AU2018201684B2

AU2018201684B2 - A reinforced fan blade construction

Info

Publication number: AU2018201684B2
Application number: AU2018201684A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William Yu
Original assignee: Deka Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Deka Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-08
Filing date: 2018-03-08
Publication date: 2025-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-08
Also published as: AU2018201684A1

Abstract

There is provided herein a reinforced fan blade construction which is reinforced at a proximal end thereof utilising a pair of opposing reinforcement brackets, typically metallic. In this way, the fan blade member may be manufactured from Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic or the like which is typically cheaper, lighter and easier to colour as opposed to other fan blade materials. Furthermore, plastic is noncorrosive allowing for outdoor application. The reinforcement brackets may comprise an elongate stem and an orthogonal cross piece. The orthogonal cross piece (which may be semicircular) may attached directly to the drive motor annulus such that inertial strain imparted thereon is spread along the elongate stem thereby reinforcing the proximal end of the fan blade. 10 1/6 CN mV U)a) a) L- & CN C~) CDC CD C 00 0 0 0) 0 0D

Description

1/6

CN mV U)a) L- a)

&

CN C~) CDC CD C

00 0 0

0) 0 0D

A reinforced fan blade construction Field of the Invention

[1] This invention relates generally to fan blades and more particularly, this invention relates to a reinforced fan blade construction.

Background of the Invention

[2] Ceiling fan blades comprise numerous shapes, configuration and materials for differing applications. Conventionally, ceiling fan blades may be metallic, plastic or particleboard composite.

[3] The present invention seeks to provide fan blade construction, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[5] There is provided herein a reinforced fan blade construction which is reinforced at a proximal end thereof utilising a pair of opposing reinforcement brackets, typically metallic. In this way, the fan blade may be manufactured from Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic or the like which is typically cheaper, lighter and easier to colour as opposed to other fan blade materials. Furthermore, plastic is noncorrosive allowing for outdoor application.

[6] Furthermore, the reinforcement of the fan blade construction allows for increased power without necessarily increasing the thickness of the fan blade itself for reinforcement and the associated weight increase.

[7] Furthermore, the present constructions and material used may allow for manufactured weight consistency within a tolerance of approximately 0.5g, being important for ceiling fan balancing.

[8] Fan blades commonly used within industry are generally of unity construction and are not generally reinforced, let alone in the manner described herein.

[9] The reinforcement brackets may comprise an elongate stem and an orthogonal cross piece. The orthogonal cross piece (which may be semicircular) may attached directly to the drive motor annulus such that inertial strain imparted thereon is spread along the elongate stem thereby reinforcing the proximal end of the fan blade.

[10] The reinforcement brackets may be planar and, furthermore, the proximal end of the fan blade may be shaped to define a correspondingly planar engagement piece against which the oppositely engaging reinforcement brackets may be riveted flush. The reinforcement brackets may press against the planar engagement piece so as to enhance the frictional engagement thereof, thereby spreading the strain substantially along the entire planar engagement piece as opposed to at the river points alone.

[11] The proximal end of the fan blade may further be shaped to define an upper predominance and an under recess. The upper predominance may locate the brackets upwardly to make allowance

for the recess. An aesthetic under covering may lie flush within the recess. The covering may similarly

comprise proximal attachment apertures but may have a distal end devoid of apertures for aesthetic

purposes. In this way, the present reinforced construction is not aesthetically compromised when

viewed from beneath.

[12] In embodiments, the fan blade may comprise a trailing edge pitch transition close to the

proximal end thereof. As such, the elongate members of the reinforcement brackets may extend into

the pitch transition area. As such, in an embodiment, the proximal end of the fan blade may be further

shaped to define an elongate prow standing proud from the predominance. The prow supports the

planar engagement piece therealong and comprises lateral edges that fall away to the predominance.

[13] As such, with the foregoing in mind, in accordance with one aspect, there is provided a

reinforced fan blade construction comprising: an elongate fan blade defining a distal end and an

opposite proximal attachment end; and upper and lower reinforcing brackets engaged oppositely through the proximal end for reinforcement.

[14] The reinforcement brackets may be planar.

[15] The proximal end may be shaped to may define a planar engagement piece against which the

respective upper and lower planar reinforcement brackets lie flush.

[16] The planar engagement piece and the reinforcing brackets may define corresponding rivet

accommodation apertures and wherein the brackets may be riveted to the planar engagement piece.

[17] Each reinforcement bracket may comprise an elongate stem and a cross piece.

[18] The elongate stem may define a plurality of rivet attachment apertures.

[19] The cross piece may define a plurality of attachment fastener apertures.

[20] The cross piece may be semicircular.

[21] The upper surface of the proximal end may define a predominance and a corresponding

undersurface of the proximal end may define a recess and wherein the upper enforcement brackets

locates on or within the predominance and the lower reinforcement bracket locates within the recess.

[22] The reinforced fan blade construction may further comprise an under covering for covering

the recess.

[23] The under covering may comprise a cross-section conforming to that of the recess.

[24] The under covering may be configured to lie flush when in the recess.

[25] The covering may comprise proximal fastener attachment apertures.

[26] The covering may define a distal end and wherein the distal end may be devoid of fastener

apertures.

[27] An upper surface of the distal end may comprise a centreboard comprising a linear edge for abutting against a corresponding undersurface of the adjacent lower attachment bracket.

[28] The proximal end further may define a prow, the prow supporting the planar engagement

piece therein and comprising lateral edges which fall away to the predominance.

[29] The prow extends into a trailing edge pitch transition.

[30] The recess may comprise a cross-section conforming to that of the reinforcement bracket.

[31] The covering may comprise a cross-section conforming to that of the reinforcement bracket.

[32] The fan blade may comprise Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic.

[33] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[34] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with

reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[35] Figure 1 shows an exploded bottom perspective view of a fan blade construction in

accordance with a first embodiment;

[36] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional elevation view of the fan blade of Figure 1;

[37] Figure 3 shows an exploded top perspective view of the fan blade construction of Figure 1;

[38] Figure 4 shows an exploded bottom perspective view of the proximal end of the fan blade

construction of Figure 1;

[39] Figure 5 shows an exploded top perspective view of the proximal end of the fan blade

construction of Figure 1;

[40] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional elevation view of the proximal end of the fan blade

construction of Figure 1;

[41] Figure 7 shows an exploded bottom perspective view of a fan blade construction in accordance with a further embodiment;

[42] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional elevation view of the fan blade of Figure 7;

[43] Figure 9 shows an exploded top perspective view of the fan blade construction of Figure 7;

[44] Figure 10 shows an exploded bottom perspective view of the proximal end of the fan blade

construction of Figure 7;

[45] Figure 11 shows an exploded top perspective view of the proximal end of the fan blade

construction of Figure 7; and

[46] Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional elevation view of the fan blade of Figure 7.

Description of Embodiments

[47] Figures 1-3 illustrate a reinforced fan blade construction 100 in accordance with a first

embodiment. Figure 1 shows a bottom perspective exploded view, Figure 2 shows a side cross

sectional elevation view, and Figure 3 shows a top perspective exploded view.

[48] The fan blade construction 100 comprises a fan blade 101, which is elongate and defines a

distal end and a proximal attachment end. The proximal end may attach to a fan blade motor as

described herein. The fan blade 101 defines a leading edge 110 and a trailing edge 111 with respect

to the direction of rotational motion.

[49] The construction 100 includes upper and lower reinforcement brackets 102 that engage

opposite upper and lower surfaces of the proximal end of the fan blade 101for reinforcement. Figures

4 and 5 present magnified respective bottom and top perspective views of the fan blade construction 100 in greater detail.

[50] The upper and lower reinforcing brackets 102 generally comprise a stronger material than

that of the fan blade 101. In embodiments, the fan blade 101 is plastic, and the brackets 102 are

metallic. In alternative embodiments, the fan blade 101 may be made from particleboard composite.

The reinforcing brackets 102 may be planar and include a plurality of rivet apertures 119 through

which rivets 105 are engaged. Each rivet 105 passes through a corresponding aperture 119 in the

upper bracket 102, the proximal end of the fan blade 101, and the lower bracket 102.

[51] The attachment brackets 102 and the proximal end of the fan blade 101 may further include

attachment fastener apertures 109 for fasteners used to attach the proximal end to the drive motor

during use. The fan blade construction 100 may be manufactured with the rivets 105 in place, and

during installation, attachment fasteners may be inserted through the corresponding attachment

fastener apertures 109.

[52] In the particular embodiments shown, each bracket 102 includes an elongate stem 106 and a generally orthogonal cross piece 107. The elongate stem 106 distributes inertial strain along the

proximal end of the fan blade 101 for reinforcement, while the orthogonal cross piece 107 facilitates

attachment to the drive motor. The orthogonal cross piece 107 may be semicircular to conform to the

periphery of a drive motor annulus.

[53] The cross-sectional elevation view in Figure 6 illustrates the engagement of the reinforcement

brackets 102 with the proximal end of the fan blade 101. The fan blade 101 may be shaped to define a planar engagement piece 118 against which the opposing reinforcement brackets 102 lie flush.

Rivets 105 pass through the upper and lower reinforcement brackets 102 and the planar engagement

piece 118, pressing the reinforcement brackets against the planar engagement piece 118 to enhance

frictional engagement and distribute strain evenly across the length of the planar engagement piece 118.

[54] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the proximal end of the fan blade 101 may include a

predominance 114, while the corresponding undersurface of the proximal end may feature a recess

116. The predominance 114 and recess 116 position the brackets 102 upwardly, enabling their

aesthetic coverage from a viewpoint beneath through a flush-mounted cover 104.

[55] The trailing edge 111 may pitch downwardly relative to the leading edge 110. The fan blade

101may include a proximal end pitch transition 113. The stems 106 of the reinforcement brackets 102

may extend into the pitch transition 113. The proximal end of the fan blade 101 may also include a

prow 115 extending outward from the predominance 114, which supports the planar engagement

piece 118 along the pitch transition 113. The prow 115 is elongate and its lateral edges taper

downward toward the predominance 114.

[56] As depicted in Figure 6, the prow 115 allows the planar engagement piece 118 and

reinforcement brackets 102 to extend into the pitch transition 113. This narrow construction at the proximal end facilitates insertion into fan engagement slots within motor housings, with the prow 115

positioned centrally and aesthetically concealed from below.

[57] As shown in Figure 4, the recess 116 may include an entrance port 117 conforming to the

cross-sectional shape of the reinforcement bracket 102 and leading to the planar engagement piece

118. The construction 100 may include a covering 104 conforming in cross-sectional shape with the

recess 116 and configured to sit flush within the recess.

[58]

[59] The covering 104 may include multiple attachment fastener apertures 109 corresponding to

those in the reinforcement brackets 102. However, the distal end 120 of the covering 104 may lack

attachment fastener apertures 109 for aesthetic purposes. Figure 5 illustrates the upper surface of

the covering 104, which features a prominent centreboard 119 with a linear edge that abuts the

corresponding lower surface of the adjacent bracket 102, maintaining the distal end of the covering

104 flush.

[60] Figures 7-9 depict a fan blade construction 200 in accordance with a second embodiment.

The fan blade construction 200 also includes upper and lower reinforcement brackets 102 covered

with an under covering 104. However, the fan blade 101 in this embodiment has different dimensions

compared to the fan blade construction 100. For instance, the pitch transition 113 may be located farther from the proximal end of the fan blade 101, or the fan blade 101may be planar without a pitch transition and engage angularly with the motor.

[61] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the predominance 114 may be narrower or less accentuated

than in the first embodiment. Figure 10 shows that the recess 116 conforms in cross-sectional shape to the bracket 102, as does the covering 104. As illustrated in Figure 12, the fan blade construction

200 includes a planar engagement piece 118 situated between the opposing reinforcement brackets

102 for reinforcement.

[62] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide

a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that

specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of

specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They

are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously,

many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were

chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical

applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various

embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is

intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A reinforced fan blade construction comprising: a fan blade; metal reinforcing brackets engaging a proximal end of the fan blade and defining elongate stems orientated along the fan blade and semicircular cross pieces curving away from the stems, wherein: the elongate stems are clamped against surfaces of a planar engagement piece of the fan blade with fasteners therethrough; and the semicircular cross pieces and planar engagement piece define aligned fastener apertures.

2. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement brackets are planar.

3. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elongate stems and the planar engagement piece define aligned apertures.

4. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the proximal end defines a predominance and a corresponding undersurface of the proximal end defines a recess and wherein one of the reinforcement brackets locates on the predominance and the other reinforcement bracket locates within the recess.

5. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a cover for the recess.

6. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cover comprises a cross section conforming to the recess.

7. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cover is configured to lie flush when in the recess.

8. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cover comprises proximal fastener attachment apertures.

9. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover defines a distal end

and wherein the distal end lacks fastener apertures.

10. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 5, wherein an upper surface of a distal end of the cover comprises a centreboard comprising a linear edge configured to abut against a

corresponding undersurface of one of the attachment brackets.

11. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 4, wherein the proximal end further

defines a prow, the prow supporting planar engagement piece and defining lateral edges which fall

away to the predominance.

12. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 11, wherein the prow extends across a

trailing edge pitch transition.

13. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recess comprises a cross

section conforming to that of the reinforcement bracket.

14. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a cover for the

recess and wherein the cover comprises a cross-section conforming to the reinforcement brackets.

15. A reinforced fan blade construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan blade comprises

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic.

100 102 101 110

111 103

100 104 Figure 1

101 110 1/6

111 Figure 2 100 105

102 111 101

110

103

104 Figure 3

100 100 105 102 109 107 109 102 119 106 107 106

112 112

113

114 116 115 117 2/6

113 102 102

104 104

120 119 109

Figure 4 Figure 5

105 105 102 118 115

110 102 3/6

111 113

Figure 6

110

111

200 Figure 7

110 4/6

113 111 Figure 8 200

111

110

Figure 9

200 200 105 105

107 119 106 102 119

114 119 116 5/6

102 102

104 104

Figure 10 Figure 11

102 105 105 118

102 6/6

Figure 12