Patent ID: 6036331
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: F04D,F21V

Abstract:
A ceiling fan having lighted fan blades, the ceiling fan comprising:a central support shaft capable of being suspended from a ceiling, said central support shaft having a hollow bore;an electric motor supported by said central support shaft, said electric motor having a rotor disposed coaxially with said central support shaft and said rotor rotating about said central support shaft when said electric motor is energized;a plurality of fan blades attached to said rotor;a plurality of illumination means each being fixed to a respective one of said plurality of fan blades;a first conductive bearing set having a first inner race, a first outer race, and a first plurality of rolling bodies positioned intermediate said first inner race and said first outer race to reduce frictional resistance to relative rotation between said first inner race and said first outer race,said first inner race being positioned to surround said central support shaft and being fixed relative to said central support shaft, said first inner race, said first outer race and said first plurality of rolling bodies being made of electrically conductive material; anda second conductive bearing set having a second inner race, a second outer race, and a second plurality of rolling bodies positioned intermediate said second inner race and said second outer race to reduce frictional resistance to relative rotation between said second inner race and said second outer race,said second inner race being positioned to surround said central support shaft and being fixed relative to said central support shaft, said second inner race being spaced apart from said first inner race, said second inner race, said second outer race and said second plurality of rolling bodies being made of electrically conductive material,said plurality of illumination means being in electrical communication with said first and second outer races while said first and second inner races are in selective electrical communication with a power source, whereby said plurality of illumination means can be lighted as said plurality of fan blades rotate.