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Two-piece safety mechanism for ceiling fans

a safety mechanism and ceiling fan technology, applied in the direction of ventilation systems, heating types, vessel construction, etc., can solve the problems of ceiling fans falling, ceiling fans falling, damage to fans or other properties,

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-10-20
MARSHALL JOHN C
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] A two-piece safety mechanism for ceiling-mounted fans comprises first and second cables. The first cable has a first fastener extending from a first end and a first connector extending from a second end. The first fastener is for operable association with a first fastening mechanism for securing the first cable to a fan. The second cable has a second fastener e

Problems solved by technology

It is known in the art that such ceiling mounted fans may be subject to falling for various reasons.
A ceiling fan may fall if it is installed improperly.
If not, the fan may fall, damaging the fan or other property, or even causing personal injury.
Even if the ceiling support can hold the weight of the fan, the mounting bracket may fail.
When a metric component is fastened to a standard component, a proper fit is not achieved and the attachment may pull free.
Ceiling fans may also fall if faulty or defective materials are used in the fan components.
Impurities in a cast zinc mounting bracket may cause brittleness over time and break.
Although zinc brackets today may be cast properly, faulty mounting brackets are always a possibility so long as zinc is used in their manufacture.
In addition, ceiling fans are sometimes unbalanced.
An unbalanced fan continuously rocks back and forth.
The constant, repetitive rocking motion can loosen electrical or mounting connections, cause metal fatigue, and ultimately cause the fan to fall.
Although this mandate is helpful, it does not entirely prevent the above noted problems.
However, such designs do not allow for easy installation or removal, given additional fasteners must be secured to the ceiling support.
Likewise, removal of the fan after it is initially secured is difficult, requiring the removal of the additional fasteners.
This design may prevent the fan from falling if the fan mounting should fail, but complicates installation.
The single cable must first be attached to the fan, and then attached to the ceiling support before the mounting bracket has been secured to the ceiling support (if the mounting bracket is attached beforehand, the single cable may not be properly secured).
However, the same problems arise.
Installation of the single safety cable mechanism is therefore inconvenient and difficult.
In addition, many conventional fan designs require partial un-assembly when attaching such a single safety cable mechanism.
Thus, installation is further complicated given such un-assembly and subsequent re-assembly would be required when hanging the fan, instead of when the fan is on the floor.
Therefore, the single safety cable is not a practical solution.
Subsequent removal of the fan, for cleaning, maintenance, replacement, etc., is also complicated when using a single safety cable for similar reasons.

Method used

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  • Two-piece safety mechanism for ceiling fans
  • Two-piece safety mechanism for ceiling fans
  • Two-piece safety mechanism for ceiling fans

Examples

Experimental program
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second embodiment

[0045] the invention is best shown in FIG. 7, wherein second cable C2 has been modified, and the intermediate cable between second fastener 12 and second connector 16 has been eliminated. As shown in FIG. 7, second fastener 12a and second connector 16a are molded as a single shaped body C3, preferably L-shaped, though shaped body C3 need not be at a right angle. Shaped body C3 includes elements corresponding to second fastener 12 and second connector 16, which have been explained above, and correspondingly numbered. Second fastener 12a includes an opening 70, which is operably associated with second fastening mechanism 68. Shaped body C3 is secured to ceiling support S using second fastening mechanism 68, as explained above. Second connector 16a is operably associated with first connector 8 as explained above, and includes all corresponding elements, as shown in FIG. 7. Shaped body C3 therefore has corresponding openings 70 and 20, which are preferably perpendicular to each other. S...

third embodiment

[0046] In a third embodiment, the first cable and hanger ball have been integrated into a single unit. As best shown in FIG. 8, hanger ball 80 includes a first cable C1′ extending from an upper surface 82. First cable C1′ is preferably molded into hanger ball 80 at the time of manufacture. Aside from the integration of first cable C1′ into hanger ball 80, hanger ball 80 has a configuration similar to hanger ball 54. Therefore, hanger ball 80 is operably associated with mounting bracket 56, so that hanger ball 80 fits in corresponding portion B of mounting bracket 56, as best shown in FIG. 6. In addition, hanger ball 80 is operably associated with downrod 52. Hanger ball 80 may have a smooth channel for receiving downrod 52, which may be secured therein with screws, pins, or the like as known in the art. Alternatively, hanger ball 80 may have a threaded channel 84, as best shown in FIG. 8, for threadably receiving a downrod.

[0047] First cable C1′ is not separately secured to downrod ...

fourth embodiment

[0049] Alternatively, second cable C2 and electrical box E may be integrated into a single unit. As best shown in FIG. 9, the present invention provides an electrical box 90 having a second cable C2′ extending from side surface 92. Second cable C2′ is preferably molded into electrical box 90 at the time of manufacture. Alternatively, second cable C2′ may be secured to side surface 92 using screws, bolts, pins or the like prior to installation of electrical box 90. Thus, electrical box 90 may be provided to a user having second cable C2′ already secured thereto. Electrical box 90 may be manufactured from sheet metal, plastic or any other approved material.

[0050] Installation of the safety mechanism according to the fourth embodiment is streamlined because the user is not required to secure second cable C2′ to an electrical box, given it is already incorporated into electrical box 90. Second cable C2′ preferably includes a portion 94 extending from first end 14′ that is molded within ...

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Abstract

A two-piece safety mechanism for ceiling-mounted fans comprises a first and second cable. The first cable has a first fastener extending from a first end and a first connector extending from a second end. The first fastener is for operable association with a first fastening mechanism for securing the first cable to a fan. The second cable has a second fastener extending from a first end. The second fastener is for operable association with a second fastening mechanism for securing the second cable to a ceiling support. The second cable also has a second connector extending from a second end, which is releaseably attachable to the first connector to form a continuous cable. The claimed invention also provides for a ceiling fan having the two-piece safety mechanism for retaining the fan in close proximity to the ceiling support if its normal mounting apparatus should fail.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10 / 187,832, filed Jul. 3, 2002, for John C. Marshall, titled “Two-Piece Safety Mechanism for Ceiling Fans,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a two-piece safety mechanism for use with ceiling fans. A first cable attaches to a ceiling fan, and a second cable attaches to a ceiling support. The first and second cables have first and second connectors, respectively, which releaseably attach to form a continuous cable that retains the ceiling fan in close proximity to a ceiling support if the fan's normal mounting apparatus should fail. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] A conventional ceiling fan consists of a motor suspended from a ceiling with radially exte...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F24F7/007
CPCF24F7/007
Inventor MARSHALL, JOHN C.
Owner MARSHALL JOHN C