DISPOSABLE CEILING FAN BLADE COVER

Description

This continuation-in-part application claims priority from copending nonprovisional application Ser. No. 18/052,637, filed Nov. 4, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to ceiling fan blade covers and, more particularly, to a disposable ceiling fan blade cover.

Certain conventional ceiling fan blade covers are formed from a heavy plastic material that is snapped together and disassembled to clean. Other conventional ceiling fan blade covers are formed from fabric that a user must take down and wash for reuse.

As can be seen, there is a need for a disposable ceiling fan blade cover. The present invention may be embodied as a thin clear plastic bag and shaped in the form of a ceiling fan blade with lightly sprayed glue (or other adhesive/sticky material) on one side. The present invention provides a quick clean system where a user can slide on the blade cover and easily slide it off and dispose of it when it is dirty.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present invention, a ceiling fan blade protection system is disclosed that comprises: a ceiling fan comprising an at least one fan blade; a blade cover for the at least one fan blade, said cover comprising a pliable material, being slidably mounted on and removable from the fat least one fan blade; and an adhesive material bonded with the upper surface of the first blade cover, the adhesive material being configured to collect dust. The blade cover has no securing mechanism attached. In an embodiment the pliable transparent material stretches to fit over the blade and contracts to fit snuggly on the blade when the pressure used to stretch the material is released.

In an embodiment the pliable material is transparent.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of protecting a first fan blade of a ceiling fan is disclosed, with the method comprising the steps of: providing the ceiling fan comprising the first fan blade; providing a first blade cover formed from a pliable, transparent material, the first blade cover defining a first opening, a first upper surface, and a first lower surface; providing an adhesive material bonded with the upper surface of the first blade cover; slidably mounting the first blade cover on the first fan blade; collecting dust with the adhesive material; and removing the first blade cover from the first fan blade.

In an embodiment the ceiling fan blade protection system is a kit purchased by the consumer. The kit comes with an at least one fan blade cover; an adhesive material; and a tool to apply the adhesive to the fan blade cover. In an embodiment the ceiling fan blade cover is sized to fit a variety of fan blades and is transparent. In another embodiment the adhesive is pre-applied and covered with a protective sheet. In an embodiment the adhesive tool is a brush or a spray applicator.

As will be described in greater detail below, the blade covers of the present invention are formed as thin clear plastic bags with adhesive and shaped in the form of a ceiling fan blade to provide protection therefor.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use.

FIG. 2 is an exploded detail perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detail cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention, indicated by line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the present invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured

Broadly, the present invention provides a disposable ceiling fan blade cover formed from a thin clear plastic bag with a sticky surface (e.g., an adhesive material) to collect dust, in use. Once dirt, dust, and/or other debris collects thereon, the cover can be simply slid off a fan blade, discarded, and a new one put on the fan blade.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the present invention includes a fan blade protection system 10. The blade protection system 10 includes, a ceiling fan 11 with a plurality of fan blades 14, and a blade protection device. The blade protection device is primarily composed of two main components: a disposable ceiling fan blade cover 12 (with an upper surface 18B and a lower surface 18A) shaped in the form of a fan blade 14 upon which it is mounted (in use), and an adhesive material 20 that is lightly sprayed on the upper surface 18B of the fan blade 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 12 is formed as a thin clear plastic bag that defines an opening 16 such that it can be easily slid onto a fan blade 14. In certain embodiments, the cover 12 may be formed in a plurality of standard ceiling blade sizes such that they can be used with any type of ceiling fan currently available. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-4, when the cover 12 is mounted on the blade 14, it stretches around the blade 14 such that it conforms to the shape of the blade 14. Because it is clear, it is essentially invisible in appearance to an observer. As shown in FIG. 4, due to the adhesive layer 20 formed on a top surface 18B of the cover 12, dust 22 collects on and is retained by the adhesive material 20. Thus, when the fan 11 is turned on, the dust 22 or other debris does not get ejected back into the air. After a period of time, a user can remove one or all of the covers 12 on the fan blade(s) 14 and replace them with new covers 12.

To make the cover 12, a clear, thin bag is either provided or manufactured and shaped to generally resemble a fan blade 14 with a pocket 16 defined therein.

The first upper surface of the first blade cover is positioned proximal to a first upper surface of the first fan blade, creating a close fit that ensures proper protection of the fan blade without the requirement of an additional closure mechanism. When the ceiling fan is in operation, the blade covers remain securely attached to their respective fan blades due to the sliding mounting mechanism.

The fan blade cover is composed of a material that stretches to fit over the blade and contracts once the pressure applied when stretching is released, thereby hugging the blade until force is applied to stretch the material during removal. The plastic bag thus fits snuggly on the blade and requires no additional securing device to hold it in place when the blade is in motion.

Adhesive 20 is applied on one side thereof to form a sticky layer. An adhesive material is provided that is bonded with the upper surface of the first blade cover. This adhesive material is formulated to capture and retain dust particles that would otherwise accumulate on the fan blade itself. The adhesive material creates a tacky surface that effectively traps airborne dust particles when the fan is in operation or even when stationary. The adhesive material can be applied by spraying or brushing the surfaces of the blade cover with the adhesive material. The adhesive material is nontoxic and does not produce fumes when in use.

The cover 12, can be sold in a package with the adhesive applied and covered by a removeable protective sheet. The cover 12 would be positioned on the blade and the protective sheet removed to expose the adhesive material.

The method continues with slidably mounting the first blade cover on the first fan blade. This is accomplished by applying pressure to stretch the pliable blade cover so as to align the first opening of the blade cover with the end of the fan blade that connects to the central hub of the ceiling fan. The blade cover is then slid onto the fan blade, moving from the outer tip of the blade toward the central hub until the blade cover completely covers the fan blade. Once the fan blade is covered the user releases the pressure on the fan blade cover so the pliable cover fits snuggly on the fan blade. The fan blade covers are available in multiple sizes to fit a variety of fan blades. The slidable mounting allows for easy installation without requiring disassembly of the ceiling fan.

Once installed, the adhesive material on the upper surface of the first blade cover begins collecting dust. As the ceiling fan operates, air circulation causes dust particles to come into contact with the adhesive material where they adhere. This prevents dust from accumulating on the fan blade itself, keeping the blade clean and maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the ceiling fan. The dust collection process continues throughout the period the blade cover remains installed on the fan blade.

After a period of use, when the adhesive material has collected a substantial amount of dust or when the blade cover needs replacement for any reason, the method includes removing the first blade cover from the first fan blade. This removal is performed by sliding the blade cover off the fan blade in the opposite direction from installation, moving from the central hub toward the outer tip of the blade.

Following removal of the first blade cover, the method further comprises disposing of the first blade cover. The disposal step allows for complete removal of the collected dust from the home environment, improving air quality and cleanliness. The disposable nature of the blade cover eliminates the need for cleaning the fan blades directly, which can be difficult and messy.

After disposing of the first blade cover, the method includes slidably mounting a new blade cover on the first fan blade. This new blade cover is installed in the same manner as the first blade cover, by aligning its opening with the end of the fan blade and sliding it onto the blade. The new blade cover provides a fresh adhesive surface for collecting dust, ensuring continued protection of the fan blade.

This method provides an efficient and convenient way to maintain clean ceiling fan blades without the need for direct cleaning of the blades themselves, which often requires climbing on ladders and careful handling to avoid damaging or bending the blades.

As used herein, applying pressure refers to a human using their hand strength to stretch the blade cover enough to fit over the fan blade. Releasing the pressure refers to letting go of the blade cover once it completely covers the fan blade.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.

As used herein the term “bonded” refers to an adhesive material adhering to the material the fan blade is made from. The pliable material is any material that can be stretched from a small size to a larger size and back to a small size. A non-limiting example would be a material made of a natural or synthetic polymer.

As used herein “a securing device” is an additional piece on a fan blade cover that is required to hold the fan blade cover on the fan blade. Non limiting examples include clips, zip-ties, rubber bands, zippers, string, snaps, and fasteners.

As used herein “cover” and “fan blade cover” are interchangeable. It is understood that a single fan blade cover is described herein but there will be multiple fan blades and covers on a ceiling fan.

While one or more preferred embodiments are disclosed, many other implementations will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and are all within the scope of the invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements, methods, modifications, and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are therefore also considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims that follow.