I’m trying to find a certain kind of bracket to mount a cage fan like this on my porch.

The fan is currently bolted into an overhead 2x4, but I’d like to be able to move the fan to several locations around my deck easily.

I’d like to use brackets similar to those used to hang most ceiling fans except more compact obviously. They are like a “U” or “C” shape and a disk or ball slides in and drops down in the bracket. This would be ideal so I can easily pick it up move the fan to a different bracket.

The photo below is the closest I’ve found, but still not quite it. These don’t have a drop or latch of any kind that would keep the fan from falling out if it’s mounted to and overhead beam.

Can anyone find this bracket. I know they exist… But Ive googled for hours and don’t know the right term to find them.

I found the ones in the photo by searching “keyhole bracket” .

Any other quick connect bracket recommendations are also excepted.

Thanks!

  • over_clox@lemmy.world
    2·
    1 year ago

    Advice (we just bought a similar fan today actually)…

    Personally I think the brackets in your original post look like they ought to do the job pretty well.

    But if you’re gonna be moving the fan around regularly, I’d see if it’s safely designed to install upside-down. Might make it easier to move around as necessary.

  • Hazdaz@lemmy.world
    1·
    1 year ago

    https://www.hafele.com/us/en/product/keyhole-fitting-bed-connector/P-00861743/

    What about a variation like this one where yiu have to stick it in the hole first and then slide it down? That means it can still lift up,but because it isn’t totally open on the other side, it offers up a little protection from popping out as easily.

    Also don’t discount the idea of altering your original bracket or the one I linked to. Adding a piece of wood (or 3D printed piece) that pivots out if the way would mean removing the fan is a 2 step process. You swing that wood piece up first, amd then slide the fan up. Still super easy to move, but less likely for it to happen accidentally.

    Or add a cotter pin that slides into a hole that then blocks the opening to prevent accidental removal. A short chain on the cotter pin keeps it from getting lost. In industrial environments, cotter pins are used all the time for that purpose.