IP Library Granted Patent US 11,506,223
Granted Patent B2
US 11,506,223 · App. 17/099,600 · Granted Nov 22, 2022

Fan design with an impact absorbing structure

Inventors: Glen W. Ediger (North Newton, KS); Brian M. Cartwright (Wichita, KS); Gary Israel (Andover, KS); Gregory Pease (Andover, KS); Cooper Phillips (Wichita, KS)
Assignee: Vornado Air, LLC
F04D29/668F04D19/002F04D29/403F04D29/601F04D29/703
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,506,223
App. No.
17/099,600
Granted
Nov 22, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An improved fan design with an impact absorbing structure is provided. The improved fan design includes a lower fan assembly connected to an upper fan assembly using a mounting bracket. The lower fan assembly may include a fan base having multiple supporting legs which are preferably rotatably connected to the lower fan assembly. The upper fan assembly of the present invention may include a fan motor and fan blades enclosed within a protective structure. The protective structure of the present invention may preferably include an outer fan cover, a fan grille, an external cage and a perimeter shock absorbing ring extending around the circumference of the outer fan cover. The perimeter shock absorbing ring may include an inner surface, an inner absorption layer and an outer surface. The inner absorption layer may preferably include one or more flexible ribs.

Claims (15)

1. An air circulation system, wherein the air circulation system comprises:

a lower fan assembly, wherein the lower fan assembly is comprised of a fan base; wherein the fan base is comprised of a plurality of supporting legs; wherein the supporting legs are rotatably mounted to the fan base via a connecting joint which is configured to allow the supporting legs to fold together;

an upper fan assembly, wherein the upper fan assembly is comprised of:

an inner fan assembly, wherein the inner fan assembly is comprised of a fan motor;

a plurality of fan blades;

an outer fan cover;

a fan grille, wherein the fan grille is comprised of a plurality of fan veins;

a perimeter shock absorbing ring, wherein the perimeter shock absorbing ring extends around a circumference of the outer fan cover; wherein the perimeter shock absorbing ring is comprised of an inner surface, an inner absorption layer and an outer surface; wherein the inner absorption layer is comprised of a plurality of flexible ribs; wherein the perimeter shock absorbing ring is comprised of injection moldable materials;

an external cage, wherein the external cage is comprised of a first vertical bracing bracket and a first horizontal bracing bracket; wherein the first vertical bracing bracket and the first horizontal bracing bracket intersect at an intersection area; wherein the upper fan assembly is mechanically connected to the external cage at a point within the intersection area; and

an impact absorbing mount; wherein the impact absorbing mount is comprised of a plurality of raised projections and a rear mounting surface; wherein the raised projections are hollow, circular projections; wherein at least one raised projection is perforated to allow for a connector to extend through to the rear mounting surface; wherein the inner fan assembly is secured to the external cage with the connector; wherein the connector extends through the impact absorbing mount; wherein the impact absorbing mount is secured between the external cage and the upper fan assembly;

a mounting bracket, wherein the lower fan assembly is adjustably connected to the upper fan assembly by the mounting bracket; and wherein the mounting bracket is comprised of a bayonet mount.

2. The air circulation system of claim 1 , wherein the system is further comprised of a claw clip attachment.

3. The air circulation system of claim 2 , wherein the claw clip attachment is further comprised of a securing latch, wherein the securing latch is configured to attach to the external cage.

4. The air circulation system of claim 3 , wherein the claw clip attachment is further comprised of an adjustable clamp for attaching the fan assembly to external objects.

5. The air circulation system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable clamp is spring loaded.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2025
From: VORNADO AIR, LLC
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070671/0970 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2025
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: MERCHSOURCE, LLC; COHESION PRODUCTS, LLC; THREESIXTY SOURCING LIMITED; THREESIXTY BRANDS GROUP LLC; VORNADO AIR, LLC
Reel/Frame 070666/0256 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2021
From: VORNADO AIR, LLC; MERCHSOURCE, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 056515/0605 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2021
From: VORNADO AIR, LLC; MERCHSOURCE, LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 056515/0751 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2020
From: EDIGER, GLEN W.; CARTWRIGHT, BRIAN M.; ISRAEL, GARY P.; PEASE, GREGORY D.; PHILLIPS, COOPER
To: VORNADO AIR, LLC
Reel/Frame 054805/0152 →