U.S. patent application number 11/557161 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for ceiling fan.
This patent application is currently assigned to MINKA LIGHTING INC.. Invention is credited to Mark Gajewski.
Application Number | 20080107527 11/557161 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39359887 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080107527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gajewski; Mark |
May 8, 2008 |
CEILING FAN
Abstract
The invention relates generally to fans, and in particular to
ceiling fans. The ceiling fan includes a motor with a shaft that
rotates with the rotation of the motor. A fan blade assembly is
coaxially coupled to the motor shaft. The motor and fan blade
assembly are substantially remote to each other.
Inventors: |
Gajewski; Mark; (Avila
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & MCKENZIE LLP
Pennzoil Place, South Tower, 711 Louisiana, Suite 3400
HOUSTON
TX
77002-2716
US
|
Assignee: |
MINKA LIGHTING INC.
Corona
CA
|
Family ID: |
39359887 |
Appl. No.: |
11/557161 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
416/5 ;
416/244R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/088 20130101;
F04D 29/053 20130101; F04D 29/054 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
416/5 ;
416/244.R |
International
Class: |
F04D 29/04 20060101
F04D029/04; F04D 29/00 20060101 F04D029/00; F04D 29/044 20060101
F04D029/044 |
Claims
1. A ceiling fan comprising: a motor assembly; a shaft having a
first end and a second end; and a hub comprising a fan blade
assembly; wherein the first end of the shaft is coaxially coupled
to the motor assembly and the second end of the shaft is coaxially
coupled to the fan blade assembly, wherein the motor assembly
rotates the shaft and the shaft rotates the fan blade assembly.
2. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the motor assembly and fan
blade assembly are substantially remote to each other.
3. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the shaft is coupled to the
motor assembly via a first attachment mechanism and the shaft is
coupled to the fan blade assembly via a second attachment
mechanism.
4. The ceiling fan of claim 3, wherein the first attachment
mechanism comprises a coupling interface.
5. The ceiling fan of claim 3, wherein the second attachment
mechanism comprises a mechanical fastener.
6. A system for supporting a ceiling fan assembly having a motor, a
motor housing, a fan blade assembly and a downrod, the system
comprising: a. coupling means for coupling the ceiling fan assembly
to a support surface and supporting at least some of the weight of
the ceiling fan assembly; and b. stability means for reducing the
amount of horizontal movement of the ceiling fan assembly.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the stability means comprises a
plurality of cables.
8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a support ring and
wherein the cables extend from the support ring to an upper portion
of a hub which is coupled to the fan blade assembly.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the upper portion of the hub is
static during the operation of the ceiling fan.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein the cables comprise a tensioning
mechanism which adjusts to secure the ceiling fan assembly to the
coupling means and the upper portion of the hub.
11. A system for attaching a light kit to a ceiling fan assembly
having a motor, a motor housing, a fan blade assembly and a
downrod, the system comprising: a. an inner downrod; b. an outer
downrod; and c. a sleeve wherein the sleeve and the inner downrod
are stationary during operation, wherein the outer downrod is
coupled to the fan blade assembly and rotates with the motor, and
the light kit is coupled to the inner downrod.
12. A system for minimizing horizontal movement of a ceiling fan
assembly having a motor and a fan blade assembly, the system
comprising: a. a support ring; b. one or more cables; and c. a hub
wherein the support ring couples the ceiling fan assembly to the
ceiling, wherein the cables couple the support ring to the hub.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the cable further comprises a
tensioning mechanism for tightening or lessening the tension in the
cables.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein the hub is further coupled to
the fan blade assembly and the hub is stationary during operation
and the fan blade assembly rotates with the motor during operation.
Description
PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH STATEMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is directed to a ceiling fan.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A typical ceiling fan includes a down rod assembly suspended
from the ceiling with a motor shaft connected to a lower portion of
the down rod assembly. A motor body rotates about the motor shaft.
Blade mounting arms, also referred to as blade irons, are connected
to the motor body and extend out of an opening of the motor housing
or below the motor housing.
[0006] Motors used in the art tend to be proximate to the fan
blades. Typically, fan blades are connected to the motor via blade
irons. However, motors tend to be cumbersome and unattractive
causing manufacturers to encase or mask the motor within a housing.
Unfortunately, the bulk of the motor limits the aesthetics of the
ceiling fan housing. Furthermore, when the downrod assembly
positions the ceiling fan a distance from the ceiling, horizontal
movement of the ceiling fan may occur during operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Some embodiments of the invention provide a ceiling fan
comprising a motor assembly, a shaft having a first end and a
second end, and a hub having a fan blade assembly wherein the first
end of the shaft is coaxially coupled to the motor assembly and the
second end of the shaft is coaxially coupled to the fan blade
assembly, and wherein the motor assembly rotates the shaft and the
shaft rotates the fan blade assembly. In such embodiments of the
invention, the motor assembly and fan blade assembly may be
substantially remote to each other. In some embodiments of the
invention, the shaft is coupled to the motor assembly via a first
attachment mechanism and the shaft is coupled to the fan blade
assembly via a second attachment mechanism. In yet other
embodiments of the invention, the first attachment mechanism
comprises a coupling interface. In yet other embodiments of the
invention, the second attachment mechanism comprises a mechanical
fastener.
[0008] Some embodiments of the invention provide a system for
supporting a ceiling fan assembly having a motor, a motor housing,
a fan blade assembly and a downrod, the system comprising coupling
means for coupling the ceiling fan assembly to a support surface
and supporting at least some of the weight of the ceiling fan
assembly, and stability means for reducing the amount of horizontal
movement of the ceiling fan assembly. In some of such embodiments,
the stability means comprise a plurality of cables. In some
embodiments of the invention, the cables extend from the coupling
means to an upper portion of a hub which is coupled to the fan
blade assembly. In yet other embodiments of the invention, the
upper portion of the hub is static during the operation of the
ceiling fan. In yet other embodiments of the invention, the cables
comprise a tensioning mechanism which adjusts to secure the ceiling
fan assembly to the coupling means and the upper portion of the
hub.
[0009] Some embodiments of the invention provide a system for
attaching a light kit to a ceiling fan assembly having a motor, a
motor housing, a fan blade assembly and a downrod, and comprising
an inner downrod, an outer downrod, and a sleeve wherein the sleeve
and the inner downrod are stationary during operation, and wherein
the outer downrod is coupled to the fan blade assembly and rotates
with the motor, and the light kit is coupled to the inner
downrod.
[0010] In yet other embodiments of the invention a system for
minimizing horizontal movement of a ceiling fan assembly having a
motor and a fan blade assembly, the system comprising a support
ring, one or more cables, and a hub wherein the support ring
couples the ceiling fan assembly to the ceiling, and wherein the
cables couple the support ring to the hub is provided. In some such
embodiments the cable further comprises a tensioning mechanism for
tightening or lessening the tension in the cables. In some
embodiments of the invention, the hub is further coupled to the fan
blade assembly and the hub is stationary during operation and the
fan blade assembly rotates with the motor during operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, exemplify the invention
and together with the description, serve to explain the principles
of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cut-away view of the embodiment in
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing an embodiment of the
invention, a ceiling fan 10 generally includes a mounting assembly
12, a motor assembly 14, a downrod assembly 16, a hub assembly 18,
and a light kit 20. In a preferred embodiment, the motor assembly
14 and the hub assembly 18 are coaxially coupled via the downrod
assembly 16.
[0016] The ceiling fan 10 is connected to the ceiling via the
mounting assembly 12. The mounting assembly 12 connects to the
ceiling, or other support surface, on one side and couples to the
motor assembly 14 on the other side. Electrical wires for powering
and controlling the ceiling fan 10 pass through the mounting
assembly 12 to the motor assembly 14. The mounting assembly 12 may
be an interface plate that connects to a junction box in the
ceiling. The interface plate also supports some of the weight of
the ceiling fan 10. Although an interface plate is illustrated as
connecting the ceiling fan 10 to the ceiling, other commonly known
mechanical methods of coupling the ceiling fan 10 to the ceiling or
other support surface are contemplated as being included in the
present invention, and include, without limitation, mechanical
fasteners, and the like.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, the motor assembly 14 includes a
housing 100 and a rotor 102. The rotor 102 may be situated within
the housing 100. During operation, the housing 100 remains
stationary while the rotor 102 rotates. The housing 100 also
supports some of the weight of the ceiling fan 10. The rotor 102
further includes a shaft (not shown) that passes through the rotor
102 and does not rotate during operation. The shaft is a passageway
for allowing a plurality of electric wires 106 to pass
therethrough.
[0018] The motor assembly 14 is coupled to the downrod assembly 16.
In some embodiments, the rotor 102 is coupled to the downrod
assembly 16. The downrod assembly 16 consists of an inner downrod
28, an outer downrod 30 and a sleeve 32. The downrod assembly 16
may be any suitable length for operation of the ceiling fan 10. In
alternate embodiments, the downrod assembly 16 is any length that
one skilled in the art is able to design and engineer having
structural support and aesthetic appeal.
[0019] The inner downrod 28 has a first end 34 coupled to the shaft
which passes through the rotor 102. The inner downrod 28 remains
stationary during operation and has a passageway therethrough for
passing the plurality of electrical wires 106 through to the light
kit 20. The electrical wires 106 may be used for powering and
controlling the light kit 20. The inner downrod 28 is coupled at
the first end 34 to the shaft by any commonly known mechanical
attachment methods, such as, but not limited to couplings, pins,
screws, snap fits, spring loaded connectors and the like, including
a plurality of mechanical fasteners. Opposite the first end 34 is a
second end 36 of the inner downrod 28 that is coupled to the light
kit 20. Although a mechanical fastener is illustrated as coupling
the inner downrod 28 to the light kit 20, other commonly known
mechanical methods of coupling the inner downrod 28 to the light
kit 20 are contemplated as being included in the present invention,
and include, without limitation, couplings, pins, screws, snap
fits, spring loaded connectors and the like including a plurality
of mechanical fasteners. The light kit 20 does not rotate about an
axis defined by the downrod assembly 16 during operation.
[0020] The outer downrod 30 rotates with the rotor 102 during
operation via the coupling assembly 22. The coupling assembly 22
may be a mating interface. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling
assembly 22 also includes one or more couplings. The mating
interface includes a first interface 24 on the rotor 102 and a
second interface 26 on the outer downrod 30 of the downrod assembly
16. The first interface 24 and the second interface 26 interconnect
with each other. Although a mating interface which includes a
plurality of couplings is illustrated as coupling the rotor 102 to
the outer downrod 30, other commonly known mechanical methods of
coupling the rotor 102 to the outer downrod 30 are contemplated as
being included in the present invention, and include, without
limitation, mechanical fasteners, pins, screws, spring loaded
connectors and the like. The first interface 24 may be an
attachment to the rotor 102. In a preferred embodiment, the first
interface 24 is coupled to the rotor 102 by a plurality of
fasteners. In alternate embodiments, any commonly known mechanical
fastener may be used to couple the first interface to the rotor
102, such as, but not limited to mechanical fasteners, pins,
screws, spring loaded connectors and the like. The second interface
26 may be molded as part of the outer downrod 30 or may be coupled
to the outer downrod 30. The second interface 26 may also include
one or more bearing assemblies 108.
[0021] The second interface 26 of the coupling assembly 22 is
typically on a first end 38 of the outer downrod 30. In a preferred
embodiment, the second interface 26 is coupled to the outer downrod
30 by a plurality of fasteners. In alternate embodiments, any
commonly known mechanical fastener may be used to couple the second
interface 26 is coupled to the outer downrod 30, such as, but not
limited to mechanical fasteners, pins, screws, spring loaded
connectors and the like.
[0022] The hub 18 includes an upper portion 46 which remains
stationary during operation of the ceiling fan and a fan blade
assembly 120 which rotates during operation of the ceiling fan.
Opposite the first end 38 of the outer downrod 30 is a second end
40 which is coupled to the fan blade assembly 120. Although a
mechanical fastener 200, such as a set screw, is illustrated as
coupling the second end 40 of the outer downrod 30 to the fan blade
assembly 120, other commonly known mechanical methods of coupling
the outer downrod 30 to the fan blade assembly 120 are contemplated
as being included in the present invention, and include, without
limitation, pins, screws, threaded connectors, spring loaded
connectors and the like, including a plurality of fasteners 200.
The outer downrod 30 encircles the inner downrod 28. The outer
downrod 30 and the inner downrod 28 are not fixedly coupled,
allowing them to operate independently. In some embodiments, there
may be one or more bearing assemblies between the outer downrod 30
and the inner downrod 28.
[0023] Both the outer downrod 30 and the inner downrod 28 are
encased by the sleeve 32. The sleeve 32 has a first end 42 and a
second end 44. The first end 42 of the sleeve 32 is coupled to the
motor housing 100. The sleeve 32 remains stationary during
operation. Although a mechanical fastener 202, such as a screw, is
illustrated as coupling the first end 42 of the sleeve 32 to the
motor housing 100, other commonly known mechanical methods of
coupling the first end 42 of the sleeve 32 to the motor housing 100
are contemplated as being included in the present invention, and
include, without limitation, pins, screws, spring loaded connectors
and the like, including a plurality of mechanical fasteners. The
second end 44 of the sleeve 32 is coupled to the upper portion 46
of the hub 18. The upper portion 46 of the hub 18 remains
stationary during operation. Although a mechanical fastener 58 is
illustrated as coupling the upper portion 46 of the hub 18 to the
sleeve 32, other methods of coupling the upper portion 46 of the
hub 18 to the sleeve 32 are contemplated as being included in the
present invention, and include, without limitation, pins, screws,
spring loaded connectors and the like, including a plurality of
mechanical fasteners 58. To reduce the friction between the upper
portion 46 of the hub 18 and the outer downrod 30, one or more
bearing assemblies 60 may be placed between the second end 44 of
the sleeve 32 adjacent to the fan blade assembly 18. To reduce the
friction between the fan blade assembly 120 and the inner downrod
28, a bearing assembly 62 may be placed adjacent to the second end
40 of the inner downrod 28.
[0024] In some embodiments, a plurality of cables 48 couple the
upper portion 46 of the hub 18 to a support ring 50. The support
ring 50 is coupled to the mounting assembly 12. Although a nut and
bolt assembly is illustrated as coupling the support ring 50 to the
mounting assembly 12, other commonly known mechanical methods of
attaching the support ring 50 to the mounting assembly 12 may be
used and include without limitations, mechanical fasteners, screws,
bolts, studs and the like. The number of cables 48 may be
determined by one skilled in the art based on mechanical and
decorative considerations. Mechanical considerations include
removing all degrees of freedom in the horizontal plane for the hub
18. Decorative considerations are based upon aesthetic appeal. In a
preferred embodiment, there are three (3) cables 48. In other
embodiments, there are one, two or more cables 48. The cables 48
may be used to minimize the amount of horizontal movement of the
ceiling fan 10 during operation. In a preferred embodiment, the
cables 48 have a first section 52 and a second section 54. The
second section 54 includes a tensioning mechanism 56 for tightening
or lessening the tension in the cables 48. Although a tensioning
mechanism 56 is illustrated in the Figures, other methods of
lessening or minimizing the horizontal movement are contemplated as
being included in the present invention, and include, without
limitation, spring loaded connectors, turnbuckles and the like.
Although a plurality of cables 48 are illustrated in the Figures,
other methods of lessening or minimizing the horizontal movement
are contemplated as being included in the present invention, and
include, without limitation, guidewires, chains, and the like.
[0025] In some embodiments, the ceiling fan 10 is further coupled
to a light source 20. Typically the light source 20 is electrically
powered. Such a device may be generally referred to as an
electrical device. An electrical device is defined herein as a
device powered by alternating current or direct current, for
example, or any other conventional electrical power source. The
light source 20 is connected in a fixed manner to the second end 36
of the inner downrod 28, i.e., not rotating relative to the
motor.
[0026] While the invention has been described with reference to one
or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will
recognize that many modifications may be made thereto without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Each of these
embodiments, and obvious variations thereof, is contemplated as
falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which
is set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *