# US 6,279,254 B1 · Fan advertising device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,279,254 B1 - Document ID: US6279254B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/178,666 - Filed: 1998-10-26 - Granted: 2001-08-28 - Earliest claimed: 1998-10-26 - Assignees: James C. Gill; Becker Family Trust - Inventors: James G. Gill; Dylan Hixon; James Lux; Martin J. Becker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6279254B1 ## CPC - G09F 19/008: {Inflatable advertising means} - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS ## Abstract A fan advertising device has a portable barrel with a fan, a pivotable or tiltable stand and a modified exterior fan housing. Metal fittings on the inside of the barrel, near the output end of the fan, allow for connection of metal inserts for accessories. The sock is held in place by a shock cord that fits into a groove on the exterior of the fan housing near the output end. A circular opening is located below the groove but above the fan to allow various objects, such as ping pong balls, to be placed into the airstream inside the sock. Those objects act as noise makers, attracting attention to and adding to the visual effectiveness of the sock. A light may be attached to the grate on the inside of the fan allowing for illumination of the entire sock. Illuminating the sock is useful for increasing visibility during darker hours. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Fan advertising apparatus comprising a fan, a portable barrel housing for holding the fan, an advertising sign removably connected to the housing and a stand for supporting the barrel housing and the fan spaced from a support surface, further comprising an opening on the barrel housing, further comprising a supply removably connectable to the opening, and objects provided through the supply into the barrel housing, the objects being suspended in a net stream generated by the fan. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the barrel housing is pivotably supported on the stand. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the advertising sign is an inflatable sock. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light for illuminating the sign. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the light is attached to an interior of the barrel housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a groove on the barrel housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening is provided on the barrel housing between the fan and the advertising sign. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising wheels attached to the stand for moving the barrel housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a grate positioned within the barrel housing. ### Claim 10 Fan advertising apparatus comprising a fan, a portable barrel housing for holding the fan, an advertising sign connected to the housing and a stand for supporting the housing and the fan, a groove on the housing and further comprising a shock cord locatable in the groove for securing the advertising sign. ### Claim 11 Fan advertising apparatus comprising a fan, a portable barrel housing for holding the fan, an advertising sign removably connected to the housing and a stand for supporting the barrel housing and the fan spaced from a support surface, further comprising fittings on the barrel housing, further comprising inserts provided in the fittings. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fittings are of metal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the inserts are of metal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a hoop support connected to the inserts for securing the advertising sign. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising accessories connectable to the fittings. ### Claim 16 Advertising apparatus comprising a barrel fan housing, a barrel fan in the housing, a stand for pivotably holding the housing, and an inflatable advertising sign removably attached to the housing, further comprising an opening on the housing, further comprising objects provided through the opening into the housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a groove on the housing for attaching the advertising sign. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a light attached to the housing for illuminating the advertising sign. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising wheels attached to the stand. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a grate positioned within the housing. ### Claim 21 Advertising apparatus comprising a barrel fan housing, a barrel fan in the housing, a stand for pivotably holding the housing, and an inflatable advertising sign removably attached to the housing, a groove on the housing for attaching the advertising sign, and further comprising a shock cord positionable in the groove for securing the advertising sign. ### Claim 22 Advertising apparatus comprising a barrel fan housing, a barrel fan in the housing, a stand for pivotably holding the housing, and an inflatable advertising sign removably attached to the housing, an opening in the housing, objects provided through the opening into the housing, wherein the objects are ping pong balls. ### Claim 23 Advertising apparatus comprising a barrel fan housing, a barrel fan in the housing, a stand for pivotably holding the housing, and an inflatable advertising sign removably attached to the housing, an opening in the housing, objects provided throuah the opening into the housing, wherein the objects are entertainment devices. ### Claim 24 Advertising apparatus comprising a barrel fan housing, a barrel fan in the housing, a stand for vivotably holding the housing, and an inflatable advertising sign removably attached to the housing, an opening in the housing, objects provided through the opening into the housing, wherein the objects are confetti. ### Claim 25 Advertising apparatus comprising a barrel fan housing, a barrel fan in the housing, a stand for pivotably holding the housing, and an inflatable advertising sign removably attached to the housing, further comprising fittings on the housing, further comprising inserts provided in the fittings. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a hoop support connected to the inserts for securing the advertising sign. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising accessories connectable to the fittings. ### Claim 28 A fan advertising display comprising providing a barrel fan housing with a barrel fan at a desired location, attaching an advertising sign to the housing, supporting the housing on a movable stand spaced from a support surface, and inflating the advertising sign, further comprising supplying objects in the housing through an opening and suspending the objects in an air stream of the fan. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The display of claim 28, further comprising illuminating the sign with an illumination device. ### Claim 30 An advertising display comprising providing a barrel fan housing with a barrel fan at a desired location, attaching an advertising sign to the housing, supporting the housing on a movable stand, and inflating the advertising sign, further comprising securing the advertising sign with a shock cord on a groove on the housing. ### Claim 31 A fan advertising display comprising providing a barrel fan housing with a barrel fan at a desired location, attaching an advertising sign to the housing, supporting the housing on a movable stand, and inflating the advertising sign, further comprising providing fittings in the housing, further comprising connecting inserts to the fittings. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The display of claim 31, further comprising connecting accessories to the inserts.