Adjustable fan stand 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 priority to 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 mounting 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] Illustrates a storage structure of a cultivation facility. [Figure 2] Illustrates a storage structure of a cultivation facility. [Figure 3] Illustrates a storage structure of a cultivation facility. [Figure 4] An exemplary mounting assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. [Figure 5] Another exemplary mounting assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. [Figure 6] Another exemplary mounting assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. [Figure 7] Yet another exemplary mounting assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. [Figure 8] This is yet another exemplary mounting assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] Generally, the same reference number is used throughout the description of one or more drawings and accompanying documents that refer to the same or similar parts. Drawings are not necessarily measured in the same units. Rather, the thickness of layers or areas may be enlarged in drawings. Drawings show layers and areas with clear lines or boundaries, but some or all of these lines and / or boundaries may be drawn ideally. In reality, boundaries and / or lines may be indistinguishable, merge, and / or discontinuous.

[0007] When used herein, references to connections (e.g., attach, link, connect, and join) may, unless otherwise specified, include intermediate members between the elements referred to by the reference to connections, and / or relative movement between these elements. As such, references to connections do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and / or are in a fixed relationship with one another. When used herein, any statement that any part is "in contact" with another part is defined as meaning that there is no intermediate part at all between the two parts.

[0008] Unless otherwise specifically stated, descriptors such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used herein without implying or otherwise indicating any order, 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 in order to facilitate understanding of the examples disclosed. 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 a claim by a different descriptor such as “second” or “third.” In such examples, it should be understood that such descriptors are simply used to clearly distinguish elements that may otherwise share the same name, for example.

[0009] Cultivation facilities are often used for indoor planting. These facilities mitigate the risks of extreme weather conditions to plant cultivation while optimizing plant yield, quality, and stability. Often included in industrial environments, cultivation facilities can be designed to optimally store and cultivate plants. For example, electrical and / or mechanical systems (e.g., water supply, oxygen supply, temperature control, light source, etc.) can be implemented in the design of such facilities to meet the requirements for plant cultivation. In industrial settings, plants can be arranged on a number of shelves, for example, made of metal structures. These structures can integrate electrical and / or mechanical systems (e.g., orientation, positioning, arrangement, etc.) to enable the cultivation and storage of plants. As shown and described in relation to Figures 1-3, blower assemblies can be included in such designs to distribute air and control temperature throughout these structures. Examples disclosed herein relating to cultivation facilities are described below. However, any of the examples disclosed herein can be incorporated into any other type of application (e.g., manufacturing, production lines, storage facilities, technical laboratories, etc.).

[0010] More specifically, Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an exemplary cultivation structure 100 for use in a cultivation facility. Figure 2 is another partial perspective view of the exemplary cultivation structure 100. As shown in Figures 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 the 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 Figures 1 and 2, the 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 duct 112.

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary cultivation structure 300 for use in a cultivation facility. The cultivation structure 300 in Figure 3 is similar to the cultivation structures 100 in Figures 1 and 2. However, unlike Figures 1 and 2, which include a blower assembly 104 that delivers air through ducts 110, 112, Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary blower assembly 302 positioned on the horizontal plane of the structure 300 to push air toward a specific one of the shelves 102 (and associated seedling beds 106). More specifically, in Figure 3, the blower assembly 302 includes a blower 304 connected to the edge of the structure 300 and oriented to push air horizontally across the shelves 102. The blower assemblies 104, 302 in the structures 100, 300 in Figures 1–3 have a relatively rigid structure, and the position (e.g., orientation) for the ducts, blowers, and / or other components is fixed. By fixing the blower assemblies in place, the oxygen supply to the seedbed 106 can be restricted (e.g., limited, obstructed). By appropriately positioning the airflow to the seedbed 106, a favorable growing environment can be provided, and the air supply and temperature for the plants can be improved (e.g., optimized). The fixed blower assemblies 104 and 302 in Figures 1 to 3 limit the adjustability and adaptability when operating the cultivation facilities associated with structures 100 and 300.

[0012] Figures 4–8 illustrate exemplary support assemblies 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 constructed according to the teachings of this disclosure, capable of supporting one or more blowers. Returning to Figure 4, we see a first exemplary support assembly 400 extending between two parts of an exemplary frame (e.g., an external support structure, an external frame, etc.) 402 and supporting an exemplary blower 404 between them. In the example of Figure 4, the support assembly 400 is connected to the frame 402 so as to be separable (e.g., bolted). In some examples, the frame 402 corresponds to a rack in the cultivation structures 100, 300 of Figure 3. However, the support assembly 400 is connected to the structures 100, 300 along a vertical edge so as to be separable, for example. In some examples, the support assembly 400 can be connected so as to be separable to any edge of the structures 100, 300 so as to be able to position the blower 404 at a number of locations relative to the structures 100, 300.

[0013] As shown in the illustrated example, the frame 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 extensions 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 attached 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 plates 410, 412 and includes one or more exemplary elongated slots 414. An exemplary blower 404 is selectively mounted on the arm 406 via a mounting plate 408 connected to the arm 406 via one or more exemplary threaded fasteners (e.g., bolts) 416 extending through a slot 414 (e.g., positioned, linked, etc.). Accordingly, the exemplary mounting plate 408 is connectable to the blower 404. In the example of Figure 4, the mounting plate 408 is generally circular. However, the exemplary mounting plate 408 may be any shape to achieve the desired orientation of the blower 404 relative to the arm 406 and / or the frame assembly 400. In addition or instead, in some examples, the mounting plate 408 includes an exemplary curved slot 418 through which the fasteners 416 extend, allowing the mounting plate 408 to be selectively positioned relative to the arm 406 in different orientations when mounted. 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, which is related to the elongated length of the slot 414. As such, the exemplary blower 404 and / or blower assembly 413 are movable along the longitudinal axis of the arm 406. In some examples, the mounting plate 408 may be rotatable (adjustable) about an axis, as will be described in more detail below in relation to Figures 6–8.

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

[0015] Figure 5 shows another exemplary frame assembly 500 similar to the exemplary frame assembly 400 of Figure 4. However, the exemplary frame assembly 500 includes exemplary pivot joints 502, 504 that rotatably connect (e.g., pivotally link, join, etc.) the arm 406 to the splice plates 410, 412. In the example of Figure 5, the splice plates 410, 412 are linked to the frame 402 so as to be separable, and the arm 406 is rotatable about exemplary axis 506. The exemplary blower 404 is positioned in a first rotational position about axis 506. However, the exemplary blower 404 can generally be positioned in any rotational position about axis 506, as indicated by exemplary arrow 508. In this technique, 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 on the arm 406 via a mounting plate 408.

[0016] Figure 6 shows another exemplary mounting assembly 600 constructed according to the teachings herein. The exemplary mounting assembly 600 of Figure 6 is similar to the exemplary mounting assembly 500 of Figure 5, except that the arm 406 of Figure 6 includes an additional exemplary slot 602 separate from the slot 414 and spaced apart from the slot 414. In the example of Figure 6, the slots 414, 602 are parallel to each other and extend generally along the longitudinal direction of the arm 406 (e.g., the longitudinal axis), as indicated by the exemplary arrow 604. In addition or instead, the exemplary slots 414, 602 are positioned at an angle to each other laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the arm 406. Figure 6 shows an exemplary mounting plate 606 including an exemplary slot 608 extending along a circular path. In this example, the circular path defined by the slots 608 has a diameter greater than the distance between the slots 414 and 602, so that the slots 608 in the mounting plate 606 overlap with or align with both the slots 414 and 602 in the arm 406, facilitating attachment to the arm 406 (e.g., mounting location). The circular arrangement of the slots 608 generally allows the exemplary mounting plate 606 to rotate about the exemplary axis 610, as indicated by the exemplary arrow 612. Accordingly, the rotatable mounting plate 606 can be positioned at selectively different rotational positions about the axis 610 for the exemplary blower (mounted on the mounting plate 606). In the illustrated example, the mounting plate 606 includes three slots 608. However, other examples may employ fewer or more slots 608. In addition or alternatively, the exemplary arm 406 is rotatably connected to the splice plates 410 and 412 via pivot joints 502 and 504. Thus, the arm 406 is generally rotatable about the axis 506 (relative to the splice plates 410, 412) in the direction indicated by arrow 508. In the example of Figure 6, the axis 506 is generally substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the arm 406 (e.g., strictly parallel, parallel within a range of 5°, etc.), as indicated by arrow 604.

[0017] Figure 7 shows another exemplary rigging assembly 700, similar to the exemplary rigging assembly 400 of Figure 4 and the exemplary rigging assembly 600 of Figure 6. However, the exemplary rigging assembly 700 of Figure 7 includes additional exemplary splice plates 702, 704 (e.g., mounting plates) pivotably 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 adjustable relative to the additional splice plates 702, 704, generally in the direction indicated by the exemplary arrow 710. In the example of Figure 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) around the exemplary axis 712. For example, in a first exemplary angular position of the arm 406, the splice plates 702, 704 may be substantially parallel to the splice plates 410, 412. In such a case, the hole 420 may be aligned with the exemplary hole 714 in the splice plates 702, 704 in the first exemplary angular position. However, in a second exemplary angular position of the arm 406, the splice plates 702, 704 may be at an angle to the splice plates 410, 412. In Figure 7, the exemplary axis 712 extends along the longitudinal axis of the arm 406 (for example, generally in the direction indicated by arrow 604) and aligns with the pivot axis of the hinges 706, 708. In some examples, the frame assembly 700 may include a locking mechanism to prevent the arm 406 from moving in a desired angular position (for example, by fastening, linking, etc.). More specifically, in some examples, the exemplary curved reinforcement 716 is constructed to be attached to (e.g., fixed to) the splices 410, 412 and to interact with (e.g., engage, connect, etc.) the additional splices 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 splices 410, 412 extending from the arm 406 and the additional splices 702, 704 to which hinges 706, 708 are connected. In other words, the exemplary curved reinforcement 716 may be connected to the additional splices 702, 704 so as to be separable, allowing the arm 406 to rotate to different positions or to rotate about an axis 712 (e.g., angular positions).The illustrated example shows two curved reinforcements 716. However, other examples may employ fewer (e.g., one) or more (e.g., three or more) curved reinforcements 716. In some examples, the curved reinforcements 716 are omitted. In this example, there are no separate arms extending between the two additional splices 702, 704. However, in other examples, a separate arm similar to arm 406 may extend between the additional splices 702, 704. In such examples, one or more hinges may connect the two arms in addition to hinges 706, 708 connecting the two sets of splices 410, 412, 702, 704. In some examples, the splices 410, 412 are connectable to an external frame (e.g., frame 402 in Figure 4).

[0018] Figure 8 shows another exemplary rigging assembly 800, similar to the exemplary rigging assembly 700 of Figure 7. However, in Figure 8, the rigging assembly 800 includes a second exemplary arm 802 and an exemplary hinge (e.g., a hinge joint) 804. In the example of Figure 8, the second arm 802 extends along the longitudinal direction of the arm 406 (e.g., generally indicated by arrow 604) and is pivotally connected to the arm 406 via the hinge 804. In detail, the first exemplary edge 806 of the arm 802 connects to the 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, generally in the direction indicated by the exemplary arrow 810. In some examples, two arms 406, 802 are connected via two or more hinges 804.

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

[0020] In the illustrated example, the second arm 802 includes an additional exemplary slot 818 similar to the slots 414 and 602 discussed above in relation to Figures 4 to 6. Thus, as shown in Figure 8, exemplary mounting plates 606 can be attached to both arms 406 and 802 to facilitate the mounting of multiple blowers (blower assemblies) in different orientations. As an example, the exemplary mount assembly 800 can support a first blower in a first rotational position on the arm 406, and the arm 406 and / or the first blower are in a first angular position around the hinge 804. Furthermore, the exemplary mount assembly 800 may include a second blower in a second rotational position on the arm 802, and the arm 802 and / or the second blower are positioned in a second angular position around the hinge 804. In some such examples, the first rotational position of the first blower differs from the second rotational position of the second blower. Furthermore, in some such examples, the first angular position of arm 406 differs from the second angular position of arm 802. Furthermore, in some examples, the first and second blowers can be positioned in different longitudinal positions along the length of the frame assembly 800. In some examples, at least one of the arms 406, 802 can support at least two mounting plates supporting at least two blowers. In some examples, the vertical positioning of arm 406 can be maintained by connecting joint plates 410, 412 so as to be separable from at least one edge of the structures 100, 300. However, arm 406 may also be adjustable to any rotational position around hinge 804. In some examples, arms 406, 802 are close to each other based on the relative positions of arm 406 and / or arm 802. In such an example, the elongated slot 818 aligns with slots 414 and 602.

[0021] The terms “include” and “comprise” (and all their forms and tenses) are used herein to be unrestricted terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any form of “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising, including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within the scope of any kind of claim detail, it should be understood that additional elements, terms, etc., may exist without exceeding the scope of the corresponding claim or detail. When used herein, the phrase “at least” is unrestricted, just as the terms “comprise” and “include” are unrestricted, for example, when used as a transitional term in the preamble of a claim. The term “and / or” refers to any combination or subset of A, B, and C, such as (1) A only, (2) B only, (3) C only, (4) A and B, (5) A and C, (6) B and C, or (7) A, B and C, when used in the form of A, B, and / or C, for example. When used in this specification in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects, and / or things, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to a disassembled implementation that includes (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, when used in this specification in the context of describing components, items, objects, and / or things, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to a configuration that includes (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. When used in this specification in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities, and / or steps, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to a configuration that includes (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) 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 processes, instructions, actions, activities, and / or steps, 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) either at least one A and at least one B.

[0022] As used in this specification, a single reference (e.g., "a", "an", "first", "second", etc.) does not exclude a plurality. The terms "an" object or "a" object, as used in this specification, refer to one or more of that object. The terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more", and "at least one" are used interchangeably in this specification. Moreover, although listed individually, the actions of multiple means, elements, or methods may be implemented, for example, by the same entity or object. Additionally, individual features may be included in different examples or claims, but 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 above, it will be recognized that exemplary manufacturing systems, manufacturing methods, manufacturing apparatuses, and manufacturing items that enable 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 in this specification 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 that enables a blower to be selectively attached to the arm at different positions along the longitudinal axis, a first splicing plate being connected to the first end of the arm, a second splicing plate being connected to the second end of the arm, and the first splicing plate and the second splicing plate being structured to enable attachment to an external support structure.

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

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

[0027] Example 4 includes the apparatus of Example 1, further including a third and fourth splice plate pivotably connected to a first and a second splice plate, the third and fourth splice plates rotating relative to the first and second splice plates between a first and a second position, substantially parallel to the first and second splice plates when in the first position, and at an angle to the first and second splice plates when in the second position.

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

[0029] Example 6 includes the apparatus of Example 4, further including a reinforcing member fixed to either the first or third splice plate, the reinforcing member engaging with at least one of the first or third splice plate to prevent the arm from moving in a different position relative to the third splice plate.

[0030] Example 7 includes the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the arm is a first arm, and further includes a second arm pivotably connected to the first arm, the second arm extending along a longitudinal axis.

[0031] Example 8 includes the apparatus of Example 7, further including a reinforcing member fixed to one of the first arm and the second arm, the reinforcing member engaging with at least one of the first arm or the second arm to prevent the second arm from moving in a different position relative to the first arm.

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

[0033] Example 10 includes the apparatus of Example 1, further including a mounting plate that facilitates the attachment of a blower to an arm, the mounting plate being rotatably connected to the arm about a rotation axis, and allowing the blower to be positioned at selectively 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 and second slots, 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 the location where the mounting plate is attached along the length of the third slot.

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

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

[0037] Example 14 includes the apparatus of Example 13, further including a hinge joint that pivotably connects a first elongated body to a second elongated body, the hinge joint being positioned along the edge.

[0038] Example 15 includes the apparatus of Example 11, wherein the mounting plate is a first mounting plate, and the elongated body includes a second mounting plate positioned at a first end of the elongated body, and a third mounting plate positioned at a 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, further including a first joint connecting a second mounting plate to the central arm of an elongated body, and a second joint connecting a third mounting plate to the central arm of an elongated body, wherein the first and second joints make the central arm rotatable along its longitudinal axis relative to the second and third mounting plates.

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

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

[0042] Example 19 includes the apparatus of Example 17, further including a reinforcing member extending from a second mounting plate, the fourth mounting plate being detachably connectable to the second mounting plate at different locations along the length of the reinforcing member related to different angular positions of the fourth mounting plate.

[0043] Example 20 is an arm that can be connected to a blower assembly so as to be separable, the blower assembly including an arm that is movable along the longitudinal axis of the arm and a connecting plate connected to the arm that can be connected to an external frame so as to be separable.

[0044] Example 21 includes the apparatus of Example 20, wherein the arm is a first arm, and further comprises a second arm pivotably connected to the first arm via a hinge, the hinge being 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, wherein the blower assembly is a first blower assembly, further including a second blower assembly connected to a second arm so as to be separable, the second blower assembly being movable along the longitudinal axis of the second arm.

[0046] Example 23 includes the apparatus of Example 21, wherein the first arm includes a third edge opposite to the first edge, the second arm includes a fourth edge opposite to 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, wherein a curved reinforcing member is provided to connect 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, wherein the curved reinforcing member is connected to the second edge of the first arm at a location between the splices, spaced apart from the splices.

[0049] The following claims are incorporated herein by reference into the embodiments for carrying out this invention. While certain exemplary manufacturing systems, methods, apparatuses, and manufactured items have been disclosed herein, the scope of this patent is not limited to them. Rather, this patent encompasses all manufacturing systems, methods, apparatuses, and manufactured items that fall legitimately within the claims of this patent.

Claims

1. An arm portion extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the arm portion including an elongated slot that allows a blower to be selectively attached to the arm portion at different positions along the longitudinal axis, A first splice plate connected to the first end of the arm, the first splice plate being structured to allow attachment to an external support structure, A second splice plate connected to the second end of the arm, the second splice plate being structured to allow attachment to an external support structure, and A device equipped with the following features.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion is pivotably connected to the first joint plate and the second joint plate with respect to a rotation axis.

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

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third and a fourth splice plate pivotably connected to the first and second splice plates, wherein the third and fourth splice plates rotate relative to the first and second splice plates between a first position and a second position, being substantially parallel to the first and second splice plates when in the first position and at an angle to the first and second splice plates when in the second position.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first splice plate and the second splice plate each include a first hole and a second hole, and when the third splice plate and the fourth splice plate are in the first position, the first hole and the second hole are aligned with the third hole and the fourth hole of the third splice plate and the fourth splice plate, respectively.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a reinforcing member fixed to one of the first or third splice plate, wherein the reinforcing member engages with at least one of the first or third splice plate to prevent the arm from moving in a different position relative to the third splice plate.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion is a first arm portion, further comprising a second arm portion pivotably connected to the first arm portion, the second arm portion extending along the longitudinal axis.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a reinforcing member fixed to one of the first arm and the second arm, the reinforcing member engaging with at least one of the first arm or the second arm to prevent the second arm from moving in a position different from that of the first arm.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elongated slot is a 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 offset from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting plate for facilitating the attachment of the blower to the arm, wherein the mounting plate is rotatably connected to the arm about a rotation axis, and the blower is positioned at selectively different positions about the rotation axis.

11. An elongated body comprising 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 and second slots, A first mounting plate connectable to the elongated body via the third slot, the first mounting plate supporting the blower at different positions along the elongated body based on the location where the first mounting plate is attached along the length of the third slot. Equipped with, The first end and the second end are connectable to an external frame via the first slot and the second slot, The device comprises an elongated body, 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, wherein the second mounting plate includes the first slot, and the third mounting plate includes the second slot.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the elongated body is a first elongated body, and further comprises a second elongated body connected to the edge of the first elongated body.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a hinge joint that pivotably connects the first elongated body to the second elongated body, wherein the hinge joint is positioned along the edge.

14. A first joint connects the second mounting plate to the central arm portion of the elongated main body, A second joint connecting the third mounting plate to the central arm of the elongated body, wherein the first joint and the second joint make the central arm rotatable relative to the second and third mounting plates along the longitudinal axis. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a first hinge joint and a second hinge joint, wherein the first hinge joint pivotably connects the second mounting plate and the fourth mounting plate, and the second hinge joint pivotably connects the third mounting plate and the fifth mounting plate.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the fourth mounting plate and the fifth mounting plate are connectable to an external frame.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a reinforcing member extending from the second mounting plate, wherein the fourth mounting plate is detachably connectable to the second mounting plate at different locations along the length of the reinforcing member relating to different angular positions of the fourth mounting plate.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion is a first arm portion, and further comprises a second arm portion pivotably connected to the first arm portion via a hinge, the hinge portion being positioned at the interface between the first edge of the first arm portion and the second edge of the second arm portion.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the blower is a first blower, and a second blower is detachably connected to the second arm, and the second blower is movable along the longitudinal axis of the second arm.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first arm portion includes a third edge opposite to the first edge, the second arm portion includes a fourth edge opposite to the second edge, and further includes a curved reinforcing member connecting the third edge of the first arm portion and the fourth edge of the second arm portion.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the second arm includes a third splice plate and a fourth splice plate at each of the first and second ends of the second arm, and the curved reinforcing member is for connecting at least one of the first splice plate and the second splice plate of the first arm to at least one of the third splice plate and the fourth splice plate of the second arm.

22. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the curved reinforcing member is connected to the second edge of the first arm at a location between the first and second splice plates, at a distance from the first and second splice plates.

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