U.S. patent application number 09/736995 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-04 for diffuser and ceiling fan combination.
Invention is credited to Snyder, Darryl L..
Application Number | 20010027086 09/736995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26867903 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010027086 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snyder, Darryl L. |
October 4, 2001 |
Diffuser and ceiling fan combination
Abstract
A diffuser for a ceiling allows a ceiling fan to be mounted
directly below the diffuser so that the fan may distribute the air
being delivered out of the diffuser. The diffuser includes an upper
box section mounted on a lower section that mounts the diffuser on
the ceiling. The down rod of the ceiling fan is connected to the
diffuser to support the ceiling fan. The down rod may be supported
above the upper section so that the electrical connections between
the ceiling fan and an electrical source may be positioned outside
of the diffuser.
Inventors: |
Snyder, Darryl L.; (Canton,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
Aston Park Professional Center
Suite 194
4801 Dressler Rd., NW
Canton
OH
44718-3669
US
|
Family ID: |
26867903 |
Appl. No.: |
09/736995 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60172265 |
Dec 17, 1999 |
|
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|
60226163 |
Aug 18, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
454/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/088 20130101;
F24F 2221/14 20130101; F24F 7/007 20130101; F24F 13/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/292 |
International
Class: |
F24F 007/00 |
Claims
1. In combination, a ceiling fan and a diffuser adapted to be
positioned at a vent in a ceiling wherein an air inlet tube
delivers air to the vent; the ceiling fan including a down rod, a
motor, and a plurality of fan blades; the down rod of the ceiling
fan passing through a portion of the diffuser to position the fan
blades of the ceiling fan below the diffuser.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the diffuser includes an
upper section having at least two opposed sidewalls.
3. The combination of claim 2, wherein at least one of the
sidewalls is angled with respect to vertical; the angled sidewall
being adapted to connect with the air inlet tube.
4. The combination of claim 3, wherein both opposed sidewalls are
angled.
5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the diffuser includes a
diffuser box having an upper wall; the combination including an
electrical box supported above the upper wall of the diffuser box;
and the down rod of the veiling fan being supported by the
electrical box.
6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the down rod is centered
with respect to the vanes.
7. The combination of claim 5, further comprising: a collar
disposed inside the electrical box; the collar being connected to
the electrical box with a first connector; the collar surrounding a
portion of the down rod; and a pin extending through the collar and
the down rod.
8. The combination of claim 7, further comprising a secondary
connector connecting the collar to electrical box.
9. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a grommet
disposed between the down rod and the vanes.
10. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a support
assembly connected to the diffuser; the support assembly engaging
the down rod of the ceiling fan to support the down rod.
11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the support assembly
includes: a collar that surrounds a portion of the down rod; and a
plurality of support rods that extend from the diffuser to the
collar; the support assembly preventing the down rod from shaking
or rattling when the ceiling fan becomes unbalanced.
12. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a support frame
connected to the diffuser.
13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the support frame
includes: at least two vertical risers that are connected to the
diffuser; an upper horizontal support that extends across the
vertical risers; and an intermediate horizontal support that
extends between the vertical risers; the intermediate horizontal
support being positioned between the upper horizontal support and
the diffuser.
14. The combination of claim 13, further comprising an electrical
box positioned above the diffuser; the electrical box being
connected to the intermediate horizontal support.
15. The combination of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is covered
with an insulating material.
16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the down rod is covered
with an insulating material to prevent down rod from gathering
condensation.
17. A diffuser adapted to support a ceiling fan from a vent in a
ceiling; the ceiling fan including a down rod, a motor, and a
plurality of fan blades; the diffuser comprising: an upper section
in the form of a diffuser box having an upper wall and at least a
pair of opposed sidewalls; a lower section connected to the upper
section; the lower section being adapted to mount the diffuser to
the ceiling; a plurality of vanes supported by the lower section;
and the upper section adapted to support the down rod of the
ceiling fan to support the ceiling fan.
18. The diffuser of claim 17, wherein the upper wall of the
diffuser box is adapted to support the down rod of the ceiling
fan.
19. The diffuser of claim 18, further comprising an electrical box
connected to the upper wall of the upper section.
20. The diffuser of claim 19, wherein at least one of the sidewalls
of the upper section is angled with respect to vertical.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/172,265 filed Dec. 17, 1999, and from U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/226,163 filed Aug. 18, 2000;
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention generally relates to heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning air distribution equipment and,
more particularly, to a ceiling diffuser that includes a ceiling
fan to more thoroughly distribute the air flowing through the
diffuser.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning duct work in
commercial buildings is typically disposed above the ceiling. Air
is distributed into the rooms of the building through vents located
in the ceiling. Diffusers are used in the vents to evenly
distribute the air flowing out of the vent.
[0006] Ceiling fans are also used to distribute air. Ceiling fans
hang below the ceiling of a room. One problem in the prior art is
that ceiling fans must be hung away from the vents because the
ceiling fans must be connected to a support structure. The removed
position of the ceiling fan often creates cold or warm spots in the
room. The art thus desires a structure that allows a typical
ceiling fan to be mounted directly below a diffuser in a ceiling
vent. Another problem in the art is that rooms have limited panels
in which to install lights, vents, fans, sprinklers, speakers, etc.
The art desires devices that combine these elements to limit the
number of ceiling panels used in a room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a diffuser for a heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning system that allows a ceiling fan
to be centered directly below the diffuser. The invention provides
this combination by providing a diffuser box having a mount that
receives a standard ceiling fan. The invention provides the
combination diffuser and ceiling fan while allowing the electrical
connection between the ceiling fan and electrical service to occur
outside of the diffuser box.
[0008] The invention provides the above combination in further
combination with a light to minimize the number of ceiling panels
filled in a given room.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view, partially in section, of the first
embodiment of the combination diffuser and ceiling fan of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a sectional front view of the connection between
the ceiling fan and the top of the diffuser box.
[0011] FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a collar insert for use with
a smaller diameter down rod.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a room using two combined
diffuser and ceiling fans of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternative
upper section.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of
the combination diffuser and ceiling fan.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
5.
[0016] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the
specification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The first embodiment of the combined diffuser and ceiling
fan combination of the present invention is indicated generally by
the numeral 10 in the accompanying drawings. Combination 10 is
depicted in FIG. 3 as being installed in a typical drop ceiling 12
in a room 14. Combination 10 functions to evenly distribute air
within room 14 by immediately distributing air exiting the diffuser
16 with the fan 18.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, ceiling 12 includes a plurality
of ceiling panels 20 supported by a plurality of frame members 22.
Various types of ceiling panels 20 and frame members 22 are known
in the art and combination 10 of the present invention is intended
to work with a wide variety of ceiling panels 20 and frame members
22. Frame members 22 are typically supported by supports 24 from a
fixed roof (not shown) of the building. In addition, combination 10
is intended to work with other ceilings 12 other than the drop
ceiling disclosed in the drawings. Combination 10 decreases the
number of ceiling panels used to support items in a room.
[0019] Ceiling fan 18 is any of a variety of ceiling fans known in
the art that includes a plurality of blades 30 extending from a hub
32 that is rotatingly driven by a motor 34. Fan 18 may also include
one or more lights 35. Motor 34 is supported by a down rod 36. Down
rods 36 known in the art are typically 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch outside
diameter and include a hollow channel 38 that receives wire 39 that
provides power to motor 34. Fan 18 may be rotated in either
direction and the speed of rotation is typically controlled by the
user.
[0020] Diffuser 16 includes a plurality of concentrically-disposed
vanes 40. Vanes 40 may be square as depicted in FIG. 3, triangular,
round (FIG. 6), or any of a variety of other shapes as is known in
the art. Vanes 40 are connected together and supported from a
diffuser box 42 by supports 44. Diffuser box 42 includes a lower
section 46 and an upper section 48. Lower section 46 of diffuser
box 42 is configured to be supported by support members 22 and is
typically the same size as one ceiling panel 20 so that lower
diffuser section 46 replaces a ceiling panel 20 as shown in FIG. 3.
Box 42 thus rests on four supports 22. Section 46 may include feet
50 that rest on support members 22 and may be connected to support
members 22 by connectors such as screws, bolts, rivets, adhesive,
etc. In past diffusers, the air inlet tube 52 connected directly to
section 46 so that the air flowing through tube 52 was directed
immediately into vanes 40 and into room 12. In the present
invention, air inlet tube 52 is connected to upper section 48 of
box 42. In the preferred embodiment, air inlet tube 52 is connected
to a side wall 54 of upper section 48. Side wall 54 is angled with
respect to vertical so that the air flowing into box 42 is directed
downwardly toward vanes 40. In an alternative embodiment, the
opposite wall is angled (FIG. 4) to strengthen upper wall 56 and to
direct air downwardly.
[0021] Diffuser box 42 includes an upper wall 56. Upper wall 56
supports an electrical box 58 that contains the electrical
connection 60 between wire 39 and electrical supply wire 62.
Electrical box 58 also supports down rod 36 in a position where rod
36 is centered with respect to vanes 40.
[0022] Down rod 36 is supported by electrical box 58 with a collar
70 that includes an upper section 72 and a threaded lower section
74. Threaded lower section 74 threadedly receives a nut 76 that
clamps against a support plate 78. Support plate 78 engages wall
56. Collar 70 has a shoulder 80 that rests inside electrical box
58. Upper section 72 includes a hole that receives a pin 82 that
extends through collar 70 and through down rod 36 to prevent down
rod 36 from rotating with respect to electrical box 58 and moving
downwardly or upwardly with respect to electrical box 58. Collar 70
is preferably connected to electrical box 58 by a secondary
connector 84 to prevent collar 70 from rotating with respect to
electrical box 58. Connector 84 may be any of a variety of
connectors suitable for holding collar 70 stationary with respect
to electrical box 58. For instance, connector 84 may be a pin, a
screw, a bolt, an adhesive, a nut and bolt combination, a
protuberance that interferes with the rotation of collar 70,
etc.
[0023] Down rod 36 extends through the center of vanes 40 and is
connected to the bottom wall 90 of vanes 40 by a grommet 92.
Grommet 92 prevents down rod from rattling with respect to vanes 40
and dampens vibration.
[0024] When down rod 36 is reduced in diameter, grommet 92 is
increased in size to make up the difference. In addition, a collar
insert 94 (FIG. 2A) is fitted within collar 70 to accept the
smaller diameter down rod 36.
[0025] The second embodiment of the combined diffuser and ceiling
fan combination of the present invention is indicated generally by
the numeral 100 in FIGS. 5 and 6. Combination 100 is depicted in
FIG. 5 as being installed in a typical drop ceiling 12 in a room
similar to room 14 depicted in FIG. 3. Combination 100 functions to
evenly distribute air within the room by immediately distributing
air exiting the diffuser 16 with fan 18.
[0026] Combination 100 includes many of the same elements described
above described above with respect to combination 10 and the same
numbers are used to refer to these elements. Combination 100
includes a support assembly 102 that supports down rod 36 from
diffuser box 42. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in the
drawings, support assembly 102 is connected to lower section 46 of
diffuser box 42.
[0027] Support assembly 102 includes a plurality of support rods
104 that extend from box 42 to a collar 106 that surrounds down rod
36. Collar 106 prevents down rod 36 from shaking or rattling if fan
18 becomes unbalanced. Each support rod 102 is adjustable through
the use of adjustment nuts 108 disposed on both inner and outer
ends of support rods 104. Support assembly 102 allows combination
100 to be used without grommet 92.
[0028] Combination 100 also includes a support frame 120 that
supports diffuser box 42 from the structural elements 122 of the
building in which combination 100 is being installed. Support frame
120 includes at least two vertical risers 124 that are connected to
the sides of box 42. An upper horizontal support 126 extends across
the top ends of vertical risers 124. An intermediate horizontal
support 128 extends between vertical risers 124 and is positioned
above electrical box 58. Intermediate horizontal support 128
supports the top of electrical box 58 and thus provides support to
fan 18 that is connected to support structure 122.
[0029] The outside of box 42 is preferably insulated with an
insulating material that prevents box 42 from gathering
condensation. Down rod 36 is also preferably covered with a foam
insulation to prevent down rod 36 from gathering condensation.
[0030] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0031] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
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