Abstract:
An electric fan with more than one operational configuration is disclosed, comprising a fan unit, a first support element and a second support element. In one operational configuration, the fan unit rests on top of the first support element and generates a horizontally oscillating airflow. In another configuration, the fan unit rests on top of the second support element and generates a vertically oscillating airflow.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a fan assembly, and more particularly to an electric fan with more than one operational configuration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A great variety of consumer fans are known in the industry. Fans of various operational capabilities have been configured for uses in different conditions and locations. For example, some fans have speed or height adjustability, or noise reduction features. Certain fans are configured as floor fans intended to circulate air in a good-sized area, such as a living room. Others are manufactured as desk fans intended for personal use. The present invention provides a method for enhancing the operational versatility of a fan and a fan having such operational versatility. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a fan assembly with two operational configurations. In one configuration, the fan body is attached to and rests on top of a support member. In another configuration, the fan body is tilted approximately 90 degrees, and operates on top of a second support member. 
     Preferably, the fan body comprises an elongated spinning drum having a plurality of fan blades encased in a substantially cylindrical fan housing. The fan housing includes a substantially tubular portion that is rotatable and oscillatable during operation. In the first or upright configuration, the fan generates a transversely oscillating airflow. In the second or horizontal configuration, the fan generates a vertically oscillating airflow. 
     In addition, the present invention discloses a method for enhancing the operational versatility of a fan. Two support members attachable to a fan are provided. One support member is used to support the fan in a first or upright position. Another support member is used to support the fan in a second or horizontal position. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a fan assembly comprising an elongated spinning drum having a plurality of fan blades encased in a substantially cylindrical fan housing, which includes a substantially tubular portion that is rotatable. The tubular portion includes at least one grille member with varied thickness in a circumferential direction about the fan drum. Preferably, the thickness of the grille member decreases in the direction opposite to the rotation of the fan drum, creating a tapered portion for the grille member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following description of the embodiments in accordance with the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals reference like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top, front perspective view of a fan assembly in a first operational configuration in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded, rear perspective view of the  FIG. 1  fan assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top, front perspective view of the  FIG. 1  fan assembly in a second operational configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded, front perspective view of the  FIG. 4  fan assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a top, front perspective view of another embodiment of a fan assembly in a first operational configuration in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view of the  FIG. 6  fan assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a top, front perspective view of the  FIG. 6  fan assembly in a second operational configuration; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 , taken along section lines A—A. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1–4 , an illustrative embodiment of a fan assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a fan body  10 , a first support member  20 , and a second support member  30 . 
     The fan body  10  comprises a fan (not shown), preferably an elongated spinning drum having a plurality of fan blades, situated inside a substantially cylindrical fan housing, which includes a substantially tubular portion  11 , a first end cap member  12 , a second end cap member  13 , and at least one ventilation opening  14 , preferably a grille. The substantially tubular portion  11  is preferably rotatable with respect to the end cap members  12  and  13 . The end cap members  12  and  13  define a first surface  15  and a second surface  16  substantially perpendicular to the first surface  15 . 
     Preferably, the end cap member  12  includes a first receiving member  17  on the first surface  15 . Similarly, the end cap members  12  and  13  each includes a second receiving member  18  on the second surface  16 . The receiving members  17  and  18  are present to enable the first and second support members  20  and  30  to be attached to the fan body  10 , respectively, which is described in further detail below. As such, the receiving members  17  and  18  may take any suitable form, including a socket, a clip, a clamp, and any other connecting, coupling or locking mechanisms. Preferably, however, the first receiving member  17  is in the form of a socket and the second receiving member  18  includes at least one clip. 
     In operation, a user may choose a first or upright operational configuration by attaching the fan body  10  to the first support member  20  via the first receiving member  17  and a first attaching member  21 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In addition to the first attaching member  21 , the first support member  20  preferably includes a locking clip  22 , which may be spring loaded. The fan body  10  is securely attached to the first support member  20  by inserting the first attaching member  21  into the first receiving member  17 , and securing the position using the locking clip to prevent the first attaching member  21  from slipping out of the first receiving member  17 . 
     In this first or upright operational configuration, the substantially tubular portion  11  of the fan housing rotates circumferentially about the fan drum (not shown), and oscillates back and forth to generate a transverse airflow moving in radial directions away from a rotation axis defined by the rotations of the fan drum and the tubular portion  11 . The first support member  20  may be detached from the fan body  10  for easy storage or in preparation of operating the fan assembly in a second or horizontal configuration. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second or horizontal operational configuration is formed by attaching the fan body  10  to the second support member  30  via the second receiving member  18  and a second attaching member  31 . The fan body  10  is securely attached to the second support member  30  by inserting the second attaching member  31  into the second receiving member  18 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , such that the second receiving member  18  securely clips into the second attaching member  31 . Note that the relative male-to-female roles of the receiving members  17  and  18  and their corresponding attaching members  21  and  31  may be reversed without deviating from the principles of the present invention. 
     In the second configuration, therefore, the substantially tubular portion  11  of the fan housing rotates circumferentially about the fan drum (not shown), and oscillates back and forth to generate a vertically oscillating airflow moving in radial directions away from the rotation axis of the fan drum and the tubular portion  11 . The second support member  30  may be detached from the fan body  10  for easy storage or in preparation of operating the fan assembly in the first configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6–8 , another embodiment of a fan assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a fan body  40 , a first support member  50 , and a second support member  60 . 
     Similar to the first embodiment, the fan body  40  comprises a fan (not shown)—preferably an elongated spinning drum having a plurality of fan blades—situated inside a substantially cylindrical fan housing, which includes a substantially tubular portion  41 , a first end cap member  42 , a second end cap member  43 , and at least one ventilation opening  44 , preferably a grille. The substantially tubular portion  41  is preferably rotatable with respect to the end cap members  42  and  43 . 
     In this embodiment, however, the first supporting member  50  and the first end cap member  42  are one and the same. That is, the fan body  40  rests on the first end cap member  42  when the fan assembly operates in a first or vertical configuration. The fan assembly generates a transversely oscillating airflow similar to the fan assembly of the first embodiment described above. 
     To use the fan assembly in a second or horizontal configuration, one simply tilts the fan assembly approximately 90 degrees such that the fan assembly rests on the second support member  60 , which is preferably attached fixedly to the fan body  40 . As illustrated, the second support member  60  preferably comprises four legs  61  connected by a U-shaped tube  62 . The U-shaped tube  62  adds structural integrity to the fan assembly and is an optional feature. The second support member  60  may additionally include a handle bar  63  for easy handling. In this second configuration, the fan assembly generates a vertically oscillating airflow similar to the fan assembly of the first embodiment described above. 
     The uniqueness of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6–8  is that the fan assembly is a whole unit, with both of the supporting members  50  and  60  already attached. As such, this embodiment is most suitably used as a personal unit on top of a desk, for example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a fan body similar to fan bodies  10  and  40  may increase the air outflow by employing a grille member with varied thickness in a circumferential direction about the fan drum. It is believed that pockets of air currents that form small eddies or vortexes inside a traditional fan unit having a fan grille of uniform thickness are reduced by using a grille member with varied thickness. With the absence or a reduction of conflicting air currents inside the fan housing, the air outflow from a fan assembly will increase, and the fan assembly may be used more efficiently. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the thickness of a grille member  80  in accordance with the present invention decreases in a circumferential direction about the fan drum  70  opposite to the rotation of the fan drum  70 , creating a tapered portion  81  for the grille member  80 . 
     Although the invention herein has been described with references to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments are merely illustrative of, and are not intended as a limitation upon, the principles and application of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that various modifications may be made to the above mentioned embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     For example, the fan bodies  10  and  40  as described above may comprise a fan housing with a stationary tubular portion  11  or  41 , respectively, resulting in a constant and stationary airflow.