Air freshener apparatus for ceiling fans

An air freshener apparatus having a recess defined by a tray, two sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom with overlapping flanges, and an upstanding end wall slidably received on a blade of a ceiling fan with a foam pad impregnated with a scent material received in the recess. Two hook-like arms extend outwardly from the tray for slidingly holding the air freshener apparatus on an upper surface of the fan blade.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to air fresheners. More particularly, the 
present invention relates to an air freshener having a slidably 
replaceable scent material that mounts to a fan blade of a ceiling fan. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The use of ceiling fans has increased in response to increased costs for 
cooling and heating of homes, offices, restaurants, and like facilities. 
Operation of the ceiling fans stirs the air and causes the air to 
circulate. Warmed air that collects near the ceiling moves to the floor; 
cool air that collects near the floor moves to the ceiling. Such 
circulation of air makes more effective use of the heated or cooled air. 
Movement of the air further distributes odors and smells that may occur in 
a room. Such odors may arise from cooking of foods, burning wood in 
fireplaces, smoking cigarettes and pipes, and the like. Often it is 
desirable to deodorize a room to eliminate such obnoxious odors. In other 
circumstances, a pleasant odor may provide simply a refreshing atmosphere 
for a room in which persons gather. 
There are devices in the prior art which cooperate with ceiling fans to 
deodorize the air of a room. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,898 issued 
to Glaser describes an air freshener dispenser with a mounting element 
that is fixed to a fan blade by an adhesive. A case releasably joins with 
a hook-and-loop fastener to the mounting element. The case contains an air 
freshening material. Slots in the case expose the air freshening material 
to the air in the room. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,819 issued to Murcin et al describes a deodorizing 
device which clips to a fan blade to hold a scent package thereon. A pair 
of U-shaped clip members have legs that terminate in U-shaped end 
portions. The end portions surmount about the lateral edges of a fan 
blade. Spring members or straps connect between the clip members and 
overlie the air freshener package which contains a scent. 
While accomplishing the goal of deodorizing the air in a room, these 
devices still have drawbacks. The devices are securely fixed to the fan 
blade, such as with adhesive, springs, or straps. Such attachment may 
require special installation or assembly of parts for removably fixing the 
device. Improper positioning of a device may create an imbalance for the 
fan, resulting in wobble and in erratic performance. A device fixed with 
adhesive may be difficult to remove and reposition. A device removedly 
fixed with springs requires assembly of interlocking parts which slidingly 
engage the lateral edges of the fan blade. The scent package must be 
properly positioned with the springs to assure that the package does not 
fly off during operation of the fan. 
Springs or elastomeric straps, however, may permit the device to slide 
outwardly during high rotation of the fan. Slippage of a device on one fan 
blade may cause the fan to become unbalanced during operation. An 
unbalanced fan risks damage to the fan or nearby articles or possible 
injury to persons. 
The scent material must also be replaced after exhaustion. In some prior 
art devices, replacement of the scent material involves removal of the old 
spent case and installation of a new case fitted with scent material. For 
another device, replacement of the scent material may require partial 
disassembly of the device. 
Therefore there is a need in the art for an air freshener that mounts 
easily to a fan blade and that facilitates replacement of the scent 
material. 
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
Generally described, the present invention provides an air freshener 
apparatus that slidably mounts to a tapered fan blade for receiving means 
for emitting a deodorizing scent. 
More particularly described, the air freshener apparatus comprises a tray 
with two upstanding sidewalls and an end wall. The sidewalls are L-shaped 
to have an upper flange extending towards the opposite sidewall. The 
sidewalls and the end wall define a recess for receiving a foam pad 
impregnated with a scent material. Hook-like arms extend outwardly from 
the tray and slidably engage the lateral sides of the fan blade so that 
the apparatus does not fly off of the blade during operation of the fan. 
The end wall and the sidewalls hold the foam pad in the tray. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air 
freshener apparatus for ceiling fans. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an air freshener 
apparatus that easily installs on a ceiling fan. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an air freshener 
apparatus that easily receives a scent material for deodorizing air. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an air freshener 
apparatus that mounts to a blade of a ceiling fan for deodorizing air 
during operation of the fan. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-balancing 
air freshener apparatus for a ceiling fan. 
These and other objectives, features, and advantages will become apparent 
from a reading of the following detailed description of the invention and 
claims in view of the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals 
indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows an upper 
and left perspective view of an air freshener apparatus 10 constructed in 
accordance with the present invention. The air freshener apparatus 10 
comprises a planar tray 12 having a pair of upstanding sidewalls 14 and an 
upstanding end wall 16. The sidewalls 14 in cross-sectional view are 
L-shaped. Each sidewall 14 has a flange 18 along an upper portion of the 
sidewall, for a purpose discussed below. Each of the flanges 18 extend 
inwardly towards the opposite sidewall 14 and covers a portion 22 of the 
tray 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the flanges 18 extend inwardly 
from an upper edge 20 of the respective sidewall 14. An alternate 
embodiment (not illustrated) includes a third flange that extends inwardly 
from the upper edge of the end wall 16. 
The sidewalls 14 and the end wall 16 cooperate with the tray 12 to define a 
recess 24 with an open end 25 in the tray. The recess 24 receives a scent 
material for emission as a deodorant. In the illustrated embodiment, the 
recess 24 receives a foam pad 26 which includes a scent material 28. The 
scent material 28 is applied to an upper surface 30 of the foam pad 26. 
The foam pad 26 is sized for being slidingly received within the recess 24 
through the open end 25. The scent preferably is embedded in the scent 
material 28 which is applied to the foam pad 30. The scent material 28 is 
exposed to moving air as the fan operates, and the emitted scent 
deodorizes the air. 
The flanges discussed above hold the foam pad 26 in the tray 22. The 
flanges restrict the foam pad 26 from exiting the tray 12 during operation 
of the ceiling fan to which the apparatus 10 is attached. Another 
alternate embodiment (not illustrated) includes a grid or lattice 
connected between the sidewalls 14 for this purpose. 
In a preferred embodiment, the scent material 28 is a hot melt glue applied 
in a heated viscous state to the foam pad 26. The fluidal scent material 
28 partially migrates into the foam pad 26. The scent material 28 then 
cools and cures with a portion of the scent material dried within the 
interstices of the foam pad 26. This portion anchors the bulk of the scent 
material 28 to the upper surface of the foam pad 26. In a preferred 
embodiment, the foam pad 26 is three inches by three inches with four 
parallel beads of scent material 28. 
A pair of arms 32 extend laterally from the tray 12 to hold the apparatus 
10 to a fan blade 33, as illustrated in FIG. 2. A distal end 34 of each 
arm 32 forms an inwardly facing hook 36. Each of the hooks 36 slidingly 
overlaps a respective lateral edge 37 of the tapered fan blade 23 for 
holding the air freshener apparatus 10 on the fan blade of a ceiling fan 
39. The arms 32 preferably are narrow straps that extend outwardly from 
the tray 12. It is preferred that the arms 32 be positioned between the 
open end 25 and the middle of the tray 12. The arms 32 in the illustrated 
embodiment are integral with the tray 12. The apparatus 10 is preferably 
molded of a plastic material which is strong, lightweight, and 
inexpensive. In an alternate embodiment, the arms 32 are narrow thin metal 
straps which are riveted to the tray 12. The distal end 34 of each metal 
arm 32 is bent to form the hook 36. 
The distance between the hook ends 36 of the arms 32 is intermediate the 
widths of the tapered fan blade 33 at its narrow end 40 and its wide end 
42 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Known fan blades typically taper about 1 to 2 
inches from narrow near the fan motor to wide outwardly of the motor. For 
example, some of these fan blades taper the narrow end to the wide end 
from 4 inches to 51/2 inches; others taper from 51/2 inches to 61/2 
inches. The distance between the hook ends 36 of the arms 32 is preferably 
about 4 to 5 inches. Most fan blades could be readily accommodated by one 
of two embodiments. In one embodiment, the distance between the hook ends 
36 is 4 11/16 inches; in the other embodiment the distance is 5 11/16 
inches. 
As illustrated in perspective view in FIG. 2, the air freshener apparatus 
10 attaches to the tapered fan blade 33 of the ceiling fan 39 for 
deodorizing the air of a room. The tray 12 is placed on the upper surface 
of the fan blade 33 between the ends 40 and 42. The hook ends 36 of the 
arms 32 extend outwardly from the lateral sides 37 of the fan blade 33. As 
discussed above, the width between the hooks 36 is intermediate the widths 
of the narrow and wide ends 40 and 42 of the fan blade 33. The tray 12 is 
then moved outwardly along the fan blade 33 so that the hooks 36 contact 
the side edges 37 of the fan blade. 
The foam pad 26 is slidingly inserted into the recess 24 through the open 
end 25 of the tray 12 to abut a leading side 26a of the foam pad against 
the end wall 16. The flanges 18 overlap the upper surface of the pad 26 to 
hold the pad in the recess 24. 
The ceiling fan 39 is then operated in order to move the scent material 28 
through the air for deodorizing. The centrifugal force of the fan 39 pulls 
the tray 12 outwardly towards the wide end 42 of the blade 33. The tapered 
blade 33 stops the apparatus 10 from sliding off the spinning blade 33. 
The hooks 36 reach a maximum extent on the blade 33 where the blade width 
equals the distance between the hooks. The end wall 16 of the apparatus 10 
cooperates with the flanges 18 to hold the foam pad 26 in the recess 24 
during operation of the ceiling fan 39. The end wall 16 and the flanges 18 
restrict the foam pad 26 from coming out of the recess 24, due to the 
centrifugal force of the fan. 
The air freshener apparatus of the present invention accordingly is 
self-balancing when used on a fan. A four-blade fan requires at least one 
pair of the apparatus 10. Each one of the pair is slidingly received on 
opposite blades. A five-blade fan requires an apparatus 10 on each blade. 
As the fan rotates, the apparatus 10 on each blade slides an equal 
distance outwardly on the blade, until the hook ends 36 lock against the 
side 37 of the blade 33. 
An alternate embodiment (not illustrated) is adapted to have laterally 
adjustable hook ends 36. The hook ends 36 are thereby movable towards and 
away from the tray so that the apparatus is selectively positionable at a 
predetermined distance from the fan on the fan blade. Setting the hook 
ends 36 a greater distance apart results in the apparatus 10 being 
positioned outwardly on the fan blade 33 a greater distance from the fan 
39. In using such adjustable embodiment, care would have to be exercised 
to set each of the apparatus 10 with the same spacing for the hook ends, 
in order to keep the fan in balance. 
FIG. 3 illustrates an upper and left perspective view of a preferred 
embodiment of the air freshener apparatus 10 with an insertable cross arm 
50 for holding the air freshener apparatus on the fan blade. Each of the 
side walls 14 includes a notch 52 of a first width and each of the flanges 
18 includes a notch 54 of a second width. The notches 52 and 54 are 
preferably co-axial and aligned with the matching notches in the opposite 
flange 18. A pair of spaced-apart cross members 56 extend between the side 
flanges 18, for a purpose discussed below. In the illustrated embodiment, 
one cross member 56 is disposed on each side of a line defined by the 
notches 52 and 54 on opposite sides at the tray 12. 
The cross arm 50 comprises an elongate member 58 of a predetermined length. 
The distal ends 60 each include a flange 62 that extends down and a flange 
64 that extends inwardly therefrom. The flanges 62 and 64 cooperate to 
define an L-shape hook 65 at the distal ends 60. In a preferred 
embodiment, a first side 66 of the elongate member 58 is shorter than a 
second side 68. This enables the distal ends 60 to have a slight taper for 
being matingly received on a tapered blade of a ceiling fan. The taper 
facilitates the air freshener apparatus 10 slidingly moving outwardly on 
the fan blade 33. As discussed above, the air freshener apparatus 10 
self-balances the ceiling fan during operation thereof. For example, a 
four-blade fan requires an even number of the air fresheners 10. If two of 
the air fresheners are used, one is placed on each of an aligned pair of 
the fan blades. A five-blade fan would use one air freshener 10 on each 
blade. 
The elongate member 58 further includes two sets 70 of a pair of slots 72 
and 74 extending inwardly from the sides 66 and 68 respectively. The slots 
72 and 74 are aligned and define a gap 76 which is received in the notch 
52. The gap 76 accordingly is less than the width of the notch 52. The 
edges of the notches 52 and 54 extend through the slots 72 and 74, so that 
the cross arm 50 seats against the planar tray 12 of the air freshener 
apparatus 10. The distal ends 60 of the cross arm 50 extend outwardly from 
the side walls 14 with the hook ends 65 disposed downwardly of the tray 
12. 
The air freshener apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 is used by first 
connecting the cross arm 50 to the side walls 14. As discussed above, 
blades for ceiling fans differ in width. The cross arm 50 having a length 
appropriate for the fan is selected. For example, cross arms 50 having 
lengths of 4 11/16 inches or 5 11/16 inches will accommodate most known 
fan blades. The slots 72 and 74 are aligned with the notches 52 and 54 in 
the side walls 14. The cross arm 50 is then snapped into place by pressing 
downwardly thereon towards the inner surface of the tray 12. The slots 72 
and 74 have a width slightly greater than the thickness of the side wall 
14 for receiving the edge of the notches 52 and 54 therethrough. The 
longer side 68 if the cross arm 50 is positioned on the side of the tray 
12 having the end flange 16. This positions the tapered hooks 65 
appropriately for being slidingly received on the tapered blade 33. In an 
alternate embodiment, arrows or other directional symbols molded into the 
cross arm 50 and the tray 12 assist positioning the cross arm. In another 
alternate embodiment, the first notch 52 on one side 18 has a width 
different than the notch 52 on the opposite side wall. The gap 76 for the 
respective sets 70 of slots 72 and 74 likewise are of different values, 
which correspond to the widths of the notches 52. In this manner, the 
cross arm 50 is inserted so as to facilitate the tray 12 being slidingly 
received on the fan blade 33. 
The foam pad 26 is then slidingly inserted into the recess 24 through the 
open end 25 of the tray 12. The foam pad 26 slides under the pair of cross 
members 56 and over the upper surface of the cross arm 50. The cross 
members 56 hold the foam pad 26 in the recess 24 and restrain the foam pad 
26 from coming out of the air freshener 10 during use. 
The air freshening apparatus 10 is then attached to one of the fan blades 
33 of a ceiling fan. As discussed above, tray 12 is placed on the fan 
blade 33 with the hook ends 65 outwardly of the lateral sides 37 of the 
blade. In the illustrated embodiment, the longer side 68 of the cross arm 
50 is positioned outwardly of the shorter side 66. The tapered hook ends 
65 slidingly pass along the edge 37 until the width of the fan blade 33 
exceeds the length of the longer side 68. Other air freshener apparatus 10 
are positioned on the fan blades and moved outwardly. 
With the appropriate air fresheners 10 positioned on the blades 33, the 
ceiling fan 39 remains in balance during operation. Centrifugal force 
pulls each tray 12 outwardly on the respective blade 33 an equal amount, 
so that the air fresheners 10 balance the fan. The tapered hooks 65 
facilitate the air fresheners 10 sliding outwardly on the blade. During 
operation of the ceiling fan 39, the cross members 56 cooperate with the 
flanges 18 and end wall 16 to hold the foam pad 26 in the recess 24. 
The air freshener apparatus of the present invention provides a 
self-balancing scented deodorizer for ceiling fans. The operation of the 
fan positions each apparatus 10 on its respective blade equi-distant from 
the fan. This maintains the fan in balance during operation. The apparatus 
rests on the upper surface of the fan blade and is lightweight and 
unobtrusive. 
The specification has thus described various embodiments, including a 
preferred embodiment, of the present invention, including the assembly and 
use thereof. It is to be understood, however, that numerous changes and 
variations may be made in the construction of the present invention. It 
should therefore be further understood that modification of the present 
invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof as set 
forth in the appended claims.