Rotatable axial fan

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a novel apparatus for the movement of air. Specifically, the apparatus is an axial fan assembly which is rotatable about a horizontal axis to orient the axial fan in a vertical position, a horizontal position, or positions in between. The axial fan can be adjusted and selectively fixed in a particular orientation. The height of the axial fan is also adjustable. The vertical support member comprises a telescoping mechanism whereby the length of the vertical support member is adjustable and can be selectively fixed at a particular length.

1 . An apparatus for the movement of air, comprising:
 a base;   a vertical support member connected to the base;   a horizontal axle assembly connected to the vertical support member;   a fan support member connected to the horizontal axle assembly; and   an axial fan connected to the fan support member.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical support member comprises a telescoping mechanism. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the telescoping mechanism comprises a locking mechanism for selectively fixing the length of the vertical support member. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a detent and a detent receiver. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first section that is slidably coupled to a second section, wherein the first section comprises a constricting collar. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first section that is slidably coupled to a second section, wherein the second section comprises an expanding collar. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first section that is slidably coupled to a second section, wherein the first section and second section comprise a plurality of holes, and the apparatus further comprises a pin that fixes the first section relative to the second section when the pin is inserted into two of the plurality of holes. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fan support member is connected to the ends of the axial fan. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an oscillator connected to the axial fan, wherein the oscillator varies the direction of the airflow generated by the axial fan. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle fixed to the horizontal axle assembly. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle fixed to vertical support member. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a ballast. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical support member has a hollow cross section. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising an electrical cord contained within the hollow cross section of the vertical support member. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a control panel for programming operating commands selected from a group consisting of: power on, power off, standby, increase fan speed, decrease fan speed, begin oscillation, stop oscillation, function at low fan speed, function at medium fan speed, function at high fan speed, set duration of fan operation, set duration of fan standby, increase duration of fan operation, decrease duration of fan operation, increase duration of fan standby, decrease duration of fan standby, increase oscillation speed, decrease oscillation speed, and set time of day. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a receiver that receives operating commands; and   a remote control that transmits operating commands to the receiver.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the operating commands are selected from a group consisting of: power on, power off, standby, increase fan speed, decrease fan speed, begin oscillation, stop oscillation, function at low fan speed, function at medium fan speed, function at high fan speed, set duration of fan operation, set duration of fan standby, increase duration of fan operation, decrease duration of fan operation, increase duration of fan standby, decrease duration of fan standby, increase oscillation speed, decrease oscillation speed, and set time of day. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the operating commands are transmitted via optical signals or radio signals. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal axle assembly comprises a locking mechanism to selectively fix the position of the fan support member. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the locking mechanism selectively fixes the fan support member at an angle, as measured from the vertical support member, from 0 and 90 degrees. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the locking mechanism of the horizontal axle assembly comprises a detent and a detent receiver to selectively fix the position of the fan support member. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the locking mechanism of the horizontal axle assembly comprises an axle that is rotationally coupled to a sleeve, wherein the sleeve comprises a constricting collar. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the locking mechanism of the horizontal axle assembly comprises an axle that is rotationally coupled to a sleeve, wherein the axle comprises an expanding collar. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the locking mechanism of the horizontal axle assembly comprises an axle that is rotationally coupled to a sleeve, wherein the axle and sleeve comprise a plurality of holes, and the apparatus further comprises a pin that fixes the axle relative to the sleeve when the pin is inserted into two of the plurality of holes.