US20080286114A1

US20080286114A1 - Portable fan

Info

Publication number: US20080286114A1
Application number: US12/121,925
Authority: US
Inventors: Stanfield Young
Original assignee: Minka Lighting Inc
Current assignee: Minka Lighting Inc
Priority date: 2007-05-17
Filing date: 2008-05-16
Publication date: 2008-11-20

Abstract

A self-contained, easy to assemble, low cost, universal, and safe fan for use on a pole. The fan can oscillate in either a horizontal or vertical direction. The fan can rotate about the pole. The fan can be positioned in multiple directions and positions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/938,667, filed May 17, 2007, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a fan, more particularly to a fan for attachment on a pole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A self-contained, easy to assemble, low cost, universal, and safe fan for use on an umbrella and/or patio pole would enhance outside entertaining in warm weather. Some design considerations include the umbrella canopy being open and closed, the variations in the size of the umbrella pole, the availability of power and the desire to position the fans for maximum comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention provides an electric fan including attachment means for removably coupling a fan to a free-standing pole, wherein the attachment means is adaptable for a wide range of pole diameters (or transvers lengths) and shapes; and coupling means for attaching the fan to the attachment means, wherein the fan is capable of manually and/or automatically rotating.
An alternate embodiment provides an electric fan including attachment means for removably coupling a plurality of fans to a pole, wherein the attachment means is adaptable for a wide range of pole diameters and shapes, and coupling means for attaching the fans to the attachment means, wherein the fans are capable of manual and/or automatic rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above showing an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below showing the invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an environmental view showing the invention of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an alternative configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To one of skill in this art who has the benefit of this invention's realizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantages will be appreciated from the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description illustrates certain preferred embodiments and is not to be used to improperly limit the scope of the invention, which may have other equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.
Embodiments of the invention provide an electric fan having attachment means for removably coupling a fan to a pole, wherein the attachment means is adaptable for a wide range of pole diameters and shapes, and coupling means for attaching the fan to the attachment means, wherein the fan is capable of rotating. In some embodiments, the fan may rotate about 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, or 45 degrees and points in between about an axis that is parallel to the pole. In other embodiments, the fan may rotate about 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, or 45 degrees and points in between about an axis that is perpendicular to the pole. In some embodiments, there is a plurality of fans.
Like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Features of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description of embodiments of the invention, which is given only for illustration of the invention and is not intended to be limiting thereof.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of an invention for a fan 10 includes an attachment means 12, and one or more fans 14. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment means 12 is coupled to a pole 16. In one embodiment, the pole 16 may be such as that found for supporting a patio umbrella. In other embodiments, the pole 16 may be free standing. The term “free standing” means the pole may be attached to a support on either one or both ends.
In a preferred embodiment, there are two fans 14 coupled to the attachment means 12. In alternative embodiments, there may be one, three, four or more fans 14, provided the operation of the fans 14 is not compromised. The fans 14 are preferably evenly spaced about the pole 16. In some embodiments, the fans 14 are made of material suitable for outdoor use. In a preferred embodiment, the fans 14 are electrically powered. Some examples of how the electricity is provided include, but are not limited to, a power cord, batteries or solar energy. In some embodiments of the invention, the fans 14 are oscillating fans and/or capable of a plurality of speeds. In some embodiments, the oscillation may be about 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, or 45 degrees and points in between about an axis parallel to the pole. In other embodiments, the fans oscillate about an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis defined by the pole.
The attachment means 12 includes a member 18, adjustable coupling means 20, locking means 22 and control means 24. In some embodiments, the attachment member 12 is a single unit. In other embodiments, the attachment member 12 is a plurality of connected pieces. The plurality of pieces may be connected together by mechanical means or may be molded together or any such means which would accommodate the attachment member 12 and its parts to be coupled. The attachment member 12 may be made of any material suitable for outdoor use, such as, but not limited to, plastic or metal. In some embodiments, the attachment means 12 is rotationally adjustable on the pole 16, longitudinally adjustable on the pole 16, or both. Preferably, the member 18 is substantially horizontal, but may be any orientation that allows for operation of the fans 14 and does not interfere with the function of the attachment means 12. The member 18 may also orientate the plurality of fans 14 independently of each other. The member 18 preferably includes directional coupling means 26 for coupling the fans 14 to the attachment means 12. In a preferred embodiment, the directional coupling means 26 allow the fans 14 to be rotated about the axis of the member 18 and/or about an axis parallel to pole 16. In some embodiments, the fans 14 may be rotated about 360 degrees, about 270 degrees, about 180 degrees, about 90 degrees, about 45 degrees, or any incremental amount of degrees about the member 18. In a preferred embodiment, the directional coupling means 26 include a post 28 to couple the fan 14 to the directional coupling means 26. Although the directional coupling means 26 is illustrated as a rotating knob to facilitate the attachment of the fan 14 to the member 18, other methods to facilitate the attachment of the fan 14 to the member 18 are contemplated as being included in the present invention, and include without limitation, apertures, studs, screws, hook and pile fasteners, mechanical fasteners, clamps and the like.
In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable coupling means 20 is a collar that secures about the pole 16. The collar includes an interior ring 30 whose diameter may be adjusted to fit a wide variety of pole diameters and shapes. Although a circular cross-section pole 16 is illustrated, other cross-sections of poles are contemplated and include, but are not limited to, square, triangle, oval, rectangular, or polygonal. In some embodiments, the diameter of the ring 30 is adjusted by a rotatable knob which increases or decreases the diameter of the ring 30. Although a rotatable knob is described to adjust the diameter of the ring 30, other methods to facilitate the adjustment of the diameter of the ring 30 are contemplated as being included in the present invention, and include without limitation, apertures, studs, screws, hook and pile fasteners, mechanical fasteners, clamps, screws, and the like. In those embodiments designed to couple with a pole having any shape, ring 30 may be formed of a soft, deformable material which may conform to the pole shape. In such embodiments, the ring 30 may be surrounded by a more rigid collar. In other embodiments, the adjustable coupling means 20 may be tightened or loosened by rotating the adjustable coupling means 20 about the pole 16 in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
In a preferred embodiment, the attachment means 12 includes two parts and the locking means 22 couples the two parts together. Although a latch is shown as a locking means 22 for coupling the attachment means 12 to the pole 16, other methods to facilitate the coupling of the attachment means 12 to the pole 16 are contemplated as being included in the present invention, and include without limitation, apertures, studs, screws, hook and pile fasteners, mechanical fasteners, pivoting mechanism, clamps and the like.
The control means 24 operates the fans 14. In a preferred embodiment, the control means 24 includes an on/off switch 24 a and a speed dial 24 b. In some embodiments, there may only be an on/off switch 24 a. In other embodiments, there may only be a speed dial 24 b. In a preferred embodiment, there are an equal number of control means 24 to fans 14. Alternatively, a single control means 24 may be used to control all of the fans 14 including a variable speed. The fan 14 is any fan known to one skilled in the art for circulating air which can be adapted to be coupled to the attachment means 12. In some embodiments, the fans 14 are synchronously operated. In other embodiments, the fans 14 are operated independently of each other.
In an alternate embodiment, the attachment means 12 may be a single piece that slides onto the pole 16, and the ring 30 is adjusted to secure the attachment means to the pole 16. In another embodiment, the pole 16 may include a base to support the pole. In alternate embodiments, the member 18 may pivot horizontally to the pole 16. In another alternate embodiment, the member 18 may pivot vertically to the pole 16.
Alternative embodiments of the invention provide an electric fan having attachment means for removably coupling a fan to a free-standing pole, wherein the attachment means is adaptable for a wide range of pole diameters and shapes, and coupling means for attaching the fan to the attachment means, wherein the fan is capable of rotating. In some embodiments, the fan may rotate about 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, or 45 degrees and points in between about an axis that is perpendicular to the pole.
In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention and the embodiments disclosed herein are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends set forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It is realized that changes are possible within the scope of this invention, and it is further intended that each element or step recited is to be understood as referring to all equivalent elements or steps. The description is intended to cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever forms it may be utilized.

Claims

1. An electric fan comprising

attachment means for removably coupling a fan to a free-standing pole, wherein the attachment means is adaptable for a wide range of pole diameters and shapes; and

coupling means for attaching the fan to the attachment means, wherein the fan is capable of rotation.

2. The fan of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprise an adjustable ring for securing the fan to the pole.

3. The fan of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is capable of rotation.

4. The fan of claim 1, wherein the fan is capable of oscillation in an axis perpendicular to the pole.

5. The fan of claim 1, wherein the fan is capable of oscillation in an axis parallel to the pole.

6. The fan of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a latch for securing the fan to the pole.

7. The fan of claim 1, wherein the fan is of variable speed.

8. The fan of claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a tiltable arm.

9. The fan of claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a rotatable arm.

10. An electric fan comprising

attachment means for removably coupling a plurality of fans to a pole, wherein the attachment means is adaptable for a wide range of pole diameters and shapes; and

coupling means for attaching the fans to the attachment means, wherein the fans are capable of rotation.