U.S. patent application number 11/943785 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for foil fan blade and ceiling fan.
Invention is credited to Thomas Cartwright.
Application Number | 20080138205 11/943785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39498251 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080138205 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cartwright; Thomas |
June 12, 2008 |
FOIL FAN BLADE AND CEILING FAN
Abstract
A rotary foil fan blade includes an elongated support member and
at least one foil member mounted on the support member. The foil
member is substantially shorter in length than the elongated
support member. A ceiling fan includes a central blade hub and an
array of foil fan blades mounted on the central hub.
Inventors: |
Cartwright; Thomas; (Stuart,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HISCOCK & BARCLAY, LLP
2000 HSBC PLAZA, 100 Chestnut Street
ROCHESTER
NY
14604-2404
US
|
Family ID: |
39498251 |
Appl. No.: |
11/943785 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60866914 |
Nov 22, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
416/210R ;
416/244R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/088 20130101;
F04D 29/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
416/210.R ;
416/244.R |
International
Class: |
F04D 29/64 20060101
F04D029/64; F04D 29/34 20060101 F04D029/34 |
Claims
1. A rotary fan blade comprising: an elongated support member; and
at least one foil member mounted on said support member; wherein
said foil member is substantially shorter in length than said
elongated support member.
2. The rotary fan blade of claim 1 wherein said foil member is
mounted on the end of said support member.
3. The rotary fan blade of claim 1 including a plurality of foil
members mounted on said support member at different locations along
the length of said support member.
4. The rotary fan blade of claim 1 wherein said support member is a
hollow rod having one of a square, circular, triangular, or air
foil cross-sectional shape.
5. The rotary fan blade of claim 1 wherein said support member is a
solid rod having one of a square, circular, triangular, or air foil
cross-sectional shape.
6. The rotary fan blade of claim 1 wherein said support member is
made of one or more of metal, plastic, wood, graphite, or
composites.
7. The rotary fan blade of claim 1 wherein said foil member has an
air foil shape.
8. The rotary fan blade of claim 1 wherein said foil member is
tilted at an angle to the horizontal.
9. The rotary fan blade of claim 1 wherein said support member
includes a first partially hollow segment, a second telescoping
segment partially slidably mounted in said first segment, and
fasteners for joining the blade arm sections at joint in apertures
in said first segment for holding said first and second segments
together.
10. The rotary fan blade of claim 1 wherein said support member
includes a first partially hollow segment, a second telescoping
segment partially slidably mounted in said first segment, a ball
mounted near the end of said second segment, a series of apertures
in said first segment, and a spring mounted on said second segment
for biasing said ball into one of said apertures to hold said first
and second segments together.
11. The rotary fan blade of claim 1 wherein said support member
includes a first hollow segment, a second telescoping segment
partially slidably mounted in said first segment, a centrifugal
force tension spring connecting said first and second segments
together, opposing slots in said first segment, and stabilization
tabs on said second segment which project through said slots on
said first segment; wherein when said rotary fan blade is rotated
rapidly, said second segment extends outwardly by centrifugal force
against the tension force of said spring, and said tabs ride in
said slots.
12. A ceiling fan comprising: a central blade hub; and a
circumferential array of fan blades mounted on said central blade
hub; wherein each of said fan blades includes an elongated support
member, and at least one foil member mounted on said support
member, wherein said foil member is substantially shorter in length
than said elongated support member.
13. The ceiling fan of claim 12 wherein said elongated support
members are sinuous in shape.
14. The ceiling fan of claim 13 wherein said foil members are
sinuous in shape.
15. The ceiling fan of claim 12 wherein said fan blades are fixedly
mounted to said central blade hub.
16. The ceiling fan of claim 12 wherein said fan blades are
adjustably mounted to said central blade hub.
17. The ceiling fan of claim 12 wherein said fan blades are mounted
for axial rotation to said central blade hub and including a
mechanism for rotating said fan blades in order to change the pitch
of said foil members.
18. The ceiling fan of claim 12 wherein said support members each
comprise two or more segments, each of the segments supporting one
or more of said foils.
19. A ceiling fan comprising: a central blade hub; a
circumferential array of foil blades spaced from said central blade
hub; and an assembly for mounting said circumferential array of
foil blades on said central blade hub.
20. The ceiling fan of claim 19 wherein said assembly includes
inner and outer blade support rings for supporting said foil blades
and a plurality of support members radially extending between said
central blade hub and said inner blade support ring.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/866,914, filed Nov. 22,
2006, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates in general to ceiling fans and
relates more particularly to a lightweight foil fan blade and to a
ceiling fan including foil fan blades.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Ceiling fans are popular commercial and consumer items. They
move air in a room to more evenly distribute the air and keep the
room at a more constant temperature. Ceiling fans are often used to
cool people by providing a stream of air over their bodies. The air
stream enhances body cooling by evaporating any surface body
moisture and by removing heat from the surface of the skin.
[0004] The blades of ceiling fans are typically elongated members
of one and a half to two feet or more in length. The fan blade can
be a solid member of wood, metal or plastic. The solid blades are
heavy and require a more powerful, energy consuming motor to rotate
them. The fan blade can be a more lightweight structure including a
rigid frame covered with a lightweight material, such as fabric or
plastic. (See: U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,261, issued May 5, 1992,
inventor Junkin, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,451 B1, issued Jul. 16,
2002, inventors Moody et al.). These blades use a more lightweight
and less energy consuming motor. The blades are typically set at an
angle to the horizontal to facilitate air flow. The fan blades are
often decorative in nature, assuming different shapes and having
different decorations on them. Because fan blades are generally
fixed, they can only produce a fixed flow of air in one
direction.
[0005] There exists a need for a ceiling fan having blades that are
light in weight, that are aesthetically pleasing and that can be
configured to give various air patterns in a room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to a feature of the present invention, there is
provided a rotary fan blade including an elongated support member
and at least one foil member mounted on the support member, wherein
the foil member is substantially shorter than the elongated support
member.
[0007] According to another feature of the present invention, there
is provided a ceiling fan including a plurality of fan blades,
wherein each of the fan blades includes an elongated support member
and at least one foil member mounted on said support member,
wherein the foil member is substantially shorter in length than the
elongated support member.
[0008] An advantage of the present invention is that the foil fan
blade is lightweight and can be designed to be aesthetically
pleasing. Further, a ceiling fan having a plurality of foil fan
blades can be powered with an energy efficient motor and configured
to give various air patterns in a room. Even further, the invention
provides a sectional blade arm for breakdown to reduce shipping and
storage space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention is disclosed with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are respective top plan, side elevational
and front elevational views showing a fan blade according to the
present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 4A-4H are respective cross-sectional views showing
shapes that the support member of the invention of FIGS. 1-3 can
take.
[0012] FIGS. 5 and 6 are respective elevational and plan views
showing an embodiment of ceiling fan according to the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an elevational view showing the foil of the
embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 taken at line 7-7 of FIG. 6.
[0014] FIGS. 8 and 9 are respective elevational and plan views
showing another embodiment of ceiling fan according to the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the foil showing the
embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 taken at line 10-10 of FIG. 9.
[0016] FIGS. 11 and 12 are respective elevational and plan views
showing still another embodiment of ceiling fan according to the
present invention.
[0017] FIGS. 13 and 14 are respective elevational and plan views
showing yet another embodiment of the ceiling fan according to the
present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 15 and 16 are respective elevational and plan views
showing another embodiment of ceiling fan according to the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 16A is an elevation view showing a joint between two
segments useful with the present invention.
[0020] FIGS. 17 and 18 are respective partially sectional plan and
elevational views showing one attachment assembly useful with the
present invention, with FIG. 18 taken at line 18-18 of FIG. 17.
[0021] FIGS. 19, 20, and 21 are respective partially sectional
plan, plan, and elevational views showing another attachment
assembly useful with the present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 are respective partially sectional,
plan, elevational, and elevational views show still another
attachment assembly useful with the present invention, with FIG. 23
taken at line 23-23 of FIG. 22 and FIG. 24 taken at line 24-24 of
FIG. 22.
[0023] FIG. 25 is a partially sectional plan view showing another
attachment assembly useful with the present invention.
[0024] FIGS. 26 and 27 are respective partially sectional plan and
elevational views showing another attachment assembly useful with
the present invention, with FIG. 27 taken at line 27-27 of FIG.
26.
[0025] FIGS. 28, 29, and 30 are partially sectional plan,
elevational and elevational views of a variable pitch assembly
useful with the present invention, with FIG. 30 taken at line 30-30
of FIG. 28.
[0026] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein
illustrate several embodiments of the invention but should not be
construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, there is shown an
embodiment of the foil fan blade of the present invention. As
shown, foil fan blade 10 includes an elongated support member 12
supporting a foil blade 14 at the end thereof by means of screws
16.
[0028] Foil blade 14 is substantially shorter in length than the
length of elongated support member 12. As shown in FIG. 3, foil
blade 14 is set at an angle to the horizontal to move air in an air
pattern as it is rotated. Foil blade 14 is preferably of an
aerodynamic shape but can be of any shape that is effective in
moving air. Foil blade 14 can be located anywhere along the length
of support member 12.
[0029] FIGS. 4A-4H show various shapes that support member 12 can
take. FIGS. 4A-4D respectively show square, triangular, circular
and airfoil shapes for a hollow support member. FIGS. 4E-4H
respectively show square, triangular, circular, and airfoil shapes
for a solid support member. Support member 12 can be of other
shapes and dimensions of a practical or decorative nature. Support
member 12 can be fabricated from any rigid material such as metal,
plastic, wood, graphite, composites, or the like.
[0030] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of ceiling fan according to
the present invention. As shown, ceiling fan 20 includes a
plurality of foil fan blades 10, having support members 12 and foil
blades 14 supported at the ends of support members 12. Foil fan
blades 10 are attached to a blade hub 22 and are arrayed
circumferentially around blade hub 22. As shown, ceiling fan 20 has
five foil fan blades 10 angularly spaced about 72 degrees apart. It
will be understood that ceiling fan 20 can have more or less foil
fan blades 10 as desired. Ceiling fan 20 also includes a canopy 26,
a down rod 32, a motor housing assembly 28, and a globe or shade
30. As shown in FIG. 7, foil blade 14 has an airfoil shape and is
tilted at an angle to the horizontal.
[0031] FIGS. 8-10 show another embodiment of ceiling fan according
to the present invention. As shown, ceiling fan 40 includes a
plurality of foil fan blades 42 having sinuous support members 44
and sinuous foil blades 46 supported at the ends of support members
44. Ceiling fan 40 also has a blade hub 22 to which fan blades 42
are attached, a canopy 26, a down rod 32, a motor housing assembly
28, and a globe or shade 30. FIG. 10 shows the airfoil shape of
foil blade 46.
[0032] FIGS. 11 and 12 show yet another embodiment of ceiling fan
according to the present invention. As shown, ceiling fan 50
includes a circumferential array of foil blades 52 supported by
interior blade support ring 54 and exterior blade support ring 56.
Radially extending support members 58 are attached at one end to
interior blade support ring 54 and at the other end to blade hub
22. Ceiling fan 50 also has a canopy 26, a down rod 32, a motor
housing assembly 28, and a globe or shade 30. Ceiling fan 50 is
shown having 25 foil blades, but it will be understood that any
number more or less than 25 can be used as desired. Foil blades 52
can be of any desired configuration or material.
[0033] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a modification of the ceiling fan of
FIGS. 11 and 12 including means for adjusting the tilt angle of the
circumferential array of foil blades. As shown, ceiling fan 60
includes a circumferential array of foil blades 62 supported by
interior blade support ring 64 and exterior blade support ring 66.
Radially extending support members 68 are attached at one end to
interior blade support ring 64 and at the other end to blade hub
22. Ceiling fan 60 also has a canopy 26, a down rod 32, a motor
housing assembly 28, and a globe or shade 30. Foil blades 62 are
mounted for rotation on blade pivot arms 70 extending between
interior blade support ring 64 and exterior blade support ring 66.
A blade angle adjustment ring 72 is attached to blade angle
adjustment arms 74 at the upper ends of arms 74, while the lower
ends of arms 74 are attached to blade pivot arms 70. Rotation of
ring 72 in one direction will cause blades 62 to tilt in one
direction, while rotation of ring 72 in the opposite direction will
cause blades 62 to tilt in the opposite direction.
[0034] FIGS. 15 and 16 show another embodiment of ceiling fan
according to the present invention. As shown, ceiling fan 80
includes a plurality of foil fan blades 82 each having a plurality
(three) of foil blades 84 supported by elongated support members
86. The blades are arranged in three concentric circles. Each blade
in a given circle is identical. The three blades are radially
spaced from each other along the support member 86. Foil fan blades
82 are attached to a blade hub 22 and are arrayed circumferentially
around blade hub 22. Foil blades 84 can be of different
configurations or tilted at different angles along the length of
support members 86 in order to present different aesthetic effects
or give various air patterns to the surrounding environment.
Ceiling fan 80 also has a canopy 26, a down rod 32, a motor housing
assembly 28, and a globe or shade 30.
[0035] The support members 86 may be segmented to allow the fan
blades 82 to be packaged in smaller boxes and to provide some
flexibility in the length of the fan blades 82 and number of foil
blades 84 included in each fan blade 82. Each of the segments may
include one or more foil blades 84. The segments are connected at a
joint 88, such as the one shown in FIG. 16A. The segments are
assembled by sliding segment 86b into segment 86a and fastening
them together with screws 90. It is preferred that the segments 86a
and 86b include pre-drilled holes for engaging screws 90 such that
the segments are assembled with the foil blades 84 having the
proper angle from horizontal and spacing.
[0036] FIGS. 17 and 18 show an attachment assembly 100 for fixedly
attaching foil fan blade 10 to blade hub 22. As shown, attachment
assembly 100 includes generally T-shaped blade iron 102 attached to
blade hub 22 by assembly screws 104. The end of support member 12
is fixedly mounted in a closed hole 101 in blade iron 102 and fixed
by set screws 106. Foil bade 14 is mounted on the other end of
support member 12 by assembly screws 108. Fan motor shaft 34 is
also shown.
[0037] While it is preferred that the orientation and the distance
from the hub 22 of the foil blades 14 are determined when the fan
is designed and are not adjustable, the following embodiments
describe alternative fans with adjustable foils or support
members.
[0038] FIGS. 19 and 20 show an attachment assembly 110 for
adjustably attaching foil fan blade 10 to blade hub 22. As shown,
attachment assembly 110 includes a generally T-shaped blade iron
112 attached to blade hub 22 by assembly screws 114. The end of
support member 12 is adjustably mounted in through hole 116 in
blade iron 112 and fixed by set screws 118
[0039] FIG. 21 shows another adjustable attachment assembly, where
the blade hub directly mounts the foil fan blade. As shown, blade
hub 130 includes side walls 132 having through holes 134 in which
support member 12 is adjustably mounted. Set screws 136 fix support
member 12 to blade hub 130.
[0040] FIGS. 22-24 show a foil fan blade 140 with a telescoping
support member 142 and foil blade 14. Support member 142 includes a
partially hollow segment 144 attached to blade hub 22 by blade iron
102 and a telescoping segment 146 partially slidably mounted in
segment 144. Segment 146 has, mounted on the end inserted into
segment 144, a ball 148 biased upwardly by spring 150. Segment 144
has a series of apertures 152 into which ball 148 is biased to hold
segments 144 and 146 together.
[0041] FIG. 25 shows a foil fan blade 160 with a telescoping
support member 162 and foil blade 14. Support member 162 includes a
partially hollow segment 164 and a telescoping segment 166
partially slidably mounted in segment 164. Set screws 168 in
apertures 170 of segment 164 hold segments 164 and 166
together.
[0042] FIGS. 26 and 27 show a foil fan blade 180 with a telescoping
support member 182 and a foil blade 14. Support member 182 includes
a hollow segment 184 attached to blade hub 22 by means of blade
iron 102 and a telescoping segment 186 partially slidably mounted
in segment 184. Segment 186 is attached to segment 184 by a
centrifugal force tension spring 188. Stabilization tabs 190
mounted on segment 186 project through slots 192 in segment 184.
When foil fan blade 180 is rotated rapidly, segment 186 extends
outwardly by centrifugal force against the tension force of spring
188.
[0043] FIGS. 28-30 show an attachment assembly for varying the
pitch of the foil blade of a foil fan blade. Foil fan blade 200
includes a rotatable support member 202 and a foil blade 14
attached at one end by screws 108. The other end of support member
202 passes through blade hub 22 and has a conical pinion 204 which
engages curved rack 206. A rack adjustment control shaft 208
connected to rack 206 adjusts the tilt or pitch of foil blade 14 in
directions 210 (FIG. 30).
[0044] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof to adapt to particular situations
without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is
intended that the invention not be limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying
out this invention, but that the invention will include all
embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended
claims.
* * * * *