Abstract:
An ceiling fan applique and method for adorning the blades of a ceiling fan. An applique constructed of a thin, flexible material includes printed matter disposed on a front surface of the applique. Pressure sensitive adhesive is mounted to the rear surface of the applique. The applique has a predetermined shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the ceiling fan blade. A release liner is affixed to the rear surface of the applique to prevent the applique from becoming inadvertently affixed or damaged prior to intended use.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a decorative product for ceiling fan blades, and in particular to a removable applique designed to adhere to and adorn the visible surface of a ceiling fan blade. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Ceiling fans are well known and are popular decorative and functional devices used in residential buildings as well as commercial facilities, such as restaurants and bars. However, heretofore, there has been no ready means to decorate the ceiling fan blades which are a prominent feature of the fan. Most available ceiling fans have blades constructed of wood or plastic materials. The finish on the blades is either a wood stain finish or a painted finish. 
     It is desirable to have a simple means of adding decoration to ceiling fans. For example, decorated ceiling fan blades may provide a theme to a room in which the ceiling fan is located. As another example, the ceiling fan blades of a ceiling fan in a restaurant provide usable and visible space for advertising products and services. By providing a removable and simple device to be applied to the visible surface of the ceiling fan blades, this space can be used for advertisement. The present invention provides such a simple, removable means of adding decoration to the visible surface of a ceiling fan blade. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an applique designed for attachment to the blades of a ceiling fan and a method of adorning a ceiling fan using the applique. The applique of the present invention is constructed of a flexible material having a front surface and a rear surface. The front surface of the applique has printed matter thereon. The rear surface of the applique is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. Preferably, the adhesive is such that the applique can be readily removed from the fan blade without damaging the finish on the fan blade. 
     The applique of the present invention has a predetermined shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the ceiling fan blade. A release liner is affixed to the rear surface of the applique to prevent the applique from becoming inadvertently affixed or damaged prior to intended use. In use, the liner is removed from the applique and the applique is affixed to a ceiling fan blade by centering the applique on the blade. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the applique is constructed of a polyester material. The applique also can be laminated with a protective material in order to improve durability and appearance. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and for further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional ceiling fan; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan blade applique of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan blade applique incorporating a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan blade applique incorporating a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan having the applique of the present invention applied to the fan blades. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference now to the accompanying drawings, wherein like or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numeral, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a typical ceiling fan 10. Ceiling fan 10 includes a drive means (not shown) operably connected to radial arms 12 and provides the rotational movement to radial arms 12. Each of the radial arms 12 include a bracket 14 at the distal ends of each of the radial arms 12. The brackets 14 are often decorative in shape and design, however, as used herein a bracket is broadly defined as the portion of the radial arm where the fan blade is attached to the radial arm. Ceiling fan blades 16 are operably connected to ceiling fan 10 at brackets 14. The applique of the present invention is intended to be adhered to the downwardly facing surface 18 (herein also referred to as the visible surface) of the ceiling fan blades. 
     With reference to FIG. 2, a ceiling fan blade applique of the present invention is generally identified by reference numeral 20. Applique 20 has a front surface 22 and a rear surface 24. Front surface 22 of applique 20 contains printed matter 26. Printed matter 26 can be of any type and color. For example, the printed matter can consist of a colorful decorative theme, such as the sports theme shown in FIG. 2. Printed matter 26 can also be informational in nature, such as advertising for a particular product or services. Any of various known printing techniques can be used to apply the printed matter to the applique. 
     Rear surface 24 of applique 20 has a pressure sensitive adhesive 28 mounted thereon. Any known pressure sensitive adhesive, permanent or repositional, may be used in conjunction with the present invention. Preferably, the pressure sensitive adhesive should be of a type which does not damage the finish on the ceiling fan blade to which it is applied and which may be readily removed from the ceiling fan blade. A preferred pressure sensitive adhesive which is particularly desirable for use with the present invention is FASSON R128. 
     Applique 20 can be constructed of any thin, flexible material suitable for receiving printed matter. In a preferred embodiment, applique 20 is constructed of a thin plastic material such as polyester. The applique may also be constructed of a paper material, although less durable than plastic. To provide improved durability and finish, the applique can be laminated with any suitable thin, transparent material 29, for example, MYLAR polyester film. 
     Applied over the pressure sensitive adhesive 28 is a release liner 30 (FIG. 2). Release liner 30 prevents adhesive 28 from binding to any surface prematurely. Release liner 30 can be constructed of any suitable material for this purpose. Preferably, release liner 30 is constructed of a silicon-coated paper material. Sixty pound (60#) craft silicone coated liner has been found to be very suitable. 
     The shape of applique 20 substantially corresponds to the shape of the visible surface of a ceiling fan blade. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 depict the most common ceiling fan blade shape and, hence, the preferred shapes of the applique of the present invention. While it is preferable that the size of the blade-shaped applique is such that it covers substantially all of the ceiling fan blade, the applique may be scaled down. For example, the blade-shaped applique may be proportionally scaled down to 70% of the size of the ceiling fan blade surface. When centered on the ceiling fan blade, the visible portion of the blade surface creates a border effect around the applique. 
     With reference to FIG. 2, the shape or periphery 36 of applique 20 is defined by a first side edge 32, a second side edge 34, distal end 38 and proximal edge 40, and first side edge 32 and second side edge 34 are substantially straight and slightly taper toward proximal edge 40. Distal edge 38 curves to meet first side edge 32 and second side edge 34 at points 42 and 44, respectively. At the approximate center of distal edge 38, distal edge 38 rises to a point 46. Proximal edge 40 joins with first side edge 32 and second side edge 34 along curved portions 48 and 50, respectively. Arch portion 52 of proximal edge 40 spans and connects curved portions 48 and 50 to form proximal edge 40. In short, the shape of proximal edge 40 is determined by the shape of the bracket which connects the ceiling fan blade to the ceiling fan. 
     With reference to FIG. 3, the shape of a second embodiment of applique 20 is shown. The shape or periphery 60 of applique 20 is defined by a first side edge 62, a second side edge 64, distal end 68 and proximal edge 70. First side edge 62 and second side edge 64 are substantially straight and slightly taper toward proximal edge 70. Distal edge 68 curves to meet first side edge 62 and second side edge 64 at points 72 and 74, respectively. At the approximate center of distal edge 68, distal edge 68 rises to a point 76. Proximal edge 70 is substantially straight. Proximal edge 70 joins with and is approximately perpendicular to first side edge 62 and second side edge 64, deviating from perpendicular only by the slight taper of the side edges. Again, the shape of proximal edge 70 is determined by the shape of the bracket which connects the ceiling fan blade to the ceiling fan. 
     With reference to FIG. 4, the shape of a third embodiment of applique 20 is shown. The shape or periphery 80 of applique 20 is defined by a first side edge 82, a second side edge 84, distal end 88 and proximal edge 90. First side edge 82 and second side edge 84 are substantially straight and slightly taper toward proximal edge 90. Distal edge 88 is an elongated &#34;C&#34; shape and curves to meet first side edge 82 and second side edge 84 at points 92 and 94, respectively. Proximal edge 90 joins with first side edge 82 and second side edge 84 at points 96 and 98, respectively. Inverted arch portion 100 of proximal edge 90 spans and connects curved portions 102 and 104 to form proximal edge 90. Again, the shape of proximal edge 90 is determined by the shape of the bracket which connects the ceiling fan blade to the ceiling fan. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the applique 20 of the present invention is affixed to the downwardly facing, visible surface 18 of a ceiling fan blade 16. Because the applique corresponds to the shape of the ceiling fan blade it can be affixed to the fan blade such that substantially the entire visible surface of the fan blade is covered in the case of an applique which is not scaled down. Further, in the case where the applique of the present invention is scaled down (with respect to the size of the ceiling fan blade) by centering the applique on the ceiling fan blade a border effect is created by the visible portion of the ceiling fan blade surface (FIG. 5). 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, various changes, substitutions and modifications of this invention may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes, substitutions and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.