Electric fan

Abstract

A fan device is described providing novel and beneficial features to the user. In a first aspect of the invention, an improved fan device and method is described in which a body portion (having a first longitudinal axis) of the fan may be both gripped, for moving the fan from one position to another, and also activated to the on or off condition using only one hand for simultaneously moving and activating the fan. The fan has a magnet for stabilizing the fan when set down to provide a stream of air. The fan is configured to have a head attached to the body portion, the head having a second axis of rotation in relation to the body portion. The fan also has a fan blade attached to the head, the fan blade having a third axis of rotation in relation to the head, the second and third axes intersecting at an angle. The first and second axes also intersect at an angle. When the head is rotated about the second axis, the third axis sweeps out a portion of a cone, thereby providing a wider variety of different angles for directing air. The fan may have a rechargeable battery.

1 . A portable electric fan comprising:
 a body portion;   a lockable switch on the body portion,   a fan blade, driven by an electric motor; and   a rechargeable battery for powering the electric motor;   wherein, the body portion is configured to be grasped by a hand for moving the position of the fan, and the switch is adapted to be activated by a finger of the same hand simultaneously while the fan is being grasped.   
   
   
       2 . The fan of  claim 1 , further including a magnet attached to the fan, adapted to stabilize the fan on a metallic surface. 
   
   
       3 . The fan of  claim 2 , wherein the magnet is attached to a surface of the rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       4 . The fan of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is generally elongate about a first axis, the fan further including:
 a head, wherein the head is attached to the body portion, the head having a second axis of rotation in relation to the body portion, the first axis intersecting with the second axis at an angle;   wherein the fan blade is attached to the head, the fan blade having a third axis of rotation in relation to head, the second axis intersecting the third axis at an angle,   whereby, when the head is rotated about the second axis, the third axis sweeps out a portion of a cone.   
   
   
       5 . The fan of  claim 4 , wherein the first axis and the second axis intersect at an angle of between 45 to 60 degrees. 
   
   
       6 . The fan of  claim 4 , wherein the second axis and the third axis intersect at an angle of between 30 to 45 degrees. 
   
   
       7 . The fan of  claim 4 , wherein the head is composed of only two mirror image pieces. 
   
   
       8 . The fan of  claim 7 , wherein the two pieces of the head are configured to be held together only by the body portion. 
   
   
       9 . The fan of  claim 4 , wherein the body portion is composed of only two effectively mirror image pieces. 
   
   
       10 . The fan of  claim 4 , wherein the head includes a cylindrical neck, and the body portion includes a cylindrical throat, the throat being adapted to receive the neck. 
   
   
       11 . The fan of  claim 10 , wherein the neck includes a collar, the collar being adapted to extend beyond a diameter of the throat to prevent the head from separating from the body portion. 
   
   
       12 . A portable electric fan comprising:
 a body portion that is generally elongate about a first axis;   a head, wherein the head is attached to the body portion, the head having a second axis of rotation in relation to the body portion, the first axis intersecting with the second axis at an angle; and   a fan blade attached to the head, the fan blade having a third axis of rotation in relation to head, the second axis intersecting the third axis at an angle,   whereby, when the head is rotated about the second axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation sweeps out a portion of a cone.   
   
   
       13 . The fan of  claim 12 , wherein the first axis and the second axis intersect at an angle of between 45 to 60 degrees. 
   
   
       14 . The fan of  claim 12 , wherein the second axis and the third axis intersect at an angle of between 45 to 30 degrees. 
   
   
       15 . The fan of  claim 12 , wherein the head is composed of only two mirror image pieces. 
   
   
       16 . The fan of  claim 15 , wherein the two pieces of the head are configured to be held together only by the body portion. 
   
   
       17 . The fan of  claim 12 , wherein the body portion is composed of only two effectively mirror image pieces. 
   
   
       18 . The fan of  claim 12 , wherein the head includes a cylindrical neck, and the body portion includes a cylindrical throat, the throat being adapted to receive the neck. 
   
   
       19 . The fan of  claim 18 , wherein the neck includes a collar, the collar being adapted to extend beyond a diameter of the throat to prevent the head from separating from the body portion. 
   
   
       20 . The fan of  claim 12 , further including a rechargeable battery for powering the fan blade via a motor. 
   
   
       21 . The fan of  claim 20 , further including a magnet attached to the fan, adapted to stabilize the fan on a metallic surface. 
   
   
       22 . The fan of  claim 21 , wherein the magnet is attached to an outer surface of the rechargeable battery.