Low Profile Fan and Method of Using Same

Abstract

A method includes providing a fan unit that has an elongate housing and supports that support the fan unit on a support surface. The elongate housing has an intake, a discharge, and a hollow interior in which a blower is rotatably disposed such that when the fan unit is energized, the blower draws air from the intake into the hollow interior and discharges air from hollow interior through the discharge. The intake has a length that extends in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. The discharge has a length that extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A user is directed to place the fan unit on the support surface in a manner such that the fan is supported by the supports and the longitudinal axis of the housing is horizontal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 providing a fan unit, wherein the fan unit has an elongate housing and supports that are adapted and configured to support the fan unit on a support surface, the elongate housing has an intake, a discharge, and a hollow interior in which a blower is rotatably disposed such that when the fan unit is energized, the blower draws air from the intake into the hollow interior and discharges air from hollow interior through the discharge, the intake has a length that extends in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, the discharge has a length that extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing; and   directing a user to place the fan unit on the support surface in a manner such that the fan is supported by the supports and the longitudinal axis of the housing is horizontal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing the user to place the fan unit on the support surface includes directing the user to place the fan unit on a floor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of directing the user to place the fan unit on the floor comprises a bathroom floor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of directing the user to place the fan unit on the bathroom floor comprises placing the fan unit adjacent a bathroom sink vanity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of directing the user to place the fan unit on the bathroom floor adjacent the bathroom sink vanity comprises directing the user to point the discharge of the housing vertically upward. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of directing the user to place the fan unit on the floor comprises directing the user to point the discharge of the housing horizontally toward the floor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of directing the user to place the fan unit on the floor comprises placing the fan unit adjacent a cabinet. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of directing the user to place the fan unit on the floor adjacent a cabinet comprises directing the user to point the discharge of the housing vertically upward. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising directing the user to enable the fan unit to oscillate the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising directing the user to operate the fan unit via a remote control. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 accessing a fan unit, wherein the fan unit has an elongate housing and supports, the supports are adapted and configured to support the fan unit on a support surface, the elongate housing has an intake, a discharge, and a hollow interior in which a blower is rotatably disposed such that when the fan unit is energized, the blower draws air from the intake into the hollow interior and discharges air from hollow interior through the discharge, the intake has a length that extends in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, the discharge has a length that extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing; and   placing the fan unit on the support surface in a manner such that the fan is supported by the supports and the longitudinal axis of the housing is parallel to the support surface.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of placing the fan unit on the support surface includes directing the user to place the fan unit on a floor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of placing the fan unit on the floor comprises a bathroom floor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of placing the fan unit on the bathroom floor comprises placing the fan unit adjacent a bathroom sink vanity. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of placing the fan unit on the bathroom floor adjacent the bathroom sink vanity comprises pointing the discharge of the housing vertically upward. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of placing the fan unit on the floor comprises pointing the discharge of the housing horizontally toward the floor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of placing the fan unit on the floor comprises placing the fan unit adjacent a cabinet. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of placing the fan unit on the floor adjacent a cabinet comprises pointing the discharge of the housing vertically upward. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising enabling the fan unit to oscillate the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising operating the fan unit via a remote control.