Hybrid light and fan fixture

Abstract

A hybrid light and fan fixture includes a plurality of LED lights surrounding a fan and its motor within a housing. A connector is made to allow the hybrid fixture to be installed in a conventional light socket for 110v electrical power. An alternative embodiment includes either or both features of a set or rotatable deflector blades and a serpentine heating element to more positively influence the air flow created by the fan and make the air stream more effective in de-fogging the mirror. Preferably, the fixture includes a circuit that allows the lights to be energized with and without the fan and heating element.

Claims

1. A hybrid light and fan fixture for use in de-fogging a bathroom mirror, said fixture comprising: a) a plastic housing having a generally circular configuration; b) a series of 12-16 LED lights positioned about the periphery of and inside said plastic housing; c) a motor extending through the middle of said series of 12-16 LED lights, said motor having a shaft extending from a bottom portion thereof; d) a fan blade connected to said shaft for being rotated by said motor; e) a connector extending through an upper portion of said housing for insertion in an electric light socket; f) circuitry connected between said connector and said LED lights and said motor to power said LED lights and said fan motor, whereby a first flick of a wall switch illumines said series of 12-16 LED lights and a second flick of the light switch activates said motor to rotate said fan blade.

2. The hybrid light and fan fixture of claim 1 further comprising a set of deflector vanes mounted on a rotatable ring which can turn relative to said hybrid light and fan fixture to focus an air stream produced by said fan more directly as desired.

3. The hybrid light and fan fixture of claim 1 further comprising a serpentine heating element for heating an air stream produced by said fan.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is/are described in conjunction with the associated drawings in which like features are indicated with like reference numerals and in which

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of the first embodiment of the hybrid light and fan fixture of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment with parts broken away;

(4) FIG. 3 is bottom view of the first embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 is a bottom view with parts broken away of the first embodiment; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a bottom view with parts broken away of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

(7) A first embodiment of the hybrid light and fan of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 1-4 generally at 20. Hybrid light and fan fixture 20 is shown with a conventional connector 22 for a 1″ 110v light socket. The hybrid light and fan fixture 20 of the present invention could be fashioned with a smaller connector to attach in boutique light bars without departing from the scope of the invention. Housing 24 surrounds the periphery of the hybrid light and fan fixture and is preferably made of durable, high-strength plastic with metal grate 26 (FIG. 3) secured across the bottom of housing 24.

(8) Within the housing 24 around the periphery of the top 25 is a series of LED's 30 (typically 12-16) which illuminate the room in which the fixture operates. Motor 40 extends through the series of LED's 30 and has a shaft 42 protruding from the lower end. Shaft 42 mounts a 4-bladed fan 44 secured thereto in order to be rotated by motor 40. Fan 44 may be made of metal but is preferably made of plastic to avoid corrosion from the moisture produced in the steamy bathroom environment. The socket into which connector 22 is mounted provides electrical power to energize both the LED's 30 and the fan motor 40. It is among the features of the present invention that the fixture 20 includes a dual operating circuit: a first flick of the wall switch will illuminate the lights, a second flick of the switch within a one second time period of the first, will cause the fan to be added to the lights.

(9) A second embodiment of the hybrid light and fan of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5 generally at 20′. In addition to the lights and fan afforded in the first embodiment, this second embodiment can provide a set of deflector vanes 52′ mounted on a rotatable ring 50′ which allows the air stream to be focused more effectively directly at the mirror surface and a serpentine heating element 60′ typically installed below the layer of LED lights. It will be appreciated that these additional features may be provided individually, i.e., separately, or together.

(10) While the hybrid light and fan fixture 20 has been designed, and is particularly suited for, preventing a bathroom mirror from fogging, it is obviously suitable for other uses such as clearing smoke from a kitchen or smoking room, providing cooling flow on a sun porch or in other rooms; any number of applications could benefit from the device of the present invention.

(11) Various changes, alternatives, and modifications will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after a reading of the foregoing specification. It is intended that all such changes, alternatives, and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims be considered part of the present invention.