U.S. patent application number 10/970464 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-05 for suspended ceiling fan.
Invention is credited to Gonce, Ken R..
Application Number | 20050092888 10/970464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34556125 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050092888 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gonce, Ken R. |
May 5, 2005 |
Suspended ceiling fan
Abstract
The suspended ceiling fan generates a sustained flow of air,
which can be aimed at one spot, such as a person's face. In one
embodiment, the suspended ceiling fan has an elongated member, a
track connector, a swivel, and a fan unit. The elongated member has
first and second opposing ends. The track connector is attached to
the first end, and is adapted for attachment to an existing track,
such as a track lighting system, or other support for a suspended
lighting system. In one mode of operation the connector snaps into
the track. In another embodiment, the ceiling fan comprises an
adjustable arm having a hinged joint. The fan may be moved along
the track and pivoted on the swivel to direct airflow in any
desired direction.
Inventors: |
Gonce, Ken R.; (Simi Valley,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C. Litman
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, INC.
P.O. Box 15035
Arlington
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
34556125 |
Appl. No.: |
10/970464 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60516268 |
Nov 3, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/324 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/088
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/324 |
International
Class: |
A47H 001/10 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A suspended ceiling fan, comprising: an elongated member having
a first end and an opposing second end; a track connector adapted
for attachment to a ceiling track, the track connector being
attached to the first end of the elongated member; a swivel having
a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the swivel
being attached to the second end of the elongated member; and a fan
unit attached to the second end of the swivel; whereby the
elongated fan is movable along the track and the fan unit is
pivotal on the swivel in order to direct airflow to a desired
location.
2. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the fan
unit comprises a mini-fan.
3. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the
elongated member is a hollow tube.
4. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 3, further
comprising electric wiring connected to the fan unit and extending
through the elongated member, the wiring being adapted for
attachment to a power source.
5. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the
elongated member is a flexible gooseneck shaft.
6. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 5, wherein the
gooseneck shaft is hollow and further comprises electric wiring
extending through the shaft and connected to the fan unit, the
wiring being adapted for attachment to a power source.
7. A suspended ceiling fan, comprising: an adjustable arm having a
first end, an opposing second end, and a hinged joint pivotally
connecting the first and second ends; a track lighting connector
attached to the first opposite end of the adjustable arm, the track
lighting being adapted for attachment to a ceiling track; a swivel
attached to the second end of the adjustable arm; and a fan unit
attached to the swivel; whereby the elongated fan is movable along
the track and the fan unit is pivotal on the swivel in order to
direct airflow to a desired location.
8. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 7, wherein the fan
unit is a mini-fan.
9. A suspended ceiling fan, comprising: a fan unit; and mounting
means for pivotally and slidably mounting the fan unit to a track
of ceiling mounted track lighting system; whereby the elongated fan
is slidable along the track and the fan unit is pivotal in order to
direct airflow to a desired location.
10. The suspended ceiling fan kit according to claim 9, wherein the
fan unit is a mini-fan.
11. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein the
track is a pair of rails defining a channel, said mounting means
comprising: a track connector adapted for slidable mounting in the
channel; an elongated rod extending from the track connector; and a
swivel attached to the rod, the fan unit being attached to the
swivel.
12. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 11, further
comprising a second swivel pivotally attaching the rod to the track
connector.
13. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 11, wherein said
rod comprises an articulated arm.
14. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein the
track is twin bars, said mounting means comprising: a sliding bar
having opposite ends adapted for sliding on the twin bars; and an
elongated member depending from the sliding bar.
15. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 14, wherein said
elongated member comprises a gooseneck shaft, said fan unit being
attached to the gooseneck shaft.
16. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein the
track is twin cables, said mounting means comprising a gimbal
having a ring and spars extending from opposite sides of the ring,
the spars being slidably mounted on the cables, the ring sliding
between the cables, the fan unit being pivotally mounted in the
ring on and axis of rotation parallel to the cables.
17. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein the
track is a monorail, said mounting means comprising a bracket
having a loop adapted for sliding on the monorail and a pair of
arms depending from the loop, the fan unit being pivotally mounted
between the two arms.
18. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein said
fan unit comprises a 120-volt AC motor.
19. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein said
fan unit comprises a motor having a low voltage rating and a
step-down transformer electrically connected to the motor for
stepping down AC voltage from an AC power mains to the voltage
rating of the motor.
20. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein said
fan unit further comprises a battery power source.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/516,268, filed Nov. 3, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to ceiling fans.
More specifically, the invention is a suspended ceiling fan
configured to attach to a track attached to a ceiling.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Traditional ceiling fans are good at providing an
omnidirectional flow of moving air. The operator or user of
traditional ceiling fans can only decide the operating status of
the ceiling fan. For example, once the traditional ceiling fan is
installed, the operator can switch the device on or off, and may be
able to set the speed of the device, but the operator has little,
if any, control over the direction of airflow produced by the
device. Also, traditional ceiling fans are typically complex in
construction and suffer from high loads, leading to stress on
moving parts. In addition, traditional ceiling fans are designed to
be located in one spot and cannot be moved to a different part of a
ceiling. Thus, there is a need for a fan of simple construction
that can be attached to a ceiling, which can be easily moved to a
different location in a room by a user, and which can provide a
sustained vectored flow of air that can be aimed at one spot, such
as a person's face.
[0006] U.S. application Ser. No. 2003/0082062, published May 1,
2003 and applied for by Chen, describes a multi-rotor ceiling fan
comprising a ceiling fan body and a rack body. The ceiling fan body
includes a rotatable disk suspended from a support rod. The rack
includes a pair of rods extending from opposite sides of the disk,
each pair of rods supporting a fan. The fans are positioned so that
the airflow generated by the fans causes the disk to rotate. A
plurality of electrical contacts about the periphery of the disk
maintains electrical power through each pair of rods to drive the
two fan motors.
[0007] The Chen '062 device requires at least two rotor fans (and
supporting rods) to operate. In addition, the separate rods
supporting the rotor fans must be of sufficient strength and
durability to support the dynamic weight of the rotor fans and to
cope with the rotation forces imposed on the rack body. Further, a
user cannot easily move the Chen '062 device to a different
location. Still further, short of jamming the rack body the Chen
'062 device is unable to produce a sustained flow of air directed
at one spot such as a person's face. Also, the burden of requiring
at least two rotor fans and sufficiently strong supporting rods
adds considerably to the manufacturing cost of the Chen '062
device.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,638, issued Apr. 2, 2002 to Liu,
describes a ceiling fan structure that includes a central shaft, a
rotary disk having a pivot disk and a pivot base, a support bracket
having two pairs of support bars each secured to the pivot base and
two locking rings each mounted between two support bars for
securing a hanging fan, a conducting power set having a conducting
bushing secured on the central shaft, a support base secured on the
rotary disk, a plurality of conductors each secured on the support
base and each electrically contacting with the conducting bushing
for supplying electric power to the hanging fan, a rotation
retaining set having a gear secured on the central shaft, a
U-shaped support bracket secured on the rotary disk, a support axle
mounted in the support bracket, a reduction gear mounted on the
support axle and meshing with the gear, a rubbing block mounted on
the support axle and urged between the reduction gear and the upper
support plate of the support bracket, and a spring mounted on the
support axle and having a first end urged on the reduction gear and
a second end urged on the lower support plate of the support
bracket. Like the Chen '062 device, the Liu '638 device is
expensive to manufacture and is unable to produce a sustained flow
of air directed at one spot such as a person's face. Further, the
Liu '638 device cannot be easily moved to a different location.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,864, issued Jun. 29, 1993 to Pearce,
describes a ceiling fan that comprises an electric motor with
separate stationary and rotating members. The Pearce '864 device is
unable to produce a sustained flow of air directed at one spot such
as a person's face and cannot be easily moved to a different
location.
[0010] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed. Thus a suspended ceiling fan solving the aforementioned
problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The suspended ceiling fan generates a sustained flow of air,
which can be aimed at one spot, such as a person's face. In one
embodiment, the suspended ceiling fan comprises an elongated
member, a track connector, a swivel, and a fan unit. The elongated
member has first and second opposing ends. The track connector is
attached to the first end, and is adapted for attachment to an
existing track, such as a track lighting system, or other support
for a suspended lighting system. In one mode of operation the
connector snaps into the track. In another embodiment, the ceiling
fan comprises an adjustable arm having a hinged joint. The fan may
be moved along the track and pivoted on the swivel to direct
airflow in any desired direction.
[0012] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a suspended ceiling fan.
[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a suspended
ceiling fan configured to attach to a track on a ceiling.
[0014] It is a further object of the invention to provide a
suspended ceiling fan that can be easily moved by a person to a
different location.
[0015] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
suspended ceiling fan that can provide a sustained vectored flow of
air that can be aimed at one spot such as a person's face.
[0016] A further object of the invention is to provide a suspended
ceiling fan that can provide sustained directed airflow to one spot
in an energy efficient manner.
[0017] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which
is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its
intended purposes.
[0018] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a suspended
ceiling fan according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a suspended ceiling fan
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the suspended ceiling fan
of FIG. 2A fitted with a step down transformer.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
suspended ceiling fan according to the invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a suspended
ceiling fan with an adjustable arm according to the invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
suspended ceiling fan fitted with an elongated adjustable flexible
member.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a suspended ceiling fan
attached to a twin cable track system.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a suspended ceiling fan
attached to a monorail track system.
[0027] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] The present invention relates generally to ceiling fans.
More specifically, the invention is a ceiling fan configured to
attach to a track attached to a ceiling. The track could be a
conventional lighting track currently known in the art.
[0029] FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of two
embodiments of ceiling fan 100a and 100b, respectively, according
to the present invention. The suspended ceiling fans 100a and 100b
are being used by two users 120a and 120b, respectively, to
separately direct airflow from the fans 100a and 100b while engaged
in the pastime of watching a television 130. Specifically, the
users 120a and 120b are using the suspended ceiling fans 100a and
100b to apply sustained directed air flow to their faces 140a and
140b, respectively. When fitted with an integral battery or other
suitable power source the suspended ceiling fans 100a and 100b can
be moved to a convenient location in a room 180 by a user, thereby
obviating the need to rely on higher energy consuming,
omnidirectional suspended ceiling fans, which, at best, produce a
diffuse and less focused airflow than a suspended ceiling fan of
the present invention.
[0030] In more detail, the ceiling fans 100a and 100b are attached
to a ceiling track, shown as a standard lighting track 160. A user
120 can independently move any one of the ceiling fans 100a and
100b about the track 160 and apply sustained airflow aimed at a
user-desired spot in a room 180. Thus, either user 120a or 120b can
use the suspended ceiling fan 100a or 100b to direct airflow to a
specific spot in a room 180.
[0031] FIG. 2A shows a suspended ceiling fan 100c according to one
embodiment of the invention. The suspended ceiling fan 100c is
configured to provide a sustained flow of air that can be aimed at
one spot such as a person's face 140. The suspended ceiling fan
100c comprises an elongated member 190, a track connector 200, a
swivel 220, and a fan unit 240. The elongated member 190 has
opposing first 260 and second 280 ends. The track connector 200 is
attached to the first end 260, and is adapted to attach to a track
160.
[0032] In one mode of operation, the connector 200 snaps into the
track 160. Thus, the ceiling fan 100 can be moved about a room by
snapping the ceiling fan 100 into a different part of the track
160.
[0033] Still referring to FIG. 2A, the swivel 220 has first 300 and
second 320 opposite ends. The first end 300 of the swivel 220 is
attached to the second end 280 of the elongated member 190. The fan
unit 240 is attached to the second end 320 of the swivel 220. The
swivel 220 enables a user 120 to orientate the fan unit 240 and
thereby provide a sustained flow of air that can be aimed at one
spot, such as a person's face 140a. The fan 240 may be a mini-fan,
which is compact and lightweight.
[0034] In another embodiment of the invention, the fan 240 is a
mini-fan driven by a 12-volt motor 322 (shown in outline) attached
directly to a fan 324; the motor 322 can be driven by any suitable
any suitable battery 326 (shown in phantom in FIG. 2A), and may be
a rechargeable battery. Such a small power requirement is possible
because the suspended ceiling fan 100c directs airflow to the
limited area where it is needed, e.g., a person's face 140a.
Alternatively, a transformer 327 (shown in FIG. 2B) can be used to
step down a high voltage power supply (such as a 120-volt power
supply supplied by a standard lighting track 160) to drive a low
voltage motor 322. However, the motor may be a high voltage (120V)
motor 322b, as shown in FIG. 3, and therefore not require a
transformer to step down the voltage of the electrical power
supply.
[0035] It is envisaged that more than one ceiling fan may be
connected to a ceiling track 160 as shown in FIG. 1. When not in
use, the ceiling fans 100a and 100b can be pushed along the track
160 and parked at a convenient location on the track 160. The exact
form of the ceiling track 160 can vary and may also run along a
wall or other surface.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a suspended ceiling fan
100d according to the invention. In this embodiment an additional
swivel 340 is disposed between the first end 260 of the elongated
member 190 and the track connector 200. The elongated member 190
can be a hollow tube to accommodate an electric supply line 195 to
supply electric power to the fan unit 240. In one embodiment, the
line 195 is active when the suspended ceiling fans 100 are moved to
a particular location on the track 160 to allow the battery 326 to
be recharged. The main advantage of the suspended ceiling fan 100d
is that a person 120 can easily adjust the position of the fan unit
240 and direct airflow to a particular point, such as a person's
face 140a.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a suspended ceiling fan
100e according to the invention. In this embodiment the suspended
ceiling fan 100e comprises an adjustable arm 360 having opposing
first 380 and second 400 ends, wherein the arm 360 comprises a
hinged joint 420 located between the first 380 and second 400 ends.
The suspended ceiling fan 100e provides enhanced adjustment
capability in facilitating a user 120 to point the fan unit 240 at
a desired location. The adjustability of the suspended ceiling fan
100e, combined with the ability to move the suspended ceiling fan
100e about a track 160, provides a ceiling fan that can direct
airflow to most points in a room 180. It should be understood that
the suspended ceiling fan 100 of the present invention could be
used in any type of building or part thereof that has a ceiling
track 160 or its functional equivalent.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a suspended ceiling fan
100g according to the invention. The suspended ceiling fan 100g
comprises a flexible, but stiff, gooseneck form of elongated member
190b. The gooseneck member 190b allows a person to move the fan
unit 240 to a desired position and hold the fan unit 240 at the
desired position because of the stiffness properties inherent in
the elongated member 190b. The suspended ceiling fan 100g is shown
attached to a twin bar track 160b.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment of a suspended ceiling
fan 100i according to the invention. The suspended ceiling fan 100i
comprises a fan unit 240 mounted in a gimbal assembly 190c. The
gimbal assembly 190c allows a person 120 to move the fan unit 240
to a desired position and hold the fan unit 240 at the desired
position. The suspended ceiling fan 100i is shown attached to a
cable system 160c.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a suspended ceiling fan
100j according to the invention. The suspended ceiling fan 100j
comprises a fan unit 240 mounted in a bracket 190d. The bracket
190d allows a person 120 to move the fan unit 240 to a desired
position and hold the fan unit 240 at the desired position. The
suspended ceiling fan 100j is shown attached to a monorail system
160d.
[0041] It should be understood that the that the ceiling track
could supply any suitable power level to drive the fan motor, such
as a high voltage (e.g., a 120-volt supply) to power motor 322b or
low voltage (e.g., a 12-volt supply) to power motor 322. The
standard track 160 and twin track 160b supply electrical current
rated at 120 volts and 12 volts, respectively, to power motors 322
and 322b, respectively. The lower voltage lighting tracks, such as
the twin-track 160c and cable lighting track 160d, may have an
independent step-down transformer attached to the track to provide
a low voltage supply.
[0042] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *