System and kit for attachment to a support structure of a control panel for a high-volume low speed fan

Abstract

A system and kit for securing a high-volume low speed (HVLS) fan that secures the control panel to a structural support member and is in turn attached to a mount member. An extension tube extends between and is secured to the mount member and a fan motor shaft. The placement of the control panel near the HVLS system reduces the potential for inadvertent access to the control panel when placed closer to ground level. Inadvertent access can yield to electrocutions and create a fire hazard. Additionally, the aesthetics are greatly improved when the control panel is in alignment with the HVLS supporting structural members.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for mounting a high-volume low speed fan, the system comprising:
 a structural support member:   a control panel comprising a housing with an upper plate and at least one lower surface, the control panel secured to the structural support member;   a mount member with a base member, the mount member secured to and disposed beneath the lower surface of the housing; and   an extension tube with a first end and a second end, the first end of the extension tube disposed beneath the base member of the mount member and the second end disposed proximate a housing for the drive motor of the high-volume low speed fan.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural support member is at least one of a Glulam beam, a purlin, an I-beam, a steel truss or a Unistrut. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the control panel housing is secured to each flange of the I-beam with an I-beam clamp and at least two threaded fasteners. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein each I-beam clamp comprises a flat plate member with first and second longitudinally disposed edges, the second edge extending downwardly away from the flat plate. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the housing is secured to the Glulam beam with opposing L-shaped brackets, a single L-shaped bracket disposed on each side of the Glulam beam. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the L-shaped bracket comprises a long plate and a short plate disposed at approximately 90 degrees to the long plate. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein each short plate is outwardly extending from the Glulam beam and the short plate is secured to the upper plate of the control panel by threaded fasteners passing through aligned openings in both the upper plate of the housing and the short plate of the L-shaped bracket. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the upper plate of the control panel housing is secured with fasteners to two Unistrut support elements. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of a variable frequency drive or a motor controller is disposed within the housing of the control panel. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is C-shaped and comprises two inwardly extending flanges disposed beneath the upper plate, the two inwardly extending flanges operable to support an enclosure for the variable frequency drive. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises a front plate with a through hole for access by at least one of a cable gland of a power cable or a communication cable. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises a back plate with a through hole for insertion of a communication cable. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control panel complies with Underwriters Laboratories certification standard 508A. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a separation mount is disposed between the structural support member and the upper plate of the control panel. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein electrical wiring is disposed within the tube extending between the control panel and a drive motor of the high-volume low speed fan. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mount member is at least one of a universal mount or a rapid mount. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for mounting a high-volume low speed fan to a structural member, the kit comprising:
 a control panel comprising a housing with an upper plate and a lower surface, the control panel secured to the structural member;   a mount member with a base member, the universal mount secured to and disposed beneath the lower surface of the control panel housing;   an extension tube with a first end and a second end; and   a motor housing for a high-volume low speed fan, wherein the first end of the drop extension tube is disposed proximate the base member of the mount member and the second end is disposed proximate the motor housing of the high-volume low speed fan.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the upper plate comprises two longitudinally opposed edges that overhang the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The kits of  claim 17 , wherein the lower surface of the housing comprises a plurality of inwardly extending flanges. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein an enclosure is disposed within the housing and is supported by the inwardly extending flanges. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the enclosure encloses at least one of a variable frequency drive or a motor controller.