Adjustable blower pedestal assembly

Abstract

Disclosed is an adjustable mount assembly. The exemplary apparatus includes an arm extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the arm including an elongated slot that enables a blower to be selectively attached to the arm at different positions along the longitudinal axis, a first splice plate being connected to the first end of the arm, a second splice plate being connected to the second end of the arm, and the first splice plate and the second splice plate being structured to enable attachment to an external support structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This patent claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 350,280, filed on June 8, 2022. The entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 350,280 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to blowers, and more particularly to an adjustable pedestal assembly.

Background Art

[0003] Cultivation facilities often include racks and shelves for arranging plants for indoor cultivation. These racks may include blowers and / or piping to provide air to the plants.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005]

Figure 1

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Figure 8

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Generally, throughout one or more drawings and the accompanying written description, which refer to the same or similar parts, the same reference numerals are used. The figures are not necessarily drawn to the same scale. Rather, the thickness of a layer or region may be enlarged in the figures. The figures show layers and regions with clear lines or boundaries, but some or all of these lines and / or boundaries may be drawn ideally. In reality, the boundaries and / or lines may be indistinguishable, may merge, and / or may be discontinuous.

[0007] As used herein, references to connection (e.g., attach, couple, connect, and join) may, unless otherwise specified, include intermediate members between the elements to which the reference to connection refers, and / or relative movement between these elements. As such, references to connection do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and / or in a fixed relationship to each other. As used herein, the statement that any part is "in contact with" another part is defined to mean that there is no intermediate part between the two parts.

[0008] Unless specifically stated otherwise, descriptors such as "first", "second", "third", etc. are used in this specification without assigning or otherwise indicating any meaning with respect to priority, physical order, arrangement within a list, and / or ordering in any way, but are simply used as labels and / or arbitrary names to identify elements to facilitate understanding of the disclosed examples. In some examples, the descriptor "first" may be used to refer to an element in a form for carrying out the invention, while the same element may be referred to in the claims by a different descriptor such as "second" or "third". In such instances, it should be understood that such descriptors are simply used, for example, to clearly identify elements that may otherwise share the same name.

[0009] Cultivation facilities are often used for indoor planting. These facilities reduce the risk of extreme weather related to plant cultivation while optimizing the yield, quality, and stability of plants. Often included in an industrial environment, cultivation facilities can be designed to optimally store and cultivate plants. For example, electrical systems and / or mechanical systems (such as water supply, oxygen supply, temperature control, light sources, etc.) can be implemented in the design of such facilities to meet the requirements for plant cultivation. In an industrial setting, plants can be arranged, for example, on a number of shelves made of metal structures. These structures can integrate electrical systems and / or mechanical systems (such as orienting, positioning, arranging, etc.) to enable the cultivation and preservation of plants. As shown and described in connection with FIGS. 1 - 3, a blower assembly can be included in such a design to distribute air and control temperature throughout these structures. Examples disclosed herein are described in relation to cultivation facilities. However, any of the examples disclosed herein can be included in any other type of application (such as fabrication, manufacturing lines, storage facilities, technology research institutes, etc.).

[0010] Specifically, FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an exemplary cultivation structure 100 for use in a cultivation facility. FIG. 2 is another partial perspective view of the exemplary cultivation structure 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cultivation structure 100 includes a number of exemplary shelves 102 and an exemplary blower assembly 104. Each of the number of shelves 102 includes a corresponding exemplary seedbed 106. The blower assembly 104 is positioned along a vertical edge of the structure 100. The blower assembly 104 includes an exemplary base 108, an exemplary vertical duct 110, and an exemplary branch duct 112. Each of the bases 108 includes a blower for pushing (e.g., distributing, blowing, etc.) air through the vertical duct 110. In FIGS. 1 and 2, air moves in a direction along the vertical edge of the structure 100 and is distributed to each of the shelves 102 (and associated seedbeds 106) via the branch ducts 112.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary cultivation structure 300 for use in a cultivation facility. The cultivation structure 300 of FIG. 3 is similar to the cultivation structure 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, unlike FIGS. 1 and 2 which include a blower assembly 104 that delivers air via ducts 110, 112, FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary blower assembly 302 positioned on a horizontal plane of the structure 300 so as to push air toward a particular one of the shelves 102 (and associated seedbed 106). More specifically, in FIG. 3, the blower assembly 302 includes a blower 304 connected to an edge of the structure 300 and oriented to horizontally expel air across the entire shelf 102. The blower assemblies 104, 302 in the structures 100, 300 of FIGS. 1 - 3 have a relatively rigid structure, and the positions (e.g., orientations) for ducts, blowers, and / or other components are fixed. By fixedly placing the blower assembly, the oxygen supply to the seedbed 106 can be restricted (e.g., limited, obstructed, etc.). By appropriately positioning the air flow to the seedbed 106, a preferred cultivation environment can be provided and the air supply and temperature for the plants can be improved (e.g., optimized). The fixed blower assemblies 104, 302 in FIGS. 1 - 3 limit the adjustability and adaptability when operating the cultivation facilities associated with the structures 100, 300.

[0012] Figures 4-8 illustrate exemplary gantry assemblies 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure that can support one or more blowers. Returning to FIG. 4, a first exemplary gantry assembly 400 is shown that extends between two portions of an exemplary frame (e.g., an external support structure, an external frame, etc.) 402 and supports an exemplary blower 404 therebetween. In the example of FIG. 4, the gantry assembly 400 is connected (e.g., bolted) to the frame 402 so as to be separable. In some examples, the frame 402 corresponds to a rack in the cultivation structures 100, 300 of FIG. 3. However, the gantry assembly 400 is connected to the structures 100, 300 along vertical edges so as to be separable, for example. In some examples, the gantry assembly 400 is connected to any edge of the structures 100, 300 so as to be separable, allowing the blower 404 to be positioned at multiple locations relative to the structures 100, 300.

[0013] As shown in the illustrated example, the gantry assembly 400 includes an exemplary arm 406 (e.g., an elongated body), an exemplary mounting plate 408, and exemplary splice plates (e.g., mounting plates) 410, 412. In some examples, the splice plates 410, 412 are integrated extension portions of the arm 406. That is, in some examples, the splice plates or mounting plates 410, 412 are part of the arm or elongated body 406. In other examples, the splice plates 410, 412 are separate from the arm 406 and are firmly fixed to the arm 406 (e.g., via one or more threaded fasteners, one or more welds, one or more press fits, and / or one or more adhesives). In some examples, the exemplary blower assembly 413 includes a mounting plate 408 and a blower 404. The exemplary arm 406 extends between the plates 410, 412 and includes one or more exemplary elongated slots 414. The exemplary blower 404 is selectively mounted to the arm 406 via a mounting plate 408 that is connected (e.g., positioned, coupled, etc.) to the arm 406 via one or more exemplary threaded fasteners (e.g., bolts) 416 that extend through the slot 414. Accordingly, the exemplary mounting plate 408 is connectable to the blower 404. In the example of FIG. 4, the mounting plate 408 is generally circular. However, the exemplary mounting plate 408 can be any shape that achieves the desired orientation of the blower 404 relative to the arm 406 and / or the gantry assembly 400. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the mounting plate 408 includes an exemplary curved slot 418 through which the fastener 416 extends such that the mounting plate 408 can be selectively positioned in different orientations relative to the arm 406 when attached. In some examples, the mounting plate 408 is omitted and the blower 404 is mounted. The exemplary blower 404 (or blower assembly 413) can be positioned at any longitudinal position on the arm 406 related to the elongated length of the slot 414. As such, the exemplary blower 404 and / or blower assembly 413 is movable along the longitudinal axis of the arm 406. In some examples, the mounting plate 408 can be rotatable (adjustable) about an axis, as described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 6 - 8.

[0014] Furthermore, exemplary splice plates 410, 412 include exemplary slots (e.g., holes) 420 through which exemplary fasteners 422 extend such that when attached (e.g., connected), the arm 406 can be mounted at different positions relative to the frame 402. For example, the splice plates 410, 412 are constructed to be attachable to the frame 402. In the example of FIG. 4, exemplary splice plate 410 (and the first of the slots 420) is positioned near (e.g., closest to) the first end of the arm 406, and splice plate 412 (and the second of the slots 420) is positioned near the second end of the arm 406. In some examples, an exemplary portion of the arm 406 that extends between the splice plates 410, 412 can be referred to as the central arm of the arm 406.

[0015] FIG. 5 shows another exemplary gantry assembly 500 that is similar to the exemplary gantry assembly 400 of FIG. 4. However, the exemplary gantry assembly 500 includes exemplary pivot joints 502, 504 that rotatably connect (e.g., pivotally couple, join, etc.) the arm 406 to the splice plates 410, 412. In the example of FIG. 5, the splice plates 410, 412 are connected to the frame 402 such that they can be separated, and the arm 406 is rotatable about an exemplary axis 506. The exemplary blower 404 is positioned at a first rotational position about the axis 506. However, the exemplary blower 404 can be positioned at any rotational position about the axis 506, generally as indicated by exemplary arrow 508. In this approach, the direction of the air blown by the blower 404 can be angled up and down at any desired angle. In this example, the blower 404 is connected to the arm 406 without using a mounting plate. However, in other examples, the blower 404 can be mounted to the arm 406 via a mounting plate 408.

[0016] FIG. 6 is another exemplary gantry assembly 600 constructed in accordance with the teachings of this specification. The exemplary gantry assembly 600 of FIG. 6 is similar to the exemplary gantry assembly 500 of FIG. 5, except that the arm 406 of FIG. 6 includes an additional exemplary slot 602 that is separate from and spaced apart from slot 414. In the example of FIG. 6, slots 414, 602 are parallel to each other and extend generally along the longitudinal direction (e.g., longitudinal axis) of arm 406, as indicated by exemplary arrow 604. Additionally or alternatively, the exemplary slots 414, 602 are angled relative to each other transverse to the longitudinal direction of arm 406. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary mounting plate 606 that includes an exemplary slot 608 that extends along a circular path. In this example, the circular path defined by slot 608 has a diameter that is larger than the distance between slots 414, 602 such that slot 608 within mounting plate 606 overlaps or aligns with both slots 414, 602 within arm 406 to facilitate attachment (e.g., attachment points) to arm 406. The circular arrangement of slots 608 allows the exemplary mounting plate 606 to rotate about an exemplary axis 610, generally as indicated by exemplary arrow 612. Accordingly, the rotatable mounting plate 606 can enable positioning of an exemplary blower (attached to mounting plate 606) at selectively different rotational positions about axis 610. In the illustrated example, mounting plate 606 includes three slots 608. However, in other examples, fewer or more slots 608 may be employed. Additionally or alternatively, the exemplary arm 406 is rotatably coupled to the splice plates 410, 412 via pivot joints 502, 504. Thus, arm 406 is rotatable (relative to splice plates 410, 412) about axis 506 generally in the direction indicated by arrow 508. In the example of FIG. 6, axis 506 is generally parallel (e.g., exactly parallel, within 5° of parallel) to the longitudinal direction of arm 406, as indicated by exemplary arrow 604.

[0017] FIG. 7 shows another exemplary gantry assembly 700 similar to the exemplary gantry assembly 400 of FIG. 4 and the exemplary gantry assembly 600 of FIG. 6. However, the exemplary gantry assembly 700 of FIG. 7 includes additional exemplary splice plates 702, 704 (e.g., mounting plates) pivotally connected to the arm 406 via exemplary hinges 706, 708 (e.g., hinge joints). As such, the angular positions of both the arm 406 and the splice plates 410, 412 are generally adjustable relative to the additional splice plates 702, 704 in the direction indicated by the exemplary arrow 710. In the example of FIG. 7, the arm 406 is positioned at a first angular position relative to the additional splice plates 702, 704. However, the arm 406 can be positioned at any angular position (e.g., a second angular position) about the exemplary axis 712. For example, at a first exemplary angular position of the arm 406, the splice plates 702, 704 may be substantially parallel to the splice plates 410, 412. As such, the holes 420 can be aligned with the exemplary holes 714 in the splice plates 702, 704 at the first exemplary angular position. However, at a second exemplary angular position of the arm 406, the splice plates 702, 704 may be angled relative to the splice plates 410, 412. In FIG. 7, the exemplary axis 712 extends along the longitudinal axis of the arm 406 (e.g., generally in the direction indicated by the arrow 604) and is aligned with the pivot axes of the hinges 706, 708. In some examples, the gantry assembly 700 may include a locking mechanism to prevent (e.g., fasten, connect, etc.) the arm 406 from moving to a desired angular position. More specifically, in some examples, an exemplary curved reinforcement 716 is attached (e.g., fixed) to the splice plates 410, 412 and constructed to interact (e.g., engage, connect, etc.) with the additional splice plates 702, 704 in a locking manner. The exemplary curved reinforcement 716 can prevent the arm 406 from moving at different positions (e.g., locations) relative to the splice plates 410, 412 extending from the arm 406 and the additional splice plates 702, 704 to which the hinges 706, 708 are connected. In other words, the exemplary curved reinforcement 716 may be connected to the additional splice plates 702, 704 so as to be separable, allowing rotation of the arm 406 to different positions, or rotation about the axis 712 (e.g., angular position).In the illustrated example, two curved reinforcing members 716 are shown. However, in other examples, fewer (e.g., one) or more (e.g., three or more) curved reinforcing members 716 may be employed. In some examples, the curved reinforcing members 716 are omitted. In this example, there are no separate arms extending between the two additional gusset plates 702, 704. However, in other examples, a separate arm similar to arm 406 can extend between the additional gusset plates 702, 704. In such examples, one or more hinges may connect the two arms in addition to or instead of the hinges 706, 708 that connect the two sets of gusset plates 410, 412, 702, 704. In some examples, the gusset plates 410, 412 are connectable to an external frame (e.g., frame 402 of FIG. 4).

[0018] FIG. 8 shows another exemplary gantry assembly 800 similar to the exemplary gantry assembly 700 of FIG. 7. However, in FIG. 8, the gantry assembly 800 includes a second exemplary arm 802 and an exemplary hinge (e.g., hinge joint) 804. In the example of FIG. 8, the second arm 802 extends along the longitudinal direction of the arm 406 (e.g., generally as indicated by arrow 604) and is pivotally connected to the arm 406 via the hinge 804. Specifically, a first exemplary edge 806 of the arm 802 is connected to a second exemplary edge 808 of the arm 406. In this example, the hinge 804 is positioned between the first edge 806 of the arm 802 and the second edge 808 of the arm 406. As such, the exemplary arm 802 can be positioned at any rotational position around the hinge 804 in the direction generally indicated by the exemplary arrow 810. In some examples, the two arms 406, 802 are connected via two or more hinges 804.

[0019] In the example of FIG. 8, the exemplary curved reinforcement member 812 is attached (e.g., fixed) to the arm portion 802 and is constructed to interact or engage with the arm portion 406 in a locking manner to prevent the arm portion 802 from moving relative to the arm portion 406 at different positions (e.g., different angles). In this example, the curved reinforcement member 812 connects the third exemplary edge 814 of the arm portion 802 and the fourth exemplary edge 816 of the arm portion 406, where the third edge 814 is on the opposite side of the first edge 806 and the fourth edge 816 is on the opposite side of the second edge 808. Further, at least one of the curved reinforcement members 812 is positioned between the splice plates 410, 412. The illustrated example shows four curved reinforcement members 812. However, in other examples, fewer (e.g., one, two, or three) or more (e.g., four or more) curved reinforcement members 812 may be employed. In some examples, the curved reinforcement members 812 are omitted.

[0020] In the illustrated example, the second arm portion 802 includes additional exemplary slots 818 that are similar to the slots 414, 602 discussed above in connection with FIGS. 4 - 6. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, an exemplary mounting plate 606 can be attached to both of the arm portions 406, 802 to facilitate the attachment of multiple blowers (blower assemblies) in different orientations. As an example, the exemplary gantry assembly 800 can support a first blower at a first rotational position on the arm portion 406, and the arm portion 406 and / or the first blower are at a first angular position about the hinge 804. Further, the exemplary gantry assembly 800 can include a second blower at a second rotational position on the arm portion 802, and the arm portion 802 and / or the second blower are positioned at a second angular position about the hinge 804. In some such examples, the first rotational position of the first blower is different from the second rotational position of the second blower. Further, in some such examples, the first angular position of the arm portion 406 is different from the second angular position of the arm portion 802. Further, in some examples, the first blower and the second blower can be placed at different longitudinal positions along the length of the gantry assembly 800. In some examples, at least one of the arm portions 406, 802 can support at least two mounting plates for supporting at least two blowers. In some examples, the splice plates 410, 412 are connected so as to be separable at at least one edge of the structures 100, 300 to maintain the vertical positioning of the arm portion 406. However, the arm portion 406 can also potentially be adjusted at any rotational position about the hinge 804. In some examples, the arm portions 406, 802 are proximate to each other based on the relative position of the arm portion 406 and / or the relative position of the arm portion 802. In such examples, the elongated slots 818 are aligned with the slots 414, 602.

[0021] "Comprising" and "including" (and all forms and tenses thereof) are used herein as open - ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs, as a preamble or within the scope of any kind of claim recitation, any form of "include" or "comprise" (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising, including, having, etc.), it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc. may be present without falling outside the scope of the corresponding claim or recitation. As used herein, the phrase "at least" is as open - ended as the terms "comprising" and "including" when used, for example, as a transitional term in a claim precondition. The term "and / or" when used in the form, for example, A, B, and / or C, refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C, such as (1) only A, (2) only B, (3) only C, (4) A and B, (5) A and C, (6) B and C, or (7) A, B, and C. When used in the context of describing a structure, component, item, object, and / or thing herein, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to an implementation that includes (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) either at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, when used in the context of describing a component, item, object, and / or thing herein, the phrase "at least one of A or B" is intended to refer to an implementation that includes (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) either at least one A and at least one B. When used in the context of describing the performance or execution of a process, instruction, action, activity, and / or step herein, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to an implementation that includes (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) either at least one A and at least one B.Similarly, as used in the context of the present specification to describe the performance or execution of a process, instruction, action, activity, and / or step, the phrase "at least one of A or B" is intended to refer to an implementation form that includes (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) any of at least one A and at least one B.

[0022] As used herein, a singular reference (e.g., "a", "an", "first", "second", etc.) does not exclude a plurality. The terms "an object" or "a certain object" as used herein refer to one or more of that object when used in this specification. The terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more", and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein. Moreover, although listed individually, the actions of multiple means, elements, or methods may be implemented, for example, by the same entity or object. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different examples or claims, these may be combinable, and including them in different examples or claims does not mean that the combination of features is not feasible and / or not advantageous.

[0023] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that exemplary manufacturing systems, manufacturing methods, manufacturing apparatuses, and manufacturing items enabling an adjustable gantry assembly have been disclosed. The disclosed examples enable effective air flow, temperature control, and oxygen supply to plants in a cultivation facility. The examples disclosed herein improve the design and applicability of the blower assembly.

[0024] Example 1 includes an apparatus having an arm extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the arm including an elongated slot enabling a blower to be selectively attached to the arm at different positions along the longitudinal axis, a first splice plate being connected to the first end of the arm, a second splice plate being connected to the second end of the arm, and the first splice plate and the second splice plate being structured to enable attachment to an external support structure.

[0025] Example 2 includes the device of Example 1, and the arm is pivotally connected to the first joint plate and the second joint plate about a rotation axis.

[0026] Example 3 includes the device of Example 2, and the rotation axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm.

[0027] Example 4 includes the device of Example 1, and further includes a third joint plate and a fourth joint plate pivotally connected to the first joint plate and the second joint plate. The third joint plate and the fourth joint plate rotate relative to the first joint plate and the second joint plate between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, they are substantially parallel to the first joint plate and the second joint plate. When in the second position, they form an angle with the first joint plate and the second joint plate.

[0028] Example 5 includes the device of Example 4, and the first joint plate and the second joint plate include corresponding first holes and second holes. The first holes and the second holes are aligned with corresponding third holes and fourth holes in the corresponding joint plates of the third joint plate and the fourth joint plate when the third joint plate and the fourth joint plate are in the first position.

[0029] Example 6 includes the device of Example 4, and further includes a reinforcing member fixed to one of the first joint plate or the third joint plate. The reinforcing member engages with at least one of the first joint plate or the third joint plate to prevent the arm from moving at different positions relative to the third joint plate.

[0030] Example 7 includes the device of Example 1, and the arm is the first arm, and further includes a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm. The second arm extends along the longitudinal axis.

[0031] Example 8 includes the device of Example 7, and further includes a reinforcing member fixed to one of the first arm and the second arm. The reinforcing member engages with at least one of the first arm or the second arm to prevent the second arm from moving at different positions relative to the first arm.

[0032] Example 9 includes the apparatus of Example 1, the elongated slot is the first elongated slot, the arm includes a second elongated slot substantially parallel to the first elongated slot, and the first elongated slot and the second elongated slot are disposed at an angle to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0033] Example 10 includes the apparatus of Example 1 and further includes a mounting plate that facilitates attaching a blower to the arm, the mounting plate being rotatably connectable to the arm about a rotation axis and enabling selective positioning of the blower at different positions about the rotation axis.

[0034] Example 11 includes an elongated body having a first slot closest to a first end of the elongated body, a second slot closest to a second end of the elongated body, and a third slot extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body between the first slot and the second slot, and a mounting plate connectable to the elongated body via the third slot, the mounting plate supporting a blower at different positions along the elongated body based on a location where the mounting plate is attached along the length of the third slot.

[0035] Example 12 includes the apparatus of Example 11, and the first end and the second end are connectable to an external frame via the first slot and the second slot.

[0036] Example 13 includes the apparatus of Example 11, and the elongated body is a first elongated body and further includes a second elongated body connected to an edge of the first elongated body.

[0037] Example 14 includes the apparatus of Example 13 and further includes a hinge joint pivotally connecting the first elongated body to the second elongated body, the hinge joint being positioned along the edge.

[0038] Example 15 includes the apparatus of Example 11. The mounting plate is the first mounting plate. The elongated body includes a second mounting plate positioned at the first end of the elongated body and a third mounting plate positioned at the second end of the elongated body. The second mounting plate includes a first slot, and the third mounting plate includes a second slot.

[0039] Example 16 includes the apparatus of Example 15 and further includes a first joint connecting the second mounting plate to the central arm of the elongated body and a second joint connecting the third mounting plate to the central arm of the elongated body. The first joint and the second joint enable the central arm to rotate relative to the second and third mounting plates along the longitudinal axis.

[0040] Example 17 includes the apparatus of Example 15 and further includes a first hinge joint and a second hinge joint. The first hinge joint pivotally connects the second mounting plate and a fourth mounting plate, and the second hinge joint pivotally connects the third mounting plate and a fifth mounting plate.

[0041] Example 18 includes the apparatus of Example 17. The fourth mounting plate and the fifth mounting plate are connectable to an external frame.

[0042] Example 19 includes the apparatus of Example 17 and further includes a reinforcing member extending from the second mounting plate. The fourth mounting plate is connectable to the second mounting plate at different locations along the length of the reinforcing member associated with different angular positions of the fourth mounting plate so as to be separable.

[0043] Example 20 is an arm connectable to a blower assembly so as to be separable. The blower assembly includes an arm movable along the longitudinal axis of the arm and a gusset plate connected to the arm and connectable to an external frame so as to be separable.

[0044] Example 21 includes the apparatus of Example 20. The arm is the first arm and further includes a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm via a hinge. The hinge is positioned at the interface between the first edge of the first arm and the second edge of the second arm.

[0045] Example 22 includes the apparatus of Example 21, the blower assembly is the first blower assembly, and further includes a second blower assembly connected to the second arm so as to be separable, and the second blower assembly is movable along the longitudinal axis of the second arm.

[0046] Example 23 includes the apparatus of Example 21, the first arm includes a third edge on the opposite side of the first edge, the second arm includes a fourth edge on the opposite side of the second edge, and further includes a curved reinforcing member connecting the third edge of the first arm and the fourth edge of the second arm.

[0047] Example 24 includes the apparatus of Example 23, and the curved reinforcing member is for connecting at least one of the splice plates of the first arm to the splice plate of the second arm.

[0048] Example 25 includes the apparatus of Example 23, and the curved reinforcing member is connected to the second edge of the first arm at a location between the splice plates, spaced apart from the splice plates.

[0049] The following claims are hereby incorporated by reference into the embodiments for carrying out the invention. Although certain exemplary manufacturing systems, manufacturing methods, manufacturing apparatuses, and manufactured items have been disclosed herein, the scope of application of this patent is not limited thereto. Rather, this patent includes within its scope all manufacturing systems, manufacturing methods, manufacturing apparatuses, and manufactured items that properly fall within the scope of the claims of this patent.

Claims

1. An arm extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the arm including an elongated slot that enables a blower to be selectively attached to the arm at different positions along the longitudinal axis; A first joint plate connected to the first end of the arm, the first joint plate being structured to enable attachment to an external support structure; A second joint plate connected to the second end of the arm, the second joint plate being structured to enable attachment to an external support structure; and an apparatus comprising the same.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm is pivotally connected to the first joint plate and the second joint plate about a rotation axis.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotation axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third joint plate and a fourth joint plate pivotally connected to the first joint plate and the second joint plate, the third joint plate and the fourth joint plate rotating relative to the first joint plate and the second joint plate between a first position and a second position, being substantially parallel to the first joint plate and the second joint plate when in the first position, and being angled with respect to the first joint plate and the second joint plate when in the second position.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first joint plate and the second joint plate include corresponding first holes and second holes, the first holes and the second holes being aligned with corresponding third holes and fourth holes in the corresponding joint plates of the third joint plate and the fourth joint plate when the third joint plate and the fourth joint plate are in the first position.

6. Further comprising a reinforcing member fixed to one of the first splicing plate or the third splicing plate, the reinforcing member engaging with at least one of the first splicing plate or the third splicing plate to prevent the arm portion from moving at different positions relative to the third splicing plate. The device according to claim 4.

7. The arm portion is a first arm portion, and further includes a second arm portion pivotally connected to the first arm portion, the second arm portion extending along the longitudinal axis. The device according to claim 1.

8. Further comprising a reinforcing member fixed to one of the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the reinforcing member engaging with at least one of the first arm portion or the second arm portion to prevent the second arm portion from moving at different positions relative to the first arm portion. The device according to claim 7.

9. The elongated slot is a first elongated slot, the arm portion includes a second elongated slot substantially parallel to the first elongated slot, and the first elongated slot and the second elongated slot are disposed at an angle to each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The device according to claim 1.

10. Further comprising a mounting plate for facilitating mounting the blower to the arm portion, the mounting plate being rotatably connectable to the arm portion about the rotation axis and enabling selective positioning of the blower at different positions about the rotation axis. The device according to claim 1.

11. An elongated body, including a first slot closest to a first end of the elongated body, a second slot closest to a second end of the elongated body, and a third slot extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body between the first slot and the second slot. A mounting plate connectable to the elongated body through the third slot, the mounting plate supporting a blower at different positions along the elongated body based on a location where the mounting plate is attached along the length of the third slot. An apparatus comprising **Claim 12** The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are connectable to an external frame via the first slot and the second slot. **Claim 13** The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the elongated body is a first elongated body, and further includes a second elongated body connected to an edge of the first elongated body. **Claim 14** The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a hinge joint pivotally connecting the first elongated body to the second elongated body, the hinge joint being positioned along the edge. **Claim 15** The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mounting plate is a first mounting plate, and the elongated body includes a second mounting plate positioned at the first end portion of the elongated body and a third mounting plate positioned at the second end portion of the elongated body, the second mounting plate includes the first slot, and the third mounting plate includes the second slot. **Claim 16** A first joint connecting the second mounting plate to a central arm portion of the elongated body, A second joint connecting the third mounting plate to the central arm portion of the elongated body, wherein the first joint and the second joint are second joints that enable the central arm portion to rotate relative to the second mounting plate and the third mounting plate along an axis in the longitudinal direction. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising **Claim 17** The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a first hinge joint and a second hinge joint, the first hinge joint pivotally connecting the second mounting plate and a fourth mounting plate, and the second hinge joint pivotally connecting the third mounting plate and a fifth mounting plate. **Claim 18** The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the fourth mounting plate and the fifth mounting plate are connectable to an external frame. **Claim 19** Further comprising a reinforcing member extending from the second mounting plate, wherein the fourth mounting plate is connectable to be separable at different locations with respect to the second mounting plate along the length of the reinforcing member associated with different angular positions of the fourth mounting plate. The apparatus according to claim 17.

20. An arm connectable to the blower assembly so as to be separable, the blower assembly comprising an arm movable along the longitudinal axis of the arm, And a gusset plate connected to the arm and connectable to the external frame so as to be separable. An apparatus comprising.

21. The arm is a first arm, and further comprises a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm via a hinge, the hinge being positioned at an interface between a first edge of the first arm and a second edge of the second arm. The apparatus according to claim 20.

22. The blower assembly is a first blower assembly, and further includes a second blower assembly connected to the second arm so as to be separable, the second blower assembly being movable along the longitudinal axis of the second arm. The apparatus according to claim 21.

23. The first arm includes a third edge on the opposite side of the first edge, the second arm includes a fourth edge on the opposite side of the second edge, and further includes a curved reinforcing member connecting the third edge of the first arm and the fourth edge of the second arm. The apparatus according to claim 21.

24. The curved reinforcing member is for connecting at least one of the gusset plates of the first arm to the gusset plate of the second arm. The apparatus according to claim 23.

25. The curved reinforcing member is connected to the second edge of the first arm at a location between the gusset plates, spaced apart from the gusset plates. The apparatus according to claim 23.

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