FAN QUICK RELEASE

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a fan quick release mechanism. In one example embodiment, the fan quick release may include: an upper coupling that attaches to a downrod hanging from a ceiling, a lower coupling that attaches to a fan/light/other electrical appliance, and a locking pin that couples the upper and lower couplings as desired. To further facilitate ease of assembly, electrical quick disconnects may be positioned within the respective upper and lower coupling assemblies—wherein coupling of the upper and lower couplings also results in the electrical quick disconnects electrically coupling as well.

BACKGROUND

The instant disclosure relates to lighting, fans, and other electrical appliances. In one embodiment, the instant disclosure relates to outdoor hanging fans.

b. Background Art

When heavy winds are predicted from a storm or hurricane an outdoor fan hanging from a downrod may blow around and damage an outdoor ceiling fan's blades and ceiling fan motor housing (collectively “fan”), windows and/or the structure itself.

The ceiling on which a downrod and ceiling fan are hanging may be difficult to reach and disconnect the downrod and/or fan.

The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate the present field and should not be taken as a disavowal of claim scope.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a fan quick release mechanism. In one example embodiment, the fan quick release may include: an upper coupling that attaches to a downrod hanging from a ceiling, a lower coupling that attaches to a fan/light/other electrical appliance, and a locking pin that couples the upper and lower couplings as desired. To further facilitate ease of assembly, electrical quick disconnects may be positioned within the respective upper and lower coupling assemblies—wherein coupling of the upper and lower couplings also results in the electrical quick disconnects electrically coupling as well.

In one example embodiment, a quick release assembly is disclosed including an upper coupling, a lower coupling and a locking pin. The upper coupling is tubular and extends coaxially with a longitudinal axis of the assembly. The upper coupling includes a lower recess and a first aperture that extends through the lower recess in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The lower coupling extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis. The lower coupling includes a first flange, a tubular body that extends beyond the first flange, and a second aperture extending through the tubular body of the lower coupling in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The locking pin affixes the upper and lower couplings by extending through the first and the second apertures when the first and second apertures are aligned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a fan quick release mechanism. In one example embodiment, the fan quick release may include: an upper coupling that attaches to a downrod hanging from a ceiling, a lower coupling that attaches to a fan/light/other electrical appliance, and a locking pin that couples the upper and lower couplings as desired. To further facilitate ease of assembly, electrical quick disconnects may be positioned within the respective upper and lower coupling assemblies—wherein coupling of the upper and lower couplings also results in the electrical quick disconnects electrically coupling as well.

When heavy winds are predicted from a storm or hurricane an outdoor fan hanging from a longer downrod may blow around and damage an outdoor ceiling fan's blades and ceiling fan motor housing (collectively “fan”), windows and/or the structure itself.

The ceiling on which a downrod and ceiling fan are hanging may be difficult to reach and disconnect the downrod and/or fan. Even if a junction box for the ceiling fan is readily accessible, uninstalling the downrod and/or fan can be quite difficult.

A home owner needs an easier way to remove a fan from a downrod in the event of a storm or hurricane or to take the fan in from the weather in a second home during the off season or simply to clean the fan blades or replace the fan itself

An upper coupling, consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure, may contain a top portion of a three (3) electrical wire connector (“top 3 wire connector”) and which is electrically coupled to three (3) electrical wires (from a power source) that extend through the downrod. The top 3 wire connector extends through the Upper Coupling to the bottom of the Upper Coupling and is positioned to facilitate electrically coupling with a bottom 3 wire connector that is located in the Lower Coupling. Various other forms of connectors or electrical contacts may be used and alternatives will be readily appreciated by one of skill in the art. A receiver portion on the top of the Upper Coupling mimics a receiver portion on the top of a traditional ceiling fan for receiving and coupling to the downrod. In one example embodiment, the receiver portion may have a female thread to receive a male thread of the downrod. In another example embodiment, the receiver portion may have a through hole that aligns with a through hole on the downrod and may be fastened with a bolt/cotter pin/etc. through both of the through holes. The bottom portion of the Upper Coupling is designed with either an internal or external ring or flange, clamp, cotter pin, etc. so the Upper Coupling securely and releasably attaches to the Lower Coupling.

A lower coupling, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure, may have a complimentary three (3) wire connector (“bottom 3 wire connector”) to the top three wire connector. The bottom three wire connector is electrically coupled to the fan motor via electrical wires that are fed into and secured to the bottom 3 wire connector. The bottom 3 wire connector extends through the Lower Coupling to the top of the Lower Coupling so the bottom 3 wire connector is positioned to make electrical contact with the top three wire connector when the upper and lower couplings are coupled. As discussed above, other forms of connectors or electrical contacts may be used for both the upper and lower wire connectors. Moreover, more or less electrical contacts may be implemented where a given application so requires. For example, where lights on the fan may be independently controlled from the fan itself, additional contacts on the top and bottom wire connectors may be required.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the Lower Coupling may securely attach inside or outside the Upper Coupling. That is the lower coupling may be the male or female receiver with respect to the upper coupling. The Upper/Lower Coupling may have a spring loaded element so the two (2) Couplings may be securely attached to one another thereby mechanically and electrically coupling the fan to the downrod. When coupling the upper and lower coupling to one another, upon full insertion of one coupling into the other the spring loaded element will positively couple the two couplings to one another. In response to a user compression of the spring loaded element, the upper and lower coupling (in addition to the top/bottom wire connectors) may be released from one another. In some embodiments, releasing the spring loaded element may be accomplished by squeezing a handle which is attached to the top of the lower/upper Coupling. In some specific embodiments, the handle may also allow the operator to hold the weight of the fan so the operator can more easily descend the ladder (requiring only a single hand to release the coupling and support the disconnected fan).

A portion of the bottom of the Lower Coupling may be designed much like the bottom of a traditional downrod including a smooth inner bore that facilitates coupling to the top of the fan.

Both the upper and lower couplings may have lines or other guides on the inside and/or outside to help align the two Couplings so the three (3) wire connectors properly line up for an electrical connection.

In some specific embodiments, aspects of the present disclosure are further directed to securing the downrod. For example, a downrod with sufficient motion relative to a junction box may be swung upward toward the ceiling and coupled to a clip in a substantially horizontal fashion. The clip may be coupled to the ceiling at a distance from the junction box equal to approximately the length of the downrod. The clip may include a locking feature to positively capture the downrod within the clip.

Various example embodiments may be more completely understood in connection with the drawings, a discussion of which follows.

FIG.1Ais an isometric side view of quick release assembly100,FIG.1Bis a front view of the quick release assembly ofFIG.1A, andFIG.1Cis a front exploded view of the quick release assembly ofFIG.1A, consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The quick release assembly100includes an upper coupling105and a lower coupling110which are releasably fastened by way of locking pin115.

In some implementations of the present disclosure, the upper coupling may be fastened to a downrod via mounting point106, and a light fixture, fan, or combination thereof may be mounted to the lower coupling110via mounting point112. To couple the upper and lower couplings together, a male end of the lower coupling110is extended into a female end of the upper coupling105until first flange111positively contacts a distal end of the upper coupling, and extending the locking pin through co-axially aligned apertures109and113in the upper and lower coupling, respectively. The pin positively positions the upper and lower couplings relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the downrod and rotatably about the longitudinal axis.

In some specific embodiments of the present disclosure, mounting points106and112may be male or female threaded rods, or other fastening means well known by a skilled artisan.

As shown in the exploded view ofFIG.1C, within the upper coupling105an upper wiring assembly120is fitted including a plurality of electrical conductors1211-Nextending a length of the upper coupling and an upper electrical connector122electrically coupled to each of the electrical conductors. The upper electrical connector122is configured to be electrically coupled with a lower electrical connector126within the lower coupling110when the upper and lower couplings are mated to one another. A lower wiring assembly includes the lower electrical connector126which is electrically coupled to a plurality of electrical conductors1271-Nwhich extend through a length of the lower coupling110. When the quick release assembly100is fully assembled the upper and lower wiring assembly electrically couples a fan, light, or combination thereof coupled to the lower coupling110to power and/or controller circuitry.

FIG.2Ais a front view of an upper coupling105andFIG.2Bis a cross-sectional side view of the upper coupling, consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The upper coupling includes an upper recess107for receiving a downrod and a mounting point106for securing the downrod within the upper recess. A lower recess108receives an upper portion of the lower coupling110and aperture109facilitates a locking pin115extending through both the upper and lower couplings and fixing them to one another. Upper wiring assembly120may be installed within the upper coupling105with the upper electrical connector122installed within an aperture162, coupled to a second flange161of the upper coupling, or both.

FIG.3Ais a front view of lower coupling110andFIG.3Bis a cross-sectional side view of the lower coupling, consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The lower coupling includes a body119that extends into a lower recess108of the upper coupling105(as shown inFIG.1B). The body119extends into the lower recess108until the lower coupling contacts or comes into close proximity of the first flange111—resulting in the alignment of apertures109and113.

Lower wiring assembly120, as discussed in more detail in reference toFIG.5A, may be installed within the lower coupling110with lower electrical connector126installed within an aperture117, coupled to a third flange116of the lower coupling, or both. Third flange116and aperture117divides upper recess114from lower recess118of the tubular lower coupling110.

With upper electrical connector122positioned within the upper coupling105and lower electrical connector125positioned within lower coupling110, mating of the lower and upper couplings results in the corresponding mating of electrical contacts within each of the respective electrical connectors.

A lower recess118of the lower coupling110, in conjunction with mounting point112, facilitates coupling the lower coupling to/with a fan, light fixture, or combination thereof.

FIG.4Ais a front view of an upper wiring assembly120andFIG.4Bis a bottom view of the upper wiring assembly ofFIG.4A, consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The upper wiring assembly120includes a plurality of electrical conductors1211-Nwith a length that facilitates a given application. For example, the electrical conductors may extend a length of an upper coupling with enough excess length to facilitate wiring to a power supply within the downrod. The upper wiring assembly120further includes an upper electrical connector122electrically coupled to each of the electrical conductors. The upper electrical connector122is configured to be electrically coupled with a mating connector, such as lower electrical connector126within the lower coupling110when the upper and lower couplings are mated to one another.

In some embodiments, the upper electrical connector122is configured to be positioned within and coupled to an aperture162within upper coupling105. The relative positioning of the aperture162facilitates electrical coupling of the upper and lower electrical connectors when the upper and lower couplings are mated to one another. In some specific embodiments, the aperture162may include a keyway to facilitate proper rotation positioning of the upper electrical connector therein via a mating feature on an outer diameter of the upper electrical connector.

FIG.4Billustrates one possible configuration of one or more electrical contacts1231-Nwithin upper electrical connector122. In the present embodiment, the upper electrical connector includes three electrical contacts1231-3—a positive contact, a negative contact, and a ground contact. Accordingly, the upper electrical connector122would include three electrical conductors1211-3—a positive conductor, a negative conductor, and a ground conductor. Each of the contacts may be circumferentially distributed about a contacting surface of the upper electrical connector122.

FIG.5Ais a front view of a lower wiring assembly125andFIG.5Bis a top view of the lower wiring assembly ofFIG.5A, consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The lower wiring assembly125may extend through a length of lower coupling110and electrically couple to electrical circuitry of a fan, light, or combination thereof coupled to a distal end of the lower coupling. The lower wiring assembly125includes lower electrical connector126which is electrically coupled to a plurality of electrical conductors1271-Nwhich extends through a length of the lower coupling110.

In some embodiments, the lower electrical connector126is configured to be positioned within and coupled to an aperture117within lower coupling110. The relative positioning of the aperture117facilitates electrical coupling of the upper and lower electrical connectors when the upper and lower couplings are mated to one another. In some specific embodiments, the aperture117may include a keyway to facilitate proper rotational positioning of the lower electrical connector therein via a mating feature on an outer diameter of the lower electrical connector.

FIG.5Billustrates one possible configuration of one or more electrical contacts1281-Nwithin upper electrical connector126. In the present embodiment, the upper electrical connector includes three electrical contacts1281-3which are similarly positioned upon a contacting surface of the upper electrical connector126so as to mate to the electrical contacts123of the upper electrical connector122when mated. It is to be understood that the electrical contacts128of the lower electrical connector126may be male contacts and the electrical contacts123of the upper electrical contact122may be female contacts, or vice versa.

A skilled artisan will readily appreciate that more or less contacts may be implemented in the electrical connectors as necessary to transmit power or to communicate data through the quick release assembly100. Moreover, various mating patterns of electrical contacts may be implemented on the upper and lower electrical connectors to facilitate the desired number of contacts.

FIG.6Ais a side view of a locking pin115, andFIG.6Bis a front view of the locking pin ofFIG.6A, consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The locking pin115includes an handle130and a shaft132. The shaft132, in use, may be extended through co-axially aligned apertures109and113in the upper and lower couplings, respectively, to rotationally and axially lock the couplings to one another. When in place, the locking pin may include a locking means133, such as actuatable D-10 ball bearings, which prevent removal of the locking pin without actuation of a release131on the handle130.

In practice, a user may quickly install a fan coupled to a lower coupling of the quick release assembly by mating the lower coupling with the upper coupling and installing a locking pin through co-axially aligned apertures in both the upper and lower couplings. The mating process both structurally engages the couplings, but also electrically couples connectors within the couplings. To uninstall the fan from a down road, which is coupled to a distal end of the upper coupling, a user actuates a release on a locking pin handle and simultaneously withdraws the locking pin from the upper and lower couplings, after which the lower coupling may be axially withdrawn from the upper coupling.

Although several embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the present teachings. The foregoing description and following claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations.