I have tried both a screwdriver and a butter knife. I can not get them into the area between the legs and the body.
I KNOW there’s a way to do this - my late spouse knew how to unfold these things, I saw him do it.
I have a cake lifter around here somewhere that’s even thinner than a butter knife…
Funny how this has become quite the problem, isn’t it? Not earthshattering. Guess my life isn’t too bad if this is the “big” problem I have at the moment. 
If you think those nubbins are what’s locked, try pulling the handle away from the body, out, sideways, like you are prying it off.
If it’s locked at the hinge end, look for a way to move the legs away from the body at the hinge end, or a way of moving the centre clip so that it doesn’t block.
In the side view it looks like there are circular feet on the stand that are positioned directly opposite the nubbin. Maybe those press in.
Have you tried swiveling the handle from one end to the other and/or pushing pulling on it? The center pivot area of the handle is about where a release mechanism would be. The release should be a one handed operation.
No, they don’t. I tried that.
I understand why people are focusing on the handle but really, it’s NOT the release. It really isn’t. You can’t see it from the pictures but you can move the handle any which way and it doesn’t make a bit of difference. It’s free-swinging on a pivot and in no way functions as a latch.
And no, it’s not a one-handed operation.
No, it’s not a great design.
I have a friend who’s about as strong as the Hulk. I’m thinking of turning it over to him to either open up the legs or break the fuckers off entirely. At this point there’s not much to lose.
If I ever get this to work I’ll be sure to post it.
I accept that the handle is free swinging. I’m suggesting spreading the handle. Have you tried that also?
When you try to open it, does it appear to be locked /at the nubbins/? Or at the hinge?
My absolute last suggestion: On the side view, there are a set of five ridges, both on the legs and the fan body; I assume there are corresponding ridges on the opposite side(s). Maybe, if you press the ones on both sides of the stand (gently), it triggers a release mechanism.
And angels will fly outta my butt.
We can do without your butt angels, Burpo:)
I just know that handle swings all the way around and makes access easier. Keep trying. You’ll hit the sweet spot sooner or later. And the whole thing will lay flat. My last time. I swear.
can you press on the center of both of the handle pivots.
I think mjmlabs is on the right track, but maybe the opposite motion? It looks like from this picture the latching mechanism catches the side away from the hinge. So with the fan in the orientation in that photo, slide the base/bottom to the left and the fan/top to the right while simultaneously trying to open it like a clamshell?
This thread is like watching a vid of a pack of dogs with a Kong ball.
OK, I got it unfolded… and the plastic is brittle enough to start falling apart. Seriously, one of the nubbins broke off (not that that is a loss) and when I gently unfolded after getting the other nubbin to release one of the hinges broke.
I am seriously considering re-wiring the business bits - fan and light - into a new box that is much more intelligently designed.
So how did it release?
I slid a cake slice lifter (because I needed something both stiff and very thin) between the front and back to try to trigger the nubbins to release, then used force. The results were… less than ideal. But I can’t see any other way to do this, it looks like you’re supposed to brute force it, with the idea the nubbins will pop open.
Old enough that the plastic is getting brittle. Clearly not intended to last a long time.
As I said - I am seriously considering re-wiring the fan and light into a new box. Also found the other one, which has not worked for an even longer period. Might rework that one, too. Because the notion of having both a battery powered light AND fan is a great idea for hot-weather power outages.
Not a crushingly high priority, more of an interesting exercise.
I admire your tenacity with this “repair job.” I’m loathe to toss something unless/until it draws blood. It’s a sickness with me :D.
If you need advice with your re-build, you know where to come.
