Body Supported Patents (Class 239/653)
  • Patent number: 12022763
    Abstract: A chest-mounted spreader system includes a hopper for receiving particulate material and a base assembly mounted to the hopper. The base assembly has a base unit having a base plate and rotatable shaft. An electric motor is coupled to the shaft to drive rotation of the shaft. An impeller is mounted on the shaft proximate the base plate. A shroud has a partial sidewall affixed to the base plate thereby defining an impeller cavity. The impeller cavity includes a discharge opening opposite the partial sidewall and the impeller is received within the impeller cavity. A shroud opening is in fluid communication with the hopper so that particulate matter passes from the hopper to the impeller. The electric motor is powered to rotate the shaft and the impeller to disperse the particulate matter through the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: CHAPIN MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: James V. Dillon
  • Patent number: 10555499
    Abstract: Vehicle-mountable animal feed spreader device for spreading feed for livestock, game animals, or other animals. The device is configured to mount to a vehicle. The device is also configured so that it can be activated while driving to spread feed. The animal feed spreader includes a hopper that funnels animal feed towards a spinning plate that is driven by a motor to spin. Animal feed falling through the hopper strikes the spinning plate as it spins, which spreads the animal feed away from the spinning plate as the vehicle moves or is stationary. A protective cage surrounds the spinning plate and may also operate as a pedestal or other base. The motor and spinning plate are attached to a removable floor of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Wilson Customs
    Inventor: Ethan Jay Jahns
  • Patent number: 9756780
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame assembly configured to support a storage tank. The frame assembly includes a pair of longitudinal beams positioned on opposite lateral sides of the storage tank, and multiple cross members extending between the pair of longitudinal beams. A substantially flat upper surface of each cross member is secured to a lower surface of each longitudinal beam, and each cross member is configured to support the storage tank via contact between the substantially flat upper surface of the cross member and a substantially flat lower surface of the storage tank such that the substantially flat lower surface of the storage tank is positioned vertically below an upper surface of each longitudinal beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Brian McMahon
  • Publication number: 20150136870
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention generally comprises a hopper container attached to the top face of a spreader console having an electrically-powered spreader plate positioned within a distribution opening in the front center of the front face of the spreader console and operated with a spreader control switch extending down from the right side of the lower horizontal base of the spreader console. A conventional electric motor is housed in a motor compartment that extends from the center of the lower horizontal base of the spreader console. A conventional battery is housed within a battery compartment located on the left side of the motor compartment. The battery compartment is accessed via an access panel. It is contemplated that the device will be carried by the user in front of his body while walking over the area where the material is to be distributed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Spreaders Technologies, LP
    Inventor: Anthony Myers
  • Publication number: 20150076257
    Abstract: A portable backpack feeder apparatus including a granular-material container having a filling opening and a gravity-flow opening and flow sleeve extending from the gravity-flow opening of the container to an outflow opening, the flow sleeve being flexible along its length for manual flow control and for positioning and aiming the outflow opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: James Mauer
  • Patent number: 8960574
    Abstract: The hitch bar with swivel has a proximal portion that attaches removably to the conventional receiver hitch receptacle of a supporting vehicle and a distal portion for supporting an apparatus, e.g., spreader for distributing animal feed, etc., thereon. The distal bar portion is positioned to overlay the proximal portion and to place the supported apparatus close to the rear of the supporting vehicle during operations in order to reduce the lever arm and corresponding bending loads on the hitch receptacle. The distal portion of the bar may be swiveled clear of the rear of the vehicle to allow the rear door (tailgate, rear hatch, etc.) of the vehicle to be opened when the vehicle is stopped. The distal bar portion and apparatus supported thereon have a combined length preferably less than half the width of the vehicle, permitting the bar to be swiveled freely without extending laterally beyond the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Harvey Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20130092763
    Abstract: A personal defense device is provided that includes an irritant. The personal defense device may have an irritant dispensing member that is carried on the back of a user. The irritant dispensing member may be configured for dispensing the irritant such that the irritant is dispensed behind the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Donald M. Spearman, SR.
  • Publication number: 20130068861
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable scattering apparatus (1) for storing and dispensing granular material, especially pourable bulk material on a surface, e.g. of grainy fertilizer on a lawn surface, or scattering material on slick roads or paths. The scattering apparatus (1) contains a closable container (3) and a handle part (2) connected to the container (3) for dispensing the granular material. The handle part (2) comprises a lock chamber (4) in the connecting region of the container (3) for controlling the flow rate, and it is shaped into a distributor (5) at the front end. A valve (25) is arranged in the lock chamber (4), which valve can be actuated via a lever (11), which is pivotably held on the outside on the handle part (2). The lever (11) is connected via a valve stem (28) with the valve disk (26) of the valve (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: BIRCHMEIER SPRUHTECHNIK AG
    Inventors: Jürg Zwahlen, Rolf Bandhauer
  • Patent number: 8066206
    Abstract: A portable game feeder backpack that is worn by the user to spread feed for wild game or other granular material, e.g. seed, grain, or fertilizer. The invention provides a bucket mounted on a tubular frame. A funnel and a downspout direct granular material to a motorized spreader plate mounted below the bucket. A handheld switch remotely activates the motor. The device is worn as a backpack and has two removable padded shoulder straps. A detachable bracket allows the device to be attached to the rear structure on a vehicle, e.g. an all terrain vehicle or pickup. The device also can be used as a swiveling hunting seat having a padded cover on the lid of the bucket. The lid draining accumulated water to protect interior contents. Motor control is easily interchangeable among pushbutton, remote and timer control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Leon David Cotham
  • Patent number: 8025245
    Abstract: A material spreader having a hopper for containing material and a liquid tank containing liquid adjacent the hopper. The liquid tank has a passage extending from the hopper through the tank with a discharge opening. An auger extends through the hopper and passage for conveying material to the outlet for delivery to a spinner for distributing the material. At least one nozzle is mounted in the passage for spraying liquid onto the material as it is being conveyed through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Trynex, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Truan, James Truan, Joshua Scott, Paul Mandrik
  • Publication number: 20100327087
    Abstract: A shoulder mounted spreader for distributing salt or another granular material on the ground is provided. The device includes a shoulder carried hopper and a flexible hose for distributing the product. The inventive device has no moving parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph B. Harris
  • Patent number: 7832663
    Abstract: A portable game feeder backpack that is worn by the user to spread feed for wild game or other granular material, e.g. seed, grain, or fertilizer. The invention provides a bucket mounted on a tubular frame. A funnel and a downspout direct granular material to a motorized spreader plate mounted below the bucket. A handheld switch remotely activates the motor. The device is worn as a backpack and has two removable padded shoulder straps. A detachable bracket allows the device to be attached to the rear structure on a vehicle, e.g. an all terrain vehicle or pickup. The device also can be used as a swiveling hunting seat having a padded cover on the lid of the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Leon David Cotham
  • Patent number: 7281675
    Abstract: A portable, user shoulder supported spreader/blower unit includes an ergonomically configured housing which includes a section defining a storage bin for holding a quantity of salt or like chemical particulate material for spreading onto ground surfaces to prevent icing thereon in winter. A centrifugal distributor disk is located in a housing space section below the bin and, a bin discharge aperture aligns over a peripheral area of the distributor disk. A user controllable closure member selectively alters bin discharge aperture size and, hence, outflow quantity from the bin onto the distributor disk, the distributor disk rotating at high speed propelling particulate material out of the housing through a discharge nozzle thereon at a high speed. e.g., 60 m/sec when the unit is user in a spreader mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventors: Marcos Elrod, Michael Glater
  • Patent number: 6840468
    Abstract: A hand-portable spreader blows particles, such as salt or sand, over an outdoor surface to increase friction. The spreader has a grip and accepts an extension cord to power the blower motor. The motor drives a vane impeller mounted in a housing and connected to a nozzle, similar to a leaf blower, but the intake to the impeller is arranged to suck up particles from a storage chamber. The air passes through the particles in the storage area and then through an orifice, where the air stream velocity increases and particles are picked up and levitated up into a conduit that passes to impeller. After passing through the impeller, the particles and air are ejected from a nozzle to scatter the particles over a surface such as a street or sidewalk to melt ice and snow, for use as a friction (anti-slip) agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Wade Charles Barnett
  • Patent number: 6729558
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a granular spreader device that includes a tear-shaped container having a lower rotary outlet The granular material feeds downwardly by gravity into a flexibly tube through a rotary fitting. From there the granular material feeds into a hand held rigid tube and from there into a distributor head similar to a shower head. At the juncture between the flexible tube and the rigid tube there is a manually operated shutoff valve. The container has shoulder straps for carrying the container on the back of a person or a separate carrier has the container separately attached to the same. A simple agitator operates a wire system inside the container to disintegrate any clumps that may formed within the granular material inside the container because of moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Harold Seenauth
  • Patent number: 6729557
    Abstract: A portable particulate spreader comprising a container having a closed end, an open end and a storage chamber for holding particulate matter therein is disclosed. A first handle is attached to a side of the container proximate the closed end. A second handle is attached, preferably pivotally, to the same side, approximately midway between the closed end and the open end, allowing a person to conveniently grasp the spreader in either a vertical position for carrying or a horizontal position for use. An impeller at the open end disperses the particulate outwardly and downwardly from the spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick Dillon
  • Publication number: 20040031864
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a granular material spreader composed of a granular material holding tank, a blower portion and a granular material output tube. The granular material holding tank is adapted to be carried on the back of a human operator. The granular material holding tank is divided into one or more reservoirs. The blower portion has an air output tube. The blower is adapted to be carried in the hand of the human operator. The granular material output tube is capable of receiving granular material from one or more of the reservoirs and introducing the granular material to an interior portion of the air output tube upstream from the end of the air output tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory L. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6547169
    Abstract: A crop residue spreader for an agricultural combine including a unique support element which is an elongate tube, including a center portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly in opposite directions from the center portion, each of the legs including an end portion opposite the center portion and an intermediate portion. The end portions include pivot elements coaxially aligned about a pivotal axis for pivotal connection to a rear end of the combine for movement between spreading and non-spreading positions. The intermediate portions include mounting elements for supporting rotatable crop accelerators in side-by-side relation, and the center portion includes at least one mount for mounting a pair of crop residue deflectors in cantilever relation to the tube and extending partially around the crop residue accelerators, respectively. The tube can also include mounts or supports for holding a shield in desired relation to the crop residue accelerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Matousek, Joshua J. Wolters, Jason M. Benes
  • Publication number: 20020139875
    Abstract: A hand-portable spreader blows particles, such as salt or sand, over an outdoor surface to increase friction. The spreader has a grip and accepts an extension cord to power the blower motor. The motor drives a vane impeller mounted in a housing and connected to a nozzle, similar to a leaf blower, but the intake to the impeller is arranged to suck up particles from a storage chamber. The air passes through the particles in the storage area and then through an orifice, where the air stream velocity increases and particles are picked up and levitated up into a conduit that passes to impeller. After passing through the impeller, the particles and air are ejected from a nozzle to scatter the particles over a surface such as a street or sidewalk to melt ice and snow, for use as a friction (anti-slip) agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Wade Charles Barnett
  • Patent number: 6092746
    Abstract: A portable particulate spreader comprising a container having a closed end, an open end and a storage chamber for holding particulate materials therein. A first strap handle is affixed to a side of the container adjacent the closed end. A second strap handle is pivotally affixed to same side of the container approximately midway between closed end and open end, so that a person can grasp the strap handles with both hands and toss particulate materials out of open end. The container further includes an agitation assembly for automatically agitating particulate materials within the container, so as to prevent particulate materials from sticking together. A dispensing assembly is for automatically dispensing particulate materials out of open end of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Patrick Dillon
  • Patent number: 6089477
    Abstract: A backpack spreader comprising a hopper having an outlet port. The hopper holds chemical materials therein. A mounting means is for mounting the hopper on a back of a person. A flexible feed tube has a first end connected to the outlet port of the hopper. A dispensing gun is connected to a second end of the flexible feed tube. The dispensing gun held and operated by a hand of the person will evenly spread the chemical materials over large areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Patrick Dillon
  • Patent number: 5944264
    Abstract: A portable seed spreader for distribution of bulky and irregular size seeds over a local area. The spreader includes a U-shaped frame that carries a housing having a first seed bin and a second seed bin. A first transverse shaft is mounted to legs of the frame and extends through the first seed bin. The first shaft carries agitators for mixing and stirring the seeds in the first seed bin. Discharge slots are located in a bottom wall of the first seed bin. A second transverse shaft is mounted on the frame and extends beneath the bottom wall of the first seed bin. The second transverse shaft carries picker wheels that extend through the discharge slots into the first seed bin to pick seeds therefrom and draw them through the discharge slot. The shafts are connected so that rotation of one transverse shaft as by a hand crank, an electric motor or a wheeled mechanism, results in rotation of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Truax Company
    Inventors: James R. Truax, James A. Willmore, Benjamin M. Smegal, Michael J. Kaluza
  • Patent number: 5429305
    Abstract: In an effort to give a conifer seedling a chance to grow, it is common practice to apply fertilizer to the seedling itself while spraying a herbicide onto the area around the seedling. Both of these tasks can be arduous and time consuming especially in view of the nature of the terrain where seedlings are planted. Uncontrolled herbicide application can harm the seedling as much as the weeds. The present invention provides a device, which is easy to manipulate manually, and which enables the user to apply fertilizer to the seedling while simultaneously applying herbicide to the area around the seedling. The invention also provides a shroud for protecting the seedling while herbicide is being sprayed therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Ross N. Munsey
  • Patent number: 5190225
    Abstract: An apparatus wherein a blower motor mounted within a housing includes an outlet conduit fixedly mounted to the housing, with a further outlet conduit including a flexible interconnection between the outlet conduit to provide for selective aiming of granular material directed through the conduit structure. A hopper is mounted in operative association with the outlet conduit to include a valve assembly selectively opened by use of a remote cable to direct granular material into a metering tube diametrically directed through the outlet conduit. Harness structure is provided to provide for securement of the organization to a torso portion of an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Bruce M. Williams
  • Patent number: 3993225
    Abstract: A unitary assembly has a housing for enclosing a drive, the housing including a handle, a cylindrical distribution chamber with a vertical axis and a slot directed away from the handle. A motor is mounted below the distribution chamber to rotate a rotor within the chamber, the rotor having vanes spaced from the center of the rotor. A hopper is removably mounted to the top of the distribution chamber. A control means is provided on the handle adjacent the side toward the distribution chamber for controlling the motor, and for controlling the flow of particulate material from the hopper into the distribution chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignees: Mario Manni, Don Vizioli
    Inventor: Mario Manni
  • Patent number: 3979071
    Abstract: A portable hand held device for distributing granular material including a hopper for holding the material, a support base for the hopper, a distributor wheel having circumferentially spaced outwardly opening compartments suspended beneath the base under the discharge of the hopper, a hand crank operated drive assembly mounted on the base coupled with the distributor wheel turning the wheel, an arcuate shield or side wall suspended from the base around the portion of the distributor wheel in the vicinity of the discharge of the hopper into the wheel, and a shutter slide mounted between the distributor wheel and the hopper discharge for adjusting the rate of flow from the hopper into each compartment of the distributor wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1976
    Inventor: Charles L. Biggs, Jr.