Emerson Electric Company

John F Moody

Mark J Tomasiak

Terrence L Stanek

David R Lathrop

Stanfield K Young

Kiyoshi Hoshino

Joseph T Gierer

Edward M Springer

Maria Livits

Stuart V Holsten

Jeffrey L Young

Michael F Martin

Craig Phillip Johnson

Gregory F Dix

Douglas T Mudd

A fan blade frame includes a frame member defining a closed fan blade frame. The fan blade frame has a base end that includes first and second base frame members. A connection member is attached to at least one of the first or second base frame members. At least one support member may further be attached between the first or second base frame members and the portion of the fan blade frame opposite thereto.

Ceiling fan blade frame

Fan blade

A fan blade frame provides a suitable connection for securely connecting a fan blade to a conventional blade iron. A first frame member generally defines the outer periphery of the fan blade. A plate is fixedly attached to the base end of the first frame member, and may additionally attached to a second frame member that is connected to the base end of the first frame member. The plate and first frame member form a rigid unit that provides support to a light-weight or non-rigid blade material such as wicker, natural leaf, cloth, etc. The plate defines a plurality of openings therethrough for connection to a conventional fan blade iron.

A ceiling fan includes a motor including a stator having an upper portion and a rotor having a lower portion, the rotor being rotatable with respect to the stator. A plurality of blade holders each form an interlocking segment of a motor-concealing member such that the motor concealing member rotates about the motor. A plurality of fan blades equal in number to the blade holders are attached to the ledge such that the fan blade extends radially from the hub. A plurality of light sockets are coupled to the stator upper portion for engaging light bulbs.

Ceiling fan with integral up-light

An assembly for suspending an object from a surface is presented. The assembly includes a downrod with an upper ball member, and a hanger bracket that is mounted on the surface which has a lower socket that engages the ball member. The ball member and socket form a ball and socket joint which allows an object to be suspended downward from a sloped ceiling. The ball member is mounted in the socket by passing the downrod through a gap in the socket. A plate is then attached to the socket on either side of the gap which is shaped so as not to interfere with the movement of the ball member in the socket. The plate prevents the socket from spreading through use over time which could result in the socket becoming to large to contain the ball member. This assembly is particularly suited for hanging objects such as ceiling fans or light fixtures from surfaces such as ceilings, including sloped or cathedral ceilings.

Assembly for suspending an object from a surface

A vacuum appliance is disclosed, comprising a collection canister and a powerhead housing a motor and impeller assembly for establishing vacuum pressure within said canister. In one embodiment, the appliance is of the wet/dry variety. A filter assembly comprising a rigid filter cage around which a filter is disposed. The filter cage is supported on an underside of the powerhead and extends into the collection canister such that the bottom of the filter assembly is at or substantially near the bottom of the collection canister. As a result, deflection of the collection canister as a result of vacuum pressure built up in the canister is resisted by the rigidity of the filter cage. In one embodiment, a frame within the powerhead serves the dual functions of supporting the motor and defining one wall or surface of an impeller chamber in which an impeller rotates to create the vacuum pressure. Barbed latches projecting from the powerhead function to removably secure the powerhead over the open top of the collection canister by engaging notches formed in the side of the canister. Substantially flat surfaces are formed in the vacuum's powerhead to facilitate the actuation of the latches, which is intuitively and ergonomically accomplished by a user resting his or her palm, thumb, or fingers on the substantially flat surfaces and grasping the latches with his or her free fingers.

Wet/dry vacuum

A caster foot assembly for use with an appliance such as a wet/dry vacuum is disclosed. The caster foot assembly comprises a body; at least one vacuum accessory securing post in the body; and a caster receptacle in the body, wherein the securing post and the caster receptacle vertically overlap within the body to lower the center of gravity of the appliance. Furthermore, a portion of the top surface of the securing post is angled to facilitate the securing of accessories to the caster foot assembly.

Caster foot with accessory storage

Combined ceiling fan and light fixture

A humidifier is disclosed having operation, speed, and humidity control for the distribution of humidified air. The humidifier contains a multiplicity of air moving devices, e.g., fans, to enable large quantities of humidified air to be distributed in an area or conversely, only a small amount of humidified air to be distributed in the area in order to maintain the humidity level already achieved. The humidifier requires only the power necessary to achieve or maintain the level desired without excess use of power. At least one operating control is used to selectively operate one or all of the air moving devices, and at least one speed control is also preferably used with the operating control for selectively increasing or decreasing the speed of one or all of the air moving devices. Along with the operating control and speed control, a humidity control may pre-select humidity between a predetermined minimum and maximum. Furthermore, the level of fan noise may be substantially reduced when the number of air moving devices are reduced and/or decreased in speed.

Humidifier having multi-stage fans

Humidifier

A humidifier is disclosed having a fine control for the distribution of humidified air. The humidifier contains a multiplicity of air moving devices, e.g., fans, to enable large quantities of humidified air to be distributed in an area or conversely, only a small amount of humidified air to be distributed in the area to maintain the humidity level already achieved. The humidifier requires only the power necessary to achieve or maintain the level desired without excess use of power. Furthermore, the level of fan noise is substantially reduced.

A humidifier with exposed spaced water bottles is disclosed. The humidifier includes a water reservoir base having a central portion and spaced end portions. A humidification unit is mounted on the central portion of the base. Spaced water bottles are mounted on the spaced end portions of the base for dispensing water into the base. The bottles are positioned immediately adjacent to and on opposite sides of the humidification unit. The bottles are individually removable from the base for refilling; however, they also provide jointly operating lifting and carrying elements for lifting and carrying the humidifier. Each of the water bottles have a separate water dispensing opening and associated water dispensing cap that is separate from a water filling opening and associated water filling cap. The water dispensing opening is provided in the bottom wall of the container while the water filling opening is provided in the side wall of the water bottle to facilitate filling.

Growing community of inventors

Bunker Hill, IL, United States of America

John F Moody