Lightweight, foldable, and replaceable fabric fan blades
A ceiling fan assembly is provided having a frame defining a plurality of fan blades, a replaceable one-piece fabric covering attached to the frame, and a frame holder that supports and positions the frame and attaches it to a fan motor. The fabric covering may be used to provide a visual display such as decoration or advertising.
1. A ceiling fan assembly, comprising:
one continuous frame member defining a plurality of ceiling fan blades;
a one-piece covering secured to the frame member to form a plurality of ceiling fan blades; and
a frame holder that secures the frame member to a fan motor.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame member is comprised of a flexible material.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame member is foldable into a compact form.
4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame member is comprised of tempered spring steel.
5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the covering is comprised of a fabric material.
6. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the fabric material is stretchable.
7. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the fabric material is comprised of spandex.
8. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the fabric material is comprised of a material selected from cotton, paper, or a polymeric film.
9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the covering includes a plurality of pockets that fittingly engages the frame member.
10. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the covering includes a plurality of tabs for connecting the covering to the frame member.
11. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the covering includes a band about the periphery of the covering that engages the frame member.
12. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the band is sewn into the covering.
13. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame holder comprises pre-defined grooves for accepting and positioning the frame member relative to the fan motor.
14. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the number of fan blades is selected from three, five, or seven.
15. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the length of each fan blade is approximately the same.
16. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the effective diameter of the frame member is in the range of from about 40 inches to about 120 inches.
17. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a removable air freshener attached to the covering.
18. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the air freshener is concealed within a pocket of the covering.
19. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an air filter attached to the covering.
20. The assembly of claim 19 , wherein the air filter is concealed within a pocket of the covering.
21. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein there is printing on the covering.
22. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the covering is decorated with features selected from colors, letters, numbers, words, pictures, symbols, designs, or any combinations thereof.
23. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the covering provides advertising for a company, a product, or an event.
24. A cover for a ceiling fan, comprising:
a one-piece covering material attachable to a frame member;
the covering material shaped to define a plurality of ceiling fan blades when attached to the frame member.
25. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the covering is comprised of a fabric material.
26. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the fabric material is stretchable.
27. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the fabric material is comprised of spandex.
28. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the fabric material is comprised of a material selected from cotton, paper, or a polymeric film.
29. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the covering includes a plurality of pockets for fittingly engaging the frame member.
30. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the covering includes a plurality of tabs for connecting the covering to the frame member.
31. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the frame member is defined by one continuous frame member comprised of a flexible material.
32. The cover of claim 31 , wherein the covering includes a band about the periphery of the covering that engages the frame member.
33. The cover of claim 32 , wherein the band is sewn into the covering.
34. The cover of claim 24 , wherein there is printing on the covering.
35. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the covering material is decorated with features selected from colors, letters, numbers, words, pictures, symbols, designs, or any combinations thereof.
36. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the covering material provides advertising for a company, a product, or an event.
37. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the covering further comprises a pocket for the insertion of an air freshener.
38. The cover of claim 24 , wherein the covering further comprises a pocket for the insertion of an air filter.
39. A ceiling fan blade assembly, comprising one continuous frame member defining a plurality of ceiling fan blades wherein the frame member is comprised of tempered spring steel.
40. The assembly of claim 39 , wherein the frame member is comprised of a flexible material.
41. The assembly of claim 39 , wherein the frame member is foldable into a compact form.
42. The assembly of claim 39 , further comprising a frame holder for attaching the frame member to a ceiling fan motor.
43. The assembly of claim 42 , wherein the frame holder comprises pre-defined grooves for positioning the frame.
44. The assembly of claim 39 , wherein the plurality of ceiling fan blades is covered by a one-piece covering.
45. The assembly of claim 39 , wherein the length of each blade is approximately the same.
46. The assembly of claim 39 , wherein the effective diameter of the frame member is in the range of from about 40 inches to about 120 inches.
47. A ceiling fan assembly, comprising:
means for defining a plurality of loops;
means for covering the plurality of loops to define a plurality of ceiling fan blades; and
means for securing the plurality of loops to a fan motor.
48. The ceiling fan assembly of claim 47 , wherein the covering means includes means for securing the covering means to the plurality of ceiling fan blades.
49. A method for providing a visual display, comprising securing a one-piece covering to a frame member so as to form a plurality of ceiling fan blades, wherein the covering provides a visual display.
50. The method of claim 49 , wherein the frame member comprises one continuous frame member.
51. The method of claim 49 , wherein the visual display comprises features selected from colors, letters, numbers, words, pictures, symbols, designs, or any combinations thereof.
52. The method of claim 49 , wherein the visual display comprises advertising for a company, a product, or an event.
53. The method of claim 49 , wherein the visual display provides decoration for a home, office, or an event.
54. A method for an advertiser to provide an advertisement in a location frequented by the public, comprising:
providing to the owner of the location a one-piece covering securable to a plurality of ceiling fan blades, wherein the covering provides an advertisement; and
periodically sending a new covering to the owner of the location.
55. The method of claim 54 , wherein the plurality of ceiling fan blades is defined by one continuous frame member.
56. The method of claim 54 , further comprising providing to the owner of the location a ceiling fan assembly comprising one continuous frame defining a plurality of ceiling fan blades and a frame holder that positions the frame relative to a fan motor.
57. The method of claim 54 , wherein the advertisement promotes a company, a product, an event, or any combination thereof.
58. The method of claim 54 , wherein the location is selected from restaurants, bars, grocery stores, department stores, or sporting goods stores.