Method and device for fans

Abstract

Fans with wings that detach, fold or twist for the purpose of cleaning, transport and storage. The twisting embodiment can be used for adjusting the force of the air and its direction. The invention applies to domestic and industrial fans and all kinds of fans including floor standing upright fans, table fans, clip-on fans and ceiling fans.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of fans and in particular the wings of fans that detach, fold or turn on their longitudinal axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fans are usually used to cool people by moving air towards the people which quickens evaporation of moisture on the skin surface, causing a cooling effect. Fans are also used for heating by blowing air over heated elements. The construction of fans usually is in the form of a motor to create a rotary motion with wings attached to the motor causing the wings to rotate around the motor. Such fans are used in the domestic and industrial markets and either stand on the floor, on a surface like a table, attached with an attachment means to a fixture or inverted and attached to a ceiling.

The wings of the fan accumulate dirt that attaches itself to the wings as the wings turn. This phenomenon is particularly acute in industrial fans in dusty or greasy environments but also in the domestic market fan wings accumulate dirt and require cleaning. Dirty fan wings can impair the efficiency of the fan apart from the unaesthetic aspect. The cleaning process is often impaired by the frame work around the fan wings. Fans that are in reach of people usually are surrounded by a frame to protect objects from hitting the fast revolving wings. One side of this frame is usually removable revealing one side of the wings for cleaning purposes. Often the other side of the wing is difficult to reach. Similarly with ceiling fans, the side of the wings facing the floor can be cleaned but the side facing the ceiling is very hard to clean without dismantling the fan from the ceiling.

In addition to the cleaning aspects of fans there are transportation and storage problems associated with fans because of the wide diameter with the wings.

This invention reveals novel ways to move or remove the wings of a fan to assist the cleaning process as well as transportation and storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments of the invention and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention but the not to limit the invention to these descriptions only.

This invention reveals at least three possibilities for removing or folding fan wings.

The first is a method of a clip on and off wing from the revolving body of the motor. This could be by having a sleeve attached to the revolving motor for the wing to be firmly held therein. There would be a clip device to hold the wing in the sleeve that could have a press action to release the wing for cleaning or other reason.

The second method is for the wing to fold which would give easier access to both sides of the wing. This would be especially beneficial in the case of ceiling fans. The folded wing would reveal the upper side of the wing that normally faces the ceiling. The folding could be with the release of a locking mechanism and when the wing is straightened the lock would click locked. Another folding system could be with the aid of a removable pin.

The third method of adjusting the fan wing is for the wing to remain attached to the rotating motor and to remain outstretched but with the ability to turn on its longitudinal axis at the point of connection with the rotating motor. Unlike the above two methods that also ease and reduce costs of transportation and storage, this method could be used to adjust the air direction when there is a locking device to hold the angle of the wing at different angles.

The above described embodiments of folding or twisting fan blades could be operated electronically with or without a remote control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain by way of example only, the principles of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a ceiling fan with detachable blades.

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a ceiling fan with foldable blades.

FIG. 3A is a schematic depiction of a ceiling fan with blades that twist.

FIG. 3B is an exploded diagram of a portion of the fan of FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As will be appreciated the present invention is capable of other and different embodiments than those discussed above and described in more detail below, and its several details are capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the embodiments set forth below are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

FIG. 1 shows a ceiling fan 100 with three blades 102. Each blade has a housing 104 into which the blade 102 fits. The housing 104 is like a sleeve that the blade 102 slides inside. There is a locking device 106 that can operate like a one way catch enabling the blade 102 to slide into the housing 104 and the locking device 106 clicks closed. To release the locking device 106 a portion thereof is pressed and the blade 102 removed. There could be more than one locking device to increase stability and safety. The reverse side of the blade 102 and housing 104 could also be utilized for this purpose.

FIG. 2 shows a ceiling fan 120 whose blade 122 does not detach but it folds at a hinge 124. There would be at least three blades on the fan 120. The method of locking the blade 122 in its straight position could be by lifting the blade 122 and the locking mechanism would click into place. An alternative could be for a pin 128 to be removed to release the blade 122 to fold on its hinge 124. To lock the blade in its working position, the blade would be lifted to a horizontal position and the pin 128 inserted. There could be a safety feature to prevent the pin releasing itself while the fan 120 is turning.

FIG. 3A shows a ceiling fan 130 with one of its blades 132. The connection 136 between the blade 132 and the housing 138 in the central portion 134 that is capable of twisting 360°. There is a locking mechanism with a safety feature to prevent accidental release.

FIG. 3B shows an exploded view of the connection between the blade connecting piece 136 and the housing 138. There is a mechanism comprising a protruding piece 140 and a rut 142 into which the piece 140 slides. When so connected the connecting piece 136 is twisted to a locked position with a safety device to prevent release when the fan 130 is in action. The piece 136 would normally exit from the housing 138. A depressible catch 144 would prevent the blade and its connecting piece 136 from detaching completely from the housing 138 unless the catch 144 is depressed.

The connecting piece 136 is slid all the way into housing 138 where there is a locking mechanism 146 to hold the blade 132 firmly while rotating during use. When desiring to clean the blade 132 the locking mechanism 146 is released and the blade 132 can be twisted while the piece 136 remains in the housing 138. To lock the blade 132 in place the blade 132 is twisted until the protrusion 140 fits into the rut 142 and slid towards the locking mechanism 146.

The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described above, but to encompass any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method and device for a fan comprising,

a. central motor portion that rotates when energized,

b. a sleeve that is attached to the said central portion and is shaped for one end of the said fan blade to fit in the said sleeve,

c. a means to lock the said blade in the said sleeve,

d. a means to release the said blade from the said sleeve, whereby fan blades can be temporarily removed from rotating parts for cleaning and other purposes.

2. A method and device for a fan comprising,

a. central motor portion that rotates when energized,

b. at least one foldable blade,

c. a locking device to hold the said blade straight when the said fan is operating,

d. a release device to enable the blade to fold at a hinge in the said blade, whereby fan blades can be folded at the said hinge for cleaning and other purposes.

3. A method and device for a fan comprising,

a. central motor portion that rotates when energized,

b. a housing connected to the said motor portion,

c. a connecting piece being one end of a fan blade,

d. a means to lock the said connecting piece into the said housing,

e. a means to release the said connecting piece so that it may turn on its longitudinal axis without being disconnected from the said housing. whereby fan blades can be twisted while still attached to the said housing for cleaning and other purposes.

4. A method and device for a fan as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fan is selected from one of the following namely a ceiling fan, a wall fan, a table fan, a clip-on fan, a hand-held fan, an fan for use in industry and a fan for use in the domestic market.

5. A method and device for a fan as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fan is selected from one of the following namely a ceiling fan, a wall fan, a table fan, a clip-on fan, a hand-held fan, an fan for use in industry and a fan for use in the domestic market.

6. A method and device for a fan as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fan is selected from one of the following namely a ceiling fan, a wall fan, a table fan, a clip-on fan, a hand-held fan, an fan for use in industry and a fan for use in the domestic market.

7. A method and device for a fan as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a removable pin to hold together the two parts of the said blade and to hold the said two parts straight and in the same plain.

8. A method and device for a fan as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a means to prevent the said connecting piece from exiting from the said housing.

9. A method and device for a fan as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a means to electronically operate the said folding and straightening of the said blade.

10. A method and device for a fan as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a means to electronically operate the said locking and unlocking means of the said blade.