Fluid reaction surfaces (i.e. – impellers) – Specific working member mount – Distally supported on radial arm
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-24
2002-03-05
Verdier, Christopher (Department: 3745)
Fluid reaction surfaces (i.e., impellers)
Specific working member mount
Distally supported on radial arm
C416S005000, C416S13400R, C416S20400A, C416S205000, C416S206000, C416S221000, C403S302000, C403S326000, C403S329000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06352411
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Most conventional ceiling fans are similarly installed.
FIG. 1
shows a partial side view of a conventional ceiling fan unit
1
that encompasses a general prior art ceiling fan system. In
FIG. 1
, ceiling fan motor
10
has a rotor component
20
that rotates about a central axis beneath motor
10
, which is in turn connected to a housing
5
that is attached beneath a ceiling
2
. A plurality of fan blades
30
are connected to the rotor
20
by mounting arms
40
. Each mounting arm
40
has one end
42
connected to an end
32
of each fan blade
30
, and a second end
44
having at least two through-holes
45
therethrough, so that conventional fasteners such as screws
50
pass through the through-holes
45
to mateably thread into threaded holes
25
in the bottom of rotor
20
.
Usually most conventional directions have the installer first connect and hang the motor
10
, rotor
20
and housing
5
to a ceiling. More often than not the installer is usually perched on a stool or ladder. Next, many directions have the installer attach the fan blades
30
to their respective mounting arms
40
. Finally, one of the last steps is to connect the blade
30
and respective mounting arm
40
to the rotor
20
on the motor.
To finish this final assembly step takes great dexterity, patience, balance and time. In order for a single person
60
to be able to complete this final step, the installer
60
needs to hold in one hand
62
the fan blade
30
and already attached mounting arm
40
, and to position a screw driver
70
to the heads of screws
50
with the other hand
64
. The installer must be able to balance the mounting screws
50
on the tip of the screw driver
70
, insert the screws upwardly though the holes
44
in the mounting arm, making sure not to accidentally drop the screws
50
and then screw the screws
50
into the mating holes
25
on the rotor
20
all while still holding the blade
30
and arm
40
. This assembly requires the installer to have to constantly hold both hands
62
and
64
raised high above their head, while again standing on a stool or ladder.
Many problems occur from this traditional method of having one person installing a ceiling fan. Screws
50
can and do accidentally fall and become lost causing more time and more expense to finish the installation. The installer
60
often has to constantly re position the blade
30
and arm
40
in order to be able to properly line up the through-holes
42
in the mounting arms
40
with their respective mating holes
25
in the bottom of rotor
20
. The blade
30
and mounting arm
40
have been known to fall on and cause injury to the user
60
during assembly. Additionally, the user can lose their balance and injure themselves as well falling off the ladder and stool. Additional problems also occur after installation. For example, uneven tightening of each of the plural fasteners that connect the mounting arm to the motor has resulted in wobble effects when the ceiling fan system is running. Thus, the current operation of assembly has become known as a frustrating, undesirable, difficult, tedious, time consuming and sometimes dangerous task.
To merely add a second worker to help in the assembly installation may solve some of the problems above, but would add additional cost and labor expense to the installation project.
In addition to the difficulty of having to screw the blade arms onto the ceiling fan motor endshield, the endshield contains unsightly screw heads that detract from the appearance of the ceiling fan itself. Another problem with using screw type fasteners is that the fasteners themselves can loosen causing the blade arms and connected blades to accidentally fall resulting in damages to surrounding property and people beneath the ceiling fans.
Additionally, ceiling fan blades and their blade arm supports need to be cleaned to remove dirt and dust buildup. Existing fan blades and blade arms are hard to remove from the ceiling mounted motors. Thus, fan blades and their respective blade arms are left mounted on the ceiling mounted motors. Current techniques have relied on manually holding brushes directly to the ceiling mounted blades and blade arms which inherently tires the muscles in the cleaner's neck, shoulders, arms and hands. This messy cleaning with brushes causes the dirt to fall on both the cleaner and furniture and flooring beneath the fan.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The first objective of the present invention is to provide detachable blade arms for ceiling fans that are easy and quick to install.
The second objective of the present invention is to provide detachable blade arms for ceiling fans that allow each blade arm to be locked in place to the motor housing.
The third objective of the present invention is to provide detachable blade arms for ceiling fans that wherein the centrifugal force of the fans locks the blades in place.
The fourth objective of the present invention is to allow a single user to safely and easily attach and detach a fan blade mounting arm to a ceiling mounted fan motor.
The fifth object of this invention is to provide a detachable blade mounting arm for a ceiling fan motor that does not use fasteners such as screws.
The sixth object of this invention is to provide inwardly deformable and bendable fasteners that snapably expand locking the blade mounting arms to ceiling fan motors.
The seventh object of this invention is to provide guide posts for allowing the mounting arm to be guided onto its' attachment points on the ceiling fan motor.
A first preferred embodiment of the novel invention device for attaching ceiling fan mounting arms to ceiling fan motors includes a ceiling fan motor having a rotating member, a mounting arm having a first end connected to a fan blade and a second end, and a slide and lock means for connecting the second end of the mounting arm to the rotating member, wherein the slide and lock means allows the mounting arm to slide onto and lock with the rotating member. The slide and lock means can be one, two, three or more protruding members with respective slots that can be shaped like a keyhole. Each protruding member can be located on the second end of the mounting arm with the slot located on the rotating member. Alternatively, the protruding member can be located on the rotating member with the slot located on the mounting arm. A deformable means such as a rubber gasket can also be used between the mounting arm and the rotating member for creating vibration isolation and enhanced fit between these parts. Additionally, a spring means such as a spring clip can be used for locking the arm to the rotating member. The blade arms can be made of materials such as but not limited to plastic, wood, and the like. The blade arms can be separate from the actual blades or be formed from one piece.
A second embodiment of the invention includes a quick snap installed blade arm for ceiling fans that includes a ceiling fan motor having a rotating member, a blade mounting arm having a connecting end connected to the rotating member, and a bendable snap fastener for attaching the connecting end of the mounting arm to the rotating member, wherein the snap fastener allows the mounting arm to snap onto and lock with the rotating member. The snap fastener can include inwardly bendable hook ends above a shaft and a slot for receiving the inwardly bendable hook ends and allowing the hook ends to expand after passing therethrough. The inwardly bendable hook ends can be located on the mounting arm with the slot located on the rotating member. Alternatively, the inwardly bendable hook ends can be located on the rotating member with the slot located on the mounting arm. Alignment guide post(s) with receiving slot(s) can be used so that only one fastener needs to be used.
The third embodiment of the invention is a removable quick snap installable blade arm for ceiling fans that includes a ceiling fan motor having a rotating member, a blade mounting arm having a connecting end connected to the rotating member, and a bend
Bucher Charles E.
Bucher John C.
King of Fans Inc.
Law Offices of Brian S. Steinberger , P.A.
Steinberger Brian S.
Verdier Christopher
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