US 12,264,686 B1
Ceiling fan with quick-connect blade connector
Charles William Botkin, Cordova, TN (US); Rickey Thomas Jones, Memphis, TN (US); and Douglas Troy Mason, Horn Lake, MS (US)
Assigned to Hunter Fan Company, Memphis, TN (US)
Filed by Hunter Fan Company, Memphis, TN (US)
Filed on Aug. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/797,889.
Int. Cl. F04D 29/34 (2006.01); F04D 25/08 (2006.01)
CPC F04D 29/34 (2013.01) [F04D 25/088 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ceiling fan assembly for mounting to a structure, the ceiling fan assembly comprising:
a motor having a rotor assembly, which rotates about a rotational axis, and a stator assembly that is stationary relative to the rotational axis;
at least one blade assembly having a root assembly; and
a connector assembly comprising:
a pocket carried by the rotor assembly,
a tab carried by the at least one blade assembly and received within the pocket,
a first ramp and a second ramp in opposing relation within the pocket to define a throat within the pocket, with the throat oriented at an angle relative to the pocket,
a first tensioner and a second tensioner in opposing relation within the pocket and bearing against the tab, when the tab is inserted in the pocket and through the throat to a fully inserted position within the pocket where the first tensioner applies a first pressure to the tab to counter the weight of the at least one blade assembly, the second tensioner applies a second pressure to the tab to counter any lift forces during rotation of the blade, and at least one of the first tensioner or the second tensioner applies a third pressure to the root assembly to counter any angular motion during rotation.