Ceiling fan sign

• US 6,193,384 B1
• Filed: 03/17/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Buckminster G. Stein
• Original Assignee: Buckminster G. Stein
• Inventors: Stein, Buckminster G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Laura K.
• Application Number:
  US09/271,067
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 362/96, 362/812, 362/253, 362/311, 362/285
• US Class Current: 362/96
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/088 Ceiling fans
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0096 Fans, e.g. ceiling fans forced cooling of lighting devices characterised by the arrangement of fans F21V29/67
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

An image/message display device includes a ceiling fan suspended from the ceiling. A controller for the display is mounted on the ceiling fan and includes hall effect sensors for determining the rotational speed of the fan. LED panels are mounted on each of the blades for creating the image/message as the ceiling fan turns. Aerodynamic covers are placed over the LED panels. A dark, non-reflective background may be suspended behind the LED panels to enhance the view of the image/display.

Claims

1. A ceiling fan image/message display apparatus, comprising:

a ceiling fan having a motor suspended from the ceiling by a center post and at least two supports driven by the motor;

a controller mounted on the apparatus;

a means for determining the rotational speed of the supports mounted on the apparatus;

a light source panel mounted on each of the supports and in communication with the controller; and

a means for protecting each light source panel from dust mounted on each light source panel.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least two supports comprise at least two blades.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a dark, non-reflective background mounted between the light source panels and the center post.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a means for individually and adjustably aligning each of the light source panels mounted on each of the supports.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein adjustable the aligning means comprises a means for vertically aligning the light source panels.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the adjustable aligning means comprises a means for radially aligning each of the light source panels.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the adjustable aligning means comprises a means for aligning the radial angle of each of the light source panels.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the adjustable aligning means comprises a means for aligning an italicizing angle of each of the light source panels.

9. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the adjustable aligning means comprises a means for aligning a forward viewing angle of each of the light source panels.

10. A ceiling fan image/message display apparatus, comprising:

a ceiling fan having a motor suspended from the ceiling by a center post and a plurality of blades driven by the motor;

a controller mounted on the apparatus and powered by a set of auxiliary lines contained in the ceiling fan;

a means for determining the rotational speed of the blades mounted on the apparatus;

a plurality of light source panels each including a plurality of light sources, one each mounted proximate the end of each of the blades and each being in communication with the controller;

a plurality of aerodynamic covers, one each mounted over each light source panel wherein each aerodynamic cover includes a means for protecting the light sources from becoming covered with dust; and

a dark, non-reflective background mounted between the light source panels and the center post.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further including a means for individually aligning each of the light source panels mounted on each of the blades.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the aligning means comprises a means for vertically aligning the light source panels.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the aligning means comprises a means for radially aligning each of the light source panels.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the aligning means comprises a means for aligning the radial angle of each of the light source panels.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the aligning means comprises a means for aligning an italicizing angle of each of the light source panels.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the aligning means comprises a means for aligning a forward viewing angle of each of the light source panels.

17. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said dark, non-reflective background includes an upper edge having a larger diameter which tapers to a lower edge having a smaller diameter whereby said dark, non-reflective background has a conical configuration.

18. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one additional light source panel is mounted on each of the blades wherein the additional light source panels have a different colored light source.

19. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the light source panels have a dark, non-reflective finish.

20. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said dark, non-reflective background has a cylindrical configuration.