Light socket adapter for a fan holding device

• US 7,862,371 B1
• Filed: 01/08/2009
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terry David Johnson
• Original Assignee: Terry David Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Terry David
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon; Edwin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GIRARDI, VANESSA MARY
• Application Number:
  US12/350,730
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 439/530, 439641-644, 362/147, 454/248, 454/293, 416/16, 416/131
• US Class Current: 439/530
• 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: H01R 33/92 Holders formed as intermediate parts for distributing energy in parallel through two or more counterparts at least one of which is attached to apparatus to be held

Abstract

A system to facilitate installation of a small fan into a ceiling light fixture. A male electrical plug with electrical wire is installed upon the top of a rigid structure. An electrical adapter is inserted into the light fixture'"'"'s socket in lieu of a light bulb. The conductive prongs of the plug are inserted into a receptacle of the adapter. A leverage arm is created at the bottom of the rigid structure and extends opposite and beyond the vertical centerline of the apparatus to a position where a higher percentage of the weight of the combined appliance and fan is distributed to the side of the centerline opposite the plug putting downward pressure on the outer end of the leverage arm configuration which, in turn, causes the top portion of the apparatus to rotate toward the centerline and to push the prongs inward.

Claims

1. A system for adding a fan to a lighting fixture comprising:

an electrical adapter configured to screw into a female light bulb socket around and along a central and substantially vertical axis and provide for an electrical receptacle for receiving therein prongs of a male plug along a substantially horizontal axis, further configured with a displaced light bulb socket to receive therein a light bulb;

a power plug for insertion into and for receiving electrical power from said electrical receptacle;

said power plug having a plug head and a plurality of conductive prongs configured to be received in said electrical receptacle;

each of said plurality of conductive prongs having a distal free end and a proximal end which is substantially rigidly coupled to said plug head;

a member, having a plug end and an opposing appliance end, said member is substantially rigid and is substantially rigidly affixed at said plug end to said plug head;

an electrical appliance coupled to said appliance end of said member;

said member and said electrical appliance in combination configured such that when said plurality of conductive prongs are inserted into said electrical receptacle, all weight of said member and said electrical appliance is supported from above through said power plug, so that mass of said electrical appliance causes said conductive prongs to pivot within said receptacle so that said distal free end of one of said plurality of conductive prong applies a downward force to structure with said electrical receptacle so as to hinder removal of said one of said plurality of conductive prong from said electrical receptacle.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said electrical appliance is a fan.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said electrical receptacle is configured to receive therein a standard 110-120 V two-prong power plug.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said member is curved.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said plug head has a beveled top side above the plurality of conductive prongs so as to permit pivoting of said plug head with respect to said electrical receptacle without having substantial contact between said receptacle and a portion of said plug head above said plurality of conductive prongs.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a threaded elongated member coupling said member with said plug head.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said member further comprises a plurality of conductors for providing power to said electrical appliance.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said plurality of conductors are disposed within a separate power cord.

9. A system for hanging a fan from a light bulb socket, comprising:

means for providing power to an electrical receptacle and a displaced light bulb socket through a male adapter configured to screw into a female light bulb socket;

means for transmitting all supporting forces and electrical energy between said electrical receptacle and an electrical appliance disposed below said electrical receptacle; and

wherein said means for transmitting all supporting forces and electrical energy is configured to tend to force conductive prongs into said electrical receptacle.

10. A system of claim 9 wherein said means for transmitting all supporting forces and electrical energy is further configured to permit replacement of a flood light bulb into said displaced light bulb socket without disconnecting electrical energy available to said electrical appliance.

11. A system of claim 9 wherein said electrical appliance is a fan.

12. A system of claim 9 wherein all supporting forces are transmitted through two conductive prongs disposed in said electrical receptacle.

13. A system of claim 12 wherein said two conductive prongs are prongs in a standard two-prong 110-120V power plug.

14. A method of hanging a fan from a ceiling light comprising the steps of:

providing an electrical adapter configured to screw into a female light bulb socket around and along a central and substantially vertical axis and further providing an electrical receptacle for receiving therein prongs of a male plug along a substantially horizontal axis, and further being configured with a displaced light bulb socket to receive therein a light bulb;

providing device comprising;

a power plug for insertion into and for receiving electrical power from said electrical receptacle;

said power plug having a plug head and a plurality of conductive prongs configured to be received in said electrical receptacle;

each of said plurality of conductive prongs having a distal free end and a proximal end which is substantially rigidly coupled to said plug head;

a member, having a plug end and an opposing appliance end, said member is substantially rigid and is substantially rigidly affixed at said plug end to said plug head;

an electrical appliance coupled to said appliance end of said member;

where

said member and said electrical appliance in combination are configured such that when said plurality of conductive prongs are inserted into said electrical receptacle, so that all weight of said member and said electrical appliance is supported from above through said power plug, so that mass of said electrical appliance causes said conductive prongs to pivot within said receptacle, so that said distal free end of one of said plurality of conductive prong applies a downward force to structure with said electrical receptacle so as to hinder removal of said one of said plurality of conductive prong from said electrical receptacle;

grasping said device so as to support all weight of said device and then plugging said power plug into said electrical receptacle;

releasing grasp upon said device so that all support of said device is now being provided from above and through said electrical adapter.