Abstract:
A self-contained, easy to assemble, low cost, universal, and safe fan for use on a pole. The fan can oscillate in either a horizontal or vertical direction. The fan can rotate about the pole. The fan can be positioned in multiple directions and positions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/938,667, filed May 17, 2007, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention is directed to a fan, more particularly to a fan for attachment on a pole. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A self-contained, easy to assemble, low cost, universal, and safe fan for use on an umbrella and/or patio pole would enhance outside entertaining in warm weather. Some design considerations include the umbrella canopy being open and closed, the variations in the size of the umbrella pole, the availability of power and the desire to position the fans for maximum comfort. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An embodiment of the invention provides an electric fan including attachment means for removably coupling a fan to a free-standing pole, wherein the attachment means is adaptable for a wide range of pole diameters (or transvers lengths) and shapes; and coupling means for attaching the fan to the attachment means, wherein the fan is capable of manually and/or automatically rotating. 
         [0007]    An alternate embodiment provides an electric fan including attachment means for removably coupling a plurality of fans to a pole, wherein the attachment means is adaptable for a wide range of pole diameters and shapes, and coupling means for attaching the fans to the attachment means, wherein the fans are capable of manual and/or automatic rotation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view from above showing an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view from below showing the invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an environmental view showing the invention of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in an alternative configuration. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    To one of skill in this art who has the benefit of this invention&#39;s realizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantages will be appreciated from the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description illustrates certain preferred embodiments and is not to be used to improperly limit the scope of the invention, which may have other equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments. 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the invention provide an electric fan having attachment means for removably coupling a fan to a pole, wherein the attachment means is adaptable for a wide range of pole diameters and shapes, and coupling means for attaching the fan to the attachment means, wherein the fan is capable of rotating. In some embodiments, the fan may rotate about 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, or 45 degrees and points in between about an axis that is parallel to the pole. In other embodiments, the fan may rotate about 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, or 45 degrees and points in between about an axis that is perpendicular to the pole. In some embodiments, there is a plurality of fans. 
         [0013]    Like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Features of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description of embodiments of the invention, which is given only for illustration of the invention and is not intended to be limiting thereof. 
         [0014]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a preferred embodiment of an invention for a fan  10  includes an attachment means  12 , and one or more fans  14 . In a preferred embodiment, the attachment means  12  is coupled to a pole  16 . In one embodiment, the pole  16  may be such as that found for supporting a patio umbrella. In other embodiments, the pole  16  may be free standing. The term “free standing” means the pole may be attached to a support on either one or both ends. 
         [0015]    In a preferred embodiment, there are two fans  14  coupled to the attachment means  12 . In alternative embodiments, there may be one, three, four or more fans  14 , provided the operation of the fans  14  is not compromised. The fans  14  are preferably evenly spaced about the pole  16 . In some embodiments, the fans  14  are made of material suitable for outdoor use. In a preferred embodiment, the fans  14  are electrically powered. Some examples of how the electricity is provided include, but are not limited to, a power cord, batteries or solar energy. In some embodiments of the invention, the fans  14  are oscillating fans and/or capable of a plurality of speeds. In some embodiments, the oscillation may be about 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, or 45 degrees and points in between about an axis parallel to the pole. In other embodiments, the fans oscillate about an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis defined by the pole. 
         [0016]    The attachment means  12  includes a member  18 , adjustable coupling means  20 , locking means  22  and control means  24 . In some embodiments, the attachment member  12  is a single unit. In other embodiments, the attachment member  12  is a plurality of connected pieces. The plurality of pieces may be connected together by mechanical means or may be molded together or any such means which would accommodate the attachment member  12  and its parts to be coupled. The attachment member  12  may be made of any material suitable for outdoor use, such as, but not limited to, plastic or metal. In some embodiments, the attachment means  12  is rotationally adjustable on the pole  16 , longitudinally adjustable on the pole  16 , or both. Preferably, the member  18  is substantially horizontal, but may be any orientation that allows for operation of the fans  14  and does not interfere with the function of the attachment means  12 . The member  18  may also orientate the plurality of fans  14  independently of each other. The member  18  preferably includes directional coupling means  26  for coupling the fans  14  to the attachment means  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the directional coupling means  26  allow the fans  14  to be rotated about the axis of the member  18  and/or about an axis parallel to pole  16 . In some embodiments, the fans  14  may be rotated about 360 degrees, about 270 degrees, about 180 degrees, about 90 degrees, about 45 degrees, or any incremental amount of degrees about the member  18 . In a preferred embodiment, the directional coupling means  26  include a post  28  to couple the fan  14  to the directional coupling means  26 . Although the directional coupling means  26  is illustrated as a rotating knob to facilitate the attachment of the fan  14  to the member  18 , other methods to facilitate the attachment of the fan  14  to the member  18  are contemplated as being included in the present invention, and include without limitation, apertures, studs, screws, hook and pile fasteners, mechanical fasteners, clamps and the like. 
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable coupling means  20  is a collar that secures about the pole  16 . The collar includes an interior ring  30  whose diameter may be adjusted to fit a wide variety of pole diameters and shapes. Although a circular cross-section pole  16  is illustrated, other cross-sections of poles are contemplated and include, but are not limited to, square, triangle, oval, rectangular, or polygonal. In some embodiments, the diameter of the ring  30  is adjusted by a rotatable knob which increases or decreases the diameter of the ring  30 . Although a rotatable knob is described to adjust the diameter of the ring  30 , other methods to facilitate the adjustment of the diameter of the ring  30  are contemplated as being included in the present invention, and include without limitation, apertures, studs, screws, hook and pile fasteners, mechanical fasteners, clamps, screws, and the like. In those embodiments designed to couple with a pole having any shape, ring  30  may be formed of a soft, deformable material which may conform to the pole shape. In such embodiments, the ring  30  may be surrounded by a more rigid collar. In other embodiments, the adjustable coupling means  20  may be tightened or loosened by rotating the adjustable coupling means  20  about the pole  16  in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the attachment means  12  includes two parts and the locking means  22  couples the two parts together. Although a latch is shown as a locking means  22  for coupling the attachment means  12  to the pole  16 , other methods to facilitate the coupling of the attachment means  12  to the pole  16  are contemplated as being included in the present invention, and include without limitation, apertures, studs, screws, hook and pile fasteners, mechanical fasteners, pivoting mechanism, clamps and the like. 
         [0019]    The control means  24  operates the fans  14 . In a preferred embodiment, the control means  24  includes an on/off switch  24   a  and a speed dial  24   b . In some embodiments, there may only be an on/off switch  24   a . In other embodiments, there may only be a speed dial  24   b . In a preferred embodiment, there are an equal number of control means  24  to fans  14 . Alternatively, a single control means  24  may be used to control all of the fans  14  including a variable speed. The fan  14  is any fan known to one skilled in the art for circulating air which can be adapted to be coupled to the attachment means  12 . In some embodiments, the fans  14  are synchronously operated. In other embodiments, the fans  14  are operated independently of each other. 
         [0020]    In an alternate embodiment, the attachment means  12  may be a single piece that slides onto the pole  16 , and the ring  30  is adjusted to secure the attachment means to the pole  16 . In another embodiment, the pole  16  may include a base to support the pole. In alternate embodiments, the member  18  may pivot horizontally to the pole  16 . In another alternate embodiment, the member  18  may pivot vertically to the pole  16 . 
         [0021]    Alternative embodiments of the invention provide an electric fan having attachment means for removably coupling a fan to a free-standing pole, wherein the attachment means is adaptable for a wide range of pole diameters and shapes, and coupling means for attaching the fan to the attachment means, wherein the fan is capable of rotating. In some embodiments, the fan may rotate about 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, or 45 degrees and points in between about an axis that is perpendicular to the pole. 
         [0022]    In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention and the embodiments disclosed herein are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends set forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It is realized that changes are possible within the scope of this invention, and it is further intended that each element or step recited is to be understood as referring to all equivalent elements or steps. The description is intended to cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever forms it may be utilized.