Abstract:
A window assembly comprises a frame into which is removably mounted a fan assembly. The fan assembly includes at least one fan mounted in an opening through a mounting plate. The mounting plate is removably secured to the window assembly by a screen, which is removably secured to the window frame. The inventive window assembly is particularly useful for existing glass block window and vent designs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fans and more particularly to a window fan assembly which easily can be installed and removed from an existing window assembly and can be closed inside the window assembly. 
     Glass block windows are well known and also used in basement windows and other areas where security is a concern. Generally, an array of glass blocks are arranged within the window opening in the basement wall and secured to each other and to the basement wall using mortar and or adhesive. Often, a small vent is substituted for one or more of the glass blocks to selectively provide ventilation through the glass block window assembly. These vents typically comprise a frame to which a screen is removably secured to the exterior side, while a window connected via a hinge on the interior side of the frame. The window is opened and closed by pivoting about the hinge. 
     Although these vents provide some ventilation, it is difficult to use these vents with fans to provide forced air ventilation. An existing design provides a power vent, which comprises a frame with two fans mounted therein; however, this power vent does not transmit light. Additionally, the known power vent must be installed in place of a normal window vent assembly at the time of installation of the glass blocks and the fans cannot be selectively removed from the frame. Thus, even when not in use, the known power vent blocks the passage of light through the frame. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved fan assembly for a vent of the type described above. The fan assembly of the present invention can be installed in an existing vent and can be selectively removed and reinstalled. Further, the fan assembly of the present invention also provides passage of light therethrough. 
     The fan assembly of the present invention comprises at least one fan mounted over an opening through a translucent mounting plate. The mounting plate is removably installed in the existing vent assembly, where it resides between the screen and window. Preferably, the mounting plate is secured between the frame and the screen, thereby securing the fan assembly to the frame. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the window assembly of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the window assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a section horizontally through the window assembly of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 4 is the window assembly of FIG. 3, with the window in an open position; and 
     FIG. 5 is a section through  5 — 5  of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the window and fan assembly  10  of the present invention. A vent assembly  11  comprises a window frame  12  connected to a window  14  by a plurality of hinges  15  (one shown), such that the window  14  can be moved between the open position shown to a closed position against the frame  12 . The window frame  12  is mounted among an array of glass blocks  16 , which as shown can be of varying shapes and sizes. The glass blocks  16  are generally approximately three inches thick and made of a translucent or transparent material. The window frame  12  and glass blocks  16  are mounted in an opening  18  of a basement wall  20  and secured to each other and to the basement wall  20  by mortar or adhesive  22 . Such window assemblies are well known and popular for use as basement windows and other exterior window applications. 
     The present invention further provides a fan assembly  24  in the frame  12  between the window  14  and a screen  28 . A power cord  26  extends from the fan assembly  24  inward through the frame  12 . In the example shown, the fan assembly  24  provides power ventilation to an existing glass block  16  and vent assembly  11 . The fan assembly  24  can be selectively installed in and removed from the vent assembly  11 . 
     The vent assembly  11  and fan assembly  24  are shown in more detail in FIG.  2 . As shown, the fan assembly  24  generally comprises a translucent or transparent mounting plate  30  having two circular openings  32 . Two fans  36  are mounted to the mounting plate  30 , one over each of the openings  32 . The fans  36  are preferably DC operated fans of the type generally used in cooling computers, for example. The mounting plate  30  is preferably transparent or translucent plastic. The mounting plate  30  is sized to be received partially within the frame  12 , as will be explained further below, and is positioned between the screen  28  and the frame  12 . The screen  28  includes at least a pair of apertures  40  for receiving screws  42 , which in turn also mate with threaded apertures  44  on frame  12 . 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the assembled window assembly  10 , with the window  14  in the closed position, sealed against frame  12 . As can be seen in FIG. 3, the mounting plate  30  is retained between the screen  28  and the frame  12  adjacent the screws  42 . In this position, the power cord  26  may extend inward between the window  14  and the frame  12  if a notch (not shown) were cut in the window frame. Alternatively, it is recommended that the power cord  26  be disconnected from the fans  36  prior to closing window  14 . In either case, the fan assembly  24  is installed in the window assembly  10  without modifying or damaging any of the prior installed components. The window  14  can be closed in a normal manner. Additionally, light can travel through mounting plate  30  (and to some extent, through fans  36 ) and through window  14 , such that fan assembly  24  does not block the transmission of light from the outside. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the window assembly  10  in operation. Window  14  is pivoted on hinge  15  to the open position away from the frame  12  in a known manner. The fans  36  are then powered and the fan assembly  24  draws air from the interior out through frame  12  and through the openings  32  in the mounting plate  30  and subsequently through screen  28 . Of course, the fans  36  could be arranged to draw air inward through vent assembly  11 , or could be selectively reversable. Again, during operation of the fan assembly  24 , the vent assembly is not damaged or modified and light can still travel through mounting plate  30  and through frame  12 . After use, the fans  36  are switched off and/or power cord  26  is disconnected and window  14  may be returned to the closed position sealed against frame  12 , as shown again in FIG.  5 . As can be seen in FIG. 5, the mounting plate  30  is also held on the top and bottom edges between the screen  28  and frame  12 . Further, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the power cord  26  may extend between the window  14  and the frame  12 . 
     As shown, the fan assembly  24  of the present invention is mountable between the screen  28  and window  14  of a typical glass block vent assembly  11 . The fan assembly  24  does not interfere with the closing and locking of the window  14 . Further, the translucent or transparent mounting plate  30  allows for the passage of light through the vent assembly  11 . The fan assembly  24  is light-weight and includes a “pull-away” power cord which would be pulled out from the fan without damaging the fan assembly  24  or power cord  26  in the event that someone inadvertently kicks or pulls on the power cord  26 . 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. For example, although the invention has been described with respect to glass block windows, the fan assembly  24  of the present invention may be installed in windows other than glass block windows. An alternative fan assembly which is integrated with the screen such that the integrated screen and fan assembly could be mounted in place of the screen  40  (see FIG. 2, for example) is also considered to be within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that the term “translucent” as used herein includes anything that is translucent or transparent.