Suspended ceiling fan

• US 20050092888A1
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ken R. Gonce
• Original Assignee: Ken R. Gonce
• Inventors: Gonce, Ken R.
• Application Number:
  US10/970,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20050092888A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/324
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/088 Ceiling fans

Abstract

The suspended ceiling fan generates a sustained flow of air, which can be aimed at one spot, such as a person'"'"'s face. In one embodiment, the suspended ceiling fan has an elongated member, a track connector, a swivel, and a fan unit. The elongated member has first and second opposing ends. The track connector is attached to the first end, and is adapted for attachment to an existing track, such as a track lighting system, or other support for a suspended lighting system. In one mode of operation the connector snaps into the track. In another embodiment, the ceiling fan comprises an adjustable arm having a hinged joint. The fan may be moved along the track and pivoted on the swivel to direct airflow in any desired direction.

Claims

1. A suspended ceiling fan, comprising:

an elongated member having a first end and an opposing second end;

a track connector adapted for attachment to a ceiling track, the track connector being attached to the first end of the elongated member;

a swivel having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the swivel being attached to the second end of the elongated member; and

a fan unit attached to the second end of the swivel;

whereby the elongated fan is movable along the track and the fan unit is pivotal on the swivel in order to direct airflow to a desired location.

2. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the fan unit comprises a mini-fan.

3. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member is a hollow tube.

4. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 3, further comprising electric wiring connected to the fan unit and extending through the elongated member, the wiring being adapted for attachment to a power source.

5. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member is a flexible gooseneck shaft.

6. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 5, wherein the gooseneck shaft is hollow and further comprises electric wiring extending through the shaft and connected to the fan unit, the wiring being adapted for attachment to a power source.

7. A suspended ceiling fan, comprising:

an adjustable arm having a first end, an opposing second end, and a hinged joint pivotally connecting the first and second ends;

a track lighting connector attached to the first opposite end of the adjustable arm, the track lighting being adapted for attachment to a ceiling track;

a swivel attached to the second end of the adjustable arm; and

a fan unit attached to the swivel;

whereby the elongated fan is movable along the track and the fan unit is pivotal on the swivel in order to direct airflow to a desired location.

8. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 7, wherein the fan unit is a mini-fan.

9. A suspended ceiling fan, comprising:

a fan unit; and

mounting means for pivotally and slidably mounting the fan unit to a track of ceiling mounted track lighting system;

whereby the elongated fan is slidable along the track and the fan unit is pivotal in order to direct airflow to a desired location.

10. The suspended ceiling fan kit according to claim 9, wherein the fan unit is a mini-fan.

11. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein the track is a pair of rails defining a channel, said mounting means comprising:

a track connector adapted for slidable mounting in the channel;

an elongated rod extending from the track connector; and

a swivel attached to the rod, the fan unit being attached to the swivel.

12. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 11, further comprising a second swivel pivotally attaching the rod to the track connector.

13. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 11, wherein said rod comprises an articulated arm.

14. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein the track is twin bars, said mounting means comprising:

a sliding bar having opposite ends adapted for sliding on the twin bars; and

an elongated member depending from the sliding bar.

15. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 14, wherein said elongated member comprises a gooseneck shaft, said fan unit being attached to the gooseneck shaft.

16. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein the track is twin cables, said mounting means comprising a gimbal having a ring and spars extending from opposite sides of the ring, the spars being slidably mounted on the cables, the ring sliding between the cables, the fan unit being pivotally mounted in the ring on and axis of rotation parallel to the cables.

17. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein the track is a monorail, said mounting means comprising a bracket having a loop adapted for sliding on the monorail and a pair of arms depending from the loop, the fan unit being pivotally mounted between the two arms.

18. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein said fan unit comprises a 120-volt AC motor.

19. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein said fan unit comprises a motor having a low voltage rating and a step-down transformer electrically connected to the motor for stepping down AC voltage from an AC power mains to the voltage rating of the motor.

20. The suspended ceiling fan according to claim 9, wherein said fan unit further comprises a battery power source.