Quick attachment for fan accessories

An apparatus includes a ceiling fan and an accessory. A receiver is adapted to attach to the ceiling fan, and an adaptor for the accessory is provided. The adaptor is adapted to releasably attach to the receiver and fix the accessory in position with respect to the ceiling fan. A dampener may be provided, and receiver may include at least one projection adapted to engage the dampener, thereby inhibiting vibration of the accessory during operation of the ceiling fan. The accessory may also include a gasket, and the receiver may include at least one projection adapted to engage the gasket, thereby at least partially sealing a motor from an environment external to the ceiling fan.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to the assembly of ceiling fans and, more particularly, to a system for attaching an accessory to a ceiling fan.

BACKGROUND

Ceiling fans may attach with various accessories, such as decorative covers, lights, speakers, communication devices, signaling devices, alarms, sensors, or the like. These accessories are typically mechanically attached to a downtube with external threads that runs down the center of the fan. However, this type of attachment system requires a special design, multiple tools to assemble, and thus is expensive and cumbersome to implement in some cases.

Readily available accessory attachments for fans often suffer from a lack of security for the supported accessories. Consequently, when the fan is in use, accessories which have been attached to the fan may rattle undesirably. Furthermore, the insecurity of the accessories can lead to the attachment becoming detached, pinched or caught in other components. This is especially true when the ceiling fan is mounted in a hostile or outdoor environment and exposed to turbulence. or other harsh conditions.

Accordingly, there is a need for an accessory attachment system that can withstand such environments, as may be in the case of outdoor fans mounted in or near coastal regions, or even in a factory or like environment with extreme conditions. In addition, a need is identified for a quick and easy ceiling fan accessory attachment system that do not require extensive use of tools for assembly.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus includes a ceiling fan, an accessory, and a receiver adapted to attach to the ceiling fan. An adaptor is provided for the accessory. The adaptor is adapted to releasably attach to the receiver and fix the accessory in position with respect to the ceiling fan.

In one embodiment, the adaptor is adapted to mate with the receiver via a rotational movement of the accessory. The receiver may include at least one projection, and the adaptor comprises at least one receiver for receiving the projection. A detent may be provided to lock the accessory in position with respect to the receiver. The detent may comprise a spring pin, and further including a boss adapted to allow movement of the spring pin in a first direction to a first position and to prevent movement of the spring pin in a second direction beyond the first position.

The accessory may comprise an electrically functional element. A coiled electrical harness may also be provided for connecting the accessory to the ceiling fan. The accessory may include a dampener, and the receiver may include at least one projection adapted to engage the dampener, thereby inhibiting vibration of the accessory during operation of the ceiling fan.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus comprises a ceiling fan, an accessory, and a dampener. A receiver is adapted to receive the accessory and connect with the ceiling fan. The receiver includes at least one projection adapted to engage the dampener, thereby inhibiting vibration of the accessory during operation of the ceiling fan.

In one embodiment, the dampener is connected to the accessory, which may comprise an electrically functional element. For example, the electrically functional element may be selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a sensor, and a camera. A coiled electrical harness may also be provided for connecting the accessory to the ceiling fan. A detent is adapted to lock the accessory in position with respect to the ceiling fan. The detent may comprise a spring pin, and further including a boss adapted to allow movement of the spring pin in a first direction to a first position and to prevent movement of the spring pin in a second direction beyond the first position.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus includes a ceiling fan with a motor and an accessory including a gasket. A receiver is adapted to receive the accessory and at least one projection adapted to engage the gasket, thereby at least partially sealing the motor from an environment external to the ceiling fan.

In one embodiment, the gasket and the at least one projection form a perimeter seal around at least a portion of the motor. The accessory may comprise an electrically functional element. For example, the electrically functional element is selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a sensor, and a camera. The accessory may further include a coiled electrical harness adapted to connect to the ceiling fan.

The dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity or several physical components may be included in one functional block or element.

Further, sometimes reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Moreover, some of the items depicted in the drawings may be combined into a single function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS.1and1A, an attachment system10for a ceiling fan12is proposed. As can be understood fromFIG.1, the ceiling fan12may include a hub14enclosing a motor (seeFIG.2). The hub14supports a plurality of fan blades16, and is adapted for rotation as a result of actuator of the motor. The fan12may be suspended from a ceiling by a mount18, as shown inFIG.1A, but could also be mounted directly to the ceiling or another structure (such as a joist or beam).

FIG.2shows a receiver20forming part of the attachment system10. As can be seen, the fan12may internally include additional hardware, such as a motor21for rotating the hub14, a motor controller, such as a PCB22, a motor hub cover23, a sensor board harness24, and lastly the receiver20. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver20is shown as a male accessory adaptor, which may be partially inserted into and connected to the motor hub cover23. The receiver20may include one or more retainers26, which may then be used to retain the adaptor29, as described herein.

FIG.3illustrates the receiver20in further detail. The receiver20may include a turret20a, which may be attached to the motor21. In practice, the turret20amay be connected to the motor21in a factory setting, or otherwise prior to a consumer receiving the fan. Retainers26, which are further illustrated inFIG.4, may be attached to the receiver20, such as via bosses20bassociated with the receiver20. This attachment may be accomplished via one or more fasteners, such as socket head screws27. The bosses20bmay be located within a cavity defined by the receiver20. The retainers26, once attached, may also be within the cavity of the receiver20.

FIGS.5and5Aillustrate a first embodiment of the attachable fan accessory30. As FIG. shows, the accessory30does not include a light, though as disclosed below, the attachable fan accessory may include a light or other electrical functional element. The accessory30may be pre-assembled prior to being provided to a customer, and may attach directly to the fan upon receipt.

The accessory30comprises an adaptor29for engaging the receiver20. As also shown inFIG.6, the adaptor29may comprise a projection or other male adapter element which may nest with the receiver20upon installation of the accessory30. In another embodiment, the receiver20may comprise a projection, and the adaptor29may comprise a female element for engaging the receiver20.

FIG.6illustrates one embodiment of the adaptor29in further detail. As shown, the adaptor29may comprise a round or annular shape, or any shape coordinating with a shape of the receiver20, such that the adaptor29and receiver20may mate with each other in order to attach the accessory30to the fan. In one aspect, the adaptor29may include one or more connectors29aadapted to releasably mate and connect with a portion of the receiver20in order to secure the accessory30to the fan. For example, the connector29amay comprise an aperture, a cavity, or other recess adapted to slidably receive a projection26aof retainer26(seeFIG.4).

The accessory30may further comprise a heatsink25and a lower cover25a, to which the adaptor29may be attached, such as via retainer (e.g. socket head cap screws27). The accessory may further include a dampener31, which may be adapted for reducing vibrations of the accessory during use as outlined below. In another aspect, the accessory30may include a gasket32for sealing the motor from the elements as further outlined below. The accessory30may further include a detent, such as a spring pin33or other releasable fixing device, which may be used to secure the accessory into place as described herein.

FIG.7illustrates the heatsink25in further detail. The heatsink25may further include a spring pin cavity25cadapted to provide a fixing location for the spring pin33. A pair of spring pin tool access bosses25dmay be provided on the heatsink25for guiding a spring pin tool in order to release the accessory30from the fan12.

FIGS.8and8Aillustrate one embodiment of a system for attaching the accessory30to the fan.FIG.8demonstrates the accessory30assembled and attached to the fan. This assembly may be accomplished by mating the receiver20of the fan12with the adaptor29of the accessory and locking it in place. For example, the adaptor29may be mated with the receiver20so that the projections26aon the retainers26align with the connectors29aon the adaptor29. Upon mating of the adaptor29and the receiver20, rotating the accessory30may guide the projections26ainto to place within the connectors29a.

Once in place, the spring pin33may lock the accessory30into place. For example, the receiver20may include one or more spring pin bosses20d. These bosses20dmay present a sloping geometry, thus allowing the spring pin33to compress as the accessory30turns one direction, but then prevent turning of the accessory in a reverse direction once the spring pin33has passed the boss20d. This is illustrated inFIG.8A, in which the sloping geometry of the boss20dcompresses the spring pin33as the accessory30is twisted into place. Once the spring pin33passes beyond the boss20d, the spring pin33may spring back into place, and prevent the accessory30from being twisted off.

To remove the accessory30, a spring pin tool may be inserted in an access gap20eto compress the spring and allow the accessory to be twisted in a reverse direction and removed. This access gap20ein the receiver20may be adapted to align between bosses25dof the heatsink25when fully assembled, thus guiding a user in a specific point to insert the spring pin tool.

With further reference toFIG.7, one or more dampener receivers25amay be provided on the heatsink25for affixing or mounting the dampener31. In one aspect, four such receivers25amay be provided such that four dampeners31may be affixed in order to provide symmetric dampening of movement of the accessory30with respect to the fan. As can be seen inFIG.9, these dampeners31may each contact a projection, such as a vibrational damper boss20con the receiver20, once the accessory30is in place. The dampener31may be a resilient material such as rubber, plastic, foam, or other pliable or elastic material. Accordingly, contact between the dampener31and the boss20cmay prevent the accessory30from rattling or vibrating excessively when the fan is running.

Turning back toFIG.7, a gasket receiver25bmay be provided in the heatsink25for affixing the gasket32.FIG.10illustrates the assembled accessory30and fan12, and shows the gasket32within the gasket receiver25b. When assembled, the gasket32may engage a projection on the receiver20such as a seal boss20f. The seal boss20fmay be similar in shape to the gasket32.

Both the gasket31and the seal boss20fmay surround a perimeter of the receiver20or a perimeter of a portion of the receiver such that upon assembly, contact between the gasket32and the seal boss20fmay form a perimeter seal around at least a portion of the motor21and/or the motor controller22. This contact between the gasket32and the seal boss20fmay prevent water or debris from entering the fan and damaging internal components, such as the motor21, thus allowing use of the fan12and accessory30in indoor or outdoor conditions.

A second embodiment of a fan accessory attachment system is illustrated inFIG.11, in which the fan accessory50includes an electrical functional element. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical functional element is in the form of a light, but could include any number of electrical elements, such as a speaker, a sensor, a camera, or other electrically powered accessory. The fan accessory50with an electrical functional element (hereinafter generically referred to as an “accessory”) includes similar elements to those discussed above with respect to the accessory30. The accessory50may further include wiring for powering the electrical functional element, such as an electrical harness35, as well as the electrical functional element itself, such as lower light components, in addition to the components of the accessory50.

As is better demonstrated inFIGS.12and12A, the accessory50houses its own electronic components, such as for the production of light or detection of motion or occupancy, and therefore needs the electrical harness35to connect it to the fan circuitry. To accomplish, and for ease of installation, the electrical harness35is provided in the form of a coiled harness attached to the light accessory. The electrical harness35may be long enough to be connected to the sensor board harness24easily. The coiled configuration allows the electrical harness35to coil in on itself when the accessory50is twisted and locked into place as described above with respect toFIGS.8and8A, to prevent the electrical harness from getting caught or pinched in other components.

“About,” “substantially,” or “approximately,” as used herein referring to a measurable value, such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of +/−20% or less, preferably +/−10% or less, more preferably +/−5% or less, even more preferably +/−1% or less, and still more preferably +/−0.1% or less of and from the specified value, in so far such variations are appropriate to perform as disclosed. However, it is to be understood that the value to which any modifier, such as “about,” refers is itself also specifically disclosed.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the appended claims' spirit and scope. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present disclosure.