Patents by Inventor Jimmy D. Vanfossan

Jimmy D. Vanfossan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6352407
    Abstract: A single-blade fan apparatus includes a blade assembly having a hub presenting a longitudinal aperture adapted for receipt on the fan apparatus, a single blade protruding radially from the hub in a first direction, and a counterweight body protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction. The hub, blade and counterweight body are formed of a unitary piece of aluminum, zinc or synthetic resin material. A method of constructing the blade assembly includes providing a mold including a hub cavity, a blade cavity protruding from the hub cavity in a first direction, and a counterweight-body cavity protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction, and fitting a removable mold insert in the blade cavity. The first mold insert fills a portion of the blade cavity remote from the hub cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Emerson Electric, Co.
    Inventors: D. Lee Hill, Frank E. Cahill, Jimmy D. Vanfossan, Hamid Massali
  • Publication number: 20010043863
    Abstract: A single-blade fan apparatus includes a blade assembly having a hub presenting a longitudinal aperture adapted for receipt on the fan apparatus, a single blade protruding radially from the hub in a first direction, and a counterweight body protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction. The hub, blade and counterweight body are formed of a unitary piece of aluminum, zinc or synthetic resin material. A method of constructing the blade assembly includes providing a mold including a hub cavity, a blade cavity protruding from the hub cavity in a first direction, and a counterweight-body cavity protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction, and fitting a removable mold insert in the blade cavity. The first mold insert fills a portion of the blade cavity remote from the hub cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: D. LEE HILL, FRANK E. CAHILL, JIMMY D. VANFOSSAN, HAMID MASSALI
  • Patent number: 6283709
    Abstract: An electric fan mounted overhead for universal adjustment of the air flow direction. A mounting plate clamped to an overhead beam carries a sleeve that rotatively receives a vertical column. The lower end of the column pivotally connects with a mounting arm which carries the fan. A rotation motor can rotationally adjust the column to adjust the lateral direction in which the fan faces. A linear actuator pivots the mounting arm up and down to adjust the tilt angle of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: D. Lee Hill, Jimmy D. Vanfossan
  • Patent number: 6077043
    Abstract: An impeller for a fan, with improved performance characteristics, has a central hub with a plurality of wings extending radially outwardly therefrom. The impeller also has a plurality of blades, such that each blade is attached in an extending manner from a corresponding one of the wings. When in combination with a fan having a motor, the motor imparts rotation to the impeller in a forward direction. Each blade is angled backwardly, at a selected angle, relative to its corresponding wing and the forward, rotational direction of the impeller. In an alternate embodiment, each wing of the hub has a first portion extending radially outward from the hub and a second, outer portion angled backwardly relative to the first portion of the wing and the forward direction of the impeller. A method of manufacture is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: D. Lee Hill, Jimmy D. Vanfossan, Hamid Massali
  • Patent number: 5863182
    Abstract: An attachment for improving the efficiency of a fluid circulation device such as a fan comprises a back connector portion for connecting to a fan blade and a lobe which protrudes from a leading edge of the fan blade. An impeller has a plurality of fan blades extending from a central hub, and the impeller is rotated by an electrical motor. The impeller is housed within a fan guard. As the impeller is rotated, the lobes operate to pick up air passing around the preceding blade and continue accelerating the air to increase efficiency and flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: D. Lee Hill, Jimmy D. Vanfossan, Hamid Massali
  • Patent number: 5795133
    Abstract: A hinged snap together fan guard has front and rear fan guard members hingedly attached in a unique arrangement. Each of the front and rear fan guard members are generally formed in the shape of a concave dish having a plurality of ribs extending outwardly from a central region to a periphery of the member. Selected ribs on the front guard member terminate, at an outer end, in a hook for engaging with a peripheral rim of the rear fan guard member. At least one selected rib on each fan guard member terminates at an outer end in a loop. The two loops mate with each other, thereby forming a hinge. The front guard member can be moved from a closed position in engagement with the rear fan guard member to an open position, by pivoting the front fan guard member about the hinge. The hinge is preferably located in a lower quadrant of the fan guard, such that when opened, the front fan guard member is pivoted outwardly and downwardly relative to the rear fan guard member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: D. Lee Hill, Jimmy D. Vanfossan, Steven E. Woosley