged for use and can operate for an extended period of time. Lastly, because the table fan device can be positioned underneath a table, its airflow is effectively dispersed around itself, providing an efficient cooling or warming mechanism. In this manner, the table fan device provides a novel solution for an existing problem.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a table fan device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a table fan device that produces copious airflow to sufficiently cool or warm people sitting nearby. Moreover, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a table fan device that can be attached beneath a table so that the airflow can emanate from underneath the table evenly. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a table fan device that can produce airflow from either the top or bottom side of the device. Lastly, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a table fan device that can swiftly be recharged through solar panels.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a table fan device. The table fan device features at least one fan, which is primarily comprised of at least one fan blade, a housing, at least one button, and at least one motor. In differing embodiments, the device may be manufactured with at least one fan attached to a table. The table, in turn, is designed to hold said fan on the bottom surface of the table. The table is manufactured with at least one leg whereby at least one support arm is attached to the bottom surface of the table. The fan may then be attached to the support arm by at least one fastener. The fan is thus secured underneath the table and rests suspended above the ground. The result of this design allows for airflow produced by the fan to be evenly dispersed underneath the table and expelled outwards to those sitting around the table.
In the preferred embodiment, the housing is manufactured in a metal material, such as stainless steel or aluminum. The fan blade is preferably manufactured in a plastic material. To operate, the fan blade rotates around the vertical shaft at vigorous speeds to produce airflow. A motor powers the operation of the fan. A battery, in turn, powers the motor. Preferably, the battery is rechargeable through a power cord that is attached to the device. In different embodiments, the motor may be powered by solar panels that are attached to either the top surface, side surfaces, or bottom surface of the housing.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The housing 220 is preferably manufactured from a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum, but may be made from of any metal known in the art. In different embodiments, the housing 220 may be manufactured in a plastic material, such as, but not limited to: acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low-density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, etc. To enhance the appearance of the device 100, the housing 220 may be comprised of a plurality of decorative indicia 260, such as, but not limited to: patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. The device 100 is comprised of at least one fan blade 210. The fan blades 210 are designed to rotate around a vertical shaft 240. The vertical shaft 240 is generally cylindrical and is positioned in the center of the housing 220. The fan blades 210 are preferably manufactured in a lightweight plastic material or a durable metal material. In differing embodiments, the device 100 and/or housing 220 may have a water-resistant coating, or the components of the device 100 and/or housing 220 may themselves, be water-resistant. In this manner, the device 100 may be kept outside for long periods of time.
The motor 224 of the device 100 may be any motor 224 known in the art. The motor 224 is preferably electric and receives power from a battery 224, which in turn may receive power from a power cord 250. The power cord 250 is preferably a male power cord 250 that may be plugged into most standard 110-volt or 240-volt wall outlet. In another embodiments, the top surface 222, bottom surface 224, or side surfaces 223 of the housing 220 may be comprised of at least one solar panel 248 that powers the battery 246. The battery 246 may be a disposable battery 246 or a rechargeable battery 246 in the form of an alkaline, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride battery, etc. such as any 3V-12volts DC battery 246 or other conventional battery 246 such as A, AA, AAA, etc. that supply power to the device. Throughout this specification, the terms “battery,” “battery pack,” and “batteries” may be used interchangeably to refer to one or more wet or dry cells or batteries 246 of cells in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of DC power. References to recharging or replacing batteries 246 may refer to recharging or replacing individual cells, individual batteries 246 of cells, or a package of multiple battery 246 cells as is appropriate for any given battery 246 technology that may be used. In differing embodiments of the device 100, the solar panel 248 may be comprised of, but not limited to: monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or a photovoltaic cell film.
The motor 244 may also have a plurality of speeds that allow the fan blade 210 to rotate at different rotations per minute. Said speeds can be switched using the button 230 and may include, but are not limited to: low, medium, and high. In addition, the button 230 may allow the user to switch the direction of the rotation of the fan blade 210 (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise) in order to draw cooler air upwards or force warm air downwards.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the table fan device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the table fan device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the table fan device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the table fan device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the table fan device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63247847 | Sep 2021 | US |
