초록 ▼

A system for suspending a ceiling fan is provided which allows the ceiling fan to pivot, to accommodate vaulted or sloped ceilings, while preventing the ceiling fan from rotating about a longitudinal centerline axis of the fan. The system includes a hollow canopy defining an interior space and havin

A system for suspending a ceiling fan is provided which allows the ceiling fan to pivot, to accommodate vaulted or sloped ceilings, while preventing the ceiling fan from rotating about a longitudinal centerline axis of the fan. The system includes a hollow canopy defining an interior space and having an upper end portion, which is operatively attachable to a support structure such as the ceiling. The canopy further includes a lower end portion and a central, body portion extending between the upper and lower end portions. The canopy includes a seat which is connected to and extends upwardly from the lower end portion, and a guide which is also connected to the lower end portion and extends upwardly therefrom. The guide has an inner surface which forms a portion of the inner surface of the seat and defines a receptacle which extends through the seat and a bottom surface of the canopy. The seat defines an aperture which also extends through the bottom surface of the canopy. A ball is pivotally engaged with the canopy seat and is connected to a stationary portion of the ceiling fan. A pin is attached to the ball and protrudes radially outwardly from the outer surface of the ball, with the pin being engaged in the receptacle of the canopy guide. The pin has a longitudinal centerline axis which extends through a center of the outer surface of the ball and is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline axis of the ceiling fan. The ball and ceiling fan pivot about the centerline axis of the pin. The system may also include a hollow sleeve connected to the stationary portion of the ceiling fan, such as an upper end portion of a downrod of the ceiling fan. In this instance, the ball is disposed in surrounding relationship with the hollow sleeve and frictionally engages the sleeve.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for suspending a ceiling fan having a longitudinal centerline axis and a motor having a rotor and a stator, the ceiling fan further including a plurality of fan blades connected to the rotor, said system comprising:a hollow canopy defining an interior space, said

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for suspending a ceiling fan having a longitudinal centerline axis and a motor having a rotor and a stator, the ceiling fan further including a plurality of fan blades connected to the rotor, said system comprising:a hollow canopy defining an interior space, said canopy including an upper end portion which is operatively attachable to a support structure and a lower end portion having a bottom surface, said canopy further including a seat connected to said lower end portion and extending upwardly from said lower end portion within said interior space, said seat having upper and lower ends, an outer surface and an inner surface defining an aperture extending through said seat and through said bottom surface of said lower end portion, said canopy further including a guide connected to and extending upwardly from said bottom surface within said interior space, said guide having an inner surface which forms a portion of said inner surface of said seat, said guide defining a receptacle which extends through said seat thereby subdividing said seat into two circumferentially extending portions, said receptacle extending through said bottom surface of said lower end portion of said canopy;a ball pivotally engaged with said seat of said canopy and connected to a stationary portion of the ceiling fan for the purpose of suspending the ceiling fan, the ball including upper and lower ends, and inner and outer surfaces which define an annular wall extending between said upper and lower ends, said inner surface connected to the stationary portion of the ceiling fan, said outer surface engaging said inner surface of said seat of said canopy;a pin attached to said ball and protruding radially outwardly from said outer surface of said ball, said pin being engaged in said receptacle of said guide of said canopy, said pin having a longitudinal centerline axis which extends through a center of said outer surface of said ball and is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline axis of the ceiling fan, said pin and said receptacle of said guide cooperating with one another to prevent the ball and the ceiling fan from rotating about the longitudinal centerline axis of the ceiling fan;said outer surface of said ball having a shape which is complementary to a shape of said inner surface of said seat of said canopy, said outer surface of said ball and said inner surface of said seat interacting with one another to allow the ceiling fan to pivot about said longitudinal centerline axis of said pin.