U.S. patent application number 13/007703 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-19 for pivot arrangement for a motorized device.
Invention is credited to Jye Liang PAN.
Application Number | 20120183390 13/007703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46490890 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120183390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PAN; Jye Liang |
July 19, 2012 |
PIVOT ARRANGEMENT FOR A MOTORIZED DEVICE
Abstract
In the exemplary embodiment, an electric rotary fan has a fan
head including a rotary motor and a fan blade, the fan blade
rotated by the motor for producing an air stream. A pair of rubber
bushings are each disposed between the fan head and a stand and
each have a hole though the bushing and a key displaced from the
hole, the holes of both bushings being coaxially aligned on a
horizontal pivot axis. A pair of fasteners each pass through the
associated bushing's hole to affix the fan head to the stand such
that each fastener and its associated bushing cooperate to allow
forced pivoting of the fan head relative to the stand the pivot
about the pivot axis. The keys prevent relative pivoting between
the bushings and the fan head by each engaging a mating tab hole in
the fan head.
Inventors: |
PAN; Jye Liang; (Taipei,
TW) |
Family ID: |
46490890 |
Appl. No.: |
13/007703 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/170.1 ;
415/182.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/105
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/170.1 ;
415/182.1 |
International
Class: |
F04D 29/056 20060101
F04D029/056; F04D 29/42 20060101 F04D029/42 |
Claims
1. A fan comprising: a fan head comprising a rotary motor and a fan
blade, the fan blade rotated by the motor for producing an air
stream; a stationary support; a bushing disposed between the fan
head and the support and comprising a pivot and a key displaced
from the pivot and configured to prevent relative pivoting between
the bushing and one of the fan head and the support; and a fastener
affixing the fan head to the support via the pivot of the bushing
such that the fastener and bushing cooperate to allow forced
pivoting and to deny non-forced pivoting of the fan head relative
to the support about the pivot.
2. The fan of claim 1 wherein the pivot comprises a pivot hole
though the bushing and the fastener passes through the pivot hole
to affix the fan head to the support.
3. The fan of claim 2 wherein the bushing is comprised of a
rubber-like material.
4. The fan of claim 3 wherein the key is a tab and is configured to
prevent relative pivoting between the bushing and one of the fan
head and the support by engaging a mating tab hole in the one of
the fan head and the support.
5. The fan of claim 4 wherein the one of the fan head and support
is the fan head.
6. The fan of claim 5 wherein the fastener compresses the bushing
to cause frictional interference between the fan head, the bushing,
and the support, to thereby deny non-forced pivoting of the fan
head relative to the support.
7. The fan of claim 6 wherein the support comprises a stand.
8. The fan of claim 7 wherein the pivot is disposed about a
horizontal pivot axis and the forced pivoting of the fan head
relative to the support is about the horizontal pivot axis.
9. The fan of claim 8 wherein the support comprises a clearance
hole aligned with the horizontal pivot axis and the fan head
comprises a threaded hole aligned with the horizontal pivot axis,
and the fastener is an elongate screw passing through the clearance
hole and pivot hole and threadedly engaging the threaded hole to
affix the fan head to the support.
10. A fan comprising: a fan head comprising a rotary motor and a
fan blade, the fan blade rotated by the motor for producing an air
stream; a stationary support; each of a pair of bushings disposed
between the fan head and the support and each comprising a pivot
and a key displaced from the pivot and configured to prevent
relative pivoting between the bushing and one of the fan head and
the support, the pivots of both bushings being coaxially aligned;
and a pair of fasteners each affixing the fan head to the support
via the pivot of one of the bushings such that each fastener and
its associated bushing cooperate to allow forced pivoting and to
deny non-forced pivoting of the fan head relative to the support
about the pivot.
11. The fan of claim 10 wherein the pivots each comprise a pivot
hole though the bushing and the fasteners each pass through one of
the pivot holes to affix the fan head to the support.
12. The fan of claim 11 wherein the bushings are each comprised of
a rubber-like material.
13. The fan of claim 12 wherein each key is a tab and is configured
to prevent relative pivoting between the bushing and one of the fan
head and the support by engaging a mating tab hole in the one of
the fan head and the support.
14. The fan of claim 13 wherein the one of the fan head and support
is the fan head.
15. The fan of claim 14 wherein each fastener compresses the
associated bushing to cause frictional interference between the fan
head, the associated bushing, and the support, to thereby deny
non-forced pivoting of the fan head relative to the support.
16. The fan of claim 15 wherein the support comprises a stand.
17. The fan of claim 16 wherein the pivots are both disposed about
a single horizontal pivot axis and the forced pivoting of the fan
head relative to the support is about the horizontal pivot
axis.
18. The fan of claim 17 wherein the support comprises a pair of
clearance holes aligned with the horizontal pivot axis and the fan
head comprises a pair of threaded holes aligned with the horizontal
pivot axis, and the fasteners are each an elongate screw passing
through one of the clearance holes and one of the pivot holes and
threadedly engaging one of the threaded holes to affix the fan head
to the support.
20. In combination: a fan head comprising a guard surrounding and
supporting a rotary motor and a fan blade, the fan blade rotated by
the motor for producing an air stream; a stationary stand; each of
a pair of rubber bushings disposed between the fan head and the
stand and each comprising a hole though the bushing and a key
displaced from the hole, the holes of both bushings being coaxially
aligned on a horizontal pivot axis; and a pair of fasteners each
passing through the associated bushing's hole to affix the fan head
to the stand such that each fastener and its associated bushing
cooperate to allow forced pivoting of the fan head relative to the
stand the pivot about the pivot axis; wherein each key is a tab and
is configured to prevent relative pivoting between the bushing and
the fan head by engaging a mating tab hole in the fan head; wherein
each fastener compresses the associated bushing to cause frictional
interference between the fan head, the associated bushing, and the
stand, to thereby deny non-forced pivoting of the fan head relative
to the stand; and wherein the stand comprises a pair of clearance
holes aligned with the horizontal pivot axis and the fan head
comprises a pair of threaded holes aligned with the horizontal
pivot axis, and the fasteners are each an elongate screw passing
through one of the clearance holes and one of the pivot holes and
threadedly engaging one of the threaded holes to affix the fan head
to the stand.
21. The combination of claim 20 further comprising a pair of nuts,
wherein the guard is molded polymer and comprises a pair of
integrally molded rectangular slots each for receiving one of the
nuts and preventing rotation thereof, and the threaded holes are
disposed in the nuts.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is related to electric apparatuses
having a motorized head portion pivotably attached to a stationary
base portion, such as but not limited to an electrical fan. More
specifically, the present invention is related to a selectively
pivotable connection arrangement between the head and base portions
of such an electrical apparatus, where the motor rotation in the
head portion causes vibrations and gyroscopic effects that would
otherwise alter the selected and desired relationship between the
head and base portions.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electrical Rotary Fans are well known and commonly used for
room cooling. It is very common in the prior art that such fans
employ a motorized fan head portion supported on a base portion. It
is very common that such fans employ some sort of pivot arrangement
at the connection of the head portion to the base portion so that
the head portion may be selectively pivoted up and down and/or side
to side relative to the base portion, to thereby selectively direct
the airflow streaming from the head portion.
[0003] Because fan motors tend to be heavy, and because rotating
fans create a gyroscopic effect, and because rotating fans tend to
vibrate, the simpler of such prior art pivot arrangements have
suffered from an inability to maintain the selected head/base
relationship. The more functional of such prior art pivot
arrangements have suffered from complicated assembly of numerous
components, expense in manufacturing, and non-reliability.
[0004] U. S. Pat. Nos. 5,431,544 and 6,293,755 exemplify such
complicated attempts to allow selective positioning of a fan's head
portion relative to its base portion such that the selected
relationship will be maintained under operating conditions.
[0005] There exists a need for improvement in the reliability and
functionality of pivot arrangements between fan heads and
stationary bases, and such is an object of the present
invention.
[0006] There exists a need for reduction in the complicated
assembly of reliably functional pivot arrangements between fan
heads and stationary bases, and such is an object of the present
invention.
[0007] There exists a need for reduction in the number of
components in reliably functional pivot arrangements between fan
heads and stationary bases, and such is an object of the present
invention.
[0008] There exists a need for similar benefits in other motorized
appliances, and such is an object of the invention.
[0009] Further needs and objects exist, which are addressed by the
present invention, as may become apparent by the included
disclosure of an exemplary embodiment thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one exemplary embodiment, the invention may be practiced
in a fan having a fan head including a rotary motor and a fan
blade, the fan blade rotated by the motor for producing an air
stream. A bushing is disposed between the fan head and a stationary
support, preferably in the form of a stand. The bushing includes a
pivot and a key displaced from the pivot. The key is configured to
prevent relative pivoting between the bushing and the fan head. The
key may alternatively be configured to prevent relative pivoting
between the bushing and the support.
[0011] A fastener affixes the fan head to the support via the pivot
of the bushing such that the fastener and bushing cooperate to
allow forced pivoting and to deny non-forced pivoting of the fan
head relative to the support about the pivot.
[0012] The pivot may include a pivot hole though the bushing and
the fastener may pass through the pivot hole to affix the fan head
to the support. The bushing is preferably made of a rubber-like
material, such as rubber or a rubber-like polymer.
[0013] The key may be a tab and may be configured to prevent
relative pivoting between the bushing and the fan head by engaging
a mating tab hole in the fan head. The tab may alternatively be
configured to prevent relative pivoting between the bushing and the
support by engaging a mating tab hole in the support.
[0014] The fastener may compress the bushing to cause frictional
interference between the fan head, the bushing, and the support, to
thereby deny non-forced pivoting of the fan head relative to the
support. The pivot may be disposed about a pivot axis and the
forced pivoting of the fan head relative to the support may be
about the pivot axis. The pivot axis is preferably horizontally
disposed.
[0015] The support may have a clearance hole aligned with the pivot
axis and the fan head may have a threaded hole aligned with the
pivot axis, and the fastener may be an elongate screw passing
through the clearance hole and pivot hole and threadedly engaging
the threaded hole to affix the fan head to the support.
[0016] The invention may also be practiced in a fan having a fan
head including a rotary motor and a fan blade, the fan blade
rotated by the motor for producing an air stream. Each of a pair of
bushings is disposed between the fan head and a support, preferably
in the form of a stand. The bushings each include a pivot and a key
displaced from the pivot. The keys are each configured to prevent
relative pivoting between the bushing and the fan head, the pivots
of both bushings being coaxially aligned. The keys may
alternatively each be configured to prevent relative pivoting
between the bushing and the support.
[0017] A pair of fasteners each affix the fan head to the support
via the pivot of one of the bushings such that each fastener and
its associated bushing cooperate to allow forced pivoting and to
deny non-forced pivoting of the fan head relative to the support
about the pivot.
[0018] The pivots may each include a pivot hole though the bushing
and the fasteners may each pass through one of the pivot holes to
affix the fan head to the support. The bushings are each preferable
made of a rubber-like material, such as rubber or a rubber-like
polymer.
[0019] Each key may be a tab and may be configured to prevent
relative pivoting between the bushing and the fan head by engaging
a mating tab hole in the fan head. The tabs may alternatively be
configured to prevent relative pivoting between the bushings and
the support by engaging mating tab holes in the support.
[0020] Each fastener may compress the associated bushing to cause
frictional interference between the fan head, the associated
bushing, and the support, to thereby deny non-forced pivoting of
the fan head relative to the support. The pivots may both be
disposed about a single pivot axis and the forced pivoting of the
fan head relative to the support may be about the pivot axis. The
pivot axis may be horizontally disposed.
[0021] The support may have a pair of clearance holes aligned with
the pivot axis and the fan head may have a pair of threaded holes
aligned with the pivot axis, and the fasteners may each be an
elongate screw passing through one of the clearance holes and one
of the pivot holes and threadedly engaging one of the threaded
holes to affix the fan head to the support.
[0022] The invention may also be practiced in a combination of a
fan head, a stationary stand, a pair of rubber bushings, and a pair
of fasteners. The fan head may include a guard surrounding and
supporting a rotary motor and a fan blade, the fan blade rotated by
the motor for producing an air stream.
[0023] Each of the pair of rubber bushings may be disposed between
the fan head and the stand and each may have a hole though the
bushing and a key displaced from the hole, the holes of both
bushings being coaxially aligned on a horizontal pivot axis. The
pair of fasteners may each pass through the associated bushing's
hole to affix the fan head to the stand such that each fastener and
its associated bushing cooperate to allow forced pivoting of the
fan head relative to the stand the pivot about the pivot axis.
[0024] Each key may be a tab and may be configured to prevent
relative pivoting between the bushing and the fan head by engaging
a mating tab hole in the fan head. Each fastener may compress the
associated bushing to cause frictional interference between the fan
head, the associated bushing, and the stand, to thereby deny
non-forced pivoting of the fan head relative to the stand. The
stand may include a pair of clearance holes aligned with the
horizontal pivot axis and the fan head may include a pair of
threaded holes aligned with the horizontal pivot axis. The
fasteners may each be an elongate screw passing through one of the
clearance holes and one of the pivot holes and threadedly engaging
one of the threaded holes to affix the fan head to the stand.
[0025] The combination may further include a pair of nuts, and the
guard may be molded polymer and may include a pair of integrally
molded rectangular slots each for receiving one of the nuts and
preventing rotation thereof, and the threaded holes may be disposed
in the nuts.
[0026] Further features and aspects of the invention are disclosed
with more specificity in the Detailed Description and Drawings of
the exemplary embodiments provided therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with
reference to the included drawings. The components in the drawings
are not necessarily to scale, and all components may not be present
in all views, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly
illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in
the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the several views.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric rotary fan
having a head-to-base pivot arrangement in accordance to a first
embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the pivot arrangement
of the fan of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view through the pivot
arrangement of the fan of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pivot bushing of the
pivot arrangement of the fan of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the fan of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a left side view of the fan of FIG. 1 with its
head portion pivoted slightly upwardly relative to its base
portion;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the fan of FIG. 1 with its
head portion pivoted significantly upwardly relative to its base
portion;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a right side view of the fan of FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view of an electric rotary fan
having a head-to-base pivot arrangement in accordance to a second
embodiment of the invention; and
[0037] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view through the pivot
arrangement of the fan of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 10, where there are
shown electric fans having pivot arrangements in accordance with
just two of the infinite number of possible embodiments of the
present invention.
[0039] In FIGS. 1 through 8, fan 100 has fan head 102, a stand 114,
and two pivot bushings 134. Fan head 102 includes rear guard 104,
front guard 106, rotary motor 108, and fan blade 110. Motor 108 is
rigidly mounted to rear guard 104, and has a rotating motor shaft
projecting forwardly there-from (not shown) to which fan blade 110
is affixed so that rotation of the motor shaft cause rotation of
the fan blade and results in a forwardly directed airstream. Front
guard 106 is affixed by fasteners (not shown) to rear guard 104 to
form a perforated enclosure around the rotating fan blade, to
protect users from dangerously accessing the blade while still
allowing the intended airstream to flow through and from the fan
blade and fan.
[0040] Stand 114 is made of tubular metal and includes a base
portion 116 having feet 118 for resting on a supporting surface,
such as a floor or table, and has two upright support posts 119,
each with an upper terminus having a support hole 120. The support
holes of the two support posts lie coaxially on a horizontal pivot
axis 124.
[0041] Rear Guard 104 has a pair of panels 126L and 126R, each the
mirror image of the other, and each integrally formed with or
permanently affixed to an opposite side of the rear guard, along
the top to bottom midpoint of the rear guard. The panels each
include a threaded hole 128 and a square key hole 130. The threaded
holes of each panel are coaxially aligned and lie on a line that
preferably passes through the center of gravity of the fan
head.
[0042] Pivot bushings 134 are identical, and each made of a
rubber-like polymer and include a tubular potion 136 with a through
hole 138, and a tab portion 140 having a square key 144 projecting
there-from. When properly oriented, the through hole and key
project horizontally. The key is sized to be inserted into and to
fit closely within one of the square key holes 130 of the rear
guard. When so inserted, the bushing's through hole is coaxially
aligned with the adjacent threaded hole 128, as best seen in FIGS.
2 and 3.
[0043] The upright support posts 119 of the stand are spaced apart
to receive the fan head 102 with the pivot bushings 134 inserted
therein, such that the though holes 138 or the bushings and the
threaded holes 120 of the rear guard are disposed along the
horizontal pivot axis 124. Threaded screws 146 are inserted through
the support holes 120, through holes 138, and threaded into
threaded holes 120 to secure each of the upright supports to the
fan head. The screws are preferably tightened into the threaded
holes sufficiently to create a slight amount of compression on the
rubber bushings.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 7, it can be seen how the
fan head 102 may be selectively pivoted about the horizontal pivot
axis 124 relative to the stand 114, which is accomplished by
applying a pivoting force to the fan head. During such forced
pivoting, the compression of the rubber-like bushings between the
fan head and stand creates a position-holding tightness on the
pivot axis, while also providing a vibration and sound isolating
effect through the rubber-like bushings. The interface between each
bushing's key and each panel's square key hole prevents rotation of
the bushing relative to the fan head, which is found to prevent
inadvertent and undesirable tilting of the fan head during
operation, as it is want to do as a result of the weight of the fan
head and its motor, and as a result of the gyroscopic inertia and
vibration of the rotating components.
[0045] Because the motor is relatively dense and heavy, and
rotation of the fan blade causes both vibration and gyroscopic
effects such that even the most careful positioning of the
horizontal pivot axis through the fan head's center of gravity
would otherwise be insufficient to maintain the selected fan heat
tilt position by the compressive forces on the bushings alone. It
is found that, absent the keying of the present invention,
sufficient compression of the bushings to prevent inadvertent
tilting would result in such a tight pivot arrangement as to make
the forces required for intentional tilting impractically
excessive.
[0046] It is found that because only a slight amount of compression
of the bushings is required by this arrangement, damage to and
excessive wearing of the bushings is avoided, and a much easier
tilting force may be applied that would otherwise be required.
[0047] While the rear guard 104 of fan 100 is preferably made of
metal, such as steel wires and plates welded together, FIGS. 9 and
10 show a second fan 200 in accordance with the invention,
otherwise identical to fan 100 except that its rear guard 204 is
molded of polymer, such that each panel 226 and square key hole 230
are molded integrally therein. In substitution for the threaded
holes of the first embodiment, clearance holes 228A are provided in
combination with an additional threaded steel nut 228B. A slot 228C
is integrally formed into the rear guard to receive the nut such
that its threaded hole 228D is coaxially aligned with the clearance
hole. The slot is sized to grasp opposing flats of the nut to
prevent its rotation during the threaded insertion and tightening
of screw 146 though stand 114 and bushing 134.
[0048] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to a specific exemplary embodiments, it should be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention, and that the invention should therefore only be
limited according to the following claims, including all equivalent
interpretation to which they are entitled.
* * * * *