Fan

Abstract

A fan includes a nozzle and a device for creating a primary air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes a mouth for emitting the primary air flow, and defines a bore through which a secondary air flow from outside the fan is drawn by the primary air flow emitted from the mouth and which combines with the primary air flow to produce a combined air flow. To allow a user to adjust at least one parameter, for example at least one of the profile, orientation and the direction, of the combined air flow, the fan comprises an insert which is locatable at least partially within the bore of the nozzle. The fan may be provided with a set of such inserts.

1 . A fan comprising a nozzle and a device for creating a primary air flow through the nozzle, the nozzle comprising at least one outlet for emitting the primary air flow, the nozzle defining a bore through which a secondary air flow from outside the fan is drawn by the primary air flow emitted from the at least one outlet and which combines with the primary air flow to produce a combined air flow, wherein the fan comprises an insert locatable at least partially within the bore of the nozzle for adjusting at least one parameter of the combined air flow. 
     
     
         2 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is rotatable within the bore of the nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is annular in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a rim which is locatable over a front end of the nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the insert tapers towards a rear end thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a surface defining a bore through which, when the insert is located in the nozzle, the secondary air flow from outside the fan is drawn by the primary air flow emitted from the at least one outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The fan of  claim 6 , wherein, when the insert is located within the nozzle, the bore of the insert is substantially co-axial with the bore of the nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . The fan of  claim 6 , wherein, when the insert is located within the nozzle, the at least one outlet of the nozzle is arranged to direct the primary air flow through the bore of the insert. 
     
     
         9 . The fan of  claim 6 , wherein the surface extends about an axis. 
     
     
         10 . The fan of  claim 9 , wherein at least part of the surface is inclined to the axis. 
     
     
         11 . The fan of  claim 10 , wherein the angle by which said at least part of the surface is inclined to the axis varies about the axis. 
     
     
         12 . The fan of  claim 10 , wherein the angle by which said at least part of the surface is inclined to the axis varies continuously about the axis. 
     
     
         13 . The fan of  claim 6 , wherein the surface is continuous about the axis. 
     
     
         14 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a plurality of interconnected sections which are locatable simultaneously within the bore of the nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . The fan of  claim 14 , wherein the sections have substantially the same shape. 
     
     
         16 . The fan of  claim 14 , wherein the sections are substantially wedge shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The fan of  claim 14 , wherein the sections are arranged about an axis. 
     
     
         18 . The fan of  claim 17 , wherein the sections are regularly spaced about the axis. 
     
     
         19 . The fan of  claim 14 , wherein each of the sections comprises a surface which is inclined to the axis. 
     
     
         20 . The fan of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one outlet of the nozzle is arranged to direct the primary air flow over the surfaces of the sections of the insert. 
     
     
         21 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one parameter of the combined air flow comprises at least one of the profile, orientation, direction, flow rate and velocity of the combined air flow. 
     
     
         22 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet extends about the bore. 
     
     
         23 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet is in the form of a slot. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled)