Tower fan assembly

• US 7,217,098 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2004
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seville Classics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Seville Classics Incorporated
• Inventors: Lim, Gary M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Look; Edward K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): White; Dwayne J
• Application Number:
  US10/812,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20050123391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 416/100, 416/79, 416/82, 416/98, 416/112, 416/116, 416/244.R
• US Class Current: 416/100
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 17/04 of transverse-flow type
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/10 the unit having provisions for automatically changing direction of output air

Abstract

A fan assembly has a base portion having a fixed base, a blower portion that includes an oscillating blower mount that is operably coupled to the fixed base, and a blower that is coupled to the blower mount and which oscillates when the blower mount oscillates. The assembly further includes a degree swing setting assembly that controls the degree of oscillation to be experienced by the blower mount.

Claims

1. A fan assembly, comprising:

a base portion having a fixed base;

a blower portion that includes an oscillating blower mount that is operably coupled to the fixed base, and a blower that is coupled to the blower mount and which oscillates when the blower mount oscillates; and

a degree swing setting assembly that includes;

a plurality of degree swing sensors that define the degree of oscillation to be experienced by the blower mount; and

a plurality of power sensors that are normally disengaged from corresponding degree swing sensors, but which engage corresponding degree swing sensors when the oscillation direction of the blower mount is to be reversed.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixed base is stationary, and wherein the blower portion further includes a grill cover that is coupled to the fixed base in a manner such that the grill cover remains stationary even when the blower mount and the blower oscillate.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further including a smooth glide mechanism positioned between the blower mount and the fixed base.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the smooth glide mechanism includes a plurality of bearings.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the bearings are spaced apart along a retainer ring.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further including:

a blower mount oscillation gear fixedly secured to the blower mount; and

an oscillation motor having an oscillation motor gear that engages the blower mount oscillation gear.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further including a shaft that is coupled to the blower mount and the fixed base, and which defines an oscillation axis.

8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the blower mount and the base define an accomodation space therebetween, with the oscillation motor and the blower mount oscillation gear housed inside the accomodation space.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the degree swing setting assembly further includes:

a plurality of power supply contact rings, each power supply contact ring coupled to a corresponding degree swing sensor; and

a plurality of power supply contact switches, each contact switch coupled to a corresponding power supply contact ring.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the degree swing sensors are carried by the blower mount to oscillate with the blower mount.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the power sensors are fixedly secured to the fixed base.

12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the degree swing sensors are carried by the blower mount to oscillate with the blower mount.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the power sensors are fixedly secured to the fixed base.

14. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of power supply contact rings are carried by the blower mount to oscillate with the blower mount.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of power supply contact switches are fixedly secured to the fixed base.

16. A fan assembly, comprising:

a base portion having a fixed base;

a blower portion that includes an oscillating blower mount that is operably coupled to the fixed base, and a blower that is coupled to the blower mount and which oscillates when the blower mount oscillates; and

a degree swing setting assembly that includes;

a plurality of first sensors carried by the oscillating blower mount, the first sensors defining the degree of oscillation to be experienced by the blower mount; and

a plurality of second sensors fixedly secured to the fixed base, the second sensors being normally disengaged from corresponding first sensors, but which engage corresponding first sensors when the oscillation direction of the blower mount is to be reversed.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the degree swing setting assembly further includes:

a plurality of power supply contact rings, each power supply contact ring coupled to a corresponding first sensor; and

a plurality of power supply contact switches, each contact switch coupled to a corresponding power supply contact ring.