U.S. patent application number 12/550416 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-03 for protective case for fan.
This patent application is currently assigned to ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS (SHEN ZHEN) CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hung-Chin Liao.
Application Number | 20110049007 12/550416 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43623267 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110049007 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liao; Hung-Chin |
March 3, 2011 |
PROTECTIVE CASE FOR FAN
Abstract
A protective case for fan includes a case body having a closed
bottom portion and a sidewall portion extended along a periphery of
the bottom portion, so that a receiving space is defined between
the bottom and sidewall portions. A case cover can be closed onto
an open top of the receiving space to seal the same. Two first
raised ribs are formed on the closed bottom portion adjacent to two
opposite sides thereof, such that first retaining portions are
defined between the sidewall portion and faces of the first raised
ribs facing toward the sidewall portion, and second retaining
portions are defined on another faces of the first raised ribs
facing away from the sidewall portion. By providing the first and
second retaining portions, the same protective case can be
conveniently used to stably pack differently sized fans to save the
manufacturing cost of the protective case.
Inventors: |
Liao; Hung-Chin; (Shenzhen
City, CN) |
Assignee: |
ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS (SHEN ZHEN)
CO., LTD.
Shenzhen city
CN
|
Family ID: |
43623267 |
Appl. No.: |
12/550416 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/723 ;
206/722 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/113 20130101;
B65D 2585/6807 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/723 ;
206/722 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/86 20060101
B65D085/86; B65D 25/10 20060101 B65D025/10 |
Claims
1. A protective case for a fan, comprising: a case body including a
closed bottom portion and a sidewall portion connected to and
extended along a periphery of the closed bottom portion; the closed
bottom portion and the sidewall portion together defining a
receiving space therebetween, and the closed bottom portion being
provided adjacent to a first set of two opposite sides with two
first raised ribs, locating portions located on the closed bottom,
each location portion having a curved configuration which has a
steep slope side and a gentle slope side located to a back of the
steep slope; a first retaining portion being defined between the
sidewall portion and one face of each of the first raised ribs
facing toward the sidewall portion; and a second retaining portion
being defined on another face of each of the first raised ribs
facing away from the sidewall portion.
2. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
receiving space is adapted to receive a fan therein, such that the
fan is engaged with and held in place by the first retaining
portions.
3. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
receiving space is adapted to receive a fan therein, such that the
fan is abutted on and held in place by the second retaining
portions.
4. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
closed bottom portion is provided adjacent to a second set of two
opposite sides with two second raised ribs, a third retaining
portion being defined between the sidewall portion and one face of
each of the second raised ribs facing toward the sidewall portion,
and a fourth retaining portion being defined on another face of
each of the second raised ribs facing away from the sidewall
portion.
5. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
receiving space is adapted to receive a fan therein, such that the
fan is engaged with and held in place by the first and the third
retaining portions.
6. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
receiving space is adapted to receive a fan therein, such that the
fan is abutted on and held in place by the second and the fourth
retaining portions.
7. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
closed bottom portion is further provided between the two first
raised ribs with a plurality of locating portions and a receiving
recess, and the locating portions being angularly spaced along an
outer periphery of the receiving recess.
8. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
locating portions each have the curved configuration, which
includes the steep slope side and the gentle slope side located
back to back, such that a groove is defined between the steep slope
side and the gentle slope side that are separately located on any
two adjacent locating portions; and the grooves being adapted to
receive edges of blades of a fan packed in the case body and
communicable with the receiving recess.
9. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
receiving space further includes limiting spaces defined between an
inner face of the sidewall portion and corners of the closed bottom
portion for receiving corners of a fan frame of a fan packed in the
case body.
10. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a case cover; and wherein the case body further includes
an open top portion opposite to the closed bottom portion, and the
case cover being closed onto the open top portion of the case body
to seal the receiving space; and the case cover being provided
along a lower periphery with a downward extended flange portion for
correspondingly extending into the receiving space to fitly abut on
an inner face of the sidewall portion.
11. A protective case for a fan, comprising: a case body including
a closed bottom portion and a sidewall portion perpendicularly
connected to and extended along a periphery of the closed bottom
portion, locating portions located on the closed bottom, each
locating portion having a curved configuration which has a steep
slope side and a gentle slope side located to a back of the steep
slope; a receiving space being defined between the closed bottom
portion and the sidewall portion, and having an open top portion
opposite to the closed bottom portion; and at least one set of two
first raised ribs being formed on the closed bottom portion at a
first set of two diagonally opposite corners thereof, each of the
first raised ribs including a first section and a second section
adjacent to the sidewall portion, such that a first retaining
portion is defined between the sidewall portion and one face of
each of the first raised ribs facing toward the sidewall portion,
and a second retaining portion is defined on another face of each
of the first raised ribs facing away from the sidewall portion.
12. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
receiving space is adapted to receive a fan therein, such that the
fan is engaged with and held in place by the first retaining
portions.
13. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
receiving space is adapted to receive a fan therein, such that the
fan is abutted on and held in place by the second retaining
portions.
14. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 11, further
comprising a set of two second raised ribs formed on the closed
bottom portion at a second set of two diagonally opposite corners
thereof, each of the second raised ribs including a third section
and a fourth section adjacent to the sidewall portion, such that a
third retaining portion is defined between the sidewall portion and
one face of each of the second raised ribs facing toward the
sidewall portion, and a fourth retaining portion is defined on
another face of each of the second raised ribs facing away from the
sidewall portion.
15. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
receiving space is adapted to receive a fan therein, such that the
fan is engaged with and held in place by the first and the third
retaining portions.
16. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
receiving space is adapted to receive a fan therein, such that the
fan is abutted on and held in place by the second and the fourth
retaining portions.
17. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
closed bottom portion is further provided between the two first
raised ribs with a plurality of locating portions and a receiving
recess, and the locating portions being angularly spaced along an
outer periphery of the receiving recess.
18. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
locating portions each have the curved configuration, which
includes the steep slope side and the gentle slope side located
back to back, such that a groove is defined between the steep slope
side and the gentle slope side that are separately located on any
two adjacent locating portions; and the grooves being adapted to
receive edges of blades of a fan packed in the case body and
communicable with the receiving recess.
19. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
receiving space further includes limiting spaces defined between an
inner face of the sidewall portion and any two adjacent first and
second raised ribs on the closed bottom portion for receiving
peripheral edges of a fan frame of a fan packed in the case
body.
20. The protective case for fan as claimed in claim 11, further
comprising a case cover for closing onto the open top portion to
thereby seal the receiving space, and the case cover being provided
along a lower periphery with a downward extended flange portion for
correspondingly extending into the receiving space to fitly abut on
an inner face of the sidewall portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a protective case for fan,
and more particularly to a protective case having a case body
internally provided with first and second retaining portions, so
that the same protective case can be conveniently used to stably
pack differently sized fans and the cost of manufacturing
differently sized protective cases can be saved.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Thanks to the prosperously developed electronic industry,
various kinds of electronic elements now have upgraded performance
to provide faster and faster computing and operating speed.
Chipsets for different electronic elements provide constantly
increased computing speed and the number of chips included in
different chipsets also increases constantly. However, heat
produced by the chips during the operation thereof also increases
with the increased number of chips. The produced heat must be
timely removed from the electronic elements to avoid adverse
influences on the performance thereof, such as slowed processing
speed, burned-out or failed electronic elements. Therefore, heat
dissipation has become a very important issue in the electronic
industry. Among others, a fan has been widely adopted as a heat
dissipating device to remove the heat produced by the operating
electronic elements.
[0003] Generally, the fan is subject to invasion by dust and
foreign matters in the process of transporting, handling, or
selling the fan. The invaded dust and foreign matters would
inevitably move from the operating fan to different electronic
elements, resulting in short circuit and burnout of the electronic
elements. To solve the problems caused by the dust-invaded fan, a
protective case for fan has been developed.
[0004] Please refer to FIGS. 1A and 1B. A conventional protective
case for fan includes a case cover 10 and a case body 12. The case
body 12 internally defines a receiving space 121 for receiving a
fan 14 therein. A space 16 between an inner wall surface of the
case body 12 and an outer periphery of the fan 14 is reserved in
the receiving space 121 to facilitate easy and convenient
positioning of the fan 14 into the receiving space 121 in the case
body 12. The case cover 10 can be closed onto an open top of the
case body 12 to seal the receiving space 121.
[0005] Most of currently available fans can be generally divided
into two types according to their sizes, namely, large-size fans
and small-size fans. Before packing a fan 14 in the case body 12,
an operator has to verify first whether the fan 14 being handled is
a large-size fan or a small-size fan. In the event of a large-size
fan, the operator has to select a corresponding large-size case
body 12 for packing the large-sized fan 14. Then, the fan 14 is
moved toward the case body 12 until the fan 14 is positioned on a
bottom of the receiving space 121. Finally, the case cover 10 is
closed onto the case body 12.
[0006] In the event of a small-size fan, the operator has to select
a corresponding small-size case body 12 for packing the small-size
fan 14. Then, the fan 14 is moved toward the case body 12 until the
fan 14 is positioned on a bottom of the receiving space 121.
Finally, the case cover 10 is closed onto the case body 12.
[0007] Therefore, while the conventional protective cases can
effectively protect the fans against invasion by dust and foreign
matters, the conventional protective cases must be manufactured
into at least two different sizes separately for packing the
large-size and the small-size fans. It requires increased cost to
manufacture differently sized protective cases, and it is
troublesome for an operator to verify and select a correctly sized
protective case each time a fan is to be packed.
[0008] Moreover, with the space 16 left in the receiving space 121
between the fan 14 and the case body 12, the fan 14 packed in the
conventional protective case is not firmly held in place and tends
to vibrate or shake during transportation or handling thereof.
Therefore, the fan 14 is subject to displacement in and collision
with the protective case and the case cover 10 is subject to
loosening from the case body 12. In some worse conditions, the fan
14 is damaged in the protective case due to such vibration or
shaking. Foam materials and other shock-absorbing materials have
been used to stuff the reserved space 16, so as to prevent the fan
14 from damage caused by displacement in and collision with the
case body 12. However, the stuffing brings other problems, such as
increased overall weight of the packed fan and environmental
pollution caused by discarded stuffing. In some cases the
protective case is made of a transparent material and in the form
of a hang card for displaying the fan packed therein for sale. The
foam material or other shock-absorbing material stuffed in the
protective case would no doubt have adverse influence on the
aesthetic appearance of the fan being displayed in the protective
case, making the fan less attractive to consumers.
[0009] In brief, the conventional protective case for fan has the
following disadvantages: (1) requiring increased manufacturing
cost; (2) causing inconvenience in packing fans; (3) failing to
firmly hold the fan in place; and (4) having low applicability.
[0010] It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop an improved
protective case for fan to overcome the above-mentioned
disadvantages in the conventional protective case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a
protective case for fan that can be manufactured at reduced
cost.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
protective case for fan that can provide enhanced locating effect
to the fan packed therein.
[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
protective case for fan that can be conveniently used to pack
differently sized fans.
[0014] To achieve the above and other objects, the protective case
for fan according to a first embodiment of the present invention
includes a case body having a closed bottom portion and a sidewall
portion connected to and extended along a periphery of the bottom
portion, so that a receiving space is defined in the case body
between the bottom portion and the sidewall portion. Two first
raised ribs are formed on the closed bottom portion adjacent to a
first set of two opposite sides thereof, such that a first
retaining portion is defined between the sidewall portion and one
face of each of the first raised ribs facing toward the sidewall
portion, and a second retaining portion is defined on another face
of each of the first raised ribs facing away from the sidewall
portion.
[0015] By providing the first and second retaining portions, a fan
packed in the protective case can be more stably held in place, and
the same protective case can be conveniently used to pack
differently sized fans to save the cost of manufacturing
differently sized protective cases.
[0016] The protective case for fan according to a second embodiment
of the present invention includes a case body, a receiving space,
and at least one set of two first raised ribs. The case body has a
closed bottom portion and a sidewall portion connected to and
extended along a periphery of the bottom portion. The receiving
space is defined between the bottom portion and the sidewall
portion, and has an open top portion opposite to the closed bottom
portion. The two first raised ribs are formed on the closed bottom
portion at a first set of two diagonally opposite corners thereof,
and each of the first raised ribs includes a first and a second
section located perpendicular to each other and adjacent to the
sidewall portion, such that a first retaining portion is defined
between the sidewall portion and one face of each of the first
raised ribs facing toward the sidewall portion, and a second
retaining portion is defined on another face of each of the first
raised ribs facing away from the sidewall portion. By providing the
first and second retaining portions, a fan packed in the protective
case can be more stably held in place, and the same protective case
can be conveniently used to pack differently sized fans to save the
cost of manufacturing differently sized protective cases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present
invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best
understood by referring to the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings,
wherein
[0018] FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view showing a
conventional protective case for packing a fan therein;
[0019] FIG. 1B is an assembled view of FIG. 1A;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a protective
case for fan according to a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention with a first-size fan packed therein;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an assembled view of FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the
protective case for fan according to the first preferred embodiment
of the present invention with a second-size fan packed therein;
[0024] FIG. 6 is an assembled view of FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 6;
[0026] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a protective
case for fan according to a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention with a first-size fan packed therein;
[0027] FIG. 9 is an assembled view of FIG. 8;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a top view of FIG. 9;
[0029] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the
protective case for fan according to the second preferred
embodiment of the present invention with a second-size fan packed
therein;
[0030] FIG. 12 is an assembled view of FIG. 11; and
[0031] FIG. 13 is a top view of FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] The present invention will now be described with some
preferred embodiments thereof. For the purpose of easy to
understand, elements that are the same in the preferred embodiments
are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0033] Please refer to FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS. 5 to 7, in which a
protective case for fan according to a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention applicable to packing of two differently
sized fans is shown. In the illustrated first preferred embodiment,
the protective case for fan of the present invention includes a
case body 2 and a case cover 3. The case body 2 includes a closed
bottom portion 21, an open top portion 22, and a sidewall portion
23 connected to and extended along a periphery of the bottom
portion 21. The closed bottom portion 21 and the sidewall portion
23 together define a receiving space 24 therebetween for
accommodating a fan 5 therein, and the case cover 3 is closed onto
the open top portion 22 of the case body 2 to seal the receiving
space 24 and accordingly protects the fan 5 in the receiving space
24 against dust and foreign matters.
[0034] The closed bottom portion 21 is provided adjacent to a first
set of two opposite sides with two first raised ribs 211. That is,
the two first raised ribs 211 are separately located at two
opposite ends of the closed bottom portion 21. Spaces left between
the sidewall portion 23 and one face of the first raised ribs 211
facing toward the sidewall portion 23 are defined as two first
retaining portions 25, which are sized for engaging with two
opposite lower edges of a fan frame 51 of a larger fan 5, so that
the faces of the first raised ribs 211 facing toward the sidewall
portion 23 are abutted on inner faces of the fan frame 51 at the
two opposite lower edges. More specifically, there are two first
retaining portions 25 adapted to firmly hold two opposite lower
sides of the fan frame 51 of a larger fan 5 therein. Meanwhile,
another face of each of the first raised ribs 211 facing away from
the sidewall portion 23 is defined as a second retaining portion
26, which is adapted to firmly abut on an outer face of a fan frame
51 of a smaller fan 5. That is, there are two second retaining
portions 26 adapted to firmly abut on an outer face of the fan
frame 51 of a smaller fan 5 at two opposite lower sides
thereof.
[0035] The fan 5 can be generally divided into two types according
to the size thereof, namely, a larger or first-size fan 52 being
sized to 9 or 13 cm, and a smaller or second-size fan 53 being
sized to 8 or 12 cm. Two opposite lower sides of the fan frame 51
of the first-size fan 52 can be correspondingly firmly engaged with
and firmly held in the two first retaining portions 25, as shown in
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. On the other hand, two opposite lower sides of
the fan frame 51 of the second-size fan 53 can be correspondingly
firmly abutted against the two second retaining portions 26, as
shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.
[0036] The closed bottom portion 21 can be further provided
adjacent to a second set of two opposite sides with two second
raised ribs 212. That is, the two second raised ribs 212 are
separately located at another two opposite ends of the closed
bottom portion 21. Spaces left between the sidewall portion 23 and
faces of the second raised ribs 212 facing toward the sidewall
portion 23 are defined as two third retaining portions 27, which
are sized for engaging with another two opposite lower sides of the
fan frame 51 of the larger fan 5, so that faces of the second
raised ribs 212 facing toward the sidewall portion 23 are abutted
on an inner face of the fan frame 51 of the larger fan 5 at another
two opposite lower sides thereof. More specifically, the larger fan
5, that is, the first-size fan 52, is held in place in the
receiving space 24 of the case body 2 by the first and the third
retaining portions 25, 27 at the same time. Meanwhile, another
faces of the second raised ribs 212 facing away from the sidewall
portion 23 are defined as two fourth retaining portions 28, which
are adapted to firmly abut on an outer face of the fan frame 51 of
the smaller fan 5 at another two opposite lower sides thereof.
Therefore, the smaller fan 5, that is, the second-size fan 53, is
held in place in the receiving space 24 of the case body 2 by the
second and the fourth retaining portions 26, 28 at the same time.
More specifically, another two opposite lower sides of the fan
frame 51 of the first-size fan 52 can be correspondingly firmly
engaged with and firmly held in the two third retaining portions
27; on the other hand, another two opposite lower sides of the fan
frame 51 of the second-size fan 53 can be correspondingly firmly
abutted against the two fourth retaining portions 28.
[0037] Also referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, the closed bottom portion 21
is further provided with a plurality of locating portions 214 and a
receiving recess 217. The receiving recess 217 is arranged between
the two opposite first raised ribs 211 for receiving a central area
of the fan frame 51 of the fan 5. In other words, the receiving
recess 217 is centered at the closed bottom portion 21 to locate
between the two first raised ribs 211. More specifically, the
receiving recess 217 is located between the two first raised ribs
211 and between the two second raised ribs 212. The locating
portions 214 are angularly spaced along an outer periphery of the
receiving recess 217 corresponding to a plurality of blades of the
fan 5, including the first-size and the second-size fan 52, 53, so
as to hold the blades in place in the case body 2.
[0038] The locating portions 214 each have a curved configuration
215, which includes a steep slope side 2151 and a gentle slope side
2152 that are located back to back. The gentle slope sides 2152
have a curvature matching that of the blades of the fan 5, such
that, when the fan 5 has been fully positioned in the case body 2,
the curved faces of the blades of the fan 5 bear on the gentle
slope sides 2152 to effectively assist in stably holding the fan 5
in the case body 2. A groove 216 is defined between the steep slope
side 2151 and the gentle slope side 2152 that are separately
located on any two adjacent locating portions 214 for
correspondingly receiving an edge of the blade of the fan 5. The
grooves 216 are communicable with the receiving recess 217.
[0039] In the receiving space 24, there are further included
limiting spaces 241 defined between an inner face of the sidewall
portion 23 and corners of the closed bottom portion 21 for
receiving corners of the fan frame 51. The case cover 3 is closed
onto the open top portion 22 of the case body 2 to seal the
receiving space 24, so as to effectively prevent dust or foreign
matters from entering into the receiving space 24. The case cover 3
is provided along a lower periphery with a downward extended flange
portion 31 for correspondingly extending into the receiving space
24 to fitly abut on the inner face of the sidewall portion 23.
[0040] Please refer to FIGS. 2 to 7. To pack the first-size fan 52
in the case body 2, simply approach the first-size fan 52 toward
the receiving space 24 of the case body 2, so that the first-size
fan 52 passes through the open top portion 22 to the closed bottom
portion 21. At this point, the lower sides of the fan frame 51 are
engaged with the two first retaining portions 25 and the two third
retaining portions 27 with the inner faces of the fan frame 51 at
the lower sides thereof firmly abutting on the faces of the first
and the second raised ribs 211, 212 facing toward the sidewall
portion 23. Meanwhile, the curved faces of the blades of the
first-size fan 52 bear on the gentle slope sides 2152 of the curved
configurations 215 of the locating portions 214, preventing the
blades from rotating in the receiving space 24 due to vibration or
shaking, and the corners and the central area of the fan frame 51
of the first-size fan 52 are received in the limiting spaces 241
and the receiving recess 217, respectively. Then, approaches the
case cover 3 toward the case body 2 and closes the case cover 3
onto the open top portion 22. At this point, the flange portion 31
of the case cover 3 is extended into the receiving space 24 to
contact with the inner face of the sidewall portion 23, and the
first-size fan 52 is immovably sealed in the received space 24.
[0041] Similarly, in the case of packing the second-size fan 53 in
the case body 2, simply approach the second-size fan 53 toward the
receiving space 24 of the case body 2, so that the second-size fan
53 passes through the open top portion 22 to the closed bottom
portion 21. At this point, the outer faces of the fan frame 51 at
the lower sides thereof are abutted on the two second retaining
portions 26 and the two fourth retaining portions 28 on the first
and the second raised ribs 211, 212. Meanwhile, the curved faces of
the blades of the second-size fan 53 bear on the gentle slope sides
2152 of the curved configurations 215 of the locating portions 214,
preventing the blades from rotating in the receiving space 24 due
to vibration or shaking, and the corners and the central area of
the fan frame 51 of the second-size fan 53 are received in the
limiting spaces 241 and the receiving recess 217, respectively.
Then, approaches the case cover 3 toward the case body 2 and closes
the case cover 3 onto the open top portion 22. At this point, the
flange portion 31 of the case cover 3 is extended into the
receiving space 24 to contact with the inner face of the sidewall
portion 23, and the second-size fan 53 is immovably sealed in the
received space 24.
[0042] Therefore, by providing the first and the second retaining
portions 25, 26 on the closed bottom portion 21, either the
first-size fan 52 or the second-size fan 53 can be stably packed in
the case body 2. That is, the protective case according to the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention has one size
but can be used to pack two types of differently sized fans to
thereby effectively save the time and labor needed to separately
pack the fans 52 and 53 in two differently sized protective cases.
Moreover, the one-size protective case for fan can be manufactured
at reduced cost.
[0043] Please refer to FIGS. 8 to 10 and FIGS. 11 to 13, in which a
protective case for fan according to a second preferred embodiment
of the present invention applicable to packing of two differently
sized fans is shown. In the illustrated second preferred
embodiment, the protective case for fan of the present invention
includes a case body 2, a receiving space 24, at least one set of
two first raised ribs 211, and a case cover 3. The case body 2
includes a closed bottom portion 21 and a sidewall portion 23
vertically connected to and extended along a periphery of the
bottom portion 21. The receiving space 24 is formed between the
closed bottom portion 21 and the sidewall portion 23 for
accommodating a fan 5 therein, and has an open top portion 22
opposite to the closed bottom portion 21. The case cover 3 is
closed onto the open top portion 22 to seal the receiving space 24
and accordingly protects the fan 5 in the receiving space 24
against dust and foreign matters. The two first raised ribs 211 are
formed on the closed bottom portion 21 adjacent to a first set of
two diagonally opposite corners thereof. Each of the first raised
ribs 211 includes a first section 2111 and a second section 2112
extended closely along the sidewall portion 23, and the second
section 2112 is connected to the first section 2111 at a right
angle.
[0044] Spaces left between the sidewall portion 23 and faces of the
first raised ribs 211 facing toward the sidewall portion 23 are
defined as two first retaining portions 25, which are sized for
engaging with two diagonally opposite lower corners of a fan frame
51 of a larger fan 5, so that the faces of the first raised ribs
211 facing toward the sidewall portion 23 are abutted on inner
faces of the fan frame 51 of the larger fan 5 at two diagonally
opposite lower corners thereof. More specifically, there are two
first retaining portions 25 adapted to firmly hold two diagonally
opposite lower corners of the fan frame 51 therein. Meanwhile,
another face of each of the first raised ribs 211 facing away from
the sidewall portion 23 is defined as a second retaining portion
26, which is adapted to firmly abut on an outer face of a fan frame
51 of a smaller fan 5. That is, there are two second retaining
portions 26 adapted to firmly abut on an outer face of the fan
frame 51 of the smaller fan 5 at two diagonally opposite lower
corners thereof.
[0045] The fan 5 can be generally divided into two types according
to the size thereof, namely, a larger or first-size fan 52 being
sized to 9 or 13 cm, and a smaller or second-size fan 53 being
sized to 8 or 12 cm. Two diagonally opposite lower corners of the
fan frame 51 of the first-size fan 52 can be correspondingly firmly
engaged with and firmly held in the two first retaining portions
25, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. On the other hand, two
diagonally opposite lower corners of the fan frame 51 of the
second-size fan 53 can be correspondingly firmly abutted against
the two second retaining portions 26, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and
13.
[0046] The protective case for fan according to the second
embodiment of the present invention can further include one set of
two second raised ribs 212 formed on a second set of two diagonally
opposite corners of the closed bottom portion 21. Each of the
second raised ribs 212 includes a third section 2121 and a fourth
section 2122 extended closely along the sidewall portion 23, and
the fourth section 2122 is connected to the third section 2121 at a
right angle.
[0047] Spaces left between the sidewall portion 23 and faces of the
second raised ribs 212 facing toward the sidewall portion 23 are
defined as two third retaining portions 27, which are sized for
engaging with another two diagonally opposite lower corners of the
fan frame 51 of the larger fan 5, so that the faces of the second
raised ribs 212 facing toward the sidewall portion 23 are abutted
on an inner face of the fan frame 51 of the larger fan 5 at another
two diagonally opposite lower corners thereof. More specifically,
the larger fan 5, that is, the first-size fan 52, is held in place
in the receiving space 24 of the case body 2 by the first and the
third retaining portions 25, 27 at the same time. Meanwhile,
another faces of the second raised ribs 212 facing away from the
sidewall portion 23 are defined as two fourth retaining portions
28, which are adapted to firmly abut on an outer face of the fan
frame 51 of the smaller fan 5 at another two diagonally opposite
lower corners thereof. Therefore, the smaller fan 5, that is, the
second-size fan 52, is held in place in the receiving space 24 of
the case body 2 by the second and the fourth retaining portions 26,
28 at the same time. More specifically, another two diagonally
opposite lower corners of the fan frame 51 of the first-size fan 52
can be correspondingly firmly engaged with and firmly held in the
two third retaining portions 27; on the other hand, another two
diagonally opposite lower corners of the fan frame 51 of the
second-size fan 53 can be correspondingly firmly abutted against
the two fourth retaining portions 28.
[0048] Also referring to FIGS. 8 to 13, the closed bottom portion
21 is further provided with a plurality of locating portions 214
and a receiving recess 217. The receiving recess 217 is arranged
between the two diagonally opposite first raised ribs 211 for
receiving a central area of the fan frame 51 of the fan 5. In other
words, the receiving recess 217 is centered at the closed bottom
portion 21 to locate between the two first raised ribs 211. More
specifically, the receiving recess 217 is located between the two
first raised ribs 211 and between the two second raised ribs 212.
The locating portions 214 are angularly spaced along an outer
periphery of the receiving recess 217 corresponding to the blades
of the fan 5, including the first-size and the second-size fan 52,
53, so as to hold the blades in place in the case body 2.
[0049] The locating portions 214 each have a curved configuration
215, which includes a steep slope side 2151 and a gentle slope side
2152 that are located back to back. The gentle slope sides 2152
have a curvature matching that of the blades of the fan 5, such
that, when the fan 5 has been fully positioned in the case body 2,
the curved faces of the blades of the fan 5 bear on the gentle
slope sides 2152 to effectively assist in stably holding the fan 5
in the case body 2. A groove 216 is defined between the steep slope
side 2151 and the gentle slope side 2152 that are separately
located on any two adjacent locating portions 214 for
correspondingly receiving an edge of the blade of the fan 5. The
grooves 216 are communicable with the receiving recess 217.
[0050] In the receiving space 24, there are further included
limiting spaces 241 defined between an inner face of the sidewall
portion 23 and any two adjacent first and second raised ribs 211,
212 on the closed bottom portion 21 for receiving peripheral edges
of the fan frame 51. The case cover 3 is closed onto the open top
portion 22 to seal the receiving space 24, so as to effectively
prevent dust or foreign matters from entering into the receiving
space 24. The case cover 3 is provided along a lower periphery with
a downward extended flange portion 31 for correspondingly extending
into the receiving space 24 to fitly abut on the inner face of the
sidewall portion 23.
[0051] Please refer to FIGS. 8 to 13. To pack the first-size fan 52
in the case body 2, simply approach the first-size fan 52 toward
the receiving space 24 of the case body 2, so that the first-size
fan 52 passes through the open top portion 22 to the closed bottom
portion 21. At this point, the lower corners of the fan frame 51
are engaged with the two first retaining portions 25 and the two
third retaining portions 27 with the inner faces of the fan frame
51 at the lower corners thereof firmly abutting on the faces of the
first and the second raised ribs 211, 212 facing toward the
sidewall portion 23. Meanwhile, the curved faces of the blades of
the first-size fan 52 bear on the gentle slope sides 2152 of the
curved configurations 215 of the locating portions 214, preventing
the blades from rotating in the receiving space 24 due to vibration
or shaking, and the peripheral edges and the central area of the
fan frame 51 of the first-size fan 52 are received in the limiting
spaces 241 and the receiving recess 217, respectively. Then,
approaches the case cover 3 toward the receiving space 24 and
closes the case cover 3 onto the open top portion 22. At this
point, the flange portion 31 of the case cover 3 is extended into
the receiving space 24 to contact with the inner face of the
sidewall portion 23, and the first-size fan 52 is immovably sealed
in the received space 24.
[0052] Similarly, in the case of packing the second-size fan 53 in
the case body 2, simply approach the second-size fan 53 toward the
receiving space 24 of the case body 2, so that the second-size fan
53 passes through the open top portion 22 to the closed bottom
portion 21. At this point, the outer faces of the fan frame 51 at
the lower corners thereof are abutted on the two second retaining
portions 26 and the two fourth retaining portions 28 on the faces
of the first and the second raised ribs 211, 212 facing away from
the sidewall portion 23. Meanwhile, the curved faces of the blades
of the second-size fan 53 bear on the gentle slope sides 2152 of
the curved configurations 215 of the locating portions 214,
preventing the blades from rotating in the receiving space 24 due
to vibration or shaking, and the peripheral edges and the central
area of the fan frame 51 of the second-size fan 53 are received in
the limiting spaces 241 and the receiving recess 217, respectively.
Then, approaches the case cover 3 toward the receiving space 24 and
closes the case cover 3 onto the open top portion 22. At this
point, the flange portion 31 of the case cover 3 is extended into
the receiving space 24 to contact with the inner face of the
sidewall portion 23, and the second-size fan 53 is immovably sealed
in the received space 24.
[0053] In the present invention, the case body 2 can be made of a
transparent or a translucent material, and a tab with a hanging
hole can be extended from one side of the case body 2, so that the
protective case for fan is in the form of a hang card (not shown),
and the fan 5 packed in the protective case can be hung on a
display stand for sale.
[0054] Therefore, by providing the first and the second retaining
portions 25, 26 on the closed bottom portion 21, either the
first-size fan 52 or the second-size fan 53 can be stably packed in
the case body 2. That is, the protective case according to the
second preferred embodiment of the present invention has one size
but can be used to pack two types of differently sized fans to
thereby effectively save the time and labor needed to separately
pack the fans 52 and 53 in two differently sized protective cases.
Moreover, the one-size protective case for fan can be manufactured
at reduced cost.
[0055] In brief, the protective case for fan according to the
present invention has the following advantages: (1) enabling
reduced manufacturing cost thereof; (2) providing enhanced locating
effect to the fan packed in the protective case; (3) convenient for
use; and (4) saving time and labor for packing the fan.
[0056] The present invention has been described with some preferred
embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and
modifications in the described embodiments can be carried out
without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention
that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.
* * * * *