Fan blade iron isolation

Abstract

A ceiling fan is disclosed having an electric motor ( 13 ) with a bottom mounting plate ( 14 ) to which an annular array of blade irons ( 16 ) are coupled, each having a blade ( 17 ) mounted thereto. Each blade iron has a motor mounting flange ( 21 ) with a recess ( 23 ), an end tongue section ( 26 ), and an end groove section ( 27 ) configured to receive the end tongue section. The end groove section includes an alignment pin ( 28 ) and a threaded mounting hole ( 29 ). The end tongue section includes an alignment hole ( 30 ) configured to receive the groove section alignment pin, and a countersunk hole ( 31 ) which is aligned with a mounting hole in the blade iron groove section. A threaded mounting screw ( 32 ) is passed through countersunk hole ( 31 ) and into mounting hole ( 29 ). Each mounting flange is coupled to its two adjacent mounting flanges to provide limited movement therebetween.

1 . A fan comprising,
 an electric motor;   an annular array of blade irons, each blade iron having at least one mounting hole therein and an elastomeric grommet positioned within said mounting hole, each blade iron of said array of blade irons being coupled to two oppositely disposed other blade irons of said array of blade irons; and   a ceiling fan blade associated with each said blade iron of said annular array of blade irons.   
   
   
       2 . The fan of  claim 1  wherein each said blade iron includes a mounting flange having a first end and a second end opposite said first end configured to mate with said first end of another said blade iron of said array of blade irons,
 whereby said first end of one blade iron is coupled to the second end of an adjacent blade iron.   
   
   
       3 . The fan of  claim 2  wherein said first end is coupled to said second end of another blade iron through a mounting screw. 
   
   
       4 . The fan of  claim 3  wherein said first end includes an alignment pin and said second end includes an alignment hole configured to receive said alignment pin of another blade iron of said array of blade irons. 
   
   
       5 . A fan comprising,
 an electric motor;   an annular array of blade irons, each blade iron having at least one mounting hole therein and an elastomeric grommet positioned within said mounting hole, each blade iron of said array of blade irons having a mounting flange, each blade iron mounting flange of said array of blade iron being coupled to a pair of adjacent mounting flange so as to form a ring; and   a ceiling fan blade associated with each said blade iron of said annular array of blade irons.   
   
   
       6 . The fan of  claim 5  wherein each said blade iron mounting flange includes a first end and a second end opposite said first end configured to mate with said first end of another said blade iron of said array of blade irons,
 whereby said first end of one blade iron is coupled to the second end of an adjacent blade iron.   
   
   
       7 . The fan of  claim 6  wherein said first end is coupled to said second end of another blade iron through a mounting screw. 
   
   
       8 . The fan of  claim 7  wherein said first end includes an alignment pin and said second end includes an alignment hole configured to receive said alignment pin of another blade iron of said array of blade irons. 
   
   
       9 . A fan comprising,
 an electric motor;   a plurality of blade irons, each said blade iron having a mounting flange having a first end and a second end, said first end of one said blade iron being coupled to said second end of another said blade iron of said plurality of blade irons, and a elastomeric member positioned between said mounting flanges of said plurality of blade irons and said electric motor; and   a ceiling fan blade associated with each said blade iron of said annular array of blade irons.   
   
   
       10 . The fan of  claim 9  wherein said first end is coupled to said second end of another blade iron through a mounting screw. 
   
   
       11 . The fan of  claim 10  wherein said first end includes an alignment pin and said second end includes an alignment hole configured to receive said alignment pin of another blade iron of said array of blade irons. 
   
   
       12 . The fan of  claim 9  wherein said mounting flange includes at least one mounting hole therein and wherein said elastomeric member is an elastomeric grommet positioned within said mounting hole