Turning knob blade locking device, system and method
Devices, systems and methods of using a single turning knob and blade holder posts to align and lock a ceiling fan blade to a blade holder. An assembler can fit a blade with a matched pattern of openings over the upwardly protruding locating features on the blade holder until the blade bottoms on the holder. The knob is turned clockwise to lock in place against the stop feature on the pedestal, and counter-clockwise to unlock. Spring loaded detents can lock the turning knob in place in a counter-clockwise direction.
1. A ceiling fan blade connecting device, comprising:
a fan blade with a mounting end having a single enlarged non-cylindrical fastening hole and an opposite end;
a blade bracket having one end attached to a ceiling fan motor and opposite blade connecting end;
a single non-cylindrical pedestal fixably attached in a vertical orientation to the blade connecting end of the bracket; and
a single non-cylindrical rotatable knob rotatably attached to the single pedestal, wherein at rest position perimeter edges of the knob are aligned with perimeter edges of the pedestal, the knob having a base with downwardly protruding middle ridge portion and angled side portions which angle upward up to approximately 10 degrees to each side of the middle ridge portion, wherein the base enhances a gripping action with the surface of the blade when the knob is rotated, and wherein the blade is laid over the bracket so that the fastening hole slips over the knob and the pedestal until a portion of the blade rests against the bracket, and twisting the knob to a non-aligned position over the pedestal locks the blade to the bracket.
2. The ceiling fan blade connecting device of claim 1 , wherein the non-cylindrical fastening hole is rectangular wherein the longitudinal axis of the rectangular hole is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade and the blade bracket.
3. The ceiling fan blade connecting device of claim 1 , wherein the non-cylindrical fastening hole is oval wherein the longitudinal axis of the oval hole is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade and the blade bracket.
4. The ceiling fan blade connecting device of claim 1 , wherein the non-cylindrical rotatable knob is rectangular wherein the longitudinal axis of the rectangular knob is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade and the blade bracket.
5. The ceiling fan blade connecting device of claim 1 , wherein the non-cylindrical rotatable knob is oval, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the oval rotatable knob is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade and the blade bracket.
6. The ceiling fan blade connecting device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a stop to limit the rotation of the knob to approximately 90 degrees.
7. The ceiling fan blade connecting device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of posts attached in a vertical orientation to the blade connecting end of the bracket adjacent to the pedestal; and
a plurality of cylindrical holes in the mounting end of the blade where the posts align the blade to the bracket.
8. The ceiling fan blade connecting device of claim 1 , wherein the knob includes: a spring depressible detent to limit rotation of the knob in the locked position.
9. A ceiling fan, comprising:
a plurality of fan blades, each blade having a mounting end with a single enlarged non-cylindrical fastening hole and an opposite end;
a plurality of brackets, each bracket having one end attached to a ceiling fan motor and opposite blade connecting end;
a plurality of pedestal and knob assemblies, with one pedestal and knob assembly used to attach one blade to one bracket, each assembly having a single non-cylindrical pedestal fixably attached in a vertical orientation to the blade connecting end of the bracket and a single non-cylindrical rotatable knob rotatably attached to the single pedestal, each knob having a base with downwardly protruding middle ridge portion and angled side portions which angle upward up to approximately 10 degrees to each side of the middle ridge portion, wherein the base enhances a gripping action with the surface of the blade when the knob is rotated, wherein at rest position perimeter edges of the knobs are aligned with perimeter edges of the pedestals, and wherein the blades are laid over the brackets so that the fastening holes slips over the knobs and the pedestals until a portion of the blades rests against the brackets, and twisting the knobs to a non-aligned position over the pedestals locks the blades to the brackets.
10. The ceiling fan of claim 9 , wherein each non-cylindrical rotatable knob is oval, and wherein each longitudinal axis of the oval rotatable knob is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade and the blade bracket.
11. The ceiling fan of claim 9 , further comprising:
a stop to limit the rotation of the knob to approximately 90 degrees.
12. The ceiling fan of claim 9 , wherein each pedestal and knob assembly includes:
a plurality of posts attached in a vertical orientation to the blade connecting end of the bracket adjacent to the pedestal; and
a plurality of cylindrical holes in the mounting end of the blade where the posts align the blade to the bracket.
13. A method of assembling blades to blade brackets in a ceiling fan comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of fan blades, each blade having a mounting end with a single enlarged non-cylindrical fastening hole and an opposite end;
providing a plurality of brackets, each bracket having one end attached to a ceiling fan motor and opposite blade connecting end;
providing a plurality of pedestal and knob assemblies, with one pedestal and knob assembly used to attach one blade to one bracket, each assembly having a single non-cylindrical pedestal fixably attached in a vertical orientation to the blade connecting end of the bracket and a single non-cylindrical rotatable knob rotatably attached to the single pedestal, each knob having a base with downwardly protruding middle ridge portion and angled side portions which angle upward up to approximately 10 degrees to each side of the middle ridge portion, wherein the base enhances a gripping action with the surface of the blade when the knob is rotated;
forming a rest position where perimeter edges of the knobs are aligned with perimeter edges of the pedestals;
laying the blades over the brackets so that the fastening holes slips over the knobs and the pedestals until a portion of the blades rests against the brackets; and twisting the knobs to a non-aligned position over the pedestals to lock the blades to the brackets.