Understanding plate on GEC rubber blade fan - HELP!

Other than the electrical info what does the M/C No. mean?
Patent offoce search returns no results.

M/C = Model/Colour, perhaps?

Usually within engineering m/c usually stands for machine, but i'm guessing Nic could be correct on this as the number is split into 2 codes.

I was thinking the same as both of you. I was hoping we might get an exGEC employee to say for sure. I used to live next-door to a GEC plant and knew people who worked there in the 60s, but have lost contact with my old neighbours.

It would also be great if I could get any guidance with the patent office website for old regd. designs.

Davee wrote:Usually within engineering m/c usually stands for machine, but i'm guessing Nic could be correct on this as the number is split into 2 codes.

Aye, usually with domestic wares M/C is Model/Colour - at least with furniture, lighting, glass, etc...

The BS (British Standards) number also gives a minimum date of production - BS 380:1958, to do with the performance of electric desk fans, was laid down in 1958 (as the number may suggest).

So the fan was produced on or after 1958.

this is very useful info thanks

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/patent/p-about/p-whatis/p-oldnumbers/p-oldnumbers-1916.htm

And was patented in 1954.

D'oh! missed the glaringly obvious 1958 British Standard.

info from Patent Office: 1953 GB687841 1954 GB704741

So the patent was registered in 1953
British Standard Regd 1958

This is excellent help guys.

Oops, I did mean 1953, not '54 - silly butterfingers.

Just put a plug on it. It works! but is rather noisy and it moves about - yes, I know it is supposed to 'sweep', but it actually vibrates SO much it moves along the sideboard!

I think rewire, new bearings and possibly new rubber feet. I'm assuming it has a race bearing in there somewhere? Has anyone taken one of these apart before?

I've located braided 3 core flex on ebay. I know a little engineering shop that sells every size of race bearing under the sun and new rubber feet should be relatively easy.

looks like it might have been bolted /screwed down maybe on a larger base

It is made so it can be desk standing or bolted to the wall.

It's an engineered piece of kit.

I think the problem is that there is play in the anchoring points of the motor or there is some kind of race bearing that is worn out.

The other thing is the rubber feet (not shown in the photo because I was showing the plate) are polished with time rather than being slightly sticky. If I can't find replacement rubber feet I will use some rubber restoring solvent.