Abstract: An air blower including a rear housing defining a plurality of air inlet openings; a front housing having an annular peripheral portion secured to the rear housing, a central support portion within the peripheral portion and including a rear surface facing the rear housing and an oppositely directed front surface, and a grillwork portion extending between the peripheral portion and the support portion; and a fan assembly secured to the rear surface and projecting toward the rear housing, the fan assembly including an electrical motor and a fan blade rotatably coupled therewith, an electrical switch operatively connected to the motor, and an actuator operatively coupled to the electrical switch and projecting outwardly from the front surface. Mounting of the fan assembly on the central support portion simplifies assembly and minimizes external size of the blower.

Abstract: A humidifier including a base defining a reservoir adapted to retain water to be evaporated and a cavity adapted to receive leakage; an evaporator for inducing evaporation of water retained by the reservoir; a tank removably supported by the base and having a bottom wall defining a discharge opening communicating with the reservoir and an inlet opening communicating with the cavity; and wall means surrounding the inlet opening and extending from the tank into the cavity. Liquid in the cavity produces a seal that prevents undesirable leakage from the inlet opening.

Abstract: A humidifier including a base defining a reservoir adapted to retain a liquid volume; the base having an open top and a horizontal cross section including a substantially rectangular portion, and a substantially circular portion intersecting and projecting into the rectangular portion; and the base including a substantially circular sidewall forming the circular portion, a substantially rectalinear endwall, a first substantially rectalinear sidewall extending between the circular sidewall and one end of the endwall, and a second substantially rectalinear sidewall extending between the circular sidewall and an opposite end of the endwall; the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the endwall forming the rectangular portion.

Abstract: A humidifier including a base defining a boiler cavity; a liquid supply supported on the base and having a discharge opening communicating with the boiler cavity and adapted to maintain a given level of liquid therein; an evaporation unit removably mounted on the base and including an electrically energized heater element projecting into the cavity and adapted to induce evaporation of liquid contained thereby, and a vapor passage defining having a receiving end communicating with the cavity so as to receive vapor therefrom and a discharge end for discharging the vapor received from the cavity; and an electrical supply for supplying electrical.

Abstract: A fan apparatus including a housing defining an air inlet opening, an air discharge opening; and a bearing surface; a fan blade rotatably mounted in the housing and adapted to provide air flow in a given direction between the inlet and discharge openings; and a deflector rotatably mounted in the discharge opening on the bearing surface and shaped and arranged to interrupt and redirect air discharged thereby, the deflector adapted to be rotatably propelled in the discharge opening by air discharged thereby. Also included is a resilient member engaged between the deflector and the housing and exerting therebetween a force establishing a level of friction between the deflector and the bearing surface. The resilient member establishes smooth and uniform rotation of the deflector.

Abstract: A humidifier includes a base defining a water reservoir and a cavity for receiving leakage, a device for inducing dispersal of water in the reservoir, and a tank removably supported by the base and having a bottom wall defining a discharge opening communicating with the reservoir and an inlet opening communicating with the cavity. A wall surrounding the inlet opening and extending from the tank into the cavity intercepts leakage which is directed into the reservoir.

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: 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.

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.