Snap-in fan blades and fan system flywheel

Abstract

A flywheel housing for detachably securing a fan blade is disclosed. The flywheel housing comprises a sidewall depending from a top wall, where the sidewall includes at least one slot to removably receive a fan blade. A bottom retention plate and an opposing top retention plate are located adjacent to the slot within the housing and both the top and bottom plates extend away from the inner sidewall. A fan blade, having a plurality of notches, is configured to be inserted through the at least one slot and be removably locked in place between the top and bottom retention plates. A first notch of the fan blade mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate, and a second notch mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate. This configuration provides for the secure attachment of the fan blade, simplifying installation without requiring separate fasteners.

Description

FIELD

[0001] Disclosure herein relates to ceiling fans, specifically systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods for attaching and detaching a fan blade with a flywheel housing by inserting the fan blades into a slot of the flywheel housing, wherein the inserted fan blade detachably locks with retention mechanisms (e.g., plates, clips, etc.) within the flywheel housing.BACKGROUND

[0002] Issues arise with removable fan blades from flywheel housings due to the high velocity of the blades as the flywheel spins. Quick connect and disconnect attachment and mechanical devices for fan blades with the housing are problematic since bulky mechanical attachments can increase the weight of the flywheel, and quick connect and disconnect mechanisms which do not use screws or bolts can allow the fan blades to disconnect from the flywheel during high speed rotation. However, easily connectable fan blades without the use of tools or other implements would ease the assembly of the fan at installationSUMMARY

[0003] The disclosure herein describes systems, devices, apparatus and methods for detachably securing fan blades to a flywheel housing on a ceiling fan by interlocking a notch of a fan blade with one or more retention plates located on an interior of the flywheel housing.

[0004] Disclosures herein further provide for systems, devices, apparatus and methods for detaching secured fan blades from a flywheel housing by modifying interlock between a notch of a fan blade with a retention plate.

[0005] Disclosures herein may improve aesthetics, structural stability, and ease of installation of ceiling fans. Specifically, disclosures herein may improve aesthetics, structural stability, and ease of installation of ceiling fan blades.

[0006] Implementations disclosed herein are directed to a flywheel housing for a fan assembly wherein the housing has a sidewall that is connected with and depends from a top wall. The sidewall includes at least one slot, and the interior of the housing for receiving and locking into place a fan blade there is a bottom retention plate and an opposing top retention plate which are located adjacent the slot and extend away from the sidewall. A fan blade having a plurality of notches is removably locked in place by the top retention plate and the bottom retention plate. A first notch of the plurality of notches mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate, and a second notch of the plurality of notches mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate.

[0007] Implementations disclosed herein can mitigate (e.g., eliminate) various drawbacks with current techniques. For example, the mechanical interlock between the plurality of notches on the fan blade and the top and bottom retention plates can provide a secure connection capable of withstanding high-speed rotation, preventing the fan blade from disconnecting from the flywheel housing without the use of screws or bolts. As another example, the use of internal retention plates and integrated notches on the fan blade can reduce the need for bulky external attachment hardware, which can mitigate increases in the weight of the flywheel. As another example, the fan blade can be removably locked in place by inserting the fan blade into the slot, which can ease the assembly of the fan at installation by reducing or eliminating the need for tools or other implements.

[0008] As a non-limiting example of some implementations disclosed herein, a user assembling a ceiling fan can attach a fan blade to the fan's flywheel housing. The flywheel housing includes a sidewall with a pre-formed slot. Located on the interior of the housing, adjacent to this slot, are a top retention plate and an opposing bottom retention plate. The user takes a fan blade, which can have a locking head and can have a plurality of notches on its locking head, and inserts this locking head into the slot of the sidewall. As the fan blade is pushed into the housing, it passes between the top and bottom retention plates. A first notch located on the bottom surface of the fan blade aligns with and mechanically interlocks with a feature, such as a tab, on the bottom retention plate. Simultaneously or sequentially, a second notch on the top surface of the fan blade mechanically interlocks with a corresponding feature on the top retention plate. This dual interlocking engagement removably locks the fan blade in place, providing a secure connection to the flywheel housing without requiring separate fasteners like screws or bolts, thereby simplifying the installation process.

[0009] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided. The flywheel housing includes a sidewall that is connected with and depends from a top wall, and the sidewall includes a slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate and a top retention plate. The bottom retention plate is located adjacent the slot and extends away from the sidewall. The top retention plate is also located adjacent the slot, extends away from the sidewall, and is opposing the bottom retention plate. The flywheel housing further includes a fan blade having a plurality of notches. The fan blade is removably locked in place by the top retention plate and the bottom retention plate. A first notch of the plurality of notches mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate. A second notch of the plurality of notches mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate.

[0010] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate can include a tab, and the fan blade and the bottom retention plate can separate based on the tab of the bottom retention plate moving away from the first notch. In some of those implementations, the top retention plate can include a tab, and the fan blade and the top retention plate can separate based on the tab of the top retention plate moving away from the second notch. In some versions of those implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate can move away from the first notch of the fan blade, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate can move away from the second notch of the fan blade, upon rotation of a non-integral tool that can include a first member interfacing with the tab of the bottom retention plate and can include a second member interfacing with the tab of the top retention plate. In some versions of those implementations, the first member of the tool can interface with a depending L-shaped bracket of the bottom retention plate and the second member of the tool can interface with a tongue of the top retention plate.

[0011] In some implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate can move away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate can move away from the second notch based on manipulation of the bottom retention plate away from the top retention plate.

[0012] In some implementations, the top retention plate can extend further away from the interior of the sidewall than the bottom retention plate. In some of those implementations, the bottom retention plate can be wider than the top retention plate. In some of those implementations, the bottom retention plate can be wider than a width of a locking head of the fan blade that can be received in the slot. In some versions of those implementations, at least one of the bottom retention plate or the top retention plate can extend around at least a bottom and two opposing sides of the locking head of the fan blade that can be received in the slot.

[0013] In some implementations, the first notch can be located on a bottom of the fan blade, and the second notch can be located on a top of the fan blade, with the bottom of the fan blade being an opposing side of the fan blade relative to the top of the fan blade.

[0014] In some implementations, at least a third notch can be located on a rear of the fan blade, and the third notch can mechanically interlock with one of the bottom retention plate or the top retention plate when the fan blade can be installed into the slot.

[0015] In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch can be located on a locking head of the fan blade, with the locking head of the fan blade being more narrow in width than a remainder of the fan blade. In some of those implementations, only the locking head of the fan blade can be received within the slot. In some versions of those implementations, a remainder of the fan blade can be wider than the slot. In some versions of those implementations, the bottom retention plate can have a tab which can fit in the first notch, the top retention plate can have a tab which can fit in the second notch, with at least one of the first tab or the second tab being angled.

[0016] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided including a top wall and a bottom wall. The flywheel housing also includes a sidewall that is connected with the top wall and bottom wall. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing further includes a bottom retention plate that is secured adjacent to and extends away from the sidewall. The flywheel housing also includes a top retention plate that is secured adjacent to and extends away from the sidewall opposing the bottom retention plate. The flywheel housing includes a fan blade having a locking head. The locking head includes a plurality of notches. A first notch, of the plurality of notches, mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate. A second notch, of the plurality of notches, mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate.

[0017] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate can include a tab extending towards the opposing top retention plate, and the tab of the bottom retention plate can separate from the locking head of the fan blade based on the tab of the bottom retention plate moving away from the first notch, and the top retention plate can include a tab extending towards the opposing bottom retention plate, and the tab of the top retention plate can separate from the locking head of the fan blade based on the tab of the top retention plate moving away from the second notch. In some of those implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate can move away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate can move away from the second notch based on manipulation of the bottom retention plate and the top retention plate using a tool.

[0018] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided and includes a sidewall interposed between a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall beneath the slot. The flywheel housing further includes a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall opposite the bottom retention plate. The flywheel housing also includes a fan blade that is inserted into the slot. The fan blade includes a first notch that is located on a bottom of the fan blade which mechanically interlocks with an angled bottom retention plate tab based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. The fan blade also includes a second notch that is located on a top of the fan blade which mechanically interlocks with an angled top retention plate tab based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0019] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided and includes a sidewall interposed between a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall and which is in opposing relationship to a top retention plate. The flywheel housing further includes a fan blade having a fan blade locking head which is inserted into the slot. The fan blade locking head includes a first notch that extends inwardly from an end of the locking end of the fan blade towards a second notch. The first notch slidingly receives a narrow bottom retention plate tab on the bottom retention plate. The fan blade locking head also includes the second notch between the first notch and the end of the locking end of the fan blade. The second notch mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate.

[0020] In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch can be substantially perpendicular.

[0021] In some implementations, the second notch can be wider than the first notch.

[0022] In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch can overlap.

[0023] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate can be wider than the top retention plate.

[0024] In some implementations, the top retention plate can be positioned inward from the slot further than the bottom retention plate.

[0025] In some implementations, the first notch symmetrical bifurcates the rear of the fan blade.

[0026] In some implementations, the top retention plate can be mechanically pivotable away from the locking head of the fan blade for removal of a locking tab from the second notch. In some of those implementations, the fan blade can be removable from the flywheel housing by a mechanical pivoting of the top retention plate away from the fan blade.

[0027] In some implementations, the flywheel housing can be included in a fan driven by a motor.

[0028] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided and includes a sidewall depending from a top wall of the flywheel housing and interposed between the top wall and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall below the slot. The flywheel housing further includes a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall above the slot opposite the bottom retention plate. The flywheel housing also includes a fan blade having a fan blade locking head. The fan blade locking head includes one or more rear locking head notches at an end of the fan blade locking head. The one or more rear locking head notches mechanically interlock with the bottom retention plate when the fan blade is inserted into the slot of the flywheel housing. The fan blade locking head also includes a center notch on the locking head of the fan blade that extends between opposing sides of the fan blade. The center notch mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate when the fan blade is inserted into the slot.

[0029] In some implementations, the one or more rear locking head notches can be extended from the end of the locking head of the fan blade towards the center notch.

[0030] In some implementations, the one or more rear locking head notches can include a first notch that can be a first distance away from a first side of the fan blade, and a second notch that can be a second distance away from a second side of the fan blade, and the first distance and the second distance can be equal. In some of those implementations, the first notch and the second notch can be separated by a locking head tab positioned between the first notch and the second notch and extending from the rear of the fan blade. In some versions of those implementations, the center notch can be separated from each of the first notch and the second notch.

[0031] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate can be wider than the top retention plate.

[0032] In some implementations, the top retention plate can be extended further from the slot than the bottom retention plate.

[0033] In some implementations, the center notch and the top retention plate can be separated based on movement of the top retention plate away from the center notch. In some of those implementations, the fan blade can be removed from the flywheel housing based on the separation of the center notch and the top retention plate and on pulling the fan blade away from the flywheel housing.

[0034] In some implementations, the flywheel housing can be included in a fan driven by a motor.

[0035] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided and includes a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall. The flywheel housing further includes a fan blade. The fan blade includes a notch extending inwardly from a rear of a locking head of the fan blade. A first section of the notch extends outwardly towards opposing sides of the locking head of the fan blade for a first distance. A second section of the notch extends outwardly towards opposing sides of the locking head of the fan blade for a second distance. The notch mechanically interlocks with an expanding engagement clip secured to the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0036] In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip can include a torsion spring for spreading the engagement clip apart.

[0037] In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip can be displaced based on a release projection, extending through the bottom retention plate, being displaced. In some of those implementations, the expanding engagement clip can be displaced based on an additional release projection, also extending through the bottom retention plate, being displaced towards the release projection. In some versions of those implementations, the expanding engagement clip can be displaced based on the release projection and the additional release projection being displaced towards each other. In some versions of those implementations, the expanding engagement clip can include two rear projections and two forward projections, and the two forward projections can be displaced towards each other simultaneous to the two rear projections being displaced away from each other.

[0038] In some implementations, the notch and the expanding engagement clip can be separated based on the expanding engagement clip being displaced. In some of those implementations, the fan blade can be removed from the flywheel housing based on the notch and the expanding engagement clip being separated and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing.

[0039] In some implementations, the first section of the notch can be closer to the rear of the locking head of the fan blade than the second section of the notch, and the first distance can be greater than the second distance.

[0040] In some implementations, the flywheel housing can be included in a fan that can be driven by a motor.

[0041] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided and includes a sidewall that is substantially perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate that extends inwardly from the sidewall beneath the slot. The flywheel housing further includes a clip mounted above the slot and extending downward at an angle towards the bottom retention plate. The flywheel housing also includes a fan blade including a notch that mechanically interlocks with the clip extending towards the bottom retention plate.

[0042] In some implementations, the clip can be secured above the fan blade and adjacent to the sidewall of the flywheel housing.

[0043] In some implementations, the notch of the fan can have an angled side wall which can be angled towards an end of the fan blade. In some of those implementations, the angled side wall of the notch can cause the width of the notch along the top of the fan blade to be wider than the width of the notch on the bottom of the fan blade. In some versions of those implementations, the notch can include a sidewall opposing the angled side wall.

[0044] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate can include an opening. In some of those implementations, the opening of the bottom retention plate and the notch of the fan blade can at least partially align based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some of those implementations, the fan blade can be removed from the flywheel by the clip flexing and moving away from the bottom retention plate and out of the notch. In some versions of those implementations, the opening of the bottom retention plate and the notch of the fan blade can receive a tool to pass at least partially through and displace the clip. In some versions of those implementations, the fan blade can be removed from the flywheel housing based on the clip extending through the notch being separated from the fan blade and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1A is a bottom-up perspective view of a first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away.

[0046] FIG. 1B is a bottom-up cross-sectional view of the first embodiment discussed herein.

[0047] FIG. 1C is a top-down perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein.

[0048] FIG. 1D is a top-down perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away.

[0049] FIG. 1E is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away.

[0050] FIG. 1F is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein, with a tool interfacing with a top retention plate and bottom retention plate.

[0051] FIG. 1G is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein.

[0052] FIG. 1H is a top-down perspective view of a bottom mounting plate of the first embodiment discussed herein with a grommet.

[0053] FIG. 1I is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with a grommet.

[0054] FIG. 2A is a bottom-up perspective view of a second embodiment discussed herein.

[0055] FIG. 2B is a direct view of a fan blade of the second embodiment discussed herein.

[0056] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment discussed herein before a fan blade is fully inserted into the flywheel housing.

[0057] FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment discussed herein subsequent to a fan blade being fully inserted into the flywheel housing.

[0058] FIG. 3A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blade of a third embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away.

[0059] FIG. 3B is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blade of the third embodiment discussed herein.

[0060] FIG. 4A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fourth embodiment discussed herein.

[0061] FIG. 4B is a partially cross-sectional top-down view of a locking head of a fan blade of the fourth embodiment discussed herein.

[0062] FIG. 4C is a bottom-up perspective view of a mounting block that interlocks with features of the fan blade.

[0063] FIG. 5A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fifth embodiment discussed herein.

[0064] FIG. 5B is a bottom-up perspective view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away.

[0065] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein before a fan blade is fully inserted.

[0066] FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein subsequent to a fan blade being fully inserted.

[0067] FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein, wherein a tool is passing through notches of a bottom retention plate and a fan blade to interlock with a retention clip adjacent to a top retention plate.

[0068] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan.

[0069] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a ceiling fan in preparation for a light kit.

[0070] FIG. 7B1 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light kit housing for installation.

[0071] FIG. 7B2 is a direct view of a light kit shell for installation on a ceiling fan.

[0072] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light kit shell installed.

[0073] FIG. 7D is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light for installation.

[0074] FIG. 7E is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a lower ceiling fan body for installation.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] Aspects and variations of a fan assembly and flywheel for removably retaining fan blades are disclosed herein. Features set forth include removable retention of individual fan blades within the fan housing flywheel which rotates under power of an electric motor. The flywheel housing has a plurality of slots to removably receive a locking head of the fan blade, the locking head of the fan blade locked in place within the flywheel utilizing an upper and a lower retention plate, each plate engaging portions of the locking head of the fan blade to secure it within the flywheel housing. Multiple variations of both the locking head portion of the fan blade as well as the upper and lower retention plate construction. The retention plates mechanically connect to the locking head of the fan blade using tabs which engage fan blade locking head notches. The variations and embodiments disclosed herein securely retain the fan blade within the rotatable fan flywheel housing without the use of tools.

[0076] FIG. 1A is a bottom-up perspective view of a first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. FIG. 1 depicts a flywheel housing 4. Flywheel housing 4 may include a slot 6 on a sidewall 8 of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be located below a top wall 4A of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be perpendicular to the top wall 4A of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may depend from the top wall 4A of flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be above a bottom wall of flywheel housing 4 (not depicted). The sidewall 8 may include an exterior 8A and an interior 8B. Sidewall 8 may extend above, beneath, and / or around slot 6.

[0077] Flywheel housing 4 may include a retention plate. For example, a bottom retention plate 10 and / or a top retention plate 12 may be located adjacent to the interior 8B of sidewall 8. In some embodiments, the bottom retention plate 10 and / or top retention plate 12 may extend away from the sidewall 8. Put another way, in some embodiments the bottom retention plate 10 and / or top retention plate 12 may extend inwardly into flywheel housing 4. Bottom retention plate 10 and top retention plate 12 may or may not interface. Bottom retention plate 10 may interface with a bottom of fan blade 14. Top retention plate 12 may interface with a top of fan blade 14. Slot 6 may guide fan blade 14 between bottom retention plate 10 and top retention plate 12. A top retention plate 12 may be located above slot 6 and a bottom retention plate 10 may be located below slot 6. Retention plates may be of different configurations, shapes, sizes, etc. For example, a top retention plate may be narrower than a bottom retention plate. As another example a top retention plate may be longer than a bottom retention plate.

[0078] A retention plate may include a tab. A tab of a retention plate may mechanically interlock with fan blade 14. Specifically, a tab of a retention plate may mechanically interlock with notch of fan blade 14. As an example, bottom retention plate 10 may comprise tab 10A (also depicted in a subsequent illustration). A fan blade and a retention plate may be separated based on the retention plate moving away from a portion of the fan blade. For example, a fan blade and a retention plate may be separated based on a tab of the retention plate moving away from a notch of a fan blade.

[0079] A retention plate being located inside of flywheel housing may improve aesthetic appeal, as components (such as screws and brackets) fastening fan blade 14 to flywheel housing 4 may not be visible after installation. Rather, a retention plate may be hidden inside flywheel housing 4. Interlock between a tab and fan blade 14 may improve structural bonding between flywheel housing 4 and fan blade 14, as the bond between fan blade 14 and flywheel housing 4 does not rely on screws that may come loose from operation of a ceiling fan. Rather mounting plates may have elastic and / or spring properties which are unaffected by operation of a ceiling fan and / or withstand forces based on operation of a ceiling fan for an extended period of time.

[0080] A locking head 14D of fan blade 14 may or may not be a different configuration, shape, and / or size than the remainder of fan blade 14. For example, a locking head 14D of fan blade 14 may be shorter and / or more narrow than the remainder of fan blade 14, which may be broader and / or longer than the locking head 14D. While locking head 14D may fit into slot 6, the remainder of fan blade 14 may not fit into slot 6. A locking head 14D of fan blade 14 may or may not exclusively comprise one or more notches that one or more tabs of one or more retention plates may interlock with. Put another way, notches may or may not be exclusively located on a locking head 14D of a fan blade 14.

[0081] Interlock between fan blade 14 and a tab of a retention plate may lock fan blade 14 in one or more of a position and / or orientation relative to the flywheel housing 4. Put another way, fan blade 14 may be locked in place by a bottom retention plate 10 and / or a top retention plate 12. For example, during operation of a fan (e.g., during which flywheel housing 4 is rotated), interlock between fan blade 14 and a tab 10A of retention plate 10 may prevent and / or mitigate displacement of fan blade 14 from flywheel housing 4. Without interlock between fan blade 14 and tab 10A, fan blade 14 may be displaced away from flywheel 4 (e.g., if no other tab is preventing and / or mitigating displacement of fan blade 14) while flywheel housing 4 is rotating based on centripetal forces acting on fan blade 14 (e.g., forcing fan blade 14 away from flywheel housing 4).

[0082] Design of fan blade 14 and fastening components in flywheel housing 4 may improve ease of installation, as fastening of fan blade 14 into flywheel housing 4 may not require tools or multiple hands. Rather, fan blade 14 may be configured, shaped, and / or sized to be guided into flywheel housing 4, and fastening components (such as retention plates 10 and 12) may be configured, shaped, and / or sized to guide fan blade 14 into flywheel housing 4, and secure fan blade 14 in flywheel housing 4, without the need for tools, and while using a single hand.

[0083] A tab may include a lever. For example, tab 10A may comprise depending L-shaped bracket 10C. A tab may be displaced based on displacement of a leveraging component. For example, if depending L-shaped bracket 10C is displaced, then tab 10A may also be displaced. Depending L-shaped bracket 10C may provide an improved leverage point on tab 10A of bottom retention plate 10, allowing tab 10A to be more easily displaced. A tool may interface with one or more of a tab, a retention plate, and a lever. A tab, retention plate, and / or lever may be displaced based on interface with a tool and / or subsequent displacement of a tool. For example, tab 10A, which may be currently interfacing fan blade 14, may be displaced based on tool 16 interfacing with depending L-shaped bracket 10C and rotating (e.g., pulling depending L-shaped bracket 10C downwards). Components discussed herein may have elastic and / or spring properties, and may naturally return to a previous position after displacement. Using the aforementioned example, subsequent to tab 10A being displaced by tool 16, tab 10A may re-interlock with fan blade 14 (e.g., based on spring elasticity) without assistance, or may re-interlock with fan blade 14 with assistance (e.g., manual reset, etc.). Fan blade 14 may be removable if a tab is not interfacing with fan blade 14.

[0084] FIG. 1B is a bottom-up cross-sectional view of the first embodiment discussed herein. Fan blade 14 may comprise one or more notches. The one or more notches may interlock with one or more components, such as retention plates. In some embodiments, fan blade 14 may comprise a first notch 14A, a second notch 14B, and / or a third notch 14C (depicted in FIG. 1E). In some embodiments, the first notch 14A interlocks with the bottom retention plate 10. For example, the first notch 14A may interlock with tab 10A of bottom retention plate 10. In some embodiments, the second notch 14B interlocks with the top retention plate 12. For example, the second notch 14B may interlock with tab 12A of top retention plate 12. In some embodiments, the third notch 14C interlocks with the bottom retention plate 10. For example, the third notch 14C may interlock with tab 10B of bottom retention plate 10.

[0085] Aspects of various components discussed herein may be omitted, added, combined, modified, and / or substituted. For example, an embodiment may include the first notch 14A and / or the second notch 14B as depicted in FIG. 1B, but instead of having the singular third notch 14C at the rear 14H of the fan blade 14 (as depicted in FIG. 1B), the embodiment may include two separate notches at the rear 14H of the fan blade 14 (for example, as depicted in FIG. 3A, discussed subsequently).

[0086] Put another way, orientations, combinations, and / or positions of components discussed herein are non-limiting examples. Features discussed relative to a component of a first orientation may be applied to a component of second orientation, and vice-versa. For example, features of a top retention plate may be omitted, added, combined, modified, and / or substituted with features of a bottom retention plate, and vice-versa. Relative terminology, such as top and bottom, is used only as non-limiting examples, and components referred to using relative terminology may also be referred to using non-relative terminology, such as a first, second, third, etc., in given implementations.

[0087] A tab may be of various configurations, shapes, and sizes. For example, as depicted in FIG. 1B, tab 10A may have an angled side. An angled side of tab 10A may cause tab 10A to be displaced when fan blade 14 is inserted into flywheel housing 4. Put another way, angled side of tab 10A may allow fan blade 14 to glide up and / or over tab 10A. As another example, tab 10A may have a flat side that interlocks with notch 14A. A flat side of tab 10A may cause tab 10A to prevent or mitigate displacement of fan blade 14, based on notch 14A of fan blade 14 abutting the flat side of tab 10A and not being able to glide up and / or over the flat side of tab 10A. As discussed previously, tabs may be displaced using various means, and displacement of a tab from a notch of fan blade 14 may enable fan blade 14 to be removed from flywheel housing 4. For example, if tab 10A is displaced out of notch 14A, then the flat side of tab 10A will no longer prevent and / or mitigate fan blade 14 from being removed. Tab 10B may have only flat sides. Tab 10B may interlock with notch 14C and prevent fan blade 14 from being inserted into flywheel housing 4 past a certain point. Tab 10B may also prevent fan blade 14 from moving from side to side.

[0088] A notch may be of various configurations, shapes, and sizes. For example, as depicted in FIG. 1B, notch 14A may be rectangularly shaped. A notch may have dimensions (e.g., length, width, and height) larger than a corresponding tab to enable receipt of the tab into the notch. A notch may have dimensions only slightly larger than a corresponding tab to minimize gapping between the notch and a corresponding tab. Minimizing gapping may improve stability of fan blade 14, and / or fastening of fan blade 14 within flywheel housing 4. For example, minimizing gapping may improve stability of fan blade 14 by mitigating fan blade 14's ability to move relative to flywheel housing 4. Notches may extend only partially through fan blade 14. For example, notches may or may not extend all the way through a fan blade from side to side, or from top to bottom. Notches may extend completely through fan blade 14. For example, notches may extend all the way through a fan blade from side to side, or from top to bottom.

[0089] FIG. 1C is a top-down perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein. Top retention plate 12 may face a top 14F of fan blade 14. A retention plate may extend beyond fan blade 14. For example, top retention plate 12 may extend beyond fan blade 14. Specifically, top retention plate 12 may extend beyond a rear 14H of the fan blade 14. A retention plate may also include a tongue, which may extend over fan blade 14. For example, a tongue 12′ of top retention plate 12 may extend beyond fan blade 14. Put another way, tongue 12′ may be further inbound the flywheel housing 4 than the remainder of top retention plate 12. Tool 16 may interface with top retention plate 12 that extends beyond fan blade 14. Put another way, tool 16 may interface with tongue 12′ that extends beyond fan blade 14. Bottom retention plate may face a bottom 14G (depicted in FIG. 3A). Bottom retention plate 10 may have a side fin 10D that interfaces with a side 14E of fan blade 14. Put another way, bottom retention plate 10 may extend around at least a bottom 14G and two opposing sides 14E of the fan blade 14. Side fin 10D may improve stability of fan blade 14. Side fin 10D may also guide fan blade 14 into a correct orientation and / or direction. Bottom retention plate 10 may be wider than top retention plate 12, based on side fins 10D extending around sides 14E of fan blade 14.

[0090] Notches of fan blade 14 may be located on and / or through a locking head 14D of fan blade 14. For example, notches of fan blade 14 may extend through locking head 14D of fan blade 14. As another example, notches of fan blade 14 may be located on, but may not necessarily extend all the way through, locking head 14D of fan blade 14. Put another way, a first notch of fan blade 14 may be located on a top of locking head 14D and a second notch of fan blade 14 may be located on a bottom of locking head 14D. Locking head 14D of fan blade 14 may have a similar size and / or shape as the remainder of fan blade 14. Locking head 14D may have a different size and / or shape as the remainder of fan blade 14. For example, locking head 14D may be narrower than the remainder of fan blade 14.

[0091] A slot 6 (e.g., depicted in FIG. 1A) may be wide enough to accept a locking head 14D of a first size, but may be too narrow to accept the remainder of fan blade 14 that is of a larger size. Accordingly, a size difference between locking head 14D and the remainder of fan blade 14 may prevent fan blade 14 from travelling too far into flywheel housing 4. A size difference between locking head 14D and the remainder of fan blade 14 may allow fan blade 14 to interface with an exterior 8A of sidewall 8, which may improve aesthetics by reducing visible gaps between slot 6 and fan blade 14, and which may improve fan blade 14 stability by allowing fan blade 14 to interface around a surface area of the exterior of sidewall 8.

[0092] FIG. 1D is a top-down perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. Top retention plate 12 is stripped away in this figure, and each notch of fan blade 14 is depicted. Tab 10A of bottom retention plate 10 is depicted as extending into notch 14A of fan blade 14. As discussed above, tabs and notches may be of various configures, shapes, and sizes. For example, notches 14A-14C may each be different sizes. Notch 14B may be larger than notch 14A, and notch 14A may be larger than notch 14C.

[0093] FIG. 1E is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. Tab 12A of top retention plate 12 is depicted as extending into notch 14B of fan blade 14. A rear of fan blade 14 may be contoured around notch 14C to facilitate receipt of tab 10B (depicted in FIG. 1D) of bottom retention plate 10.

[0094] FIG. 1F is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein, with a tool interfacing with a top retention plate and bottom retention plate. Tool 16 may comprise a first member 16A and a second member 16B. The first member 16A and second member 16B may be orthogonal. The first member 16A and second member 16B may not be parallel. Tool 16 may also comprise a handle. Tool 16 may be detachable from one or more components that it interfaces with, such as a mounting plate.

[0095] Tool 16 may simultaneously interface with both depending L-shaped bracket 10C of bottom retention plate 10, and top retention plate 12. For example, a first member 16A of tool 16 may interface with depending L-shaped bracket 10C of bottom retention plate 10 and a second member 16B of tool 16 may interface with tongue 12′ of top retention plate 12. Rotation of tool 16, during interface with depending L-shaped bracket 10C and tongue 12′, may cause tab 10A of bottom retention plate 10 and tab 12A of top retention plate 12 to no longer interlock with notches 14A and 14B, respectively. For example, rotating tool 16 away from slot 6 may pull tab 10A down and out of notch 14A, and simultaneously push tab 12A up and out of notch 14B. While tab 10A is out of notch 14A and tab 12A is out of notch 14B, fan blade 14 may be forced away from flywheel housing 4. Fan blade 14 may be forced away from flywheel housing 4 even if side fins 10D and tab 10B remain interfacing fan blade 14.

[0096] While FIG. 1F is an illustrative example of tool 16 being utilized to manipulate aspects disclosed herein (e.g., a retention plate, an L-shaped bracket, a tongue, etc.), a user may manipulate aspects disclosed herein with or without tool 16. For example, a user may manipulate aspects disclosed herein using one or more hands. Put another way, a user could pull depending L-shaped bracket 10C down (and tab 10A out of notch 14A) and push tongue 12′ up (and tab 12A out of notch 14B) using one or more hands, and without tool 16.

[0097] FIG. 1G is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein. Relative to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1G depicts one or more additional components which may be installed in flywheel housing 4. For example, a mounting plate 18 may be installed to secure one or more components of a fan (depicted in FIG. 6) adjacent to flywheel housing 4.

[0098] Mounting plate 18 may be shaped to permit access to components herein. For example, mounting plate 18 may be shaped to permit access to top retention plate 12. Specifically, mounting plate 18 may be shaped to permit access to a tongue 12′ of top retention plate 12 that extends past fan blade 14. Put another way, mounting plate 18 may be shaped to permit a tool and / or a user's hand to travel past and / or around mounting plate 18, and interface with tongue 12′ of top retention plate 12.

[0099] FIG. 1H is a top-down perspective view of a bottom mounting plate of the first embodiment discussed herein with a grommet.

[0100] One or more retention plates may include a grommet. A grommet may be made of a flexible and / or inflexible material. For example, a grommet may be made of a flexible material (e.g., rubber), which may compress when force is exerted against it. In FIG. 1H, bottom retention plate 10 is shown to include grommet 10F. A grommet may be one or more of wholly located on, adjacent to, and / or in one or more portions of a component discussed herein, such as a side fin 10D. A grommet may also be one or more of partially located on, adjacent to, and / or in one or more components discussed herein, such as a side fin 10D. For example, grommet 10F may be partially located in side fin 10D and partially extend out of side fin 10D towards tab 10A. A component, such as (but not limited to) bottom retention plate 10, may include one or more grommets. For example, there may be grommets 10F on opposing side fins 10D. There may also be multiple grommets on a same side fin 10D.

[0101] Grommets may move around and / or about a structure. For example, a grommet may be donut shaped (e.g., circular and hollow), and may rotate about a structure when a force is applied against the grommet. Put another way, if a locking head 14D of a fan blade 14 is being pushed into slot 6, the locking head 14D may initially exert force against grommet 10F causing the grommet 10F to rotate (e.g., reducing friction between grommet 10F and locking head 10D). Subsequent to locking head 10D being inserted all the way into slot 6, grommet 10F may stop rotating, but may still exert a force against locking head 10D (which may reduce wobble / vibration of fan blade 14).

[0102] FIG. 1I is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with a grommet.

[0103] Grommet 10F may interface and / or surround one or more faces of fan blade 14, and / or may exert a force against and / or around one or more faces of fan blade 14. Grommet 10F interfacing and / or surrounding one or more faces of fan blade 14, and / or exerting a force against and / or around fan blade 14 may prevent and / or mitigate a fan blade 14 from wobbling. For example, at sufficient speeds, a gap between a fan blade and a retention plate may allow and / or promote wobbling of the fan blade relative to the retention plate (e.g., due to gap space). A grommet may be located at least partially within the gap to reduce gap space and therefore to reduce and / or prevent wobbling. Put another way, a grommet may extend further towards a fan blade than a retention plate, and may be made of a material that can compress against and / or around a fan blade to further stabilize and / or secure a fan blade. A grommet may exert a force against a fan blade that may dampen wobbling and / or improve stability of a fan blade.

[0104] A grommet may be particularly beneficial when precise manufacturing tolerances for one or more rigid components (e.g., a retention plate) may be impractical, impossible, and / or inefficient from a manufacturing standpoint, but the lack of precise manufacturing tolerances would lead to gapping between components that may negatively impact performance and / or aesthetics of one or more components. A grommet may be used to reduce gapping between components that are manufactured with practical, possible, and / or efficient manufacturing tolerances. A grommet (and / or structures of similar construction and / or characteristics) may be used with other components discussed herein (e.g., are not limited to retention plates and / or fan blades). For example, a grommet may be used with screws and tabs to decrease vibration, decrease wobbling, and / or increase stability of a component. The locations, shapes, sizes, quantities, etc., of grommets discussed herein are used only as examples.

[0105] FIG. 2A is a bottom-up perspective view of a second embodiment discussed herein.

[0106] As discussed previously, tabs and notches may be of different configurations, shapes, and sizes. Using FIG. 2A as an example, the notches of fan blade 14 and the tabs of retention plates 10 and 12 may be different than those depicted in FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 2A depicts a notch 14A that is substantially perpendicular to and overlaps with notch 14B, whereas notches depicted in FIG. 1 did not overlap. Despite the distinctions between various embodiments discussed herein, the notches and tabs depicted in each figure may share the benefits of improved aesthetics, structural stability, and ease of installation.

[0107] FIG. 2B is a direct view of a fan blade of the second embodiment discussed herein.

[0108] A first notch may be perpendicular to another notch. For example, notch 14A is perpendicular to notch 14B. A first notch may overlap with another notch. For example, notches 14A and 14B overlap. Notch 14A may extend along a longitudinal axis of fan blade 14 and notch 14B may extend along a lateral axis of fan blade 14. Notch 14A may be narrower than notch 14B. Put another way, notch 14A may extend inwardly from a rear 14H of fan blade 14 towards the remainder of fan blade 14 and notch 14B may extend outwardly to opposing sides of the fan blade 14. Notch 14A may bifurcate rear 14H of the fan blade 14 into symmetrical sections.

[0109] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment discussed herein before a fan blade is fully inserted into the flywheel housing. Referring briefly to FIG. 2B, the perpendicular and overlapping notches 14A and 14B of fan blade 14. Notch 14A is configured to slidingly receive narrow tab 10A on bottom retention plate 10. Notch 14A may receive tab 10A prior to notch 14B receiving tab 12A to guide the fan blade within the slot and between the retention plates. For example, FIG. 2C depicts fan blade 14 receiving tab 10A but not yet receiving tab 12A.

[0110] FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment discussed herein with a fan blade fully inserted into the flywheel housing. Relative to FIG. 2C, fan blade 14 is depicted being farther into flywheel housing 4. Fan blade 14 has also received tab 12A in notch 14B (depicted in FIG. 2B). Interlock between tab 12A and notch 14B may prevent and / or mitigate fan blade 14 from being forced away from flywheel housing 4. Interlock between tab 10A and notch 14A may guide fan blade 14 into flywheel housing 4 and may prevent and / or mitigate fan blade 14 from travelling too far into flywheel housing 4. Like in FIG. 1, top plate 12 may extend beyond fan blade 14. Specifically, tongue 12′ may extend beyond fan blade 14. Pushing upwardly against top plate 12 (e.g., tongue 12′) may cause tab 12A to be displaced upwardly out of notch 14B. If tab 12A is displaced out of notch 14B then fan blade 14 may be forced out of flywheel housing 4 despite notch 14A still interfacing with tab 10A.

[0111] FIG. 3A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blade of a third embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. Bottom retention plate 10 is stripped away for illustrative purposes. Notch 14A of fan blade 14 may be configured to receive tab 12A of top retention plate 12. Top retention plate 12 may extend beyond fan blade 14. Specifically, tongue 12′ may extend beyond fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may be spaced apart on a rear 14H of fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may be equal distances from opposing sides of locking head 14D. Notches 14B and 14C may be considered a pair of notches, and notch 14A may be considered a center notch. Notches 14B and 14C may be parallel and extend inwardly from rear 14H of the fan blade 14 towards a remainder of the fan blade 14. Notch 14A may extend outwardly to opposing sides 14E of the fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may extend inwardly towards notch 14A.

[0112] FIG. 3B is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blade of the third embodiment discussed herein. Bottom retention plate 10 may comprise a first tab 10A and a second tab 10B that is configured to interlock with notches 14B and 14C of fan blade 14. Bottom retention plate 10 may also comprise side fins 10D. Like in FIG. 1, top plate 12 extends beyond fan blade 14. For example, top plate 12 may include tongue 12′, which may extend beyond fan blade 14. Pushing upwardly against tongue 12′ extending beyond fan blade 14 may cause tab 12A to be displaced upwardly out of notch 14A. If tab 12A is displaced out of notch 14A then fan blade 14 may be forced out of flywheel housing 4.

[0113] FIG. 4A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fourth embodiment discussed herein. Bottom retention plate 10 is depicted as having two notches 10E and 10E′, which correspond with expanding engagement clip release projections 20A and 20B, respectively. To remove fan blade 14 from flywheel housing 4, expanding engagement clip release projections 20A and 20B may be displaced. For example, expanding engagement clip release projections 20A and 20B may be squeezed together, and while they are squeezed together, fan blade 14 may be pulled from flywheel housing 4.

[0114] FIG. 4B is a partially cross-sectional top-down view of a locking head of a fan blade of the fourth embodiment discussed herein. Expanding engagement clips may be used to fasten fan blade 14 within flywheel housing 4. Expanding engagement clip 20 may comprise a first forward projection 20C, a second forward projection 20D, a first rear projection 20E, and a second rear projection 20F. An elastic and / or spring force (e.g., from a torsion spring, not depicted) may naturally force forward projections 20C and 20D together and force rear projections 20E and 20F apart. Accordingly, forward projections 20C and 20D may come together simultaneous to rear projections 20E and 20F spreading apart. Similarly, rear projections 20E and 20F may come together simultaneous to forward projections 20C and 20D spreading apart. For example, although rear projections 20E and 20F could be squeezed together based on application of force (e.g., a user compressing them together and / or release projections 20A and 20B together), rear projections 20E and 20F may naturally spread apart based on a force (e.g., spring, elastic, etc.) acting on them.

[0115] As discussed previously, notches may be of various configurations, shapes, and sizes. For example, notch 14A may be an irregular shape. For example, notch 14A may begin with a first width, slightly narrow to a second width, broaden to a third width, narrowing again to a fourth width, and broaden again to a fifth width. For conceptual purposes, notch 14A may be considered to include sections corresponding with each width, e.g., a first section corresponding with the first width, a second section corresponding with the slightly more narrow second width, etc. Using this conceptual example, the first section may be closer to the rear of the fan blade than the remaining sections, which may be located further from the rear of the fan blade. These width differences may allow expanding engagement clip 20 to be received into notch 14A, and contract and / or expand based on how far expanding engagement clip 20 has been received in notch 14A. These size differences may also allow expanding engagement clip 20 to enter notch 14A and subsequently expand and interlock with notch 14A in a manner that prevents and / or mitigates fan blade 14 from being forced from flywheel housing 4 without displacement of expanding engagement clip 20 via release projections 20A and 20B.

[0116] For example, as depicted in FIG. 4B, expanding engagement clip 20 may expand in notch 14A to a size that is greater than the entrance of notch 14A, preventing and / or mitigating fan blade 14 from being forced from flywheel housing 4. Interlock between rear projections 20E and 20F and notch 14A may also prevent and / or mitigate side-to-side motion, based on interfacing against opposing sides of notch 14A. Forward projections 20C and 20D may also interlock with notch 14A to prevent and / or mitigate fan blade 14 from travelling too far into flywheel housing 4. Accordingly, expanding engagement clip 20 may improve stability of fan blade 14 by preventing and / or mitigating displacement of fan blade 14 in multiple directions.

[0117] Notch 14A of fan blade 14 may approach forward projections 20C and 20D, which may be naturally close together. Based on forward projections 20C and 20D being close together, the combined size of forward projections 20C and 20D may be smaller than the size of notch 14A of fan blade 14, and notch 14A may initially receive forward projections 20C and 20D. However, rear projections 20E and 20F may naturally be spread apart to a size that is greater than the entrance of notch 14A. If rear projections 20E and 20F were non-displaceable, they may not be capable of being received into notch 14A. However, rear projections 20E and 20F may be displaceably squeezed together. For example, rear projections 20E and 20F may be compressed together based on release projections 20A and / or 20B being displaced towards each other. As another example, rear projections 20E and 20F may be compressed together based on rear projections 20E and 20F being forced against notch 14A. Accordingly, fan blade 14 being forced into slot 6, and eventually against rear projections 20E and 20F may cause rear projections 20E and 20F to compress together temporarily before expanding inside notch 14A of fan blade 14. As discussed, to force fan blade 14 back out of slot 6, expanding engagement clip release projections 20A and 20B may be squeezed together, and based on release projections 20A and 20B being squeezed together, rear projections 20E and 20F may also squeeze together to a combined size that is more narrow than notch 14A (e.g., allowing fan blade 14 to be forced from flywheel housing 4 without rear projections 20E and 20F preventing it).

[0118] Expanding engagement clip 20 may comprise a latch that may temporarily hold rear projections 20E and 20F in a compressed position. For example, as depicted in FIG. 4B, rear projection 20E may comprise a female latch piece 20G configured to detachably interlock with a male latch piece 20H of rear projection 20F. Female latch piece 20G may be configured to attach to male latch piece 20H based on rear projections 20E and 20F being compressed together, and female latch piece 20G and male latch piece 20H also being forced together. Female latch piece 20G may be configured to detach from male latch piece 20H after a period of time and / or based on rear projections 20E and 20F being forced apart.

[0119] Forward projections 20C and 20D may or may not be displaced proportionally to rear projections 20E and 20F. For example, forward projections 20C and 20D may be displaced inversely proportional to rear projections 20E and 20F, such that when rear projections 20E and 20F compress, forward projections 20C and 20D expand. Proportional displacement of both rear projections 20E and 20F and forward projections 20C and 20D may enable coordinated movement of expanding engagement clip 20 while being received by notch 14A of fan blade 14. Coordinated movement (e.g., expansion and compression) of projections of expanding engagement clip 20 may enable projections of expanding engagement clip 20 to interlock with a greater surface area, and / or a distinct pattern of surface area, of notch 14A, and may further improve prevention and / or mitigation of displacement of fan blade 14 from flywheel housing 4.

[0120] FIG. 5A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fifth embodiment discussed herein. Bottom retention plate 10 may have a notch 10E for accessing a retention clip (depicted in FIG. 5B) located above bottom retention plate 10 in the flywheel housing 4.

[0121] FIG. 5B is a bottom-up perspective view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. A retention clip may extend through a retention plate. For example, retention clip 22 may extend through a notch 24 of top retention plate 12. Although a bottom retention plate 10 is removed for illustrative purposes in FIG. 5B, bottom retention plate 10 may be mounted adjacent to retention clip 22. Specifically, bottom retention plate 10 may be mounted adjacent to retention clip 22, and notch 10E may be located adjacent to retention clip 22, allowing an object to be pushed through notch 10E of bottom retention plate 10 and displace retention clip 22. Bottom retention plate 10 may mount and interlock against top retention plate 12.

[0122] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein before a fan blade is fully inserted. Fan blade 14 may be contoured to glide against one or more components discussed herein. For example, fan blade 14 may be contoured to glide under retention clip 22. Retention clip 22 may be contoured to glide against one or more components discussed herein. For example, retention clip 22 may be contoured to glide over fan blade 14.

[0123] FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein subsequent to fan blade being fully inserted. Retention clip 22 may align with notch 10E of bottom retention plate 10. Retention clip 22 may extend through notch 24 of top retention plate 12. As fan blade 14 is forced into slot 6 it may force against retention clip 22. For example, fan blade 14 may force against retention clip 22 and push retention clip 22 up and over fan blade 14. Retention clip 22 may have elastic and / or spring forces that cause it to extend into notch 14A of fan blade 14 once aligned with notch 14A.

[0124] Accordingly, relative to FIG. 5C, retention clip 22 as depicted in FIG. 5D has glided up and over fan blade 14 into notch 14A. Interlock between retention clip 22 and notch 14A may prevent and / or mitigate displacement of fan blade 14 from flywheel housing 4. For example, although notch 14A may have an angled surface that retention clip 22 may interlock with, retention clip 22 may not be capable of gliding up and / or over the angled surface without directly upwards force being applied to retention clip 22 by an object travelling through notch 10E of bottom retention plate 10.

[0125] FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein, wherein a tool is passing through notches of a bottom retention plate and a fan blade to interface with a retention clip adjacent to a top retention plate.

[0126] Tool 16 may be configured to pass through one or more notches of one or more components discussed herein. For example, tool 16 may be configured to pass through notch 10E of bottom retention plate 10. Tool 16 may also be configured to pass through notch 14A of fan blade 14. Put another way, both notch 10E and notch 14A may be large enough for tool 16 to pass through. Tool 16 may interface with retention clip 22 and push retention clip 22 upwards. Retention clip 22 may have an elasticity permitting tool 16 to be removed from notch 10E and / or fan blade 14 to be removed from slot 6 subsequent to retention clip 22 being pushed upwards by tool 16. Retention clip 22 may have an elasticity causing retention clip 22 to return to a position and / or orientation that it was in prior to tool 16 pushing retention clip 22 up.

[0127] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan. Ceiling fan 26 may comprise a ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A, a ceiling fan stem 26B, an upper ceiling fan body 26C, flywheel housing 4, light kit housing 28, and a lower ceiling fan body 26D.

[0128] Ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A may cover one or more mounting brackets that are configured to mount to one or more surfaces. For example, ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A may cover one or more mounting brackets configured to mount to a junction box. Ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A may also cover circuitry connecting ceiling fan 26 with a line voltage source of a structure that ceiling fan 26 may be installed in. The circuitry that ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A covers may power one or more components included in ceiling fan 26, such as a light fixture and / or a motor. The junction box may be specifically rated to secure ceiling fans.

[0129] Ceiling fan stem 26B may separate ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A and upper ceiling fan body 26C. Ceiling fan stem 26B may connect to ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A and / or upper ceiling fan body 26C by a joint. A joint may permit displacement of ceiling fan stem 26B relative to ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A and / or upper ceiling fan body 26C. For example, if a ceiling surface that ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A is mounted to is not level, a joint may enable upper ceiling fan body 26C (and components connected therewith) to be level, based on the joint allowing components to pivot relative to each other. Ceiling fan stem 26B may be hollow, and circuitry connecting ceiling fan 26 with a line voltage source may travel from a junction box through mounting bracket cover 26A and through stem 26B to upper ceiling fan body 26C.

[0130] Upper ceiling fan body 26C may house components, such as a motor used to rotate flywheel housing 4. Put another way, components discussed herein may be driven by the motor, which may be housed in upper ceiling fan body 26C. Circuitry connected to a line voltage source of a structure that ceiling fan 26 is installed in may also connect to the motor. Flywheel housing 4 has been discussed thoroughly herein and disclosure of flywheel housing 4, and / or any other component, location, and / or grouping discussed herein, is non-limiting.

[0131] Light kit housing 28 (discussed in greater detail subsequently) may house components such as a light fixture 28G (depicted subsequently in FIG. 7D). Lower ceiling fan body 26D may comprise one or more components, such as a light fixture diffuser 26D2 (also depicted subsequently in 7D). A pull cord, remote, etc., may control components of a fan discussed herein, such as a motor and / or a light fixture. Ceiling fan 26 may include circuitry such as conductors, switches, and CPUs. Ceiling fan 26 may connect to an electrical source that may power circuitry included in ceiling fan 26. For example, as discussed previously, ceiling fan 26 may connect to a line voltage source of a structure that ceiling fan 26 is installed on, and the line voltage source may power components included in ceiling fan 26.

[0132] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a ceiling fan in preparation for a light kit. As discussed previously a mounting plate 18 may be installed to secure one or more components of a fan adjacent to flywheel housing 4, such as light kit housing 28. Mounting plate 18 may be secured within flywheel housing 4 by a mounting plate nut 18A. Mounting plate 18 may include one or more notches for receiving one or more screws. For example, mounting plate 18 may receive screws 28A1, 28B1, and 28C1. As depicted in FIG. 7A, screws 28A1 and 28B1 are already received in mounting plate 18 and screw 28C1 may be received by notch 18′ of mounting plate 18. An electrical outlet 30A may extend from flywheel housing 4. For example, an electrical outlet 30A may extend from a threaded conduit 18B which mounting plate nut 18A may thread onto. The threaded conduit 18B may be a part of ceiling fan stem 26B, which as discussed above, may be hollow and may allow circuitry connecting ceiling fan 26 to a line voltage source to pass therethrough. Electrical outlet 30A may connect with electrical circuitry that connects ceiling fan 26 with line voltage.

[0133] FIG. 7B1 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light kit housing for installation. A light kit housing 28 may include one or more notches for receiving one or more screws. For example, light kit housing 28 may include notches 28A2, 28B2, and 28C2 for receiving screws 28A1, 28B1, and 28C1 respectively. One or more notches that light kit housing 28 includes may be keyhole shaped to allow a head of a screw to fit through a wide portion of the notch and prevent the head of the screw from fitting through a narrow portion of the notch. For example, there may be a gap between a head of a screw and a surface receiving the screw, such that after the wide portion of a keyhole shaped notch has dropped below the head of the screw, the keyhole shaped notch may be rotated around and / or about the screw until the narrow portion of the notch is between the head of the screw and the surface receiving the screw. The notch may be prevented from raising above the screw head based on the narrow portion of the notch being between the head of the screw and the surface receiving the screw. The notch may not raise back above the screw head without first being rotated about and / or around the screw such that the wide diameter of the notch returns between the screw head and the surface receiving the screw.

[0134] FIG. 7B2 is a direct view of a light kit shell for installation on a ceiling fan. Light kit housing 28 may be placed over mounting plate 18. As discussed previously, mounting plate 18 may receive screws 28A1 and 28B1. Light kit housing 28 may include notches 28A2 and 28B2, which may be keyhole shaped. Screws 28A1 and 28B1 may be received in mounting plate 18, but still have open space between a head of each screw and a surface of mounting plate 18. Accordingly, light kit housing 28 may be positioned such that notches 28A2 and 28B2 respectively align with screws 28A1 and 28B1, and notches 28A2 and 28B2 may receive screws 28A1 and 28B1 (e.g., at least heads thereof). Subsequent to receiving screws 28A1 and 28B1, light kit housing 28 may be rotated such that screws 28A1 and 28B1 align with a narrow portion of notches 28A2 and 28B2 rather than a wide portion of notches 28A2 and 28B2. The narrow portion of notches 28A2 and 28B2 may be narrower than a head of screw 28A1 and / or 28B1. Accordingly, screws 28A1 and / or 28B1 aligning with a narrow portion of notches 28A2 and 28B may prevent light kit housing 28 from being displaced away from mounting plate 18. However, screws 28A1 and / or 28B1 aligning with a narrow portion of notches 28A2 and 28B2 may or may not necessarily prevent light kit housing 28 from being rotatable about mounting plate 18. Light kit housing 28 may include another notch 28C2 which may align with notch 18′ (depicted in FIG. 7B1). Notch 28C2 may align with notch 18′ based on light kit housing 28 being rotated and screws 28A1 and 28B2 aligning with a narrow portion of 28B1 and 28B2. Notch 28C2 may be circular and have a smaller diameter than a head of screw 28C1. Based on notch 28C2 aligning with notch 18′, screw 28C1 (depicted in FIG. 7A) may be received in notch 28C2 and notch 18′. Screw 28C1 being received in notch 28C2 and notch 18′ may prevent light kit housing 28 from being rotatable about mounting plate 18. Therefore, screw 28A1 being received in 28A2, screw 28B1 being received in 28B2, and / or screw 28C1 being received in 28C2 may secure light kit housing 28 to mounting plate 18.

[0135] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light kit housing installed. Light kit housing 28 may include notches 28D1, 28E1, and / or 28F1, which may receive screws 28D2, 28E2, and / or 28F2.

[0136] FIG. 7D is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light fixture for installation. Light kit housing 28 may receive light fixture 28G, which may receive screws 28D2, 28E2, and / or 28F2. Light fixture 28G may receive screws 28D2, 28E2, and / or 28F2, which may also be received by notches 28D1, 28E1, and / or 28F1 respectively. Light fixture 28G may be secured to light kit housing 28 based on both light fixture 28G and notches 28D1, 28E1, and / or 28F1 receiving screws 28D2, 28E2, and / or 28F2. Light fixture 28G may include electrical plug 30B, which may electrically connect with electrical outlet 30A. Accordingly, light fixture 28G may be powered via circuitry connecting ceiling fan 26 to line voltage.

[0137] FIG. 7E is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a lower ceiling fan body for installation. Light kit housing 28 may include a nodule 28H, which may extend outwardly from light kit housing 28. Nodule 28H may extend outwardly from an interior of light kit housing 28 Nodule 28H may extend outwardly from an exterior of light kit housing 28. Lower ceiling fan body 26D may include a notch 26D1 which may receive nodule 28H. Lower ceiling fan body 26D may be secured to light kit housing 28 based on receipt of nodule 28H into notch 26D1. Notch 26D1 may include a channel in which nodule 28H may be received. For example, as depicted in FIG. 7E notch 26D1 may receive nodule 28H and lower ceiling fan body 26D may be rotated such that notch 26D1 rotates about nodule 28H. Lower ceiling fan body 26D may be secured closer to light kit housing 28 based on notch 26D1 rotating about nodule 28H, effectively screwing lower ceiling fan body 26D to light kit housing 28.

[0138] Disclosure herein provides examples of some non-limiting embodiments. One or more components, and / or properties thereof, discussed herein may be added, removed, modified, and / or reordered.

[0139] Implementations of technology disclosed herein can optionally include the following features.

[0140] In some implementations, a flywheel housing may comprise a sidewall that is connected with and depends from a top wall (wherein the sidewall includes a slot), a bottom retention plate that is located beneath the slot and that extends away from the sidewall, a top retention plate that is located above the slot and that extends away from the sidewall, and a fan blade that is locked in place by the top retention plate and the bottom retention plate and which includes a plurality of notches. In some implementations, a first notch, of the plurality of notches, may mechanically interlock with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, a second notch, of the plurality of notches, may mechanically interlock with the top retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0141] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may include a tab, and the first notch and the bottom retention plate may separate based on the tab of the bottom retention plate moving away from the first notch. In some implementations, the top retention plate may include a tab, and the second notch and the top retention plate may separate based on the tab of the top retention plate moving away from the second notch. In some implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate may move away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate may move away from the second notch, based on rotation of a tool that includes a first member interfacing with the tab of the bottom retention plate and includes a second member interfacing with the tab of the top retention plate.

[0142] In some implementations, the first member may interface with a depending L-shaped bracket of the bottom retention plate and the second member may interface with a tongue of the top retention plate. In some implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate may move away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate may move away from the second notch based on manipulation of the bottom retention plate and the top retention plate by hand. In some implementations, the top retention plate may extend further away from the interior of the sidewall than the bottom retention plate. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may be wider than the top retention plate. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may be wider than a locking head of the fan blade that is received in the slot.

[0143] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may extend around at least a bottom and two opposing sides the locking head of the fan blade that is received in the slot. In some implementations, the first notch may be located on a bottom of the fan blade, and the second notch may be located on a top of the fan blade. In some implementations, at least a third notch may be located on a rear of the fan blade, and the third notch may mechanically interlock with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch may be located on a locking head of the fan blade that is both shorter and more narrow than a remainder of the fan blade. In some implementations, only the locking head of the fan blade may be inserted into the slot. In some implementations, a remainder of the fan blade may be wider than the slot. The fan blade may be contoured to fit the sidewall.

[0144] In some implementations, a flywheel housing may comprise a top wall, a bottom wall, a sidewall that is connected with the top wall and bottom wall (wherein the sidewall includes a slot), a bottom retention plate that is secured adjacent to and extends away from the sidewall beneath the slot, a top retention plate that is secured adjacent to and extends away from the sidewall above the slot, and a fan blade including a plurality of notches. In some implementations, a first notch, of the plurality of notches, may mechanically interlock with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, a second notch, of the plurality of notches, may mechanically interlock with the top retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may include a tab, and the first notch and the bottom retention plate may separate based on the tab of the bottom retention plate moving away from the first notch. In some implementations, the top retention plate may include a tab, and the second notch and the top retention plate may separate based on the tab of the top retention plate moving away from the second notch. In some implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate may move away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate may move away from the second notch based on manipulation of the bottom retention plate and the top retention plate by hand.

[0145] In some implementations, a flywheel housing may comprise a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing, (wherein the sidewall includes a slot) a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall beneath the slot, a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall above the slot, and a fan blade. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a first notch that is located on a bottom of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a second notch that is located on a top of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the fan blade may include at least a third notch that is located on a rear of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate extends around opposing sides, of the fan blade, that are perpendicular to the top and the bottom of the fan blade.

[0146] In some implementations, a flywheel housing may comprise a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing (wherein the sidewall includes a slot), a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall below the slot, a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall above the slot, and a fan blade. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a first notch that extends inwardly from a rear of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a second notch that extends outwardly to opposing sides of the fan blade and may mechanically interlock with the top retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0147] In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch may be perpendicular. In some implementations, the second notch may be wider than the first notch. In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch may overlap. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may be wider than the top retention plate. In some implementations, the top retention plate may extend further from the slot than the bottom retention plate. In some implementations, the first notch symmetrically bifurcates the rear of the fan blade. In some implementations, the second notch and the top retention plate may be separated based on the top retention plate moving away from the second notch. In some implementations, the fan blade may be removed from the flywheel housing based on the second notch and the top retention plate being separated, and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing. In some implementations, the flywheel housing may be included in a fan driven by a motor.

[0148] In some implementations, a flywheel housing comprises a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing (wherein the sidewall includes a slot), a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall below the slot, a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall above the slot, and a fan blade. In some implementations, the fan blade may include one or more rear notches that are parallel and extend inwardly from a rear of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a center notch that extends outwardly to opposing sides of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0149] In some implementations, the one or more rear notches may extend towards the center notch. In some implementations, the one or more rear notches may include a first notch that is a distance away from a side of the fan blade, and a second notch that is an equal distance away from an opposing side of the fan blade. In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch may be separated by the rear of the fan blade. In some implementations, the center notch may be separated from each of the first notch and the second notch. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may be wider than the top retention plate. In some implementations, the top retention plate may extends further from the slot than the bottom retention plate. In some implementations, the center notch and the top retention plate may separate based on the top retention plate moving away from the center notch. In some implementations, the fan blade may be removed from the flywheel housing based on the center notch and the top retention plate being separated and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing. In some implementations, the flywheel housing may be included in a fan driven by a motor.

[0150] In some implementations, a flywheel housing may comprise a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing (wherein the sidewall includes a slot), a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall, and a fan blade. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a notch extending inwardly from a rear of a locking head of the fan blade. In some implementations, a first section of the notch may extend outwardly towards opposing sides of the locking head of the fan blade for a first distance, and a second section of the notch may extend outwardly towards opposing sides of the locking head of the fan blade for a second distance. In some implementations, the notch may mechanically interlock with an expanding engagement clip secured to the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0151] In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip may include a torsion spring that spreads the engagement clip apart. In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip is displaced based on a release projection, that extends through the bottom retention plate, being displaced. In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip may be displaced based on an additional release projection, that also extends through the bottom retention plate, being displaced towards the release projection. In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip may be displaced based on the release projection and the additional release projection being displaced towards each other. In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip may include two rear projections and two forward projections, and the two forward projections are displaced towards each other simultaneous to the two rear projections being displaced away from each other. In some implementations, the notch and the expanding engagement clip are separated based on the expanding engagement clip being displaced. In some implementations, the fan blade may be removed from the flywheel housing based on the notch and the expanding engagement clip being separated and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing. In some implementations, the first section of the notch may be closer to the rear of the locking head of the fan blade than the second section of the notch, and the first distance may be greater than the second distance. In some implementations, the flywheel housing may be included in a fan that is driven by a motor.

[0152] In some implementations, flywheel housing may comprise a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing (wherein the sidewall includes a slot) a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall beneath the slot, and a fan blade including a notch that that mechanically interlocks with a clip extending towards the bottom retention plate and the notch. In some implementations, the clip may be secured above the fan blade and adjacent to the sidewall. In some implementations, the notch included in the fan blade may extend from a top of the fan blade to a bottom of the fan blade that is interfacing the bottom retention plate. In some implementations, the notch may extend further along the top of the fan blade than the bottom of the fan blade. In some implementations, the notch may include an angled surface.

[0153] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may include another notch. In some implementations, the notch included in the bottom retention plate and the notch included in the fan blade may at least partially align based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the clip and the fan blade may be separated based on the clip moving away from the bottom retention plate. In some implementations, the notch included in the bottom retention plate and the notch included in the fan blade may each large enough for a tool to pass at least partially through and displace the clip. In some implementations, the fan blade may be removed from the flywheel housing based on the clip extending through the notch being separated from the fan blade and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing.

[0154] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts described in greater detail herein are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein.

Examples

first embodiment

[0076]FIG. 1A is a bottom-up perspective view of a first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. FIG. 1 depicts a flywheel housing 4. Flywheel housing 4 may include a slot 6 on a sidewall 8 of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be located below a top wall 4A of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be perpendicular to the top wall 4A of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may depend from the top wall 4A of flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be above a bottom wall of flywheel housing 4 (not depicted). The sidewall 8 may include an exterior 8A and an interior 8B. Sidewall 8 may extend above, beneath, and / or around slot 6.

[0077]Flywheel housing 4 may include a retention plate. For example, a bottom retention plate 10 and / or a top retention plate 12 may be located adjacent to the interior 8B of sidewall 8. In some embodiments, the bottom retention plate 10 and / or top retention plate 12 may extend away from the sidewall 8. Put another wa...

second embodiment

[0105]FIG. 2A is a bottom-up perspective view of a second embodiment discussed herein.

[0106]As discussed previously, tabs and notches may be of different configurations, shapes, and sizes. Using FIG. 2A as an example, the notches of fan blade 14 and the tabs of retention plates 10 and 12 may be different than those depicted in FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 2A depicts a notch 14A that is substantially perpendicular to and overlaps with notch 14B, whereas notches depicted in FIG. 1 did not overlap. Despite the distinctions between various embodiments discussed herein, the notches and tabs depicted in each figure may share the benefits of improved aesthetics, structural stability, and ease of installation.

[0107]FIG. 2B is a direct view of a fan blade of the second embodiment discussed herein.

[0108]A first notch may be perpendicular to another notch. For example, notch 14A is perpendicular to notch 14B. A first notch may overlap with another notch. For example, notches 14A and 14B overlap. ...

third embodiment

[0111]FIG. 3A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blade of a third embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. Bottom retention plate 10 is stripped away for illustrative purposes. Notch 14A of fan blade 14 may be configured to receive tab 12A of top retention plate 12. Top retention plate 12 may extend beyond fan blade 14. Specifically, tongue 12′ may extend beyond fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may be spaced apart on a rear 14H of fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may be equal distances from opposing sides of locking head 14D. Notches 14B and 14C may be considered a pair of notches, and notch 14A may be considered a center notch. Notches 14B and 14C may be parallel and extend inwardly from rear 14H of the fan blade 14 towards a remainder of the fan blade 14. Notch 14A may extend outwardly to opposing sides 14E of the fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may extend inwardly towards notch 14A.

[0112]FIG. 3B is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blad...

FIELD

[0001] Disclosure herein relates to ceiling fans, specifically systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods for attaching and detaching a fan blade with a flywheel housing by inserting the fan blades into a slot of the flywheel housing, wherein the inserted fan blade detachably locks with retention mechanisms (e.g., plates, clips, etc.) within the flywheel housing.BACKGROUND

[0002] Issues arise with removable fan blades from flywheel housings due to the high velocity of the blades as the flywheel spins. Quick connect and disconnect attachment and mechanical devices for fan blades with the housing are problematic since bulky mechanical attachments can increase the weight of the flywheel, and quick connect and disconnect mechanisms which do not use screws or bolts can allow the fan blades to disconnect from the flywheel during high speed rotation. However, easily connectable fan blades without the use of tools or other implements would ease the assembly of the fan at installationSUMMARY

[0003] The disclosure herein describes systems, devices, apparatus and methods for detachably securing fan blades to a flywheel housing on a ceiling fan by interlocking a notch of a fan blade with one or more retention plates located on an interior of the flywheel housing.

[0004] Disclosures herein further provide for systems, devices, apparatus and methods for detaching secured fan blades from a flywheel housing by modifying interlock between a notch of a fan blade with a retention plate.

[0005] Disclosures herein may improve aesthetics, structural stability, and ease of installation of ceiling fans. Specifically, disclosures herein may improve aesthetics, structural stability, and ease of installation of ceiling fan blades.

[0006] Implementations disclosed herein are directed to a flywheel housing for a fan assembly wherein the housing has a sidewall that is connected with and depends from a top wall. The sidewall includes at least one slot, and the interior of the housing for receiving and locking into place a fan blade there is a bottom retention plate and an opposing top retention plate which are located adjacent the slot and extend away from the sidewall. A fan blade having a plurality of notches is removably locked in place by the top retention plate and the bottom retention plate. A first notch of the plurality of notches mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate, and a second notch of the plurality of notches mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate.

[0007] Implementations disclosed herein can mitigate (e.g., eliminate) various drawbacks with current techniques. For example, the mechanical interlock between the plurality of notches on the fan blade and the top and bottom retention plates can provide a secure connection capable of withstanding high-speed rotation, preventing the fan blade from disconnecting from the flywheel housing without the use of screws or bolts. As another example, the use of internal retention plates and integrated notches on the fan blade can reduce the need for bulky external attachment hardware, which can mitigate increases in the weight of the flywheel. As another example, the fan blade can be removably locked in place by inserting the fan blade into the slot, which can ease the assembly of the fan at installation by reducing or eliminating the need for tools or other implements.

[0008] As a non-limiting example of some implementations disclosed herein, a user assembling a ceiling fan can attach a fan blade to the fan's flywheel housing. The flywheel housing includes a sidewall with a pre-formed slot. Located on the interior of the housing, adjacent to this slot, are a top retention plate and an opposing bottom retention plate. The user takes a fan blade, which can have a locking head and can have a plurality of notches on its locking head, and inserts this locking head into the slot of the sidewall. As the fan blade is pushed into the housing, it passes between the top and bottom retention plates. A first notch located on the bottom surface of the fan blade aligns with and mechanically interlocks with a feature, such as a tab, on the bottom retention plate. Simultaneously or sequentially, a second notch on the top surface of the fan blade mechanically interlocks with a corresponding feature on the top retention plate. This dual interlocking engagement removably locks the fan blade in place, providing a secure connection to the flywheel housing without requiring separate fasteners like screws or bolts, thereby simplifying the installation process.

[0009] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided. The flywheel housing includes a sidewall that is connected with and depends from a top wall, and the sidewall includes a slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate and a top retention plate. The bottom retention plate is located adjacent the slot and extends away from the sidewall. The top retention plate is also located adjacent the slot, extends away from the sidewall, and is opposing the bottom retention plate. The flywheel housing further includes a fan blade having a plurality of notches. The fan blade is removably locked in place by the top retention plate and the bottom retention plate. A first notch of the plurality of notches mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate. A second notch of the plurality of notches mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate.

[0010] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate can include a tab, and the fan blade and the bottom retention plate can separate based on the tab of the bottom retention plate moving away from the first notch. In some of those implementations, the top retention plate can include a tab, and the fan blade and the top retention plate can separate based on the tab of the top retention plate moving away from the second notch. In some versions of those implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate can move away from the first notch of the fan blade, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate can move away from the second notch of the fan blade, upon rotation of a non-integral tool that can include a first member interfacing with the tab of the bottom retention plate and can include a second member interfacing with the tab of the top retention plate. In some versions of those implementations, the first member of the tool can interface with a depending L-shaped bracket of the bottom retention plate and the second member of the tool can interface with a tongue of the top retention plate.

[0011] In some implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate can move away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate can move away from the second notch based on manipulation of the bottom retention plate away from the top retention plate.

[0012] In some implementations, the top retention plate can extend further away from the interior of the sidewall than the bottom retention plate. In some of those implementations, the bottom retention plate can be wider than the top retention plate. In some of those implementations, the bottom retention plate can be wider than a width of a locking head of the fan blade that can be received in the slot. In some versions of those implementations, at least one of the bottom retention plate or the top retention plate can extend around at least a bottom and two opposing sides of the locking head of the fan blade that can be received in the slot.

[0013] In some implementations, the first notch can be located on a bottom of the fan blade, and the second notch can be located on a top of the fan blade, with the bottom of the fan blade being an opposing side of the fan blade relative to the top of the fan blade.

[0014] In some implementations, at least a third notch can be located on a rear of the fan blade, and the third notch can mechanically interlock with one of the bottom retention plate or the top retention plate when the fan blade can be installed into the slot.

[0015] In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch can be located on a locking head of the fan blade, with the locking head of the fan blade being more narrow in width than a remainder of the fan blade. In some of those implementations, only the locking head of the fan blade can be received within the slot. In some versions of those implementations, a remainder of the fan blade can be wider than the slot. In some versions of those implementations, the bottom retention plate can have a tab which can fit in the first notch, the top retention plate can have a tab which can fit in the second notch, with at least one of the first tab or the second tab being angled.

[0016] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided including a top wall and a bottom wall. The flywheel housing also includes a sidewall that is connected with the top wall and bottom wall. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing further includes a bottom retention plate that is secured adjacent to and extends away from the sidewall. The flywheel housing also includes a top retention plate that is secured adjacent to and extends away from the sidewall opposing the bottom retention plate. The flywheel housing includes a fan blade having a locking head. The locking head includes a plurality of notches. A first notch, of the plurality of notches, mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate. A second notch, of the plurality of notches, mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate.

[0017] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate can include a tab extending towards the opposing top retention plate, and the tab of the bottom retention plate can separate from the locking head of the fan blade based on the tab of the bottom retention plate moving away from the first notch, and the top retention plate can include a tab extending towards the opposing bottom retention plate, and the tab of the top retention plate can separate from the locking head of the fan blade based on the tab of the top retention plate moving away from the second notch. In some of those implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate can move away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate can move away from the second notch based on manipulation of the bottom retention plate and the top retention plate using a tool.

[0018] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided and includes a sidewall interposed between a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall beneath the slot. The flywheel housing further includes a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall opposite the bottom retention plate. The flywheel housing also includes a fan blade that is inserted into the slot. The fan blade includes a first notch that is located on a bottom of the fan blade which mechanically interlocks with an angled bottom retention plate tab based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. The fan blade also includes a second notch that is located on a top of the fan blade which mechanically interlocks with an angled top retention plate tab based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0019] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided and includes a sidewall interposed between a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall and which is in opposing relationship to a top retention plate. The flywheel housing further includes a fan blade having a fan blade locking head which is inserted into the slot. The fan blade locking head includes a first notch that extends inwardly from an end of the locking end of the fan blade towards a second notch. The first notch slidingly receives a narrow bottom retention plate tab on the bottom retention plate. The fan blade locking head also includes the second notch between the first notch and the end of the locking end of the fan blade. The second notch mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate.

[0020] In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch can be substantially perpendicular.

[0021] In some implementations, the second notch can be wider than the first notch.

[0022] In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch can overlap.

[0023] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate can be wider than the top retention plate.

[0024] In some implementations, the top retention plate can be positioned inward from the slot further than the bottom retention plate.

[0025] In some implementations, the first notch symmetrical bifurcates the rear of the fan blade.

[0026] In some implementations, the top retention plate can be mechanically pivotable away from the locking head of the fan blade for removal of a locking tab from the second notch. In some of those implementations, the fan blade can be removable from the flywheel housing by a mechanical pivoting of the top retention plate away from the fan blade.

[0027] In some implementations, the flywheel housing can be included in a fan driven by a motor.

[0028] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided and includes a sidewall depending from a top wall of the flywheel housing and interposed between the top wall and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall below the slot. The flywheel housing further includes a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall above the slot opposite the bottom retention plate. The flywheel housing also includes a fan blade having a fan blade locking head. The fan blade locking head includes one or more rear locking head notches at an end of the fan blade locking head. The one or more rear locking head notches mechanically interlock with the bottom retention plate when the fan blade is inserted into the slot of the flywheel housing. The fan blade locking head also includes a center notch on the locking head of the fan blade that extends between opposing sides of the fan blade. The center notch mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate when the fan blade is inserted into the slot.

[0029] In some implementations, the one or more rear locking head notches can be extended from the end of the locking head of the fan blade towards the center notch.

[0030] In some implementations, the one or more rear locking head notches can include a first notch that can be a first distance away from a first side of the fan blade, and a second notch that can be a second distance away from a second side of the fan blade, and the first distance and the second distance can be equal. In some of those implementations, the first notch and the second notch can be separated by a locking head tab positioned between the first notch and the second notch and extending from the rear of the fan blade. In some versions of those implementations, the center notch can be separated from each of the first notch and the second notch.

[0031] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate can be wider than the top retention plate.

[0032] In some implementations, the top retention plate can be extended further from the slot than the bottom retention plate.

[0033] In some implementations, the center notch and the top retention plate can be separated based on movement of the top retention plate away from the center notch. In some of those implementations, the fan blade can be removed from the flywheel housing based on the separation of the center notch and the top retention plate and on pulling the fan blade away from the flywheel housing.

[0034] In some implementations, the flywheel housing can be included in a fan driven by a motor.

[0035] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided and includes a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall. The flywheel housing further includes a fan blade. The fan blade includes a notch extending inwardly from a rear of a locking head of the fan blade. A first section of the notch extends outwardly towards opposing sides of the locking head of the fan blade for a first distance. A second section of the notch extends outwardly towards opposing sides of the locking head of the fan blade for a second distance. The notch mechanically interlocks with an expanding engagement clip secured to the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0036] In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip can include a torsion spring for spreading the engagement clip apart.

[0037] In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip can be displaced based on a release projection, extending through the bottom retention plate, being displaced. In some of those implementations, the expanding engagement clip can be displaced based on an additional release projection, also extending through the bottom retention plate, being displaced towards the release projection. In some versions of those implementations, the expanding engagement clip can be displaced based on the release projection and the additional release projection being displaced towards each other. In some versions of those implementations, the expanding engagement clip can include two rear projections and two forward projections, and the two forward projections can be displaced towards each other simultaneous to the two rear projections being displaced away from each other.

[0038] In some implementations, the notch and the expanding engagement clip can be separated based on the expanding engagement clip being displaced. In some of those implementations, the fan blade can be removed from the flywheel housing based on the notch and the expanding engagement clip being separated and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing.

[0039] In some implementations, the first section of the notch can be closer to the rear of the locking head of the fan blade than the second section of the notch, and the first distance can be greater than the second distance.

[0040] In some implementations, the flywheel housing can be included in a fan that can be driven by a motor.

[0041] In some implementations, a flywheel housing is provided and includes a sidewall that is substantially perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing. The sidewall includes at least one slot. The flywheel housing also includes a bottom retention plate that extends inwardly from the sidewall beneath the slot. The flywheel housing further includes a clip mounted above the slot and extending downward at an angle towards the bottom retention plate. The flywheel housing also includes a fan blade including a notch that mechanically interlocks with the clip extending towards the bottom retention plate.

[0042] In some implementations, the clip can be secured above the fan blade and adjacent to the sidewall of the flywheel housing.

[0043] In some implementations, the notch of the fan can have an angled side wall which can be angled towards an end of the fan blade. In some of those implementations, the angled side wall of the notch can cause the width of the notch along the top of the fan blade to be wider than the width of the notch on the bottom of the fan blade. In some versions of those implementations, the notch can include a sidewall opposing the angled side wall.

[0044] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate can include an opening. In some of those implementations, the opening of the bottom retention plate and the notch of the fan blade can at least partially align based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some of those implementations, the fan blade can be removed from the flywheel by the clip flexing and moving away from the bottom retention plate and out of the notch. In some versions of those implementations, the opening of the bottom retention plate and the notch of the fan blade can receive a tool to pass at least partially through and displace the clip. In some versions of those implementations, the fan blade can be removed from the flywheel housing based on the clip extending through the notch being separated from the fan blade and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1A is a bottom-up perspective view of a first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away.

[0046] FIG. 1B is a bottom-up cross-sectional view of the first embodiment discussed herein.

[0047] FIG. 1C is a top-down perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein.

[0048] FIG. 1D is a top-down perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away.

[0049] FIG. 1E is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away.

[0050] FIG. 1F is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein, with a tool interfacing with a top retention plate and bottom retention plate.

[0051] FIG. 1G is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein.

[0052] FIG. 1H is a top-down perspective view of a bottom mounting plate of the first embodiment discussed herein with a grommet.

[0053] FIG. 1I is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with a grommet.

[0054] FIG. 2A is a bottom-up perspective view of a second embodiment discussed herein.

[0055] FIG. 2B is a direct view of a fan blade of the second embodiment discussed herein.

[0056] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment discussed herein before a fan blade is fully inserted into the flywheel housing.

[0057] FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment discussed herein subsequent to a fan blade being fully inserted into the flywheel housing.

[0058] FIG. 3A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blade of a third embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away.

[0059] FIG. 3B is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blade of the third embodiment discussed herein.

[0060] FIG. 4A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fourth embodiment discussed herein.

[0061] FIG. 4B is a partially cross-sectional top-down view of a locking head of a fan blade of the fourth embodiment discussed herein.

[0062] FIG. 4C is a bottom-up perspective view of a mounting block that interlocks with features of the fan blade.

[0063] FIG. 5A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fifth embodiment discussed herein.

[0064] FIG. 5B is a bottom-up perspective view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away.

[0065] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein before a fan blade is fully inserted.

[0066] FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein subsequent to a fan blade being fully inserted.

[0067] FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein, wherein a tool is passing through notches of a bottom retention plate and a fan blade to interlock with a retention clip adjacent to a top retention plate.

[0068] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan.

[0069] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a ceiling fan in preparation for a light kit.

[0070] FIG. 7B1 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light kit housing for installation.

[0071] FIG. 7B2 is a direct view of a light kit shell for installation on a ceiling fan.

[0072] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light kit shell installed.

[0073] FIG. 7D is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light for installation.

[0074] FIG. 7E is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a lower ceiling fan body for installation.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] Aspects and variations of a fan assembly and flywheel for removably retaining fan blades are disclosed herein. Features set forth include removable retention of individual fan blades within the fan housing flywheel which rotates under power of an electric motor. The flywheel housing has a plurality of slots to removably receive a locking head of the fan blade, the locking head of the fan blade locked in place within the flywheel utilizing an upper and a lower retention plate, each plate engaging portions of the locking head of the fan blade to secure it within the flywheel housing. Multiple variations of both the locking head portion of the fan blade as well as the upper and lower retention plate construction. The retention plates mechanically connect to the locking head of the fan blade using tabs which engage fan blade locking head notches. The variations and embodiments disclosed herein securely retain the fan blade within the rotatable fan flywheel housing without the use of tools.

[0076] FIG. 1A is a bottom-up perspective view of a first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. FIG. 1 depicts a flywheel housing 4. Flywheel housing 4 may include a slot 6 on a sidewall 8 of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be located below a top wall 4A of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be perpendicular to the top wall 4A of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may depend from the top wall 4A of flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be above a bottom wall of flywheel housing 4 (not depicted). The sidewall 8 may include an exterior 8A and an interior 8B. Sidewall 8 may extend above, beneath, and / or around slot 6.

[0077] Flywheel housing 4 may include a retention plate. For example, a bottom retention plate 10 and / or a top retention plate 12 may be located adjacent to the interior 8B of sidewall 8. In some embodiments, the bottom retention plate 10 and / or top retention plate 12 may extend away from the sidewall 8. Put another way, in some embodiments the bottom retention plate 10 and / or top retention plate 12 may extend inwardly into flywheel housing 4. Bottom retention plate 10 and top retention plate 12 may or may not interface. Bottom retention plate 10 may interface with a bottom of fan blade 14. Top retention plate 12 may interface with a top of fan blade 14. Slot 6 may guide fan blade 14 between bottom retention plate 10 and top retention plate 12. A top retention plate 12 may be located above slot 6 and a bottom retention plate 10 may be located below slot 6. Retention plates may be of different configurations, shapes, sizes, etc. For example, a top retention plate may be narrower than a bottom retention plate. As another example a top retention plate may be longer than a bottom retention plate.

[0078] A retention plate may include a tab. A tab of a retention plate may mechanically interlock with fan blade 14. Specifically, a tab of a retention plate may mechanically interlock with notch of fan blade 14. As an example, bottom retention plate 10 may comprise tab 10A (also depicted in a subsequent illustration). A fan blade and a retention plate may be separated based on the retention plate moving away from a portion of the fan blade. For example, a fan blade and a retention plate may be separated based on a tab of the retention plate moving away from a notch of a fan blade.

[0079] A retention plate being located inside of flywheel housing may improve aesthetic appeal, as components (such as screws and brackets) fastening fan blade 14 to flywheel housing 4 may not be visible after installation. Rather, a retention plate may be hidden inside flywheel housing 4. Interlock between a tab and fan blade 14 may improve structural bonding between flywheel housing 4 and fan blade 14, as the bond between fan blade 14 and flywheel housing 4 does not rely on screws that may come loose from operation of a ceiling fan. Rather mounting plates may have elastic and / or spring properties which are unaffected by operation of a ceiling fan and / or withstand forces based on operation of a ceiling fan for an extended period of time.

[0080] A locking head 14D of fan blade 14 may or may not be a different configuration, shape, and / or size than the remainder of fan blade 14. For example, a locking head 14D of fan blade 14 may be shorter and / or more narrow than the remainder of fan blade 14, which may be broader and / or longer than the locking head 14D. While locking head 14D may fit into slot 6, the remainder of fan blade 14 may not fit into slot 6. A locking head 14D of fan blade 14 may or may not exclusively comprise one or more notches that one or more tabs of one or more retention plates may interlock with. Put another way, notches may or may not be exclusively located on a locking head 14D of a fan blade 14.

[0081] Interlock between fan blade 14 and a tab of a retention plate may lock fan blade 14 in one or more of a position and / or orientation relative to the flywheel housing 4. Put another way, fan blade 14 may be locked in place by a bottom retention plate 10 and / or a top retention plate 12. For example, during operation of a fan (e.g., during which flywheel housing 4 is rotated), interlock between fan blade 14 and a tab 10A of retention plate 10 may prevent and / or mitigate displacement of fan blade 14 from flywheel housing 4. Without interlock between fan blade 14 and tab 10A, fan blade 14 may be displaced away from flywheel 4 (e.g., if no other tab is preventing and / or mitigating displacement of fan blade 14) while flywheel housing 4 is rotating based on centripetal forces acting on fan blade 14 (e.g., forcing fan blade 14 away from flywheel housing 4).

[0082] Design of fan blade 14 and fastening components in flywheel housing 4 may improve ease of installation, as fastening of fan blade 14 into flywheel housing 4 may not require tools or multiple hands. Rather, fan blade 14 may be configured, shaped, and / or sized to be guided into flywheel housing 4, and fastening components (such as retention plates 10 and 12) may be configured, shaped, and / or sized to guide fan blade 14 into flywheel housing 4, and secure fan blade 14 in flywheel housing 4, without the need for tools, and while using a single hand.

[0083] A tab may include a lever. For example, tab 10A may comprise depending L-shaped bracket 10C. A tab may be displaced based on displacement of a leveraging component. For example, if depending L-shaped bracket 10C is displaced, then tab 10A may also be displaced. Depending L-shaped bracket 10C may provide an improved leverage point on tab 10A of bottom retention plate 10, allowing tab 10A to be more easily displaced. A tool may interface with one or more of a tab, a retention plate, and a lever. A tab, retention plate, and / or lever may be displaced based on interface with a tool and / or subsequent displacement of a tool. For example, tab 10A, which may be currently interfacing fan blade 14, may be displaced based on tool 16 interfacing with depending L-shaped bracket 10C and rotating (e.g., pulling depending L-shaped bracket 10C downwards). Components discussed herein may have elastic and / or spring properties, and may naturally return to a previous position after displacement. Using the aforementioned example, subsequent to tab 10A being displaced by tool 16, tab 10A may re-interlock with fan blade 14 (e.g., based on spring elasticity) without assistance, or may re-interlock with fan blade 14 with assistance (e.g., manual reset, etc.). Fan blade 14 may be removable if a tab is not interfacing with fan blade 14.

[0084] FIG. 1B is a bottom-up cross-sectional view of the first embodiment discussed herein. Fan blade 14 may comprise one or more notches. The one or more notches may interlock with one or more components, such as retention plates. In some embodiments, fan blade 14 may comprise a first notch 14A, a second notch 14B, and / or a third notch 14C (depicted in FIG. 1E). In some embodiments, the first notch 14A interlocks with the bottom retention plate 10. For example, the first notch 14A may interlock with tab 10A of bottom retention plate 10. In some embodiments, the second notch 14B interlocks with the top retention plate 12. For example, the second notch 14B may interlock with tab 12A of top retention plate 12. In some embodiments, the third notch 14C interlocks with the bottom retention plate 10. For example, the third notch 14C may interlock with tab 10B of bottom retention plate 10.

[0085] Aspects of various components discussed herein may be omitted, added, combined, modified, and / or substituted. For example, an embodiment may include the first notch 14A and / or the second notch 14B as depicted in FIG. 1B, but instead of having the singular third notch 14C at the rear 14H of the fan blade 14 (as depicted in FIG. 1B), the embodiment may include two separate notches at the rear 14H of the fan blade 14 (for example, as depicted in FIG. 3A, discussed subsequently).

[0086] Put another way, orientations, combinations, and / or positions of components discussed herein are non-limiting examples. Features discussed relative to a component of a first orientation may be applied to a component of second orientation, and vice-versa. For example, features of a top retention plate may be omitted, added, combined, modified, and / or substituted with features of a bottom retention plate, and vice-versa. Relative terminology, such as top and bottom, is used only as non-limiting examples, and components referred to using relative terminology may also be referred to using non-relative terminology, such as a first, second, third, etc., in given implementations.

[0087] A tab may be of various configurations, shapes, and sizes. For example, as depicted in FIG. 1B, tab 10A may have an angled side. An angled side of tab 10A may cause tab 10A to be displaced when fan blade 14 is inserted into flywheel housing 4. Put another way, angled side of tab 10A may allow fan blade 14 to glide up and / or over tab 10A. As another example, tab 10A may have a flat side that interlocks with notch 14A. A flat side of tab 10A may cause tab 10A to prevent or mitigate displacement of fan blade 14, based on notch 14A of fan blade 14 abutting the flat side of tab 10A and not being able to glide up and / or over the flat side of tab 10A. As discussed previously, tabs may be displaced using various means, and displacement of a tab from a notch of fan blade 14 may enable fan blade 14 to be removed from flywheel housing 4. For example, if tab 10A is displaced out of notch 14A, then the flat side of tab 10A will no longer prevent and / or mitigate fan blade 14 from being removed. Tab 10B may have only flat sides. Tab 10B may interlock with notch 14C and prevent fan blade 14 from being inserted into flywheel housing 4 past a certain point. Tab 10B may also prevent fan blade 14 from moving from side to side.

[0088] A notch may be of various configurations, shapes, and sizes. For example, as depicted in FIG. 1B, notch 14A may be rectangularly shaped. A notch may have dimensions (e.g., length, width, and height) larger than a corresponding tab to enable receipt of the tab into the notch. A notch may have dimensions only slightly larger than a corresponding tab to minimize gapping between the notch and a corresponding tab. Minimizing gapping may improve stability of fan blade 14, and / or fastening of fan blade 14 within flywheel housing 4. For example, minimizing gapping may improve stability of fan blade 14 by mitigating fan blade 14's ability to move relative to flywheel housing 4. Notches may extend only partially through fan blade 14. For example, notches may or may not extend all the way through a fan blade from side to side, or from top to bottom. Notches may extend completely through fan blade 14. For example, notches may extend all the way through a fan blade from side to side, or from top to bottom.

[0089] FIG. 1C is a top-down perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein. Top retention plate 12 may face a top 14F of fan blade 14. A retention plate may extend beyond fan blade 14. For example, top retention plate 12 may extend beyond fan blade 14. Specifically, top retention plate 12 may extend beyond a rear 14H of the fan blade 14. A retention plate may also include a tongue, which may extend over fan blade 14. For example, a tongue 12′ of top retention plate 12 may extend beyond fan blade 14. Put another way, tongue 12′ may be further inbound the flywheel housing 4 than the remainder of top retention plate 12. Tool 16 may interface with top retention plate 12 that extends beyond fan blade 14. Put another way, tool 16 may interface with tongue 12′ that extends beyond fan blade 14. Bottom retention plate may face a bottom 14G (depicted in FIG. 3A). Bottom retention plate 10 may have a side fin 10D that interfaces with a side 14E of fan blade 14. Put another way, bottom retention plate 10 may extend around at least a bottom 14G and two opposing sides 14E of the fan blade 14. Side fin 10D may improve stability of fan blade 14. Side fin 10D may also guide fan blade 14 into a correct orientation and / or direction. Bottom retention plate 10 may be wider than top retention plate 12, based on side fins 10D extending around sides 14E of fan blade 14.

[0090] Notches of fan blade 14 may be located on and / or through a locking head 14D of fan blade 14. For example, notches of fan blade 14 may extend through locking head 14D of fan blade 14. As another example, notches of fan blade 14 may be located on, but may not necessarily extend all the way through, locking head 14D of fan blade 14. Put another way, a first notch of fan blade 14 may be located on a top of locking head 14D and a second notch of fan blade 14 may be located on a bottom of locking head 14D. Locking head 14D of fan blade 14 may have a similar size and / or shape as the remainder of fan blade 14. Locking head 14D may have a different size and / or shape as the remainder of fan blade 14. For example, locking head 14D may be narrower than the remainder of fan blade 14.

[0091] A slot 6 (e.g., depicted in FIG. 1A) may be wide enough to accept a locking head 14D of a first size, but may be too narrow to accept the remainder of fan blade 14 that is of a larger size. Accordingly, a size difference between locking head 14D and the remainder of fan blade 14 may prevent fan blade 14 from travelling too far into flywheel housing 4. A size difference between locking head 14D and the remainder of fan blade 14 may allow fan blade 14 to interface with an exterior 8A of sidewall 8, which may improve aesthetics by reducing visible gaps between slot 6 and fan blade 14, and which may improve fan blade 14 stability by allowing fan blade 14 to interface around a surface area of the exterior of sidewall 8.

[0092] FIG. 1D is a top-down perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. Top retention plate 12 is stripped away in this figure, and each notch of fan blade 14 is depicted. Tab 10A of bottom retention plate 10 is depicted as extending into notch 14A of fan blade 14. As discussed above, tabs and notches may be of various configures, shapes, and sizes. For example, notches 14A-14C may each be different sizes. Notch 14B may be larger than notch 14A, and notch 14A may be larger than notch 14C.

[0093] FIG. 1E is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. Tab 12A of top retention plate 12 is depicted as extending into notch 14B of fan blade 14. A rear of fan blade 14 may be contoured around notch 14C to facilitate receipt of tab 10B (depicted in FIG. 1D) of bottom retention plate 10.

[0094] FIG. 1F is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein, with a tool interfacing with a top retention plate and bottom retention plate. Tool 16 may comprise a first member 16A and a second member 16B. The first member 16A and second member 16B may be orthogonal. The first member 16A and second member 16B may not be parallel. Tool 16 may also comprise a handle. Tool 16 may be detachable from one or more components that it interfaces with, such as a mounting plate.

[0095] Tool 16 may simultaneously interface with both depending L-shaped bracket 10C of bottom retention plate 10, and top retention plate 12. For example, a first member 16A of tool 16 may interface with depending L-shaped bracket 10C of bottom retention plate 10 and a second member 16B of tool 16 may interface with tongue 12′ of top retention plate 12. Rotation of tool 16, during interface with depending L-shaped bracket 10C and tongue 12′, may cause tab 10A of bottom retention plate 10 and tab 12A of top retention plate 12 to no longer interlock with notches 14A and 14B, respectively. For example, rotating tool 16 away from slot 6 may pull tab 10A down and out of notch 14A, and simultaneously push tab 12A up and out of notch 14B. While tab 10A is out of notch 14A and tab 12A is out of notch 14B, fan blade 14 may be forced away from flywheel housing 4. Fan blade 14 may be forced away from flywheel housing 4 even if side fins 10D and tab 10B remain interfacing fan blade 14.

[0096] While FIG. 1F is an illustrative example of tool 16 being utilized to manipulate aspects disclosed herein (e.g., a retention plate, an L-shaped bracket, a tongue, etc.), a user may manipulate aspects disclosed herein with or without tool 16. For example, a user may manipulate aspects disclosed herein using one or more hands. Put another way, a user could pull depending L-shaped bracket 10C down (and tab 10A out of notch 14A) and push tongue 12′ up (and tab 12A out of notch 14B) using one or more hands, and without tool 16.

[0097] FIG. 1G is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein. Relative to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1G depicts one or more additional components which may be installed in flywheel housing 4. For example, a mounting plate 18 may be installed to secure one or more components of a fan (depicted in FIG. 6) adjacent to flywheel housing 4.

[0098] Mounting plate 18 may be shaped to permit access to components herein. For example, mounting plate 18 may be shaped to permit access to top retention plate 12. Specifically, mounting plate 18 may be shaped to permit access to a tongue 12′ of top retention plate 12 that extends past fan blade 14. Put another way, mounting plate 18 may be shaped to permit a tool and / or a user's hand to travel past and / or around mounting plate 18, and interface with tongue 12′ of top retention plate 12.

[0099] FIG. 1H is a top-down perspective view of a bottom mounting plate of the first embodiment discussed herein with a grommet.

[0100] One or more retention plates may include a grommet. A grommet may be made of a flexible and / or inflexible material. For example, a grommet may be made of a flexible material (e.g., rubber), which may compress when force is exerted against it. In FIG. 1H, bottom retention plate 10 is shown to include grommet 10F. A grommet may be one or more of wholly located on, adjacent to, and / or in one or more portions of a component discussed herein, such as a side fin 10D. A grommet may also be one or more of partially located on, adjacent to, and / or in one or more components discussed herein, such as a side fin 10D. For example, grommet 10F may be partially located in side fin 10D and partially extend out of side fin 10D towards tab 10A. A component, such as (but not limited to) bottom retention plate 10, may include one or more grommets. For example, there may be grommets 10F on opposing side fins 10D. There may also be multiple grommets on a same side fin 10D.

[0101] Grommets may move around and / or about a structure. For example, a grommet may be donut shaped (e.g., circular and hollow), and may rotate about a structure when a force is applied against the grommet. Put another way, if a locking head 14D of a fan blade 14 is being pushed into slot 6, the locking head 14D may initially exert force against grommet 10F causing the grommet 10F to rotate (e.g., reducing friction between grommet 10F and locking head 10D). Subsequent to locking head 10D being inserted all the way into slot 6, grommet 10F may stop rotating, but may still exert a force against locking head 10D (which may reduce wobble / vibration of fan blade 14).

[0102] FIG. 1I is a bottom-up perspective view of the first embodiment discussed herein with a grommet.

[0103] Grommet 10F may interface and / or surround one or more faces of fan blade 14, and / or may exert a force against and / or around one or more faces of fan blade 14. Grommet 10F interfacing and / or surrounding one or more faces of fan blade 14, and / or exerting a force against and / or around fan blade 14 may prevent and / or mitigate a fan blade 14 from wobbling. For example, at sufficient speeds, a gap between a fan blade and a retention plate may allow and / or promote wobbling of the fan blade relative to the retention plate (e.g., due to gap space). A grommet may be located at least partially within the gap to reduce gap space and therefore to reduce and / or prevent wobbling. Put another way, a grommet may extend further towards a fan blade than a retention plate, and may be made of a material that can compress against and / or around a fan blade to further stabilize and / or secure a fan blade. A grommet may exert a force against a fan blade that may dampen wobbling and / or improve stability of a fan blade.

[0104] A grommet may be particularly beneficial when precise manufacturing tolerances for one or more rigid components (e.g., a retention plate) may be impractical, impossible, and / or inefficient from a manufacturing standpoint, but the lack of precise manufacturing tolerances would lead to gapping between components that may negatively impact performance and / or aesthetics of one or more components. A grommet may be used to reduce gapping between components that are manufactured with practical, possible, and / or efficient manufacturing tolerances. A grommet (and / or structures of similar construction and / or characteristics) may be used with other components discussed herein (e.g., are not limited to retention plates and / or fan blades). For example, a grommet may be used with screws and tabs to decrease vibration, decrease wobbling, and / or increase stability of a component. The locations, shapes, sizes, quantities, etc., of grommets discussed herein are used only as examples.

[0105] FIG. 2A is a bottom-up perspective view of a second embodiment discussed herein.

[0106] As discussed previously, tabs and notches may be of different configurations, shapes, and sizes. Using FIG. 2A as an example, the notches of fan blade 14 and the tabs of retention plates 10 and 12 may be different than those depicted in FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 2A depicts a notch 14A that is substantially perpendicular to and overlaps with notch 14B, whereas notches depicted in FIG. 1 did not overlap. Despite the distinctions between various embodiments discussed herein, the notches and tabs depicted in each figure may share the benefits of improved aesthetics, structural stability, and ease of installation.

[0107] FIG. 2B is a direct view of a fan blade of the second embodiment discussed herein.

[0108] A first notch may be perpendicular to another notch. For example, notch 14A is perpendicular to notch 14B. A first notch may overlap with another notch. For example, notches 14A and 14B overlap. Notch 14A may extend along a longitudinal axis of fan blade 14 and notch 14B may extend along a lateral axis of fan blade 14. Notch 14A may be narrower than notch 14B. Put another way, notch 14A may extend inwardly from a rear 14H of fan blade 14 towards the remainder of fan blade 14 and notch 14B may extend outwardly to opposing sides of the fan blade 14. Notch 14A may bifurcate rear 14H of the fan blade 14 into symmetrical sections.

[0109] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment discussed herein before a fan blade is fully inserted into the flywheel housing. Referring briefly to FIG. 2B, the perpendicular and overlapping notches 14A and 14B of fan blade 14. Notch 14A is configured to slidingly receive narrow tab 10A on bottom retention plate 10. Notch 14A may receive tab 10A prior to notch 14B receiving tab 12A to guide the fan blade within the slot and between the retention plates. For example, FIG. 2C depicts fan blade 14 receiving tab 10A but not yet receiving tab 12A.

[0110] FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment discussed herein with a fan blade fully inserted into the flywheel housing. Relative to FIG. 2C, fan blade 14 is depicted being farther into flywheel housing 4. Fan blade 14 has also received tab 12A in notch 14B (depicted in FIG. 2B). Interlock between tab 12A and notch 14B may prevent and / or mitigate fan blade 14 from being forced away from flywheel housing 4. Interlock between tab 10A and notch 14A may guide fan blade 14 into flywheel housing 4 and may prevent and / or mitigate fan blade 14 from travelling too far into flywheel housing 4. Like in FIG. 1, top plate 12 may extend beyond fan blade 14. Specifically, tongue 12′ may extend beyond fan blade 14. Pushing upwardly against top plate 12 (e.g., tongue 12′) may cause tab 12A to be displaced upwardly out of notch 14B. If tab 12A is displaced out of notch 14B then fan blade 14 may be forced out of flywheel housing 4 despite notch 14A still interfacing with tab 10A.

[0111] FIG. 3A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blade of a third embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. Bottom retention plate 10 is stripped away for illustrative purposes. Notch 14A of fan blade 14 may be configured to receive tab 12A of top retention plate 12. Top retention plate 12 may extend beyond fan blade 14. Specifically, tongue 12′ may extend beyond fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may be spaced apart on a rear 14H of fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may be equal distances from opposing sides of locking head 14D. Notches 14B and 14C may be considered a pair of notches, and notch 14A may be considered a center notch. Notches 14B and 14C may be parallel and extend inwardly from rear 14H of the fan blade 14 towards a remainder of the fan blade 14. Notch 14A may extend outwardly to opposing sides 14E of the fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may extend inwardly towards notch 14A.

[0112] FIG. 3B is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blade of the third embodiment discussed herein. Bottom retention plate 10 may comprise a first tab 10A and a second tab 10B that is configured to interlock with notches 14B and 14C of fan blade 14. Bottom retention plate 10 may also comprise side fins 10D. Like in FIG. 1, top plate 12 extends beyond fan blade 14. For example, top plate 12 may include tongue 12′, which may extend beyond fan blade 14. Pushing upwardly against tongue 12′ extending beyond fan blade 14 may cause tab 12A to be displaced upwardly out of notch 14A. If tab 12A is displaced out of notch 14A then fan blade 14 may be forced out of flywheel housing 4.

[0113] FIG. 4A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fourth embodiment discussed herein. Bottom retention plate 10 is depicted as having two notches 10E and 10E′, which correspond with expanding engagement clip release projections 20A and 20B, respectively. To remove fan blade 14 from flywheel housing 4, expanding engagement clip release projections 20A and 20B may be displaced. For example, expanding engagement clip release projections 20A and 20B may be squeezed together, and while they are squeezed together, fan blade 14 may be pulled from flywheel housing 4.

[0114] FIG. 4B is a partially cross-sectional top-down view of a locking head of a fan blade of the fourth embodiment discussed herein. Expanding engagement clips may be used to fasten fan blade 14 within flywheel housing 4. Expanding engagement clip 20 may comprise a first forward projection 20C, a second forward projection 20D, a first rear projection 20E, and a second rear projection 20F. An elastic and / or spring force (e.g., from a torsion spring, not depicted) may naturally force forward projections 20C and 20D together and force rear projections 20E and 20F apart. Accordingly, forward projections 20C and 20D may come together simultaneous to rear projections 20E and 20F spreading apart. Similarly, rear projections 20E and 20F may come together simultaneous to forward projections 20C and 20D spreading apart. For example, although rear projections 20E and 20F could be squeezed together based on application of force (e.g., a user compressing them together and / or release projections 20A and 20B together), rear projections 20E and 20F may naturally spread apart based on a force (e.g., spring, elastic, etc.) acting on them.

[0115] As discussed previously, notches may be of various configurations, shapes, and sizes. For example, notch 14A may be an irregular shape. For example, notch 14A may begin with a first width, slightly narrow to a second width, broaden to a third width, narrowing again to a fourth width, and broaden again to a fifth width. For conceptual purposes, notch 14A may be considered to include sections corresponding with each width, e.g., a first section corresponding with the first width, a second section corresponding with the slightly more narrow second width, etc. Using this conceptual example, the first section may be closer to the rear of the fan blade than the remaining sections, which may be located further from the rear of the fan blade. These width differences may allow expanding engagement clip 20 to be received into notch 14A, and contract and / or expand based on how far expanding engagement clip 20 has been received in notch 14A. These size differences may also allow expanding engagement clip 20 to enter notch 14A and subsequently expand and interlock with notch 14A in a manner that prevents and / or mitigates fan blade 14 from being forced from flywheel housing 4 without displacement of expanding engagement clip 20 via release projections 20A and 20B.

[0116] For example, as depicted in FIG. 4B, expanding engagement clip 20 may expand in notch 14A to a size that is greater than the entrance of notch 14A, preventing and / or mitigating fan blade 14 from being forced from flywheel housing 4. Interlock between rear projections 20E and 20F and notch 14A may also prevent and / or mitigate side-to-side motion, based on interfacing against opposing sides of notch 14A. Forward projections 20C and 20D may also interlock with notch 14A to prevent and / or mitigate fan blade 14 from travelling too far into flywheel housing 4. Accordingly, expanding engagement clip 20 may improve stability of fan blade 14 by preventing and / or mitigating displacement of fan blade 14 in multiple directions.

[0117] Notch 14A of fan blade 14 may approach forward projections 20C and 20D, which may be naturally close together. Based on forward projections 20C and 20D being close together, the combined size of forward projections 20C and 20D may be smaller than the size of notch 14A of fan blade 14, and notch 14A may initially receive forward projections 20C and 20D. However, rear projections 20E and 20F may naturally be spread apart to a size that is greater than the entrance of notch 14A. If rear projections 20E and 20F were non-displaceable, they may not be capable of being received into notch 14A. However, rear projections 20E and 20F may be displaceably squeezed together. For example, rear projections 20E and 20F may be compressed together based on release projections 20A and / or 20B being displaced towards each other. As another example, rear projections 20E and 20F may be compressed together based on rear projections 20E and 20F being forced against notch 14A. Accordingly, fan blade 14 being forced into slot 6, and eventually against rear projections 20E and 20F may cause rear projections 20E and 20F to compress together temporarily before expanding inside notch 14A of fan blade 14. As discussed, to force fan blade 14 back out of slot 6, expanding engagement clip release projections 20A and 20B may be squeezed together, and based on release projections 20A and 20B being squeezed together, rear projections 20E and 20F may also squeeze together to a combined size that is more narrow than notch 14A (e.g., allowing fan blade 14 to be forced from flywheel housing 4 without rear projections 20E and 20F preventing it).

[0118] Expanding engagement clip 20 may comprise a latch that may temporarily hold rear projections 20E and 20F in a compressed position. For example, as depicted in FIG. 4B, rear projection 20E may comprise a female latch piece 20G configured to detachably interlock with a male latch piece 20H of rear projection 20F. Female latch piece 20G may be configured to attach to male latch piece 20H based on rear projections 20E and 20F being compressed together, and female latch piece 20G and male latch piece 20H also being forced together. Female latch piece 20G may be configured to detach from male latch piece 20H after a period of time and / or based on rear projections 20E and 20F being forced apart.

[0119] Forward projections 20C and 20D may or may not be displaced proportionally to rear projections 20E and 20F. For example, forward projections 20C and 20D may be displaced inversely proportional to rear projections 20E and 20F, such that when rear projections 20E and 20F compress, forward projections 20C and 20D expand. Proportional displacement of both rear projections 20E and 20F and forward projections 20C and 20D may enable coordinated movement of expanding engagement clip 20 while being received by notch 14A of fan blade 14. Coordinated movement (e.g., expansion and compression) of projections of expanding engagement clip 20 may enable projections of expanding engagement clip 20 to interlock with a greater surface area, and / or a distinct pattern of surface area, of notch 14A, and may further improve prevention and / or mitigation of displacement of fan blade 14 from flywheel housing 4.

[0120] FIG. 5A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fifth embodiment discussed herein. Bottom retention plate 10 may have a notch 10E for accessing a retention clip (depicted in FIG. 5B) located above bottom retention plate 10 in the flywheel housing 4.

[0121] FIG. 5B is a bottom-up perspective view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. A retention clip may extend through a retention plate. For example, retention clip 22 may extend through a notch 24 of top retention plate 12. Although a bottom retention plate 10 is removed for illustrative purposes in FIG. 5B, bottom retention plate 10 may be mounted adjacent to retention clip 22. Specifically, bottom retention plate 10 may be mounted adjacent to retention clip 22, and notch 10E may be located adjacent to retention clip 22, allowing an object to be pushed through notch 10E of bottom retention plate 10 and displace retention clip 22. Bottom retention plate 10 may mount and interlock against top retention plate 12.

[0122] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein before a fan blade is fully inserted. Fan blade 14 may be contoured to glide against one or more components discussed herein. For example, fan blade 14 may be contoured to glide under retention clip 22. Retention clip 22 may be contoured to glide against one or more components discussed herein. For example, retention clip 22 may be contoured to glide over fan blade 14.

[0123] FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein subsequent to fan blade being fully inserted. Retention clip 22 may align with notch 10E of bottom retention plate 10. Retention clip 22 may extend through notch 24 of top retention plate 12. As fan blade 14 is forced into slot 6 it may force against retention clip 22. For example, fan blade 14 may force against retention clip 22 and push retention clip 22 up and over fan blade 14. Retention clip 22 may have elastic and / or spring forces that cause it to extend into notch 14A of fan blade 14 once aligned with notch 14A.

[0124] Accordingly, relative to FIG. 5C, retention clip 22 as depicted in FIG. 5D has glided up and over fan blade 14 into notch 14A. Interlock between retention clip 22 and notch 14A may prevent and / or mitigate displacement of fan blade 14 from flywheel housing 4. For example, although notch 14A may have an angled surface that retention clip 22 may interlock with, retention clip 22 may not be capable of gliding up and / or over the angled surface without directly upwards force being applied to retention clip 22 by an object travelling through notch 10E of bottom retention plate 10.

[0125] FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional side view of the fifth embodiment discussed herein, wherein a tool is passing through notches of a bottom retention plate and a fan blade to interface with a retention clip adjacent to a top retention plate.

[0126] Tool 16 may be configured to pass through one or more notches of one or more components discussed herein. For example, tool 16 may be configured to pass through notch 10E of bottom retention plate 10. Tool 16 may also be configured to pass through notch 14A of fan blade 14. Put another way, both notch 10E and notch 14A may be large enough for tool 16 to pass through. Tool 16 may interface with retention clip 22 and push retention clip 22 upwards. Retention clip 22 may have an elasticity permitting tool 16 to be removed from notch 10E and / or fan blade 14 to be removed from slot 6 subsequent to retention clip 22 being pushed upwards by tool 16. Retention clip 22 may have an elasticity causing retention clip 22 to return to a position and / or orientation that it was in prior to tool 16 pushing retention clip 22 up.

[0127] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan. Ceiling fan 26 may comprise a ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A, a ceiling fan stem 26B, an upper ceiling fan body 26C, flywheel housing 4, light kit housing 28, and a lower ceiling fan body 26D.

[0128] Ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A may cover one or more mounting brackets that are configured to mount to one or more surfaces. For example, ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A may cover one or more mounting brackets configured to mount to a junction box. Ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A may also cover circuitry connecting ceiling fan 26 with a line voltage source of a structure that ceiling fan 26 may be installed in. The circuitry that ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A covers may power one or more components included in ceiling fan 26, such as a light fixture and / or a motor. The junction box may be specifically rated to secure ceiling fans.

[0129] Ceiling fan stem 26B may separate ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A and upper ceiling fan body 26C. Ceiling fan stem 26B may connect to ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A and / or upper ceiling fan body 26C by a joint. A joint may permit displacement of ceiling fan stem 26B relative to ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A and / or upper ceiling fan body 26C. For example, if a ceiling surface that ceiling fan mounting bracket cover 26A is mounted to is not level, a joint may enable upper ceiling fan body 26C (and components connected therewith) to be level, based on the joint allowing components to pivot relative to each other. Ceiling fan stem 26B may be hollow, and circuitry connecting ceiling fan 26 with a line voltage source may travel from a junction box through mounting bracket cover 26A and through stem 26B to upper ceiling fan body 26C.

[0130] Upper ceiling fan body 26C may house components, such as a motor used to rotate flywheel housing 4. Put another way, components discussed herein may be driven by the motor, which may be housed in upper ceiling fan body 26C. Circuitry connected to a line voltage source of a structure that ceiling fan 26 is installed in may also connect to the motor. Flywheel housing 4 has been discussed thoroughly herein and disclosure of flywheel housing 4, and / or any other component, location, and / or grouping discussed herein, is non-limiting.

[0131] Light kit housing 28 (discussed in greater detail subsequently) may house components such as a light fixture 28G (depicted subsequently in FIG. 7D). Lower ceiling fan body 26D may comprise one or more components, such as a light fixture diffuser 26D2 (also depicted subsequently in 7D). A pull cord, remote, etc., may control components of a fan discussed herein, such as a motor and / or a light fixture. Ceiling fan 26 may include circuitry such as conductors, switches, and CPUs. Ceiling fan 26 may connect to an electrical source that may power circuitry included in ceiling fan 26. For example, as discussed previously, ceiling fan 26 may connect to a line voltage source of a structure that ceiling fan 26 is installed on, and the line voltage source may power components included in ceiling fan 26.

[0132] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a ceiling fan in preparation for a light kit. As discussed previously a mounting plate 18 may be installed to secure one or more components of a fan adjacent to flywheel housing 4, such as light kit housing 28. Mounting plate 18 may be secured within flywheel housing 4 by a mounting plate nut 18A. Mounting plate 18 may include one or more notches for receiving one or more screws. For example, mounting plate 18 may receive screws 28A1, 28B1, and 28C1. As depicted in FIG. 7A, screws 28A1 and 28B1 are already received in mounting plate 18 and screw 28C1 may be received by notch 18′ of mounting plate 18. An electrical outlet 30A may extend from flywheel housing 4. For example, an electrical outlet 30A may extend from a threaded conduit 18B which mounting plate nut 18A may thread onto. The threaded conduit 18B may be a part of ceiling fan stem 26B, which as discussed above, may be hollow and may allow circuitry connecting ceiling fan 26 to a line voltage source to pass therethrough. Electrical outlet 30A may connect with electrical circuitry that connects ceiling fan 26 with line voltage.

[0133] FIG. 7B1 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light kit housing for installation. A light kit housing 28 may include one or more notches for receiving one or more screws. For example, light kit housing 28 may include notches 28A2, 28B2, and 28C2 for receiving screws 28A1, 28B1, and 28C1 respectively. One or more notches that light kit housing 28 includes may be keyhole shaped to allow a head of a screw to fit through a wide portion of the notch and prevent the head of the screw from fitting through a narrow portion of the notch. For example, there may be a gap between a head of a screw and a surface receiving the screw, such that after the wide portion of a keyhole shaped notch has dropped below the head of the screw, the keyhole shaped notch may be rotated around and / or about the screw until the narrow portion of the notch is between the head of the screw and the surface receiving the screw. The notch may be prevented from raising above the screw head based on the narrow portion of the notch being between the head of the screw and the surface receiving the screw. The notch may not raise back above the screw head without first being rotated about and / or around the screw such that the wide diameter of the notch returns between the screw head and the surface receiving the screw.

[0134] FIG. 7B2 is a direct view of a light kit shell for installation on a ceiling fan. Light kit housing 28 may be placed over mounting plate 18. As discussed previously, mounting plate 18 may receive screws 28A1 and 28B1. Light kit housing 28 may include notches 28A2 and 28B2, which may be keyhole shaped. Screws 28A1 and 28B1 may be received in mounting plate 18, but still have open space between a head of each screw and a surface of mounting plate 18. Accordingly, light kit housing 28 may be positioned such that notches 28A2 and 28B2 respectively align with screws 28A1 and 28B1, and notches 28A2 and 28B2 may receive screws 28A1 and 28B1 (e.g., at least heads thereof). Subsequent to receiving screws 28A1 and 28B1, light kit housing 28 may be rotated such that screws 28A1 and 28B1 align with a narrow portion of notches 28A2 and 28B2 rather than a wide portion of notches 28A2 and 28B2. The narrow portion of notches 28A2 and 28B2 may be narrower than a head of screw 28A1 and / or 28B1. Accordingly, screws 28A1 and / or 28B1 aligning with a narrow portion of notches 28A2 and 28B may prevent light kit housing 28 from being displaced away from mounting plate 18. However, screws 28A1 and / or 28B1 aligning with a narrow portion of notches 28A2 and 28B2 may or may not necessarily prevent light kit housing 28 from being rotatable about mounting plate 18. Light kit housing 28 may include another notch 28C2 which may align with notch 18′ (depicted in FIG. 7B1). Notch 28C2 may align with notch 18′ based on light kit housing 28 being rotated and screws 28A1 and 28B2 aligning with a narrow portion of 28B1 and 28B2. Notch 28C2 may be circular and have a smaller diameter than a head of screw 28C1. Based on notch 28C2 aligning with notch 18′, screw 28C1 (depicted in FIG. 7A) may be received in notch 28C2 and notch 18′. Screw 28C1 being received in notch 28C2 and notch 18′ may prevent light kit housing 28 from being rotatable about mounting plate 18. Therefore, screw 28A1 being received in 28A2, screw 28B1 being received in 28B2, and / or screw 28C1 being received in 28C2 may secure light kit housing 28 to mounting plate 18.

[0135] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light kit housing installed. Light kit housing 28 may include notches 28D1, 28E1, and / or 28F1, which may receive screws 28D2, 28E2, and / or 28F2.

[0136] FIG. 7D is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a light fixture for installation. Light kit housing 28 may receive light fixture 28G, which may receive screws 28D2, 28E2, and / or 28F2. Light fixture 28G may receive screws 28D2, 28E2, and / or 28F2, which may also be received by notches 28D1, 28E1, and / or 28F1 respectively. Light fixture 28G may be secured to light kit housing 28 based on both light fixture 28G and notches 28D1, 28E1, and / or 28F1 receiving screws 28D2, 28E2, and / or 28F2. Light fixture 28G may include electrical plug 30B, which may electrically connect with electrical outlet 30A. Accordingly, light fixture 28G may be powered via circuitry connecting ceiling fan 26 to line voltage.

[0137] FIG. 7E is a perspective view of a ceiling fan with a lower ceiling fan body for installation. Light kit housing 28 may include a nodule 28H, which may extend outwardly from light kit housing 28. Nodule 28H may extend outwardly from an interior of light kit housing 28 Nodule 28H may extend outwardly from an exterior of light kit housing 28. Lower ceiling fan body 26D may include a notch 26D1 which may receive nodule 28H. Lower ceiling fan body 26D may be secured to light kit housing 28 based on receipt of nodule 28H into notch 26D1. Notch 26D1 may include a channel in which nodule 28H may be received. For example, as depicted in FIG. 7E notch 26D1 may receive nodule 28H and lower ceiling fan body 26D may be rotated such that notch 26D1 rotates about nodule 28H. Lower ceiling fan body 26D may be secured closer to light kit housing 28 based on notch 26D1 rotating about nodule 28H, effectively screwing lower ceiling fan body 26D to light kit housing 28.

[0138] Disclosure herein provides examples of some non-limiting embodiments. One or more components, and / or properties thereof, discussed herein may be added, removed, modified, and / or reordered.

[0139] Implementations of technology disclosed herein can optionally include the following features.

[0140] In some implementations, a flywheel housing may comprise a sidewall that is connected with and depends from a top wall (wherein the sidewall includes a slot), a bottom retention plate that is located beneath the slot and that extends away from the sidewall, a top retention plate that is located above the slot and that extends away from the sidewall, and a fan blade that is locked in place by the top retention plate and the bottom retention plate and which includes a plurality of notches. In some implementations, a first notch, of the plurality of notches, may mechanically interlock with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, a second notch, of the plurality of notches, may mechanically interlock with the top retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0141] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may include a tab, and the first notch and the bottom retention plate may separate based on the tab of the bottom retention plate moving away from the first notch. In some implementations, the top retention plate may include a tab, and the second notch and the top retention plate may separate based on the tab of the top retention plate moving away from the second notch. In some implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate may move away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate may move away from the second notch, based on rotation of a tool that includes a first member interfacing with the tab of the bottom retention plate and includes a second member interfacing with the tab of the top retention plate.

[0142] In some implementations, the first member may interface with a depending L-shaped bracket of the bottom retention plate and the second member may interface with a tongue of the top retention plate. In some implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate may move away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate may move away from the second notch based on manipulation of the bottom retention plate and the top retention plate by hand. In some implementations, the top retention plate may extend further away from the interior of the sidewall than the bottom retention plate. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may be wider than the top retention plate. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may be wider than a locking head of the fan blade that is received in the slot.

[0143] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may extend around at least a bottom and two opposing sides the locking head of the fan blade that is received in the slot. In some implementations, the first notch may be located on a bottom of the fan blade, and the second notch may be located on a top of the fan blade. In some implementations, at least a third notch may be located on a rear of the fan blade, and the third notch may mechanically interlock with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch may be located on a locking head of the fan blade that is both shorter and more narrow than a remainder of the fan blade. In some implementations, only the locking head of the fan blade may be inserted into the slot. In some implementations, a remainder of the fan blade may be wider than the slot. The fan blade may be contoured to fit the sidewall.

[0144] In some implementations, a flywheel housing may comprise a top wall, a bottom wall, a sidewall that is connected with the top wall and bottom wall (wherein the sidewall includes a slot), a bottom retention plate that is secured adjacent to and extends away from the sidewall beneath the slot, a top retention plate that is secured adjacent to and extends away from the sidewall above the slot, and a fan blade including a plurality of notches. In some implementations, a first notch, of the plurality of notches, may mechanically interlock with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, a second notch, of the plurality of notches, may mechanically interlock with the top retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may include a tab, and the first notch and the bottom retention plate may separate based on the tab of the bottom retention plate moving away from the first notch. In some implementations, the top retention plate may include a tab, and the second notch and the top retention plate may separate based on the tab of the top retention plate moving away from the second notch. In some implementations, the tab of the bottom retention plate may move away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate may move away from the second notch based on manipulation of the bottom retention plate and the top retention plate by hand.

[0145] In some implementations, a flywheel housing may comprise a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing, (wherein the sidewall includes a slot) a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall beneath the slot, a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall above the slot, and a fan blade. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a first notch that is located on a bottom of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a second notch that is located on a top of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the fan blade may include at least a third notch that is located on a rear of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate extends around opposing sides, of the fan blade, that are perpendicular to the top and the bottom of the fan blade.

[0146] In some implementations, a flywheel housing may comprise a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing (wherein the sidewall includes a slot), a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall below the slot, a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall above the slot, and a fan blade. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a first notch that extends inwardly from a rear of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a second notch that extends outwardly to opposing sides of the fan blade and may mechanically interlock with the top retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0147] In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch may be perpendicular. In some implementations, the second notch may be wider than the first notch. In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch may overlap. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may be wider than the top retention plate. In some implementations, the top retention plate may extend further from the slot than the bottom retention plate. In some implementations, the first notch symmetrically bifurcates the rear of the fan blade. In some implementations, the second notch and the top retention plate may be separated based on the top retention plate moving away from the second notch. In some implementations, the fan blade may be removed from the flywheel housing based on the second notch and the top retention plate being separated, and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing. In some implementations, the flywheel housing may be included in a fan driven by a motor.

[0148] In some implementations, a flywheel housing comprises a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing (wherein the sidewall includes a slot), a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall below the slot, a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall above the slot, and a fan blade. In some implementations, the fan blade may include one or more rear notches that are parallel and extend inwardly from a rear of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a center notch that extends outwardly to opposing sides of the fan blade and mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0149] In some implementations, the one or more rear notches may extend towards the center notch. In some implementations, the one or more rear notches may include a first notch that is a distance away from a side of the fan blade, and a second notch that is an equal distance away from an opposing side of the fan blade. In some implementations, the first notch and the second notch may be separated by the rear of the fan blade. In some implementations, the center notch may be separated from each of the first notch and the second notch. In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may be wider than the top retention plate. In some implementations, the top retention plate may extends further from the slot than the bottom retention plate. In some implementations, the center notch and the top retention plate may separate based on the top retention plate moving away from the center notch. In some implementations, the fan blade may be removed from the flywheel housing based on the center notch and the top retention plate being separated and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing. In some implementations, the flywheel housing may be included in a fan driven by a motor.

[0150] In some implementations, a flywheel housing may comprise a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing (wherein the sidewall includes a slot), a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall, and a fan blade. In some implementations, the fan blade may include a notch extending inwardly from a rear of a locking head of the fan blade. In some implementations, a first section of the notch may extend outwardly towards opposing sides of the locking head of the fan blade for a first distance, and a second section of the notch may extend outwardly towards opposing sides of the locking head of the fan blade for a second distance. In some implementations, the notch may mechanically interlock with an expanding engagement clip secured to the bottom retention plate based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.

[0151] In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip may include a torsion spring that spreads the engagement clip apart. In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip is displaced based on a release projection, that extends through the bottom retention plate, being displaced. In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip may be displaced based on an additional release projection, that also extends through the bottom retention plate, being displaced towards the release projection. In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip may be displaced based on the release projection and the additional release projection being displaced towards each other. In some implementations, the expanding engagement clip may include two rear projections and two forward projections, and the two forward projections are displaced towards each other simultaneous to the two rear projections being displaced away from each other. In some implementations, the notch and the expanding engagement clip are separated based on the expanding engagement clip being displaced. In some implementations, the fan blade may be removed from the flywheel housing based on the notch and the expanding engagement clip being separated and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing. In some implementations, the first section of the notch may be closer to the rear of the locking head of the fan blade than the second section of the notch, and the first distance may be greater than the second distance. In some implementations, the flywheel housing may be included in a fan that is driven by a motor.

[0152] In some implementations, flywheel housing may comprise a sidewall that is perpendicular to a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing (wherein the sidewall includes a slot) a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall beneath the slot, and a fan blade including a notch that that mechanically interlocks with a clip extending towards the bottom retention plate and the notch. In some implementations, the clip may be secured above the fan blade and adjacent to the sidewall. In some implementations, the notch included in the fan blade may extend from a top of the fan blade to a bottom of the fan blade that is interfacing the bottom retention plate. In some implementations, the notch may extend further along the top of the fan blade than the bottom of the fan blade. In some implementations, the notch may include an angled surface.

[0153] In some implementations, the bottom retention plate may include another notch. In some implementations, the notch included in the bottom retention plate and the notch included in the fan blade may at least partially align based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot. In some implementations, the clip and the fan blade may be separated based on the clip moving away from the bottom retention plate. In some implementations, the notch included in the bottom retention plate and the notch included in the fan blade may each large enough for a tool to pass at least partially through and displace the clip. In some implementations, the fan blade may be removed from the flywheel housing based on the clip extending through the notch being separated from the fan blade and the fan blade being pulled away from the flywheel housing.

[0154] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts described in greater detail herein are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein.

Examples

first embodiment

[0076]FIG. 1A is a bottom-up perspective view of a first embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. FIG. 1 depicts a flywheel housing 4. Flywheel housing 4 may include a slot 6 on a sidewall 8 of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be located below a top wall 4A of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be perpendicular to the top wall 4A of the flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may depend from the top wall 4A of flywheel housing 4. The sidewall 8 may be above a bottom wall of flywheel housing 4 (not depicted). The sidewall 8 may include an exterior 8A and an interior 8B. Sidewall 8 may extend above, beneath, and / or around slot 6.

[0077]Flywheel housing 4 may include a retention plate. For example, a bottom retention plate 10 and / or a top retention plate 12 may be located adjacent to the interior 8B of sidewall 8. In some embodiments, the bottom retention plate 10 and / or top retention plate 12 may extend away from the sidewall 8. Put another wa...

second embodiment

[0105]FIG. 2A is a bottom-up perspective view of a second embodiment discussed herein.

[0106]As discussed previously, tabs and notches may be of different configurations, shapes, and sizes. Using FIG. 2A as an example, the notches of fan blade 14 and the tabs of retention plates 10 and 12 may be different than those depicted in FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 2A depicts a notch 14A that is substantially perpendicular to and overlaps with notch 14B, whereas notches depicted in FIG. 1 did not overlap. Despite the distinctions between various embodiments discussed herein, the notches and tabs depicted in each figure may share the benefits of improved aesthetics, structural stability, and ease of installation.

[0107]FIG. 2B is a direct view of a fan blade of the second embodiment discussed herein.

[0108]A first notch may be perpendicular to another notch. For example, notch 14A is perpendicular to notch 14B. A first notch may overlap with another notch. For example, notches 14A and 14B overlap. ...

third embodiment

[0111]FIG. 3A is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blade of a third embodiment discussed herein with one or more components stripped away. Bottom retention plate 10 is stripped away for illustrative purposes. Notch 14A of fan blade 14 may be configured to receive tab 12A of top retention plate 12. Top retention plate 12 may extend beyond fan blade 14. Specifically, tongue 12′ may extend beyond fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may be spaced apart on a rear 14H of fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may be equal distances from opposing sides of locking head 14D. Notches 14B and 14C may be considered a pair of notches, and notch 14A may be considered a center notch. Notches 14B and 14C may be parallel and extend inwardly from rear 14H of the fan blade 14 towards a remainder of the fan blade 14. Notch 14A may extend outwardly to opposing sides 14E of the fan blade 14. Notches 14B and 14C may extend inwardly towards notch 14A.

[0112]FIG. 3B is a bottom-up perspective view of a fan blad...

Claims

1. A flywheel housing comprising:a sidewall that is connected with and depends from a top wall, wherein the sidewall includes a slot;a bottom retention plate that is located adjacent the slot and that extends away from the sidewall;a top retention plate that is located adjacent the slot and that extends away from the sidewall and is opposing the bottom retention plate; anda fan blade removably locked in place by the top retention plate and the bottom retention plate and having a plurality of notches,wherein a first notch, of the plurality of notches, mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate, andwherein a second notch, of the plurality of notches, mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate.

2. The flywheel housing of claim 1, wherein the bottom retention plate includes a tab, and wherein the fan blade and the bottom retention plate separate based on the tab of the bottom retention plate moving away from the first notch.

3. The flywheel housing of claim 2, wherein the top retention plate includes a tab, and wherein the fan blade and the top retention plate separate based on the tab of the top retention plate moving away from the second notch.

4. The flywheel housing of claim 3, wherein the tab of the bottom retention plate moves away from the first notch of the fan blade, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate moves away from the second notch of the fan blade, upon rotation of a non-integral tool that includes a first member interfacing with the tab of the bottom retention plate and includes a second member interfacing with the tab of the top retention plate.

5. The flywheel housing of claim 4, wherein the first member of the tool interfaces with a depending L-shaped bracket of the bottom retention plate and the second member of the tool interfaces with a tongue of the top retention plate.

6. The flywheel housing of claim 1, wherein the tab of the bottom retention plate moves away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate moves away from the second notch based on manipulation of the bottom retention plate away from the top retention plate.

7. The flywheel housing of claim 1, wherein the top retention plate extends further away from the interior of the sidewall than the bottom retention plate.

8. The flywheel housing of claim 7, wherein the bottom retention plate is wider than the top retention plate.

9. The flywheel housing of claim 7, wherein the bottom retention plate is wider than a width of a locking head of the fan blade that is received in the slot.

10. The flywheel housing of claim 9, wherein at least one of the bottom retention plate or the top retention plate extends around at least a bottom and two opposing sides the locking head of the fan blade received in the slot.

11. The flywheel housing of claim 1, wherein the first notch is located on a bottom of the fan blade, and the second notch is located on a top of the fan blade, the bottom of the fan blade being an opposing side of the fan blade relative to the top of the fan blade.

12. The flywheel housing of claim 1, wherein at least a third notch is located on a rear of the fan blade, and the third notch mechanically interlocks with one of the bottom retention plate or the top retention plate when the fan blade is installed into the slot.

13. The flywheel housing of claim 1, wherein the first notch and the second notch are located on a locking head of the fan blade, the locking head of the fan blade being more narrow in width than a remainder of the fan blade.

14. The flywheel housing of claim 13, wherein only the locking head of the fan blade is received within the slot.

15. The flywheel housing of claim 14, wherein a remainder of the fan blade is wider than the slot.

16. The flywheel housing of claim 15, wherein the bottom retention plate has a tab which fits in the first notch, the top retention plate has a tab which fits in the second notch, at least one of the first tab or the second tab being angled.

17. A flywheel housing comprising:a top wall;a bottom wall;a sidewall that is connected with the top wall and bottom wall, wherein the sidewall includes at least one slot;a bottom retention plate that is secured adjacent to and extends away from the sidewall;a top retention plate that is secured adjacent to and extends away from the sidewall opposing the bottom retention plate; anda fan blade having a locking head, the locking head including a plurality of notches;wherein a first notch, of the plurality of notches, mechanically interlocks with the bottom retention plate, andwherein a second notch, of the plurality of notches, mechanically interlocks with the top retention plate.

18. The flywheel housing of claim 17, wherein the bottom retention plate includes a tab extending towards the opposing top retention plate, and wherein the tab of the bottom retention plate separates from the locking head of the fan blade based on the tab of the bottom retention plate moving away from the first notch, and wherein the top retention plate includes a tab extending towards the opposing bottom retention plate, and wherein the tab of the top retention plate separates from the locking head of the fan blade based on the tab of the top retention plate moving away from the second notch.

19. The flywheel housing of claim 18, wherein the tab of the bottom retention plate moves away from the first notch, and simultaneously the tab of the top retention plate moves away from the second notch based on manipulation of the bottom retention plate and the top retention plate using a tool.

20. A flywheel housing comprising:a sidewall interposed between a top wall of the flywheel housing and a bottom wall of the flywheel housing, wherein the sidewall includes at least one slot;a bottom retention plate that extends away from the sidewall beneath the slot;a top retention plate that extends away from the sidewall opposite the bottom retention plate; anda fan blade including:a first notch that is located on a bottom of the fan blade which mechanically interlocks with an angled bottom retention plate tab based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot,a second notch that is located on a top of the fan blade which mechanically interlocks with an angled top retention plate tab based on the fan blade being inserted into the slot.21-60. (canceled)

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