DESC:Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adjustable support for ceiling fan blades which prevents the blades from sagging and drooping.
Background
The prior art blade mounting system is depicted in Fig 1. When the fan runs at a speed higher than 350 revolutions per minute the blades are subjected to centrifugal forces. In current fans the blades are mounted almost at horizontal position and the forces acting on them do not adversely affect their designed orientation. But when the blades are mounted at 45o angle the effects of centrifugal forces are detrimental on the structural stability of the blades. Because with the current system of mounting the blade rigid fastening is done only on one end of the blade by means of a component which is thicker and stronger part which bridges between blade and motor hub and the other end is left hanging.
When the blades are mounted at this angle using current way of mounting, the blades give-in to centrifugal forces at the tip and as the tip of the blade is free it tends to get pulled away from the center and sag flat. By this effect the blade loses it structural stability and designed orientation and also causes tremendous stresses on the mounting structure and deteriorates product performance.
Ceiling fan blades begin to sag downwards over time due to the combined effects of gravity and centrifugal forces during continuous use as shown in Fig 2. Thus, there is a need in the art for a cost-effective simple device that addresses the issues described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention presents a novel fan blade support device. The device may be installed on ceiling fan blades to provide support to the blade to prevent sagging and drooping. In another embodiment, the support device may be integrally installed into fan blades to prevent sagging and drooping.
The present invention makes use of a unique mounting structural design blade wherein the blade is held at two different locations that solves the problem of blades sagging due to centrifugal forces.
Therefore such as herein described there is provided an adjustable support for ceiling fan blades comprising of a plurality of fastening locations over the ceiling fan blade and the distance between two fastening positions is increased such that rigid fixing of blades covers half the length of the blade and a fan blade support T-shaped clip configured for connecting the fan blade to fan motor hub.
An object of the present invention, is to provide a support which is configured to enhance structural stability of the ceiling fan blade and is able to retain the orientation at more or less 45o angle when running at higher speeds and to overcome the effects of centrifugal forces acting on it and prevents blades from sagging flat thereby blade can push the air into mixed type of air flow pattern
In an preferred embodiment, the adjustable support for ceiling fan blade includes at least two fan blade support clips may be positioned on either end of a fan blade, and they are connected together by a connecting strap to act as a brace or support for the fan blade and further at the end of each arm there is provided a fastening mechanism that fix along the length of the blade over the central axis.
In another embodiment the disclosed fastening mechanism is of plurality of types including hook, screws, hinges or weld (permanent) to accommodate fan blades of varying thicknesses. Also the coupling strap with the fan hub is connected from a central location of the clip and further allows tension to be maintained across the coupling strap without requiring the said strap to be tied off. The strap is adjustable in length with respect to the fan blade support clips and coupling strap may be used on a variety of blade sizes and further configured to adjust the lift angle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various aspects and attendant advantages of one or more exemplary embodiments and modifications thereto will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the following drawings:
FIGS. 1 illustrates the blade mount structure as per the prior art;
FIGS. 2 illustrates the blade sagging at the impact of centrifugal forces as per the prior art;
FIGS. 3(a) illustrate theDistributed fastening system for better structural stability as an embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 3(b) illustrate theDistributed fastening positions for better structural stability as an embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As referenced above, ceiling fan blades begin to sag or droop downwards over time due to the combined effects of gravity and environmental factors such as moisture and temperature, especially in an outdoor environment.
As shown in the Figure 3 the fastening locations are given at two places instead of one and the distance between two fastening positions is increased as that rigid fixing of blades covers half the length of the blade. This arrangement drastically increases structural stability of the blade and is able to retain the orientation at more or less 45o angle when running at higher speeds. As the blade is being held at two different locations it also overcomes the effects of centrifugal forces acting on it and prevents blades from sagging flat thereby blade can push the air into mixed type of air flow pattern.
The blade mounting system is installed to support a fan blade. The embodiment of the fan blade support clip is shown as a T-shaped clip, although other clip shapes may be used. Two fan blade support clips may be positioned on either end of a fan blade, and they may be connected together by a connecting strap to act as a brace or support for the fan blade. The tension provided by the strap negates the centrifugal and gravitational effects that would otherwise cause a blade to sag downward.
Referring to FIG. 3(b), the T-shaped clip includes two arms that form a T shape. At the end of each arm is a fastening mechanism that fix along the length of the blade over the cental axis. The fastening mechanism may be of plurality of types including hook, screws, hunges or weld (permanent) to accommodate fan blades of varying thicknesses.
The coupling strap with the fan hub is connected from a central location of the clip. This would allow tension to be maintained across the coupling strap without requiring the said strap to be tied off. Because the strap may be adjustable in length, the fan blade support clips and coupling strap may be used on a variety of blade sizes. The coupling strap can therefore adjust the lift angle without much effort. The coupling strap may be made from a rigid material such as a but not limited to steel or similar material. It could also be a cable or a solid material like a metal or plastic rod. The end attachments could be made with a screw, clip or other adjustable means.
Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made in complete specification, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

,CLAIMS:1. An adjustable support for ceiling fan blades comprising of:
a plurality of fastening locations over the ceiling fan blade and the distance between two fastening positions is increased such that rigid fixing of blades covers half the length of the blade; and
a fan blade support T-shaped clip configured for connecting the fan blade to fan motor hub.
2. The adjustable support for ceiling fan blade as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support is configured to enhance structural stability of the ceiling fan blade and is able to retain the orientation at more or less 45o angle when running at higher speeds
3. The adjustable support for ceiling fan blade as claimed in claim 1, wherein said blade is being fastened at preferably two different locations configured to overcome the effects of centrifugal forces acting on it and prevents blades from sagging flat thereby blade can push the air into mixed type of air flow pattern
4. The adjustable support for ceiling fan blade as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two fan blade support clips may be positioned on either end of a fan blade, and they are connected together by a connecting strap to act as a brace or support for the fan blade.
5. The adjustable support for ceiling fan blade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the T-shaped clip includes two arms that form a T shape.
6. The adjustable support for ceiling fan blade as claimed in claim 5, wherein at the end of each arm there is provided a fastening mechanism that fix along the length of the blade over the central axis.
7. The adjustable support for ceiling fan blade as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said fastening mechanism is of plurality of types including hook, screws, hinges or weld (permanent) to accommodate fan blades of varying thicknesses.
8. The adjustable support for ceiling fan blade as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said coupling strap with the fan hub is connected from a central location of the clip and further allows tension to be maintained across the coupling strap without requiring the said strap to be tied off.
9. The adjustable support for ceiling fan blade as claimed in claim 8, wherein said strap is adjustable in length with respect to the fan blade support clips and coupling strap may be used on a variety of blade sizes and further configured to adjust the lift angle.
10. The adjustable support for ceiling fan blade as claimed in claim 9, wherein the coupling strap is made from a rigid material such as a but not limited to steel or a cable or a solid material like a metal or plastic rod and the end attachments are made with a screw, clip or other adjustable means.