Abstract:
A low-profile ceiling fan which utilizes a fan assembly in a horizontal configuration is herein disclosed. The fan includes an enclosure that mounts to the ceiling. The fan has a low-profile design for low ceilings as commonly found in basements, attics, patio enclosures, mobile homes, recreational vehicles and similar locations. The fan enclosure includes at least one fluorescent lamp mounted alongside the fan. Accessories such as heaters, security cameras, a remote control, and the like are available. The fan includes a heating element and a blower to distribute heated air.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This utility patent application is a continuation of the provisional patent application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 1, 2010 and referenced by No. 61/360,692. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fans, and in particular, to a low-profile fan having a selectable heating element that is mounted to an overhead surface for distributing air to an area. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Ceiling fans are commonly used to improve airflow in homes, businesses, and other living areas. They work by more evenly distributing air layers near the ceiling that may be warmer or cooler than the layers where people are located. In doing so, they help to reduce energy bills and provide a more comfortable living environment. However, the paddle blade design is fraught with disadvantages. First, they require large amounts of ceiling space making them suitable for use only in the middle of large rooms, thus restricting the location from where they may be needed most. Second, they can be somewhat noisy and difficult to keep clean. Third, they can often be fitted with lights, but usually of the incandescent and non-energy efficient type. Finally, they require large amounts of over head clearance and are not suitable for rooms with low ceiling heights. Even if adequate clearance can be provided for the fan, the additional light assembly once again makes them a head knocking challenge. 
     Various pedestal style fans, tower fans, and portable space heaters are known and are used in locations ill-suited for a ceiling fan or other centrally air-conditioned areas. These alternatives also suffer from disadvantages and deficiencies related to design or utilization. Specifically, these devices are typically small in size and must be placed in a location where direct air flow is desired. Additionally, these devices must be repositioned and are have limited usable range due to the need to be near a power outlet. Furthermore, due to the typically low-level position and horizontal distribution of air flow these devices provide, the optimum air circulation of an area is limited and often times blocked by objects in the area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a means by which a ceiling fan can provide comfort and convenience without the disadvantages described. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present embodiments to solve at least one of these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a low-profile ceiling-mounted fan that provides the benefits of a ceiling mounted paddle fan without the risk or danger of accidental blade contact. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing the low-profile ceiling-mounted fan having a mounting tray mountable to a mounting surface, such as a ceiling, a component tray fastenable to the mounting tray, and a cover having an air inlet and air outlet that is attached to the component tray and defines an interior chamber. A fan device is attached to the component tray within the interior chamber. At least one lamp is connected to the component tray to provide illumination. A control panel is provided which is in electrical communication with the fan device and the lamp having electrical circuitry for supplying power to the fan device, the lamp, and the control panel. The fan device causes air to pass into the interior chamber through the air inlet and to pass out from the interior chamber through the air outlet. 
     In a particular embodiment, the fan device includes an elongated cylindrical blower having a plurality air directing fins for drawing air in though the air inlet and forcing air out through the air outlet. A motor is mechanically connected to the blower for rotating the blower along a longitudinal axis. An intake element is provided adjacent to the blower having at least one resistance heating element for selectably heating air drawn into the interior chamber. 
     In another embodiment, the fan device further includes a plurality of axial fans, each having a plurality air-directing radially disposed blades and a motor for rotating the blades for drawing air in though the air inlet and forcing air out through the air outlet. The intake element is disposed at a lateral end of the component tray having at least one resistance heating element for selectably heating air drawn into the interior chamber. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a low-profile, ceiling-mounted fan, according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the low-profile, ceiling-mounted fan, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the low-profile, ceiling-mounted fan, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical block diagram depicting the major electrical components of the low-profile, ceiling-mounted fan, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment, according to an alternate embodiment in accordance with the invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is an electrical block diagram depicting the major electrical components of the alternate embodiment, according to the alternate embodiment. 
       DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       
           
           
             
                 10  low-profile, ceiling-mounted fan 
                 15  mounting surface 
                 16  heated air 
                 17  ambient air 
                 20  cover 
                 21  light panel 
                 22  intake louver 
                 23  outlet louver 
                 24   a  activation button aperture 
                 24   b  receiver aperture 
                 24   c  lamp button aperture 
                 24   d  fan increase button aperture 
                 24   e  fan decrease button aperture 
                 24   f  temp increase button aperture 
                 24   g  temp decrease button aperture 
                 24   h  camera lens aperture 
                 25  latch 
                 30  mounting tray 
                 31  junction box aperture 
                 32  mounting surface aperture 
                 33  mounting tray aperture 
                 34  fastener 
                 35  component tray 
                 36  lamp 
                 37  socket 
                 38  latch aperture 
                 39  component tray aperture 
                 40  fan device 
                 41  motor 
                 42  intake element 
                 43  blower 
                 45  cable 
                 50  control panel 
                 51  activation button 
                 52  receiver 
                 53  lamp activation button 
                 54  blower increase button 
                 55  blower decrease button 
                 56  temperature increase button 
                 57  temperature decrease button 
                 58  camera 
                 59  camera plug 
                 60  remote 
                 61  remote activation button 
                 62  transmitter 
                 63  remote blower increase button 
                 64  remote blower decrease button 
                 65  remote temp increase button 
                 66  remote temp decrease button 
                 67  remote lamp activation button 
                 70  alternate embodiment 
                 71  alternate cover 
                 72  alternate intake louver 
                 73  alternate outlet louver 
                 74  alternate heating element 
                 75  alternate fan 
                 80  signal 
             
           
         
      
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4  and alternately within  FIGS. 5 and 6 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , depicting a low-profile, ceiling-mounted fan (herein described as an “apparatus”)  10  and  FIGS. 5 and 6  depicting an alternate embodiment  70 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes an apparatus  10  which provides a fan assembly utilized on an overhead and horizontal, low-clearance mounting surface  15 , such as ceilings in a basement, patio, attic, or the like. It can be appreciated that the apparatus  10  can also be mounted on vertical surfaces as well, such as walls. 
       FIG. 1  shows an environmental view of the apparatus  10  and  FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  generally includes a cover  20 , a mounting tray  30 , a component tray  35 , and other enhancing features. The apparatus  10  is utilized in both commercial and residential areas and mounts to a desired mounting surface. The apparatus  10  is preferably fabricated from a molded plastic, yet other materials can be utilized without limiting the scope of this disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , once mounted to the mounting surface  15 , the apparatus  10  heats ambient air  17  into heated air  16  which is then distributed throughout a living area in an unobstructed manner. The apparatus  10  measures approximately fifty-two (52) inches long, twelve (12) inches wide, and five (5) inches deep. Internally, the apparatus  10  includes a fan device  40 , a control panel  50 , and other mechanisms to facilitate air flow. The internal components are protected by the cover  20  this is depicted as having an arcuate shape. It can be appreciated that other shapes can be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a remote  60  (see  FIG. 4 ) which provides remote activation and deactivation functions of the apparatus  10  to the user from a distance. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the apparatus  10 . The cover  20  of the apparatus  10  includes a pair of light panels  21 , an intake louver  22 , and an outlet louver  23 . Each light panel  21  diffuses illumination provided by the internal lamps  36 , which are positioned behind to the panels  21 . Each light panel  21  is molded into the cover  20  and fabricated from a translucent plastic material in a variety of colors and patterns. The intake louver  22  provides access to the interior when the fan  40  draws in ambient air  17 . The intake louver  22  is located on an upper surface of the cover  20 . After being drawn in, the ambient air  17  is heated by an intake element  42  of the fan device  40  and then forced out by a blower  43  through the outlet louver  23  into the desired area. The intake louver  22  and outlet louver  23  provide perforations for the ambient air  17  and heated air  16  to enter and exit, respectively, they also acts as a protection against accident contact to the internal components. 
     An upper side surface of the cover  20  includes various apertures  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ,  24   d ,  24   e ,  24   f ,  24   g ,  24   h , each of which provide access to corresponding components of the control panel  50  to protrude through. For example, an activation button aperture  24   a  allows an activation button  51  to be inserted through, a receiver aperture  24   b  allows a receiver  52  to be inserted through, a lamp activation aperture  24   c  allows a lamp activation button  53  to be inserted through, a fan increase aperture  24   d  allows a fan increase button  54  to be inserted through, a fan decrease aperture  24   e  allows a fan decrease button  55  to be inserted through, a temperature increase aperture  24   f  allows a temperature increase button  56  to be inserted through, a temperature decrease aperture  24   g  allows a temperature decrease button  57  to be inserted through, and a camera lens aperture  24   h  allows a camera  58  to be inserted through. 
     Opposing lateral side surfaces of the cover  20  each includes an integrally molded flexible “L”-shaped latch  25 . The latch  25  releasably attaches the cover  20  to the component tray  35 . Each latch  25  is depressed inwardly to engage and disengage the latch apertures  38  upon the component tray  35 . 
     The component tray  35  is mounted to the mounting surface  15  by attachment to the mounting tray  30 . The mounting tray  30  includes a five (5) sided shallow platform with an open upper surface. The mounting tray  30  includes various apertures  31 ,  32 ,  33  for interconnection to an existing electrical junction box, securing to the mounting surface  15 , and securing to the component tray  35 . An intermediate portion of the mounting tray  30  includes a junction box aperture  31  which allows a length of cable  45  to be interconnected to the household or industrial electrical junction box for further supplying the apparatus  10  with power. The junction box aperture  31  is appropriately sized for insertion of the cable  45 . Surrounding the junction box aperture  31  and upon each corner of the mounting tray  30  are a plurality of mounting surface apertures  32 . The mounting surface apertures  32  allow fasteners  34 , such as screws, to be inserted and fastened and secured into the desired mounting surface  15 . The mounting tray  30  is secured into the existing structural studs within the mounting surface  15  to provide adequate support. Upward surfaces of the mounting tray  30  include a plurality of mounting tray apertures  33 . The mounting tray apertures  33  allow the component tray  35  to be positioned over the mounting tray  30  and secured by fasteners  34 . 
     The component tray  35  is a five (5) sided open bottom platform for securing the lamps  36 , fan device  40 , and control panel  50 . The component tray  35  is slightly larger than the mounting tray  30  to allow the sides of component tray  35  to be placed within the mounting tray  30 . The component tray  35  includes a plurality of component tray apertures  39  which align with the mounting tray apertures  33 . The aligned tray apertures  33 ,  39  are secured with fasteners  34  to fix the component tray  35  to the mounting tray  30 . The cover  20  is positioned over an upper surface of the component tray  35  to cover and protect the lamps  36 , fan device  40 , and control panel  50 . The latches  25  upon the cover  20  secure within respective latch apertures  38  also upon opposing upper lateral end portions of the component tray  35 . 
     The lamps  36  are linear fluorescent light bulbs. It can be appreciated that other illuminations means, such as light-emitting diodes or the like, can be utilized to illuminate the area without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The lamps  36  are preferably located at an internal upper and lower longitudinal side surfaces of the apparatus  10 , yet other locations can also be utilized. Each lamp  36  is secured and electrically connected with the control panel  50  by a pair of sockets  37 . The end portion of the lamps  36  are inserted into the respective sockets  37  in a twisting manner. The lamps  36  are interconnected by electrical wiring to the control panel  50  and to the cable  45 . The cable  45  is routed through the component tray  35  through the junction box aperture  31  upon the mounting tray  30  to the junction box. 
     The fan device  40  is fixed to an intermediate portion of the component tray  35  and includes the intake element  42  and the blower  43 . The fan device  40  is preferably a TUTCO-FARNAM© CROSS-FLOW HEATER which includes an integral motor  41  to power the intake element  42  and the blower  43 . The intake element  42  provides suction intake through a negative pressure which draws in ambient air  17  from the exterior of the apparatus  10  and heats the ambient air  17  as it passes over a resistive heating element to a desired temperature. The heated air  16  is distributed to the area by the blower  43 . The intake element  42  also includes an adjustable ceramic heater which increases the temperature of the ambient air  17 . The intake louver  22  protects users from unintentional contact with the heating element  42  and the outlet louvers  23  protect users from unintentional contact with the blower  43 . The fan device  40  is electrically connected by electrical wiring to the control panel  50  and to the cable  45 . 
     The control panel  50  includes a plurality of buttons  51 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57 , a receiver  52 , and associated electronic devices, such as an integrated circuit which controls the functional features of the apparatus  10 . An activation button  51  activates and deactivates the apparatus  10 , the receiver  52  receives a signal  80  from the remote  60  to control various functional settings, a lamp activation button  53  activates and deactivates the lamps  36 , a blower increase button  54  and a blower decrease button  55  control the speed of the blower  43 , and a temperature increase button  56  and temperature decrease button  57  control the temperature of the intake element  42 . The control panel  50  electrically connected by electrical wiring to the cable  45  and to the junction box. The buttons  51 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57  and the receiver  52  are inserted through a respective aperture  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c ,  24   d ,  24   e ,  24   f ,  24   g  upon the cover  20 . Each button  51 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57  is a pushbutton electrical switch; however it can be appreciated that other electrical switches can be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The control panel  50  is connected to a security camera  58  by a camera plug  59 . The camera  58  is a closed-circuit television camera including internal components which enable transmission to a reviewing unit (not shown). Alternately, the apparatus  10  can exclude the camera  58  and camera plug  59  for other embodiments of the apparatus  10 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an electrical block diagram depicting the major electrical components of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  is electrically connected to the junction box by the cable  45  which provides electrical power to the buttons  51 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 , receiver  52 , lamp  36 , and fan device  40 . Actuation of the activation button  51  transmits power to the receiver  52 , other buttons  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57 , and camera  58 . The activated receiver  52  receives a signal  80  from the remote  60  to control the lamps  36  and fan device  40 . The user can activate and deactivate the lamps  36  and fan device  40  as desired by the respective buttons  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57 . 
     The remote  60  includes a durable plastic shell which houses a transmitter  62  and remote buttons  61 ,  63 ,  64 ,  65 ,  66 ,  67  which correspond to the buttons  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57  of the control panel  50 . A remote activation button  61  activates the apparatus  10 , a remote blower increase button  63  and remote blower decrease button  64  controls the speed of the blower  43 , a remote temp increase button  65  and remote temp decrease button  66  controls the temperature of the intake element  42 , and a remote lamp activation button  67  controls the lamps  36 . The remote  60  is supplied with power from a user replaceable battery which is housed within the remote  60 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment  70  and  FIG. 6  shows an electrical block diagram depicting the major electrical components of the alternate embodiment  70 . The alternate embodiment  70  includes an alternate cover  71  and alternate heating element  74  and alternate fan  75  utilized to provide air flow to the area. The alternate embodiment  70  is suspended from the mounting surface  15  by the mounting tray  30 . The alternate cover  71  is similar to the cover  20  and includes an alternate intake louver  72  and an alternate outlet louver  73  which correspond to the positioning of an alternate heating element  74  and a plurality of alternate fans  75 , respectively. The alternate intake louver  72  is positioned upon a lateral side surface of the alternate cover  71  to correspond to the position of the alternate heating element  74 . The alternate heating element  74  is a resistive heating element, such as a ceramic heater, which is separated from the alternate fan  75 . The ambient air  17  is drawn through the alternate intake louver  72  and is heated by the alternate heating element  74  to a desired temperature. The heated air  16  is then distributed through the alternate outlet louver  73  by the alternate fans  75 . The alternate fans  75  include of up to four (4) axial fans which include a plurality of blades, a shaft, and a motor. The alternate fans  75  are located at an intermediate position upon the component tray  35  and are aligned in a linear and parallel manner. The alternate embodiment  70  is electrically connected to the junction box and current is routed through the control panel  50  and associated buttons  51 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57 , receiver  52 , camera  58 , and to the lamps  36 , alternate heating element  74  and alternate fan  75 . 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only two particular configurations have be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it is installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . After initial purchase or acquisition of the alternate embodiment  70 , it is installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  can be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; installing the mounting tray  30  onto the mounting surface  15  by aligning the junction box aperture  31  with the junction box and securing each mounting surface aperture  32  with a fastener  34 ; routing the cable  45  from the component tray  35  through the junction box aperture  31  and into the junction box; installing the component tray  35  onto the mounting tray  30  by aligning each component tray aperture  39  with the respective mounting tray apertures  33  and securing with a fastener  34 ; fixing the cover  20  onto the component tray  35  by engaging the latches  25  with the respective latch apertures  38  upon the component tray  35 ; activating the apparatus  10  by the activation button  51  and controlling lamps  36  and fan device  40  with the respective buttons  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57 ; and, utilizing the remote  60  to control the apparatus  10 . 
     The method of utilizing the alternate embodiment  70  can be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the alternate embodiment  70 ; installing the mounting tray  30  onto the mounting surface  15  by aligning the junction box aperture  31  with the junction box and securing each mounting surface aperture  32  with a fastener  34 ; routing the cable  45  from the component tray  35  through the junction box aperture  31  and into the junction box; installing the component tray  35  onto the mounting tray  30  by aligning each component tray aperture  39  with the respective mounting tray apertures  33  and securing with a fastener  34 ; fixing the alternate cover  71  onto the component tray  35  by engaging the latches  25  with the respective latch apertures  38  upon the component tray  35 ; activating the apparatus  10  by the activation button  51  and controlling lamps  36 , alternate heating element  74 , and alternate fans  75  with the respective buttons  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57 ; utilizing the remote  60  to control the apparatus  10 ; and utilizing the apparatus  10  to control the air flow in the area. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.