US5658129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Novelty ceiling fan
Assignee: Hunter Fan Co
•
Filing: 1995-11-09
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Granted: 1997-08-19
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Expires: 2015-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A novelty ceiling fan is provided having an electric fan motor with separate stationary members and rotating surfaces, and a plurality of radially extending blades being secured to the one of the rotating surfaces. The ceiling fan also includes a tubular downrod for pivotally suspending the ceiling fan from a ceiling, and at least one electrical switch for selectively controlling the operation of the fan motor. A U-shaped mounting bracket is provided, securable to one of the stationary members of the fan motor, for detachably connecting a decorative globe to the fan motor substantially enclosing at least the lower and side surfaces. The decorative globe has upper and lower portions with the upper portion being comprised of a generally cylindrical side wall which defines an upper opening. The lower portion is selectively configured to generally depict conventional features of a novelty or cartoon character such as a bear head, the conventional features including a head, eyes, ears, a nose, a mouth and cheeks. Preselected portions of the conventional features are three dimensionally formed by the lower portion of the decorative globe. The plurality of blades have first and second sides wherein an appendage corresponding to the novelty character is provided on the first side and at least two bees are provided on the second side.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Pearce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:40
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D29/00; F04D29/26; F04D29/32; F04D29/38; F04D25/00; F04D25/02; F04D25/08; F04D25/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A novelty ceiling fan, comprising: (a) a fan motor; (b) attachment means, connected to said fan motor, for operatively attaching said fan motor to a ceiling; (c) switch means, operatively connected to said fan motor, for selectively controlling operation of said fan motor; (d) a decorative globe, having upper and lower portions, detachably connected to said fan motor, said upper portion having a generally cylindrical side wall which defines an upper opening, said lower portion depicting a face of a novelty character; and (e) a plurality of blades, with first and second sides, rotatably attached to said fan motor, said blades including an appendage corresponding to said face of said novelty character on at least one of said first and second sides.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A novelty ceiling fan, comprising: (a) a fan motor; (b) attachment means, connected to said fan motor, for operatively attaching said fan motor to a ceiling; (c) switch means, operatively connected to said fan motor, for selectively controlling operation of said fan motor; (d) a decorative globe, having upper and lower portions, detachably connected to said fan motor, said upper portion having a generally cylindrical side wall which defines an upper opening, said lower portion depicting a face of a novelty character; and (e) a plurality of blades, with first and second sides, rotatably attached to said fan motor, said blades including an appendage corresponding to said face of said novelty character on at least one of said first and second sides.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 1, wherein preselected portions of said face of said novelty character are three dimensionally defined by said lower portion of said decorative globe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 2, wherein said face of said novelty character comprises a face of a cartoon character.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 2, wherein said face of said novelty character comprises a face of a bear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 4, wherein said appendage comprises an arm portion of said bear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 4, wherein said appendage comprises a leg portion of said bear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 1, wherein said fan motor includes upper, lower and side surfaces, said surfaces being selectively rotated upon said operation of said fan motor, said fan motor further including a stationary member extending downwardly from said lower surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 7, further comprising a mounting bracket removably secured to said stationary member, said mounting bracket having first and second radially extending flange portions interconnected by a generally U-shaped portion, said U-shaped portion having a substantially flat bottom surface with a centrally located hole formed therethrough for receiving said stationary member, said first and second flange portions each having an upwardly extending generally arcuate outer lip for engaging said decorative globe, said side wall of said decorative globe detachably engaging said outer lips so as to substantially enclose at least said lower and side surfaces of said fan motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 8, wherein said switch means comprises a switch housing attached to said flat bottom surface of said U-shaped portion, said switch housing containing a fan switch and a reversing switch both electrically connected to said fan motor for selectively controlling the speed and direction of rotation of said fan motor, respectively, said switch housing substantially enclosed by said decorative globe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 1, further comprising ambient light means having a first light intensity, operatively attached to said first and second flange portions, for emitting light therefrom, said ambient light means substantially enclosed by said decorative globe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 10, further comprising night light means, operatively attached to a bottom surface of said switch housing, for illuminating said face of said novelty character, said night light means having a second light intensity less than said first light intensity of said ambient light means, said night light means substantially enclosed by said decorative globe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 11, wherein said switch housing further contains a light switch electrically connected to both said ambient light means and said night light means for selectively controlling said ambient light means and said night light means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
139 words
A novelty ceiling fan, comprising: (a) a fan motor; (b) attachment means, connected to said fan motor, for operatively attaching said fan motor to a ceiling; (c) switch means, operatively connected to said fan motor, for selectively controlling operation of said fan motor; (d) a decorative globe, having upper and lower portions, detachably connected to said fan motor, said upper portion having a generally cylindrical side wall which defines an upper opening, said lower portion selectively configured to depict conventional features of a bear head, said conventional features including a head, eyes, ears, a nose, a mouth and cheeks; and (e) a plurality of blades, with first and second sides, rotatably attached to said fan motor, said blades including an appendage corresponding to said bear head on said first side and at least one bee on said second side.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
139 words
A novelty ceiling fan, comprising: (a) a fan motor; (b) attachment means, connected to said fan motor, for operatively attaching said fan motor to a ceiling; (c) switch means, operatively connected to said fan motor, for selectively controlling operation of said fan motor; (d) a decorative globe, having upper and lower portions, detachably connected to said fan motor, said upper portion having a generally cylindrical side wall which defines an upper opening, said lower portion selectively configured to depict conventional features of a bear head, said conventional features including a head, eyes, ears, a nose, a mouth and cheeks; and (e) a plurality of blades, with first and second sides, rotatably attached to said fan motor, said blades including an appendage corresponding to said bear head on said first side and at least one bee on said second side.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 13, wherein said lower portion of said decorative globe three dimensionally defines preselected portions of said conventional features of said bear head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 14, wherein said appendage comprises an arm portion of said bear head.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 14, wherein said appendage comprises a leg portion of said bear head.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 13, wherein said fan motor includes upper, lower and side surfaces, said surfaces being selectively rotated upon said operation of said fan motor, said fan motor further including a stationary member extending downwardly from said lower surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
105 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 17, further comprising a mounting bracket removably secured to said stationary member, said mounting bracket having first and second radially extending flange portions interconnected by a generally U-shaped portion, said U-shaped portion having a substantially flat bottom surface with a centrally located hole formed therethrough for receiving said stationary member, said first and second flange portions each having upwardly extending generally arcuate outer lips for engaging said decorative globe, said side wall of said decorative globe detachably engaging said outer lips so as to substantially enclose at least said lower and side surfaces of said fan motor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
68 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 18, wherein said switch means comprises a switch housing attached to said flat bottom surface of said U-shaped portion, said switch housing containing a fan switch and a reversing switch both electrically connected to said fan motor for selectively controlling the speed and direction of rotation of said fan motor, respectively, said switch housing substantially enclosed by said decorative globe.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 19, further comprising ambient light means having a first light intensity, operatively attached to said first and second flange portions, for emitting light therefrom, said ambient light means substantially enclosed by said decorative globe.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 20, further comprising night light means, operatively attached to a bottom surface of said switch housing, for illuminating said face of said novelty character, said night light means having a second light intensity less than said first light intensity of said ambient light means, said night light means substantially enclosed by said decorative globe.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 21, wherein said switch housing further contains a light switch electrically connected to both said ambient light means and said night light means for selectively controlling said ambient light means and said night light means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
A kit of interchangeable parts for converting one novelty ceiling fan into another novelty ceiling fan, comprising: (a) a decorative globe having a preselected face of a novelty character three dimensionally formed thereon; and (b) a plurality of fan blades each having an appendage corresponding to said face of said novelty character provided thereon.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
A kit of interchangeable parts for converting one novelty ceiling fan into another novelty ceiling fan, comprising: (a) a decorative globe having a preselected face of a novelty character three dimensionally formed thereon; and (b) a plurality of fan blades each having an appendage corresponding to said face of said novelty character provided thereon.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A kit as defined in claim 23, further comprising a plurality of standard fasteners for attaching said decorative globe to said one novelty ceiling fan.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
68 words
A kit of interchangeable parts for converting one novelty ceiling fan into another novelty ceiling fan, comprising: (a) a decorative globe having a face of a bear three dimensionally formed thereon; (b) a plurality of standard fasteners for attaching said decorative globe to said one novelty ceiling fan; and (c) a plurality of fan blades each having an appendage corresponding to said face of said bear provided thereon.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
68 words
A kit of interchangeable parts for converting one novelty ceiling fan into another novelty ceiling fan, comprising: (a) a decorative globe having a face of a bear three dimensionally formed thereon; (b) a plurality of standard fasteners for attaching said decorative globe to said one novelty ceiling fan; and (c) a plurality of fan blades each having an appendage corresponding to said face of said bear provided thereon.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
70 words
A novelty ceiling fan kit, comprising: (a) a fan motor; (b) a decorative globe having a head of a novelty character with a head, ears, eyes, a nose, a mouth and cheeks three dimensionally formed thereon; (c) a plurality of standard fasteners for attaching said decorative globe to said fan motor; and (d) a plurality of blades having an appendage corresponding to said head of said novelty character provided thereon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
A novelty ceiling fan kit, comprising: (a) a fan motor; (b) a decorative globe having a head of a novelty character with a head, ears, eyes, a nose, a mouth and cheeks three dimensionally formed thereon; (c) a plurality of standard fasteners for attaching said decorative globe to said fan motor; and (d) a plurality of blades having an appendage corresponding to said head of said novelty character provided thereon.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
66 words
A novelty ceiling fan, comprising: a fan motor; at least one switch for selectively controlling operation of said fan motor; a decorative globe detachably connected to said fan motor, said globe depicting a face of a novelty character; and a plurality of blades rotatably attached to said fan motor, at least one of the blades depicting an appendage corresponding to said face of the novelty character.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
66 words
A novelty ceiling fan, comprising: a fan motor; at least one switch for selectively controlling operation of said fan motor; a decorative globe detachably connected to said fan motor, said globe depicting a face of a novelty character; and a plurality of blades rotatably attached to said fan motor, at least one of the blades depicting an appendage corresponding to said face of the novelty character.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A novelty ceiling fan as defined in claim 27, wherein preselected portions of the face of said novelty character are three-dimensionally defined by a lower portion of said decorative globe.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
A kit of interchangeable parts for converting one ceiling fan into another ceiling fan, comprising: a decorative globe depicting at least a portion of a three-dimensional head of a novelty character; and a plurality of fan blades each depicting an appendage corresponding to the head of said novelty character.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
A kit of interchangeable parts for converting one ceiling fan into another ceiling fan, comprising: a decorative globe depicting at least a portion of a three-dimensional head of a novelty character; and a plurality of fan blades each depicting an appendage corresponding to the head of said novelty character.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-18 | 2001-02-17 | 2001-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-18 | 2005-02-17 | 2005-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-18 | 2009-02-17 | 2009-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |