PORTABLE FAN

Abstract

A personal, portable, cageless cooling and sleeping fan designed to be collapsible and to minimize space requirements for travel, shipping, storage, and space. The fan includes at least one fan blade that may be moved or rotated between a first operational position and a second storable position. The fan also includes a radar sensor to stop the fan blades from rotating when an object comes into the vicinity of the fan blade.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/893,637, filed Aug. 29, 2019, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present inventions relate to the field of fans. The present inventions more specifically relate to the field of collapsible and portable fans (e.g., for cooling and/or sleeping).

The present disclosure relates generally to fans used for sleeping and cooling and, more particularly, portable and collapsible fans that may be easily transported for use when traveling.

Known fans are available for airflow and personal cooling, including standing fans, hand-held fans, desk-top fans, etc. Fans are also used as sleep aids. They help overcome environmental noises and snoring. They also help with temperature control and promote a restful sleep. Known fans, however, are not easily transported in luggage, personal bags, etc., because of their size, bulkiness, configuration, etc. However, many people are known to prefer to have the comfort and/or noise of a fan when they're sleeping. Travelers who prefer fans for sleeping are forced to pack a fan and take up precious space in doing so, purchase a fan at their destination, or forgo a fan entirely.

SUMMARY

There is a need for a collapsible and/or portable fan that can be easily packed, assembled, disassembled, and transported to a destination.

In addition, there is a need for a fan that can produce white noise, fan noise, and/or pink noise to improve the sleep of persons using the fan and/or their memory while they are sleeping.

There is also a need for a fan that does not require a protective cage or physical guard to help reduce the size and improve the transportability of the fan. Accordingly, however, there is a need for a fan having a mechanism to stop blade rotation when there is a risk of injury or damage to something in the vicinity of a moving blade.

Accordingly, a collapsible and portable fan is provided.

The present disclosure relates to a relatively small (in various embodiments, the fan has a twelve inch blade-span that is collapsible down to a small footprint), personal, cooling and sleeping fan that requires no protective cage or guard around the blades as it includes an apparatus for detecting and preventing objects from coming into contact with one or more moving blades.

The present disclosure also relates to a fan having blades that are collapsible and/or retractable to fold into a primarily vertical position when the fan is turned off for easier shipping, storage and less space, while automatically deploying when the fan is turned on.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides for a collapsible fan comprising:

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides for a fan comprising:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various examples of embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods according to this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an assembled fan, according to a first example embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a blade guide assembly and portions of the assembled fan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a fan blade of the assembled fan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a fan blade assembly of the assembled fan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a blade guide of the assembled fan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a second perspective view of the blade guide of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective exploded view of a partial blade guide assembly of the assembled fan of FIG. 1, with two blades removed;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective exploded view of a blade guide assembly of the assembled fan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the blade guide assembly of FIG. 8, according to various examples of embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective partially exploded view of a motor housing, central shaft and adapter of the assembled fan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective partially exploded view of the fan of FIG. 1 in a partially collapsed and partially disassembled state;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the assembled fan of FIG. 1 in a partially collapsed state;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective sectional view of a portion of the assembled fan of FIG. 1 with the blade guide assembly in an engaged position;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective sectional view of a blade guide assembly of the assembled fan of FIG. 1, in a partially disengaged position;

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a housing and front legs of the assembled fan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective cutaway view of the housing and a front leg of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed view of perspective cutaway view of a portion of the housing and front leg of FIG. 16, according to various examples of embodiments.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of a back leg of a fan, according to various examples of embodiments;

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a support housing and disengaged back leg, according to various examples of embodiments;

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a support housing and engaged back leg, according to various examples of embodiments;

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of an assembled fan, in an open state, according to a second example embodiment;

FIG. 22 illustrates a front plan view of the assembled fan of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 illustrates a side perspective view of a blade assembly of the assembled fan of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 illustrates a side perspective exploded view of the blade assembly of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 illustrates a partial side exploded view of the assembled fan of FIG. 21;

FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of the assembled fan of FIG. 21, in a closed state;

FIG. 27 illustrates a detailed perspective view of the blade assembly of the assembled fan of FIG. 21, in a closed state; and

FIG. 28 illustrates a sectional view of the assembled fan of FIG. 22.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary to the understanding of the invention or render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-20, a first embodiment of a portable and/or collapsible fan 10 is provided.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in various examples of embodiments, fan 10 includes a housing 12 having a motor housing 14 and a support housing 16, a motor (not shown) provided in motor housing 14 and operatively coupled to a blade guide assembly 18 including a blade guide 20 and at least one fan blade assembly 22. In various embodiments, fan 10 also includes one or more front legs 24 and back legs 26 coupled to support housing 16 to help support and/or orient fan 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exploded view of blade guide assembly 18 of fan 10 is illustrated according to various examples of embodiments. In various embodiments, blade guide assembly 18 includes blade guide 20 and one or more fan blade assemblies 22. In various embodiments, each fan blade assembly 22 includes a fan blade 28 and a blade cover 30.

Referring now to FIG. 3, fan blade 28 is illustrated. In various embodiments, fan blade 28 includes a blade portion 32 coupled to a hub 34. In various embodiments, hub 34 is semi-circular. Hub may be other shapes including oblong (e.g., to have one or more blade portions 32 rotating or spinning on a different plane than one or more other blade portions 32). In various embodiments, the blades 28 form about a twelve inch blade span. While the blades and blade portions may be made of any material, in various embodiments, blade portion 32 is made from a firm and/or rigid rubber material (e.g., as a precaution to prevent injury or damage to anything coming into contact with blade portion 32). While blade portion 32 may take a variety of sizes and shapes, in various embodiments, blade portion 32 is configured to produce pink noise and/or white noise (e.g., at a predetermined range of revolutions per minute). Pink and/or white noise may help improve sleep, memory, etc. In various embodiments, hub 34 is semi-annular and includes an outer margin 36 to which blade portion 32 is coupled and an inner margin 38. In various examples of embodiments, a blade key 40 is coupled to inner margin 38 of hub 34 of fan blade 28.

Referring now to FIG. 4, and as discussed above, fan blade assembly 22 includes blade cover 30. In various examples of embodiments, blade cover 30 is semi-annular. It should be appreciated, however, that the blade cover may be various shapes including semi-oblong. In various embodiments, blade cover 30 and hub 34 of fan blade 28 may be coupled or fastened together to produce an annular rim 42. While rim 40 is illustrated as annular, the rim does not need to be annular and may be other shapes including oblong. It should be appreciated that while blade key 40 is illustrated as being coupled to hub 34 of fan blade 28 of blade assembly 22, the blade key may be provided and coupled to an inner margin of the blade cover.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, blade guide 20 is illustrated. In various embodiments, blade guide 20 is tubular. In various embodiments, blade guide 20 has first and second opposing ends 44, 46 and defines one or more channels 48 (e.g., circumferential channels) spaced apart along a longitudinal access 50 of blade guide 20. In various examples of embodiments, each channel 48 defined by blade guide 20 includes a projection 52. In various examples of embodiments, projections 52 of blade guide 20 are staggered around a circumference of blade guide 20. In various examples of embodiments, projections 52 are staggered such that they are spaced substantially equidistantly from each other around the circumference of blade guide 20.

In various examples of embodiments, blade guide 20 also defines an opening or aperture 54 through blade guide 20 along its longitudinal axis 50. In various examples of embodiments, aperture 54 is adapted or configured to be provided over and/or engages an adaptor operatively coupled to a central shaft from or otherwise driven by the fan motor. In various embodiments, first opposing end 44 houses a set of ball bearings 56 configured to rotate around a boss of or extending from the motor housing.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, in various embodiments, one or more fan blade assemblies 22 are configured to be rotatively coupled to blade guide 20. In various embodiments, blade key of fan blade assembly 22 is provided in channel 48 of blade guide 20, and fan blade assembly 22 is moveably, releasably, rotatively, and/or slidably carried in, retained in, engaged with, and/or coupled to blade guide 20 (e.g., by coupling fan blade 28 of fan blade assembly 22 to blade cover 30). As illustrated, blade cover 30 and fan blade 28 of fan blade assembly 22 may be coupled together using one or more fasteners 58. In various embodiments, fan blade assembly 22 is configured and/or allowed to slide or rotate relative to blade guide 20 in channel 48 between either side of projection 52.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-11, an adaptor 60 is provided over and/or coupled to a central shaft 62 of or extending from the fan motor and, in various embodiments, fan blade assembly 22, and in particular aperture 54 of blade guide 20, is provided around adaptor 60 and engages adaptor 60 to rotate with adaptor 60 relative to the motor and motor housing 14 as the motor engages central shaft 62, adaptor 60, and/or blade guide 20.

Referring now to FIG. 12, fan 10, in a collapsed configuration, is illustrated according to various embodiments. When the motor is not driving or rotating blade guide 20 and/or fan blade assembly 22, gravity causes blade portion 32 of each fan blade 28 of fan blade assembly 22 to drop or rest in a downward, hanging, rested or collapsed configuration. Blade portion(s) 32 may hang in a nested or substantially nested relation as illustrated, or the blade portions may hang in an unnested configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 13, when the motor of fan 10 begins to rotate or spin blade guide 20 in a direction about blade guide's 20 longitudinal access, projection 52 in channel 48 engages blade key 38 of fan blade 28 thereby causing blade 28 to grip or hold relative to blade guide 20 when fan blade 28 is rotating about the longitudinal access of blade guide 20. Referring now to FIG. 14, when blade guide 20 and/or the motor discontinues rotation in that direction or begins any rotation in an opposite direction, momentum and/or gravity again causes one or more fan blades 28 to at least temporarily drop into a rested or disengaged state, as more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 11-12.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-17, an example housing 12, including motor housing 14 and support housing 16, is illustrated. As illustrated, support housing 16 includes a base portion 64 and a neck portion 66. In various examples of embodiments, base portion 64 defines one or more apertures 68 through which one or more front legs 24 may be provided.

In various examples of embodiments, base portion 64 may include other apertures including an aperture or retaining a leg lock 70 which may be provided and used to help retain front legs 24 relative to housing 12.

In various examples of embodiments, housing 12 also includes a power control or switch (e.g., a push button switch) 72 for operating a fan motor 74. In various examples of embodiments, housing 12 houses a radar sensor 76. In various embodiments, fan 10, motor 74 and/or sensor 76 are electrically powered. However, fan 10, motor 74 and/or sensor 76 may be powered in various ways, including batteries, USB connections, solar, etc.

In various examples of embodiments, radar sensor 76 is in direct or indirect communication (electrical, wireless, operative, etc.) with switch 72 and/or fan motor 74 to stop, brake, discontinue, or slow operation or rotation of motor 74 when an object (e.g., a moving object) comes within a predetermined distance, area or vicinity of radar sensor 76 and/or any blades 28, or their rotational path. For example, in various examples of embodiments, if an object comes or moves within a certain distance, area or vicinity of radar sensor 76 (e.g., the radar sensor's sensing region), which distance, area or vicinity may be configured and/or adjusted to be any predetermined distance, area and/or vicinity, sensor 76 sends a signal to a microcontroller to disengage or brake motor 74. In various embodiments, the signal causes a reverse current to be sent to motor 74, thereby causing it to introduce a reverse torque, thus counteracting the momentum of motor 74 and the moving blades. In various embodiments, the slowing and or discontinuing and/or reversing of motor 74 operation leads to the blades effectively decoupling from the projections of the blade guide and dropping or being manually provided into a resting state.

It should be appreciated that various other types of sensors (e.g., optical sensors, capacitances sensors, ultrasonic sensors, etc.) may also be utilized in place of or in addition to the radar sensor.

In various examples of embodiments, the detection signal and reverse torque of the motor both happen within a short period of time (e.g., less than one second) to avoid, prevent, and/or reduce risk of injury or damage to the fan and/or an object, person, or thing coming within the predetermined distance of the sensor and possibly being contacted by a fan blade.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-20, in various embodiments, base portion 64 and/or neck portion 66 defines an aperture 78 into which back leg 26 may be provided. As illustrated, in the Figures, back leg 26 may be moved or adjusted relative to support housing 16 to tilt the fan and/or change the angle of air flow produced from the fan.

Before operation, the blades are generally in a dropped or folded position. Using the switch, a remote, or a mobile application (e.g., on a mobile device), the fan may be operated provided the sensor does not detect anything within a predetermined distance of radar sensor. Each blade will engage with a projection of the blade guide as the blade guide rotates and/or accelerates to a desired rotational speed. As stopped by the remote, application or radar sensor, the blades will slow or stop, and may be dropped or collapsed into a primarily downward nested configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 21-30, a second embodiment of a portable and/or collapsible fan 110 is provided.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-22, in various examples of embodiments, fan 110 includes a housing 112 including a motor housing 114 and a support housing 116, and a blade guide assembly 118 having a rotational axis 120. In various embodiments, fan 110 also includes one or more front legs 124 and a back leg 126 coupled to support housing 116 to help support and/or orient fan 110. In various examples of embodiments, housing 112 also includes a power control or switch 172 for operating a fan motor (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 23-24, blade guide assembly 118 is illustrated according to various examples of embodiments. In various embodiments, blade guide assembly 118 includes at least one fan blade assembly 122. In various embodiments, when in an open state, the fan blades 128 form about a twelve inch blade span. While the blades and blade portions may be made of any material, in various embodiments, blade assembly 122 includes a blade portion 152 that is made from a firm and/or rigid rubber material (e.g., as a precaution to prevent injury or damage to anything coming into contact with blade portion 152). While blade portion 152 may take a variety of sizes and shapes, in various embodiments, blade portion 152 is configured to produce pink noise and/or white noise (e.g., at a predetermined range of revolutions per minute). Pink and/or white noise may help improve sleep, memory, etc.

In various embodiments, blade guide assembly 118 includes at least one fan blade assembly 122 coupled to blade guide assembly 118. In various embodiments, blade guide assembly 118 includes at least one fan blade assembly 122, at least a portion of which is adjustable, slidable, rotatable and/or otherwise moveable (e.g., relative to other components of fan blade assembly 118) between an open or operational position and a closed or storable position. In various embodiments, blade guide assembly 118 includes at least one fan blade assembly 122 including a fan blade support 130 that is adjustable, slidable, rotatable and/or otherwise moveable (e.g., relative to some other components of fan blade assembly 118) between an open or operational position and a closed or storable position.

In various embodiments, the blade guide assembly 118 includes a cam 132 and a hub assembly 134. In various examples of embodiments, cam 132 and hub assembly 134 are reversibly urged toward one another (e.g., by a spring 136 or tensioning member). For example, in various examples of embodiments, hub assembly 134 includes a pin guide 138 coupled to a hub 140. In various embodiments, hub assembly 134 includes a stopper 142 coupled to cam 132. In various embodiments, spring 136 is a compressive spring provided between stopper 142 and pin guide 138 to help draw hub assembly 134 toward cam 132 while allowing hub assembly 134 to be pulled or manipulated away from cam 132 when desired.

Referring now to FIG. 25, in various embodiments, blade guide assembly 118 defines a first blade guide slot 144 including a channel or seam 146 extending between an open or operational state aperture 148 and a closed or storable state aperture 150. In various embodiments, first blade guide slot 144 is defined between hub 140 (e.g., a margin of hub 140) and cam 132 (e.g., a margin of cam 132).

In various embodiments, a first fan blade assembly 122A or a component of first fan blade assembly 122A (e.g. fan blade support 130A) is carried, retained, engaged in open or operational state aperture 148, e.g., when desired for operation. In various embodiments, fan blade assembly 122A or component of fan blade assembly 122A (e.g. fan blade support 130A) is carried, retained, engaged in closed or storable state aperture 150 when desired for storage. In various embodiments, first fan blade assembly 122A is movable in first blade guide slot 144 between open or operational state aperture 148 and closed or storable state aperture 150.

In various embodiments, first fan blade assembly 122A or component of fan blade assembly 122A (e.g. fan blade support 130A) are releasable from open or operational state aperture 148 and closed or storable state aperture 150. For example, in various embodiments, cam 132 and hub 138 together define open or operational state aperture 148 and closed or storable state aperture 150, which apertures 148/150 can be expanded or enlarged by separating hub 140 and cam 132, or otherwise moving hub 140 relative to cam 132. In various embodiments, at least a portion of fan blade assembly 122A is provided in open or operational state aperture 148 such that fan blade assembly 122A is retained in open or operational blade aperture 148 when fan 110 is in an operational or open state, and retained in closed or storable state aperture 150 when fan 110 is in a stowable, storable or closed state, but moveable between open or operational state aperture 148 and closed or storable state aperture 150, and vice versa, as desired (e.g., for operation or storage) when at least a portion of first blade guide slot 144 is expanded or opened by moving or separating hub 138 relative to cam 132.

In various embodiments, blade guide assembly 118 defines a second blade guide slot (not shown in FIG. 25) including a second channel or seam extending between a second open or operational state aperture and a second closed or storable state aperture. In various embodiments, the second blade guide slot is defined between hub 140 (e.g., a margin of hub 140) and cam 132 (e.g., a margin of cam 132).

In various embodiments, a second fan blade assembly 122B or a component of second fan blade assembly 122B (e.g. a fan blade support) is carried, retained, engaged in the second open or operational state aperture when desired for operation. In various embodiments, second fan blade assembly 122B or component of second fan blade assembly 122B (e.g. the fan blade support) is carried, retained, engaged in the second closed or storable state aperture when desired for storage. In various embodiments, second fan blade assembly 122B is movable in the second blade guide slot between the second open or operational state aperture and the second closed or storable state aperture.

In various embodiments, second fan blade assembly 122B or component of second fan blade assembly 122B (e.g. the fan blade support) are releasable from the second open or operational state aperture and the second closed or storable state aperture. For example, in various embodiments, cam 132 and hub 138 together define the second open or operational state aperture and the second closed or storable state aperture, which apertures can be expanded by separating hub 140 and cam 132, or otherwise moving hub 140 relative to cam 132. In various embodiments, at least a portion of second fan blade assembly 122B is provided in the second open or operational state aperture such that second fan blade assembly 122B is retained in the second open or operational blade aperture when fan 110 is in an operational or open state, and retained in the second open or operations state aperture when fan 110 is in a storable or closed state, but moveable between the second open or operational state aperture and the second closed or storable state aperture, and vice versa, as desired (e.g., for operation or storage) when the second blade guide slot is expanded or opened by moving hub 138 relative to cam 132.

In various embodiments, first open or operational state aperture 148 and the second open or operational state aperture are defined, provided or positioned (e.g., relative to each other and/or other) to help maintain one or more components of first and second blade assembly 122A/122B, respectively provided in first open or operational state aperture 148 and the second open or operational state aperture, on the same or substantially same rotational plane when the fan is in an open or operational state.

In various examples of embodiments, the open or operational state apertures are staggered or spaced apart around a circumference of blade guide assembly 118 (e.g., relative to each other) such that fan blade assemblies 122 are staggered or spaced substantially (e.g., relative to each other) around the circumference of blade guide assembly 118 when the fan is in or near an open or operational state. In various examples of embodiments, the open or operational state apertures are staggered around a circumference of blade guide assembly 118 such that fan blade assemblies 122 are staggered or spaced substantially equidistantly around the circumference of blade guide assembly 118 when the fan is in or near an open or operational state.

Referring now to FIGS. 26, and 27, in various embodiments, the first closed or storable state aperture and the second closed or storable state aperture are defined, provided or positioned (e.g., relative to each other and/or other blade assemblies (e.g., a blade assembly 122C) to help allow one or more components of blade assemblies 122A and/or 122B to substantially nest relatively to each other and/or blade assembly 122C when fan 110 is being adjusted to or is in a closed or storable state. In various examples of embodiments, the second closed or storable blade apertures are provided and/or offset near one another such that the fan blade assemblies 122A 122B and/or 122C are substantially nested when the fan is in or near a closed or storable state.

Referring now to FIGS. 26 and 28, support housing 116 includes a base portion 164 and a neck portion 166. In various examples of embodiments, base portion 164 defines one or more apertures 168 through which one or more front legs 124 may be provided.

In various examples of embodiments, base portion 164 may include other apertures including an aperture for retaining a releasable leg lock 170 which may be provided and used to help retain front legs 124 relative to housing 112 in an opened or operational state (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 28) or in a closed or storable state (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 26). As shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, in various embodiments, front legs 124 may be hinged and/or foldable (e.g., along their length to help reduce the leg profile in a closed or storable state).

In various examples of embodiments, housing 112 houses a proximity sensor 176. In various embodiments, fan 110, a motor 174 and/or sensor 176 are electrically powered. However, fan 110, motor 174 and/or sensor 176 may be powered in various ways, including batteries, USB connections, solar, etc.

In various examples of embodiments, proximity sensor 176 is in direct or indirect communication (electrical, wireless, operative, etc.) with switch 172, another switch, and/or fan motor 174 to stop, brake, discontinue, or slow operation or rotation of fan motor 174 when an object (e.g., a moving object) comes within a predetermined distance, area or vicinity of proximity sensor 176 and/or any blade assemblies 122, blades 128, or their rotational path. For example, in various examples of embodiments, if an object comes or moves within a certain distance, area or vicinity of proximity sensor 176 (e.g., the proximity sensor's sensing region), which distance, area or vicinity may be configured and/or adjusted to be any predetermined distance, area and/or vicinity, sensor 176 sends a signal to a microcontroller to disengage or brake motor 174. In various embodiments, the signal causes a reverse current to be sent to motor 174, thereby causing it to introduce a reverse torque, thus counteracting the momentum of motor 174 and the rotating or moving blades.

In various embodiments, proximity sensor 176 is a radar sensor. It should be appreciated, however, that various other types of sensors (e.g., optical sensors, capacitance sensors, ultrasonic sensors, etc.) may also be utilized in place of or in addition to the radar sensor.

In various examples of embodiments, the detection signal and reverse torque of the motor both happen within a short period of time (e.g., less than one second) to avoid, prevent, and/or reduce risk of injury or damage to the fan and/or an object, person, or thing coming within the predetermined distance of the sensor and possibly being contacted by a fan blade. In various embodiments, after an object clears or moves outside a certain distance, area or vicinity of proximity sensor 176 (e.g., the proximity sensor's sensing region), sensor 176 may discontinue sending a signal to microcontroller to disengage or brake motor, thereby allowing motor to reengage and/or resume rotation. Reengagement or resumption of rotation may be slow at first (e.g., for first few or several rotations) as a precaution.

In various embodiments, base portion 164 and/or neck portion 166 defines an aperture 178 into which back leg 126 may be provided. As illustrated, in the Figures, back leg 126 may be moved or adjusted relative to support housing 116 to tilt the fan and/or change the angle of air flow produced from the fan.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., “top” and “bottom”) in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the Figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used.

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system, methods, and devices as shown in the various examples of embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various examples of embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventions.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the examples of embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.

Claims

1. A collapsible fan comprising:

a housing supporting an electric motor having a shaft, the shaft extending forward of the motor; and

a blade guide assembly operatively coupled to the shaft, the blade guide assembly having a first fan blade assembly and a second blade assembly;

whereby each fan blade assembly comprises a fan blade; and

whereby the fan blade of the first fan blade assembly is moveable from a first position where it is spaced from and adapted to rotate on substantially the same rotational plane as the fan blade of the second fan blade assembly, to a second position where the fan blade of the first fan blade assembly is substantially nested with the fan blade of the second fan blade assembly.

2. The collapsible fan of claim 1, whereby each fan blade assembly also comprise a blade support coupled to the fan blade.

3. The collapsible fan of claim 3, whereby the blade support for the first fan blade assembly is on a different rotational plane than the blade support for the second fan blade assembly when the fan blade of the first fan blade assembly is substantially nested with the fan blade of the second fan blade assembly.

4. The collapsible fan of claim 1, further comprising a radar sensor configured to detect the presence of an object within a predetermined vicinity of the sensor and/or rotational path of a fan blade.

5. The collapsible fan of claim 1, whereby the fan blades are unprotected by any protective guard or cage.

6. The collapsible fan of claim 1, whereby the fan blades are shaped to generate pink noise when rotating about the longitudinal axis of the blade guide.

7. A fan comprising:

at least one fan blade assembly engaged with a blade guide assembly having a rotational axis;

whereby the fan blade assembly is moveable relative to the blade guide assembly about the rotational axis of the blade guide assembly from a first position to a second position.

8. The fan of claim 7, further comprising a radar sensor configured to detect the presence of an object within a predetermined vicinity of the sensor and/or rotational path of a fan blade.

9. The fan of claim 7, whereby the fan blades are unprotected by any protective guard or cage.

10. The fan of claim 7, whereby the fan blade assembly comprises a fan blade shaped to generate pink noise when rotating about a rotational axis of the blade guide assembly.

11. A travel fan comprising:

an electric motor having a shaft, the shaft extending forward of the motor for operatively rotating one or more fan blades about the longitudinal axis of the shaft; and

a radar sensor in communication with the electric motor, the radar sensor being configured to detect the presence of an object within a predetermined distance of the sensor and to cause a signal to be sent to stop or reverse operation of the electric motor when an object comes within the predetermined distance of the sensor.