Ceiling fan

Abstract

A ceiling fan, including a plurality of blades, wherein at least one surface of at least one blade in the plurality of blades is covered by a decorative motif.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ceiling fans.

BACKGROUND

Ceiling fans typically are undecorated or are decorated in a standard fashion that is not customized to match or complement the rooms in which they are located or the particular tastes and interests of their owners. Such ceiling fans often clash with the overall décor of the rooms in which they are placed, or at best fail to maximize the possibilities inherent in such rooms. It would be desirable to provide ceiling fans matching or complementing the décor of the rooms in which they are located.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A ceiling fan, including a plurality of blades, wherein at least one surface of at least one blade in the plurality of blades is covered by a decorative motif.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following definitions are provided to aid in construing the claims of the present application:

Decorative Motif: Any visual design drawn or painted on an object, or otherwise attached to an object, such as by gluing. For example, a Decorative Motif can be a fabric, paper, sticker, decal, ornament, wallpaper, or contract paper visual design glued, adhered, or otherwise attached to an object.

Performance: For the purposes of the present application, the speed of rotation of the blades of a ceiling fan, the stability of the ceiling fan, the air circulation capabilities of the ceiling fan, and the air cooling capabilities of a the ceiling fan.

Visual Design: Any geometric, abstract, representational, or other image, design, or graphic that can be attached to an object, including but not limited to solid colors, abstract geometric patterns, representations of natural objects, such as flowers, the sun, moon, stars, and planets, animals, etc., man made objects, such as rockets or airplanes, school colors, team insignias, religious symbols, occupational items, such as a hammer or saw for a carpenter for example or a comb for a beautician, items relating to sports, such as bats, rackets, sticks, and pucks and balls of various types, as well as basketball baskets, football goalposts, tennis nets, soccer or hockey goals, and so forth.

Referring to FIG. 1, in a first preferred embodiment, ceiling fan 100 includes fan base 110 which is attached to main housing 120, which in turn is attached to one or more lights 130a through 130n, one or more fan blades 140a through 140n, and one or more control cords 150a through 150n. Motor 160 is enclosed in main housing 120 and is not shown. In some embodiments of the present invention lights 130a through 130n are not present. In some embodiments of the present invention control cords 150a through 150n are not present. In some embodiments of the present invention, fan base 110 is not present. Many of the ceiling fans manufactured by the Hunter Fan Company of Jacksonville, Fla., for example, can be used in accordance with the present invention. The Covent Garden model is one such model.

The ceiling fan of the present invention additionally includes a Decorative Motif including a Visual Design attached to at least the underside 142a to 142n of at least one of fan blades 140a through 140n. Preferably, the same Visual Design is attached to the underside 142a through 142n of each fan blade 140a through 140n. The Decorative Motif and the Visual Design preferably match or complement the décor of the room in which the ceiling fan is located or to be located. For example, undersides 142a through 142n can be painted the same or a complementary color as such room, or the same design as such room, or can be covered with the same wallpaper as the walls of such room, or can be covered with fabric matching furniture or draperies in such room. Alternatively, the Decorative Motif and the Visual Design can be unrelated to such décor. For example, a brick wall Decorative Motif can be utilized in a room with a tropical décor. Similarly, a tree Decorative Motif can be utilized in a room with an aquarium décor.

The inventor has found that a Decorative Motif has no observable effect on the performance of a ceiling fan. Whether the Decorative Motif comprises paint, wallpaper, fabric, or other materials, performance is not affected. Of course it may be possible to create a Decorative Motif that will have an effect on performance (and it may in some circumstances be desirable to do so), but the inventor has found that a wide array of materials do not affect performance in any observable fashion.

In another embodiment, the Decorative Motif comprises an element visible in darkened rooms to decrease the likelihood of an accident when turning the ceiling fan off in the darkness. For example, glow in the dark elements can be used. In another embodiment, the Decorative Motif comprises a highly visible element to alert the visually impaired to the presence of the ceiling fan to decrease the likelihood of an accident when the ceiling fan is operating. Any brightly colored or light reflecting element can be used for this purpose. For example, small reflectors similar to those used on bicycles or small mirrors can be used.

Referring to FIG. 2, kit 200 for decorating a ceiling fan in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The kit includes brush 210, fabric 212, paints 214, and instructions 220. Fabric 212 provides sufficient decorated wallpaper fabric to cover the undersides of the blades of at least a standard size ceiling fan and can be attached with a thin layer of glue or paste. Alternatively, a self adhesive material, such as contact paper can be included in kit 200 in place of fabric 212; however, self-adhesive materials can be difficult to apply evenly and smoothly. Brush 210 is a paint brush. Paints 214 are a plurality of different colored paints suitable for use in decorating ceiling fans in sufficient quantities to cover the undersides of the blades of at least a standard size ceiling fan. Standard oil or acrylic paints, among others, depending on the surfaces to be painted, can be utilized. In some cases, spray paints or texture paints can be utilized. Instructions 220 provide step by step instructions for decorating the undersides of a ceiling fan. For example, instructions 220 specify (if the user desires to paint the ceiling fan) whether a primer is necessary, how long the ceiling fan must dry, how many coats of paint are necessary, and how to apply a design if a design is desired. E.g., to apply stripes, masking tape can be successively applied to cover the areas not currently being painted. In another embodiment, kit 200 is packaged in a cardboard or cellophane or clear plastic box, or a combination cardboard and cellophane or clear plastic box, and includes one covering for each blade of the ceiling fan, a paint brush (preferably a small one), a tube or other container of adhesive (or a set of adhesive strips), a tube of fray block, and an instruction booklet. In this embodiment, the blade coverings can be wallpaper, contact paper, fabric such as lace, cotton, and other lightweight fabrics, decals, stickers, ornaments, paints, or other materials, or a combination thereof.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A ceiling fan, comprising:

a plurality of blades,

wherein at least one surface of at least one blade in said plurality of blades is covered by a decorative motif.

2. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein each blade in said plurality of blades is covered by a decorative motif.

3. The ceiling fan of claim 1, further comprising:

a motor.

4. The ceiling fan of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one light.

5. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the decorative motif comprises a visual design painted on said at least one blade.

6. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the decorative motif comprises wallpaper attached to said at least one blade.

7. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the decorative motif comprises fabric attached to said at least one blade.

8. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the decorative motif does not affect the performance of the ceiling fan.

9. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the decorative motif matches the décor of the room in which it is located.

10. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the decorative motif complements the décor of the room in which it is located.

11. The ceiling fan of claim 1, further comprising a highly visible element.

12. A kit for decorating a ceiling fan, comprising:

decorating means;

instructions for decorating at least one surface of at least one blade of a plurality of blades of a ceiling fan.

13. The kit of claim 12, wherein said at least one blade when decorated comprises a decorative motif matching the décor of the room in which it is located.

14. The kit of claim 12, wherein said at least one blade when decorated comprises a decorative motif complementing the décor of the room in which it is located.