Abstract:
A reverse switch cover assembly for covering the reverse switch and mounting screws of a ceiling fan. The cover includes a center portion and side portions of sufficient width and length for concealing the reverse switch and the heads of the mounting screws. The cover includes an arcuate inside surface to adapt to the rounded housing of the ceiling fan.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/128,889, filed Aug. 4, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,416, issued Apr. 4, 2000, which is a divisional of pending application Ser. No. 08/766,245, filed Dec. 13, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,580 the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to ceiling fans. More particularly, this invention relates to aesthetic components for ceiling fans which aesthetically conceal various unsightly mechanical aspects of the ceiling fan from view. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Motor driven fans suspended from the ceiling were used extensively in homes in the United States to provide air circulation before the introduction and popularization of central cooling units. 
     When the energy crisis dawned in the 1970s, the cost of a kilowatt hour skyrocketed in price and consumers searched for ways to reduce their heating and cooling costs. It has been well established that properly circulated air will raise the overall thermal efficiency of the home air conditioning and cooling system and hence, reduce the cost of maintaining a home at a desired comfort level year-round. Thus, ceiling fans were repopularized in the 1970s. 
     Indeed, ceiling fans have become so popular that competitiveness in the industry often depends upon the aesthetic features of one ceiling fan versus another. Hence, ceiling fans are usually designed with aesthetically pleasing canopies, motor housings, fan blades, and switch housings. Furthermore, a large variety of stylized light kits have been designed which may be readily connected to the ceiling fan&#39;s switch housing. Most predominantly, such light kits comprise three or four stylized bulb reflectors (for conventional incandescent bulbs), each of which may be pivoted in a different direction for spot lighting. 
     Unfortunately, even with the most aesthetic features incorporated within a ceiling fan, several mechanical aspects of the ceiling fan are not concealed from view by the consumer. Specifically, typical canopies are designed to conceal a conventional hanger bracket (secured to the electrical junction box in the ceiling) from which the ceiling fan is suspended by means of a down rod. The conventional design of such a canopy includes a plurality of holes formed about its upper peripheral rim. Such holes allow the canopy to be secured into position about the hanger bracket by means of machine screws which extend through the holes into corresponding threaded holes in the hanger bracket itself. Unfortunately, once installed in such a manner, the heads of the machine screws remain visible and create an unsightly appearance. 
     Furthermore, it is noted that more modern canopies, commonly referred to as “dual-mount” or “combo” canopies, that can be alternatively used with conventional down rods to suspend the ceiling fan from the ceiling or used as a means for directly connecting the ceiling fan to the hanger bracket to be substantially flush with the ceiling. This alternative combination is achieved by means of a plurality of holes formed in their lowermost peripheral rim of the canopy. The holes allow the canopy to be directly connected to the upper surface of the motor housing of the ceiling fan by means of machine screws so that the motor housing can be connected directly to the hanger bracket. However, in such a combo canopy, it is noted that the mounting holes present an unsightly appearance when the canopy is used for conventional down rod applications. Therefore, there presently exists a need in the ceiling fan industry for a way to conceal the machine screws and holes of such conventional canopies so that a more aesthetically pleasing appearance is presented to consumers. 
     Apart from conventional canopies, there are other components of conventional ceiling fans that do not present an aesthetically pleasing appearance to consumers. For example, most ceiling fans include two switches with pull chains mounted in the switch housing, one for controlling the on and off operation of a light kit that may be attached to the switch housing and the other for controlling the high/medium/low/off operation of the electric motor. In both instances, the switch is mechanically secured through a hole in the wall of the switch housing and secured into position by means of an unsightly knurled nut. Further, most ceiling fans include a slide switch, called a reverse switch, for controlling the clockwise and counter-clockwise operation of the electric motor. Typically, the reverse switch is mounted through a wall of the switch housing in such a manner that the switch knob extends through a hole in the wall of the switch housing. The mounting screws as well as the switch knob present an unsightly appearance to consumers. 
     More particularly, as shown in FIG. 1, a conventional reverse switch  10  of a conventional ceiling fan (not shown) is mounted on the inside of a switch housing  12  by a pair of mounting screws  14  that extend through a pair of holes  16  from the wall  18  of the switch housing  12  for threaded engagement with the reverse switch  10 . The switch knob  20 , usually square-shaped, extends through a rectangular hole  22  formed in the wall  18  of the switch housing  12 . It is noted that the rectangular hole  22  is of sufficient length to allow clearance for the back and forth movement of the switch knob  20  between its two switch positions. It is these exposed mounting screws  14  and the switch knob  20  that present an unsightly appearance to consumers. 
     Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvement which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the ceiling fan art. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a reverse switch cover having an aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing appearance which is designed to be mounted to the wall of the switch housing about the switch knob and mounting screws of the reverse switch so as to conceal the unsightly knob and mounting screws thereof and present an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the consumer. 
     The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     For the purpose of summarizing this invention, this invention includes an aesthetic component for ceiling fans that is designed to conceal otherwise unsightly screw heads, holes and switches so that the ceiling fan has a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     More particularly, the aesthetic component of the invention is a reverse switch cover having an aesthetically pleasing outward appearance so as to conceal the otherwise unsightly knob of the slide switch and associated mounting screws. Apart from the aesthetically pleasing outward appearance, the cover includes, in some embodiments, a structure that allows it to be conveniently installed without any modification to the design of conventional switch housings and slide switches and, in other embodiments, a structure for installation about a reverse switch that is recessed-mounted in the switch housing. 
     From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the various aesthetic components of the invention solve needs in the industry for ways for increasing the aesthetic appearance of ceiling fans. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a prior art switch housing illustrating a conventional reverse switch mounted vertically therein; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of a prior art switch housing illustrating a conventional reverse switch mounted horizontally therein; 
     FIG. 2A is a front view of a switch housing installed within a butterfly shaped hole for receiving the tabbed embodiments of the reverse mounted cover of the invention; 
     FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A along lines  2 B— 2 B; 
     FIG. 3 is a frontal perspective view of one embodiment of the reverse switch cover of the invention and 
     FIG. 3A is a frontal perspective view of the same embodiment but with mounting tabs; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along lines  4 — 4  and 
     FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A along lines  4 A— 4 A; 
     FIG. 5 is a frontal perspective view of another embodiment of the reverse switch cover of the invention and 
     FIG. 5A is a frontal perspective view of the same embodiment but with mounting tabs; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 along lines  6 — 6  and 
     FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A along lines  6 A— 6 A; 
     FIG. 7 is a rearward perspective view of another embodiment of the reverse switch cover of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 along lines  8 — 8  with the switch cover mounted about a recessed reverse switch installed in a switch housing; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 along lines  9 — 9  with the switch cover mounted about a recessed reverse switch installed in a switch housing; 
     FIG. 10 is a rearward perspective view of another embodiment of the reverse switch cover of the invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a recess formed in the side of the switch housing to which is mounted a reverse switch; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 along lines  12 — 12  with the switch cover mounted about a recessed reverse switch installed in a switch housing; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the reverse switch cover of the invention mounted about a recessed reverse switch installed in a switch housing; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view, partially exploded, of the reverse switch cover embodiment of FIG. 13; and 
     FIG. 14A is a perspective view, partially exploded, of the reverse switch cover embodiment of FIG. 13 wherein the switch knob includes axles that eliminate the need for the adapter. 
    
    
     Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the reverse switch  10  positioned longitudinally (vertically) relative to the longitudinal axis  24  of the switch housing  12 . As shown in FIG. 2, the reverse switch  12  may be positioned transverse (horizontally) relative to the longitudinal axis  24  of the switch housing  12 . 
     The various embodiments of the reverse switch cover  26  of the invention-e illustrated in FIGS. 3-14. More particularly, the embodiments of the reverse switch cover  26  of the invention that are illustrated in FIGS. 3 &amp; 3A and  4  &amp;  4 A are intended for use with a reverse switch  10  that is positioned longitudinally (vertically) within the wall  18  of the switch housing  12  as shown in FIG. 1 whereas the embodiments of the reverse switch cover  26  of the invention that are illustrated in FIGS. 5 &amp; 5A and  6  &amp;  6 A are intended for use in connection with a reverse switch  10  that is positioned transverse (horizontally) to the switch housing  12  as shown in FIG.  2 . Notably, the only difference between the two sets of embodiments is the fact that in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 &amp; 5A and  6  &amp;  6 A, the reverse switch cover  26  includes an arcuate configuration having a radius substantially equal to the radius of the wall  18  of the switch housing  12  so that it fits smoothly against the outer surface  16  thereof. Still other embodiments of the reverse switch cover  26  will be described and illustrated with arcuate configurations for use in relation to the reverse switch positioning of FIG. 1; however, it shall be understood that flat configurations may be employed for use in relation to the reverse switch positioning of FIG.  2 . 
     As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, both sets of such embodiments of the reverse switch cover  26  include an outer configuration comprising side portions  28  and  30  positioned on opposing sides of a protruding portion  32 . Interiorly, the inward surface of each of the side portions  28  and  30  include elongated recess  34  and  36  that are dimensioned to slidably receive the respective heads of the mounting screws  14 . The inward surface of the protruding portion  32  includes a generally square recess  38  for receiving the switch knob  20  of the reverse switch  10 . 
     With regard to the embodiments of FIGS. 3,  4 ,  5  and  6 , the square recess  38  is dimensioned relative to the switch knob  20  such that the switch knob  20  is press fitted into the square recess  38  and is retained therein by the tight fit due to the inherent resiliency of the material constituting the cover  26 . 
     In regard to the embodiments of FIGS. 3A,  4 A, SA and  6 A, the reverse switch cover  26  is secured into position by means of inwardly extending opposing tabs  40  and  42  which are sufficiently thin to be inserted within the opposing spaces between switch knob  20  and the edge of a modified hole  22  having a butterfly-shaped configuration (see FIGS.  2 A and  2 B). The butterfly hole  22  includes a width that is appreciably greater than the width of the switch  26  so as to allow room for the tabs  40  and  42 . Further, the shape of the butterfly hole  22  allows back and forth movement of the tabs  40  and  42  without interference. 
     Each of the tabs  40  and  42  include a barb  46  extending away from each other such that when the tabs  40  and  42  are inserted into the butterfly hole  22 , the barbs  46  snap under the lip of the edge of the butterfly hole  22  thereby securing the reverse switch cover  26  into position. 
     Most notably, due to aforementioned construction, the tabs  40  and  42  are allowed to slide within the rectangular hole  22  such that back and forth movement of the reverse switch cover  26  (conveniently by a person&#39;s thumb engaging the protruding portion  32 ) causes back and forth movement of the switch knob  20  from one switch position to the other. Also notably, due to the length of the elongated recesses  34  and  36 , the heads of the mounting screw  16  are allowed to slide within such recesses without any interference with the cover  26  itself. Thus, it should be appreciated that the reverse switch cover  26  may be installed by simply aligning the square recess  38  of the cover  26  with the switch knob  20  and then pushing on the cover  26  to snap the tabs  40  and  42  into the butterfly hole  22  until barbs  46  engage under the edge of the lip thereof. 
     Furthermore, it is noted that in regard to the horizontal configurations, the square recess  38  is preferably dimensioned sufficiently large to allow movement of the switch knob  20  within the square recess  38  as the cover  26  is moved back and forth, thereby assuring that no binding of the switch knob  20  relative to the cover  26  occurs during switching. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, another embodiment of the reverse switch cover  26  includes smooth configuration  47  suitable for affixation of an emblem, advertisement or other indicia that creates a more flush appearance than the embodiments described above. In this smooth configuration  47  embodiment of the reverse switch cover  26  of the invention, the reverse switch  26  is mounted in a recessed position within the switch housing  12  by means of a spacers or stand-offs  48  positioned about each of the mounting screws  14 . The smooth configuration  47  embodiment includes elongated recesses  34  and  36  and tabs  40  and  42  with barbs  46  as described in the above embodiments. However, in lieu of the square recess  38  of the embodiments described above, the smooth configuration  47  embodiment includes a pair of inwardly extending posts  50  that engage opposing sides of the switch knob  20 . During use, back and forth movement of the smooth configuration  47  by a person&#39;s thumb or finger, causes the switch knob to be moved back and forth between the two switch positions, thereby reversing the direction of rotation of the electric motor. 
     As shown in FIGS. 10-12, another embodiment of the reverse switch cover  26  of the invention comprises a similar smooth configuration  47  and is similarly intended to be used in connection with a recessed reverse switch  10 . However, unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-9, in this embodiment, the wall  18  of the switch housing  12  is bent inwardly by a punching operation to the configuration shown in FIG. 11 such that butterfly-shaped opening  52  is formed with recessed landings  54  extending toward the center of the opening  52 . Holes  18  for the mounting screws  14  of the reverse switch  10  are formed in the landings  54 . In this manner, the reverse switch may be secured by screws  14  to the landings  54  in the desired recessed position. The switch cover  26  of the invention includes the posts  50  as previously described. However, in lieu of the pair of tabs  40  and  42  as described above, preferably this embodiment includes four tabs  40 ,  41 ,  42  and  43 , two at the top  40  &amp;  41  and two  42  &amp;  43  at the bottom and all with barbs  46 , that engage and snap into the opening  52 . Notably, the need for the elongated recesses  36  and  38  as shown in the previous embodiments is eliminated due to the recessing of the switch  10 . Similar to the above embodiments, the smooth configuration  47  may be moved back and forth to cause back and forth movement of the switch knob  20  between the two switch positions. 
     Finally, still another smooth configuration  47  embodiment of the switch cover  26  of the invention is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-12, this embodiment is intended to be used with a recessed reverse switch as shown in FIG.  11 . However, this embodiment includes a square-shaped adapter  56  having extending side axles  58  that engage into holes  60  formed in tabs  59  extending from the inside of the smooth configuration  47 . The adapter  56  includes a square-shaped hole  62  for engaging the switch knob  20 . Preferably, the dimensions of the square-shaped hole  62  allow the adapter  56  to be press fitted onto the switch knob  20  and held into position by such tight fit. The side axles  58  cooperating with tabs  59  allow the adapter  56  to pivot slightly. As should be appreciated, once the cover  26  is pressed into position, it can be easily moved back and forth to actuate the switch  10  in its two positions. The pivoting nature of the adapter  56  assures that no binding of the switch knob  20  relative to the cover  26  during switching due to the linear movement of the switch knob  20  versus the arcuate movement of the cover  26  itself. 
     As shown in FIG. 14A, the need for adapter  56  may be eliminated by forming or molding axles  58 A directly in or integral with the switch knob  20 . 
     It is noted that all of the embodiments of the reverse switch cover  26  of the invention may be molded into the arcuate shape such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 from a resilient material, such as a plastic, having memory. In this manner, the natural arcuate configuration of such a reverse switch cover  26  may be used in connection with a reverse switch  10  positioned transversely as shown in FIG. 2 to follow the radius of the switch housing  12  as the cover is moved back and forth. Alternatively, due to the inherent resiliency of the cover  26 , the cover  26  may alternatively be used in connection with a reverse switch  10  positioned longitudinally as shown in FIG. 1 since the arcuate cover  26  may be resiliently forced into a smooth configuration to lie flush with the longitudinal outer surface  16 . 
     The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Now that the invention has been described,