US20030059307A1 - Fan assembly with desk organizer - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric fan assembly10is disclosed. The assembly10comprises a base16having an open display area36between a front edge region32and a rear edge region34with the base having at least one compartment38adapted to hold personal items, such as office supplies, to thereby provide a fan assembly with a desk organizer in the base. A support member14is also disclosed extending from the base16and being adapted to support and electric fan blower12in an elevated position above said base16.The fan assembly also is collapsible between a use position and a non-use position in which the fan body is directed toward the base16.

Description

DESCRIPTION
• Technical Field[0001]
• This invention relates to an electric fan assembly. More particularly it relates to a portable electric fan assembly having a base adapted to hold personal items, such as office supplies, and thereby serve as a desk organizer.[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Electric fan assemblies are well known in the art. One type of such a fan assembly is suitable for placement on a floor or other generally flat surface, such as a table, desk or counter. Still other types of electric fans include mounting braces that are suitable for mounting the fan or its base to a horizontal surface like a wall, and still other assemblies include a clamp for securing the fan to an edge of a counter or the like. Regardless, such types of electric fan assemblies typically includes a fan housing, which includes a motor and a bladed propeller or blower, and a base for mounting or supporting the fan housing. The base sometimes includes a combination of a lower base or stand, and a support member disposed between the stand and the fan housing to support the fan.[0003]
• While it is sometimes desirable to have such a fan used in association with an office desk or the like, typical fan assemblies are not well adapted for such use because of limited space available on the desk. Placing a fan assembly upon such a surface presents a problem of using space needed for items on the desk, and creates an appearance that is not compatible with the desk or the work being performed. For example, in the space taken up by the base, the user could place a multitude of office related apparatus and supplies. These would include, inter alia, paper-clip dispenser, a stapler, tape dispenser, a light, a lamp, a clock, and containers for office supplies such as papers, self adhesive notes, or pens and pencils. Additionally, the space taken up by the base of the fan could be used to hold any variety of items including files and other documents. Also, traditional fan assemblies do not provide optimal height and orientation of the fan blower for the unique requirements for use on a desk. Most fan assemblies are not sufficiently elevated from the base to avoid disruption to the work at the desk, and/or lack suitable adjustability of the direction of the air being forced from the blower.[0004]
• The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems.[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• According to one aspect of the invention an electric fan assembly is provided. The fan assembly comprises a base having a display area between a front edge region and a rear edge a region. The display area has at least one compartment adapted to hold personal items and a substantially open face adapted to permit access to the compartment.[0006]
• According to another aspect of the invention, the base is adapted to rest on a desktop and the compartment is adapted to serve as a desk organizer for holding office supplies.[0007]
• According to another aspect of the invention, the support member is attached to the base adjacent the rear edge region and the fan has a fan body with a bladed propeller that is positioned generally above a central region of the base.[0008]
• According to another aspect of the invention, the position of the fan is adjustable. In a preferred form, the adjustability of the fan is adapted to permit adjustment between a use position and a storage position wherein the fan body is positioned closer to the base.[0009]
• Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the remainder of this specification.[0010]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The fan assembly of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:[0011]
• FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a fan assembly of the present invention;[0012]
• FIG. 2 is front view of a fan assembly of the present invention;[0013]
• FIG. 3 is a side view of a fan assembly of the present invention with its blower positioned to face forward;[0014]
• FIG. 4 is side view of a fan assembly of the present invention with the fan body positioned to face downwards;[0015]
• FIG. 5 is a rear view of a fan assembly of the present invention with its blower positioned to face forwards; and[0016]
• FIG. 6 is a rear view of a fan assembly of the present invention with its blower positioned to face downwards.[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.[0018]
• Referring to the figures, there is shown therein an[0019]electric fan assembly10 including afan body12, asupport14 and abase16.
• The[0020]fan body12 includes amotor housing18, a fan housing orgrill20 and a blower mounting22. Themotor housing18, encloses an electric motor (not shown) and an oscillating mechanism (not shown) with anoscillation control23. The electric motor and oscillating mechanism are well known in the art and are not described herein in detail.
• The[0021]housing20 is mounted to themotor housing18 and enclosesblades24. Theblades24 are operably connected to the electric motor and they are adapted to force air in a generally laminar flow direction, caused by rotation of thebladed propeller24 driven by the electric motor.
• The[0022]motor housing18 is preferably rotatably connected to theblower mounting22. Theblower mounting22 includes acontrol mechanism26. Thecontrol mechanism26 is operably connected to the electric motor through the blower mounting22 andmotor housing18 and is used to control the speed of the rotation of theblades24.
• The motor is provided a means for electrical connection to an electric power source. This may include a power cord adapted for connection with a standard electrical outlet. Such a power cord may pass directly into the assembly at the[0023]motor housing18 of thefan body12. Alternatively, the power cord may pass into thebase16 or thesupport member14, with a connecting electrical cord passing through, or adjacent, thesupport member14 to themotor housing18. The motor may also be provided with an internal or integral power source, such a s battery power source. Such battery power is preferably provided in the base, with electrical connection between the battery and the motor being an electrical cord passing through thesupport member14.
• The[0024]support14 extends between thebase16 and theblower12. In the embodiment shown in the Figures provided herein, the support member passes in a generally vertical direction such that thefan body12 is supported generally above thebase16. In the preferred embodiment, thesupport14 includes a pair of laterally spacedelongated members28. Eachelongated member28 includes a bend orangle29 defining afirst segment31 and asecond segment33. A first or lower end of eachelongated member28 is attached to thebase16. A second or upper end of eachelongated member28 is rotationally connected to theblower mounting22. A horizontal positioner30 is located at the upper ends of theelongated members28 and allows thefan blower12 to rotate vertically and to be positioned about a horizontal axis through the positioner30.
• In alterative embodiments, which do not materially depart from the invention, the[0025]support member14 may provide support of thefan body12 in alternative positions, such as being supported to the side, rear, or below thebase16. Also, alternative embodiments of the present invention includesupport member14 construction with a single elongated member, or other body styles that provide suitable support for thefan body12. Such suitable support preferably includes a structure adapted to provide positioning of the fan body in the central region of the base, which is adapted to provide support with a center of gravity of thefan body12 that resides directly above at least a portion of thebase16.
• In a preferred embodiment, the[0026]base16 has afront edge region32 and arear edge region34. Generally displaced between the two and integrally formed in an upper surface of thebase16 is adisplay area36. Thedisplay area36 is additionally bound bylateral edge regions35. Such edge regions at least partially define an outer peripheral edge of the base. This is shown in the Figures as a plurality of linear edges, but may also comprise a plurality of curvilinear edges, even that which collectively form a circle or oval outer perimeter of the base.
• As shown in the Figures, the[0027]display area36 includes a plurality of compartments38-43. The compartments38-43 preferably are of provided in various shapes and sizes and adapted to hold a variety of personal items, including different types of office supplies.Compartment38 and39 are vertically elongated and particularly suitable for holding and storing pens, pencils, scissors and other generally elongated items. Compartments40-43 are shallow as compared to compartments38-29 and are adapted primarily for holding, among other things, paper clips, small note pads including those of a self adhering nature, rubber bands, other commonly used office supplies and personal items such as pocket change, watches and the like.Compartment42, is horizontally elongated and can be used to store the elongated office supplies mentioned above horizontally, rather than vertically. Also depicted is atape dispenser44 integrally formed into thedisplay area36. It is understood that other items, such as a stapler, or hole punch may be included in addition to or in place of thetape dispenser44. Also, it is preferable for anadditional compartment45 to be positioned on the opposite side of the fan body and/or support member (FIGS. 5 and 6). Thisadditional compartment45 is preferably dimensioned to hold business cards in a display position, and is accessible to persons positioned to the rear of the assembly proximal to therear edge34.
• The[0028]base16 also includes avisible portion46 adapted to receive theelongated members28 of thesupport14. Thevisible portion46 includes afront surface48 having and area generally designated by the numeral50 that can be adapted for displaying a clock. It is understood that other electronic accessories can be integrally formed in thefront surface48, for example a calculator. An embodiment including a calculator is preferably adapted to permit access to the calculator at afront edge region32 of thebase16. Additionally, a calendar could be located in thefront surface48, or elsewhere on thebase16. In addition, thebase16, also serves as a support for a reading or desk lamp (not shown). A separate support for the lamp, for example, alternatively attaches to the base near the juncture of therear edge region34 and/or one of thelateral edge regions35.
• Although not shown, as indicated above, the[0029]fan body12 may be adapted to be connected to an external power source such as a standard electrical outlet, or adapted to be battery powered. It is noted that thefan blower12 may share its power source with any other electrical accessory included in the base such a clock or calculator. Alternatively, thebody12 and other accessories may be separately powered in any combination of power sources.
• In a preferred embodiment, the lower ends of the[0030]elongated members28 are centrally located in therear edge region34. Referring to FIGS. 3 & 4, the angle or bend29 of theelongated members28 permit thesupport14 to hold the fan body in an elevated position over a central or middle region of the base, forward of therear edge region34, while permitting the required access to thedisplay area36. Thelateral spacing49 of theelongated members28 allows the blower mounting22, and/orcontrol26, to pass through thesupport14 when thefan body12 is fully rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the perspective of FIG. 4. In this embodiment, thefan body12 is moved to a non-use position by movement of thebody12 toward thebase16, preferably into a collapsed arrangement (FIG. 4). In the embodiment shown, thesupport member14 is adapted to at least partially receive a portion of thebody12, such as a portion of the mounting22. More specifically, thesupport member14 includes a receivingarea49 that is adapted to at least partially receive a portion of thefan body assembly12, and preferably receives an extended body area (shown as22). In other alternative embodiments, thefan body12 is brought to a non-use position by collapsing thebody12 toward thebase16 without pivotal rotation of the fan body. One example of this is by an assembly having asupport member14 with segments that are adapted to provide slidable engagement, such as telescoping segments. Another aspect, regardless of the means for moving thebody12 between use and non-use positions, is acontrol mechanism50 for locking the body in use position. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the control or lockingmechanism50 includes a screw-clamp mechanism for locking rotational movement of thefan body12. Alternatives include mechanical manipulation of a locking pin or latch, or mating receiver and projection (not shown).
• It is understood that a number of alterations of the above described embodiment come to mind without departing from the present invention. One alternative embodiment would include a motor and[0031]fan assembly12 integrated with a base16 according to the present invention, the blower being ducted to an exhaust blowing air from an elevated position above the base. An additional alternative embodiment would include a flexible or otherwiseadjustable support14. Its flexibility may thereby eliminate need for the horizontal positioner30 of above described embodiment. Additional variations on thesupport14 are possible without departing from the present invention. Further, the present invention also is achieved by providing afan assembly12 adapted to removably connect to the base16 with adisplay area36.
• Also, the base[0032]16 as depicted in the figures is generally rectangular. However, other configurations and geometries are possible. These other geometries would not depart from the present invention, provided they are adapted to support thefan body12, and have adisplay area36 adapted hold a personal item, such as office supplies, in a manner adapted to provide access to the items.
• While the specific embodiments and various details thereof have been illustrated and described, numerous modification come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the following claims.[0033]

Claims (30)

We claim:

1. An electric fan assembly comprising:

a fan body having a motor connected to a bladed propeller, a support member connected to the body and adapted to at least partially support said body in spaced relation from a base;

the base having a display area between a front edge region and a rear edge region, the display area having at least one compartment adapted to hold personal items and having a substantially open face for access to said compartment.

2. The electric fan assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said base is adapted to rest on a generally flat desk surface, and said compartment is dimensioned to hold office supplies and is adapted to provide access to contents of said compartment.

3. The electric fan assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the base has a rear edge region and said support member is connected to said base at a position adjacent the rear edge region.

4. The electric fan assembly ofclaim 3 wherein said support member extends above said base in an angular direction adapted to position the fan body forward of said rear edge region.

5. The electric fan assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the fan body is positioned elevated above a middle region of the base, said middle region being located between a front edge region and said rear edge region.

6. The electric fan assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said spaced relation of the fan body from the base is adjustable.

7. The electric fan assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said fan body is supported at a height above said base, said height being adjustable.

8. The electric fan assembly ofclaim 7 wherein the support member is adapted to provide said adjustable height of the fan body.

9. The electric fan assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the support member has a first segment extending from the base and another segment extending at an angular direction from said first segment.

10. A portable electric fan assembly, comprising:

a fan body portion having an electric motor adapted to propel an attached blade assembly, said body portion being connected to a base portion, said base portion having an upper surface comprising at least one compartment for holding office supplies, and wherein connection of the fan body to the base portion includes a support member adapted to position the fan body an extent above said compartment for permitting access to said compartment.

11. The fan assembly ofclaim 10, wherein; said support member comprises an elongated body having a lower portion connected to the base portion, and having an upper portion connected to said fan body.

12. The fan assembly ofclaim 11, wherein; said base portion extends between a front edge and a rear edge, at least a portion of said fan body being positioned above the base in a central region between said front and rear edge.

13. The fan assembly ofclaim 10, wherein; the base has a central region, said fan body being positioned above the central region and said base being adapted to provide support radially outward of the fan body.

14. The fan assembly ofclaim 10 wherein the fan body is adapted to oscillate generally horizontally.

15. The fan assembly ofclaim 10, wherein;

a portion of said base houses a clock.

16. The fan assembly ofclaim 10, wherein;

said base including a calculator, said calculator being located in a front area of the base and adapted to provide access by a user.

17. The fan assembly ofclaim 10, wherein;

said base includes a plurality of separate compartments adapted to contain office supplies.

18. The fan assembly ofclaim 17 wherein at least one of the compartments is elongated and adapted for holding writing utensils.

19. The fan assembly ofclaim 10, wherein;

a portion of said base houses a tape dispenser.

20. The fan assembly ofclaim 10, wherein;

a hole-punch mechanism is integrally formed in the base.

21. The fan assembly ofclaim 11, wherein; said upper and lower portions of the support member are separated by a bend, said bend being adapted to direct the upper portion toward a position above the central region of the base.

22. The fan assembly ofclaim 21, wherein; the bend comprises a curvilinear segment of the elongated body positioned between an upper and lower end of the support member.

23. A fan and desk-organizer assembly, comprising:

an electric fan assembly having an electric motor and a bladed propeller;

a base adapted and sized to stand on a generally flat surface and having a compartment for holding office supplies, the base further having a front edge and a rear edge;

an elongated support member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support member being connected adjacent the rear edge, the second end of the support member being connected to the electric fan assembly and adapted to allow open access to said compartment.

24. The fan assembly ofclaim 23 wherein the support member includes a bend providing an angular portion.

25. The fan assembly ofclaim 23 wherein the support member includes a curvilinear portion.

26. The fan assembly ofclaim 23 wherein the base has a width, said support member being adapted to support the fan assembly elevated above said base in a position generally central of said width.

27. The fan assembly ofclaim 23 wherein the base has a depth between front and rear of the base, said support member being adapted to support the fan assembly elevated above said base in a position generally central of said depth.

28. A fan and desk-organizer assembly, comprising:

an electric fan body assembly having an electric motor and a bladed propeller;

a base supporting said body and having a display area with at least one compartment adapted to hold office supplies, said base having an outer peripheral edge defining a dimension of width of the base;

an adjustable support member having a first portion connected to said base and a second portion connected to the fan body, and a means for adjusting said assembly between a storage configuration wherein the fan body is located adjacent the base, and an expanded configuration wherein said body is positioned further away form the base.

29. The fan assembly ofclaim 28, wherein; the means for adjusting includes a pivot of said fan body toward said base.

30. The fan assembly ofclaim 28, wherein; the means for adjusting includes telescoping connection between said first and second segments of said support member.

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