SALT WETTING APPARATUS AND BRINE APPLICATOR
In one embodiment, a conventional pickup truck is equipped with a tailgate spreader and a salt wetting apparatus. In another embodiment, a conventional pickup truck is equipped with a tailgate spreader and a brine dispensing apparatus. In yet another embodiment, a conventional pickup truck is equipped with a tailgate spreader, a salt wetting apparatus, and a brine dispensing apparatus.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 61/358,213, entitled SALT WETTING APPARATUS MOUNTABLE ON TAILGATE SPREADER, filed Jun. 24, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 61/361,206, entitled BRINE APPLICATOR COUPLED WITH TAIL GATE SALT SPREADER, filed Jul. 2, 2010, both which are incorporated herein by reference.
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses regarding the application of snow and ice treatment substances to roadways, parking lots, sidewalks, and other ground surfaces. More specifically this invention pertains to a snow or ice treatment dispensing apparatus sized and adapted to be mounted in pickup trucks or other small vehicles.
B. Description of the Related Art
It is well known in the ice and snow treatment industry to apply salt or other granular substances to ground surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. When salt is applied to a ground surface, the traction obtained on the ground surface is improved. Also snow and ice are not as strongly bonded to the ground surface and thus are easier to remove. However there are several drawbacks when salt alone is applied to ground surface. First, salt or other granular substances tend to migrate from the location where they are first applied. This migration may occur as the granules hit the surface and bounce or roll in various directions thus making the application ineffective. A second problem is that it may take significant time before a salt—liquid solution (brine) is formed on the ground surface. The importance of the resulting solution is the fact that it will remain in liquid form at temperatures below the freezing point of water. Thus the granular salt must stay in place on the surface for a sufficient time to form an effective solution. Attempted solutions to this problem include control systems for salt dispensing and spreading apparatuses. Some such control systems try to control the relative velocity between the salt granule and the ground surface by adjusting the dispensing speed. These systems are costly and add an additional level of complexity to the apparatus. A third problem is that the brine solution formed from applying salt to a snow or ice covered surface may be too dilute to provide an effective surface treatment. Attempted solutions to this problem include increasing the amount of salt applied to the surface. This solution adds cost as it requires more salt or treatment substance.
A second class of solutions to the above problems involves wetting or coating the salt by applying a liquid solution to the salt. These solutions can involve applying liquid to the salt before it enters the dispensing device or after it exits the dispensing device. Wetting or coating the salt before it lands on the ground surface increases the amount of treatment substance that stays on the ground surface and increases the time the treatment substance stays on the surface, thus improving the treatment's effectiveness. One problem with wetting or coating the salt before it is dispensed is the tendency for lumps to form thus making it difficult to dispense or rendering a portion of the treatment substance unusable. Thus wetting or coating the salt as it is dispensed avoids the problem of trying to put lumps of material through the dispensing apparatus. But trying to wet or coat the salt after it exits the dispenser also has problems. These problems revolve around ensuring the salt is wetted or is properly coated with liquid before it lands on the ground surface. Known solutions to this problem involve controlled mixing chambers where the salt is coated or is wetted by a liquid. This solution adds addition components, additional complexity, additional power to implement, and thus requires a larger apparatus to implement. Also the larger size requirement of this equipment restricts its use in several important ground surfaces. Thus these larger machines are not used on pedestrian ground surfaces (i.e. sidewalks, campus areas), small residential streets, or parking lots.
However, it has not been known to effectively wet, and/or coat, and dispense the salt in a smaller tailgate spreader environment. Further, it has never previously been provided a source of liquid or a wetting and/or coating apparatus in order to be used effectively in conjunction with a tailgate spreader.
There are also several problems when only liquid treatment is applied to a ground surface. One problem is obtaining effective concentrations after the liquid treatment is applied to the ground surface. Often the result after application of the liquid treatment is a highly diluted substance covering the ground surface which is ineffective. Another problem with liquid treatment systems is controlling the application rate and distribution pattern when traveling at highway speeds so that the liquid treatment is properly applied to the ground surfaces. Attempted solutions to this problem include implementing control systems to the apparatuses. Some such control systems try to control the relative velocity between the dispensed liquid and the ground surface by adjusting the dispensing speed. These systems are costly and add an additional level of complexity to the apparatus.
What is needed is a modular, inexpensive, less complex, lower power consuming, smaller in size, and reliable apparatus to dispense granular salt and liquid treatment substance to ground surfaces. It has not previously been known to combine a brine applicator with a tail gate spreader.
II. SUMMARYAccording to one embodiment of this invention, a salt wetting apparatus may be used with an associated conventional pick-up truck that may comprise a bed and a tailgate. The apparatus may comprise: a container that: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associated conventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt wetting liquid; a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to the associated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2) comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprises a rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granular salt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4) is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto the rotatable spreader element; and, a pump that is operable to pump the salt wetting liquid from the container through a conduit to the rotatable spreader element. The pump and tailgate spreader may be operable to apply the salt wetting liquid to the granular salt, forming a wetted salt material, as the granular salt is on or near the rotatable spreader element. The rotatable spreader element may be rotatable to direct the wetted salt material to the ground surface.
According to another embodiment of this invention, a brine dispensing apparatus may be used with an associated conventional pick-up truck comprising a bed and a tailgate. The apparatus may comprise: a container that: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associated conventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt-water brine; a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to the associated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2) comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprises a rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granular salt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4) is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto the rotatable spreader element; a brine applicator that: (1) is supported to one of the associated conventional pick-up truck and the tailgate spreader; and, (2) comprises a brine dispensing element; and, a pump that is operable to pump the salt-water brine from the container, through a conduit, and through the dispensing element to the ground surface.
According to yet another embodiment of this invention, a salt wetting apparatus and a brine dispensing apparatus may be used with an associated conventional pick-up truck comprising a bed and a tailgate. The apparatus may comprise: a first container that: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associated conventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt wetting liquid; a second container that: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associated conventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt-water brine; a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to the associated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2) comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprises a rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granular salt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4) is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto the rotatable spreader element; a first pump that is operable to pump the salt wetting liquid from the container through a first conduit to the rotatable spreader element; a brine applicator that: (1) is supported to the tailgate spreader; and, (2) comprises a brine dispensing element; and, a second pump that is operable to pump the salt-water brine from the container, through a second conduit, and through the dispensing element to the ground surface. The first pump and tailgate spreader may be operable to apply the salt wetting liquid to the granular salt, forming a wetted salt material, as the granular salt is on or near the rotatable spreader element. The rotatable spreader element may be rotatable to direct the wetted salt material to the ground surface.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,
With continuing reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
In an alternate embodiment, the various functions of the salt wetting apparatus and tailgate spreader may be manipulated by a control system. The system may be operated by the associated operator in the pickup truck 10. The system may allow the rotor 25 activation motor 27 to be activated or terminated. Also the rotational speed of the rotor 25 may be controlled. In conjunction with the activation mechanism 27 or separately, the pump 31 may be activated or terminated. Also the system may be used to control the flow rate of the liquid via valves or the nozzle 38. The system may be used to open or close the hopper 24 bottom gate thus allowing salt to fall to the salt discharge area 23. The system may also manipulate the nozzle 38 thus adjusting the liquid's distribution pattern and flow rate.
With continuing reference to
Still referring to
In an alternate embodiment, the various functions of the brine applicator and tail gate spreader may be manipulated by a control system. The system may be operated by the associated operator in the pickup truck 10. The system may allow the rotor 25 activation mechanism 27 to be activated or terminated. Also the rotational speed of the rotor 25 may be controlled. In conjunction with the activation mechanism 27 or separately, the pump 31 may be activated or terminated. Also the system may be used to control the brine flow rate via valves or the brine dispensing element 45. The system may be used to open or close the hopper 24 bottom gate thus allowing salt to fall to the salt discharge area. The system may also contain other elements chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. The elements and configuration of the control system may be such that either the tail gate spreader or the brine applicator may be selectively installed and operated.
In a second alternate embodiment, the brine dispensing element 45 may contain a mechanism which allows the dispensing element 45 to be rotated about the brine dispensing tube's 43 longitudinal axis. This feature allows the brine to be dispensed at adjustable angles relative to the ground surface. Also the brine dispensing element 45 may contain a mechanism which allows the dispensing element's 45 spacing along the brine dispensing tube's 43 longitudinal axis to be adjustable. The angles and spacing may be chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art.
Numerous embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A salt wetting apparatus for use with an associated conventional pick-up truck comprising a bed and a tailgate, comprising:
- a container that: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associated conventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt wetting liquid;
- a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to the associated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2) comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprises a rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granular salt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4) is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto the rotatable spreader element;
- a pump that is operable to pump the salt wetting liquid from the container through a conduit to the rotatable spreader element;
- wherein the pump and tailgate spreader are operable to apply the salt wetting liquid to the granular salt, forming a wetted salt material, as the granular salt is on or near the rotatable spreader element; and,
- wherein the rotatable spreader element is rotatable to direct the wetted salt material to the ground surface.
2. The salt wetting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit comprises a nozzle that allows the exiting salt wetting liquid's distribution pattern to be controlled.
3. The salt wetting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the salt wetting liquid is water.
4. The salt wetting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the salt wetting liquid is a salt-water brine.
5. The salt wetting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the associated conventional pick-up truck comprises a trailer hitch receiver and the tailgate spreader comprises a hitch extension that is suitable to be received in the trailer hitch receiver to secure the tailgate spreader to the associated conventional pick-up truck.
6. The salt wetting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tailgate spreader comprises a guide surface that: (1) is affixed substantially perpendicular to a rotational plane of the rotatable spreader element; and, (2) is suitable to direct the wetted salt material to the ground surface or back to the rotatable spreader element.
7. A brine dispensing apparatus for use with an associated conventional pick-up truck comprising a bed and a tailgate, comprising:
- a container that: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associated conventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt-water brine;
- a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to the associated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2) comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprises a rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granular salt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4) is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto the rotatable spreader element;
- a brine applicator that: (1) is supported to one of the associated conventional pick-up truck and the tailgate spreader; and, (2) comprises a brine dispensing element; and,
- a pump that is operable to pump the salt-water brine from the container, through a conduit, and through the dispensing element to the ground surface.
8. The brine dispensing apparatus of claim 7 wherein the brine applicator comprises a brine dispensing support that is attached to the tailgate spreader.
9. The brine dispensing apparatus of claim 8 wherein:
- the tailgate spreader comprises a spreader frame; and,
- the brine dispensing support comprises an attachment surface that detachable mates with the spreader frame.
10. The brine dispensing apparatus of claim 8 wherein the brine applicator comprises:
- a dispensing tube that transfers the salt-water brine from the conduit to the dispensing element; and,
- a spray guard that extends substantially parallel to the dispensing tube and that directs salt-water brine towards intended locations and away from undesirable locations.
11. The brine dispensing apparatus of claim 7 wherein the brine applicator comprises a flow regulator to control the flow of salt-water brine through the brine dispensing element.
12. The brine dispensing apparatus of claim 7 wherein:
- the brine applicator comprises a dispensing tube that transfers the salt-water brine from the conduit to the dispensing element; and,
- the brine dispensing element is position adjustable with respect to the dispensing tube to change the angle of the brine dispensing element with respect to the ground surface.
13. A salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus for use with an associated conventional pick-up truck comprising a bed and a tailgate, comprising:
- a first container that: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associated conventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt wetting liquid;
- a second container that: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associated conventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt-water brine;
- a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to the associated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2) comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprises a rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granular salt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4) is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto the rotatable spreader element;
- a first pump that is operable to pump the salt wetting liquid from the container through a first conduit to the rotatable spreader element;
- a brine applicator that: (1) is supported to the tailgate spreader; and, (2) comprises a brine dispensing element;
- a second pump that is operable to pump the salt-water brine from the container, through a second conduit, and through the dispensing element to the ground surface;
- wherein the first pump and tailgate spreader are operable to apply the salt wetting liquid to the granular salt, forming a wetted salt material, as the granular salt is on or near the rotatable spreader element; and,
- wherein the rotatable spreader element is rotatable to direct the wetted salt material to the ground surface.
14. The salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first conduit comprises a nozzle that allows the exiting salt wetting liquid's distribution pattern to be controlled.
15. The salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein the associated conventional pick-up truck comprises a trailer hitch receiver and the tailgate spreader comprises a hitch extension that is suitable to be received in the trailer hitch receiver to secure the tailgate spreader to the associated conventional pick-up truck.
16. The salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein the tailgate spreader comprises a guide surface that: (1) is affixed substantially perpendicular to a rotational plane of the rotatable spreader element; and, (2) is suitable to direct the wetted salt material to the ground surface or back to the rotatable spreader element.
17. The salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein:
- the tailgate spreader comprises a spreader frame;
- the brine applicator comprises a brine dispensing support; and,
- the brine dispensing support comprises an attachment surface that detachable mates with the spreader frame.
18. The salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein the brine applicator comprises:
- a dispensing tube that transfers the salt-water brine from the conduit to the dispensing element; and,
- a spray guard that extends substantially parallel to the dispensing tube and that directs salt-water brine towards intended locations and away from undesirable locations.
19. The salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein the brine applicator comprises a flow regulator to control the flow of salt-water brine through the brine dispensing element.
20. The salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein:
- the brine applicator comprises a dispensing tube that transfers the salt-water brine from the conduit to the dispensing element; and,
- the brine dispensing element is position adjustable with respect to the dispensing tube to change the angle of the brine dispensing element with respect to the ground surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 23, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 29, 2011
Inventor: Marty Warchola (Medina, OH)
Application Number: 13/167,277
International Classification: E01C 19/20 (20060101);