Insulated box fan

Abstract

An insulated box fan, which includes an outer metal housing with two vertical metal brackets to which a plastic isolator ring is attached, and which ring is also attached to the fan motor, to electrically insulate it from the fan housing, and to direct additional cooling air to the fan motor.

1. In combination with a box fan which includes a rectangular metal outer housing, at least one grill on said housing, a pair of spaced vertical metal brackets connected to said housing, a fan motor having a front casing and a rear casing, the improvement which comprises
 an electrically insulating ring,  
 said ring is connected to said fan motor rear casing by at least one screw, which passes through said ring into said rear casing, and  
 said ring is connected to said brackets by at least two screws, which pass through said brackets and are engaged in said ring.  
 
     
     
       2. A box fan as defined in  claim 1  in which said ring is of molded plastic. 
     
     
       3. A box fan as defined in  claim 1  in which said ring is of circular configuration. 
     
     
       4. A box fan as defined in  claim 1  in which said ring has rim means to direct cooling air to said fan motor to reduce its operating temperature. 
     
     
       5. An electrically insulated box fan comprising:
   a substantially rectangular metal outer housing;        at least one grill on said housing;        at least two metal brackets connected to said housing;        a fan motor comprising:      a front casing, and        a rear casing;          at least one substantially rigid electrical insulator;        said at least one substantially rigid electrical insulator directly coupled to at least one of said fan motor casings; and        said at least one substantially rigid electrical insulator coupled to at least one metal brackets by at least one attaching member, which passes through said at least one of said metal brackets and engages said at least one substantially rigid electrical insulator,        wherein said motor is electrically insulated from said metal outer housing.     
     
     
       6. The electrically insulated box fan according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one attaching member is a screw. 
     
     
       7. The electrically insulated box fan according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one insulator is coupled to a rear portion of said fan motor casing. 
     
     
       8. The electrically insulated box fan according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one insulator is formed from a polymer. 
     
     
       9. The electrically insulated box fan according to  claim 5 , wherein said box fan is also a window fan. 
     
     
       10. The electrically insulated box fan according to  claim 5 , wherein said front and/or rear casing further comprises at least one extension and said at least one electrical insulator is connected to said at least one extension. 
     
     
       11. An electrically insulated motor mount and fan combination comprising:
   a fan comprising:      a metal outer housing,        at least one grill on said housing,        at least two metal brackets connected to said housing, and        a fan motor having a front casing and a rear casing; and          at least one substantially rigid electrically insulated motor mount comprising:      a first portion coupled directly to said fan motor; and        a second portion coupled to at least one of said at least two metal brackets of said fan,          wherein said substantially rigid electrically insulated motor mount insulated said fan motor from said metal outer housing of said fan.     
     
     
       12. The combination according to  claim 11 , wherein said first portion includes a locator for positioning said electrical insulator relative to at least a portion of said fan motor. 
     
     
       13. The combination according to  claim 11 , wherein said second portion is coupled to said at least one of said brackets with at least one coupling device. 
     
     
       14. The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein said coupling device is a screw. 
     
     
       15. The combination according to  claim 11 , wherein said fan is one of a box fan and/or a window fan. 
     
     
       16. An improvement in combination with a fan which includes a metal outer housing, at least one grill on said housing, at least a pair of metal brackets connected to said housing, a fan motor having a front casing and a rear casing, the improvement comprising:
   at least one substantially rigid electrical insulator;        said at least one substantially rigid electrical insulator being coupled to only one of said front or rear casing of said fan motor; and        said at least one substantially rigid electrical insulator being coupled to at least one of said metal brackets by at least one attaching member which passes through at least one of said metal brackets and engages said at least one electrical insulator,        wherein said at least one substantially rigid electrical insulator entirely supports said fan motor relative to said metal brackets and said metal outer housing.     
     
     
       17. The improvement according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one attaching member is a screw. 
     
     
       18. The improvement according to  claim 16 , wherein said fan is one of a box fan and/or a window fan. 
     
     
       19. The improvement according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one electrical insulator is formed from a polymer. 
     
     
       20. The improvement according to  claim 16 , wherein said electrical insulator separates said fan motor casing from said metal brackets. 
     
     
       21. The improvement according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one electrical insulator completely insulates said fan motor electrically from said metal outer housing. 
     
     
       22. The improvement according to  claim 16 , wherein said rear casing further comprises at least one orifice to locate and position said at least one electrical insulator relative to said fan motor. 
     
     
       23. The improvement according to  claim 22 , wherein said at least one attaching member passes through and/or into said orifice. 
     
     
       24. The improvement according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one electrical insulator is coupled to said rear casing with at least one coupling device distinct from said attaching member. 
     
     
       25. In combination with a box fan which includes a rectangular metal outer housing, at least one grill on said housing, at least a pair of spaced metal brackets connected to said housing, a fan motor having a front casing and a rear casing, the improvement comprising:
   at least one substantially rigid electrically insulating member,        said at least one substantially rigid electrically insulating member directly coupled to said fan casing by at least one respective attaching member; and        said at least one respective attaching member passing through one of said metal brackets and into said at least one substantially rigid electrically insulating member.     
     
     
       26. An electrically insulated box fan comprising:
   a substantially rectangular metal outer housing;        at least one grill on said housing;        at least two metal brackets connected to said housing;        a fan motor comprising:      a front casing, and        a rear casing;          at least one electrical insulator for substantially rigidly supporting said fan motor;        said at least one electrical insulator directly coupled to at least one of said fan motor casings; and        said at least one electrical insulator coupled to said at least one of said metal brackets by at least one attaching member, which passes through said at least one metal bracket and engages said at least one rigid electrical insulator,        wherein said motor is electrically insulated from said metal outer housing.