Abstract: A spray boom and vessel apparatus is disclosed having one or more spray nozzles adjustably mounted along the axes of a plurality of independent spray booms. The spray booms are releasably supported upon a boom frame in horizontal, parallel relation to each other. The boom frame is releasably supported by a vessel and valve frame, which also supports a plurality of vessel and valve assemblies. Each vessel and valve assembly is in fluid-flow connection with the nozzles of one of the spray booms and a source of pressurized air. The vessel and valve frame is releasably mounted on a vehicle frame, which is pivotally attached to a vehicle.

Abstract: An improved liquid chemical applicator is provided and consists of a mechanism that can activate a plurality of spray nozzles to apply a plurality of overlapping sprays of liquid chemical at a constant height, at a constant pressure and at a proper direction onto horizontal, vertical and angular surfaces to form a uniform coating thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for spraying of liquids for herbicidal and insecticidal application and the like has a supporting frame for being carried by a vehicle. An upright support is carried by the frame including an upright post and includes a hydraulic cylinder for providing selective vertical telescoping movement of the post. A hydraulic cylinder provides rotation of the post, for rotating a boom carried by the post. A hydraulic cylinder also provides selective pivoting of the supporting boom section relative to the post for vertical movement. The boom has a supporting boom section, a mid-boom section and a reconfigurable boom end element which may be either an articulating tip boom section or a strip spray attachment of "wishbone" configuration. A hydraulic motor provides selective telescoping movement of the mid-boom section relative to the supporting boom sections. The supporting boom section, mid-boom section and boom end element all include spray nozzles.

Abstract: A spray system and method is described for producing a spray pattern that may be used to spray around stationary objects such as tree trunks in a single pass from one side of the object. The system includes an elongated sectioned boom having provisions for carrying a spray head at an outward end at a relatively constant height from the ground surface. Nozzles at the outward boom end are selectively adjustable into a desired spary configuration whereby the pattern produced projects both inward and outward of the boom end. The pattern may be adjusted so that it will extend equally to opposite sides of an object spaced outwardly of the boom end. Provisions are also made for adjusting the spray pattern and for elevationally adjusting the effective height of the nozzles from the ground surface. Other provisions include a break away mechanism that enables pivotal motion of the outward boom end in response to engagement with an object such as a tree trunk as the system is moved forwardly.

Abstract: A device for lubricating rails is mounted on a track maintenance truck. A pair of heated grease cannisters are mounted in the truck bed along with an air compressor for powering the pneumatic components of the lubricator. A pair of applicator arms have nozzles which apply the grease in a bead to the rails. Valves operated by pneumatic cylinders control the flow of grease to the applicator arms. A special frame attached to the rail gear on the rear bumper of the truck rotatively supports a pair of coaxial shafts on which the arms are carried. Independent pneumatic cylinders rotate the shafts to move the applicator arms between a lowered operating position for applying grease and a raised position in which the arms extend horizontally when not in use. Each arm can be manually moved to and latched in an upright position for over the road travel of the truck.

Abstract: A spray unit and process for controlled droplet atomization in which a tangential vortex type fan with wide mouth passes operation from low-to-medium pressures at high volume, passes air through a throat in which controlled droplet atomization of spray material is being achieved prior to emission from the fan in a plane generally parallel to the flow of air. The flow of air sweeps the droplets into a parallel orientation in substantial avoidance of contact of the spray material on the fan parts, throat or mouth thereof and the airflow confines the continuous core of controlled droplets and projects the protected spray toward a target. The spray units are arranged to permit plural end-to-end adjacent articulated mounting with directional adjustment and flexible conduits for power at the individual units, including spray material delivery and power to lineal actuators and are carriage mounted on wheels for easy movement in the target area.

Abstract: A field sprayer has a pair of outwardly extending booms each formed by an enclosure having an upper wall of inverted V-shape with an airfoil at the apex for re-directing air rising on one side down the other side to avoid turbulence. The enclosure on the leeside thereof supports a plurality of jet nozzles which project through an opening in the enclosure. A front wall depending downwardly from the front edge is formed of two parallel flexible layers with vertical staggered slits whereby it can flex rearwardly as the enclosure moves forwardly by contacting the plants. The jet is directed to a position immediately behind the rear edge of the front wall in flexed position so as to engage the plants when bent forwardly. Ground wheels are arranged at the outer ends of the booms and a single central pivot supports the inner ends for movement to a trailing transport position.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the height and level of a movable boom is disclosed. This mechanism includes a carrier member mountable for vertical pivotal movement about one end thereof, and a first actuator is provided for controlling the movement and position of the carrier member. A unitary member for supporting the boom in a cantilevered manner is also provided. The unitary support member is connected at the distal end of the carrier member for vertical pivotal movement. Finally, a second actuator is provided for controlling the vertical movement of the support member and boom relative to the carrier member, with the second actuator controlling the vertical level of the boom and the first actuator controlling the vertical height of the boom.

Abstract: A self-levelling boom arrangement for supporting upon a frame of an agricultural material distribution device includes a pair of boom arms extending outwardly from a central support beam. The boom arms are pivotally mounted on a single horizontal pin on the beam for raising and lowering in a vertical plane. The beam is pivotally mounted at a lower end so that the pin can move side to side in the vertical plane. Hydraulic rams are connected to the arms at positions spaced outwardly of the central pin for raising and lowering the arms relative to the frame. Thus, the arms can be raised and lowered independently while the central beam provides a self-levelling effect.

Abstract: Vehicle-borne apparatus for spraying liquid completely around immoveable upstanding objects such as trees or poles. The apparatus comprises an articulated boom having a pair of normally aligned, linear members. These members are secured to each other so that during operation the outer member can pivot out of alignment about a vertical axis in a direction opposite to the direction of motion, against the force of a biasing spring urging that member back to aligned position. A spray head is rotatably secured to the front end of the outer member, to rotate about a vertical axis at the center of the head. The head has a plurality of arms with spray nozzles at their ends, radially and outwardly extending from its center. Adjacent arms form angles of 90.degree. or more with respect to each other and receive between them a portion of the immoveable object.

Abstract: A pneumatic distributing device which can be used for broadcasting particulate fertilizer, herbicide or the like includes a tank, a slot across the tank with a metering roller in the slot for metering the particulate material into a number of receptacles arranged along the slot. A first venturi at the bottom of the receptacle transports the material in the receptacle through a first portion of the duct to a junction provided by a second venturi and a second duct. The second duct extends outwardly along a boom with a number of such ducts arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement which is selfsupporting. The second ducts incline slightly downwardly and are straight from the feed end to an open mouth at the outer end. A deflector attached to the open mouth has a first and then a second surface for spreading and then deflecting the material from the open mouth to the ground with the spread taking place along the length of the boom.

Abstract: A universal abrasive cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of arms which are rotatably connected in series with one another is disclosed. A plurality of nozzles are connected to the distal end of the series of arms by means of a nozzle support. Conduit means interconnecting the nozzles to the source of abrasive and fluid are disposed within the interior of each arm thereby protecting the conduits from damage during manipulation of the arms. The proximal end of the series of arms is connected to a drum rotatably disposed within a housing. The drum is powered by a motor. A brake mechanism is connected to the housing for braking the drum during operation of the motor. An actuator means is connected to each of the arms for rotating the arms about their respective axis of rotation. The actuator means is controlled manually or by a microcomputer.

Abstract: A lower boom is pivotally mounted on a turntable and moved upwardly and downwardly by a hydraulic cylinder, the lower end of which may be pivoted on the same pivot shaft as that on which a pair of links are pivoted. The outer ends of the links are pivotally connected to the lower end of a knee joint, preferably formed of heavy plate and attached to the inner end of an upper boom, while the outer end of the lower boom is pivotally attached to the knee joint above the links. An extensible boom, hydraulically moved inwardly and outwardly of the upper boom, may carry a workman's basket and/or a hydraulic nozzle, as for extinguishing fires.

Abstract: A universal abrasive cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of arms which are rotatably connected in series with one another is provided. A plurality of nozzles are connected to the distal end of the series of arms by means of a nozzle support. Conduit apparatus interconnecting the nozzles to the source of abrasive and fluid are disposed within the interior of each arm thereby protecting the conduits from damage during manipulation of the arms. The proximal end of the series of arms is connected to a drum rotatably disposed within a housing. The drum is powered by a motor. A brake mechanism is connected to the housing for braking the drum during operation of the motor. An actuator is connected to each of the arms for rotating the arms about their respective axis of rotation. The actuator is controlled manually or by a microcomputer.

Abstract: The invention refers to a spray nozzle arrangement for metal strand casting plants, particularly steel strand casting plants with several nozzles on one spray plane, such nozzles being adjustable with respect to the distance from the casting strand, and with each other in parallel direction; they are also adjustable at right angle with the course of direction of the strand by means of parallel adjusting devices. Adjustment of the spray nozzles serves the purpose to either control the cooling intensity via the impact energy, or to adapt the spray angle of a certain spray nozzle to a change in strand width. Both steps may be used in combination for the adjustment required.

Abstract: The agricultural chemical applicator of the present invention comprises a roller frame assembly having folding wing sections at opposite ends thereof. Rollers are mounted on each of the frames and include a liquid absorbing material which receives an agricultural chemical from a dispensing conduit located above the roller. A wiper engages the roller to prevent excess liquid from dripping off of the roller. The rollers are connected for driving engagement by interlocking lugs at the ends of the rollers adjacent the hinged joints of the roller wings.

Abstract: A boom assembly mountable on a vehicle is provided in which the boom is supported at a lower or working position by a first spring. A manually applied force selectively applies a moment to partially rotate a toggle device and to partially lift the boom to an upper or clearance position. The partial rotation of the toggle device activates a second spring and the boom is raised to a second position by the combined force of the manually applied force and the force of the second spring.

Abstract: A stabilizing support assembly for movably mounting a horizontally extended boom to one end of a portable frame. The support assembly has a pair of spaced apart parallel link systems each of which interconnect the portable frame and the boom, a spring member interconnected with each of the link systems to resiliently support the boom from the frame, shock absorbing members interconnected with each of the link systems to dampen up and down oscillatory movement of the boom, and torsion members fixed to and extended between the link systems for restricting horizontal tilting movement of the boom.

Abstract: Apparatus for blasting particulate material onto workpieces wherein the workpiece is positioned within an enclosure, and a centrifugal impeller of a conventional type is supported in the enclosure on mobile mounting means for movement in a plurality of directions in such a manner that large surfaces or surfaces of complicated shapes can be blasted. The mobile mounting means and the centrifugal impeller can be operated remotely from outside the enclosure.

Abstract: Apparatus for fighting fires including a plurality of nozzles mounted on an aerial ladder and supplied with water under pressure which is directed onto the fire. Each of the nozzles is controlled from a remote position in a manner such that the direction of the water and the intensity of the water being discharged can be altered as desired.