Patent Publication Number: US-2018038376-A1

Title: Portable ceiling fan stand and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/371,179 filed Aug. 4, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of supports of existing art and more specifically relates to stands and bases. 
     Related Art 
     Many individuals enjoy the air circulation and cooling effects that can be provided by a ceiling fan, but do not have the means to permanently install one. This limitation can be caused by electrical or structural limitations of a structure. Other limitations may be caused by a rental agreement between an owner/landlord and a tenant. 
     Also, modular (i.e., mobile) homes may not be suitable for ceiling fans. Also, individuals who work outdoors may desire the benefits of a ceiling fan, but are unable to achieve the effects. Further, ceiling fans are not readily transportable between different installations. Therefore a suitable solution is desired. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,822 to Kenneth A. Schwing relates to a fan support assembly. The described fan support assembly includes fan assembly includes a column arranged substantially vertically, and a base, the column is connected to the base to be supported and restrained in its vertical orientation. An arm has a base end connected to the column and extends from the base end horizontally to a distal end. A fan adapter plate is connected to the distal end and has a fastener hole pattern compatible with commercially available overhead fans. A weather shield can be carried by the arm and is adapted to protect a motor of the overhead fan. Alternate embodiments include a permanently attached column/base embodiment, a portable, a self-standing column/base embodiment, a clamp base embodiment for clamping the base to a deck, weighted base embodiments, and a horizontal wall-mounted fixture. A method of abating mosquitoes includes the use of the overhead fan in an outdoor environment. The fan assembly may include a conventional electrical cord and plug, and may be plugged into a conventional wall outlet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known stands and bases art, the present disclosure provides a novel portable ceiling fan and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a portable ceiling fan and method. 
     An overhead fan for a horizontal surface is disclosed herein. The overhead fan includes a support base configured to rest upon the horizontal surface, a vertical-extension-member, a horizontal-extension-member, and an electric fan. The vertical-extension-member includes a top-end and a bottom-end (relative to the horizontal surface), with the vertical-extension-member coupled to the support-base proximate the bottom-end, and extending above the support-base, relative to the horizontal surface. The horizontal-extension-member includes a mount-end and a fan-end opposite the mount-end, with the mount end of the horizontal-extension-member coupled to the vertical-extension-member proximate the top-end of the vertical-extension-member. The horizontal-extension-member extends laterally away from the vertical-extension-member. The electric fan is physically coupled to the fan-end of the horizontal-extension-member, with the electric fan including a power supply interface and the electric fan configured to be powered via a power supply. The power supply interface is physically coupled to at least one of the support-base, the vertical-extension-member the horizontal-extension. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of providing overhead ventilation is also disclosed herein. The method of providing overhead ventilation includes a first step, providing an overhead stand (including a support-base, a vertical-extension-member, a horizontal-extension-member, a fan-fixture-box, and a power supply); a second step, providing an electric fan; a third step, affixing the electric fan to the overhead stand; and a fourth step, electrically coupling the power supply to the overhead stand. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a portable ceiling fan and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the overhead fan for a horizontal surface during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the overhead fan for a horizontal surface of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the overhead fan for a horizontal surface of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the overhead fan for a horizontal surface of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of providing overhead ventilation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       The various embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a stands and bases and more particularly to a portable ceiling fan stand and method as used to improve the transportability and use of a ceiling fan in a non-permanent manner. 
     Generally, the present disclosure provides the same benefits of a ceiling fan without the requirement of permanent installation, holes in a ceiling, and/or hardwiring. The present disclosure may offer many benefits, such as an effective method for cooling and circulation in a room or outdoors from an aerial position. The disclosure may eliminate the need to install and wire a fan permanently in a ceiling. It may allow those who choose to rent, reside in mobile homes, or merely desire a fan to benefit from a ceiling fan. Also, the present disclosure may offer money savings by offering a cost effective alternative to a ceiling fan. 
     The rotating fan may be affixed to a vertical member mounted to a base. The base may be hidden beneath furniture or equipment. At the top of the vertical member is a horizontal member that extends vertically away from the base. The fan may be plugged to a standard outlet power supply. Such an arrangement allows users to easily move the device from one location to another without damage or needing repairs to a wall or ceiling. The fan may be operable via a pull cord, remote control, or integrated switch. The vertical member includes adjustability in height. 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of an overhead fan for a horizontal surface  100 .  FIG. 1  shows an overhead fan  100  for a horizontal surface during an ‘in-use’ condition  50 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the overhead fan  100  may be beneficial for use by a user to allow the user to utilize the benefits of an overhead fan without the need for a permanent installation. As illustrated, overhead fan  100  may include a support-base  110  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), a vertical-extension-member  120 , a horizontal-extension-member  130 , and an electric fan  140 . 
     According to one embodiment, overhead fan for a horizontal surface  100  may be arranged as a kit  105 . In particular, overhead fan for a horizontal surface  100  may further include a set of instructions  107 . Instructions  107  may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the overhead fan for a horizontal surface  100  such that overhead fan for a horizontal surface  100  can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show overhead fan for a horizontal surface  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the overhead fan  100  may include the support-base  110 , the vertical-extension-member  120 , the horizontal-extension-member  130 , and the electric fan  140 . The support-base  110  may be configured to rest on the horizontal surface  5 . The vertical-extension-member  120  has a top-end  122  and a bottom-end  124  relative to horizontal surface  5 , and the vertical-extension-member  120  may be coupled to the support-base  110  proximate the bottom-end  124 , extending above the support-base  110  relative to horizontal surface  5 . 
     Vertical-extension-member  120  and horizontal-extension-member  130  may be integrated together in some embodiments. The horizontal-extension-member  130  may be pivotable about a vertical axis of horizontal surface  5 , for example the vertical axis extending from vertically from the horizontal surface  5  may be coaxial with a vertical axis of the vertical-extension-member  120  or any point between the vertical-extension-member  120  and an axis of rotation of the electric fan  140 . 
     The horizontal-extension-member  130  may include mount-end  132 , and a fan-end  134  opposite mount-end  132 . The mount-end  132  of horizontal-extension-member  130  may be coupled to the vertical-extension-member  120  proximate top-end  122  of vertical-extension-member  120 . Horizontal-extension-member  130  may extend laterally away from vertical-extension-member  120 . 
     The electric fan  140  may be physically coupled to fan-end  134  of horizontal-extension-member  130 . The electric fan  140  may include a power supply interface  144 . Further, the electric fan  140  may be configured to be powered by a power supply via the power supply interface  144 . According to one embodiment, the electric fan  140  may be configured to be powered by an energy storage  142 . The energy storage may be removably coupled to overhead fan  140 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the overhead fan for a horizontal surface, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, overhead fan  100  may include a user interface  150  configured to operate electric fan  140 . Additionally, a ground fault circuit interrupter (not shown) may be electrically interspersed between electric fan  140  and power supply interface  144 , or may incorporated into user interface  150  and/or power supply interface  144 , in embodiments. Power supply interface  144  may protrude or otherwise extend from the support-base  110 . Power supply may include a household power supply (e.g. 120 v, 240 v, etc.) or may additionally and/or alternatively include an energy storage (e.g., battery, etc.) electrically coupled to electric fan  140 . 
     Horizontal-extension-member  130  may be removably coupled to vertical-extension-member  120 . Also, vertical-extension-member  120  may be removably coupled to support-base  110 . Vertical-extension-member  120  may be configured to position the electric fan at an adjustable height, relative to horizontal surface  5  and horizontal-extension-member  130  may be configured to position electric fan  140  at an adjustable in lateral distance from fan-end  134  ( FIG. 4 ) of horizontal-extension-member  130 . According to one embodiment, and as shown, the horizontal-extension-member  130  may include a vertical component (e.g., up or down) to its extension. Similarly, but now shown, the vertical-extension-member  120  may include a horizontal component (e.g., fore, aft, left, and/or right) to its extension. 
     Vertical-extension-member  120  may include a first-fastener-receiver such that the overhead fan is securable to a vertical surface via a fastener such as a wall, pillar or similar structure element. Similarly, horizontal-extension-member  130  may include a second-fastener-receiver such that the device is securable to an overhead surface such as a ceiling. Also, support-base  110  may include a third-fastener-receiver such that the overhead fan is securable to a floor. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating method of providing overhead ventilation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method  500  of providing overhead ventilation may include one or more components or features of the overhead fan  100  for a horizontal surface as described above. As illustrated, the method  500  may include the steps of: step one  501 , providing the overhead stand  100  (including the support-base  110 , the vertical-extension-member  120 , the horizontal-extension-member  130 , and the power supply interface  144 ); step two  502 , providing the electric fan  140 ; step three  503 , affixing the electric fan  140  to the overhead stand  100  (e.g., to a fan fixture box configured to receive power from the power supply interface  144  and deliver it to the electric fan  140 ); step four  504 , electrically coupling the power supply interface  144  of the overhead stand  100  to a power supply. According to one embodiment, the method  500  may include the steps of: step five  505 , vertically adjusting electric fan  140  position relative to horizontal surface  5 ; step six  506 , horizontally adjusting electric fan  140  position relative to a vertical surface; step seven  507 , pivotally adjusting electric fan  140  position about a vertical axis; step eight  508 , commencing operation ceiling fan  140  via power supply  144 ; and step nine  509 , ceasing operation of ceiling fan  140  via power supply  144 . 
     It should be noted that step five  505 , step six  506 , step seven  507 , step eight  508 , and step nine  509  are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for method of providing overhead ventilation (NOTE: e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein. 
     The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.