FAN ASSEMBLY

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/692,762, filed Sep. 10, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a fan and more particularly to an adjustable and stowable fan.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly including: a base configured to rest upon a horizontal ground surface; a first arm extending between a first end and a second end, the first arm coupled to the base at the first end of the first arm; a fan housing coupled to the second end of the first arm, the fan housing enclosing a plurality of fan blades therein, wherein the first arm is rotatable about a first rotational axis defined at the first end of the first arm to move the fan housing relative to the base, wherein the base is rotatable about a second axis such that the fan housing is rotatable relative to the horizontal ground surface, the second axis extending perpendicular to the horizontal ground surface and perpendicular to the first axis, and wherein a length of the first arm is adjustable such that a distance between the first and second ends of the first arm is variable.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, further including a second arm extending between a first end and a second end, the second arm coupled to the base at the first end of the second arm, wherein the fan housing is coupled to the second end of the second arm, wherein the first and second arms are collectively rotatable about the first rotational axis, and wherein a length of the second arm is adjustable such that a distance between the first and second ends of the second arm is variable.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein the fan housing is rotatable about a third axis at the second end of the first arm, wherein the third axis is parallel to the first axis.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein the base is mounted to a foot that rests upon the horizontal ground surface and is non-rotatable relative to the ground surface.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein the fan housing includes a rear grille through which air is drawn into the fan housing and a front grille through which air through which air is expelled from the housing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein the fan housing is movable relative to the base between a stowed position stowed position and a use position, wherein, in the stowed position, the front grille of the fan housing is substantially parallel to an upper surface of the base.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein, in the use position, the front grille is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the base.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein, in the use position, the front grille is rotatable about a third axis at the end of the first arm, wherein the third axis is parallel to the first axis.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, further including a handle coupled to the fan housing and configured to accommodate carrying of the fan assembly, wherein the handle is located above a remainder of the fan assembly in the use position.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein a rechargeable battery pack is coupled to the base and is configured to provide power to rotate the fan blades within the fan housing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly including: a base having a lower surface configured to rest upon a horizontal ground surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface; an arm extending between a first end and a second end, the first arm coupled to the base at the first end of the first arm; a fan housing coupled to the second end of the first arm and defining an airflow chamber extending between a forward side and a rear side, the fan housing enclosing a plurality of fan blades therein, wherein the fan housing is movable relative to the base between a stowed position and a use position, wherein, in the stowed position, the rear side of the fan housing is substantially coplanar with the lower surface of the base and the forward side of the fan housing is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the base, and wherein, in the use position, each of the forward side and the rear side are located vertically above the upper surface of the base.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein, in the stowed position, when the lower surface rests upon the horizontal ground surface, no portion of the fan housing is located vertically above base.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein, in the stowed position, when the lower surface rests upon the horizontal ground surface, the fan housing has a greater height above the horizontal ground surface than the base.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, further including a rechargeable battery pack coupled to the base, wherein, in the stowed position, when the lower surface rests upon the horizontal ground surface, the battery pack coupled to the base has a greater height above the horizontal ground surface than the base and the fan housing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein the fan housing includes a rear grille through which air is drawn into the fan housing and a front grille through which air through which air is expelled from the housing, wherein the front housing defines the forward side of the fan and the rear grill defines the rear side of the fan.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein the arm is a first arm, the fan assembly further including a second arm coupled to the base at a first end of the second arm and to the fan housing at the second end of the second arm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly including: a support post extending along a longitudinal axis between an upper end and a lower end; a fan housing coupled to the upper end of the support post, the fan housing having a plurality of fan blades positioned therein; a battery receptacle coupled to the lower end of the support post; a plurality of arms configured to deploy from a stowed position in which the plurality of arms extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis between the upper end and the lower end of the support post to a deployed position in which the plurality of arms forms a tripod having a plurality of ground engaging surfaces configured to collectively rest on a horizontal ground surface; and an oscillation mechanism that extends at least partially within the support post, the oscillation mechanism including a motor, a gear train, and an output mechanism configured to rotate the fan housing relative to the support post.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, further including a first handle coupled to the fan housing and a second handle coupled to the plurality of arms, wherein the second handle is configured to move relative to the first handle with the plurality of arms when the plurality of arms are deployed from the stowed position to the deployed position.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, wherein the second handle includes a user interface mounted thereon, wherein the user interface is configured to adjust a fan speed of the fan blades.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a fan assembly, further including a yoke coupling the upper end of the support post to the fan housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fan assembly in a stowed position.

FIG. 2 illustrates the fan assembly of FIG. 1 in a first use position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the fan assembly of FIG. 1 in a second use position, extended relative to the first use position.

FIG. 4 illustrates the fan assembly of FIG. 1 in the second use position, rotated via oscillation.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the fan assembly of FIG. 1 in the stowed position.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the fan assembly of FIG. 1 in the first use position.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a fan assembly having arms in a stowed position.

FIG. 8 illustrates the fan assembly of FIG. 7 with the arms in a deployed position.

FIG. 9A is a front view of a fan blade of a first size.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional side view of a distal edge of the fan blade of FIG. 9A adjacent a fan housing.

FIG. 9C is a front view of a fan blade of a second size.

FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional side view of a distal edge of the fan blade of FIG. 9C adjacent a fan housing.

FIG. 10 illustrates a second type of fan blade.

FIG. 11 illustrates a third type of fan blade.

FIG. 12 illustrates a fourth type of fan blade.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a fan assembly.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a yet further embodiment of a fan assembly.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a portable cooling system or fan assembly 10, according to a first embodiment. The fan assembly 10 may be powered by a battery pack 14 (FIG. 2), also referred to as a removable battery pack. The battery pack 14 may be one or more power tool battery packs generally used to power a power tool, such as an electric drill, a light, a vacuum, a radio, an electric saw, and the like (e.g., an 18-volt rechargeable battery pack, or an M18 REDLITHIUM battery pack sold by Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation). The battery pack 14 may include lithium ion (Li-ion) cells. In alternate embodiments, the battery packs may be of a different chemistry (e.g., nickel-cadmium (NiCa or NiCad), nickel-hydride, and the like). The battery pack 14 may be an 18-volt battery pack, a 4-volt battery pack, a 28-volt battery pack, a 40-volt battery pack, or a battery pack of any other voltage such that the capacity of the battery pack may vary. The battery pack 14 may further include an indicator to display the current state of charge of the battery pack and/or other characteristics of the battery pack. The fan assembly 10 further includes a battery receptacle 16 that receives the battery pack 14.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-6, the fan assembly 10 is configured to provide airflow to one or more users and/or an area, such as a workspace, a workshop, a jobsite, or the like. The fan assembly 10 includes a shroud or housing 18 supporting a front grille 22 (a forward side through which air is expelled from the housing 18), a rear grille 24 (a rear side through which air is drawn into the housing 18, visually similar to the front grille 22), a fan 26 (e.g., blades) rotatably supported and enclosed within the housing 18, and a handle 30. The fan housing 18 defines an airflow chamber extending between the two grilles 22, 24. In some embodiments, the handle 30 is configured to accommodate carrying of the fan assembly 10. In the present embodiment, the handle 30 is located above the remainder of the housing 18 when in a use position (e.g., FIG. 2, FIG. 3). Additionally, or alternatively, another handle may be provided on another part of the fan assembly 10, such that the handle 30 may be primarily or solely used to adjust a position (e.g., an angle, a height, etc.) of the housing 18. The fan 26 is configured to generate an airflow, drawing air into the rear grille 24, through the housing 18, and out the front grille 22.

The fan assembly 10 further includes a base 34 that is spaced apart from the housing 18 and coupled to the housing 18 via an adjustable frame assembly or frame 42 that extends between the base 34 and the housing 18. The base 34 includes a lower surface 34A that is in contact with the ground surface (or adjacent to the ground surface if the base 34 receives an intervening foot 72), an upper surface 34B opposite the lower surface 34A and generally parallel to the lower surface 34A and ground surface, and a sidewall 34C that connects the lower and upper surfaces 34A, 34B. In the embodiment shown, the base 34 is generally semicircular in shape (or half-racetrack-shaped) when viewed from above, though may be otherwise shaped in other embodiments. The receptacle 16 for the battery pack 14 is formed within the sidewall 34C on a rear edge of the sidewall 34C, opposite the flat of the semicircular shape.

The frame 42 includes a first telescoping member or first arm 44 coupled to the base 34 at a first end 44A of the first arm 44 and to the housing 18 at an opposite second end 44B of the first arm. A second telescoping member or second arm 48 extends parallel to the first arm 44 on an opposing side of the base 34 and housing 18 such that first and second ends 48A, 48B are coupled to the base 34 and housing 18, respectively, similar to the first arm 44. The arms 44, 48 are rotatably coupled to the base 34 at their respective first ends 44A, 48A about a shared rotational axis A1 such that the housing 18 is rotatable about the axis A1 relative to the base 34. In some embodiments, a friction hinge (not shown) coupled to the two arms 44, 48 within the base functions as the mechanism for rotation. In other embodiments, a shaft or cylindrical protrusions at the first ends 44A, 48A interface with the base 34 to facilitate rotation. In some embodiments, the arms 44, 48 include two or more nested arm portions slidably received within one another to provide telescopic height adjustment of the housing 18 relative to the base 34, as shown in the difference between FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 42 includes a first arm 44 and a second arm 48. In other embodiments, the frame 42 may only include a first arm 44 (or only a second arm 48), or may include more than two (e.g., three, four, etc.) arms.

The telescoping arms 44, 48 are adjustable in length between a minimum height (FIG. 2) and a maximum height (FIG. 3) and are selectively locked or held in a desired position (e.g., desired height) by a height adjustment mechanism, such as a height lock (e.g., a ball detent, a clamp lock, a lock using magnets, a lock using a pressure fit, a lock using a friction fit etc.). The telescoping arms 44, 48 therefore have a length that is adjustable such that a distance between the first and second ends of the arms 44, 48 is variable. In some embodiments, the arms 44, 48 are lockable at the minimum and maximum positions. In some embodiments, the arms 44, 48 are further lockable at discrete positions (e.g., having a detent) between the minimum and maximum positions. In still other embodiments, the arms 44, 48 are lockable at an infinite number of positions between the minimum and maximum positions. In other embodiments, the frame 42 may include more than two arms moveably coupled to one another. For example, the frame 42 may include three or more telescoping and/or adjustable arm-like members. The height lock may align with an aperture in one or more of the first arms 44 and the second arms 48 to inhibit relative movement between a respective first arm 44. A crossbar extends between the two arms 44 at a height between the base 34 and the housing 18.

In the illustrated embodiment, one or more of the housing 18 and the base 34 supports a user interface 50 in communication with a motor (e.g., electric motor) that can be powered by a DC power source (e.g., a power tool battery back), such as the battery pack 14, or an AC power source (e.g., a wall outlet). The fan 26 is rotated by the motor to generate airflow. The user interface 50 may include a button, a switch, a toggle, or another selector that allows a user to interact and thus control an operation (e.g., fan speed) of the fan assembly 10. In some embodiments, the user interface 50 includes a variable speed user interface. An oscillation mechanism includes a further motor (e.g., an electric motor, a stepper motor) used with a drive train (e.g., gear train) to drive oscillation of the housing 18 relative to the ground surface. In some embodiments, the position of the fan housing 18 within its oscillation is limited or controlled via mechanical stops, photo sensors, limit switches, or via counting turns of a stepper motor.

In some embodiments, the base 34 is mounted to a foot 72 (i.e., one or more feet) that rests upon the ground surface and is non-rotatable relative to the ground surface. The foot 72 is positioned below the base 34 and extends from the base 34 to the ground surface. The base 34 and fan housing 18 are collectively rotatable relative to the foot about a rotational axis A2 that is perpendicular to the horizontal ground surface and perpendicular to the first axis A1. The second axis A2 is substantially vertical. By rotating about the second axis A2, the fan housing 18 (and fan blades 26 therein) is capable of oscillating about the axis A2, as illustrated in the rotation between FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. In other embodiments, the foot 72 may be omitted and replaced by one or more rollers (e.g., wheels) mounted to an underside of the base 34 such that the base 34 is rotatable relative to the ground surface about the axis A2 via the rollers.

In some embodiments, the housing 18 is rotatable relative to the arms 44, 48 such that the orientation of the airflow outlet (through the front grille 22) and inlet (through the rear grille 24) is adjustable to direct the airflow generated by the fan blades 26 higher or lower. The housing 18 is rotatable about a third axis A3 defined at the second ends 44B, 48B of the arms 44, 48, respectively and is parallel to the first axis A1. A mechanism for providing rotation between the housing 18 and the arms 44, 48 may be similar to the mechanism (e.g., friction hinge, etc.) that provides rotatability of the arms 44, 48 relative to the base. In some embodiments, the housing 18 may be driven (e.g., by a motor) to oscillate about the third axis A3.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6 (which correspond to the positions shown in FIGS. 1-2, respectively), with the base 34 remaining stationary, the housing 18 is configured to move from a stowed position (FIG. 5) to a first use position (FIG. 6) by rotating the housing 18 and arms 44, 48 about the first axis A1. In the stowed position, the overall height of the fan assembly 10 is significantly decreased relative to the use position as the entirety of the housing 18 is offset (i.e., not above) the base 34. The overall height of the fan assembly 10 is merely the thickness of the housing 18 between the front grille 22 and the rear grille 24. In the stowed position, the rear grille 24 is substantially coplanar with the lower surface 34A of the base 34 and the front grille 22 is adjacent to and parallel to the upper surface 34B of the base 34.

In contrast, in the first use position shown in FIG. 6 (and also shown in FIG. 2) and the second use position shown in FIG. 3, the housing 18 is located above the base 34 (i.e., the base 34 is located between the housing 18 and the horizontal ground surface upon which the base 34 rests) and the front and rear grilles 22, 24 are transverse to the lower and upper surfaces 34A, 34B of the base 34. In some embodiments, the entirety of the housing 18 is located above the base 34 in the use position. While the housing 18 is rotatable relative to the base 34 (about axis A3) to a plurality of different angles in the use position, one of these angles orients the front grille 22 perpendicular to the upper surface 34B of the base 34, and therefore rotated 90 degrees relative to the orientation of the housing 18 in the stowed position.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate a portable cooling system or fan assembly 110, according to a second embodiment. The fan assembly 110 may be powered by a battery pack 114, also referred to as a removable battery pack, similar to the battery pack 14 described with respect to FIGS. 1-6. The fan assembly 110 further includes a battery receptacle 116 that receives the battery pack 114. The fan assembly 110 is configured to provide airflow to one or more users and/or an area, such as a workspace, a workshop, a jobsite, or the like. The fan assembly 110 includes a shroud or housing 118 supporting a front grille 122 (through which air is expelled from the housing 118), a rear grille 124 (through which air is drawn into the housing 118), and a fan 126 (e.g., blades) rotatably supported within the housing 118. In some embodiments, a handle 130A, 130B is configured to accommodate carrying of the fan assembly 110. In the present embodiment, the fan assembly includes two handles, a first handle 130A coupled to and located below the housing 118 and a second handle 130B coupled to a base 134. In the illustrated embodiment, the first handle 130A is oriented horizontally and the second handle 130B is oriented vertically. The fan 126 is configured to generate an airflow, drawing the airflow into the rear grille 124, through the housing 118, and out the front grille 122.

The fan assembly 110 further includes a base 134 that is spaced apart from the housing 118 and coupled to the housing 118 via an adjustable frame assembly or frame 142 that extends between the base 134 and the housing 118. The base 134 includes a lower surface 134A an upper surface 134B generally opposite to the lower surface 134A, and a sidewall 134C that connects the lower and upper surfaces 134A, 134B. In the embodiment shown, the base 134 is generally geometric in shape (formed of a plurality of angled surfaces). One or more receptacles 116 for the battery pack 114 are formed on the sidewall 134C on various sides of the geometric profile.

The frame 142 includes a support post 144 coupled to the base 134 at a first end 144A of the support post 144 and to the housing 118 at an opposite second end 144B of the support post 144, extending longitudinally (along longitudinal axis A4) between the two ends 144A, 144B. The support post 144 is a lone support post located centrally below the housing 118 and centrally above the base 134. In some embodiments, the support post 144 is rotatably coupled to the base 134 at the first end 144A and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis A4 such that the housing 118 is rotatable (with the support post 144) about the axis A4 relative to the base 134. In some embodiments, a motor is located within the base 134 with a drivetrain coupling the output of the motor to rotation of the housing 118 and, in some embodiments the support post 144 such that the housing 118 is configured to oscillate about the rotational axis A4. The motor, gear train, and output mechanism collectively define an oscillation mechanism that extends at least partially within the support post 144. The oscillation mechanism to drive rotation of the housing 118 may be located wholly within the base 134 if the support post 144 is configured to rotate (i.e., be driven by a motor and drivetrain) with the housing 118. Alternatively, if the fan housing 118 is configured to oscillate without associated rotation of the support post 144, the drive mechanism may extend vertically through (i.e., within) the support post 144. In the present embodiment, the support post 144 is a non-telescoping support post, though the height is adjustable by moving the base 134 along the length of the support post 144.

As shown, the support post 144 is coupled to the fan housing 118 via a yoke 136 that extends from a single point at the top end of the support post 144, branching out into two arms that extend around opposing sides of the fan housing 118 to attach to the fan housing 118 at opposite left and right sides of the fan housing 118. The yoke 136 is generally U-shaped, connecting to the fan housing 118 at the distal ends of the “U.” With this arrangement, the fan housing 118 is configured to rotate relative to the yoke 136 about a rotational axis A5 that extends perpendicular to the axis A4 of oscillation to orient the front grille 22 upward or downward as desired. The yoke 136 is rotatable with the fan housing 118 (and in some embodiments the support post 144) about the axis A4 in oscillation.

The frame 142 further includes a plurality of arms 148A, 148B, 148C that are deployable from a stowed position to a deployed position such that the plurality of arms 148A, 148B, 148C operate as a tripod to support the fan assembly 110 at a height such that the base 134 is spaced apart from the horizontal ground surface upon which the arms 148A, 148B, 148C rest.

The arms 148A, 148B, 148C have a generally thin-walled design so as to fit against one another in the stowed position, but each include multiple wall segments angled relative to one another to provide stability and strength when in the deployed position. As shown in the transition between FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the arms 148A, 148B, 148C are connected to one another via a collar 152 at an upper end of each of the arms 148A, 148B, 148C. The collar 152 is slidable downward along the length of the support post 144 from the stowed position to the deployed position and is slidable upward from the deployed position to the stowed position. In some embodiments, the arms 148A, 148B, 148C include a locking element (e.g., a detent) to hold the arms in each of the stowed and deployed positions. As shown in FIG. 8, in the deployed position, the arms extend around the battery pack 114 (i.e., to either side of the battery pack 114). In some embodiments, the handle 130B is coupled to the collar 152 and provides a handhold for a user to move the arms 148A, 148B, 148C between the stowed and deployed positions. In some embodiments, the handle 130 includes an input 154 (e.g., button, switch) that can be engaged by the user to disengage the locking element. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate two separate styles of inputs 154, with FIG. 7 illustrating an input 154 located on a top surface of the handle 130B and FIG. 8 illustrating an input 154 on a side surface of the handle 130B. In some embodiments, the user interface 150 for adjusting the fan speed, oscillation, etc. is located adjacent the input 154. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface 150 is instead located adjacent the first handle 130A (as shown, mounted thereon), coupled to and movable with the fan housing 118.

Each of the fan assemblies 10, 110 is sized to provide drying, cooling, and ventilation for residential and workplace applications. In some embodiments, the fan 26, 126 is a 16-inch fan, though in other embodiments, the fan 26, 126 may be larger or smaller. Each of the fan assemblies 10, 110 includes an oscillation mechanism that allows the fan housing 18, 118 to rotate relative to the ground surface on which the fan assembly 10, 110 is positioned. In some embodiments, the fan housing 18, 118 is configured to rotate at least 180 degrees within the oscillation motion. Each of the fan assemblies 10, 110 is collapsible from a stowed position to a deployed or use position of a greater overall height than the stowed position.

The fan blades 26, 126 of the fan assemblies 10, 110 may include, in some embodiments, three or five axial blades. With reference to FIGS. 9A-9D, in some embodiments, the fan housing 18, 118 may include an outer radial region 200 that extends radially beyond the remainder of the housing 18, 118 within which the outer radial edge of the fan blade 26, 126 is configured to extend. As such, the size of the fan blade 26, 126 can be increased without increasing the overall diameter of a majority of the fan housing 18, 118 (i.e., not increasing the size of the front grille 22, 122 or rear grille 24, 124). With reference to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, each fan blade 26, 126 may include a winglet 300 on the distal end, to decrease the noise level of the fan blades 26, 126 and provide greater air output. With reference to FIG. 11, in some embodiments, each fan blade 26, 126 may be a folding fan blade having a pivot point 400 centrally between distal ends of the fan blade, allowing for a further decrease in size of the fan assembly 10, 110 in the stowed position when provided with a collapsible fan housing 18, 118. With reference to FIG. 12, in some embodiments, the blades 26, 126 may be slidable relative to the hub 500 to which each of the fan blades 26, 126 are attached. In the embodiment shown, a rod 504 couples the fan blade 26 ,126 to the hub 500 and allows for movement of the fan blade 26, 126 radially outward away from the hub 500. In some embodiments, the fan blades 26, 126 may be manually adjustable to different radial positions along the rod 504, resulting in different outer diameters of the fan blades 26, 126. In some embodiments, the fan blades 26, 126 may automatically move outward as the hub 500 rotates. In the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12, the fan blades 26, 126 also have improved durability as they are capable of deflecting rather than breaking upon impact. As such, clearance between the fan blades 26, 126 of FIGS. 11 and 12 and the fan shroud (similar to fan shrouds 18, 118) may be decreased, thereby improving airflow.

FIG. 13 illustrates a fan assembly 710 similar to fan assembly 10, except as otherwise described. Reference numerals correspond to those shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-6, though incremented by 700. The base 734 includes a similar semi-circular or half-racetrack shape at the lower surface 734A, though this transitions to a more geometric shape at the upper surface 734B. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface 734B is formed as an irregular hexagon with the battery pack 714 mounted at a shorter upper edge. The frame 742 is formed of rectangular arms 744 (i.e., arms having a rectangular cross-section), as opposed to the circular cross-section of the arms 44 of the fan assembly 110.

FIG. 14 illustrates a fan assembly 810 similar to fan assembly 110, except as otherwise described. Reference numerals correspond to those shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-6, though incremented by 700. As shown, the frame assembly includes a first frame member 842A that is telescopically received within a second frame member 842B. The first frame member 842A is generally cylindrical and the second frame member 842B has a cylindrical opening for slidingly receiving the first frame member 842A, but has a geometric outer surface (e.g., formed with a hexagonal cross-section). Additionally, at least a portion of the mechanism about which the housing 818 is movable relative to the frame 842 is open and accessible. Finally, a handle 830 is coupled to an upper side of the housing 818, similar to the handle 30 shown in FIGS. 2-6.

Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the disclosure as described.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.