GB2288853A

GB2288853A - Ceiling fan

Info

Publication number: GB2288853A
Application number: GB9511676A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard A Pearce; Robert L Scofield
Original assignee: Hunter Fan Co
Current assignee: Hunter Fan Co
Priority date: 1992-01-29
Filing date: 1992-07-21
Publication date: 1995-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2012-07-21
Also published as: GB2288853B; GB9511676D0

Abstract

The ceiling fan includes an electric motor 16 in a motor housing 18, there being a switch housing 22 located underneath which is provided with a flared lip 52 which obscures the direct line of sight view of fastening means 70 which locate the blade irons 62, carrying the blades 20, to the lower part of the motor. The blade irons 62 include arcuate flanges (78, Fig. 4) which, collectively, form a substantially continuous ring (80, Fig. 3) around the upper portion of the switch housing 22, thereby further concealing from view the fastening devices used to secure the blade irons to the motor. <IMAGE>

Description

CEILING FAN Backaround of the Invention Field The present invention relates to ceiling fans and, more particularly, to ceiling fans having an improved switch housing/blade iron relationship.

Description of the Prior Art Electric ceiling fans are commonly utilized to assist heating and air conditioning systems by providing an additional degree of air circulation within the confines of a room. Most modern ceiling fans consist of an electric motor suspendable by a shaft from a ceiling, with a plurality of blades mounted to either the top or bottom surface of the motor. Conventional ceiling fans typically incorporate one or more electrical switches for controlling the speed and rotational direction of the motor, said switches being encased within a switch housing disposed beneath the motor.

In the case of ceiling fans having blades mounted to the bottom surface of the motor, blade irons to which the blades are secured are typically attached to the motor by means of a plurality of screws. While blade irons can be quite ornate and decorative, the multiplicity of screws utilized to secure blade irons to the blades and the motor are unsightly.

U.S. Patent No. 4,884,947 issued December 5, 1989, entitled "CEILING FAN ASSEMBLY" demonstrates one effort to create an aesthetically pleasing ceiling fan, wherein the blade irons and associated screws are hidden from view. The fan disclosed in the '947 patent, however, represents a radical ultra-modern configuration which is suitable for use in a very limited number of environments. Additionally, this fan is composed of an unusually large number of components, thereby increasing the cost and complexity of the assembly for the user.

Conventional ceiling fans are typically adapted for mounting the blades and motor in a plurality of spaced-apart relationships relative to a ceiling, in order to accommodate vaulted and/or unusually high ceilings. Some fans are configured exclusively for mounting close to the ceiling, while others are configured exclusively for being suspended at a distance from the ceiling by a rod or tube. Most, however, are suited for either mounting position, in which case the canopy typically includes unsightly mounting holes for attaching the motor directly to the canopy. Such holes are not visible when the fan is mounted close to the ceiling, but are visible when the fan is suspended at a distance below the ceiling.

There is a need in the art for a ceiling fan having a simplified, yet aesthetically pleasing structure, with an appearance suitable for use in most contemporary applications.

Brief Summarv of the Invention This invention provides a unique ceiling fan assembly having a switch housing specially configured to shield the proximate ends of the blade irons from below. The blade irons are also uniquely adapted to form a substantially continuous ring around the upper portion of the switch housing, thereby shielding the distal ends of the blade irons and corresponding screws from view from the side. The distal ends of the blade irons are adapted to receive screws from above, such screws being employed to secure the blades to the blade irons.

Brief Descri tion of the Drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan incorporating principles of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a side sectional view through the motor housing, switch housing and a representative blade and blade iron of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the ceiling fan suspended at a distance from the ceiling; FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view of a blade iron of the preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of the blade iron shown in FIGURE 4; FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the blade iron shown in FIGURES 4 and 5; FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment for the blade iron of the present invention;; FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIGURE 7; FIGURE 9 is a side sectional view similar to FIG 2, showing the preferred embodiment of the ceiling fan mounted close to the ceiling; FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the mounting ring employed to mount the ceiling fan close to the ceiling as shown in FIG 9; and FIGURE 11 is a top plan view of the adapter employed to secure the fan motor to either the down tube or the mounting ring.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a ceiling fan 10, comprising a canopy 12 securable to a ceiling (not shown), down rod 14 pivotally retained in canopy 12, electric motor 16 encased by motor housing 18, a plurality of blades 20, and switch housing 22. Ball member 24 is secured to the upper end of down rod 14 and is configured to seat within specially adapted socket 26 which is integrally formed in canopy 12.

The lower end of down rod 14 is retained by set screw 28 within adapter 30, the lower portion 32 of which is threadingly engaged to upper stationary threaded member 34 of motor 16 and further secured thereto by set screw 36. Top portion 38 of housing 18 is secured to adaptor 30 by screws 40 engaging threaded holes 41 in adapter 30. A plurality of equally spaced apart screw 39 secure top portion 38 to the lower portion of housing 18.

Ceiling fan 10 preferably includes at least two control switches 42 and 44 for controlling the speed and direction of rotation for motor 16. A shown in Figure 2, switches 42 and 44 are secured within switch housing 22, with switch 42 controlling the direction of rotation for motor 16 by selective operation of button 46, and switch 44 controlling the speed of rotation by selective operation of chain 48. As will be fully understood by those skilled in the art, however, the number and type of switches employed can be varied as desired without departing from the scope of this invention.

Switches 42 and 44 are given by way of example only, and should not constitute any limitation on the scope of this invention.

In the preferred embodiment shown, switch housing 22 has a generally cylindrical side wall 50, with a radially outwardly flared upper lip portion 52. Cylindrical side wall 50 is secured to cap member 54 by at least one screw 56. Nut 60, comprising a sheet metal stamping having an internal threaded portion 61, is preferably welded to cap member 54 in a manner allowing for threading engagement of portion 61 with lower stationary threaded member 58, thereby securing switch housing 22 in place. The lower edge of cylindrical side wall 50 forms a generally circular opening having cover 51 removably secured therein. Cover 51 is preferably formed from a suitable plastic or resilient metal material and is snapped into place, removal thereof providing access to switches 42 and 44 and their associated wiring.Those skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that cover 51 is uniquely securable without the need for any additional fastening means, such as screws, as required with conventional switch housings.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that motor 16 of ceiling fan 10 is largely conventional. While the electromagnetic characteristics of motor 16 are irrelevant to the present invention, it may be helpful to note that upper stationary threaded member 34 and lower stationary threaded member 58 are typical components of the stator portion of a conventional electric motor, with the remainder of motor 16 as illustrated comprising a generally conventional rotor.

In the preferred embodiment shown, ceiling fan 10 has five blades 20 and a equal number of blade irons 62. As best shown in Figures 4-6, each blade iron 62 has a proximate end 64 and a distal end 66. Proximate end 64 has a pair of holes 68 formed therethrough for receiving screws 70 which engage suitable threaded holes formed within lower surface 72 of motor 16. Distal end 66 of blade irons 62 has three threaded bosses 74 integrally formed therein, which threadingly engage screws 76 to secure blades 20 to the top surface of blade irons 62.

Blade irons 62 include a downwardly extending flange 78, as best seen in Figure 4. Flanges 78 provided by the plurality of blade irons 62 cooperate to collectively form a substantially continuous ring 80 which generally encircles upper lip portion 52 of switch housing 22. In the five-bladed configuration of the preferred embodiment of ceiling fan 10, each flange 78 must be configured to comprise an arcuate portion of ring 80 subtended by an angle of approximately 72 in order for ring 80 to be substantially unbroken. When so configured, ring 80 and upper lip portion 52 of switch housing 22 cooperate to effectively shield from view proximate ends 64 of blade irons 62 and associated screws 70, thereby creating an aesthetically attractive and unique configuration for ceiling fan 10.

Figures 7 and 8 depict blade irons 82, which represent an alternative embodiment for this invention wherein only four blades are employed, rather than five. The proximate ends 84 of blade irons 82 have flanges 86 formed thereon, wherein flanges 86 of the four blade irons 82 collectively form a substantially continuous ring as described above. The only difference between the alternative embodiment blade irons 82 and the preferred embodiment blade irons 62 is the length of flange 86. With blade irons 82, flanges 86 must be configured to comprise an arcuate portion subtended by an angle of 90", in order for the four blade irons 82 to form a substantially continuous 360 ring around upper lip portion 52 of switch housing 22.

As mentioned above, screws 76 are inserted through blades 20 from the top sides thereof to conventionally engage threaded bosses 74. Since the threaded holes in bosses 74 do not extend through the bottom surface of blade irons 62 (or 82), the view of the blade irons 62 from below is of an essentially smooth surface, undisturbed by any screws or other fastening means. Accordingly, the view of ceiling fan 10 from below is similarly free of any undesirable and unattractive fastening means for securing blades 20 to motor 16.

Like many ceiling fans presently available on the market, ceiling fan 10 may be suspended at a distance from a ceiling as shown in Figures 2 and 3, are mounted close to the ceiling as shown in Figure 9. In this configuration, down rod 14, ball member 24, end set screw 28 are omitted, and top portion 38 of motor housing 18 directly to canopy 12 by means of ring 88 and a plurality of screws 90. As illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, ring 88 has a generally circular central opening 92 with three indentations 94 formed at equally spaced intervals therein. Indentations 94 operate to receive three screws 90 and engage the head portions thereof, screws 90 being operative to engage threaded holes 96 formed in adaptor 30.

Outer angular lip 96 of ring 88 is adapted to completely circumscribe socket 26 so that, upon assembly as shown in Figure 9, top portion 38 of motor housing 18 is substantially rigidly secured to canopy 12.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the fact that ring 88, working in conjunction with screws 90 and adaptor 30, eliminate the need for any additional mounting holes in canopy 12 as required by most conventional ceiling fans. It will also be readily apparent that the precise configuration of ring 88 and adaptor 30, as well as the number of screws 90, may vary considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention.

From the above detailed description of the preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that a ceiling fan has been described wherein the switch housing operates to conceal from view the fastening means utilized to secure the blades to the motor, and that the blade irons cooperate with the switch housing to provide a uniquely configured ceiling fan suitable for use in most conventional applications. Although specific embodiments have been so described, it is to be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A ceiling fan, comprising: a motor, comprising a generally stationary member having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a rotor having a bottom portion, said rotor being rotatable about said stationary member upon operation of said motor; means for suspending said motor from a ceiling, securable to said top portion of said stationary member of said motor; a motor housing enclosing at least a portion of said motor; switch means for selectively controlling the operation of said motor; a plurality of blades, each having a proximate end secured to the distal end of a corresponding blade iron, each said blade iron having a proximate end removably securable by suitable fastening means to said bottom portion of said rotor and rotatable therewith;; a switch housing for containing said switch means, securable to said bottom portion of said stationary member, said switch housing having a side member, an upper edge in close proximity to said fastening means, and a lower edge spaced vertically apart from said upper edge, wherein said fastening means are disposed radially outwardly from said side member, and said upper edge of said switch housing is flared radially outwardly substantially to conceal said fastening means when the ceiling fan is viewed from below.

2. A ceiling fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprise: a plurality of screws for attaching said proximate ends of said blade irons to said bottom portion of said rotor, wherein said upper edge of said switch housing is adapted to conceal said screws and said proximate ends of said blade irons.

3. A ceiling fan as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the proximate end of each of said blade irons has a pair of holes formed therein for receiving a pair of said screws for securing said blade irons to said rotor.

4. A ceiling fan as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the distal end of each of said blade irons has three threaded poses formed in a top surface thereof for threadingly engaging three screws; and the proximate end of each of said blades has three holes formed therethrough alignable with said three threaded bosses; wherein said screws are inserted through said three holes in each of said blades and engaged with said threaded bosses, thereby securing said blades to said blade irons.

5. A ceiling fan as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: each of said blade irons further includes a downwardly projecting flange, disposed intermediate said distal and proximate ends generally adjacent said proximate end, wherein the totality of said flanges on said plurality of blade irons cooperating to conceal said screws and said proximate ends of said blade irons when said fan is viewed from the side.

6. A ceiling fan as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said flanges are adapted to collectively form a substantially continuous ring around said upper edge of said switch housing.

7. A ceiling fan as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: said side member is generally cylindrical, having top and bottom ends and a radius; and said upper edge comprises an annular frustoconical member having a narrow portion and a wide portion, said narrow portion being secured around said cylindrical side member generally adjacent said top end thereof, said wide portion being spaced upwardly and outwardly from said narrow portion and having a radius larger than said radius of said cylindrical side member.

8. A ceiling fan as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the number of said blades is four.

9. A ceiling fan as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the number of said blades is five.

10. A ceiling fan as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said means for suspending said motor from a ceiling comprises: a canopy removably securable to the ceiling, having a centrally located opening formed therein, said opening defining a socket; a ball member pivotally seated within said socket; a rod, having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end being secured to said ball member; and an adapter having top and bottom portions, said bottom portion being secured to said top stationary portion of said motor and said top portion being secured to said lower end of said rod.

11. A ceiling fan as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said adapter includes an intermediate section having a plurality of threaded holes formed therein; said ring member includes a plurality of screw engaging surfaces; and said means for fastening said ring member to said adapter comprise a plurality of screws passing through said screw engaging surfaces on said ring member and threadingly engaging said threaded holes in said intermediate section of said adapter.