CA2608615A1 - Fan blade connector component with skeleton and method of manufacturing such - Google Patents

Fan blade connector component with skeleton and method of manufacturing such Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2608615A1
CA2608615A1 CA002608615A CA2608615A CA2608615A1 CA 2608615 A1 CA2608615 A1 CA 2608615A1 CA 002608615 A CA002608615 A CA 002608615A CA 2608615 A CA2608615 A CA 2608615A CA 2608615 A1 CA2608615 A1 CA 2608615A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
skeleton
fan blade
blade connector
links
posts
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002608615A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Brian Hunter Friedman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hunter Fan Co
Original Assignee
Hunter Fan Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hunter Fan Co filed Critical Hunter Fan Co
Publication of CA2608615A1 publication Critical patent/CA2608615A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04DNON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D25/00Pumping installations or systems
    • F04D25/02Units comprising pumps and their driving means
    • F04D25/08Units comprising pumps and their driving means the working fluid being air, e.g. for ventilation
    • F04D25/088Ceiling fans
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04DNON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D29/00Details, component parts, or accessories
    • F04D29/005Decorative aspects, i.e. features which have no effect on the functioning of the pump
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04DNON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D29/00Details, component parts, or accessories
    • F04D29/26Rotors specially for elastic fluids
    • F04D29/32Rotors specially for elastic fluids for axial flow pumps
    • F04D29/34Blade mountings
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00Metal working
    • Y10T29/49Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49316Impeller making
    • Y10T29/4932Turbomachine making
    • Y10T29/49321Assembling individual fluid flow interacting members, e.g., blades, vanes, buckets, on rotary support member

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

A fan blade connector component having a moldable ornamental housing that encloses a skeleton which includes links which span between adjacent posts having a threaded bore therein. The links include opposing side walls, a top wall, and a land therebetween. A plurality of spaced-apart openings extend through the top wall for securing the skeleton within the moldable ornamental housing.

Description

n _ .I

FAN BLADE CONNECTOR COMPONENT WITH SKELETON
AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to connectors components for attaching fan blades to fan motors. More particularly, the present invention relates to the interior structures for embedding in fan blade connectors components and a method of manufacturing such.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrically powered ceiling fans typically have a motor mounted within a stationary housing that is suspended from a ceiling. In operation, the motor rotates an annular array of connectors coupled to blades. The blade connectors of ceiling fans are typically mounted to the blade through a series of mounting bolts or screws that pass through holes in the fan blade and thread within threaded mounting holes in the blade connector. Alternatively, the blade connector includes a medallion which is positioned against the blade opposite the blade mounting portion of the blade connector, thereby sandwiching the blade therebetween.
Blade connectors are typically made of die cast metal. These materials allow for limited aesthetic flexibility and provide the rigidity and support needed to support a fan blade that is spinning upwards of 200 rpm. The use of these materials however is costly due to the tooling process needed to manufacture the blade connector and because of the costs of the raw material.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved blade connector component, such as a blade connector or blade connector medallion, that readily provides aesthetic flexibility yet is strong enough to support the fan blades of fans.
It is to such that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A skeleton for a cast fan blade connector component comprises at least two posts having a threaded bore for receiving a fastener, and a link that interconnects adjacent posts.

A method of manufacturing a fan blade connector component comprises the steps of providing a skeleton having at least two posts having a threaded bore for receiving a fastener and a link spanning the posts, and forming an ornamental housing about the skeleton so as to encase the link and at least a portion of the posts yet allowing the bore of each post to remain exposed from the housing.

õ ,. CA 02608615 2007-10-26 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. I illustrates in perspective partially cut-away view a skeleton for a fan blade connector component embodying principles of the invention in a preferred form.
Fig. 2 illustrates in perspective view of a skeleton for a fan blade connector component in another preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a skeleton shown partially encased within a blade connector medallion.

Fig. 4 illustrates in perspective exploded view the skeleton shown partially encased in a fan blade connector for attaching a fan blade to a fan motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings in which like parts have like reference numerals, Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective partially cut-away view of a skeleton 10 for a fan blade connector component 12, which may be utilized to form a blade connector or a blade connector medallion. The skeleton shown in Fig. 1 is preferably designed to be utilized specifically with a blade connector medallion. The skeleton 10 includes a hub 14 from which a plurality of elongated links 16 extend radially. In the illustrated embodiment, the skeleton 10 is made of a cast metal, such as zinc, but may also be made of a stamped sheet metal or other similarly formed metal. The skeleton 10 may be made of any substantially rigid material capable of supporting a fan blade and withstanding the force exerted upon the blade connector during the revolution of the fan blade.
The skeleton 10 is of sufficient overall dimension to support fan blades of varying length and weight.

The links 16 may be spaced-apart equidistantly or may be oriented at varying angles. In the illustrated embodiment the skeleton has three links wherein two pairs of the links 16 are approximately 130 degrees apart as indicated at 18 and one pair is approximately 100 degrees apart as indicated at 20. It is understood, however, that there CA 02608615 2007-10-26 " =
may be varying numbers of links at various lengths. Each link 16 terminates at a post 22 having a threaded bore 24 therein and a closed bottom 26.

Each links 16 has opposing side walls 28 and a land 30 spanning therebetween. The land 30 and the side walls 28 cooperatively define a first valley 32 and an opposing second valley 34. A top wall 35 extends between the tops of the side walls 28. The top wall 35 has a plurality of spaced apart openings 36 extending therethrough. In the present embodiment, the openings 36 on each link 16 provide cavities or spaces through which resin, upon hardening during fabrication, may embed.
This, in turn, helps secure the skeleton 10 within the blade connector 12.

Fig. 2 illustrates in perspective exploded view the skeleton 10 shown encased in a fan blade connector component in the form of a blade connector medallion.
The fan blade connector medallion includes an exterior ornamental shape or housing 37.
Fig. 4 illustrates in perspective view of the skeleton 10 shown encased in a fan blade connector 41. It should be understood that the skeleton may be used with a fan blade connector or a fan blade connector medallion as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,304,037, which is specifically incorporated herein. The blade connector is coupled to a fan motor 42 through additional links which extend to the motor, shown in phantom lines. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade connector 12 has a motor mounting flange or portion 44 and a blade mounting portion 46. The motor mounting flange 44 connects the blade connector 12 to the motor 42 by unshown mounting bolts. The blade mounting portion 46 encases the skeleton 10 and secures the blade connector 12 to the fan blade 40.

During fabrication, the cast metal skeleton 10 is placed in a mold and over-molded with a resin or other suitable moldable material in a desired ornamental shape.
This may be done to form the blade mounting portion 46 of the blade connector 41, as shown in Fig. 4, or to form the blade connector medallion, as shown in Fig. 3.
It is understood, however, that the skeleton may be encased in any polymerized synthetic or chemically modified natural resin including thermoplastic materials such as polyvinyl, polystyrene, and polyethylene or thermosetting materials such as polyesters, epoxies, and silicones. Resin has the advantage of providing aesthetic flexibility and cost efficiency in comparison to metals such as zinc or brass or other metal alloy.

Each blade connector medallion or blade connector attaches one ceiling fan blade 40 to the motor. Each ceiling fan blade 40 has a plurality of mounting holes 43 that correspond to the posts 22 on the skeleton 10. In the illustrated embodiment, three mounting holes 43 are aligned with the three posts 22 of the skeleton 10. A
mounting screw 48 inserts through a respective one of the mounting holes 43 and into the threaded bore 24 of each post 22 to secure the blade connector medallion to a blade connector.
Each post of the skeleton 10 has a short enough height to allow the skeleton 10 to be completely molded with resin with the exception of the post ends, yet sufficient height to allow mounting screws 48 to engage the threaded bore 24 of each post 22.

Fig. 3 illustrates in perspective view an alternate embodiment of the skeleton 10a for the fan blade connector medallion 12. The skeleton l0a includes at least two posts 22 each having the threaded bore 24 for receiving a fastener such as a screw. Each of the posts 22 includes the closed bottom 26.

In the illustrated embodiment, the links 16 form a triangular-like structure.
The skeleton l0a includes three posts 22 interconnected by three links 16. The link 16 interconnects adjacent posts 22. The skeleton l0a includes two links 16 of a first length and a third link of a second length less than the first length. The links 16 may have varying lengths in comparison to each other and may include varying numbers of links 16 and posts 22 so as to form a variety of polygon-type structures.. Each link 16 includes openings 36 therein.

The skeleton 10a illustrated in Fig. 3 is similarly encased in the moldable fan blade connector or blade connector medallion 12 for attaching the fan blade 40. During fabrication, the metal cast skeleton l0a is over molded with a resin and encased therein.
It is understood, however, that the skeleton may be encased in any polymerized synthetic or chemically modified natural resin including thenmoplastic materials such as polyvinyl, polystyrene, and polyethylene or thermosetting materials such as polyesters, epoxies, and silicones.

Each blade connector or medallion 12 attaches to one of the ceiling fan blades 40. The mounting holes 43 in the fan blade 40 align with the posts 22 of skeleton 10a.
The mounting screws 48 insert through the respective mounting holes 43 and into the threaded bores 24 of the posts 22. Each post of the skeleton 10 has a short enough height to allow the skeleton l0a to be completely molded with resin and encased within the fan blade connector 12, yet sufficient height to allow mounting screws 48 to engage the threaded bore 24 of each post 22.

It thus is seen that a skeleton and the encompassing blade connector or medallion is now provided which is not only cost efficient but esthetically alterable thus overcoming the shortcomings of the existing art. It should be understood that many modifications, additions and deletions, in addition to those expressly recited, may be made thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims (17)

1. A skeleton for a cast fan blade connector component, comprising:
at least two posts having a threaded bore for receiving a fastener;

a link that interconnects adjacent said posts.
2. The skeleton as recited in claim 1, wherein said skeleton includes three said posts interconnected by three said links.
3. The skeleton as recited in claim 2, wherein two said links are of a first length and the third said links is of a second length less than said first length.
4. The skeleton as recited in claim 1, wherein said link includes a plurality of openings therein.
5. The skeleton as recited in claim 1, made of a cast metal.
6. The skeleton as recited in claim 1, wherein said link includes a hub.
7. A skeleton for a cast fan blade iron component, comprising:
a hub;

a plurality of elongated links extending radially from the hub; and a plurality of posts, each post being positioned at a distal end of a said link and having a threaded bore therein.
8. The skeleton of claim 7, wherein said links include a plurality of spaced-apart openings therein.
9. A cast fan blade connector component for attaching a fan blade to a fan motor, comprising:

a skeleton having a plurality of elongated links and a plurality of posts interconnected to each other through said links, said posts having a threaded bore therein;
and an ornamental body mounted at least partially about said skeleton with said post bores exposed outside said ornamental body.
10. The fan blade connector component as recited in claim 9, wherein said skeleton is made of a cast metal.
11. The fan blade connector component as recited in claim 9, wherein the ornamental body is made of a resin.
12. The fan blade connector component of claim 9, wherein said fan blade connector component is a fan blade connector.
13. The fan blade connector component of claim 9, wherein said fan blade connector component is a fan blade connector medallion.
14. A method of manufacturing a fan blade connector component, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a skeleton having at least two posts having a threaded bore for receiving a fastener and a link spanning the posts, and (b) forming an ornamental housing about the skeleton so as to encase the link and at least a portion of the posts yet allowing the bore of each post to remain exposed from the housing.
15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the skeleton has three posts interconnected by three links.
16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein two of the links are of a first length and a third one of the links is of a second length less than the first length.
17. The method as recited in claim 14, the skeleton made of a cast metal.
CA002608615A 2006-11-02 2007-10-26 Fan blade connector component with skeleton and method of manufacturing such Abandoned CA2608615A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/591,902 2006-11-02
US11/591,902 US20080107529A1 (en) 2006-11-02 2006-11-02 Fan blade connector component with skeleton and method of manufacturing such

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2608615A1 true CA2608615A1 (en) 2008-05-02

Family

ID=39359889

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002608615A Abandoned CA2608615A1 (en) 2006-11-02 2007-10-26 Fan blade connector component with skeleton and method of manufacturing such

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20080107529A1 (en)
CN (1) CN101178078A (en)
CA (1) CA2608615A1 (en)
MX (1) MX2007013554A (en)
TW (1) TW200835858A (en)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8985959B1 (en) * 2012-02-24 2015-03-24 Palm Coast Imports, LLC Turning knob blade locking device, system and method
CN104476147A (en) * 2014-10-29 2015-04-01 苏州市金德誉精密机械有限公司 Connecting rod machining technology
USD809118S1 (en) * 2016-03-08 2018-01-30 Hunter Fan Company Ceiling fan
USD804645S1 (en) * 2016-03-08 2017-12-05 Hunter Fan Company Ceiling fan cage
USD839406S1 (en) * 2017-03-23 2019-01-29 Ebm-Papst Mulfingen Gmbh & Co. Kg Connecting element for fan blades
US11441356B2 (en) 2018-06-08 2022-09-13 Wing Enterprises, Incorporated Ladders, top cap for ladders and trays for ladders
USD943772S1 (en) 2018-10-19 2022-02-15 Little Giant Ladder Systems, Llc Flip-up ladder
USD935054S1 (en) 2018-10-19 2021-11-02 Little Giant Ladder Systems, Llc Ladder
CA3127897A1 (en) 2019-01-25 2020-07-30 Little Giant Ladder Systems, Llc Foot for ladders, ladders incorporating same and related methods
USD912848S1 (en) 2019-02-08 2021-03-09 Little Giant Ladder Systems, Llc Ladder accessory
USD911555S1 (en) 2019-02-08 2021-02-23 Little Giant Ladder Systems, Llc Top cap for a ladder
US11939989B2 (en) * 2022-04-06 2024-03-26 Hunter Fan Company Ceiling fan, blade, and blade connector

Family Cites Families (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2263943B (en) * 1992-01-29 1996-05-08 Hunter Fan Co Ceiling fan
USD346209S (en) * 1993-01-25 1994-04-19 Casablanca Fan Company Combined ceiling fan mounting canopy, motor and switch housing and blade irons unit
US5338156A (en) * 1993-03-16 1994-08-16 Chien Kuo Neng Ceiling fan blade
US5304037A (en) * 1993-04-14 1994-04-19 Hunter Fan Company Ceiling fan blade vibration isolation system
US5462407A (en) * 1994-05-06 1995-10-31 Jeffrey S. Shapiro Ceiling fan blade and hub assembly
US5458463A (en) * 1994-10-28 1995-10-17 Chiang; Ming-Ann Lightweight fitting for a ceiling fan
US5516264A (en) * 1995-02-22 1996-05-14 Anetrini; Dolores F. Ceiling fan blade slip cover
US5601409A (en) * 1996-01-16 1997-02-11 Huang; Yung C. Fan blade for ceiling fans
MX9706055A (en) * 1996-08-09 1998-02-28 Hunter Fan Co Blade ring attachment system.
US5722814A (en) * 1997-04-03 1998-03-03 Yu; Chai-Chi Fan blade mounting device having a decorative member provided thereon
US6210117B1 (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-04-03 King Of Fans, Inc. Device for connecting a fan blade to a rotor of a ceiling fan motor
US6666652B2 (en) * 1997-05-05 2003-12-23 King Of Fans, Inc. Slide in, hook and fold out ceiling fan blades
US6688850B2 (en) * 1997-05-05 2004-02-10 King Of Fans, Inc. Hook and fold ceiling fan blades
US6309183B1 (en) * 1997-05-05 2001-10-30 King Of Fans, Inc. Blade arm
US6146097A (en) * 1998-09-14 2000-11-14 Bradt; Gordon E. Fan blade assembly for use with a ceiling fan drive unit
US6139276A (en) * 1998-11-20 2000-10-31 Aloha Housewares Co., Ltd. Ceiling fan assembly and method for assembling same
US6213716B1 (en) * 1999-11-19 2001-04-10 King Of Fans, Inc. Folding fan
US6585488B1 (en) * 2000-02-25 2003-07-01 King Of Fans, Inc. Ceiling fan blade isolation system
US6390778B1 (en) * 2001-02-13 2002-05-21 Ching-Tan Lee Ceiling fan blade
US6419451B1 (en) * 2001-02-15 2002-07-16 Emerson Electric Co. Ceiling fan blade frame
US6508629B2 (en) * 2001-03-06 2003-01-21 Angelo Fan Brace Licensing, L.L.C. Connector for attaching a ceiling fan blade to a fan blade holder
US6821091B2 (en) * 2002-06-05 2004-11-23 Litex Industries Inc. Securing device
TW530891U (en) * 2002-06-19 2003-05-01 Shiang-Heng Tang Improved blade for ceiling fan

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101178078A (en) 2008-05-14
US20080107529A1 (en) 2008-05-08
TW200835858A (en) 2008-09-01
MX2007013554A (en) 2009-02-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20080107529A1 (en) Fan blade connector component with skeleton and method of manufacturing such
CA2679825C (en) Rotor for a direct current drive motor and a method for producing the same
ES2681876T3 (en) Rotor blade root assembly for a wind turbine
US8585362B2 (en) Fan housing and heat dissipating fan with fan housing
CA2338137C (en) Device for connecting a fan blade to a rotor of a ceiling fan motor
HUP0201651A2 (en) Die cast compressor housing for centrifugal compressors with a true volute shape
EP2163704A2 (en) Connector for linear members
CN101867249B (en) Fastening device
EP0965762A2 (en) Ceiling fan assembly and method of assembling same
US4765078A (en) Reel assembly for slot machines
CN101015260A (en) Uni-body power tool
EP1519048A3 (en) Side channel compressor
CN200961117Y (en) Fastening mechanism for watermill type aerator impeller
CN202798254U (en) Motor structure
FR2858332B1 (en) METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A ZIRCONIUM ALLOY FLAT PRODUCT, FLAT PRODUCT THUS OBTAINED, AND COMPONENT FUEL ASSEMBLY ELEMENT FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT REACTOR PRODUCED FROM THE FLAT PRODUCT
CN109209999B (en) Fan blade structure, fan and electrical equipment thereof
CN211790987U (en) Rotor core and rotor with same
CN101465569A (en) Motor assembly
AU716795B2 (en) Cross flow fan for air conditioner
CN201138037Y (en) Fixing construction of central air-conditioner suspended ceiling indoor motor
CN211631353U (en) Combined birdcage with integrated grating
CN200952483Y (en) Thin fan
US8192180B2 (en) Heat dissipating fan
EP0287999A2 (en) Fixed-angle keying piece for blades of axial fans
CN105613407B (en) Combined type floating vane and aerator

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued