Abstract: A portable fan providing oscillation in two axes. Oscillation may occur simultaneously in two axes, or in one selected axis. Two oscillation mechanisms are provided, each having its own oscillation motor and each being selectively operable independent of the other. Optionally, the main fan motor may be employed to power one oscillation mechanism. The fan has a base for desk top support, or a base and extensible column for floor support, or a bracket for permanent mounting. All embodiments have controls for controlling the fan motor and the oscillation motor or motors, and a limited tilting feature for maintaining the fan blade at an angle to the base or bracket.

Abstract: A combination cap and handle for use with a detachable humidifier reservoir tank. Extending through the cap is a tubular aperture containing a biased plunger that interacts with a base pin in the water receiving portion of the humidifier. The plunger is attached to a flap such that when the reservoir tank is placed into the body of the humidifier, the plunger and flap are urged into the reservoir tank, allowing the water in the reservoir to fill the humidifier. Extending radially from the plunger aperture on the external surface of the cap are raised handles. These handles allow for a mechanical advantage when the user wishes to remove the cap from the reservoir, or to transport the reservoir more easily both when full and when empty.

Abstract: An evaporative humidifier includes a base having a portion defining a reservoir for holding a quantity of water. A housing is mounted on the base over the reservoir, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. A cylindrically shaped wick filter is seated in the reservoir and extends up into the housing, the cylindrically shaped wick filter having an open top end and a sidewall. A fan is mounted inside the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet, then into the center of the cylindrically shaped wick filter through the open top end, then out through the sidewall of the cylindrically shaped wick filter and then out of the housing through the air outlet. A heater is also mounted inside the housing for heating the air drawn into the housing prior to passage through the cylindrically shaped wick filter.

Abstract: A control circuit for an electrical appliance having an inductive load includes a signal conditioning element, a control element, a power conditioning element, a power adjustment element, and a switching element. The control circuit is sensitive to input received from a sensor which in turn is sensitive to a touch on an outside of a conductive casing of the appliance or a sharp sound. A separate touch pad is used if the appliance has a non-conductive casing. The load is typically a motor for driving a fan unit. The fan unit may be used either independently or as part of an appliance such as a humidifier, dehumidifier, heater, or air purifier.

Abstract: A window fan incorporating a filter. The fan has a low, flat profile for fitting in a window while occupying limited viewing area of the window. The fan includes laterally projecting extensions for sealing a gap which might otherwise exist at the right and left sides of the fan. The fan includes a motorized squirrel cage blower for forcing air through a flow path defined within the window fan. The blower is elongated, and oriented with its rotational axis arranged horizontally to enable the low profile. The filter is washable, and is installed by sliding into a holding chamber, and located serially within the air flow path. The window fan has a manually adjustable air deflector for directing discharged air as desired. The electrical circuit conducting power to the motor includes a touch sensitive switch for on-off control, a thermostatic switch for operating the fan when the touch switch is on and a predetermined temperature is detected, a speed selector switch, and an indicating lamp.

Abstract: A window mounted oscillating fan. The fan has two blower modules each having a motor, fan blade, and diffuser. The diffuser is fixed in a stationary position relative to its fan blade. The window fan oscillates by pivoting all blower modules simultaneously through a single motorized oscillation mechanism. The blower units may be arranged to discharge air in parallel, or alternatively, in different directions. The blower units pivot about an axis inclined from the vertical, so that oscillation has a vertical component as well as horizontal. In different embodiments, the fans operate in tandem, facing the same direction at all times, or oscillate in different directions, thereby diffusing incoming air. The window fan has an air filter, and manual and automatic controls including a touch sensitive on-off switch, a thermostatic on-off switch, and a speed selector.

Abstract: A portable forced air space heater having a three hundred sixty degree peripheral dispersion pattern. The heater has a tubular housing and a fan forcing air past a heating element upwardly within the housing. The air encounters a conical deflector which redirects the air to flow outwardly at the top of the housing. One or more movable baffles are selectively placed in the housing so as to obstruct discharge of air at various selected sections of the peripheral pattern of discharge. This feature prevents injurious or otherwise objectionable discharge of heat when the heater is placed close to another object. The baffles are arcuate, so that they cooperate with the tubular housing, and insulated to minimize propogation of heat to the obstructed portion of the discharge pattern. Baffles are removable from the heater, and are maneuvered for adjusting their position from outside the heater.

Abstract: A support particularly adapted to support an electric fan is provided. The support has a cam action quick release mechanism which is movable between locked and free positions. When the release mechanism is in the free position the fan can be easily rotated to a desired degree of tilt about a horizontal axis. When the release mechanism is in the locked position rotation of the fan is prevented. The support also includes tilt limiting mechanisms which sets a predetermined forward and backward limitation on fan rotation.

Abstract: An air treatment system includes a housing having a from cylindrical chamber and a rear rectangular chamber, the front and rear chambers being separated by an internal wall. The front chamber is provided with a series of outlet vents, the rear chamber is provided with a series of inlet vents, and the internal wall is provided with a series of interchamber vents. A pair of electrically-powered cylindrical fan blades are disposed within the front chamber and are used to draw air into the rear chamber through the inlet vents, to move the air from the rear chamber to the front chamber through the interchamber vents and to exhaust the air from the front chamber through the outlet vents. A plurality of ionizer needles are also disposed within the front chamber. The rear chamber is shaped to include a generally rectangular reservoir. The air treatment system also includes a water tank removably mounted within the rear chamber for use in supplying water to the reservoir.

Abstract: An evaporative humidifier includes a base having a portion defining a reservoir for holding a quantity of water. A housing is mounted on the base over the reservoir, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. A cylindrically shaped wick filter is seated in the reservoir and extends up into the housing, the cylindrically shaped wick filter having an open top end and a sidewall. A fan is mounted inside the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet, then into the center of the cylindrically shaped wick filter through the open top end, then out through the sidewall of the cylindrically shaped wick filter and then out of the housing through the air outlet. A heater is also mounted inside the housing for heating the air drawn into the housing prior to passage through the cylindrically shaped wick filter.

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater includes a housing, a fan mounted within the housing, a pair of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater assemblies disposed in the housing, and a plenum mounted in the housing. The housing includes a front portion and a rear portion connected together to define a front, a rear, a left side and a right side, the front and rear each having at least one opening. The fan is arranged to produce a flow of air from the rear of the housing to the front. The pair of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater assemblies are disposed in side by side relationship and angled relative to each other, each at an angle of approximately 7.5 degrees from normal, so as to produce a diverging column of heated air. The plenum mounted in the housing directs the air flow produced by the fan through each of the PTC heater assemblies.

Abstract: An electric circuit is disclosed which includes an electric fan for dispersing air, a power switch for energizing the electric fan, and a convenience outlet for supplying power through the electric circuit to an external power consuming apparatus. The convenience outlet is operable separately and independently of the electric fan. In one embodiment for use in a humidifier the electric circuit further includes a refill light, a refill light switch, and a power light. In another embodiment for use in an air purifier the circuit further includes a filter sensor, a filter replacement indicator light, an ionizer for emitting ions, a negative ion switch, an ion indicator light and a power indicator light.

Abstract: A tiltable oscillating fan assembly for use in circulating air. In one embodiment, the fan assembly includes a stand, a fan head and a neck joint. The top of the stand terminates in upwardly extending bifurcated portions. The fan head is rotatably supported on the neck joint. The bottom of the neck joint is shaped to include a rounded portion which is pivotally mounted between the bifurcated portions of the stand. One side of the rounded portion is shaped to include a recessed arc which extends over an angular distance of approximately 90 degrees. An angular boss mounted on the inside surface of one of the bifurcated portions limits the angular movement of the rounded portion relative to the bifurcated portions by abutting the neck joint at opposite ends of the recessed arc. When the boss abuts the neck joint at one end of the recessed arc, the fan head is positioned vertically. When the boss abuts the neck joint the opposite end of the arc, the fan head is positioned horizontally.

Abstract: An electric circuit is disclosed which includes a heater element for generating heat, a power switch for controlling the current to the heater element, a night light for providing illumination, and a night light switch for controlling the current through the night light. The night light is operable separately and independently of the heater element. In one embodiment for use in a humidifier the electric circuit further includes a thermo fuse, a thermo disc and a refill light. In another embodiment for use in a heater the circuit further includes a fan, a power light and a second heater element for generating heat.

Abstract: A tiltable fan assembly adapted to exhaust air at a variety of angular orientations. In a preferred embodiment, the tiltable fan assembly includes a generally flat base member adapted to rest on a table top or similar surface. The base member is shaped to include a pair of horizontally-extending, cylindrically-shaped sleeves. The fan assembly also includes a pair of mounting posts, each mounting post being angularly adjustably mounted about its longitudinal axis within its respective sleeves and being appropriately sized to extend out through both ends of its respective sleeve. A rotary switch is angularly adjustably mounted on the outer end of one of the mounting posts, and a cap is fixedly mounted on the outer end of the other of the mounting posts. A pair of gaskets are fitted onto the inner ends of the mounting posts. The fan assembly further includes a fan unit and a neck assembly, the neck assembly being used to couple the fan unit to the angularly adjustable mounting posts.