ASSEMBLY RING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND 1.0 Field of the Invention The invention relates to ceiling fans and systems for fastening a blade mounting ring, to which the blades of the ceiling fan are attached, to a rotating ceiling fan motor component. More particularly, the invention relates to a convenient system for suspending a blade mounting ring to the roof fan motor prior to the final clamping of the blade mounting ring to the motor. That is, the installer can perform the installation of the blade mounting ring, with the roof fan blades secured to it, without having to manually support the assembly of the blade mounting ring during the clamping procedure. 2.0 Related Art The installation of a ceiling fan, and more particularly the attachment of ceiling fan blades to a mounted ceiling fan motor, is a problematic and time-consuming process. Typically, the installation requires first the fastening of the ceiling fan motor, and associated motor housing components, to the roof without the fan blades attached to the fan, followed by the fastening of each of the fan blades to the fan. a rotating component of the ceiling fan motor. Many systems and techniques are known to connect the blades of the ceiling fan to the engine. For example, the roof fan blades may include blade blades having a typically arched mounting portion, with screw holes to make it possible to secure the blade plates to the engine component. Another type of system includes fastening blade ramps to the rotating motor component, and then securing each fan blades directly to each blade ramp. Each of these configurations requires an installer to insert two or three screws for each fan blade, while the fan blades are in an upper position. The process can be strenuous and time consuming, as there are typically four or five fan blades for a single ceiling fan. U.S. Patent No. 4,511,310 issued to Pearce discloses a ceiling fan wherein a blade mounting ring can be fastened to a rotating rotor portion of an electric motor. The blade mounting ring is annular in shape, and includes a plurality of openings for receiving screws or bolts to hold the blade blades thereto. The blade ring also includes four arcuate shaped openings arranged around the periphery of the ring, with elastomeric sheaves that can be inserted into the arched openings. Threaded screws can be inserted through the sheaves, and they can be screwed into the threaded openings inside the rotating motor component. In this way the blade ring is fixedly fastened to the rotating motor component, to rotate therewith, and is supported under the motor through the elastomer sheaves to thereby isolate the vibrations. Typically, the blade ring is attached to the motor before attaching any of the fan blades to the ring, although sometimes an installer can first attach one or more of the roof fan blades to the blade ring, and then lift all the Assemble to the underside of the ceiling fan motor so that the entire blade ring can be attached to the motor with the blade assembly attached. Each of these assembly techniques has several drawbacks. For example, if the blade ring is first mounted to the rotating motor component before attaching the fan blades to the blade ring, the installer must first place the blade ring aligned with the motor mounting holes with one hand in a top position, then insert each of the threaded screws through the sheaves, and then screw the screws to the motor. Subsequently, each blade of the fan is attached separately to the fan-mounted ring on the roof. The number of separate mounting steps in a top position is expensive, particularly where four or five fan blades are fastened. On the other hand, if the installer tries to fasten the fan blades to the ring first, before assembling the ring, then the installer must lift the entire fan blade assembly and support the assembly with one hand while trying to screw the ring of blades to the engine component. Any method is an extremely problematic and difficult procedure for the installer. Accordingly, there has been a need to provide an easier, less troublesome and strenuous method for fastening ceiling fan blades to a rotating motor component of a ceiling fan. SUMMARY The present invention solves the problems of the blade ring mounting systems of the prior art, through the use of a novel blade ring suspension system to suspend the blade ring. Each of the fan blades is previously attached to the blade ring of the present invention, before attaching the blade ring to the fan motor. The installer simply lifts the entire fan blade and blade ring assembly to the roof fan motor, and then, with a simple insertion and twist, you can suspend the blade ring from the motor. The holes / openings of the blade ring are automatically aligned with the openings in the motor mounting face, to allow the insertion of threaded screws through the openings, to be attached to the mounting surface of the motor. In this way, the installer has both hands free to attach the blade ring to the mounting surface of the motor. The novel blade ring suspension configuration includes a ring ring of generally annular shape having a blade ring mounting plate or bracket facing the mounting surface of the rotating motor component. At least two suspension posts extend from the mounting face of the motor, each of which includes a blade ring support surface for supporting the mounting plate of the blade ring adjacent to, and below, the face of the blade. engine mounting. The suspension post includes a threaded rod, preferably a screw, and an elastomeric surface surrounding the threaded rod and typically formed by a sheave. The elastomeric surface includes a groove defining the bearing surface of the blade ring. A pair of openings in the form of a key hole are provided in the plate or mounting bracket of the blade ring, to complement the suspension posts. The suspension posts can be inserted through the circular portions of the keyhole openings, and then the blade ring is twisted or rotated in a direction toward the suspension posts, so that each pole runs in a elongated portion of the corresponding key hole opening, whereby, the blade ring mounting plate is inserted into the slot of each suspension post. In this way, the blade ring is supported by each of the suspension posts, in such a way that the installer can hold the blade ring to the mounting surface of the motor using both hands. The blade ring includes a plurality of openings, each having an arcuate or circular shaped opening and a throat region opening towards the inside of the blade ring. In a preferred embodiment, three clamping openings are included, the clamping and key hole openings being equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the blade ring mounting bracket. Elastomeric sheaves are inserted into each of the open throat openings. The blade ring is fixed securely by inserting a screw through each clamping opening and the corresponding sheave, and the screws are screwed into the aligned threaded holes of the motor mounting surface. After the blade ring is attached to the motor, the rotation of the motor and the mounting surface of the motor will rotate the blade ring without a relative movement between the blade ring and the motor mounting surface.
The present invention provides a convenient, quick, less troublesome and strenuous system for fastening a blade ring assembly to a rotating motor component of a ceiling fan motor. The ceiling fan blades can be attached to the blade ring before connecting the blade ring to the motor. The blade ring fastening system of the present invention makes it possible to hold the blade ring without having to manually support the blade ring in the rotating portion of the engine during the final clamping process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will come to be better understood with respect to the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view in perspective separated into parts of a ceiling fan motor, with the novel blade mounting ring of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view of the blade mounting ring, taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the blade mounting ring, taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figures 4A and 4B are side views of the bolt and sheave of the suspension pole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate equal parts through the different views, a ceiling fan motor 1 is shown in a separate view in parts, and includes a portion of the motor rotating 3 having a mounting surface of the motor or face 5. The motor 1, illustrated in the drawings, is an inside-out motor, wherein the rotating portion 3 is fixed to, or is integral with, a rotor 7 which it rotates around the stator 9, which can be inserted into the housing of the motor or housing adjacent to the rotor 7, and around a stator shaft of motor 11. As is well known, the motor 1 is typically housed in a housing of ceiling fan (not shown). The shaft of the stator of the motor 11 of the ceiling fan is typically threaded at its upper end, and mounted on a descending rod (not shown) which, in turn, extends through a gusset (not shown) mounted on the roof in a conventional way. It should also be noted that the ceiling fan motor can be of the type where the stator surrounds the rotor, and the rotor rotates in the central region of the ceiling fan, as shown in U.S. Patent Number 4,511,310 , issued to Pearce, which is expressly incorporated as reference to the present in its entirety. The motor from the inside out 1 includes a lower motor housing portion 13 which is attached to, or integrally fused with, the rotor 7, and can rotate therewith. The lower motor housing portion 13 includes the motor mounting surface 5. The motor mounting surface 5 includes a plurality of threaded holes 15 for receiving fastening screws 17 (only two are shown), as well as the suspension posts 19. A blade ring 21 is disposed below the mounting face of the motor 5, and can be fixedly fixed to the mounting face 5 to enable the blade ring 21 to rotate with the housing portion of the rotating lower motor 13. without a significant relative rotational movement between them. The blade ring 21 is of a substantially annular shaped structure, having a first cylindrical portion 23, and a mounting surface or mounting plate or integral blade ring bracket 25. The bracket 25 extends inward from the edge 27 of the cylindrical portion 23, and is substantially planar; Integral with, and below, the first cylindrical portion 23, there is a second substantially cylindrical annular portion 29. Integral with the second portion 29, there is a plurality of ceiling fan blade mounting brackets 31, which preferably have a profile of substantially triangular or heart shape. Preferably, five fan blade mounting brackets 31 are provided, although the number may vary depending on the design of the ceiling fan. The brackets 31 are oriented at light angles with respect to the flat top mounting plate or bracket 25. Each bracket includes holes or fan blade mounting openings 33, preferably three for each bracket. The blades of the ceiling fan 35 are fixed to the underside of the brackets 33 with screws (not shown). Although the brackets 33 are preferably integral with the blade mounting ring 21, the brackets 33 can be formed as separate structures that are screwed to the blade mounting ring 21. Alternatively, the roof fan blades could include conventional blade blades, having arcuate shaped fastening members (not shown), which can be secured to the blade ring (in a manner similar to that shown in the Pearce patent, or in any other conventional manner). Extending from the bottom of the second cylindrical portion 29 of the blade ring 21, there is a plurality of mounting tabs 37 for securing a housing (not shown) to the bottom of the blade ring. The housing could encompass a switch mechanism, a light mechanism, or it can simply be a convenient cover for enclosing the underside of the blade mounting ring for aesthetic purposes. The plate or mounting bracket of the blade ring 25 includes a plurality of fastening openings 39 having openings of generally arched or circular shape 41, with a throat region 43 that opens towards the inside of the blade ring 21. ( These fastening openings 39 may also be similar to those illustrated in the Pearce patent). Preferably, three holding openings 39 are provided, although the number may vary. The blade ring mounting bracket 25 further includes at least two openings in the form of a key hole 45 disposed on opposite sides of at least one of the fastening openings. Preferably, the openings 39 and 45 are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the blade ring mounting bracket 25. The key hole-shaped openings 45 include a substantially circular opening portion 47, and an opening portion substantially elongated 49, which may extend in a substantially radial manner from the circular opening portion 47. Alternatively, the elongated portion 49 may have a slightly arched shape, extending from the circular opening portion 47. These orifice-shaped openings of key 45 form part of the suspension system for suspending the blade ring adjacent to, and below, the mounting face of the motor before firmly clamping the blade ring to the mounting face of the motor, as will be described. Inserted inside each of the open throat fastening openings 39, there is a sheave 51 of elastomeric material, preferably rubber. The caster 51 is of substantially cylindrical shape, and has a bore hole 53 traversed along the long axis of the caster, to receive one of the screws 17. Arranged substantially midway between the ends of the caster, there is a groove 55 extending from the outer circumferential region of the sheave inward, such that the sheave can slide or pass through the open throat 43 of each holding opening 39, and into the arcuate region or circular 41, whereby the blade ring mounting bracket 25 is received within the slot 55, and is supported by a surface 57 defined by the slot 55, and which is below the bracket 25. Although the roller 51 It is illustrated as substantially cylindrical, it should be noted that the outer dimensions of the sheave can vary, and can be substantially rectangular, as shown in the Pearce patent. The axial traversed hole 53 of each sheave is dimensioned to receive one of the threaded screws 17, for a fixed clamping to the mounting surface of the motor 5. Only two of three clamping sheaves 51 are shown in Figure 2. The spacing relative to the clamping openings 39 on the mounting bracket of the blade ring 25, it must be compntary to the threaded openings or openings 15 of the mounting surface of the motor 5. Similarly, the location of the openings in the form of key hole 45 on the plate or bracket of the mounting surface of the blade ring 25, is compntary to that of the suspension posts 19 extending from the bottom of the motor mounting face 5. The suspension posts 19 include a threaded screw 61 defining a threaded rod 63. The threaded rod 63 is surrounded by an elastomeric surface, preferably of rubber, which is defined by an elastomeric sheave. ca 51, preferably of the same overall size and shape and dimensions as the sheaves which are inserted in the clamping openings 39. The suspension posts 19 are screwed into the openings 5 of the motor mounting face of the blade ring before the assembly process of the blade ring, and preferably they are previously fixed to the mounting face of the motor 5 before the installation of the ceiling fan. That is, the ceiling fan motor will preferably be delivered to be fastened to the ceiling with the suspension posts 19 already threaded into the appropriate threaded openings 15 of the mounting face of the motor 5.
The diameter of the substantially circular portion or region 47 of the key hole opening 45 is at least equal to, and preferably slightly greater than, the cross sectional dimension, or the outer diameter, of the suspension post 19, including to the elastomeric substantially cylindrical sheave 51. This makes it possible to easily insert the suspension post 19, in an axial direction, through the circular portion 47 of the key hole opening 45. The elastomer sheave 51 of the suspension post
19 also includes the annular groove 55 defining the surface 57, which comprises a blade ring bearing surface for supporting the blade ring below, and adjacent to, the mounting face of the motor 5. The annular groove 55 is extends from the outer cylindrical region of the suspension pole 19, and inwardly, towards the major axis of the suspension pole, by a distance sufficient to enable the suspension pole 19 to slide into the narrower elongated opening portion. 49, such that the blade ring mounting bracket 25 is received by the annular groove 55, and a portion of the blade ring mounting bracket 25 faces toward, and is supported by, the surface 57 defined by the slot 55. Now the suspension and the subsequent clamping of the blade ring 21 to the mounting surface of the motor 5 will be described. With the ceiling fan motor mounted on the ceiling, the suspension posts 19 which are extending from the mounting face of the motor 5, they will be disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting face of the motor 5. The ceiling fan installer then inserts the elastomer sheaves 51 into each of the three clamping openings 39 and also fastens each of the blades 35 of the ceiling fan, to the brackets of the ceiling fan 31, on the blade mounting ring 21. This can be done in an easy and convenient way, by fastening the blades 35 of the fan When the vane ring 21 is supported on the floor or on a table. After the blades 35 of the ceiling fan are secured or secured to the blade ring 25, and the elastomer sheaves 51 are inserted into each of the clamp openings 39, the installer lifts the entire clamp ring assembly. blades 21, with the roof fan blades 35 fastened thereto, towards the mounting face of the motor 5. The circular portions 47 of the key hole openings 45 are then aligned with, and axially inserted over, the posts of suspension 19, in such a way that the slot 55 of each sheave 51 is aligned, that is to say, it is at the same height as the mounting plate of the blade ring 25. Then, the installer, after insertion, turns or twists the blade ring 21 in one direction so that the suspension posts 19 and the included slots 51 slide into the narrow elongate aperture portions 49. The blade ring mounting plate 25 is captured by the slot 55 inside the circumferential surface of each of the suspension posts 19. Once turned to the stopped position, the holes or fastening openings 39 of the blade ring 21 are aligned with the holes or screw openings of the lower part of the mounting face of the motor, and the blade mounting ring 21 is suspended on the suspension posts 19, in such a way that the installer can insert the screws 17 with both hands free. The installer then inserts the screws 17 through the rollers 51 into the clamping openings 39, and tightens the screws 17, in such a way that the blade ring 21 is fixedly secured to the mounting face of the rotary motor 5. If it is necessary, the installer can also tighten the suspension posts 19, by screwing or turning the threaded screws included in the suspension posts 19. Once completely assembled, the blade mounting ring 21 is fixedly fixed to the mounting surface of the rotary motor 5, and is supported by the elastomer sheaves 51 below the mounting surface of the motor 5. When the motor is turned on, the mounting face of the Motor 5 rotates the blade ring 21 without a relative rotational movement between them (perhaps other than an incidental initial movement caused by deformation of the sheaves during the acceleration phase). Accordingly, it is seen that the blade mounting ring 21 can be fastened quickly and easily to the mounting portion of the rotating motor, eliminating the troublesome clamping process of the prior art configurations, which required the blade ring to be It will be manually supported at the same time as the installer screwed the fastening screws on the mounting face of the motor. The above detailed description of the present invention should be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited exclusively by the appended claims.