Breeze Enhancing Fan Blade Attachment
A ceiling fan blade attachment for enhancing the efficiency of conventional planar ceiling fan blades. A deflection element of the fan blade attachment may improve, add to, and/or replace the functional surface area of a conventional fan blade. The deflection element of the fan blade attachment comprises a positive twist spanning from the proximal end of the ceiling fan blade to either at least the approximate midpoint of the ceiling fan blade or the distal end of the ceiling fan blade. Preferably, the pitch of the fan blade attachment at its proximal end may be between 20 degrees to 35 degrees relative to a horizontal plane and the pitch of the fan blade attachment at its distal end may be between 5 degrees and 16 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. At least one fixation member may provide for securing the deflection element to the ceiling fan blade.
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISKNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to fan blades, more specifically, the present invention relates to new and useful high performance fan blade attachments and/or add-on accessories for existing ceiling fan blades.
2. Background Art
Overhead ceiling fans have been used for many years in order to assist with air movement within rooms. Traditional blades have usually focused on flat planar rectangular type shapes. See U.S. Pat. No. Des. 355,027 to Young and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 382,636 to Yang. Both respective patents utilize technology similar to that from the turn of the century, namely flat planar type blades. Furthermore, well known problems exist with such traditional flat planar rectangular ceiling fan blades. Traditional blades may be noisy at high speeds and may be prone to vibration and wobbling during use.
Aircraft, boat, and automobile engine propeller blades have been altered over time to other shapes besides planar rectangles. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,598 to Okada; U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,985 to Rothman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,633 to Hickey; U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,313 to Vorus; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,979 to Fradenburgh et al. However, all of these patents are used for high speed water, aircraft, and automobile engine applications where the propellers are run at high revolutions per minute (RPM), generally in excess of 500 RPM. None of these automobile, aircraft, and boat propellers is designed for optimum airflow at low speeds of approximately 50 RPM to approximately 200 RPM, which is the approximate RPM typically used for overhead ceiling fans.
Some alternative shapes have been proposed for ceiling fan blades. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,460 to Volk. However, the Volk patent while claiming to be “aerodynamically designed” requires a curved piece to be attached by a groove to the side of a conventional planar rectangular blade. The grooved connection point in the Volk device would appear to be susceptible to separation and cause a hazard to anyone or any property located beneath the ceiling fan. Such a configured device may also possess less than optimal aerodynamic characteristics as well.
It is known that a blade having a “twist” thereto provides more lift (and hence an increase in the displacement of air) than blades which are not so “twisted” or are uniform and consistent along their length. Extensive research regarding the known benefits of such a design configuration is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,541 to Parker et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,721 to Parker et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,884,034 to Parker et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,210,910 to Parker et al., wherein all such disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
One attempt to achieve the same effect as a twisted blade is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,313 to Mosiewicz. This patent discloses an axial propeller blade comprising a single tab secured along its trailing edge. This single tab is also disclosed as being inclined from the blade at an angle of from 10 degrees to 70 degrees so as to enhance the lift of the blade. However, the tab of Mosiewicz is planar and of a uniform or consistent configuration. Consequently, there is no possibility of this tab having one configuration and/or angle at the root end of the blade and another configuration and/or angle at the tip end of the blade so as to be more consistent with twisted fan blades. There is also no likelihood of this tab conforming to the multiple planes normally found in twisted fan blades which cause or result in increased performance and efficiency.
Conventional manufacturing methods for producing twist blades can be very expensive. As a result, designers and manufacturers often provide non-twisted blades with their ceiling fans in order to create a more cost effective product from the seller's perspective. Consequently, it is desirable to combine the beneficial performance aspects of the twisted blades with the economics of the uniform conventional blades to achieve a high performance blade attachment or add-on accessory for conventional planar ceiling fan blades at a relatively low cost to the user.
Presently, there is no known fan blade attachment or add-on accessory which adapts a twisted fan blade shape to a conventional planar ceiling fan blade. It is an object of this invention to provide a fan blade attachment or add-on accessory for a preexisting ceiling fan which is much more economical than purchasing either a new set of twisted fan blades or an entirely new fan assembly. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fan blade attachment or add-on accessory for conventional fan blades whose operating performance is comparable with or exceeds that of conventional twisted fan blade designs. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become obvious upon further investigation.
Unlike other previous ceiling fan accessory blade attachments, the present invention combines a unique simplicity of form with great effectiveness, safety, and ease of use. The fan blade attachment's aerodynamic design and positioning on the rotating blades of a conventional fan enable a preexisting ceiling fan to move a much greater volume of air, thus eliminating the need to increase the rotational speed of the fan. This results in the saving of electrical energy that would otherwise be consumed if the same air turbulence were to be achieved without use of the present inventive fan blade attachments or add-on accessories.
Influenced by the high efficiency of modem aircraft wing flaps and augmented to apply to rotary motion, the present inventive concept allows users to simply secure the fan blade attachments directly onto preexisting conventional fan blades. This may be done quickly and easily without the use of sophisticated tools, hardware, or the needlessly complicated and cumbersome secondary or tertiary gadgets of previous inventions.
Thus, the need exists for better performing ceiling fan blade attachments or add-on accessories over those available in the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one embodiment, a ceiling fan blade attachment for enhancing the efficiency of a ceiling fan blade with the ceiling fan blade having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the ceiling fan blade attachment comprising a deflection element having a positive twist adjacent a proximal end of the ceiling fan blade attachment, so that pitch of the ceiling fan blade attachment decreases from the proximal end of the ceiling fan blade attachment to the distal end of the ceiling fan blade attachment; and at least one fixation member for securing the deflection surface to the ceiling fan blade.
The present invention provides aftermarket ceiling fan blade attachments that are aerodynamically optimized to move approximately 40% or more air than traditional planar ceiling fan blades. The present inventive fan blade attachments provide ceiling fan blades that are quieter and provide greater comfort than traditional planar ceiling fan blades. Such an efficient design may further reduce the tendency of traditional planar ceiling fan blades to wobble during use. With the movement of a larger air volume with less input, the present invention provides for reduced electrical power consumption and is more energy efficient than traditional planar ceiling fan blades. Thus, the present invention allows for the use of an aftermarket fan blade attachments that generate superior airflow when attached to conventional ceiling fan blades which typically revolve at approximately fifty to two hundred revolutions per minute.
The present invention provides for ceiling fan blade attachments for enhancing the breeze generated by conventional existing ceiling fan blades. As disclosed, the present invention allows a user to improve fan efficiency by modifying their existing fan blades without having to incur the high costs of complete fan replacement. The present invention enables the curvature of, preferably, a trailing edge of a conventional planar fan blade to be enhanced and/or extended (see
The fan blade attachments 100 of the present invention may be constructed of the same material as the existing fan blades 200 or the fan blade attachments 100 may be made of a different and/or more economical material. Materials of construction may comprise any materials known within the art including but not limited to plastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), extruded plastics such as nylon, resin reinforced plastic, fiberglass, wood, metal, extruded metal such as aluminum, expanded fluorocarbons, and/or other materials as desired. Fan blade attachments 100 composed of lighter material will exert less stress on the fan motor than blade attachments 100 made from material of heavier weight and denser mass. Such fan blade attachments 100 may be virtually noiseless, allow for a greater cubic feet per minute (CFM) output, and provide monetary savings via energy conservation. Depending on the materials chosen, the fan blade attachments 100 of the present invention may be of molded or extruded construction if so desired. The highly functional design and effective simplicity of this invention make it possible to reduce its production costs and subsequently relay a predictably lower price to consumers than other previously proposed heavier and complex supplementary ceiling fan blade assemblies. The presently disclosed economical fan blade attachments 100 having a positive twist providing greater work efficiency for existing ceiling fan assemblies, operate virtually noiseless and maintenance free, while eliminating extraneous parts that may wear out or require service and/or replacement.
The elements of a present inventive fan blade attachment 100 may comprise one or more pieces. With certain materials, such as plastics and/or specific metals, the deflection element 10 and the at least one fixation member 15 of the present invention may comprise a unitary structure for purposes of streamlining, simplifying, and reducing costs related to the manufacturing process. Alternatively, use of two or more distinct pieces and/or materials may be necessary for performance optimization of the present invention. Regardless of the number of pieces desired, each such piece may, after being installed, either permanently or removably affix the fan blade attachment 100 to the fan blade 200 thereby forming a highly efficient functional surface.
The permanent or removable connections may comprise at least one fixation member 15. Preferably, the at least one fixation member 15 is connected to the trailing edge 220 of an existing fan blade 200, but the scope of the present invention includes at least one fixation member 15 disposed about the trailing edge 220, the leading edge 210, the proximal end, and/or the distal end of an existing fan blade, and any combinations thereof. The at least one fixation member 15 may comprise any fixation members known within the art including but not limited to resilient clips, screw attachments, hook and loop fasteners, adhesive strips, bonding, gluing, riveting, bolting, welding or any other suitable fixing method for securing a fan blade attachment 100 to an existing fan blade 200.
As depicted in
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the fan blade attachment 100 may be disposed along at least half the length of the existing fan blade 200. The fan blade attachment 100 may still comprise a positive twist at its proximal end 20 and reduce its pitch as it approaches its distal end 25 at the approximate midpoint of or further down the length of the existing fan blade 200. In this manner, total surface area and material costs for manufacturing the fan blade attachment 100 may be reduced while still providing an efficiency improving positive twist at the proximal end 230 of an existing fan blade 200.
The deflection member 10 comprises an efficient positive twist configuration. The positive twist, or pitch of the ceiling fan blade attachment 100, increases from the distal end 25 of the ceiling fan blade attachment 100 to the proximal end 20. Such a positive twist maximizes air flow along the entire length of the blade 200, including the proximal end of the fan blade 200 where inefficiencies are very common in the art. In the present invention, the proximal end 20 of the fan blade attachment 100 is pitched at a higher angle than the distal end 25. Typically, the lower angular velocity present on axial fans near the center of the fan (i.e. proximal region) requires greater blade twist in that area to provide airflow which is uniform with or similar to that generated by the distal end.
Preferably, use of the present inventive fan blade attachments 100 may provide a first pitch angle 30 of approximately 20 degrees to approximately 35 degrees from the horizontal plane H at the proximal end 20 of the blade attachment 100. The positive twist or pitch angle decreases toward the distal end 25 of the blade attachment 100 thereby providing greater air flow than existing planar ceiling fan blades 200. The distal end 25 of the present inventive device may comprise a second pitch angle 35 of approximately 5 degrees to approximately 16 degrees from the horizontal plane H. The blade attachments 100 may generally include a concave raised bottom and a flat or convex shaped upper surface. The blade attachments 100 may be mounted to existing ceiling fan blades to provide enhanced airflow at speeds of up to approximately 200 RPM. The novel ceiling fan blade attachments 100 may be manufactured to accommodate all sizes of existing fan blades 200 including but not limited to fan blade sweeps of up to and beyond approximately 64 inches.
Conventional existing ceiling fan blades 200 are planar (i.e. no twist) and commonly disposed at a third pitch angle 40 (see
The fan blade attachments 100 of the present invention may further comprise any and all decorative and design surfaces known within the art. A user may understandably desire an efficient fan blade attachment 100 of the present invention to match and/or coordinate with the color or design of their existing fan blades 200. While not critical to the functionality of the present inventive device, the fan blade attachments 100 of the present invention may visually display an aesthetic surface image including but not limited to solid colors, patterns, designs, wood grains, wood finishes, transparent material, and the like. Such alternate aesthetic design embodiments may provide a consumer with additional decorating or design options and thus serve to increase the overall desirability of the present inventive device.
The present invention provides fan blade attachments 100 for existing planar fan blades 200 which dramatically improve the work efficiency of preexisting ceiling fans. Use of the present invention will lower monthly electric bills and allow for an equivalent amount of work to be done by a fan set at a lower speed. Generally, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes fan blade attachments 100 secured to the trailing edges 220 of existing planar fan blades 200, wherein the pitch of the blade attachment 100 increases from its distal end 25 to its proximal end 20, wherein the existing fan blade 200 is operated within speed ranges of approximately 50 RPM to approximately 200 RPM, and provides for substantial energy savings and increased air flow as compared to conventional planar ceiling fan blades 200.
While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.
Claims
1. A ceiling fan blade attachment for enhancing the efficiency of a ceiling fan blade with said ceiling fan blade having a leading edge and a trailing edge, said ceiling fan blade attachment comprising:
- a deflection element having a positive twist adjacent a proximal end of said ceiling fan blade attachment, so that pitch of said ceiling fan blade attachment decreases from said proximal end of said ceiling fan blade attachment to a distal end of said ceiling fan blade attachment; and
- at least one fixation member for securing said deflection element to said ceiling fan blade.
2. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 1, wherein said at least one fixation member secures said deflection element to said trailing edge of said ceiling fan blade.
3. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 1, wherein said at least one fixation member secures said deflection element to said leading edge of said ceiling fan blade.
4. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 1, wherein said at least one fixation member secures said deflection element to said ceiling fan blade at one or more locations selected from the group consisting of said leading edge, said trailing edge, a proximal end, and a distal end of said ceiling fan blade.
5. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 1, wherein said at least one fixation member is selected from the group consisting of at least one clip, at least one screw attachment, at least one hook and loop fastener, at least one adhesive strip, at least one bond, at least one glue attachment, at least one rivet, at least one bolt, and at least one weldjoint.
6. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 1, wherein said ceiling fan blade attachment is disposed along said ceiling fan blade from a proximal end of said ceiling fan blade to at least the approximate midpoint of said ceiling fan blade.
7. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 1, wherein said ceiling fan blade attachment is disposed along said ceiling fan blade from a proximal end of said ceiling fan blade to a distal end of said ceiling fan blade.
8. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 1, wherein the width of said ceiling fan blade attachment is equivalent to the width of said ceiling fan blade.
9. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 1, wherein the width of said ceiling fan blade attachment is less than the width of said ceiling fan blade.
10. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 1, wherein the sweep of said ceiling fan blade measures between 20 inches and 64 inches.
11. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 1, wherein said pitch of said ceiling fan blade attachment at said proximal end is between 20 degrees to 35 degrees relative to a horizontal plane and said pitch of said ceiling fan blade attachment at said distal end is between 5 degrees and 16 degrees relative to said horizontal plane.
12. A ceiling fan blade attachment for enhancing the efficiency of a ceiling fan blade with said ceiling fan blade having a leading edge and a trailing edge, said ceiling fan blade attachment comprising:
- a deflection element having a positive twist adjacent a proximal end of said ceiling fan blade attachment, so that pitch of said ceiling fan blade attachment decreases from said proximal end of said ceiling fan blade attachment to a distal end of said ceiling fan blade attachment; and
- at least one fixation member for securing said deflection element to said ceiling fan blade;
- wherein said ceiling fan blade attachment is disposed along said ceiling fan blade from a proximal end of said ceiling fan blade to at least the approximate midpoint of said ceiling fan blade.
13. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 12, wherein said at least one fixation member is selected from the group consisting of at least one clip, at least one screw attachment, at least one hook and loop fastener, at least one adhesive strip, at least one bond, at least one glue attachment, at least one rivet, at least one bolt, and at least one weld joint.
14. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 12, wherein said at least one fixation member secures said deflection element to said ceiling fan blade at one or more locations selected from the group consisting of said leading edge, said trailing edge, a proximal end, and a distal end of said ceiling fan blade.
15. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 12, wherein said ceiling fan blade attachment is disposed along said ceiling fan blade from a proximal end of said ceiling fan blade to a distal end of said ceiling fan blade.
16. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 12, wherein the width of said ceiling fan blade attachment is less than the width of said ceiling fan blade.
17. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 12, wherein the width of said ceiling fan blade attachment is equivalent to the width of said ceiling fan blade.
18. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 12, wherein the sweep of said ceiling fan blade measures between 20 inches and 64 inches.
19. The ceiling fan blade attachment of claim 12, wherein said pitch of said ceiling fan blade attachment at said proximal end is between 20 degrees to 35 degrees relative to a horizontal plane and said pitch of said ceiling fan blade attachment at said distal end is between 5 degrees and 16 degrees relative to said horizontal plane.
20. A ceiling fan blade attachment for enhancing the efficiency of a ceiling fan blade with said ceiling fan blade having a leading edge and a trailing edge, said ceiling fan blade attachment comprising:
- a deflection element having a positive twist adjacent a proximal end of said ceiling fan blade attachment, so that pitch of said ceiling fan blade attachment decreases from said proximal end of said ceiling fan blade attachment to a distal end of said ceiling fan blade attachment; and
- at least one fixation member for securing said deflection element to said ceiling fan blade, wherein said at least one fixation member is selected from the group consisting of at least one clip, at least one screw attachment, at least one hook and loop fastener, at least one adhesive strip, at least one bond, at least one glue attachment, at least one rivet, at least one bolt, and at least one weldjoint;
- wherein said at least one fixation member secures said deflection element to said ceiling fan blade at one or more locations selected from the group consisting of said leading edge, said trailing edge, a proximal end, and a distal end of said ceiling fan blade;
- wherein said positive twist of said ceiling fan blade attachment is disposed along said ceiling fan blade from said proximal end of said ceiling fan blade to said distal end of said ceiling fan blade;
- wherein the width of said ceiling fan blade attachment is less than the width of said ceiling fan blade;
- wherein the sweep of said ceiling fan blade measures between 20 inches and 64 inches; and
- wherein said pitch of said ceiling fan blade attachment at said proximal end is between 20 degrees to 35 degrees relative to a horizontal plane and said pitch of said ceiling fan blade attachment at said distal end is between 5 degrees and 16 degrees relative to said horizontal plane.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 3, 2008
Publication Date: Dec 3, 2009
Inventor: Richard De Rosa (Palm Bay, FL)
Application Number: 12/132,223
International Classification: F01D 5/00 (20060101);