Fan

Abstract

A fan including a base having a base housing, a battery receptacle disposed on the base housing, the battery receptacle configured to receive a battery. a user interface disposed on the base housing, and a plurality of cleats extending from a bottom surface of the base housing. The plurality of cleats are configured to cooperate with corresponding recesses on a support structure. The fan includes a blower unit supported by the base. The blower unit includes a blower unit housing, a motor positioned within the blower unit housing and having a motor output shaft, and a blade coupled to the motor output shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fan comprising:
 a base including
 a base housing, 
 a battery receptacle disposed on the base housing, the battery receptacle configured to receive a battery, 
 a user interface disposed on the base housing, and 
 a plurality of cleats extending from a bottom surface of the base housing, the plurality of cleats configured to cooperate with corresponding recesses on a support structure; and 
   a blower unit supported by the base, the blower unit including
 a blower unit housing, 
 a motor positioned within the blower unit housing and having a motor output shaft, and 
 a blade coupled to the motor output shaft. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein base also includes an actuator having a projection extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the base housing, and wherein the projection is configured to selectively engage the support structure to releasably secure the fan to the support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is disposed on a front portion of the base housing, and wherein the battery receptacle is disposed at a rear portion of the base housing. 
     
     
         4 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a dial providing continuous variable speed control. 
     
     
         5 . The fan of  claim 1 , further comprising an arm extending upwardly from the base, wherein the blower unit is pivotably coupled to the arm. 
     
     
         6 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the blower unit housing has a motor housing and a plurality of vanes extending radially outward from the motor housing, wherein the motor is positioned within the motor housing, and wherein the blower unit also includes a boot located between the motor housing and the motor to at least partially isolate the motor housing from vibrations from the motor. 
     
     
         7 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the blower unit also includes
 a sleeve coupled to the motor output shaft, the sleeve received in an aperture of the blade and having a shoulder, and   a seal disposed between the shoulder of the sleeve and the blade.   
     
     
         8 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the base also includes a plurality of rubber feet disposed on the plurality of cleats. 
     
     
         9 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the blower unit housing has a plurality of vanes forming hexagonal shapes sized to prevent a probe having a diameter of 12 millimeters from being inserted through the blower unit housing. 
     
     
         10 . A fan comprising:
 a base; and   a blower unit supported by the base, the blower unit including
 a housing, 
 a motor positioned within the housing and having a motor output shaft, 
 a blade coupled to the motor output shaft, and 
 a grille coupled to the housing, the grille having a plurality of vanes forming hexagonal shapes sized to prevent a probe having a diameter of 12 millimeters from being inserted through the grille. 
   
     
     
         11 . The fan of  claim 10 , wherein the hexagonal shapes have lengths measured between opposite, parallel walls, and wherein each length is less than or equal to 12 millimeters. 
     
     
         12 . The fan of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of vanes includes a first group of vanes and a second group of vanes extending between a central portion of the grille and an outer portion of the grille, and wherein the first group of vanes and the second group of vanes alternate circumferentially around the grille. 
     
     
         13 . The fan of  claim 10 , wherein at least some of the plurality of vanes are parallel zigzag lines. 
     
     
         14 . The fan of  claim 10 , wherein the grille is an inlet grille. 
     
     
         15 . A fan comprising:
 a base; and   a blower unit supported by the base, the blower unit including
 a housing having a motor housing and a plurality of vanes extending radially outward from the motor housing, 
 a motor positioned within the motor housing and having a motor output shaft, 
 a blade coupled to the motor output shaft, and 
 a boot located between the motor housing and the motor to at least partially isolate the motor housing from vibrations from the motor. 
   
     
     
         16 . The fan of  claim 15 , wherein the blower unit also includes a screw that extends through an aperture of the motor housing and the boot, and wherein the screw engages the motor to secure the motor to the motor housing. 
     
     
         17 . The fan of  claim 15 , wherein the blower unit also includes
 a sleeve coupled to the motor output shaft, the sleeve received in an aperture of the blade and having a shoulder, and   a seal disposed between the shoulder of the sleeve and the blade.   
     
     
         18 . The fan of  claim 17 , wherein the shoulder abuts the seal against a first side of the blade, and wherein the blower unit includes a fastener that engages the sleeve on a second side of the blade to axially secure the sleeve to the blade. 
     
     
         19 . The fan of  claim 15 , wherein the base includes a cleat configured to cooperate with a corresponding recess on a support structure. 
     
     
         20 . The fan of  claim 19 , wherein the base also includes a rubber foot disposed on the cleat.