FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
AND
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“RACK AND PINION CONFIGURATION FOR ADJUSTING THE OSCILLATOR RANGE OF A FAN”
We, Bajaj Electricals Limited, an Indian National, of 45/47, Veer
Nariman Road, Fort Mumbai- 400001, India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of consumer electronic goods. In particular, the present invention relates to fans, more particularly, a rack and pinion configuration for adjusting the oscillator range of a head of a fan.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, table fans, wall fans or pedestal fans have a base with a vertical stand to which a motor housing is mounted. The motor housing further mounts the fan blades. When the motor is turned on, the fan blades rotate to generate air movement. Furthermore, the fan blades are housed inside a fan outlet for safety purposes. The fan usually includes a control to switch on or off the swing operation of the fan. When the swing control is switched on, the fan outlet oscillates in a fixed pre¬defined fixed arc. Typically, such fans have a single non-adjustable arc.
In general, the fan outlet oscillates to cover a maximum area of the room in which the fan is placed. Conventionally, the fans utilize a gearbox mechanism or a linkage mechanism to achieve the desired oscillation range. For example, the conventional electric fans generally oscillate or swing in a fixed non-adjustable angle range of 80 to 100 degrees.
However, the conventional fan outlet can oscillate only in the fixed range of motion. For example, when a user switches on the swing operation, the fan outlet starts oscillating but only in the pre-defined fixed range of motion. In real-life situations, different users may require different oscillation angles as per their requirement. There is no such option for the user to change the oscillation range of the fan outlet of the electric fan.
In light of the above, there is a need in the art for fan configuration with a simple variable oscillation mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is not intended to identify the essential features of the invention nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rack and pinion configuration for adjusting the oscillator range of a head of a fan, the rack and pinion configuration comprising: a link-bar having a first end and second end, the first end connected to at least a raised portion of a slider, and the second end connected to at least a part of a fan motor housing; a pivot having a flat surface, wherein the flat surface is adapted to enable the slider to slide along a linear path; a control knob rotatable around an axis; a pinion gear affixed to the control knob and in meshing arrangement with a rack in the slider, wherein the rack comprising a first end and a second end; wherein the oscillator range of the head of the fan can be adjusted by changing the position of the slider between a first position on the flat surface and a second position on the flat surface.
In an aspect of the present invention, in the rack and pinion configuration, the slider is adapted to move between a first position on the flat surface and a second position on the flat surface.
In an aspect of the present invention, in the rack and pinion configuration, the control knob is adapted to facilitate the travel of the slider between a first position on the flat surface and a second position on the flat surface.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for adjusting the oscillator range of the head of the fan, the method comprising: rotating a control knob for facilitating the travel of a slider between a first position on a flat surface and a second position on the flat surface, said control knob, slider, and flat surface

comprised in a rack and pinion configuration, the rack and pinion configuration comprising: a link-bar having a first end and second end, the first end connected to at least a raised portion of a slider, and the second end connected to at least a part of a fan motor housing; a pivot having a flat surface, wherein the flat surface is adapted to enable the slider to slide along a linear path; a control knob rotatable around an axis; a pinion gear affixed to the control knob and in meshing arrangement with a rack in the slider, wherein the rack comprising a first end and a second end; wherein the oscillator range of the head of the fan can be adjusted by changing the position of the first end of the link-bar between a first position on the flat surface and a second position on the flat surface.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fan system comprising a fan; and a rack and pinion configuration for adjusting the oscillator range of a head of a fan, the rack and pinion configuration comprising: a link-bar having a first end and second end, the first end connected to at least a raised portion of a slider, and the second end connected to at least a part of a fan motor housing; a pivot having a flat surface, wherein the flat surface is adapted to enable the slider to slide along a linear path; a control knob rotatable around an axis; a pinion gear affixed to the control knob and in meshing arrangement with a rack in the slider, wherein the rack comprising a first end and a second end; wherein the oscillator range of the head of the fan can be adjusted by changing the position of the first end of the link-bar between a first position on the flat surface and a second position on the flat surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by reference to the drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specific embodiments presented herein

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a rack and pinion configuration for adjusting oscillator range of a head of a fan, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of a fan system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a side view of the fan system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Those skilled in the art will be aware that the invention described herein is subject to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention described herein includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all such features referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said features.
For convenience, before further description of the present invention, certain terms employed in the specification, examples are collected here. These definitions should be read in light of the remainder of the disclosure and understood as by a person of skill in the art. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The terms used throughout this specification are defined as follows, unless otherwise limited in specific instances.
As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein, which are intended for the purposes of exemplification only.
The present invention provides a rack and pinon based configuration 100 for adjusting the oscillator range of a head of a fan, the rack and pinion configuration comprising: a link-bar having a first end and a second end (not shown), the first end connected to at least a raised portion 110 of a slider 102, and the second end connected to at least a part of a fan motor housing; a pivot 104 having a flat surface 104a, wherein the flat surface 104a is adapted to enable the slider 102 to slide along a linear path; a control knob 108 rotatable around an axis; a pinion gear 112 affixed to the control knob 108 and in meshing arrangement with a rack 114 in the slider 102, wherein the rack 114 comprising a first end 114a and a second end 114b; wherein the oscillator range of the head of the fan can be adjusted by changing the position of the slider 102 between a first position on the flat surface 104a and a second position on the flat surface 104a.
In an embodiment, the link-bar is essentially a metal strip. In another embodiment, the link bar is essentially a metal rod. In a preferred embodiment, the first end and the second end of the link bar connecting with at least a raised portion 110 the slider 102 and at least a part of the fan motor housing respectively, are on different planes. In a preferred embodiment, the first end of the link bar connecting with at least a raised portion 110 the slider 102 is at a lower plane compared to the second end of the link-bar connecting to at least part of the fan motor housing. In an embodiment, the link-bar can have at least a curved section, and at least a straight section. In an embodiment, the link-bar can be a single curved section. In another embodiment, the link-bar can comprise of at least two or more curved sections of same or different radii of curvature defining each of the curves. In yet another embodiment, the link-bar can be a single straight section. In another embodiment, the link-bar can comprise at least two or more straight sections, each section connected with the adjacent section at an angle. In an embodiment, the multiple straight sections can be of same or different lengths.

The fan motor housing houses a fan motor (not shown). In general, the fan motor within the fan motor housing rotates a spindle (not shown in figures). It is emphasized that one end of the spindle is attached to the fan motor housing and the other end of the spindle is attached to the fan blades. Upon rotation of the spindle, the fan blades also rotate to provide the air flow.
The rack and pinion configuration 100 comprises a rack 114 in the slider 102 having a first end 114a and a second end 114b. The rack 114 is in meshing arrangement with a pinion gear 112 affixed to a control knob 108. The control knob is capable of effecting linear movement of the slider 102 by rotating the pinion gear 112. The slider 102 is adapted to travel between a first position on the flat surface 104a and a second position on the flat surface 104a, due to rotation of the pinion gear 112 by the control knob 108. It is further emphasized that due to rotation of pinion gear 112 by the control knob 108, the pinion gear 112 travels between the first end 114a and 114b. The travel distance of the pinion gear 112 between a first and a second position on the flat surface 104a is facilitated by the rotary action of the control knob 108. In an embodiment, the control knob 108 can be rotated in clockwise direction. In another embodiment, the control knob 108 can be rotated in anticlockwise direction.
The oscillator range of the head of the fan can be adjusted by changing the position of the slider 102 on the flat surface 104a between a first position and a second position. The oscillation range of the head of the fan is adjusted by changing the length between the raised portion of the slider 110 and the mid-section of the configuration from which a vertical pole (not shown) passes. In an example, the first position on the flat surface 104a corresponds to a position of the pinion 112 corresponding to the first end 114a of the rack 114 and the second position on the flat surface 104a is a position of pinion 112 corresponding to second end 114b of the rack 114. In an example, a position on the flat surface 104a of slider 102 corresponds to an oscillation arc. In an embodiment, the difference of oscillation

arc between any two adjacent positions of the slider 102 on the flat surface 104a is constant. In another embodiment, the difference of oscillation arc between any two adjacent positions of the slider 102 on the flat surface 104a can vary.
In an embodiment, the control knob 108 may be rotated clockwise to move the slider 102 between a first position and a second position on the flat surface 104a to increase the oscillation arc. In an embodiment, the control knob 108 may be rotated anticlockwise to move the slider 102 between a first position and a second position on the flat surface 104a to increase the oscillation arc.
In an embodiment, the control knob 108 may be rotated anticlockwise to move the slider 102 between a first position and a second position on the flat surface 104a to decrease the oscillation arc. In an embodiment, the control knob 108 may be rotated clockwise to move the slider 102 between a first position and a second position on the flat surface 104a to decrease the oscillation arc.
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a rack and pinion configuration for adjusting oscillator range of a head of a fan, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary non limiting example of the present invention, as seen in Figure 1, the rack and pinion configuration 100 essentially comprises a link-bar (not shown) having a first end and a second end and a slider 102. The first end of the link-bar is connected to at least a raised portion 110 of a slider 102. The second end of the link-bar is connected to at least a part of a fan motor housing (not shown). The slider 102 is adapted to move between a first position on the flat surface 104a and a second position on the flat surface 104b. The rack and pinion configuration 100 further comprises a pivot 104, a control knob 108, a pinion gear 112 and a rack 114 in the slider 102.
The pivot 104 has a flat surface 104a such that the flat surface 104a is adapted to enable the slider 102 to slide along a linear path. The control knob 108 is rotatable around an axis and the pinion gear 112 is affixed thereto. The pinon gear 112 is in

meshing arrangement with the rack 114 in the slider 102. The rack 114 comprises a first end 114a and a second end 114b. The position of the slider 102 on the flat surface 104a can be changed by rotating the control knob 108 (thereby rotating the pinion gear 112). Change in distance of the pinion gear 112 from the first end 114a or the second end 114b of the rack 114, changes the position of the slider 102 on the flat surface 104a which, in turn, changes the oscillator range of the head of the fan.
The present invention also provides a fan system (not shown), comprising a fan (not shown) and a rack and pinon-based configuration 100 as described substantially in the present disclosure. In a particular non-limiting exemplary example, the fan system is a pedestal fan comprising a base, a vertical rod (which can be telescopic), a fan motor body and fan blades. The fan may also comprise a switch assembly comprising at least a switch to control one or more functions of the fan, such as, but not limited to, switching the fan on or off, control speed of fan blades, switching the fan oscillator on or off. In an embodiment, the switch function may also be remotely operable. In an embodiment, the fan is a table fan. In another embodiment, the fan is a wall mounted fan. It is understood that in case where the fan is a wall mounted fan or a table fan, the fan may not comprise a vertical rod.
Figure 2 is an exploded view 200 of a fan system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The fan system comprises a front guard 202, a blade lock nut 204, a guard ring 206, fan blades 208, a guard lock nut 210, a back guard 212, a control panel 214, a front lid 216, the rack and pinion configuration 100, a link bar 218, a fan motor housing 220, a motor cowl 222, and a swing selector 224. Figure 3 is a side view 300 of the fan system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The fan blades 208 are assembled within the front guard 202 and the back guard 212 using the blade lock nut 204 and the guard lock nut 210 to prevent a user from accidentally coming in contact with the fan blades 208, especially when the fan

blades 208 are rotating. In addition, the guard ring 206 is positioned around the front guard 202 and the back guard 212. As depicted in Fig. 2, the front guard 202 and the back guard 212 are suitably meshed to allow the airflow therethrough.
The control panel 214 encompasses all the electrical or electronic components required to operate the fan system. For example, the control panel 214 includes various switches that enables the user to change the speed setting of the fan blades 208. For example, the control panel 214 may include a switch S1 that sets a first speed of the fan blades 208, a switch S2 that sets a second speed of the fan blades 208, a switch S3 that sets a third speed of the fan blades 208, and a switch S4 that sets a fourth speed of the fan blades 208. Moreover, the fourth speed is more than the third speed, the third speed is more than the second speed, and the second speed is more than the first speed.
The link-bar 218 along with the configuration 100 facilitates adjustment of the oscillator range of the fan system. The motor within the fan motor housing 220 is mechanically coupled with the fan blades 208 to rotate the fan blades 208. The fan motor housing 220 is covered using the motor cowl 222 to prevent dust accumulation or damage to the motor assembly. The motor cowl 222 also has an opening for the swing selector 224.
The present invention also provides a method for adjusting the oscillator range of a head of a fan, the method comprising: rotating a control knob 108 for facilitating the travel of a slider 102 between a first position on a flat surface 104a and a second position on the flat surface 104a, whereby, the control knob 108, the slider 102, and the flat surface 104a are comprised in a rack and pinion configuration 100 as substantially described herein.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The configuration of the present invention enables users to vary the swing (oscillation) range of a fan (i.e., head of a fan) as per requirement. The configuration allows for a very high level of customized swing range, enabling the user to precisely control the swing range to an accuracy of 0.1°. In addition, the configuration facilitates varying the swing angle with very little mechanical effort.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Rack and pinion configuration
102 – Slider
104 – Pivot
104a – Flat surface
108 – Control knob
110 – Raised portion of slider
112 – Pinion gear
114 – Rack
114a – First end of rack
114b – Second end of rack
200 – Exploded view
202 – Front guard
204 – Blade lock nut
206 – Guard ring
208 – Fan blades
210 – Guard lock nut
212 – Back guard
214 – Control Panel
216 – Front lid
218 – Link bar
220 – Fan motor housing
222 – Motor cowl

224 – Swing selector 300 – Side view

I/We Claim:
1. A rack and pinion configuration (100) for adjusting the oscillator range of a
head of a fan, the rack and pinion configuration (100) comprising:
a link-bar having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to at least a raised portion (110) of a slider (102), and the second end connected to at least a part of a fan motor housing;
a pivot (104) having a flat surface (104a), wherein the flat surface (104a) is adapted to enable the slider (102) to slide along a linear path;
a control knob (108) rotatable around an axis;
a pinion gear (112) affixed to the control knob (108) and in meshing arrangement with a rack (114) in the slider (102), wherein the rack (114) comprising a first end (114a) and a second end (114b);
wherein the oscillator range of the head of the fan can be adjusted by changing the position of the slider (102) between a first position on the flat surface (104a) and a second position on the flat surface (104a).
2. The rack and pinion configuration (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slider (102) is adapted to move between a first position on the flat surface (104a) and a second position on the flat surface (104a).
3. The rack and pinion configuration (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control knob (108) is adapted to facilitate the travel of the slider (102) between a first position on the flat surface (104a) and a second position on the flat surface
(104a).
4. A method for adjusting the oscillator range of the head of the fan, the
method comprising:

rotating a control knob (108) for facilitating the travel of a slider (102) between a first position on a flat surface (104a) and a second position on the flat surface (104a), said control knob (108), slider (102), and flat surface (104a) comprised in a rack and pinion configuration (100) as claimed in claim 1.
5. A fan system, comprising:
- a fan; and
- a rack and pinon-based configuration (100) as claimed in claim 1.