U.S. patent application number 12/839357 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-19 for fan structure convertible between desk type and floor type.
This patent application is currently assigned to ACCUTEK PRODUCTS CORP. Invention is credited to Amy Hsuen.
Application Number | 20120014805 12/839357 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45467127 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120014805 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsuen; Amy |
January 19, 2012 |
FAN STRUCTURE CONVERTIBLE BETWEEN DESK TYPE AND FLOOR TYPE
Abstract
A fan structure is disclosed to include a base member having a
socket at the center, a fan assembly, a first support member
connected to the fan assembly and having a bottom stub tube
insertable into the socket of the base member and lockable thereto
by a screw member to support the fan assembly above the base member
for use as a desk fan, and a second support member selectively
connectable between the bottom stub tube of the first support
member and the socket of the base member to support the fan
assembly and the first support member above the base member for use
a floor fan.
Inventors: |
Hsuen; Amy; (Hsin Chuang
City, TW) |
Assignee: |
ACCUTEK PRODUCTS CORP
Hsin Chuang City
TW
|
Family ID: |
45467127 |
Appl. No.: |
12/839357 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
416/244R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/601 20130101;
F04D 25/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
416/244.R |
International
Class: |
F04D 29/60 20060101
F04D029/60 |
Claims
1. A fan structure, comprising: a fan assembly, said fan assembly
comprising a fan blade and a fan motor adapted to rotate said fan
blade; a base member for positioning on a bearing surface, said
base member having a top wall, a socket located on the center
thereof, said socket having a top opening formed in said top wall,
a bottom opening opposite to said top opening and a slot cut
through the periphery thereof in communication with said top
opening; a first support member connected to said fan assembly for
connection to said base member, said first support member having a
bottom stub tube insertable into said socket of said base member
and a screw hole extending through the periphery thereof in
communication with the space inside said bottom stub tube; a second
support member connectable between said bottom stub tube of said
first support member and said socket of said base member to support
said fan assembly and said first support member on said base
member, said second support member comprising a first connection
rod and a second connection rod respectively extended from top and
bottom ends thereof, said first connection rod being insertable
into said bottom stub tube of said first support member, said
second connection rod being insertable into said socket of said
base member, said second connection rod having an outer thread
extending around the periphery thereof; a screw member adapted for
threading into said screw hole to lock said first support member to
said base member after insertion of said bottom stub tube of said
first support member into said socket of said base member, or to
lock said second support member to said first support member after
insertion of said first connection rod of said first support member
into said bottom stub tube of said first support member; and a lock
nut for threading onto said outer thread of said second connection
rod of said second support member to lock said second support
member to said base member after insertion of said second
connection rod of said second support member into said socket of
said base member.
2. The fan structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first
connection rod of said second support member has a locating groove
extending around the periphery thereof for the engagement of said
screw member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to electrical fans and more
particularly, to a fan structure that can be alternately arranged
into two different modes for use as a desk fan or floor fan.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In hot summer, electrical fans are intensively used
everywhere for cooling. Different types of electrical fans are
commercially available for use in different situations. Normally,
floor fans provide high-velocity air movement and are great for
both residential and industrial applications. The fan blade of a
floor fan is kept at a high elevation above the floor, practical
for providing currents of air to human bodies. Further, a desk fan
has a relatively smaller height when compared to a floor fan. In a
desk fan, the distance between the fan blade and the base member
(stand) is short. For different application purposes, different
types of electrical fans may be used. However, it is expensive to
prepare different electrical fans. Storage of different electrical
fans is anther problem to be considered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention has been accomplished under the
circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to
provide a fan structure, which can be alternately arranged into two
different modes for use as a desk fan or floor fan.
[0006] To achieve this and other objects of the present invention,
a fan structure comprises a fan assembly, which comprises a fan
blade and a fan motor adapted to rotate the fan blade; a base
member for positioning on a bearing surface, which comprises a top
wall and a socket located on the center thereof, the socket having
a top opening formed in the top wall, a bottom opening opposite to
the top opening and a slot cut through the periphery thereof in
communication with the top opening; a first support member
connected to the fan assembly for connection to the base member,
which comprises a bottom stub tube insertable into the socket of
the base member and a screw hole extending through the periphery
thereof in communication with the space inside the bottom stub
tube; a second support member connectable between the bottom stub
tube of the first support member and the socket of the base member
to support the fan assembly and the first support member on the
base member, the second support member comprising a first
connection rod and a second connection rod respectively extended
from top and bottom ends thereof, the first connection rod being
insertable into the bottom stub tube of the first support member,
the second connection rod being insertable into the socket of the
base member, the second connection rod having an outer thread
extending around the periphery thereof; a screw member adapted for
threading into the screw hole to lock the first support member to
the base member after insertion of the bottom stub tube of the
first support member into the socket of the base member, or to lock
the second support member to the first support member after
insertion of the first connection rod of the first support member
into the bottom stub tube of the first support member; and a lock
nut for threading onto the outer thread of the second connection
rod of the second support member to lock the second support member
to the base member after insertion of the second connection rod of
the second support member into the socket of the base member. Thus,
the first support member can be directly fastened to the base
member to support the fan assembly above the base member for use as
a desk fan. Alternatively, the second support member can be used
and connected between the first support member and the base member
to support the fan assembly and the first support member above the
base member for use as a floor fan.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fan structure in accordance
with the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view, showing an
installation status of the fan structure in the form of a floor
fan.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view, showing an
installation status of the fan structure in the form of a desk
fan.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a fan structure in accordance with
the present invention is shown comprising a fan assembly 1, a base
member 2, a first support member 3 and a second support member
4.
[0011] The fan assembly 1 comprises a fan blade 11, and a fan motor
12 adapted to rotate the fan blade 11. It is to be understood that
the fan assembly 1 further comprises a fan guard and other
accessories (not shown). However, because these fan protective
component parts are of the known art and not within the scope of
the spirit of the present invention, no further detailed
description in this regard is necessary.
[0012] The base member 2 is a flat, disk-like member for
positioning on a bearing surface (floor or table top), having a top
wall 20, and a socket 21 disposed at the center. The socket 21 has
a top located on the center of the top wall 20 has a top opening
211 formed in the top wall 20, and a bottom opening 212 opposite to
and in communication with the top opening 211.
[0013] The first support member 3 is connected to the fan assembly
1 and adapted to support the fan assembly 1 above the base member
2, having a bottom stub tube 31, a protrusion 32 perpendicularly
protruded from the periphery of the bottom stub tube 31 and a screw
hole 33 extending through the protrusion 32 in communication with
the space inside the bottom stub tube 31. Further, a screw member
34 is threaded into the screw hole 33. Further, as an alternate
form of the present invention, the protrusion 32 can be omitted
and, the screw hole 33 can be directly formed in the peripheral
wall of the bottom stub tube 31.
[0014] The second support member 4 has a first connection rod 41
and a second connection rod 42 respectively extended from the top
and bottom ends thereof. The first connection rod 41 is insertable
into the bottom stub tube 31 of the first support member 3. The
second connection rod 42 is insertable into the socket 21 of the
base member 2, having an outer thread 43 extending around the
periphery. A lock nut 44 is provided for threading onto the outer
thread 43 of the second connection rod 42.
[0015] When using the fan structure as a floor fan, insert the
first connection rod 41 of the second support member 4 into the
bottom stub tube 31 of the first support member 3, and then thread
the screw member 34 into the screw hole 33 of the protrusion 32 to
lock the first connection rod 41 and the bottom stub tube 31.
Further, the first connection rod 41 has a locating groove 45
extending around the periphery for the engagement of the screw
member 34 to enhance the connection between the first connection
rod 41 and the bottom stub tube 31. Thereafter, insert the second
connection rod 42 into the socket 21 of the base member 2, and then
thread the lock nut 44 onto the outer thread 43 of the second
connection rod 42 to lock the second support member 4 to the base
member 2.
[0016] When using the fan structure as a desk fan, the second
support member 4 is not used. At this time, insert the bottom stub
tube 31 of the first support member 3 through the top opening 211
into the socket 21 of the base member 2 to engage the protrusion 32
into a slot 22 of the socket 21, and then thread the screw member
34 into the screw hole 33 to let the screw member 34 be positively
stopped at the bottom side of the base member 2. Thus, the fan
assembly 1 is supported on the base member 2 by the first support
member 3 for use as a desk fan. Because the second support member 4
is not used, the distance between the fan assembly 1 and the base
member 2 is relatively shorter, fitting for desk top
application.
[0017] Subject to the aforesaid structural design, the fan
structure can be alternatively arranged into two different modes
for use as a desk fan or floor fan, having economic effects.
[0018] Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been
described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention
is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
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