Hand-Operated Whirling Fan

The whirling fan illustrated is more convenient than a fan of the ordinary type, and may be made by a boy of only moderate mechanical skill. The materials necessary for its construction are easily available in the home. The sketch at the center shows the completed fan, and the smaller sketch at the right illustrates the method of operation. The details of construction are shown in the working drawings.

The Whirling Fan Is Superior to One of the Ordinary Variety and may be Made at Home of Materials Readily Available. The Small Sketch at the Right Shows the Method of Operation, and the Details of Construction are Shown in the Larger Sketch and in the Working Drawings

The wing of the fan is cut from a sheet of Bristol board, and is 6 in. long and 5Â¹â„â‚‚ in. wide. It is formed by gluing two pieces together, the upper end of the driving shaft being glued into place at the same time. The small sketch at the left shows the size and shape of the piece of wood into which the driving shaft is fastened at its upper end.

The driving rod, shown at the right of the larger sketch, is Â¹â„â‚ˆ in. in diameter and 9Â¹â„â‚‚ in. long. The flattened portions near the upper end are drilled to receive the ends of the cords which wind and unwind on the shaft at the top of the handles. A brace of similar wire is fixed near the middle of the handles so that they pivot on its ends when the lower ends of the handles are pressed together, as shown in the sketch at the right. The handles are of wood, Â¹â„â‚„ in. thick, Â¹â„â‚‚ in. wide, an 6Â¹â„â‚‚ in. long. Their ends are rounded and slight notches are cut into the corners near the ends, to provide for the tying of the cords.

A wide rubber band, slipped over the handles near their upper ends, causes them to close at the top, and when the fan is in use this will reverse the rotation of the fan. It is necessary only to squeeze the handles inward, and the reverse action is repeated.

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