Patent ID: 7997869

Claim:
A fan assembly, comprising: a frame; a motor having (i) a motor structure that is movable in relation to said frame in a path of movement, and (ii) an output shaft that is rotatable in relation to said motor structure; at least one fan blade coupled to said output shaft so that rotation of said output shaft causes rotation of said at least one fan blade; a first housing portion defining a first cavity; and a second housing portion defining a second cavity, said second housing portion being movable in relation to said first housing portion, wherein one of said first housing portion and said second housing portion is fixed in relation to said frame, wherein the other of said first housing portion and said second housing portion is fixed in relation to said motor structure, wherein said first cavity of said first housing portion and said second cavity of said second housing portion collectively define a space in which said motor structure is positioned, wherein said first housing portion is at least partially positioned within said second cavity of said second housing portion during movement of said motor structure in relation to said frame in said path of movement, further comprising a fan blade guard positioned around said at least one fan blade, wherein said fan blade guard is fixed in relation to said motor structure during movement of said motor structure in relation to said frame in said path of movement, wherein during movement of said motor structure in relation to said frame in said path of movement: said second housing portion is fixed in relation to said frame, and said first housing portion is fixed in relation to both (i) said motor structure, and (ii) said fan blade guard.