Patent Abstract:
Hook on and lock blades for ceiling fans. Hooks on either end portions of blades, on mounting arms or on rotors adjacent to the ceiling fan motors allow the blades to easily hook onto the motor assembly. Folding down the blade causes at least one lock to exist that restricts lateral and/or vertical movements between the blades and the motors. There are various types of techniques for locking the blades to the arms that can include tightly positioning a portion of one connector between two raised edges and/or walls of another connector. Additionally, the locking techniques can use snapably mateable male and female type fasteners, and the like, where the techniques restrict any lateral movement between the blades and the motor. The invention does not need removable fasteners such as screws and the like, to assemble the blades onto the ceiling fan. The hook and lock blades can be reversibly mounted allowing for greater versatility. Additional embodiments allow for vibration and noise reduction through the use of resilient members such as gaskets, washers, cushions, pads, and the like. Portions of a mount attached to the motor can be bendable by a hinge or the like, so that when bent a raised portion can receive a slot on the blade. The mount can further include at least one post where a through-hole on the blade can be hooked on the blade. Folding down the blade can further lock the blade to the mount and the motor substantially eliminating lateral and vertical movement between the blade and the motor. Additionally, the folding down with or without the resilient members can also eliminate vibration and noise between the blades and the arms/motors. Furthermore, a clip can be used to either or both lock the blade to the motor or eliminate lateral and/or vertical movements between the blade and the motor. Another embodiment allows an expandable and contracting clip to wrap about an edge of the blade holding the blade in place. The clip can be used with or without a post or posts. The clip can quickly allow the blade to be snapped into place. In all the embodiments, either or both centrifugal forces and the overall weight of the blades(by gravity) can hold the blades in place.

Full Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to ceiling fans, and in particular to ceiling fans having reversible blades that either hook and fold out to locked positions, or reversible blades that slide over angled arm ends, hook over at least one alignment post and fold out to locked positions during assembly or blades that slide into slots of a motor housings, and this invention is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/858,220 filed on May 15, 2001 to the same inventors and assignees as the subject invention, and which relates to U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,716 to Bucher et al., the same inventors and assignees, both of which are incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART  
         [0002]    Conventional ceiling fans that are shipped in cartons have separate packing materials such as foam inserts for the many components that must be assembled by the installer to hang the ceiling fan. For example, ceiling fan blades are generally shipped in detached positions and are fastened onto the motors and ceiling fan arms by screw type fasteners during the assembly process, a practice having many inherent problems.  
           [0003]    A single conventional ceiling fan blade has often required some five screw type fasteners to attach the blade to the motor/arm of the ceiling fan. Thus, a five blade ceiling fan can have some twenty five screw type fasteners just for attaching the fan blades to the motor and arm assembly. Clearly, problems occur when any of this small screw type fasteners become lost and/or missing during the assembly process.  
           [0004]    In addition to having multiple loose parts, a typical installer must follow a tedious process in order to assemble and hang the ceiling fan. In FIG. 1, a conventional ceiling fan motor housing  10  has a rotor component  20  that rotates about a central axis within a motor housing  10 , which in turn is connected to a hanger assembly  5  that is attached beneath a ceiling  2 . A plurality of fan blades  30  can be connected to the rotor  20  by mounting arms  40 . Each mounting arm  40  has one end  42  connected to an end  32  of each fan blade  30 , and an opposite second end  44  having at least two through-holes  45  therethrough, so that conventional screw type fasteners  50  can pass through the through-holes  45  to mateably thread into threaded holes  25  in the bottom of rotor  20 .  
           [0005]    It is usual in many ceiling fan installation directions to have the installer first connect and hang the motor housing  10 , rotor  20  and hanger assembly  5  to a ceiling by having the installer standing on a raised platform such as a ladder or stool. Next, the installation directions have the installer attach the blades  30  to their respective mounting arms/motor connectors  40 . Finally, a last step is to connect the blade  30  and respective mounting arm  40  to the rotor  20  on the motor housing  10 .  
           [0006]    This final assembly step takes great dexterity, patience, balance and time for the installer. In order for a single person  60  to be able to complete this final step, the installer  60  needs to hold in one hand  62  the fan blade  30  and already attached mounting arm  40 , and to position a screw driver  70  to the heads of the screws  50  with the other hand  64 . The installer must be able to balance the mounting screws  50  on the tip of the screw driver  70 , insert the screws upwardly through the holes  44  in the mounting arm, making sure not to accidentally drop the screws  50  and then screw the screws  50  into the mating holes  25  on the rotor  20  all while still holding the blade  30  and arm  40 . This assembly requires the installer to have to constantly hold both hands  62  and  64  raised high above their head, while again standing on the ladder or stool.  
           [0007]    This tedious traditional process of assembly and installation causes many potential problems. First, the screw type fasteners can and do accidentally fall and become lost causing more time and expense to finish the installation. The installer  60  often has to constantly reposition the blade  30  and arm  40  in order to be able to properly line up the through-holes  45  in the mounting arms  40  with their respective mating holes  25  in the bottom of rotor  20 . Also, the blade  30  and mounting arm 40  have been known to fall on and cause injury to the installer  60  during assembly. Furthermore, the installer can lose their balance and injure themselves by falling off the ladder or stool.  
           [0008]    The use of screws has other inherent problems as to their appearance. The screw type fasteners are often visible from those looking up at the running ceiling fans. Visible screws are unsightly and further detract from the appearance of the ceiling fan itself.  
           [0009]    Still additional problems have been known to occur after installation of the screw type fasteners. For example, uneven tightening of each of the plural screw type fasteners that connect the blades to the mounting arms has resulted in wobble effects when the ceiling fan is running. The wobble effects can include both lateral and/or vertical movement between the blades and the blade arms, or between the blades and the motors, or between the blade arms and the motors.  
           [0010]    Another problem occurs as a result of the need to clean blades over time in order to remove dirt and dust buildup. Current techniques have relied on manually holding brushes to the ceiling fan attached blades themselves which inherently tires the muscles in the cleaner&#39;s back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Furthermore, this messy cleaning operation with brushes while the blades are attached to the ceiling fan mounted motor often results in dirt and debris falling on both the cleaner and furniture and flooring below the ceiling fan.  
           [0011]    Another problem occurs when the ceiling fan is taken down to be reboxed. In order to be repackaged, each and every component must be disassembled, a time consuming endeavor, which also can result in many loose parts becoming misplaced and lost over time.  
           [0012]    A still another problem with blades having removable fasteners includes inherent problems with vibrations and noise that result from the spinning blades. Allowing some different parts to directly contact one another such as metal blade arms contacting metal blades allows for vibrations and noise to result.  
           [0013]    Various solutions to changing some of the traditional attachment methods referred above have been proposed. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,486 to Hodgkins, Jr. The Hodgkins &#39;486 patent describes an “Interchangeable Fan Blade System”, title. However, the embodiments generally require some screw type fasteners be used that still would have many of the problems described above. Furthermore, the slots shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and  9 , and adapter plates shown in FIGS.  5 A- 5 G would have problems in fixably securing the blades to the adapters so that the blades would not wobble nor rattle when being run during a ceiling fan use. For example, the hook arm in FIG. 5D would not by itself adequately secure the fan blades in position by solely relying on a “centrifugal force.” Besides the wobble and rattle problems, each time the ceiling fan stops the hooked on blades can potentially fall off and become damaged as well as injure those beneath the ceiling fan. Similarly the “pin” supported blades of FIG. 5F would also wobble and rattle for not being properly secured to the mounting arms. In addition, these “pins” can inherently become loose and cause the blades to possibly fall off, become damaged and possibly injure those beneath the ceiling fan.  
           [0014]    Furthermore, the Hodgkins &#39;486 reference fails to take into account the inherent vibration and noise problems that can result when using fasteners such as screws, and the like. Additionally, other embodiments in this reference allow some parts to directly contact one another, such as metal arms directly contacting metal blades, and the like, which would result in undesirable vibration and noise. Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    A first objective of the subject invention is to provide ceiling fan blades that can be easily and quickly attached onto a ceiling fan mounted motor without the need of using removable fasteners such as screws and the like.  
           [0016]    The second objective of the subject invention is to provide mountable ceiling fan blades that become instantly aligned when being mounted.  
           [0017]    The third objective of the subject invention is to provide ceiling fan blades that do not rattle nor wobble when being run on a ceiling fan.  
           [0018]    The fourth objective of the subject invention is to provide ceiling fan blades that can be reversibly hung without using removable fasteners such as screws and the like.  
           [0019]    The fifth objective of the subject invention is to provide ceiling fan blades that slide into a space formed between a raised end of a blade arm and the rest of the blade, lock onto an alignment post and become locked when the blade is folded outward.  
           [0020]    The sixth objective of the subject invention is to provide ceiling fan blades that easily lock onto a ceiling fan without the use of fasteners having enhanced vibration reduction and minimize noise transmission between the blades and the ceiling fan.  
           [0021]    The seventh objective of the subject invention is to provide ceiling fan blades that easily lock onto a ceiling fan blade arm without the use of fasteners such as screws and the like.  
           [0022]    The eighth objective of the subject invention is to provide ceiling fan blades having a built on medallion cover that does not need to be separated fastened thereon.  
           [0023]    The ninth objective of the subject invention is to provide ceiling fan blades having enhanced vibration reduction and minimized noise transmission between the ceiling fan blades and the ceiling fan motor.  
           [0024]    The tenth objective of the subject invention is to provide ceiling fan blades having enhanced vibration reduction and minimized noise transmission between the ceiling fan blades and the blade arms.  
           [0025]    The eleventh objective of the subject invention is to provide attachments for ceiling fan blades that eliminates lateral and vertical movement between the blades and the blade arms.  
           [0026]    The twelfth objective of the subject invention is to provide attachments for ceiling fan blades that eliminates lateral and vertical movement between the blades and the fan motors.  
           [0027]    The thirteenth objective of the subject invention is to provide attachments for ceiling fan blades that eliminates lateral and vertical movement between the blade arms and the motors.  
           [0028]    The fourteenth objective of the subject invention is to provide for blades that can be pre-attached to ceiling fan motors and packed in a box so that an installer only has to pull the motor and blade assembly out of a box and hang it from a ceiling.  
           [0029]    The fifteenth objective of the subject invention is to provide for blades that can be hooked and clipped onto a ceiling fan.  
           [0030]    The sixteenth objective of the subject invention is to provide for blades that can be held onto a ceiling fan by centrifugal force.  
           [0031]    The seventeenth objective of the subject invention is to provide for blades that can be held onto a ceiling fan and held in place by gravity.  
           [0032]    The subject invention is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 09/858,220 filed on May 15, 2001 to the same inventors and assignees as the subject invention, and which relates to U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,716 to Bucher et al., the same inventors and assignees, both of which are incorporated by reference.  
           [0033]    The subject invention includes two embodiments of hook and fold blades and multiple embodiments describing blades that slide over bent arm ends, hook onto at least one alignment post and folds out to a locked position during assembly, and another embodiment of angling a blade into a slot and hooking the blade and folding the blade down into a locked position.  
           [0034]    Both of the first embodiments include a ceiling fan motor having a rotating member, a first mount attached to the rotating member, a first fan blade having a first interior end portion and a first exterior end portion, a first hook portion which hooks the first mount to the first interior end portion, and a lock portion for restricting lateral movement between the first mount and the first interior end portion, wherein centrifugal force further locks the first fan blade to the first mount. The first mount can be on the first fan blade arm, or on a portion of a rotor on the motor. The locking portion can include edges having a cavity therebetween, wherein a portion of the first hook portion becomes positioned and locked within the cavity. One embodiment has the first hook portion attached to and extends outward away from the first interior portion of the first blade. Another embodiment has the first hook portion attached to and extends outward away from the first mount attached to the rotating member. The first hook portion can be attached to the first interior portion of the first blade and extends to the first exterior portion of the first blade. The first hook portion can be attached to the first mount toward the rotating member. The blades can be reversible in at least one of the embodiments.  
           [0035]    For both of the first and second embodiments there is a novel method of attaching the ceiling fan blades without using any removable fasteners, that includes the steps of hooking one end of a fan blade to a mount attached to a ceiling fan motor, and locking the fan blade to the ceiling fan motor with at least one technique to eliminate any lateral movement between the fan blade and the mount. The techniques can include either or both inserting a narrow body portion to be tightly fit or mateably fit between two raised edges/walls/arms, and/or positioning a raised ridge type portion into a mateably receiving indentation.  
           [0036]    The third embodiment allows for an end of the ceiling fan blade arm to bend on a hinge to allow a space for allowing an end of a ceiling fan blade to be inserted into the space. At least one through hole on the blade end hooks over and slides onto a raised post from the bent arm end. Next, the blade is folded down to a locked position. Vibration isolators such as but not limited to washers, grommets, cushions, pads, and the like, combinations thereof, and the like, can be inserted over the raised post(s), and/or be located adjacent between the blade end and the bent arm portions abutting against the blade end and/or in any area where components abut against one another. The third embodiment allows for enhanced operation without lateral and vertical movement between the blades and the arms/motors. The invention further allows for operation without vibration and noise that often occurs with prior art blade attachment techniques. This embodiment allows for tight fits between the blades and ceiling fan arms, or between the blades and the ceiling fan motors.  
           [0037]    A fourth embodiment can be used with the third embodiment and allows for a spring type clip to further lock the blade to the ceiling fan motor. The clip can be pre-attached for example, to the medallion portion and when the blade and medallion are folded downward can expand about and contact against or about portions of the arm, the hinge portion on the arm, and the like. The clip can also restrict lateral and or vertical movement between the blade and the ceiling fan motor. The clip can be used with one or more posts, and with or without any vibration and noise type resilient members.  
           [0038]    A fifth embodiment allows for blades to be slided into a slot opening in the side band of a ceiling fan motor, pivoted about the slot opening so that the blade hooks onto a motor mount by post(s) passing through a through-hole, and/or uses an expandable and contractible type clip such as but not limited to a spring type clip that snapably locks the blade in a horizontal position. The post(s) and clip can be located on a motor mount, the blade or both the blade and the mount. The invention can be practiced using post(s) without the clip. Additionally, the invention can be practiced using the clip without the post(s). Since the overall weight of the blade is to the side of the pivot point opposite where the blade attaches to the motor, then gravity will continuously pull the blade downward so that the blade end constantly abuts against the motor mount. Thus, this embodiment allows for the gravity of the blade to further lock and hold the blade to the ceiling fan. Similar to all of the preceding embodiments, centrifugal force of the resultant spinning blades allows the blades to be held in place to the ceiling fan.  
           [0039]    Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0040]    [0040]FIG. 1 shows a prior art view of a blade with mounting arm attached to a ceiling fan motor and rotor.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the hook and fold ceiling fan blade with a blade ready to be attached to a motor/arm.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 2B is a top view of FIG. 2A along arrow T.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 2C is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B along arrows A-A.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 3 is another view of FIG. 2C with the hook starting to be inserted about the pin.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 4 is another view of FIG. 3 with the hook being fully wrapped about the pin.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 5 is another view of FIG. 4 with the blade in a folded down position.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preceding figures in a fully attached state.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the hook and fold ceiling fan blade with the blade ready to be attached to a motor/arm.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 7B is a top view of FIG. 7A along arrow S.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 7C is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 7B along arrows B-B.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 8 is another view of FIG. 7C with the hook starting to be inserted about the pin.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 9 is another view of FIG. 8 with the hook being fully wrapped about the pin.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 10 is another view of FIG. 9 with the blade in a folded down position.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second embodiment in a fully attached state.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the lower medallion cover of the second embodiment.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 12B is a top view of the cover of FIG. 12A along arrow X 1 .  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 12C is a side view of the cover of FIG. 12B along arrow X 2 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the upper medallion cover of FIG. 7A- 11  without pin support arms.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 13B is a top view of the cover of FIG. 13A along arrow Y 1 .  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 13C is a side view of the cover of FIG. 13B along arrow Y 2 .  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the arm and hook connector of the second embodiment.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 14B is atop view of FIG. 14A along arrow Z 1 .  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 14C is a side view of FIG. 14B along arrow Z 2 .  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 14D is a bottom view of FIG. 14C along arrow Z 4 .  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a third embodiment having an arm end bent about a hinge, and a blade detached therefrom.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 16 is another view of the third embodiment having the blade end inserted into the space formed between the bent arm end and the blade arm.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 17 shows the blade end hooked over the raised posts of the bent blade end.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 18 is a final assembly view of the blade end sandwiched between the blade arm end and a portion of the hinge.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 19A is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment medallion and spring clip.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 19B is another perspective view of FIG. 19A with spring clip attached to the medallion.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 20 shows a blade end ready to slide in and hook onto the medallion of FIGS.  19 A- 19 B.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 21 is a final assembly view of the blade end sandwiched between the blade arm end and a portion of the arm connected hinge.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a blade and partial cut-away view of the rotating band of the ceiling fan motor showing the post(s) and clip.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 23 is another view of FIG. 22 with the blade slid into a slot in the rotating band of the motor.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 24 shows the blade end pivoted about the slot and attached to the spring clip.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 25 is a side view of FIG. 24 showing the blade hooked about the post(s) and attached to the clip. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0077]    Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.  
         [0078]    First Embodiment  
         [0079]    This invention is further related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,010,306 to Bucher et al. and 6,171,059 to Bucher et al.; and 6,213,716 to Bucher et al., each having the same inventors and assignee as the subject invention and each being incorporated by reference.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first embodiment  100  of the hook and fold ceiling fan blade with a blade  110  ready to be attached to a motor/arm  140 . FIG. 2B is a top view of FIG. 2A along arrow T. FIG. 2C is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B along arrows A-A. Referring to FIGS.  2 A- 2 C, ceiling fan blade  110  can have a medallion cover  112 , attached thereon with fasteners  112 , such as screws, and the like. Attached to the medallion  112  can be a connector section  120  having two raised wall type members  122 ,  124  with a pin member  123  connected attached therebetween. The bottom of connector  120  has an upper bottom surface  126 , which steps down at  127  to a lower bottom surface  128 . A raised ridge type member  129  is positioned in front of wall members  122 ,  124 . A ceiling fan motor arm  140  has one end  142  that can be attached to a motor/rotor  50  such as that shown in FIG. 1. Arm  140  can be a solid member or be hollow or have an open upper surface such as a half cylinder. The outer dimensions of the arm can be of any desired shape, such as but not limited to cylindrical, rectangular, and the like. The opposite end  144  of arm  140  can include a hook connector  130 , having a hook portion  132  and a mid narrow raised body portion  134  that attaches the hook portion  132  to the arm  140 . Hook connector  130  can be formed with arm  140  or be separately attached at end  136  by conventional fasteners such as screws, and the like. On the underside of hook connector  130  can be an indentation  135 .  
         [0081]    The subject invention can be assembled by initially hanging the ceiling fan motor as shown in FIG. 1, with the blades to be attached thereafter. The method of attaching the blade  110  to the motor/arm of the ceiling fan  140  will be described in reference to FIGS.  2 C and  3 - 4 .  
         [0082]    An installer can initially orient the blade  110  off axis to the longitudinal axis L, of the motor arm  140 . FIG. 3 the hook portion  132  starting to be inserted about the pin  123 . Next, the installer can pull or push the blade  110  in the direction of arrow P so that the hook portion  132  is fully attached. FIG. 4 is another view of FIG. 3 with the hook being fully wrapped about the pin. Finally, the blade  110  is folded down in the direction of arrow R. FIG. 5 is another view of FIG. 4 with the blade in a folded down position with the blade  110  in the same plane as the axis L of the arm  140 . FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the final folded down position of the blade  110 .  
         [0083]    The two different techniques of locking the blade  110  to the arm  130  will now be discussed in reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B,  5  and  6 . The narrow body portion  134  of hook connector  130  slides into and becomes sandwiched between the raised edges  122 ,  124  of connector  120 . A tight sized space between edges  122 ,  124  allows for a tight fit when the narrow body portion  134  of hook connector  130  has been placed therein. The bottom uneven surface  134  of hook connector  130  abuts against the inner upper surface  126  and inner step surface  127  of connector  120  to complete the first locking technique. A second locking technique occurs when raised ridge member  129  of connector  120  can become mateably seated into the indentation groove  135  of hook connector  130  locking the blade  110  to the arm  140 . A tight and/or snap fit between the raised ridge member  129  and indentation groove  135  can also be used. Either or both locking techniques described will restrict any lateral (side-to-side) movement of the blade  110  relative to the arm  140 . Although, the two locking techniques are shown the invention can be practiced with either one. Using both locking techniques acts as an extra safety feature to lock the blade  110  to the motor/arm  140 .  
         [0084]    Second Embodiment  
         [0085]    A second embodiment of the subject invention hook and lock blades will be described in reference to FIGS.  7 A- 14 D. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a second embodiment  200  of the hook and fold ceiling fan blade invention with the blade  210  ready to be attached to a motor/arm  240 . FIG. 7B is a top view of FIG. 7A along arrow S. FIG. 7C is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 7B along arrows B-B.  
         [0086]    [0086]FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the lower medallion cover  212 B of the second embodiment  200 . FIG. 12B is a top view of the cover  212 B of FIG. 12A along arrow X 1 . FIG. 12C is a side view of the cover  212 B of FIG. 12B along arrow X 2 . Referring to FIGS.  12 A- 12 C, medallion cover  212 B can include two arms  222  and  224  attached to and extending from a rear portion so that a rotation pin  223  can be fixably inserted into mounting holes  221 ,  225  so that pin  223  can be fixably attached to both arms  222  and  224 .  
         [0087]    [0087]FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the upper medallion cover  212 A of FIG. 7A- 11  without pin support arms. FIG. 13B is a top view of the cover  212 A of FIG. 13A along arrow Y 1 . FIG. 13C is a side view of the cover  212 A of FIG. 13B along arrow Y 2 .  
         [0088]    The upper medallion cover  212 A can be attached to the lower medallion cover  212 B by positioning and sandwiching both covers  212 A and  212 B about an end portion of the blade  210  and using snapable type fasteners  213 A,  213 B, where for example male prong portions  213 A can mateably snap into female receivers  213 B holding the medallion covers  212 A and  212 B to blade  210 . The two sided medallion covers  212 A,  212 B allow the second embodiment to be able to reverse the blade  210  during use. Thus, a blade  210  can be used that has different colors(i.e. black on one side and white on other side, wood grain on one side and solid color on other side, and the like)  
         [0089]    [0089]FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the arm  240  and hook connector  230  of the second embodiment  200 . FIG. 14B is a top view of FIG. 14A along arrow Z 1 . FIG. 14C is a side view of FIG. 14B along arrow Z 2 . FIG. 14D is a bottom view of FIG. 14C along arrow Z 4 . Referring to FIGS.  14 A- 14 D, hook connector  230  includes a hook portion  232  facing toward the motor end  242  of arm  240 , with the hook portion attached by fasteners  233  such as screws and the like, to a narrow raised body portion  234  with a uneven surface  236  facing toward the blades  210 . The hook connector  230  can be fixably attached to the arm  240  by being molded into the arm, or attached by conventional fasteners(not shown) such as screws and the like.  
         [0090]    The second embodiment  200  of the subject invention can be assembled by initially hanging the ceiling fan motor as shown in FIG. 1, with the blades to be attached thereafter. The method of attaching the blade  210  to the motor/arm  240  of the ceiling fan will be described in reference to FIGS.  7 C and  8 - 10 .  
         [0091]    An installer can initially orient the blade  210  off axis to the longitudinal axis L, of the motor arm  240 . FIG. 8 is another view of FIG. 7C with the hook portion  232  starting to be inserted about the pin  223 . Next, the installer can pull or push the blade  210  in the direction of arrow Q so that the hook portion  232  is fully attached. FIG. 9 is another view of FIG. 8 with the hook portion  232  being fully wrapped about the pin  223 . Finally, the blade  210  is folded down in the direction of arrow S. FIG. 10 is another view of FIG. 9 with the blade  210  in a folded down position with the blade  210  in the same plane as the axis L of the arm  240 . FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second embodiment  200  in a fully attached state.  
         [0092]    Similar to the first embodiment  100 , there is at least one locking techniques for locking the blade  210  to the arm  240 . The narrow body portion  234  of hook connector  230  slides between and becomes sandwiched in the space between the two arms  222 ,  224  of connector  220 . A tight sized space between arms  222 ,  224  allows for a tight fit when the narrow body portion  234  of hook connector  230  has been placed therein. The bottom surface  245 (shown more clearly in FIG. 14D) on both sides of narrow body portion  234  of hook connector  230  abuts against the bottom of the arms  222 ,  224  of connector  220  to complete the locking step. Although not shown a second locking technique similar to the one described in reference to the first embodiment can also be used in the second embodiment. For example, a raised ridge and mateable indentation can be on either the rear surface  236  of hook connector  230  and surface  228 (FIG. 12B), respectively, and vice versa.  
         [0093]    While the preferred embodiments describe attaching ceiling fan blades while the motor has been previously hung on a ceiling, the blades can be attached before the motor is hung so that the entire ceiling fan and blades can be hung together from the ceiling.  
         [0094]    Third Embodiment  
         [0095]    [0095]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a third embodiment  300  having an arm end bent about a hinge, and a blade  310  detached therefrom. Blade  310  can include an inner end portion  312  having a slot  319  therein, and at least one through-hole that passes through the blade  310  from one side to the opposite side. In the preferred embodiment  300 , four through-holes  311 ,  313 ,  315 ,  317  are shown. The invention can be practiced with at little as one through-hole, two through holes, three through-holes or more. A medallion portion  320  can be attached to a blade arm  340  by a hinge portion  330 , and the arm  340  can be attached to a ceiling fan motor(such as  10  illustrated in FIG. 1) by a rotor mount flange  350 . The medallion  320  can include at least one upwardly projecting post type member. Here, four post type members  321 ,  323 ,  325 ,  327  are shown which can be sized to fit within the like positioned respective through-holes  311 ,  313 ,  315 ,  317 . About at least one of the post type members can be resilient members  322  such as washers, gaskets, and the like, made from rubber, foam, and the like. Also, additional cushion type resilient pads  324  such as rubber, foam, and the like, can be attached to a portion of the body of the medallion  320 . Extending from an inner end of the medallion  320  can be a downwardly protruding member  326  that can have sides  328  that form a channel type groove therebetween. Hinge portion  330  can include an upwardly bent narrow width L-portion  332 , a wide flange portion  334 , and a narrow width tip portion  336 , which is hingedly connected to upwardly projecting hinge post(s)  329  attached to the medallion  320 .  
         [0096]    For the assembly, medallion  320  can be bent upward about hinge  330  in the direction of arrow C 1  to an angle of approximately 10 to approximately 90 degrees, here approximately 50 degrees creating a space between wide flange wing type portions  334  and the medallion  320 . Next, blade  310  can be moved downward in the direction of arrow E so that slot  319  fits about narrow width tip portion  336 . FIG. 16 is another view of the third embodiment  300  having the blade end inserted into the space formed between the bent arm end and the blade arm.  
         [0097]    Next, blade  310  and medallion  320  can be moved substantially laterally in the direction of arrow D allowing for the post type members  321 ,  322 ,  325 ,  327  of the medallion  320  to hook into the respective through-holes  311 ,  313 ,  315 ,  317  of the blade  310 . The post type members allow for the blade  310  to be instantly aligned into position with the arm  340 . FIG. 17 shows the blade  310  hooked over the raised posts  321 ,  323 ,  325 ,  327  of the medallion  320 , with the resilient type members  322 ,  324  sandwiched between the blade  310  and the medallion  320 .  
         [0098]    Finally, the blade  310  is folded downward in the direction of arrow C 2  until the blade  310  and arm  340  are substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis E of the motor(such as the one shown in FIG. 1). In the final fold down position, the sides  346 ,  348  of the arm  340  are within the channel formed from the sides  328  of the protruding member  326  attached to the medallion  320 . Additionally, the flange wings  334  of the upper portion of the hinge abut against portions  311  of the blade  310  further locking the blade  310  to the arm  340 . Furthermore, the locking can include a portion of bent narrow width L-portion  332  fitting within slot  319  of the blade  310 . In the lock down position shown in FIG. 18, both lateral and vertical movement of the blade relative to the arm is substantially eliminated.  
         [0099]    The blades  310  and arms  340  and other shown components can be made from plastic, wood, metal, other suitable materials, combinations, thereof, and the like.  
         [0100]    Although four posts  321 ,  323 ,  325 ,  327  and four mateable through-holes  311 ,  313 ,  315 ,  317  are shown, the invention can be practiced with one post and one through-hole, two posts and two through-holes, three posts and three through-holes, or more. The post(s) and through-hole(s) allows for an alignment fit between the blade  310  and the arm  340  along with the slot  319  that fits about the narrow width L-portion  332  While the post(s) and through-hole(s) appear to be cylindrical in the drawings, they can include other shapes such as but not limited to rectangular, oval, different shapes, combinations thereof, and the like. Additionally, any of the post(s) and mateable through-hole(s) can be a tight fit that allows a lock there between.  
         [0101]    While the post(s) are shown projecting upward from the medallion  320 , the posts can project in other directions, such as but not limited to downward, for example if the medallion is on top of the blades. Additionally, the posts can be located on other components such as but not limited to the flange wings  334  of the hinge portion  330 , on the protruding portion  326  of the medallion, and the like.  
         [0102]    Although resilient washers/gaskets  322  are shown on two posts  321 ,  323 , the washers/gaskets can be used on only one post, three posts, and all four posts shown. Additionally, the cushion(s)/pad(s)  324  can be eliminated or used in combination with the washer(s)/gasket(s)  322 , or used without the washer(s)/gasket(s)  322 . Additionally, the cushion(s)/pad(s)  324  can be a single one or more than one, and additionally, the cushion(s)/pad(s)  324  can be located in different locations on the medallion  320 . Furthermore, the cushion(s)/pad(s)  324  and/or washer(s)/gasket(s)  322  can be initially located and/or attached to the blade  310  instead of the medallion  320 . Furthermore, the undersurface of the flange wings  334  and/or a portion of the upper surface  311  of the blade can use cushion(s)/pad(s)  324  for vibration and noise reduction effects. Still furthermore, the inside of the slot  319  and/or the sides of the narrow width L-portion  332  and/or the sides  346 / 348  of the arm  340  and/or protruding member  326  and/or sides  328  can include cushion(s)/pad(s)  324  as needed. The invention would contemplate any area where there is potential contact between components to have one or more cushion(s)/pad(s)  324  and/or washer(s)/gasket(s)  322  singularly or in any combination.  
         [0103]    Still furthermore, the invention can be practiced without vibration reduction washer(s)  322  and cushion(s)/pad(s)  324 , for example when there are tight fits between the post(s) and through-hole(s), and/or between the slot  319  and hinge portion  322  and/or between the arm  340  and protruding member  326 ,  328 .  
         [0104]    Although the third embodiment can be used with a motor that is pre-hung from a ceiling as shown in FIG. 1, the invention can be easily practiced by installing the blade(s)  310  onto the arm(s)  340  that are attached to the motor, before hanging the motor from the ceiling.  
         [0105]    The third embodiment allows for less assembly steps by allowing for the blade(s) to be pre-installed onto the arm(s)  340  or the motor at a factory, and in the bent position shown in FIG. 17 be further bent so that the blade(s)  310  are at a substantial ninety degree bent angle and packaged in a way similar to that shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,716 to the same inventors and assignee as the subject invention, which is incorporated by reference. Also, the blade(s)  310  could be packed separated from the arm(s)  340  and/or fan motor in a packing box such as done in many conventional ceiling fan packages.  
         [0106]    Fourth Embodiment  
         [0107]    [0107]FIG. 19A is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment  400  of a medallion  420  and spring clip  460 . FIG. 19B is another perspective view of FIG. 19A with spring clip  460  attached to the medallion  420 .  
         [0108]    Similar to the medallion  320  of the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment medallion  420  can include at post type member(s)  421 ,  423 . Hinge post(s)  429  are also attached to a portion of medallion  420 , and a protruding member  426  extends off one end of medallion  420  with sides  429  forming a channel therebetween, and a grill member  427  extends across the sides  428  which can receive legs  463 ,  465  of spring clip  460 . A pair of punched out interior facing tabs  469 (such as dimples) in the lower portions of spring clip legs  463 ,  465  allow the clip  460  to be locked inside the opening  425  of the grill member  427 .  
         [0109]    [0109]FIG. 20 shows a blade end  410  ready to slide in and hook onto the medallion  420  of FIGS.  19 A- 19 B. Similar to the third embodiment, hinge posts  429  rotatably attach medallion  420  to blade arm  440  by a hinge portion  430 .  
         [0110]    For the assembly, medallion  420  can be bent upward about hinge  430  in the direction of arrow F 1  to an angle of approximately 10 to approximately 90 degrees, here approximately 50 degrees creating a space between wide flange wing type portions  434  and medallion  420 . Next, blade  410  can be moved downward in the direction of arrow G 1  so that slot  419  of blade  410  fits about a narrow width tip portion  436 . Next, blade  410  with medallion  420  can be moved substantially in a lateral direction of arrow G 2  allowing the post type members  421 ,  423  of the medallion  420  to hook into the respective through-holes  411 ,  413  of the blade  410 . Similar to the third embodiment, the blade  410  and medallion  420  can be folded downward in the direction of arrow G 2 .  
         [0111]    [0111]FIG. 21 is a final assembly view of an end portion  411  of the blade end  410  sandwiched between the medallion  420  and a wing flange portions  434  of the hinge  430 . Similar to the third embodiment, channel space between sides  428  of protruding portion  426  wrap about sides  448  of arm  440  that is can be previously attached to a ceiling fan motor(such as  10  illustrated in FIG. 1) by a rotor mount flange  450 .  
         [0112]    In FIG. 21, the bent tab ends  462 ,  464  of the spring clip  460  wrap about narrow width portion  432  of the hinge portion  430  and can press into side indentations  433  thereon, along with a pair of punched out interior facing tabs  467 (shown also in FIG. 19A) in the upper portions of spring clip legs  463 ,  465  allow the clip  460  to be locked to narrow width portion  432  of the hinge portion  430  that is pre-connected to arm  440 , further locking the blade  410  to the arm  440 .  
         [0113]    The blades  410  and arms  440 , and spring clip  460 , and other shown components can be made from plastic, wood, metal, other suitable materials, combinations, thereof, and the like.  
         [0114]    Although, the fourth embodiment shows protruding sides  428  of medallion  420  gripping about arm  440  along with spring type clip  460 , the invention can be practiced without the wrapping about sides  428 .  
         [0115]    Although, the spring clip  460  is shown having two bent tab ends  462 ,  464  with two legs  463 ,  465 , with two pairs of pressed type dimpled tabs  467 ,  469 , the invention can be practiced with one bent tab end or more, one or more legs, no dimpled tabs, one dimpled tab, or more dimpled tabs, as needed.  
         [0116]    Although the clip  460  is shown as being initially attached to the medallion  420 , the clip  460  can be attached to portions of the arm  440 , and the like. Still additionally, the clip  460  can be attached to portions of the hinge portion  430  such as but not limited to the narrow portion  432 . Still additionally, the clip can have tab end(s) facing downward, sideways, and the like.  
         [0117]    The fourth embodiment can also be used without a spring clip. For example, the post(s) can be longer, so that the far exterior end of the blades in relation to the pivot(hinge typed portion)point allows the weight of the blades to hold the blades both perpendicular to the rotational axis of the motor, and stable to the motor housing.  
         [0118]    Although two posts  421 ,  423 , and two mateable through-holes  411 ,  413 , are shown, the invention can be practiced with one post and one through-hole, two posts and two through-holes, three posts and three through-holes, or more. The post(s) and through-hole(s) allows for an alignment fit between the blade  410  and the arm  440  along with the slot  419  that fits about the narrow width L-portion  432  While the post(s) and through-hole(s) appear to be cylindrical in the drawings, they can include other shapes such as but not limited to rectangular, oval, different shapes, combinations thereof, and the like. Additionally, any of the post(s) and mateable through-hole(s) can be a tight fit that allows a lock there between.  
         [0119]    While the post(s) are shown projecting upward from the medallion  420 , the posts can project in other directions, such as but not limited to downward, for example if the medallion is on top of the blades. Additionally, the posts can be located on other components such as but not limited to the flange wings  434  of the hinge portion  430 , on the protruding portion  426  of the medallion, and the like.  
         [0120]    Although no resilient washers/gaskets and cushion(s)/pad(s) are not shown they can be added as described in previous embodiments. The invention would contemplate any area where there is potential contact between components to could potentially have one or more cushion(s)/pad(s) and/or washer(s)/gasket(s) singularly or in any combination.  
         [0121]    The invention can be used when there are tight fits between the post(s) and through-hole(s), and/or between the slot  419  and hinge portion  422  and/or between the arm  440  and protruding member  426 .  
         [0122]    Although the fourth embodiment can be used with a motor that is pre-hung from a ceiling as shown in FIG. 1, the invention can be easily practiced by installing the blade(s)  410  onto the arm(s)  440  that are attached to the motor, before hanging the motor from the ceiling.  
         [0123]    The fourth embodiment allows for less assembly steps by allowing for the blade(s)  410  to be pre-installed onto the arm(s)  440  or the motor at a factory, and in the bent position shown in FIG. 20 be further bent so that the blade(s)  410  are at a substantial ninety degree bent angle and packaged in a way similar to that shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,716 to the same inventors and assignee as the subject invention, which is incorporated by reference. Also, the blade(s)  410  could be packed separated from the arm(s)  440  and/or fan motor in a packing box such as done in many conventional ceiling fan packages.  
         [0124]    Fifth Embodiment  
         [0125]    [0125]FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment  500  of a blade  310  and partial cut-away view of the rotating band  502  of the ceiling fan motor  10 (similar to that shown in FIG. 1) showing the novel post(s)  521 - 524  and novel clip  530 . Blade  510  can include an inwardly protruding end portion  512  having through-holes  511 ,  513  therethrough. Motor  10  can include a rotating rotor portion  20  similar to that shown in the prior art of FIG. 1. Attached about the rotor  20  can be a rotating band  502  having narrow rectangular typed shaped slot(s)  505  in the perimeter thereof. Although only one is shown, other slots can exist about the band  502  for other blade ends to be similarly inserted therethrough. Attached to the rotor  20  can be a flange arm  520 . The flange arm  520  can be in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis M of the motor  10 . Additionally, the flange arm  520  and/or the protruding blade end  512  can be slightly twisted in order to allow for the blade to mounted at a slight twist angle to increase air flow. Extending downward from the flange arm  520  can be posts  521 ,  523  each with resilient type washers/gaskets  522 ,  524  thereon, that were similarly described in reference to the other embodiments.  
         [0126]    For the assembly, motor  10  can be either pre-hung to a ceiling  2 (see FIG. 1) prior to having the blade(s)  310  attached thereto, or have the blades  310  attached before hanging the ceiling fan to the ceiling inner blade end  512 ,  514  can be moved downward at an angle of approximately 10 to approximately 80 degrees in the direction of arrow H 1  through side slot  505  in band  502 .  
         [0127]    [0127]FIG. 23 is another view of FIG. 22 with the blade end  512  slid into slot  505  in the rotating band  502  of the motor  10  until a shoulder portion  517  of the blade adjacent to a portion  516  of protruding end  512  abuts against an outer edge  506  of the motor band  502 . Next, outer blade portion  518  of blade  510  is moved downward in the direction of arrow I 1  while pivoting about the slot  505 , while inner blade end  514  moves upward in the direction of arrow I 2 . As blade end  514  touches inwardly bent tab end  532  of spring clip  530 , the tab end  532  can bend inward in the direction of arrow J 1 . While end  514  is rising, the through-holes  511 ,  513  become hooked about posts  521 ,  523 .  
         [0128]    [0128]FIG. 24 shows a final assembly view of the blade end  514  after being pivoted about the slot  505  and attached to the spring clip  530 . Here, the step portion  534  of the clip  530  is now bent about and abuts to end  514  of the protruding end  512  of the blade  510 . In FIG. 24, blade  510  is shown in a completely folded out position being substantially perpendicular to the rotating axis of motor  10 .  
         [0129]    Since the overall weight of the blade  310  is to the side of the pivot point  505  opposite where the blade end  512  attaches to the motor  20 , then gravity will continuously pull the blade  510  downward so that the blade end constantly abuts against the motor mount. Thus, this embodiment allows for the gravity of the blade  510  to further lock and hold the blade  510  to the ceiling fan. Similar to all of the preceding embodiments, centrifugal force from the operation of running and spinning the blade(s)  510  allows the blade(s)  510  to be held in place to the ceiling fan.  
         [0130]    [0130]FIG. 25 is a side view of FIG. 24 showing the blade  510  hooked about the post(s) and attached to the clip. With the bottom  507  exposed, the end tab  532  on the springs can be manually moved and/or depressed in the directions of J 2  and/or J 3  to release the blades. For example, a traditional light kit  590  or bottom housing cover  590  can be used cover the bottom opening  507  that is used to access the clip  530 .  
         [0131]    Although the clip  530  is described as a spring type clip, other types of clips and/or catches and/or clamps can be used. Additionally, the clip can be located on the side edge of the protruding member  512  instead of the end edge  514 . Still furthermore, more than one clip can be used, or no clips can be used. Still furthermore, the clip can include a post type portion that passes into a through-hole on the blade end. Still furthermore, the clip can be initially attached to the blade. Still furthermore, the post(s) can initially project from the blade end.  
         [0132]    The clip and/or post can be used to restrict lateral and vertical movement, as well as reduce vibration and noise between the blade and the ceiling fan motor.  
         [0133]    Although, the post(s) are shown as protruding downward, the invention can be practiced with the post(s) protruding in other directions such as but not limited to upward.  
         [0134]    Although two posts and through-holes were shown in the fifth embodiment, the invention can be practiced with one post, three posts or more, and a like number of through-holes.  
         [0135]    Additionally, resilient type cushion(s)/pad(s) such as those used in the previous embodiments can be used with or as a substitute for the washer(s)/gasket(s). The invention would contemplate any area where there is potential contact between components to have one or more cushion(s)/pad(s) and/or washer(s)/gasket(s) singularly or in any combination, such as but not limited to the surfaces of the clip  530 , slot  505 , and the like. Still furthermore, the invention can be practiced without both washer(s)/gasket(s) and cushion(s)/pad(s).  
         [0136]    Still furthermore, the invention can be practiced without vibration reduction washer(s) and cushion(s)/pad(s), for example when there are tight fits between the post(s) and through-hole(s), and/or between the clip  530  and the blade end  514 .  
         [0137]    The fifth embodiment can also be similarly packaged in ways similar to those described in the other embodiments.  
         [0138]    In all of the embodiments, the blades can be removed from the arms and motors after the motor has been hung by merely reversing the installation steps described above. For example, if a user wants to remove any blade for cleaning and/or for reversing the blade to show another decorative side of the blade, the embodiments allow for the user to easily remove the blades without having to take down the entire ceiling hung motor.  
         [0139]    Still furthermore, unlike much of the prior art the centrifugal force of the spinning blades in any of the above embodiments further locks the blades the arms and motors.  
         [0140]    Although the above preferred embodiments show the arms of the motor having hook connectors thereon, the rotating portion of the motor such as the rotor can have the hook connectors thereon instead of the arms. Still additionally, the blade ends can have the hook connectors thereon. Still additionally, a portion of the blades can protrude therefrom with hook connectors. Still additionally, the lock connectors can located on portions of the rotor adjacent to the motor, the lock connectors can be located on the blade ends, and on protruding portions of the blades. Additionally, the hook and lock members can be integrated to be inside of the edges of the rotor, inside of the outer edges of the blade, and the like.  
         [0141]    Although some of the preferred embodiments show the hook and lock connectors on the upper surface portions of the blades and arms, the hook and loop connectors can be positioned on the sides of these components, or on the bottom of these components, as needed.  
         [0142]    While the locking techniques are shown with one component on one member and another component on another member, the component locations can be switched and their locations can be varied as desired and needed for the particular application used.  
         [0143]    Additionally, the hook and lock blades can be easily removed by reversing any of the assembly steps described in reference to the embodiments described above.  
         [0144]    Although some of the hook connectors and lock connectors are shown as being formed from separate piece components, the hook and lock connectors can include less and more components, and also be formed from injection molded plastic and the like, where the components are formed with the rotors or the arms or the blades or on protruding portions of the blades, and the like. For example, although some fasteners are shown for some of the pre-attached components in the preceding figures, some or all of these fasteners can be eliminated as needed by techniques such as injection molded plastics, and the like.  
         [0145]    The subject invention can also be packed and stored in similar boxes and packaging as U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,716 to Bucher et al., the same assignees and inventors as that of the subject invention, which is incorporated by reference. For example, the blades of the subject invention can be stored vertically with their interior ends adjacent to the rotor/motor of the ceiling fans. Additionally, the subject invention fan blades can be laid in a sandwich pattern above, below or both above and below the motor component in a packing box.  
         [0146]    Although the first and second embodiments do not specifically show separate vibration and noise reduction features, the novel techniques used in the later embodiments can be used for either or both the first and second embodiments described above.  
         [0147]    While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5