US2345516A - Fan guard - Google Patents

Description

March 28, 1944.

M. WEBER FAN GUARD Filed Nov. 4, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 warm 1 3 Max Wh;

March 28, 1944.

M. WEBER FAN GUARD Filed Nov. 4, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 28, 1944. WEBER 2,345,516

March 28, 1944.

M. WEBER 2,345,516

, FAN GUARD Filed Nov. 4, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Max Vl/zer March 28, 1944.

M. WEBER FAN GUARD Filed NOV. 4, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 'fi 7;- 2/5. Ma/ x Vl ar Patented Mar. 28, 1944 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FAN GUARD Max Weber, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 4, 1942, Serial No. 464,471

8 Claims.

This invention relates to fan structures designed for circulating air.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved guard and mounting for the same, the uard entirely enclosing the fan and motor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a guard which may be formed out of complementary portions which may be stamped out of sheet metal or formed out of plastic material.

A further object of this invention is to provide a guard which will reduce the efficiency loss now present in guards at present available.

A further object of this invention is to provide a guard which may be substantially square in front elevation, the guard being pivotally mounted ona base to permit angular adjustment of the guard and fan through 360.

A further object of this invention is to provide in combination a fan structure including a motor and a fan blade, a box-like skeleton guard encompassing the fan structure, and a pivotal munt.. ing for the guard.

A further object of this invention is to provide a guard including a motor suspension for suspending th motor centrally within the guard, a supporting frame of rectangular configuration which is adapted to dissipate any vibrations which may develop from the fan blades, and a supporting base on which the frame is pivotally mounted, the base being U-shaped in front elevation and V-shaped in end elevation and forming a firm foundation for the fan structure.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and'modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention, as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail front elevation of a fan guard constructed according to an embodiment of this invention;

Figure 2 is a detail end elevation of the guard;

, gether.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure'l;

Figure 8 is a detail front elevation of a modifled form of this invention;

Figure 9 is a detail end elevation of the form shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line ill-l0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line ll-ll of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner of the guard structure shown in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 4, the numeral I5 designates generally a supporting frame structure which is substantially square in front elevation. The frame structure [5 includes a bottom bar IS, a pair of end bars I! and I8 and atop bar IS. The bars Hi to I9 inclusive are preferably constructed from a single length of bar which is flat and bent to the configuration shown, with the opposite ends thereof welded to- The frame structure l5 has secured thereto a pair of upper fan motor supporting braces or bars 20 and 2| which are disposed in upwardly divergent relation. The bar 20 has an obtusely bent upper end portion 22 which is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the upper end portion of the upright frame member l1, and the supporting bar 2| has an obtusely disposed upper end portion 23 which is secured to the upper inner portion of the frame member iii. The in ner or lower end of the supporting member 20 is twisted, as at 24, and is then bent angularly as at 25 to form a lug to which the motor 26 is adapted to be secured.

The inner lower end of the supporting member 2| is also twisted right angularly, as at 21, and is then bent at a right angle to the twisted portion 21, as at 28, and the motor 26 is adapted to be secured to the lug or right angular portion 28. The upright motor supporting bar 29 is disposed within the frame l5, being provided with a right angular lower end portion 30 which is adapted to be welded or otherwise fixed to the center of the lower frame member IS. The upright supporting member 29 is twisted, as at 3|, and then bent right angularly as'at 32 in a manner similar to the bending of the supporting lugs 25 and 28 to provide a supporting lug for attachment to the motor 26.

The frame I 5 is adjustably mounted on a supporting base structure, generally designated as 33. The base 33 comprises a pair of Ushaped frame members 34 and 35 which are disposed bars 59 and 6i.

with the parallel legs 39 and 51 respectively in upwardly convergent relation and secured together at their upper convergent ends. The U- shaped member 54 has the bight 38 thereof horizontal and provided with one or more supporting or cushioning feet 39. The U-shaped member 35 has the bight 59 thereof horizontal. and also has secured to the lower side thereof one or more cushioning feet 4|. The frame l5 has secured to the upright frame ,members I! and I8 thereof, a pairof nuts 42 and 43 and a pair of threaded bolts 44 and'45 are adapted to be threaded into the nuts 42 and 43, the bolts 44- and 55 being fixed relative to a pair of knobs t5 and 47 respectively.

The bolts 45 and G5 are adapted to be ex-. tended through openings 48 formed in the upright frame members ll andj l 8; a nd a pair of.

washer 29 and 5B are interposed between the base structure 33 and the outer sides of the frame members IT and l8. The washer-50 is preferably of the locking type to provide for locking of the base structure 33 with respect to the frame structure [5 whenthe bolts M and:

E5 are tightenedto the desired degree. One or more addit ional washers 5| and; 5 2; may also be interposed between the inner ends of the knobs 45 and El, a shown in Figure 5, to provide for the desired tightening of the two framemembers i5 and 53 without rotation of the frame member i5 when theknobsddand t? aretightened. f

' The frame structure I5 is enclosed in a skeleton-like guard structure formed of a pair of complementary guard members'53 and 54. The guardfmembers'53 and 54 are of, like constructionsanda detaildescription of one of these. guard members will apply, equally as well .to the other) guard member. The guard member 53 comprises a, front wall 55, atop wall 55 and a bottom wall 51. The. front wall 55 is formed ofa pair. of outer bars .58.and 59 and a pair ofinner bars 50 and 6|. 'Ihe'bars 58, 59, 59.

and El are parallel witheach other and, as

will befihereinafter described, are formed froma single piece.;of sheet metal'which is stamped, or otherwise suitably formed to providethe de-.

sired skeletohelike' guard structure; The two frame members 58 and 50 areconnected together by means of, a plurality of parallel connect- 18 ends ,thereof, as'at 53,. so that the connecting bars 52,Which.'are.twisted at the opposite member 62. will be disposed atfa right-angle to a the O posite faces of the bars 58 and 59.

The bars 59 .and .9! .are connected together by means of a plurality of parallel connecting bars 9 3 which are twisted at the opposite ends thereof, as at 55, so as to dispose the connecting bars (is at right angles to the opposite faces of the The inner pair of bars 60 and GI are connected together by means of a plurality of connectingbars which are twisted at the opposite ends thereof, as at 61, so as to dispose the intermediate connecting bars 55 at right angles @to the opposite faces of the inner pair of bars Edand 5!. The top and bottom walls 59 and 5'! are formed identical with the front.

walL: as above stated, is identical with theupper.

wall, and has connecting bars 13, 1d and 15 connecting the extensions l6, l1, l8 and 19 of the lower ends of the bars 58, 59, 59 and GI respectively.

The frame 55 has secured to the upper bar l9 thereof, a handle 85 which has a pair of right angularly disposed member 8! secured thereto between the ends thereof, and the members 81 are secured by fastening means 82 to the upper bar. 19. The members 8| oifsetthe handle from the frame member 19 and the two guard members 53 and 5 3 are provided with cut-outs 83, between which the handle offset members 8| are adapted to engage. The two guard members 53 and 55, also include opposite end walls 84. and 85 which are of like construction.

The Wall 84 is formed of an outer bar 85, an inner bar 81, upper and lower connecting bars 88 and 89 respectively, and an intermediate connecting bar 99. The outer bar 85 overlaps the adjacent outer side bar, such as. bar 58, and is adapted to be welded or otherwise fixedly secured thereto. Theupper bar 83 is connected to the intermediate bar 50 bya plurality of right angularly disposed bars .or vanes,9lwhich are twisted asat. 92 at the. opposite ends thereof, to dispose the bars or vanes. 9i. at right angles to. the opposite sides of the bars. wand 90.

bar 99 by a pluralityof spaced apart parallel bars 93 which are twisted, as at 95, at the; 0pm. site ends thereof, to dispose the bars orvanes 93- at right angles to the opposite faces-of the bars 89 and 95. A pair of inner aligned bars are and 93a have adjacent portions 95 and 96there of disposed flatwise with respect to the inner bar.

9'7 so that the flat portions 95and 95 may.be

disposed between the large inner washer 49 and v the adjacent'upright frame members? Hand l8.v The end wall 8 3 alsoincludes a plurality of.

upwardly extending fiatwise disposed bars- 91.

- inner sideof the upper frame member69 and. secured as bywelding orv other suitable fastening means, thereto.

Av plurality of lower fiat'wise disposedend. wall members 99 extending downwardly. from the.

lower bar 89: and are provided at their lower ends. with right angularly-disposed extensions, lfill which engage the inner sides of-the lower.

guard members. 75 and i1 and are welded or otherwise fixedlyv securedthereto.

The complementary guard members. 53 ,and;

54 are detachably secured to thenfram e. l5 by} means of a plurality of U-shaped clamping members, shown in greater detail in-Figure 6.. Screws I62 are extended] through the. bight I93 of the clamping members. I92, and the opposite. parallel legs IM- of thea and designated It i.

U-shaped members If engage over the bars 8'! of the end wall membersiitand, 85-.and also are secured to the upper and'lowerwalls of the guard members in a similar manner tethereby fixedly secure the guard members 53 and to theframe I5. The guardmembers 53 and are of sucha'size as to completely enclose orescompass the motor 25 and also theian blades;

I95 which are rotated by the motor-2 5.l The guard structure and frame are of such a; size.

that the entire structure may, be rotated with respect to the base 33 at any angle with respect-. v

to the. latter, this adjustment being obtained throughout 360.

The, lower bar 89 is connected to the intermediate.-

. members I40.

Where it is desired to support the 'guardstruc ture with the fan on a standard, the two U- shaped members 34 and 35 may be connected together by means of an intermediate connecting bar I06 which isformed with a central opening I01 for receiving a bolt or other securing;

means.

.Referring now to Figures 8 to 12 inclusive, the numerals I08 and I09 designate complementary guard members which are formed outof plastic material. The guard members I08 and I09 are adapted to be secured to the framestructure I I which is square in front elevation, and is adjustably mounted on a supporting base structure III similar in every detail to the base structure 33. The frame structure H0 has secured therein aligned pairs of supporting bars H2 and H3 which are disposed in close relation and are secured at their inner ends to a forwardly opening motor housing H4. The motor housing H4 is provided with a rear end wall I I5, and the stator H6 of the motor is adapted to be secured by fastening bolts II'I within the housing H4. Bearing supporting members H8 are mounted on the bolts HI for supporting bearings H9 and a motor shaft I20 is rotatable in the bearings H9, the shaft I20 having secured thereto the rotor I2I of the motor.

The guard members I08 and I09 are of like construction and each includes an outer side wall I22, and opposite end walls I23. The side wall I22 is formed of a pair of outer side bars I24 and I25 which are connected together by means of a plurality of parallel edgewise disposed vanes or connecting members I26. Intermediate parallel bars I21 and I28 are disposed in parallel relation to the upper bars I24 and I25 and are formed integral with the intermediate portions of the connecting bars I26. The bars I26 are disposed in edgewise relation with respect to the passage of air there-between so that these connecting bars I26 will provide the minimum obstruction to the passage of air.

The end walls I23 include vertically disposed bars I28 disposed in parallel relation and are connected at the opposite ends thereof to upper and lower bars I29 and I30. The upper and lower bars I29 and I30 are formed integral with the side bars I24 and I25 and intermediate connecting bars I3I, I32 and I33 are connected to the vertical bars I28, to the side bars I24 and I 25 and also an inner bar I34. The guard I08 also includes a top wall structure I35, similar to the front wall structure I22, and the top wall structure I35 also includes an inner bar I36 adapted to rest on the upper frame bar of the frame H0. The lower wall I31 also includes a lower inner bar I38 which engages the lower horizontal portion of the frame H0. The inner portions of the guards I08 and I09 are detachably secured to the frame I I0 by means of U- shaped clamping members I39 which are similar in every detail to the clamping members IOI and are secured to the frame III) by fastening The frame H0 has secured to the upper portion thereof, a handle I4I, similar to the handle 80, and the upper wall I35 of each guard is formed with a cut-out I42 through which the handle I4I projects.

In the use and operation of this fan guard structure, the fan motor 26, with the fan blades I05, are secured by suitable fastening means to the supporting members 20, 2| and 29 so as to suspend the fan structure within the frame I5. The guards 53 and 54 are clamped to the frame I by the U-shaped clamping members ml, the guards completely encompassing the motor and fan blade structure. The guard structure, as hereinbefore described, is so constructed that the air currents entering from the rear, the ends and the top and bottom thereof, will not be impeded and the front wall of the guard structure is also of such construction as not to impede the forward movement of the air forced out of the guard structure by the fan blades. The guard structure, being pivotally mounted on the base 33, can be adjusted on the pivot bolts 44 and 45 to any selected angle, and the base structure may either be mounted on a horizontal support or, if desired,

the base structure may be secured to a vertical support by fastening means engaging through the base structure. The complete enclosing of the fan structure prevents any accidental contact with the fan blades so that no injury may result during the rotation of the fan blades, the guard structure being so constructed as to prevent the projection of fingers or other objects between the grill-like structure comprising the guards.

Where the guard structure is made out of metal, the guards may be stamped from sheet metal with the vanes, or air directing members, twisted as shown. In the event the guard structure is made out of plastic material the air directing vanes, with the other portions of the guards, may be molded as an integral unit. With a plastic guard structure, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the motor is inserted in the motor housing, which is formed as an integral part of the supporting frame. This construction eliminates the securing of the conventional motor within the guard structure.

I claim:

1. A fan support and guard comprising in combination, a polygonal frame, a base for said frame, said base comprising a pair of U-shaped members fixed together, said members having the bights thereof parallel and spaced apart, the parallel legs of said members forming a V, and a pair of complementary guards secured to said frame.

2. A fan guard and support comprising a polygonal frame, a base formed of a pair of U-shaped members having the parallel legs thereof inclined inwardly and upwardly, means pivotally supporting said frame between the legs of said base, a fan supporting means fixed to said frame, a pair of complementary guard members, and means detachably securing said guard members to said frame.

3. A fan guard and support comprising a polygonal frame, a. base formed of a pair of U-shaped members having the parallel legs thereof inclined inwardly and upwardly, means pivotally supporting said frame between the legs of said base, a fan supporting means fixed to said frame, a pair of complementary guard members, and means detachably securing said guard members to said frame, said latter means including U-shaped clamping members.

4. A fan guard and support comprising a polygonal frame, a base formed of a pair of U-shaped members having the parallel legs thereof inclined inwardly and upwardly, means pivotally supporting said frame between the legs of said base, a plurality of radially arranged fan supporting members fixed within said frame, a pair of complementary guard members, and means detachably securing said guard members to said frame.

5. A-fan guard and support comprising a base,

intermediate parallel-bars disposed at right: angles to saidiinner and outer bars, said-intermediate bars being disposedwith the flat faces at right angles to the flat faces of said inner and' outer bars.

6. In" combination, a polygonal frame, a fan guard isecuredto and enclosing said frame, .a base, means:pivotally securingsaid frame tosaicl'ba'se;

a fan :motor housin within said frame: compris- 15 ing a cylindrical'bodma rear Weill-integral with said body, and radially arranged suspension m'eansintegral with saidho'using and said frame.

7; A ian supportand'guarducomprising in com- 1 bination',-a frame; abase-iorsai'd'frame, saidba'se" comprising apair of U-shaped members having the legs thereof in substantially upright position, means pivotally supporting sai'd framebetwe'en the legs-of said base, and a guard structure-- secured to said frame;

'83 The st'ructure'as set'forth -in claim 1 whereinthe parallel legs of said U-shaped-members extend upwardly and are'fiXed-relati-ve to each other at their upper ends.

WEBER.

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