Diffuser and ceiling fan combination

• US 6,458,028 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2000
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Snyder National Corporation
• Original Assignee: Snyder National Corporation
• Inventors: Snyder, Darryl L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce, Harold
• Application Number:
  US09/736,995
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 454/292, 454/293, 454/294, 454/297, 454/300
• US Class Current: 454/292
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/088 Ceiling fans
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/06 Outlets for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air diffuser
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/14 mounted on the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/007 with forced flow using ducting systems F24F7/06

Abstract

A diffuser for a ceiling allows a ceiling fan to be mounted directly below the diffuser so that the fan may distribute the air being delivered out of the diffuser. The diffuser includes an upper box section mounted on a lower section that mounts the diffuser on the ceiling. The down rod of the ceiling fan is connected to the diffuser to support the ceiling fan. The down rod may be supported above the upper section so that the electrical connections between the ceiling fan and an electrical source may be positioned outside of the diffuser.

Claims

1. In combination, a ceiling fan and a diffuser adapted to be positioned at a vent in a ceiling wherein an air inlet tube delivers air to the vent;

the ceiling fan including a down rod, a motor, and a plurality of fan blades;

the down rod of the ceiling fan passing through a portion of the diffuser to position the fan blades of the ceiling fan below the diffuser;

the diffuser including a diffuser box having an upper wall;

the combination including an electrical box supported above the upper wall of the diffuser box; and

the down rod of the ceiling fan being supported by the electrical box; and

further including

a collar disposed inside the electrical box;

the collar being connected to the electrical box with a first connector;

the collar surrounding a portion of the down rod; and

the down rod being connected to the collar.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the diffuser includes an upper section having at least two opposed sidewalls.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the down rod is centered with respect to the diffuser.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the down rod is connected to the collar with a pin extending through the collar and the down rod.

5. The combination of claim 4, further comprising a secondary connector connecting the collar to electrical box.

6. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a grommet disposed between the down rod and the diffuser.

7. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a support assembly connected to the diffuser;

the support assembly engaging the down rod of the ceiling fan to support the down rod.

8. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a support frame connected to the diffuser.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the support frame includes:

at least two vertical risers that are connected to the diffuser;

an upper horizontal support that extends across the vertical risers; and

an intermediate horizontal support that extends between the vertical risers;

the intermediate horizontal support being positioned between the upper horizontal support and the diffuser.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the electrical box is connected to the intermediate horizontal support.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is covered with an insulating material.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the down rod is covered with an insulating material to prevent down rod from gathering condensation.

13. In combination, a ceiling fan and a diffuser adapted to be positioned at a vent in a ceiling wherein an air inlet tube delivers air to the vent;

the ceiling fan including a down rod, a motor, and a plurality of fan blades;

the down rod of the ceiling fan passing through a portion of the diffuser to position the fan blades of the ceiling fan below the diffuser;

a support assembly connected to the diffuser;

the support assembly engaging the down rod of the ceiling fan to support the down rod;

the support assembly including a collar that surrounds a portion of the down rod; and

a plurality of support rods that extend from the diffuser to the collar;

the support assembly preventing the down rod from shaking or rattling when the ceiling fan becomes unbalanced.

14. In combination, a ceiling fan and a diffuser adapted to be positioned at a vent in a ceiling wherein an air inlet tube delivers air to the vent;

the ceiling fan including a down rod, a motor, and a plurality of fan blades;

the down rod of the ceiling fan passing through a portion of the diffuser to position the fan blades and the motor of the ceiling fan below the diffuser;

a support assembly connected to the diffuser;

the support assembly engaging the down rod of the ceiling fan to support the down rod;

the support assembly including a collar that surrounds a portion of the down rod; and

a plurality of support rods that extend from the diffuser to the collar;

the support assembly preventing the down rod from shaking or rattling when the fan becomes unbalanced.

15. The combination of claim 14, further comprising an electrical box that supports the down rod.