Rotatable axial fan

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a novel apparatus for the movement of air. Specifically, the apparatus is an axial fan assembly which is rotatable about a horizontal axis to orient the axial fan in a vertical position, a horizontal position, or positions in between. The axial fan can be adjusted and selectively fixed in a particular orientation. The height of the axial fan is also adjustable. The vertical support member comprises a telescoping mechanism whereby the length of the vertical support member is adjustable and can be selectively fixed at a particular length.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This patent application claims priority to provisional patent application no. 61 / 031,104, entitled “Rotatable Tower Fan”, filed by Trevor Craig on Feb. 25, 2008.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to an apparatus for the movement of air.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Hot nights make sleeping difficult. The movement of air around a person can make them more comfortable. Various types of motorized fans are known for their cooling properties and have been used in bedrooms to make sleeping more comfortable. Motorized fans can also add comfort in otherwise hot and stuffy environments. Several types of fans exist, including box fans, circular fans, tower fans and ceiling fans.[0004]Box fans can be placed in windows. The fan's cooling effect is maximized only if a person's bed is situated near the window. These fans can also be placed on the floor, but the maximum cooling effect is not achieved unless the bed is very low to the floor. Box fans can also...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The apparatus may be operated by a control panel mounted on the axial fan and can also be operated by a remote control. The remote control may be wired or wireless. If wireless, the remote control may transmit control commands via radio or optical signals. The following are operational commands that may be activated and/or programmed by the control panel: power on, power off, initiate standby mode, in...

Problems solved by technology

Hot nights make sleeping difficult.

These fans can also be placed on the floor, but the maximum cooling effect is not achieved unless the bed is very low to the floor.

Box fans can also be placed on a desk or table near the bed, but not every bedroom has a desk or table near the bed such that the maximum cooling effect cannot be achieved.

Additionally it may be awkward, cumbersome, or even dangerous to place a relatively large box fan on a small table or desk.

Circular fans are also available to provide air movement; however, they have the same difficulties as a box fan in that they must be located near a bed to achieve the maximum cooling effect while a person is sleeping.

And locating a circular fan near a bed may not always be possible.

A drawback to a circular fan is that it has a direction of airflow similar to a cone.

Placing the fan near a bed can maximize the cooling effect, but this results in only a portion of the bed receiving the benefit of the increased airflow while another portion of the bed is without the benefit of the cooling properties of the airflow.

The result may be that only a portion of the airflow is traveling over the bed, while much of the airflow is wasted as it travels under the bed.

The cooling effect of the airflow reaching a person in a prone position is limited, just as with a circular fan.

This does not completely solve the drawbacks, however because areas within the oscillating airflow pattern are still left without sufficient airflow during portions of the oscillation cycle.

These fans are also more difficult to install, sometime requiring professional installation.

Ceiling fans are generally more expensive than other types of fans.

Air conditioning can also make a person more comfortable while sleeping, but it is not available in all homes.

Air conditioning is also prohibitively expensive for some.

While a person is sleeping in a bedroom the comforting effect of central air conditioning in the rest of a house is wasted.

Operating air conditioning generally consumes more energy than the operation of a fan.

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