Fan and fastening element and method of assembling

Abstract

An improved structure and method for mounting a fan, particularly a miniature fan (), in a supporting wall (), both facilitates a mounting operation and minimizes noise conduction after the mounting operation. An elastomeric overcoat () at least partially surrounds the fan () and is preferably integrally formed with a plurality of mushroom-shaped mounting elements () adapted to engage in a corresponding plurality of mounting holes () formed in the supporting wall (). Each mounting element has a shaft portion () and a head portion () with an internal channel () starting in the shaft portion () and ending in the head portion (). Rapid mounting of the fan () to the wall () can be accomplished by inserting a respective tool () into the channel () of each mounting element (), to elongate the mounting element and reduce its diameter, passing the elongated mounting element into its mounting hole (), and withdrawing the tool, permitting elastic relaxation of the mounting element to restore its original diameter, thereby forming a secure, vibration-damping engagement with the periphery of the mounting hole.