Abstract: A portable electric appliance including a fan device comprising a rotatable blade assembly and an electrical motor operatively coupled thereto; a standard having an upper end fixed to the fan device; a pedestal base; a coupling including an upper member joined to a lower end of the standard and a lower member pivotally coupled with the upper member and joined to the pedestal, the upper member being freely demountable from the lower member; a manually operable latch for preventing demounting of the upper member from the lower member; and a positioning mechanism for selectively fixing the relative angular positions of the upper and lower members.

Abstract: A control including an activator for effecting a control function; an actuator coupled to the activator and movable in a reciprocating path to control operation thereof; an operator coupled to the actuator and adapted for manual manipulation between active and inactive positions, the operator in its active position rendering the actuator functional to control operation of the activator and in its inactive position rendering the actuator dysfunctional to control operation of the activator; and a means biasing the operator in its inactive position.

Abstract: A portable electric appliance including a standard; a fan assembly supported by one end of the standard and comprising a rotatable blade and an electrical motor operatively coupled to said blade assembly and a pedestal supporting an end of the standard opposite to the one end.

Abstract: An electrical appliance including an electrically powered device; an electrical control system coupled to the electrically powered device; and a housing comprising top and side surface portions, retaining the electrically powered device and the electrical control system and defining a handle chamber having an entry opening formed in one of the surface portions and including a recessed portion covered by a section of the one surface portion that is partially bordered by one edge portion of the entry opening. Also included with the appliance is a handle cover retained by the housing, covering the entry opening, and mounted for movement into the handle chamber so as to provide manual access to an inner surface of the section; and a bias mechanism biasing the handle into a position covering the entry opening.