Fan assembly including a modular fan

Abstract

A fan assembly including a fan having a base with a universal connector and a blower unit supported by the base. The blower unit includes a blower unit housing, a motor positioned within the blower unit housing, and a blade coupled to the motor for rotation by the motor. The fan assembly includes a battery receptacle configured to receive a battery, the battery receptacle electrically coupled to the motor to power the motor with the battery and an attachment removably coupled to the fan by the universal connector. The attachment is configured to support the fan.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fan assembly comprising:
 a fan including
 a base having a universal connector, and 
 a blower unit supported by the base, the blower unit having a blower unit housing, 
   a motor positioned within the blower unit housing, and a blade coupled to the motor for rotation by the motor;   a battery receptacle configured to receive a battery, the battery receptacle electrically coupled to the motor to power the motor with the battery; and   an attachment removably coupled to the fan by the universal connector, the attachment configured to support the fan.   
     
     
         2 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the battery receptacle is positioned on the fan. 
     
     
         3 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the battery receptacle is positioned on the attachment. 
     
     
         4 . The fan assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the universal connector includes a connector terminal and the attachment includes an attachment terminal, and wherein the attachment terminal interfaces with the connector terminal when the attachment is coupled to the fan to provide power from the battery receptacle to the motor. 
     
     
         5 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the universal connector is positioned at a first end of the base, and wherein the blower unit is supported at a second end of the base that is opposite the first end. 
     
     
         6 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking unit configured to selectively lock the fan to the attachment. 
     
     
         7 . The fan assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the locking unit includes a blocking unit that is moveably connected to the attachment, and wherein the universal connector includes a recess configured to selectively receive the blocking unit. 
     
     
         8 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the universal connector includes a T-shaped projection, and wherein the attachment includes a slot that selectively receives the T-shaped projection. 
     
     
         9 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the universal connector includes a tab extending radially outward, and wherein the tab selectively engages the attachment by a bayonet-style connection. 
     
     
         10 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the universal connector includes a post, and wherein the attachment includes a bore that selectively receives the post. 
     
     
         11 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment includes a tripod. 
     
     
         12 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment includes an oscillation base operable to pivot the blower unit relative to the attachment. 
     
     
         13 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment includes a misting unit having a pump, and wherein the fan includes a nozzle configured to receive fluid from the pump. 
     
     
         14 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment includes a window wedge configured to secure the fan assembly in a window frame. 
     
     
         15 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment includes a pedestal having a plurality of wheels. 
     
     
         16 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment includes a clamp. 
     
     
         17 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fan includes a user interface configured to control operation of the blower unit. 
     
     
         18 . The fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment includes a user interface configured to control operation of the blower unit. 
     
     
         19 . A modular fan configured to be coupled to a plurality of attachments, the modular fan comprising:
 a base including a universal connector, the universal connector configured to alternately couple to a first attachment of the plurality of attachments and a second attachment of the plurality of attachments; and   a blower unit supported by the base, the blower unit including a blower unit housing, a motor positioned within the blower unit housing, and a blade coupled to the motor for rotation by the motor.   
     
     
         20 . A fan assembly kit comprising:
 a fan including
 a base having a universal connector, and 
 a blower unit supported by the base, the blower unit including a blower unit housing, a motor positioned within the blower unit housing, and a blade coupled to the motor for rotation by the motor; 
   a first attachment removably coupled to the fan by the universal connector and configured to support the fan; and   a second attachment removably and alternately coupled to the fan by the universal connector and configured to support the fan, the second attachment being of a different type than the first attachment.