Improvements in Rotary Fans.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1890-Accepted, 26th Apr., 1890
GUBIT DIE
DIECIFICATION
Improvements in Rotary Fans.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM TUERK Jr. of Room 20, Lewis Block, of Fulton, County of
Oswego, and State of New York, United States of America, Inventor and Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to Improvements in Fans, and has for its object the pro-
duction of a simple and effectivo construction, which is neat and attractive in
appearance, and is especially effective and efficient in operation; and to this end it
consists, essentially, in a peculiar construction of supporting bracket for the fan
blades, a novel construction of mechanism for axially rotating the fan blades, and in
the detail construction and arrangement of the parts, all as hereinafter more parti-
cularly described and pointed out in the claims.
In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing,
forming a part thereof, in which, like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the
views.
Figure 1 is an elevation of an ordinary columnar fan driven from below.
Figure 2 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, illustrating in elevation an
interior rod or bar, which is connected to the mechanism for axially rotating the
fan blades or arms.
Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the parts shown in elevation in
figure 2.
Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view, taken on line
further illustrating the construction of the parts shown in figures 1, 2 and 3.
figure 3,
Figure 5 is an elevation of a pendent fan supported upon a bracket or the ceiling
of a room.
Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of the lower part of the construction of fan
illustratod in figure 5, clearly showing the relative construction and arrangement
of the mechanism for axially rotating the fan blades, which consists of a pair of
arms secured to the adjacent extremities of the fan blades and engaged by a sliding
head or block.
Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line y-y, figure 6, further illustrating
the construction of parts shown in said figure.
Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on line -, figure 6, also further
illustrating the parts shown in said figuro 6.
Figure 9 is a perspective of the detached extremities of the fan blades, the
projecting arms or lugs secured to said extremities, and a modified form of a movable
head for rocking said arms and axially rotating the fan blades, and
Figure 10 is a sectional view, illustrating a further modified form of mechanism for
axially rotating the fan blades.
Mounted on the floor A, or other suitable support is the hollow column or standard B
of suitable material and desirable form, which may be made highly ornamental and
attractive in appearance.
Running vertically through the column or standard B is a hollow tube or
shaft C, which is preferably, as illustrated, projected through the floor, and is sup-
ported at its lower end beneath the floor by a bracket C¹ of suitable form and
construction..
Secured beneath the floor A to the lower extremity of said tube or shaft C is
the wheel D to which, from any suitable source, not necessary to indicate or describe
in my present invention, power is applied whereby the shaft is driven at the
desired speed.
· Secured to the opposite upper end of the shaft C is the bracket E of any desirable

page_text: form and construction to support the fan blades or arms F, which are also of
desirable form and, construction, and are preferably provided at their inner ends
with a spindle F1 journaled in the journal bearings E' of the bracket E. This
bracket E is preferably composed of the main portion E consisting of like bars
enclosing a central opening having its central portion of greater width than its
extremities.
Supported by said main portion E2 are the beforementioned bearings El, which aro
rendered extremely rigid by means of bracing arms E³ shown in the drawings as
extended on either side of said bearings in a line parallel with the main body E2 and
then extended inwardly and connected with said body.
As seen in the drawings the bearings El are arranged on opposite sides of the
center of the main supporting body E2 and the portion of the bracing rods immediately
opposite to said bearings is curved upwards so as to allow the easy entrance of the
projections or arms G when secured to the fan spindles F' for axially rotating the fan
blades as will be presently set forth.
It will thus be seen that the upwardly curved portions of the bracing arms E³ form
openings E in the supporting frame of the fan by means of which said projections or
arms, when secured to the fan spindles, are easily inserted to their operative position
and are partially encased thereby. This particular construction of bracket is ex-
tremely light, enables the parts of the fan to be readily assembled, effects great
rigidity of the parts by thoroughly bracing said bearings E', and moreover presents
a pleasing appearance, which greatly increases the sale and universal use of this
improved fan.
The bracket E. may be provided with a cape to present an ornamental
appearance, and the lower part of said bracket is preferably provided with a hub e¹
above the top of the column B for preventing the entrance of dust and dirt within
said column.
The fan blades F are arranged on either side of the center of the bracket E so
that a space intervenes between their adjacent extremities.
The body part of the fan blades is preferably formed of wood, paper or other
like material, and the shank f1 is, by a set screw f², secured to the spindle Fl
journalled, as stated, in the bearings E¹.
Formed or provided upon the inner separate extremities of the spindles Fare
suitably shaped studs or projections G, which are illustrated as a short pieco of wire
passed through and secured in an opening in the inner ends of said spindles. These
spindles are retained in position by means of the shank f¹ of the fan blades F and
the washer or sleeve g interposed between the inner bearing face of the journal
bearings E and the studs G.
Sliding within the frame E and engaging the lugs or projections G is the block
or head H, which may also be of suitable form and construction.
The preferable manner of guiding said sliding block or head consists in providing
the same with the depending rod I guided in the lower hub e¹ of the frame or
bracket E. At the upper extremity of said block are the projecting cars H' in which
are journalled the separate pins h revoluble independently of each other.
Provided in the adjacent extremities of said pins or studs are suitable openings
with which the projections G are readily engaged.
When, as presently described, the head H is moved upwards or downwards the
separate fan spindles F are rocked and their respective fan blades are thereby axially
rotated, forcing the air either upwards or downwards, and with a greater or less
degree of force according to the degree of inclination of said fan blades.
At a suitable distance from the top of the column or standard BI provide the lug
or lugs to which is pivoted the lever J operated up or down to lower or raise the
head or operating piece H. This lever J extends to the interior of the standard B,
and is formed at its inner end with a yoke J', shown in figures 2 and 4, which spans
around a collar K sliding rectilinearly on said tube C. The collar K is provided
with lugs K on the outside of the tube C to which is secured a pin L, which is
passed through a slot c in the tube C, and is then secured to an enlargement or hub I'

page_text: of the rod I, thereby locking said collar K to the rod I, and allowing a rectilineal
movement of the collar by means of the slot c in the tube C.
The yoke J is provided with the rollers or studs J'arranged in pairs at each
extremity, and impinging or riding upon the upper and lower faces of the collar K.
When the parts are in the position, illustrated in figure 2, the lever J is in a
horizontal position, and the pin Ĺ is midway in the slot c, and the blades are at their
midway adjustment.
As the handle is depressed to the position illustrated in figure 1, the blades aro
revolved in the direction indicated by the arrows, and the air is then forced down-
wards creating a considerable movement in the air of the room. As the handle is
raised to the horizontal position the throw of the blades is gradually decreased, and
the air forced upwards with less motion until the blades revolve without agitating
the air. The handle may then be raised to its uppermost position, whereupon the
blades will be partially rotated according to the proportion of the actuating
mechanism, and the air will be forced upwards.
The varying of the direction in which the air is
it is actuated is a feature of great advantage, and
in their horizontal position, a room may be
occasioning any percepitible draft.
thrown, and the force with which
by revolving the fan blades, when
readily cleared of flies without
As the tube and the rod I are continually rotating, it will of course be seen
that there is a slight friction between the studs or rollers J2, and the bearing faces of
the collar K, but as I preferably use rollors J2, I reduce this friction to a minimum,
and the axially rotating mechanism is readily operated without stopping the action of
the fan. This is also a feature of great advantage, since at any time without
changing the speed of revolution of the fan blades the said blades can be readily
shifted so as to vary the force with which they agitate the air, or they can be
operated to throw the air either upwards or downwards as desired, or to revolve
without perceptibly agitating the air.
The handle of the pivoted lever J is preferably of sufficient weight to counter-balance
the collar K and the yoke J' so that the said lever shall have no tendency in either
direction, but by the counterbalancing of the parts may remain in its adjusted position.
In figure 5, I have shown the actuating rod or shaft C as mounted above the fan
supporting bracket and supported in brackets M and M' connected together by
tie-rods or straps N with one of these brackets bolted, or otherwise secured, to the
ceiling or other support so that the shaft C bangs pendent therefrom. In this con-
struction the bracket E is secured to the lower extremity of the shaft C and the same
is revolved by the pulley D secured to said shaft above the bracket E. The fan
blades, in this construction, are arranged exactly as previously described, and the
bracket E is of the same form and construction to that also previously described, with
the exception that the hub, at the upper part of said bracket, is secured to the
rotating spindle or shaft and the hub at its lower extremity is formed with a
In this
guide through which passes the rod 1 for operating the head H.
construction, the rod I does not pass through a hollow shaft, but is operated by means
of an oil-cup or other suitable hand piece loosely journalled thereon so that the same
can be readily engaged by the hand without stopping the rotation of the fan.
At figure 9 I have shown a modified form of axially rotating mechanism, in which,
instead of providing independently moving supports h the head H is formed with
openings countersunk at both extremities so as to allow the said head to force the
projections G upwards or downwards without any liability of cramping the same in
the opening in the head through which they are passed.
At figure 10, I have shown a further modified form of axially rotating mechanism,
in which, the projections secured to the inner extremities of the fan spindles F¹ con-
sists of gear wheels R engaging a rack S mounted upon the rod I and movable up and
down thereby the same as the head H.
It will be understood that other changes may be made in the relative construction
and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the spirit
thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to its precise form and construction.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a fan, the combination of a supporting frame or bracket, fan blades mounted
on opposite sides of the centre of said frame, a projection secured to the adjacent
extremities of said fan blades, and a sliding block or head guided in said frame or
bracket and engaging said projections for axially rotating the fan blades, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a fan, the combination of a supporting frame, fan blades mounted on opposite
sides of said frame, a projection or lug secured to the adjacent extremities of said fan
blades, a sliding block or head, and independently moving supports carried by
said head and engaged with said lugs for axially rotating the fan blades, substantially
as described.
3. In a fan, the combination of a supporting framo, fan blades mounted on opposite
sides of said frame, a projection or lug secured to the adjacent extremities of said fan
blades, a sliding block or head guided in said frame, independently moving supports
supported by said block for engaging said projections and rotating the fan blades, a
depending rod extending from said head or block, a loose sleeve mounted on
said rod and a shoulder for abutting against said supporting frame, substantially as
specified.
4. In a fan, the combination of a supporting framo, fan blades mounted on opposite
sides of said frame, a projection or lug secured to the adjacent extremities of said fan
blades, a sliding block or head engaging a guide-way provided in said frame, upwardly
extending projections provided on said sliding block or head, and the pins or
supports journalled in the separate projections of the sliding block or head, and
engaging the projections or lugs upon the fan blades, substantially as described.
5. In a fan, the combination of the frame E, having a bearing E' on one side of
said frame, and having a cut-out or opening E' in said frame directly opposite to said
bearing E, with a projection adapted to enter said opening and be encased in said
frame, a spindle provided on said projection and journalled in the bearing E, a fan-
blade secured to said spindle, and a rack engaging said projection for revolving said
fan-blade, substantially as specified.
6. In a frame for fans, the combination of the main body E2 on either side of a central
opening, the separate bearings E', projecting laterally from said main body and
arranged one on each side thereof and on opposite sides of the centre, and the
bracing arms E on either side of said portion E2 and extending upwardly from
one of said bearings E¹, then downwardly and inwardly to the main body,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In a fan, the combination of the main body E2 of the frame, having a central
opening separate bearings E', projecting laterally from said main body and arranged
one on either side thereof and on opposite sides of the centre, and bracing arms E³
on either side of said main portion and extending upwardly from said bearings and
then downwardly and inwardly to the said main body, with a projection adapted to
be mounted in said opening of said frame and beneath the upward or curving
portion of the bracing arm E³, a spindle provided on said projection and adapted
to be journalled in the bearing opposite to said upwardly curved portion of said
bracing arm, and a fan blade secured to said spindle, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
8. In a fan, the combination of the main body E' of the supporting frame, journal
bearings Earranged on opposite sides of the centre and on either side of said
frame and bracing arms extending upwardly from said bearings and then down-
wardly and inwardly to the said main body, projections mounted beneath said
upwardly extending portion of the bracing arms, spindles secured to said projections
and journalled in the bearings E' opposite to the upturned portion of the bracing.
arms, fan blades secured to said spindles, and a movable head for engaging said"
projections and axially, rotating the fan blades, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.

page_text: 9. In a fan, the combination of a tube or hollow shaft, having fan blades secured
thereto, projections secured on the inner ends of the fan blades, a sliding rod having
its upper end provided with means, substantially as described, for rocking the said
projections and axially rotating the fan blades, a collar sliding on the outside of said
tube and secured to said projecting rod, and an oscillating handle for operating said
collar, substantially as described.
10. In combination, revoluble fan blades, a hollow shaft for rotating said blades,
a sliding operating-piece connected, substantially as described, to axially rotate said
blades, a rod projecting from said operating piece, a loose collar on the outside of
said shaft, a pin connecting said rod and collar, and a slot in the shaft for allowing
the movement of said connecting pin when the fan blades are axially rotated,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
11. In combination, the blades of a fan, a shaft for rotating said blades, projec-
tions secured to the adjacent ends of said fan blades, an operating-piece H for rocking
said projections and axially rotating the fan blades, a depending rod I sliding
rectilinearly in a cavity in the operating shaft for the fan blades, a collar sliding up
and down loosely upon the actuating shaft, said collar being connected, substantially
as described, to the rod I, and an oscillating lever provided with oppositely arranged
bearing points contacting with the top and bottom faces of said sliding collar,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 28th day of February 1890.
FREDERICK WILLIAM TUERK, Jr.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.