Abstract: A ceiling fan hanging system (10) in disclosed for use with a conventional ceiling fan (11). The hanging system includes a downrod (15) and a downrod receiver (16). The downrod has a lower end (20) having a select outside diameter and a pair of mutually aligned holes (21) therethrough. The downrod receiver has a tubular neck portion (22) having an internal channel (23) with an internal diameter configured to receive the lower end of the downrod. The neck portion has an oblong first mounting hole (24) and a generally round second mounting hole (25). The downrod receiver also includes a mounting bolt (26) and a mounting nut (27) configured to be threadably received upon mounting bolt. Mounting bolt has an oblong head (29) configured to be nestably received within oblong first mounting hole and a shank (31) extending from head. The oblong head includes an inboard or inwardly facing surface (32) which is curved to conform with and fit snugly against the exterior of the downrod.

Abstract: A turbine adapted to be constrained within a flow of fluid is disclosed. The turbine comprises a stator adapted to be constrained within a flow of fluid, and a rotor defining an aperture and having a plurality of rotor blades (10) protruding from a peripheral region of the rotor into the aperture. The rotor is adapted to be rotatably mounted to the stator such that movement of fluid through the aperture causes rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. Electricity is generated as a result of rotation of the rotor relative to the stator.

Abstract: A ceiling fan (10) is disclosed having a motor housing (11) which encases an electric motor (13). The motor includes a bottom mounting plate (14) that rotates and thereby drives an annular array of blade irons (16), each having a blade (17) mounted thereto in conventional fashion. Each blade iron is mounted for pivotal and radial movement relative to the bottom mounting plate. An annular balancing ring (28) causes pivotal and radial movement of other blade irons (36)in response to the radial movement of an off-balanced blade iron (35).

Abstract: The process for preparing a refinery feedstock from black liquor soap comprising adding excess alcohol (preferably methanol) to black liquor soap. Acid is then added to the mixture to drop the pH of the mixture to approximately 2 to convert carboxylate salt of fatty and resin acids to the free fatty and resin acids. In the reaction process, the free fatty and resin acids react with the alcohol, with the aid of the acid catalyst, to yield the desired ester products. The resulting feedstock can be distilled or refined to yield sterols and related alcohols, biodiesel and other fuels.

Abstract: A ceiling fan blade iron includes a blade mounting portion 23 with a top surface 26 facing the ceiling, a movable blade fastener 24, and two fixed or stationary mounting catches 27 coupled to and extending from the top surface 26. The blade iron is configured to mate with a blade 15 having two catch mounting holes 17 and a fastener mounting hole 18. Each catch 27 has an upright wall portion 31 and a horizontal top portion 32. The moveable blade fastener 24 has a hand gripping portion 35, a mid-member 36 having an elongated slot 37 therein, an upright abutment portion 38, and a horizontal, outboard extending stop portion 39 extending from the abutment portion. A mounting screw 40 extends through the slot and is threadably received within a threaded mounting hole within the blade iron to allow sliding movement of the fastener relative to the blade iron.

Abstract: A fan (10) is disclosed having an electric motor (13) which rotatably drives an annular array of blade irons (14) each having a blade (15) mounted thereto. Each blade iron has a motor mounting portion (21) configured to be coupled with the electric motor for rotation. The motor mounting portion has an arcuate, vertical wall (26) and a horizontal flange (27). The horizontal flange has a first mounting hole (28) and an oblong second mounting hole (29). A first mounting screw (31) having a first bushing or bearing (32) thereon passes through each first mounting hole and into a threaded mounting hole (34) in the motor (13). Similarly a second mounting screw (35) having a second bushing or bearing (36) thereon passes through each second mounting hole and into a threaded mounting hole (37) in the motor. With this configuration the blade iron can pivot relative to the motor.

Abstract: An exhaust hood (10) is disclosed having a housing (K1) with a front wall (12), a rear wall (13), two oppositely disposed side walls (14), a top wall (15), and an open bottom (16). The top wall has a pair of key-hole shaped mounting holes (19) therein positioned in an area adjacent the front wall. The rear wall has a bottom edge (23). The exhaust hood also includes a pair of rear mounting brackets (26) and a pair of front mounting brackets (27). The rear mounting brackets have a hood shaped portion (33) configured to receive the bottom edge of the rear wall. Each front mounting brackets includes a hood mounting screw (44) which is configured to be received within the key-hole shaped mounting hole. To mount the housing, the bottom edge of the rear wall is positioned within the hook shaped portion. The housing is then pivoted upwardly so that the hood mounting screws pass through the narrowed portion of the key-hole shaped mounting holes.

Abstract: A ceiling fan hanging system (10) in disclosed for use with a conventional ceiling fan (11). The hanging system includes a downrod (15) and a downrod receiver (16). The downrod has a lower end (20) having a select outside diameter and a pair of mutually aligned holes (21) therethrough. The downrod receiver has a tubular neck portion (22) having an internal channel (23) with an internal diameter configured to receive the lower end of the downrod. The neck portion has an oblong first mounting hole (24) and a generally round second mounting hole (25). The downrod receiver also includes a mounting bolt (26) and a mounting nut (27) configured to be threadably received upon mounting bolt. Mounting bolt has an oblong head (29) configured to be nestably received within oblong first mounting hole and a shank (31) extending from head. The oblong head includes an inboard or inwardly facing surface (32) which is curved to conform with and fit snugly against the exterior of the downrod.

Abstract: A rope terminator comprising, an elongate hollow barrel (12) formed from a fiber reinforced synthetic resin material, the barrel having therein a rope receiving passage (13), and said passage having a first end region from which the rope (18) to be terminated extends in use, and an opposite, second end region, the passage tapering in internal diameter from a minimum at said first end region to a maximum at said second end region, a tapering wedge member (14) for insertion into said passage of the barrel to trap fibers (19) of the rope (18) between the outer tapering surface of the wedge member and the inner tapering surface of said passage, said barrel having an outer surface region tapering in diameter. The terminator further includes a hollow outer body member (11) having therein a tapering passage within which said outer tapering surface of said barrel is received, providing a means (15b) of attaching the terminated rope to an anchor point.

Abstract: A ceiling fan mounting system (10) is disclosed which includes an upper pre-mounted assembly (12) and a lower hanging assembly (13). The upper pre-mounted assembly includes a mounting plate (14) with a peripheral flange (16) having threaded mounting holes (17) therein. The upper assembly also includes a hanger (21) coupled to the mounting plate and having a stepped ball holding flange (23) with a beveled interior facing surface (24). The lower hanging assembly includes a downrod (29) coupled to a ball joint (31) and a canopy (32). The ball joint is configured to be received within the hanger ball holding flange and has a series of deformable ridges (33). The canopy includes a central opening defined by a central, stepped flange (35) adapted to receive and nest flushly against the exterior of the hanger ball holding flange. The canopy stepped flange fits flushly against the exterior of the hanger ball holding flange so as to encircle the C-shaped holding flange.

Abstract: A ceiling fan mounting system (10) is disclosed which includes an upper pre-mounted assembly (12) and a lower hanging assembly (13). The upper pre-mounted assembly includes a mounting plate (14) with a peripheral flange (16) having threaded mounting holes (17) therein. The upper assembly also includes a hanger (21) coupled to the mounting plate and having a stepped ball holding flange (23) with a beveled interior facing surface (24). The lower hanging assembly includes a downrod (29) coupled to a ball joint (31) and a canopy (32). The ball joint is configured to be received within the hanger ball holding flange and has a series of deformable ridges (33). The ridges are adapted to be worn or deform easily to provide a better fit between the ball joint and the hanger ball holding flange.

Abstract: A ceiling fan is disclosed having an electric motor (81) with a bottom plate (80) having two internally threaded screw mounting holes (82) associated with each blade iron (83). Each blade iron has two, elongated, arcuate mounting holes (84) therethrough which are alignable with motor bottom plate mounting holes (82). A mounting screw (85) passes through the blade iron mounting hole (84) and is threaded into the motor mounting hole (82). Screws (85) allow limited pivotal movement of the blade irons (83) relative to the motor bottom plate. Each blade iron is coupled to a blade (86) by three mounting screws (87). Each blade includes a first round mounting hole (88) adjacent the motor and two, elongated, arcuate mounting holes (89) distal the motor. Again, the screws allow for limited pivotal movement between the blade and its associated blade iron.

Abstract: A ceiling fan (10) is disclosed having a motor housing (11) which encases an electric motor (13). The motor includes a bottom mounting plate (14) that rotates and thereby drives an annular array of blade irons (16), each having a blade (17) mounted thereto in conventional fashion. Each blade iron is mounted for pivotal and radial movement relative to the bottom mounting plate. An annular balancing ring (28) causes pivotal and radial movement of other blade irons (36)in response to the radial movement of an off-balanced blade iron (35).

Abstract: A ceiling fan (50) is disclosed having a motor housing (51) which encases an electric motor (53). The motor includes a bottom mounting plate (54) that rotates and thereby drives an annular array of blade irons (56), each having a blade (57) mounted thereto in conventional fashion. Each blade iron is mounted for pivotal and radial movement relative to the bottom mounting plate. An annular segmented balancing ring (68) made of a plurality of links (69) causes pivotal and radial movement of other blade irons (76) in response to the radial movement of an off-balanced blade iron.

Abstract: A rivet body is formed with cutting teeth in a forward edge of the rivet body. A mandrel is formed at a forward end with an enlarged head having a drill point thereon. A plurality of the rivet bodies are stacked on the mandrel, with the drill point. The rivet body is rotated and, through rotative coupling, the mandrel is also rotated. The rotating drill point forms pilot holes in workpieces, and the rotating cutting teeth enlarge the pilot holes to form holes for receipt of a cylindrical portion of the lead rivet body.

Abstract: A river body (40) is formed with cutting teeth (68) in a forward edge (66) of the rivet body. A mandrel (96) is formed at a forward end with an enlarged head (104) having a drill point (60) thereon. A plurality of the rivet bodies (40) are stacked on the mandrel (96), with the drill point (60). The rivet body (40a) is rotated and, through rotative coupling, the mandrel (96) is also rotated. The rotating drill point (60) forms pilot holes I workpieces (186) and (188), and the rotating cutting teeth (68) enlarge the pilot holes to form holes (192) and (194), respectively, for receipt of a cylindrical portion (42) of the lead rivet body (40a).

Abstract: The process for preparing a refinery feedstock from black liquor soap comprising adding excess alcohol (preferably methanol) to black liquor soap. Acid is then added to the mixture to drop the pH of the mixture to approximately 2 to convert carboxylate salt of fatty and resin acids to the free fatty and resin acids. In the reaction process, the free fatty and resin acids react with the alcohol, with the aid of the acid catalyst, to yield the desired ester products. The resulting feedstock can be distilled or refined to yield sterols and related alcohols, biodiesel and other fuels.

Abstract: A ceiling fan blade iron includes a blade mounting portion 23 with a top surface 26 facing the ceiling, a movable blade fastener 24, and two fixed or stationary mounting catches 27 coupled to and extending from the top surface 26. The blade iron is configured to mate with a blade 15 having two catch mounting holes 17 and a fastener mounting hole 18. Each catch 27 has an upright wall portion 31 and a horizontal top portion 32. The moveable blade fastener 24 has a hand gripping portion 35, a mid-member 36 having an elongated slot 37 therein, an upright abutment portion 38, and a horizontal, outboard extending stop portion 39 extending from the abutment portion. A mounting screw 40 extends through the slot and is threadably received within a threaded mounting hole within the blade iron to allow sliding movement of the fastener relative to the blade iron.

Abstract: A ceiling fan hanging system (10) is disclosed for use with a conventional ceiling fan (11). The hanging system includes a ceiling mounting plate (17), a canopy mounting plate (18), a canopy (19), and a canopy trim ring (20). A male electrical connector (32) is fixedly mounted to the ceiling mounting plate. The male electrical connector which mates with the female electrical connector (51) is mounted to a slide (46) mounted for reciprocal movement upon the canopy mounting plate. The slide has two arm (47) and a central push plate or tab (48). Each arm is configured to be releasably received within a mounting plate loop (27) extending from the ceiling mounting plate and extending through a loop opening (43). The structural electrical wires are electrically coupled to the male electrical connector while the ceiling fan electrical wires are electrically coupled to the female electrical connector.

Abstract: A fan (10) is disclosed having an electric motor (13) which rotatably drives an annular array of blade irons (14) each having a blade (15) mounted thereto. Each blade iron has a motor mounting portion (21) configured to be coupled with the electric motor for rotation. The motor mounting portion has an arcuate, vertical wall (26) and a horizontal flange (27). The horizontal flange has a first mounting hole (28) and an oblong second mounting hole (29). A first mounting screw (31) having a first bushing or bearing (32) thereon passes through each first mounting hole and into a threaded mounting hole (34) in the motor (13). Similarly a second mounting screw (35) having a second bushing or bearing (36) thereon passes through each second mounting hole and into a threaded mounting hole (37) in the motor. With this configuration the blade iron can pivot relative to the motor.