Pole mounted revolving air circulating fan

Abstract

Disclosed is a new pole mounted revolving air circulating fan for inducing air movement within an air mass by use of a rotating impeller which simultaneously revolves around a vertical axis. The pole mounted revolving air circulating fan comprises a telescoping support pole extending substantially vertically upwardly from a mounting floor surface to a mounting ceiling surface, the ends of the support pole frictionally engaging the mounting surfaces. A fan, comprising a rotary air impeller coupled to an electric motor through a drive shaft, is revolvedly mounted on the vertical support pole. A generally cylindrical motor housing encloses the motor and the motor power supply leads. A blade guard, constructed of wire rods forming a substantially annularly shaped wire cage, encloses the impeller to prevent injury from contact therewith. The guard has a central hole through the back wherethrough the front end of the motor housing extends. The blade guard also has a bracket formed thereon adjacent the central hole whereby the blade guard is connected to the motor housing. A rotatable electrical contact assembly, having rotating wiper contacts cooperating with stationary ring contacts, allows power to be supplied to the fan motor while the fan is rotating around the vertical support pole. A manually actuated fan power switch, mounted on the support pole, completes or interrupts the electrical circuit to the fan motor thereby turning the device on or off. The fan is moved around the support pole with a rubber drive wheel coupled to the motor drive shaft, the drive wheel frictionally engaging a stationary rail which encircles the vertical support post whereby rotation of the drive wheel causes the fan to revolve around the post.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pole mounted revolving air circulating fan for inducing air movement within an air mass by use of a rotating impeller which simultaneously revolves around a vertical axis, the pole mounted revolving air circulating fan comprising: a support pole extending substantially vertically upwardly from a mounting floor surface to a mounting ceiling surface, the support pole comprising: a hollow round tube having a rigid wall, the wall having a first aperture therethrough proximal the upper end thereof, the wall additionally having a second aperture therethrough intermediate the ends thereof, the tube further having a third aperture therethrough intermediate the first and second apertures; a planar foot fixedly connected to the lower end of the tube, the foot frictionally engaging the floor surface; a telescoping extensible rod longitudinally mounted to the upper end of the tube, the telescoping rod having locking means whereby longitudinal movement of the rod relative the tube may be prevented, the free end of the rod having a planar pad fixedly connected thereto, the pad frictionally engaging the ceiling surface; manually actuated circuit switching means including a set of toggling switch contacts, the switching means also including terminal means operatively connected to the contacts, the switching means being fixedly mounted on the wall of the tube such that the terminal means extends inside the tube through the second aperture; electrical power cord means operatively connected at one end to a source of electrical energy, the power cord means extending through the first aperture, the power cord means also extending downwardly inside the tube adjacent the switching means, the power cord means being operatively connected at the other end to the circuit switching terminal means;   a fan comprising: a rotary air impeller having a hub with a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom, the hub also having an axial hole therethrough whereto a drive shaft may be coupled; a generally cylindrical motor housing, the housing having a blunt front end and a substantially conical back end; an electric motor mounted within the housing, the motor having electric power supply leads extending therefrom, the motor also having a longitudinal drive shaft projecting horizontally from both ends thereof, the shaft also projecting from both ends of the motor housing such that a first end of the shaft projects from the front end of the housing and a second end of the shaft projects from the back end of the housing, the first end of the shaft being fixedly connected to the axial hole through the impeller hub such that rotation of the shaft drives the impeller .[.to induce movement in the surrounding air.].; a blade guard enclosing the impeller to prevent injury from contact .[.therewith.]. .Iadd.with said impeller.Iaddend., the blade guard being constructed of wire rods forming a substantially annularly shaped wire cage with essentially planar front and back ends, the ends being parallel with each other, the back end having a central hole therethrough wherethrough the front end of the motor housing extends such that the motor housing is partially enclosed within the blade guard, the blade guard having bracket means formed thereon adjacent the central hole whereby the blade guard is connected to the motor housing; a slightly compressible rubber drive wheel fixedly coaxially connected to the second end of the drive shaft;   a rotatable electrical contact assembly mounted on the fan comprising: a contact housing integrally formed on the motor housing, the contact housing projecting longitudinally rearwardly from the motor housing, the contact housing being a horizontally situated hollow generally toroidal structure with an open bottom radially connected to the motor housing spaced below the rubber drive wheel; an opening extending from inside the motor housing to inside the contact housing, the opening having the motor power supply leads passing therethrough; a rotary bushing formed of rigid electrically insulating material, the bushing being fixedly coaxially mounted inside the contact housing, the bushing also being rotationally mounted on the exterior of the vertical support pole tube such that the bushing and attached .Iadd.air circulating .Iaddend.fan may rotate freely above the support pole, the bushing having an integrally formed flat arm projecting radially outwardly therefrom, the arm being located inside the contact housing adjacent the opening to the motor housing; a pair of electrical wiper contacts fixedly attached to the underside of the radial arm, the wiper contacts each having an electrical terminal fixedly connected thereto, the terminals extending upwardly through the radial arm to project slightly above the top of the radial arm, the terminals each being operatively connected to one of the motor power supply leads;   a stationary electrical contact assembly mounted on the vertical support pole in cooperating relationship with the rotatable electrical contact assembly, the stationary electrical contact assembly comprising: a round flange formed of rigid electrically insulating material, the flange having a central longitudinal hole therethrough encircling the vertical support pole tube, the flange being fixedly attached to the tube adjacent the third aperture such that the upper surface of the flange is in touching weight bearing relationship with the bottom surface of the rotary bushing whereby supporting the .Iadd.air circulating .Iaddend.fan and rotatable contact assembly while simultaneously allowing the .Iadd.air circulating .Iaddend.fan to revolve freely around the support pole; a pair of spaced apart concentric electrical contact tracks concentrically mounted to the upper surface of the flange such that a track is contacted by a wiper to maintain electrical continuity regardless of the angular position of the rotatable contact assembly relative to the stationary contact assembly, each contact track having terminal means extending therefrom, the terminal means also extending through the third aperture of the vertical support pole tube wall, the track terminal means being operatively connected to the power cord such that closing the switching means contacts allows electrical current to flow through the contact tracks to the wiper contacts then through the power supply leads to energize the motor; and   a stationary rail coaxially encircling the vertical support post tube, the rail being in cooperative frictional contact with the rubber drive wheel of the .Iadd.air circulating .Iaddend.fan whereby rotation of the drive wheel causes the fan and rotatable electrical contact assembly to revolve around the vertical support post.   
     
     
       2. .[.A pole mounted revolving.]. .Iadd.An .Iaddend.air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.for inducing air movement within an air mass by use of a rotating impeller which .[.simultaneously revolves around.]. .Iadd.moves about .Iaddend.a vertical axis, .[.the pole mounted.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.comprising: a support pole extending substantially vertically upwardly from a mounting floor surface to a mounting ceiling surface, the ends of the support pole frictionally engaging the mounting surfaces .[.whereby.]. .Iadd.thereby .Iaddend.wedging .[.the.]. .Iadd.said support .Iaddend.pole in place to prevent unwanted movement .[.thereof.]. .Iadd.of said support pole, said support pole including adjustment means for accommodating vertical adjustment of said support pole, and locking means for preventing said adjustment so as to maintain a selected length which facilitates frictional engagement of said support pole between the mounting floor and ceiling surface.Iaddend.;   an electric fan .[.revolvedly.]. .Iadd.having a housing means rotatably .Iaddend.connected to .[.the vertical.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.support pole such that .[.the.]. .Iadd.said electrical .Iaddend.fan may .[.revolve around.]. .Iadd.move in a path concentric to .Iaddend.the longitudinal axis of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said support .Iaddend.pole; .[.and .].   .Iadd.electro-mechanical .Iaddend.drive means .[.for moving the.]. .Iadd.directly coupled between said housing means and said support pole and adapted to move said electrical .Iaddend.fan .[.around the vertical.]. .Iadd.on said path concentric to the axis of said .Iaddend.support pole .Iadd.without the assistance of air pressure produced by rotation of the fan; and .Iaddend.   .[.a rotatable electrical contact assembly mounted on the fan; and.].   .[.a stationary.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.electrical .[.contact.]. .Iadd.supply .Iaddend.assembly mounted on .[.the vertical.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.support pole, .Iadd.and connected .Iaddend.to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said electrical .Iaddend.fan, the .[.stationary.]. .Iadd.electrical supply .Iaddend.assembly .[.cooperating with the rotatable electrical contact assembly to supply.]. .Iadd.for supplying .Iaddend.electrical energy to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said electrical .Iaddend.fan as it .[.revolves around.]. .Iadd.moves in the path concentric to the axis of .Iaddend..[.the vertical.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.support pole. .[.   
     
     
       3.  The pole mounted revolving air circulating fan of claim 2 wherein the vertical support pole comprises a hollow tube having a planar foot fixedly connected to the lower end thereof, the foot frictionally engaging the floor surface and a telescoping extensible rod longitudinally mounted to the upper end of the tube, the telescoping rod having locking means whereby longitudinal movement of the rod relative the tube may be prevented, the free end of the rod having a planar pad fixedly connected thereto, the pad frictionally engaging the ceiling surface..]. 
     
     
       4. The .[.pole mounted revolving.]. AIR circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.17 .Iaddend.wherein the vertical support pole further includes manually actuated circuit switching means including a set of toggling switch contacts, the switching means also including terminal means operatively connected to the contacts, the switching means being fixedly mounted on the tube. 
     
     
       5. The .[.pole mounted revolving.]. air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of claim 4 and additionally including electrical power cord means operatively connected at one end to a source of electrical energy, the power cord means being operatively connected at the other end to the circuit switching terminal means. 
     
     
       6. The .[.pole mounted revolving.]. air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of claim 5 wherein .[.the.]. .Iadd.said electrical .Iaddend.fan comprises a rotary air impeller, a motor housing, an electric motor mounted within the housing, a longitudinal drive shaft projecting horizontally from both ends .Iadd.of .Iaddend. the motor, the shaft also projecting from both ends of the motor housing, the shaft being fixedly connected at one end .[.to.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend. the impeller such that rotation of the shaft drives the impeller .[.for inducing movement in the surround air.].. 
     
     
       7. The .[.pole mounted revolving.]. air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of claim 6 wherein the motor housing is generally cylindrically shaped, having a blunt front end and a substantially conical back end. 
     
     
       8. The .[.pole mounted revolving.]. air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of claim 7 wherein the motor further includes electric power supply leads extending therefrom. 
     
     
       9. The .[.pole mounted revolving.]. air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of claim 8 and further including a blade guard enclosing the impeller to prevent injury from contact .[.therewith.]. .Iadd.with said impeller.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       10. The .[.pole mounted revolving.]. air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of claim 9 wherein the blade guard comprises a substantially annularly shaped cage constructed of wire rods with essentially planar front and back ends, the ends being parallel with each other, the back end having a central hole therethrough wherethrough the front end of the motor housing extends, the blade guard also having bracket means formed thereon adjacent the central hole whereby the blade guard is connected to the motor housing. 
     
     
       11. The .[.pole mounted revolving.]. air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of claim 10 wherein the drive means comprises a slightly compressible rubber drive wheel fixedly coaxially connected to the free end of the drive shaft, a stationary rail coaxially encircling the vertical support post tube, the stationary rail being in cooperative frictional contact with the rubber drive wheel whereby rotation of the drive wheel causes .[.the.]. .Iadd.said electrical .Iaddend.fan to revolve around the vertical support post. 
     
     
       12. The .[.pole mounted revolving.]. air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of claim 11 wherein the rotatable contact assembly comprises a contact housing integrally formed on the motor housing, a rotary bushing formed of rigid electrically insulating material fixedly coaxially mounted inside the contact housing, the bushing being rotationally mounted on the vertical support pole tube such that the bushing and attached .Iadd.said electrical .Iaddend.fan may rotate freely about the support pole, the bushing having an integrally formed flat arm projecting radially outwardly .[.therefrom.]. .Iadd.from said bushing and .Iaddend.located inside the contact housing, the bushing further having a pair of electrical wiper contacts fixedly attached to the underside of the radial arm, the wiper contacts each having an electrical terminal fixedly connected thereto, the terminals extending upwardly through the radial arm to project slightly above the top of the radial arm, the terminals each being operatively connected to one of the motor power supply leads. 
     
     
       13. The .[.pole mounted revolving.]. air circulating fan .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of claim 12 wherein the stationary electrical contact assembly comprises a round flange formed of rigid electrically insulating material, the flange having a central longitudinal hole therethrough encircling the vertical support pole tube, the flange being fixedly attached to the tube such that the upper surface of the flange is in touching weight bearing relationship with the bottom surface of the rotary bushing whereby supporting .[.the.]. .Iadd.said electrical .Iaddend.fan and rotatable contact assembly while simultaneously allowing .[.the.]. .Iadd.said electrical .Iaddend.fan to revolve freely around the support pole, the stationary contact assembly also includes a pair of spaced apart concentric electrical contact tracks concentrically mounted to the upper surface of the flange such that a track is contacted by a wiper to maintain electrical continuity regardless of the angular position of the rotatable contact assembly relative to the stationary contact assembly, each contact track having terminal means extending therefrom, the track terminal means being operatively connected to the power cord such that closing the switching means contacts allows electrical current to flow through the contact tracks to the wiper contacts then through the power supply leads to energize the motor. .Iadd. 
     
     
       14.  The air circulating fan means of claim 2 wherein said pole comprises telescoping sections between said ends of said pole, and said locking means prevents telescoping movement between said sections. .Iaddend..Iadd.15. The air circulating fan means of claim 14 including a planar foot fixedly connected to a lower end of said pole, and a planar 
     
     
        pad fixedly connected to an upper end of said pole. .Iaddend..Iadd.16. The air circulating fan means of claim 2 wherein said concentric path extends completely around said vertical support pole, and said electrical supply assembly comprises a rotatable electrical contact assembly mounted on said electrical fan, and a stationary electrical contact assembly mounted on the vertical pole, the stationary contact assembly cooperating with the rotatable electrical contact assembly as said electric fan revolves around the vertical support pole. .Iaddend..Iadd.17. The air circulating fan means of claim 16 wherein said support pole comprises a hollow tube, a telescoping extensible rod longitudinally mounted to an upper end of said tube, a planar foot fixedly connected to a lower end of said tube and engaging said floor surface, and a planar pad fixedly connected to an upper end of said pole and engaging said ceiling surface. .Iaddend.