Distally Supported On Radial Arm Patents (Class 416/210R)
  • Patent number: 6155787
    Abstract: An interchangeable fan blade system for a ceiling fan, made up of a set of adapters having a plurality of elongated attachment apertures that allow the adapter to be threadably fitted to virtually any type of fan support arm, and a complimentary set of interchangeable fan blades. The adapters include one of a variety of connectors for attaching one end of the fan blades to the support arm. The one end of the fan blade is configured and adapted, or otherwise provided with mating connector elements adapted to engage the connectors of the adapters, thereby allowing the fan blades to be removably attached to the adapters. A second embodiment of the interchangeable fan blade system is a set of interchangeable fan blades having a plurality of elongated attachment apertures which allow the fan blades to be secured to virtually any type of fan arm, by threading a plurality of shoulder cap screws and a plurality of male-female connectors though the plurality of attachment apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Donald P. Hodgkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6155786
    Abstract: A fan assembly and a method of assembling same according to which a mounting flange is provided on an arm to which a blade is connected and a slot is provided in a mounting ring. The flange extends in the slot, and a retainer engages the arm member. The retainer and the mounting ring are attached the end casing and a post is provided in the slot for extending in a bore formed in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Aloha Housewares Co., LTD
    Inventors: Frank Blateri, Wang Liang Chou
  • Patent number: 6149388
    Abstract: A collar of a ceiling fan is composed of a plurality of sectors and each sector has a protrusion extending from a top thereof and a recess defined in an outside thereof. A resilient member is connected to each sector and includes a first portion having an aperture for receiving the protrusion, and a second portion which is a triangular member including two inclined sides. The resilient member is engaged with the recess of the sector corresponding thereto. The blade bracket has an end block which is engaged with the recess corresponding thereto and compressed by one of the inclined sides of the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Ming Hang Liao
  • Patent number: 6139276
    Abstract: A fan assembly according to which a block member is connected to a rotor end casing and an arm member having a blade connected thereto is mounted to the block member. One of the members has a radially extending slot formed therein and the other member has a mounting flange adapted to extend into the slot when the arm is moved radially outwardly relative to the block member to mount the arm to the block member without the need for additional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Aloha Housewares Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank Blateri, Wang Liang Chou
  • Patent number: 6095753
    Abstract: An improvement in the structure for mounting blades of a ceiling fan, characterized in that a motor comprises a bottom formed with a plurality of brackets each having a recess, the recess having an inner end which gradually decreases in size toward an outer end thereof, each of the blade having an inner end provided with a fixing member which extends outwardly and upwardly to form a tongue having an outer end which gradually increases in size toward an inner end of the tongue, the tongue being configured so that the outer end of the tongue has same size as the outer end of the recess while the inner end of the tongue has same size as the inner end of the recess thereby enabling the tongue 211 to fit into the recess from the inner end of the recess but not slide out of the outer end of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Kuang-Hsiung Hsu
  • Patent number: 6062820
    Abstract: An improvement in the structure for mounting blades of a ceiling fan, characterized in that a motor comprising a bottom formed with a plurality of threaded holes, an annular ring-like mounting secured to the bottom of the electric motor by screws and provided with a plurality of brackets each having a groove which gradually decreases in size from an upper portion toward an lower portion thereof, each of the blades provided with a rod having a tongue which gradually decreases in size from an upper end to an lower end thereof, the tongue being configured so that the upper end of the tongue has same size of the upper portion of the groove while the lower end of the tongue has same size of the lower portion of the groove thereby enabling the tongue to fit into the groove but not slide out thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Chun-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 6062816
    Abstract: A ceiling fan consists of a revolving motor having a plurality of fan blade mounts, a control device located under the revolving motor, a mounting piece located between the motor and the control device and provided with a plurality of first locating portions, a seat provided with a receiving space and a receiving port which is complementary to the mounting piece and provided with a plurality of second locating portions. The revolving motor is received in the receiving space. The seat is provided with a main lampshade and a plurality of auxiliary lamp seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Li-Er Lin Chang
  • Patent number: 6059531
    Abstract: In a fan including a hub mounted for rotation and a plurality of fan blades, an attachment assembly for detachably engaging at least one of the plurality of fan blades with the hub, the attachment assembly comprising a stop carried adjacent an end of a selected one of the plurality of fan blades, a socket carried by the hub for receiving the end of the selected one of the plurality of fan blades, and an abutment mounted for movement between a first position to permit the end of the selected one of the plurality of fan blades to admit into the socket, and a normal second position against the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Jen-Lung David Tai
  • Patent number: 6048173
    Abstract: A ceiling fan includes a motor casing with an engaging ring connected to the bottom of the motor casing, the engaging ring having a plurality of tapered recesses defined in the bottom thereof and each of the recesses having an open end in the inner periphery of the ring and a closed end on the outside of the ring. Each of the recesses has two grooves defined in the two sides thereof. Each of the fan blade brackets has two flanges to be received in the grooves. The first end of each of the end members is stopped by the closed end of the recess. A plurality of balls movably received in the ring and the balls respectively extend into the respective recesses so as to contact the second end of the end members in the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Huang-Jie Tsai
    Inventor: Huang-Jia Chen
  • Patent number: 6042339
    Abstract: A ceiling fan assembly and method for assembling same in which a fan blade is placed over an arm having a post that extends in an opening in the blade. A fastener is attached to the post to secure the blade to the arm, and a flange on the arm is inserted in a slot in the rotor of the fan motor to retain the arm, and therefore, the blade, relative to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Aloha Housewares Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank Blateri, Wang Liang Chou
  • Patent number: 6039540
    Abstract: A fan blade assembly includes a mounting arm with a mounting end formed with a plurality of engaging posts. A blade member has a plurality of mounting holes, each having a larger bore portion and a smaller notch portion divided by a constricted portion. A plurality of elastomeric coupling members are sleeved securely on the engaging posts, and have shanks, and radial outward peripheral flanges. Each coupling member is fitted snugly in the notch portion by passing the shank thereinto after the peripheral flange has been brought to pass through the bore portion to rest on one side of the blade member. A cap member has a plurality of engaging plugs. Each engaging plug is inserted into and is fitted snugly in the bore portion of the respective mounting hole in such a manner that a guiding portion thereof will gradually be brought to abut against the constricted portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: San-Chi Wu
  • Patent number: 6027310
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the general field of ceiling fans and more particularly to the field of ceiling fans with easy install features. Such a fan includes an electrical quick connect device and an articulating fan blade assembly. The quick connect device includes a plug/receptacle configuration enabling the fan to easily connect to an electricity supply while providing the gravitational and rotational support required by the fan. The fan blade assembly includes a drive hub having a series of slots to receive the neck of a fan blade. The fan blade neck is secured in the slot in a fashion that allows for articulation of the blade relative to the fan or removal of the fan blade from the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Angelo Fan Brace Licensing, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jack Russell Kerr, Jr., Cullyn B. Winn
  • Patent number: 6022191
    Abstract: A fan blade mounting system for large air-moving fans includes a radially extending hub strut, a blade root member pivotally coupled to an end of the hub strut for receiving a blade skin, and a tube end located between the blade root member and the hub strut. A pair of resilient mounts are utilized in the blade root member to effectively pivotally couple the blades to the hub, thus relieving most of the vertical bending moment transferred to the hub and eliminating critical frequencies associated with the fan. The hub strut is connected to the hub of the fan by a stud having right- and left-handed threads and a wall thickness adjacent to the threads sufficient for distributing the stresses substantially uniformly on the threads, thereby improving fatigue resistance. The resilient mounts comprise a metal core and metal sleeve with a resilient elastomeric layer between the core and sleeve. The sleeves are connected to the blade root member and the cores of the two mounts are clamped to the tube end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: The Moore Company
    Inventors: R. David Moore, John D. Moore, Joseph Parker, John E. Dowell, Kenneth E. Jay, John P. Haynes
  • Patent number: 6010308
    Abstract: A ceiling fan blade for securing to a ceiling fan motor includes a flat root portion and a fan member each having a flange extended from one end and perpendicular to and solidly secured to the root portion and the fan member. The root portion and the fan member are inclined relative to each other for allowing the fan member to be directed toward a relative wind to the ceiling fan blade. The flanges of the fan member and of the root portion of the ceiling fan blade each includes a triangular shape and each includes a longitudinal axis coincident with each other for greatly increasing the strength of the ceiling fan blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Fang-Chan Youn
  • Patent number: 6010306
    Abstract: Easy to attach and detach blades for overhead ceiling fans. A first version has a ceiling fan blade with keyhole slots that fit over flat topped fasteners on a mounting arm. Pulling the blade away from the arm locks the slots to the fasteners. A second version is similar to the first and has a decorative bottom cover having snappable tapered protrusions which attach through the keyholes and into mateable through-holes in the mounting arm connection. The third version has a protruding end portion of the blade that fits into a slot in the mounting arm where spring loaded pistons press into grooves in the protrusion end portion of the blade. Latching handles allow users to manually move the pistons. A fourth version has a slot in the blade which fits about a mateable housing in the mounting arm where opposing spring loaded pistons press into interior wall grooves in the slot of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: King of Fans, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Bucher, John C. Bucher
  • Patent number: 5997252
    Abstract: A wind driven electrical power generating apparatus includes an armature. The apparatus also includes a wing secured to the armature. The wing defines a pocket having a hub end and an outer end. The width of the pocket monotonically increases from the hub end to the outer end. Moreover, the depth of the pocket monotonically increases from the hub end to the outer end. The wing and the armature produce a relatively large amount of torque during rotation of the armature which is converted to high rotational speed by a gear mechanism thereby driving a generator at a relatively high rotational speed. Such high torque production eliminates the need to rotate the armature at a high rotational speed. Moreover, the configuration of the wing allows the armature to be rotated in the presence of relatively low wind velocities. Hence, the apparatus may be efficiently utilized for electrical power generation in geographic areas which typically experience relatively low wind velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Duane G. Miller
  • Patent number: 5967754
    Abstract: A one-piece injection molded arm and blade unit for a ceiling fan, or the like, in which a blade forms an extension of an arm. At least one web formed on the arm, and at least one other web is formed on the arm and extends at an angle to the first web. The webs serve to add strength to the unit to counteract the various stresses placed on the unit during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Aloha Housewares Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wang Liang Chou
  • Patent number: 5944486
    Abstract: An interchangeable fan blade system for a ceiling fan, made up of a set of adapters having a plurality of elongated attachment apertures that allow the adapter to be threadably fitted to virtually any type of fan support arm, and a complimentary set of interchangeable fan blades. The adapters include one of a variety of connectors for attaching one end of the fan blades to the support arm. The one end of the fan blade is configured and adapted, or otherwise provided with mating connector elements adapted to engage the connectors of the adapters, thereby allowing the fan blades to be removably attached to the adapters. A second embodiment of the interchangeable fan blade system is a set of interchangeable fan blades having a plurality of elongated attachment apertures which allow the fan blades to be secured to virtually any type of fan arm, by threading a plurality of shoulder cap screws and a plurality of male-female connectors though the plurality of attachment apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Donald P. Hodgkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5927945
    Abstract: An assembling device for the blade of the hanging fan which comprises a ring body arranged on the bottom of the motor unit and having a plurality of dovetail grooves on rim thereof, and blade base has corresponding dovetail shape such that the blade base can be inserted into the dovetail groove and the blades are fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Shang Wan Chen
  • Patent number: 5873701
    Abstract: A device for connecting brackets and a motor of a ceiling fan includes a ring element fixedly connected to an underside of the motor and having a plurality of protrusions extending from an underside of the ring element. Each of the protrusions has an inclined surface defined in a free end thereof and each of the inclined surfaces has a plurality of first threaded holes defined therein. At least one bracket has a first end with an enlarged plate to connect to a blade and a second end having an engaging element which has at least two first holes defined therethrough so as to be fixedly connected to one of the inclined surface by extending bolts through the first holes and engaging with the first threaded holes of the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Sun-Quen Shiu
  • Patent number: 5863182
    Abstract: An attachment for improving the efficiency of a fluid circulation device such as a fan comprises a back connector portion for connecting to a fan blade and a lobe which protrudes from a leading edge of the fan blade. An impeller has a plurality of fan blades extending from a central hub, and the impeller is rotated by an electrical motor. The impeller is housed within a fan guard. As the impeller is rotated, the lobes operate to pick up air passing around the preceding blade and continue accelerating the air to increase efficiency and flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: D. Lee Hill, Jimmy D. Vanfossan, Hamid Massali
  • Patent number: 5669760
    Abstract: A combination of a blade and a support of a ceiling fan includes a blade portion and a support portion, the blade portion being an elongate plate which has one end to be a free end, the support portion including a base and a neck which extends from the base and integrally connects to the other end of the blade portion, the blade portion having a curved surface defined in an under surface thereof along a longitudinal axis of the blade portion, the blade portion having two upper longitudinal edges and two lower longitudinal edges, each of the two upper longitudinal edges and the lower longitudinal edges being shaped to have an inclined surface so as to reduce resistance of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Jung-San Chen
  • Patent number: 5542819
    Abstract: A ceiling fan safety tether to be used with a conventional ceiling fan. The ceiling fan safety tether retains a fan blade in close proximity to the fan motor thereby preventing the fan blade from becoming a flying projectile should a break in a fan blade bracket ever occur. The ceiling fan safety tether comprises a body portion having a first and second securement coupled thereto. The first securement is secured to the fan motor housing and the second securement is secured to the fan blade. The ceiling fan safety tether is designed to be interposed between the fan blade bracket and the fan motor housing at a first end and interposed at a second end between the fan blade and the fan blade bracket. Additionally, the ceiling fan safety tether serves to provide a dampening effect that prevents noise and vibrations created in the fan motor housing from being transmitted to the fan blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Chien Luen Industries Company, Ltd., Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Bucher, Shih Tza Wu
  • Patent number: 5486094
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for mounting fan blades to a ceiling fan with a mounting bracket and support arms which support each of the fan blades at two separate points. The mounting bracket is mounted to a motor for the ceiling fan and rotates in response to powering the motor. The fan blades are each secured to the mounting bracket at first points. The support arms have inward portions which are rigidly secured to the mounting bracket. The support arms extend from beneath the fan blades in a spaced apart relation with the fan blades. The support arms extend outward from a central axis for the ceiling fan to second support points on the lower sides of the ceiling fan blades. The second support points are disposed outward from the mounting brackets for reinforcing mounting of the fan blades to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Davoil, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Davis, Jr., Julia A. Morrow
  • Patent number: 5470205
    Abstract: A form having a base, a tip, and a major surface, an adhesive layer carried on the major surface and a protective sheet removably covering the adhesive layer, forming a decoratable fan blade removably mountable on a ceiling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventor: Dennis R. Conklin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5462412
    Abstract: A ceiling fan is disclosed comprising a motor having a stator with a top portion and a bottom portion and a rotor having a bottom portion, a down rod secured to the top portion of the stator for suspending the motor from the ceiling, a motor housing enclosing at least a portion of the motor, at least one switch for selectively controlling the operation of the motor, a plurality of blades removably securable by suitable fastening devices to the bottom portion of the rotor, and a switch housing for containing at least one switch securable to the bottom portion of the stator, an upper edge portion of the switch housing being operable to conceal from view at least a portion of the fastening devices used to secure the blades to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Scofield, Richard A. Pearce
  • Patent number: 5462411
    Abstract: A device for connecting blades (7) to a hub (5) in a propeller of either a fan or an aircraft has a variable fitting in at least a moving position. An L-shaped element (1) connects each blade (7) to the hub (5) so that an attachment of the blade (7) to the hub (5) has a longitudinal axis eccentric with respect to a longitudinal axis of the hub (5). The L-shaped element (1) has a first long leg aligned parallel with a longitudinal axis of the blade (7). The L-shaped element (1) also has a short leg perpendicular to a flat plane of the blade (7) and parallel to a rotational axis of the hub (5). A screw (4) fastens the second short leg of the L-shaped element (1) to the hub (5). This screw (4) is aligned parallel to the flat plane of the blade (7) but has a longitudinal axis spaced from the flat plane of the blade (7). A circular crown (6) presses the L-shaped element (1) to the hub (5) while a hole (3) retains the screw (4) whereby the hole (3) is eccentric with respect to the crown (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Ceute S.A.
    Inventor: Emilio Bianchi
  • Patent number: 5458463
    Abstract: A fitting for connecting components of a ceiling fan includes a plastic-molded body with a plurality of reinforcing ribs and a plurality of threaded bores formed integrally thereon, and a reinforcing metal member embedded in the plastic-molded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Ming-Ann Chiang
  • Patent number: 5458464
    Abstract: A blade mounting device for a ceiling fan includes a plurality of brackets each having a first distal end portion fixedly attached to a rotary portion of the ceiling fan and a second distal end portion onto which a corresponding one of blades is threadedly fitted, a plurality of recesses being defined in an underside of the second distal end portion of each of the brackets, a plurality of decorative members each fittingly mounted in and flush with a corresponding one of the recesses, each of the decorative members having a different configuration and decorative profile with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Ching T. Lee
  • Patent number: 5330323
    Abstract: A ceiling fan having a plurality of blade irons removably attached to a rotor. Each blade iron includes an arcuate web with a first flange for attachment to the rotor. A second flange is included for receiving a fan blade. The trailing edge of each blade iron overlaps the leading edge of the next successive blade iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Lamps Plus, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5304037
    Abstract: A medallion-style blade iron assembly for use on a ceiling fan includes a vibration isolation system for eliminating transmission of vibration from the fan motor to the blades. The assembly includes an arm securable to the fan motor and medallion securable to the arm, with the distal end of a blade being secured therebetween. A plurality of mounting holes are provided in the blade for allowing screws to be inserted through the arm into the medallion, with each hole have a resilient elastomeric grommet disposed therein. Each grommet has a pair of annular shoulders resting on the top and bottom surfaces of the blade, and a central tapered opening for receiving the frusto-conical bosses formed on the arm and medallion. The grommets prevent contact between the blade, the arm, and the medallion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Scofield
  • Patent number: 5246343
    Abstract: A low cost assembly and method for assembly of a fan having a hub, a spider with arms and blades attached to the arms is provided. The spider is arc welded to the hub and the blades are projection welded to the arms. The blades have a root, a tip, and an ear. The width or chord of the blade decreases from the root to the ear and then increases from the ear to the tip. The blade has an air foil shape defined by the arcs of two circles. The radii of the circles and, thus the profile of the blade, change as a function of the cord length and the camber of the blade. The blades have a pitch angle which decreases from the root to the ear. The spider arms are formed to match the pitch and are rotated slightly with respect to the horizontal. The result is a highly efficient, low cost fan blade assembly construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Jim Windsor, Chuck Straight, Samir Khouzam
  • Patent number: 4746271
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a fan blade and a method for making a fan blade wherein the stresses within the blade material are substantially constant throughout the length of the blade and the unique construction of the blade reduces the concentration of loading on the blade material. Preferably, the blade is molded of a synthetic plastic material and includes a ribbed structure locating material offset from the concave convex configuration of the blade air flow portion such that the section modulus of blade sections from the air flow portion toward the root portion increases by increasing the distance of the blade material from the neutral bending axis in such a manner that no abrupt changes occur and the stresses imposed upon the blade material throughout its length are substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Hayes-Albion Corporation
    Inventor: Jamie C. Wright
  • Patent number: 4636142
    Abstract: A fan apparatus including a fan spider having a hub portion and a plurality of outwardly extending arms, a plurality of fan blade assemblies, each fan blade assembly having a molded plastic blade with an attachment insert partially embedded within, the exposed portion of each attachment insert being rigidly attached to a corresponding one of the arms of the spider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Household Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard R. Baranski
  • Patent number: 4544281
    Abstract: A fluid mixer in which a pair of interconnected blades (6,6') are mounted either side of a rotatable shaft (8), the blades are each formed from a flat plate bent to form two or more planar portions (40, 42, 44) and mounted to the shaft so that the leading edge (52, 54, 56) of each portion is at a lesser radial distance than the trailing edge (54, 56, 58) of each portion. In this way each blade portion is angled inwardly accurately and the whole blade is easy to form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Robert Morton DG Limited
    Inventor: Noel R. Wilkinson
  • Fan
    Patent number: 4319866
    Abstract: A fan blade assembly having a spider shaped or formed from rod, wire or bar stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: International Harvester Company
    Inventor: C. Paul Kolthoff
  • Patent number: 4253799
    Abstract: A propeller hub rotatable about an axis is provided with a plurality of airfoil surfaces peripherally arranged about the axis and defining a first pitch angle that is acute and adjustable with respect to the tangent on the circular arc described by rotation of the airfoil surface as seen in a plane perpendicular to the axis, and further by a second pitch angle being acute and adjustable and measured with respect to the axis of rotation within a plane containing the axis of rotation. Peripherally adjacent airfoil surfaces may have their first pitch angles oppositely oriented and second pitch angles oppositely oriented to respectively propel fluid inwardly and outwardly with respect to the axis of rotation. The air foil surfaces may be directly connected to the hub and extend conically outward or connected to the hub by means of arms that may be angled airfoil surfaces functioning as conventional screw propellers. The hub may be mounted coaxially adjacent a counter rotating screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Inventor: Horst Eichler
  • Patent number: 4249861
    Abstract: A cooling fan for an automotive vehicle includes a spider having arms projecting from a hub. Rivets attach blades and reinforcing plates to each of the arms, and each of the rivets extends through the reinforcing plate, the blade, and the corresponding arm. Each blade has a depressed portion defining a rim circumscribing the depressed portion, and the corresponding plates have a depression defining a flange which is adapted to engage the rim when the blade is installed on its corresponding arm. The contour of the plate is different from the contour of the blade, but the rivet forces the plate to assume the contour of the blade when the plate and the blade are installed on the arm. Accordingly, the plate is preloaded to thereby transmit bending forces to the rim which would normally be taken by the portion of the blade adjacent the rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Canadian Fram Limited
    Inventor: Herbert N. Charles
  • Patent number: 4187056
    Abstract: A fan blade is adjustably connected to a power driven shaft by means of a hollow coupling with a flat bearing surface on its inside face, and surrounding a hole through its radially outer face. The fan blade shank extends through the hole and is captured by a split ring that has a rim which is compressed against the inside bearing surface by a shoulder on the shank. A removable yoke is held against the blade shaft or shoulder by bolts which pass through the coupling's radially outer face, span the rims and shoulder, and engage into tapped holes in the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Ecodyne Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Schwinn, Tony E. Maynard
  • Patent number: 4148594
    Abstract: A two-bladed propeller fan for wind machines, having a teetering hub for mounting in spaced relationship on a driving shaft, a pair of tangs 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: SSP Agricultural Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Stafford
  • Patent number: 4088423
    Abstract: A radiator cooling fan assembly is disclosed for use in trucks and other large vehicles. The heavy duty assembly includes a pair of hubs having radially extending arms with blades extending between aligned pairs of hub arms. The arms of one hub are substantially shorter than the arms of the other hub. In addition, the either hub may include either an enlarged aperture in its central portion or webbing between its arms or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: Hayes-Albion Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Dulin, Thomas G. Gorman, Neil E. Robb, Robert G. Wickham
  • Patent number: 4053260
    Abstract: A fan blade mounting employing two integral workpieces formed of sheet metal, each having a central hub portion and radially extending arms, the sheet metal arms of each are centrally bulged or ribbed in the region where they join the hub, the ribs facing in opposite directions to form a cavity in each two-part arm. The central hub portion of each workpiece is depressed from the plane of its arms, the hub portions being nested. Each spider arm is thus stiffened by the compressive loading within one rib when a transverse force is applied on the opposite arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Assignee: Wallace Murray Corporation
    Inventor: Clifford S. L. Yee
  • Patent number: 4050847
    Abstract: A fan blade, secured to an arm of the fan, extends radially outwardly beyond the arm and is secured to the arm by a plurality of rivets, a continuous circular rib being formed about the radially outermost rivet, the rib comprising on one side of the blade a groove having a depth and a cross-sectional radius equal to the blade material thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: Fram Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon R. A. New, William G. Curry
  • Patent number: 4046488
    Abstract: An improved radiator cooling fan has a substantially planar mounting hub and individually twisted blades extending radially therefrom. Each blade includes reinforcing edges along a portion thereof to enhance durability and lengthen useful service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Inventor: Robert G. Wickham