From Ground Wheel Patents (Class 239/685)
  • Patent number: 11986852
    Abstract: A dry product spreader is provided that includes a bin that includes a bin discharge opening. The dry product spreader further includes a conveyor located at the bottom of the bin. The conveyor is capable of discharging dry product material from the bin through the bin discharge opening. The dry product spreader further includes a spinner assembly for spreading the dry product material and positioned to receive the dry product material from the bin discharge opening. The dry product spreader further includes a material conveyance system to displace dry product material received through the bin discharge opening before the dry product material reaches the spinner assembly. The dry product spreader further includes a distribution manifold configured to receive dry product material displaced by the material conveyance system. The distribution manifold is configured to return dry product material displaced by the material conveyance system to be spread by the spinner assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: August Paul Nelson, Stanley Ray Duncalf, Michael D. Van Mill
  • Patent number: 10736263
    Abstract: A spreader includes a frame having wheels mounted on an axle. A gear assembly on the axle is coupled with a shaft. A hopper is mounted on the frame and holds particulate that empties through an opening within the bottom wall. An impeller is mounted on the shaft and receives the particulate emptied from the hopper. A controlled-release assembly is mounted about the shaft and includes a drive housing secured to the hopper. The drive housing has a funnel opening to dispense the particulate therethrough. A transfer wheel within the drive housing is rotatably coupled to the shaft. When the shaft is rotating, the transfer wheel rotates whereby the particulate is delivered to the funnel. When the shaft is stationary, the transfer wheel is stationary whereby particulate is not delivered to the funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Chapin Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Ed Horeth, David Dubiel, William James Campbell
  • Patent number: 8511588
    Abstract: A ground-driven spreader device featuring a frame with two wheels each enaged in a portion of a split axle; a hopper disposed atop the frame; a belt drive disposed on the frame with a cleated belt, the belt drive is operatively connected to the first axle of the first wheel wherein the belt drive causes the cleated belt to rotate causing material having fallen from the hopper to be propelled forwardly; a pair of spinner heads disposed in the frame; and a spinner head drive disposed on the frame, the spinner head drive is operatively connected to the second axle of the second wheel, the spinner head drive functions to cause the pair of spinner heads to propel material from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Benjamin D. Eckroth
  • Patent number: 8474735
    Abstract: A broadcast spreader provides for effective control of the flow of granular material to a rotating fan through use of a gate assembly in combination with an auger assembly. The broadcast spreader further includes a means for directing the granular material onto the fan, thus allowing for the shifting of the distribution pattern of the granular material from side to side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Brinly-Hardy Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Patrick Hobbs, Jr., Steven H. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120126040
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a powerless double-distribution fans fertilizer distributor which respectively rotates two disks by driving two wheels by traction so as to distribute a fertilizer, wherein the fertilizer distributor comprises: a hopper (20) which has fertilizer discharge holes in a left and right symmetrical structure and is installed above a body frame (10) having a pulling tool in the front part; wheel shafts (30) divided by left and right which are installed below the frame in such a way that one shaft end is connected with wheels (11) and the other shaft end is placed at the central lower portion of the fertilizer discharge holes (21) of the hopper (20); a clutching gear box (40) which controls the rotation of each wheel shaft, converts the horizontal rotation of wheels to an upward motion by 90 degrees, and is coupled to left and right wheel shaft ends; disk distribution fans (50) and a stirring wing (60) which are coupled to a vertically connected gear shaft (41) of the clutching gear b
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Wan Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7823757
    Abstract: A spill containment system for dispensing a berm of containment material on a support surface around a liquid spill to inhibit the liquid spill from spreading across the support surface includes a container receiving the containment material. The container includes a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that extends upwardly from the bottom wall to define an interior space of the container. A dispensing assembly is coupled to the container. The dispensing assembly is actuated to dispense the containment material from the container. The dispensing assembly controls flow of the containment material through a dispensing aperture that extends through a rear wall of the perimeter wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventors: Willis W. Vinson, Randall Vinson
  • Patent number: 7654476
    Abstract: A broadcast spreader with a movable deflector is disclosed. The spreader distributes particulate material by a rotating plate which when operating, always impacts material on the deflector. The deflector and a mounting track prevent dispensing material impacting on a user of the spreader, and when the deflector is extended, also prevent dispensing material distributing to the right side of the spreader. In this way, lawns which abut a driveway or a flowerbed may have material distributed on them without also depositing material on the driveway or flowerbed. Further, the deflector is integral with a port closure panel which automatically reduces, in a proportional manner, the flow of particulate material as the deflector is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: OMS Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Courtney, John Freudenberg, Michael Cavins
  • Patent number: 7380734
    Abstract: A manually driven spreader for particulate material has two rotatable plates. The dispersed material from the spreader has an even dispense pattern without unwanted skewing found in prior art spreaders. The spreader covers greater area compared with single plate spreaders. The spreader has features that allow an operator to adjust the ports of the container during operation and also blocking/unblocking the ports without having to let go of the grip of the handle used to push the spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: KSAB Golf Equipment AB
    Inventor: Jesper Magnusson
  • Patent number: 7040556
    Abstract: A broadcast type fertilizer spreader includes a hopper having ground engaging wheels mounted on the hopper frame and operating the broadcast rotor which broadcast the fertilizer. The spreader includes a handle for guiding and pushing the spreader and an actuator handle for opening and closing the dispensing openings in the hopper. A tow bar is readily connectable to the spreader and a tractor to convert the spreader to a towable mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Michael T Jones
  • Patent number: 6851634
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing chemical material, and in particular, granular, agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. A metering system for dispersing the material includes on apertured metering disk positioned above a rotatable impeller. The apertured disk meters material from a product container, by gravity feed, onto the impeller below at a rate proportional to the linear speed at which the apparatus is driven to dispense material at a uniform density over the terrain. The metering disk is a component of a product container which is removably mounted to the device. The impeller rotates at a constant speed to disperse the deposited material at a uniform distance from the apparatus, and the position on which the material is deposited on the impeller is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Akteingesellschaft
    Inventors: Keith F. Woodruff, John H. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6705552
    Abstract: A mobile spreader is shown for distributing composted materials over a ground surface. The spreader has a hopper for receiving material to be transported and distributed and a ground engaging wheel assembly for supporting the hopper for transport across the ground. A combination mixing and distribution element is rotatably mounted in the interior of the hopper for conveying material received in the hopper interior to an elongated outlet located in a discharge area of the hopper. The combination mixing and distribution element comprises a shaft having a longitudinal axis with a number of discs located at spaced axial distances thereon. The discs are uniformly inclined at an angle in the range of 15-20° relative to line drawn perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The discs are separated by one or more tines located on the shaft and also inclined at an angle in the range of 15-20° relative to a line drawn perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: T. Daniel Ellsaesser
  • Patent number: 6616074
    Abstract: A broadcast spreader with a movable deflector is disclosed. The spreader distributes particulate material by a rotating plate which when operating, always impacts material on the deflector. The deflector and a mounting track prevent dispensing material impacting on a user of the spreader, and when the deflector is extended, also prevent dispensing material distributing to the right side of the spreader. In this way, lawns which abut a driveway or a flowerbed may have material distributed on them without also depositing material on the driveway or flowerbed. Further, the deflector is integral with a port closure panel which automatically reduces, in a proportional manner, the flow of particulate material as the deflector is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: OMS Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve P. Courtney, John Freudenberg, Michael Cavins
  • Patent number: 6588685
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing chemical material, and in particular, granular, agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. A metering system for dispersing the material includes on apertured metering disk positioned above a rotatable impeller. The apertured disk meters material from a product container, by gravity feed, onto the impeller below at a rate proportional to the linear speed at which the apparatus is driven to dispense material at a uniform density over the terrain. The metering disk is a component of a product container which is removably mounted to the device. The impeller rotates at a constant speed to disperse the deposited material at a uniform distance from the apparatus, and the position on which the material is deposited on the impeller is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Keith F. Woodruff, John H. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6499679
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing chemical material, and in particular, granular, agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. A metering system for dispersing the material includes on apertured metering disk positioned above a rotatable impeller. The apertured disk meters material from a product container, by gravity feed, onto the impeller below at a rate proportional to the linear speed at which the apparatus is driven to dispense material at a uniform density over the terrain. The metering disk is a component of a product container which is removably mounted to the device. The impeller rotates at a constant speed to disperse the deposited material at a uniform distance from the apparatus, and the position on which the material is deposited on the impeller is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Keith F. Woodruff, John H. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020014545
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing chemical material, and in particular, granular, agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. A metering system for dispersing the material includes on apertured metering disk positioned above a rotatable impeller. The apertured disk meters material from a product container, by gravity feed, onto the impeller below at a rate proportional to the linear speed at which the apparatus is driven to dispense material at a uniform density over the terrain. The metering disk is a component of a product container which is removably mounted to the device. The impeller rotates at a constant speed to disperse the deposited material at a uniform distance from the apparatus, and the position on which the material is deposited on the impeller is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Keith F. Woodruff, John H. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6135036
    Abstract: A broadcast spreader includes a perforated, dished spinner defining a concave upper surface which is particularly adapted to spreading pelletized mulch. The shaft upon which the spinner is mounted is jointed to permit sections of the shaft to be disconnected, and the spinner replaced with a conventional spinner to enable spreading of fertilizer and seeds, etc., or with a mulch spreader of a different size to accommodate different types of mulch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Cyclone Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Daniel E. Speicher, III, Robert B. Beck, Cecil L. Weaver
  • Patent number: 5860604
    Abstract: A motorized spreader for dispersing granular and other material, such as fertilizer, seed, and salt, or the like, provides improved uniform control of the flow of the material from the spreader. The motorized spreader includes a frame and drive train supporting the frame. A hopper for holding granular material is also supported on the frame and includes a dispensing opening for directing the flow of granular material from the hopper onto the ground. An agitator is positioned in the hopper for urging the granular material in the hopper toward the dispensing opening so that the flow of the granular material from the hopper is controlled. The drive train includes first and second wheels, with each wheel including an axle. A differential drivingly couples the axles of the wheels together and includes a first drive sprocket and a second drive sprocket, the first drive sprocket coupling to a motor to drive the motorized spreader at a ground speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignees: Doug Slenk, Jon Heethuis
    Inventor: Kenneth Kooiker
  • Patent number: 5842648
    Abstract: A broadcast spreader constructed from two separate and rotationally molded parts; one molded part integrates the handle and hopper assemblies while the other molded part forms the base assembly that supports the wheels for the spreader. A pair of dovetail-like connection between the molded parts assures a strong and tight fit and proper alignment therebetween. Also provided are a self-aligning bearing for the rotor shaft and a single control for simultaneously operating a deflector plate and an auxiliary dispensing member for the spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Republic Tool & Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Paul M. Havlovitz, Aaron D. Delaby, Albert C. Martinez
  • Patent number: 5607079
    Abstract: A drop spreader having a hopper with a series of materials-dispensing apertures therein supported by a pair of wheels, an upper U-shaped frame pivotally connected to a pair of spaced-apart leg members supported on the hopper for use as a handle for the spreader, the hopper further having molded in place a pair of sleeve members adjacent the rim thereof for receiving the respective leg members, a shutoff bar adjacent the apertures being composed of two different materials, plastic enveloping metal, and further the use of a simple pivotal snap connection between the micrometer device used with the spreader and the control lever for controlling the movement of the shutoff bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Republic Tool & Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron D. DeLaby, Paul M. Havlovitz
  • Patent number: 5597092
    Abstract: A collapsible drop spreader having a hopper for supporting a wheel axle bearing member, an upper U-shaped frame pivotally connected to a pair of parallel leg members supported on the hopper for use as a handle for the spreader, the hopper further having wheel track alignment guide arrows indexed thereon, a series of material exit apertures extending the length thereof, a two-part rotary agitator bar disposed above the material exit apertures of the hopper, a spring washer for biasing the separate members of the agitator bar apart to effect a sealing relationship with the wheel axle bearing supports, a light weight fiber reinforced shut-off bar disposed adjacent the material exit apertures and rotatable about splines on the wheel axle bearing members, and a flexible cable having one end connected to the rotatably journaled shut-off bar and the other end thereof connected to a control lever located on the upper frame for rotating the shut-off bar from a closed position to an open position with respect to the ma
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Republic Tool & Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Paul M. Havlovitz
  • Patent number: 5570814
    Abstract: A collapsible broadcast spreader having a lower frame for supporting a wheel axle, an upper frame pivotally connected to the lower frame for use as a handle for the spreader when the upper frame and lower frame are in an extended position, a hopper also supported by the lower frame and having a materials exit aperture in the hopper, a slide integral with a bottom wall of the hopper, a shut-off plate disposed within the slide, a flexible cable having one end pivotally connected to the shut-off plate and the other end thereof connected to a control lever located on the upper frame for moving the shut-off plate from a closed position to an open position with respect to the aperture, wherein the control cable and the shut-off plate are in-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Republic Tool & Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Paul M. Havlovitz
  • Patent number: 5370321
    Abstract: A deflecting guard device securable to the hopper section of a broadcast spreader includes inclined plates for deflecting dry material as it is scattered by the spreader. First and second inclined plates diverge below the apertured bottom surface of the hopper section and arc secured to the hopper section in such a manner that they arc axially positionable into a plurality of vertically spaced positions relative thereto. In this manner, the width of the area to which dry materials placed in the hopper section arc applied can be controlled. A third inclined plate which interconnects the first and second inclined plates also prevents the dry material from being scattered outside a selected zone of application. The first and second inclined plates can be angularly reoriented relative to the bottom of the hopper section for further adjust the width of the area of application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Joseph A. Bianco
  • Patent number: 5340033
    Abstract: A spreader for granular material such as sand comprises a trailer adapted to be pulled behind a vehicle such as a tractor or other utility vehicle. A frusto-conical bin forms a hopper for a granular material to be dispensed and directs the material into a spreader housing where the material is impelled outwardly through a discharge opening by a rotating impeller. The impeller and an orbital rotating bin sweep arm are driven by coaxial drive shafts via a belt and pulley mechanism. A frictional tire engages the upper rim of the bin and propels the sweep arm in an orbital path. The material discharge rate and discharge pattern are controllable by a slide gate and interchangeable cover plates which vary the size of the discharge opening. The impeller and bin sweep assembly may be driven by an internal motor or from the towing vehicle by a power take-off drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: David Whitell
  • Patent number: 5333795
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for spreading on the ground granular and liquid treatment materials at the selection of the operator. The apparatus includes a motorized cart having granular and liquid storage compartments and associated controls to release the treatment materials on an as needed basis. A spray wand is also provided to permit spraying the liquid material for detail applications. A pump is operably connected to the liquid storage compartment, the spray wand, and one or more area spray nozzles to provide the liquid for spraying purposes. The granular material can be radially broadcast from the granular storage compartment as the cart traverses the ground. Controls for the motor and the granular and liquid treatment operation are mounted to the apparatus for easy access by the operator. The present invention also provides a retrofit package for inclusion on available granular spreaders to provide the motorized granular and liquid treatment apparatus disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas F. Jessen
  • Patent number: 5251431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a windrow inverting device pulled by a tractor to turn over hay rows and aid in the drying process of the windrows. The windrow inverting device comprises a rotating turntable in connection with a rake also pulled by a vehicle. The raking device picks up hay and sends it on to the turntable for inversion. The turntable is mounted for rotation and is in connection with a wheel of the vehicle to provide turning movement to the turntable. The turntable rotates clockwise to propel hay to the left of the vehicle or counter-clockwise to propel hay to the right of the vehicle thereby inverting the windrow in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Craig A. Shoop
  • Patent number: 5203510
    Abstract: A spreading device is disclosed including two impellers mounted to rotate in rotational correspondence about their axes toward one another as the device is moved in a forwardly advancing direction so as to broadcast particulate materials deposited thereon in a controlled distribution pattern along a predetermined distribution path generally in the direction of advancement of the device onto a selected target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: The O. M. Scott & Sons Company
    Inventors: Steve P. Courtney, James D. Amerine
  • Patent number: 5180112
    Abstract: A substantially elongate drive arm for a vehicular spreader is provided to transmit drive from a ground wheel of the spreader to a drive shaft of the spreader connected with a conveyor belt or the like. A drive wheel is mounted on the drive arm and the drive arm and drive wheel pivot relative to the drive shaft to enable the drive wheel to engage with the ground wheel, the arrangement being such that in use a torque reaction occurs whereby forces of engagement urging contact between the drive wheel and the ground wheel increase as the load in the drive shaft increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Inventor: David S. Hoyle
  • Patent number: 5145116
    Abstract: A spreader including a feed gate having a feed gate opening is provided. The area of the feed gate opening may be varied to adjust the spread pattern and material distribution to accommodate different speeds at which the spreader is operated, and different materials which may be spread. Such adjustment is accomplished by linearly sliding a spread shift plate having a wide and narrow section across one end of the feed gate opening, to open or close off the end portion of the feed gate opening. Such adjustment also varies the area of the feed opening in the spreader hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: True Temper Hardware Company
    Inventor: Paul V. Shaver
  • Patent number: 4899829
    Abstract: Apparatus for making a substrate for forest cultivation, which apparatus is designed to be drawn as a trailer behind a tractor or some comparable vehicle and most suitably has one wheel on each side of the trailer, the tracks of the wheels being essentially the same as those of the drawing vehicle and the trailer being also provided with a container for earth or comparable material, at the bottom of which container there is an opening through which the earth flows down on a conveyor unit arranged under the container. In present-day forest cultivation the tree plants are usually planted in unprepared soil. As a result, other vegetation deprives the trees of some of their vegetative power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Otto Suuronen
  • Patent number: 4867381
    Abstract: A broadcast spreader which includes a storage hopper and a spinning broadcast plate for distributing materials dropped from the hopper. A valve controls the flow of material to the broadcast plate, and is operated by a dual shaft and linkage. The two shafts are connected by a biasing member which allows a squeezable actuator lever to be fully retracted regardless of the dial setting. The spreader may also include a diffuser positioned between the valve and plate to direct the material towards a preselected area of the broadcast plate. The spreader may also include a readily adjustable means to prevent discharge of material in selected direction. The spreader may also include means for restricting the rate of flow of material from the hopper to the broadcast plate for a selected setting of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Paul Speicher
  • Patent number: 4703818
    Abstract: There is disclosed a ground wheel takeoff drive system for fertilizer spreaders or the like including a gearbox being adapted to reside at least partly inside one of the speader's pneumatic tire and wheel cavities and having a hollow shaft journalled therein through which passes the axle on which the tire and wheel is mounted. The hollow shaft is secured to rotate with the ground wheel and a restraining element causes the gearbox to be restrained from rotation. The gearbox has a sprocket which is geared to be driven from the rotating hollow shaft, a remote control cable arrangement is connected to a gear lever on the gearbox which slides a driven gear in and out of engagement with a gear secured to the hollow shaft so that the gearbox sprocket motion may be disabled or enabled from a remote position; a sprocket chain is provided with suitable idlers for driving a sprocket wheel connected in a conventional manner to the gear drive mechanism for the fertilizer spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Industrial Iron Works, Incorporated
    Inventor: William W. Adams
  • Patent number: 4671434
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fertilizer spreader having a hopper for holding a granular material. A handle is connected to the hopper for manipulating the hopper. The hopper has a discharge aperture in its lower portion to allow material to discharge from the hopper. A gate is selectively positionable adjacent to the discharge aperture for controlling the rate of discharge of material through the discharge aperture. A control apparatus is connected to the gate for holding the gate in a selected position relative to the discharge aperture. A pivotal support leg is connected to the control apparatus and the hopper, so that when the support leg supports the hopper, the leg is pivoted to operate the control apparatus to position the gate in an attitude for interrupting the flow of material through the discharge aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Damon A. Johnston, George L. Garcia
  • Patent number: 4635818
    Abstract: A spreader particularly adapted for manual operation over a residential lawn includes a one-piece hopper made of corrosion resistant material. Lugged wheels connect with a shaft which is rotatively carried by and extends through a lower part of the hopper. On the shaft inside the hopper is an agitator bar having outward extending projections. The bar projections align with a series of slots in a rear wall of the hopper for a discharge of material in the hopper to the ground below. To regulate this discharge a movable gate is positioned on an outer side of the hopper slots. Gate movement is effected by a control bar carried in a flow control housing of a handle assembly having an extension attached to the hopper. The degree of gate movement, which affects the size of the slot openings, is regulated by a position of a stop operatively connected to a rotatable dial in the flow control housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Duraco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry P. Glass
  • Patent number: 4597531
    Abstract: A spreader for particulate material, the spreader being of the broadcast type having a hopper from which particulate material is discharged onto a rotating impeller. To provide adjustment for materials of various physical properties, a conically-shaped deflector is mounted between the hopper and impeller. The deflector is helically shaped at the bottom so that it has a gradually varying radius. By rotary adjustment of the deflector, particulate material can be discharged onto a preselected portion of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: The O. M. Scott & Sons Company
    Inventor: Jay R. Kise
  • Patent number: 4548362
    Abstract: A material spreader includes a hopper having an opening in its bottom through which material flows to a rotatable fan, which is driven from one of a pair of support wheels for the hopper during pushing or pulling of the spreader across the ground, for spreading the material. A gate, which is pivotal about the same axis as the axis about which the fan rotates, has an opening, which is smaller than the opening in the hopper, to control the portion of the opening in the hopper through which the material flows to control the spread pattern produced by rotation of the fan. A shutter, which is disposed beneath the gate, has an opening, which is smaller than the opening in the gate, cooperating with the opening in the gate to control the rate of flow from the hopper. The gate has a first arcuate slot therein within which is disposed a bolt supported by the hopper to limit pivoting of the gate. A wing nut cooperates with the bolt to lock the gate in the desired position without affecting movement of the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Brinly-Hardy Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Doering
  • Patent number: 4283014
    Abstract: A mobile wheel mounted spreader apparatus has a material feed conveyor and a broadcast spreading impeller fan. A wheel driven drive train operates through a gear reducer to drive the conveyor at a speed proportional to the towed speed of the spreader apparatus and operates through a hydraulic system, to drive the impeller fan at a constant speed regardless of variations in the towed speed of the spreader apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Inventor: Dwight F. Devorak
  • Patent number: 4281780
    Abstract: A herbicide spray system comprising a rotary lawn spreader in combination with a spray system comprising a fluid reservoir, pumping means and means for coupling said pumping means to said rotary spreader. The fluid reservoir is removable from the spreader load carrier and requires no substantial modification thereof to adapt the pumping means to be driven by the spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Anthony Lagani, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4280663
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted spreading apparatus includes a container for the material to be spread, at least one spreading disc rotatable about a vertical axis and a dosing device for conveying material from the container to the spreading disc as the vehicle moves along the ground. The disc and the dosing device are powered from a driving wheel which can be lowered into driving contact with the ground. The driving wheel conveys power to a mechanical power transfer assembly which drives the dosing device and which drives an adjustable speed motor system for the spreading disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: A/S Alfred Thomsen
    Inventor: Alfred Thomsen
  • Patent number: 4235376
    Abstract: There is disclosed a dispensing apparatus which is mounted at the rear of a tractor and which employs two friction wheels mounted on a common frame. The frame is pivotally mounted so that an operator can cause the friction wheels to engage the rear wheels of the tractor. The friction wheels are attached to a rotatable shaft which contains a pulley. When the friction wheels engage the tractor wheels, the pulley rotates and by means of an associated belt, causes rotation of a dispensing cylinder associated with a cannister or hopper containing chemicals to be dispensed. Means are provided for adjusting the tension on the belt as well as for engaging said friction wheels in constant contact with the tractor wheels. The apparatus further incorporates a selectively actuated aerator assembly which is used in conjunction with the dispensing apparatus to maintain and perform lawn maintenance services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Inventors: Robert F. Cohen, Leonard Cohen
  • Patent number: 4234131
    Abstract: An impeller blade spreader for dry fertilizer to be distributed uniformly over a lawn area has a standard fiber glass hopper that is mounted upon a base frame structure in combination with four wheels and a fuel powered motor therewith. Only the two front wheels are used for driving purposes. A timing and revolution interconnection to the impeller blade is combined with the motor used simultaneously for front wheel drive connection on the dry fertilizer spreader. A rod and lever engagement is provided for positive control of engagement of the transmission for transfer of driving power to the motorized front wheel drive and control of the opening and closing of the holes in the bottom of the hopper above the impeller blade of the dry fertilizer spreader to let dry fertilizer fall onto the spinning stainless steel impeller blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: Leisure Lawn, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Baker
  • Patent number: 4106704
    Abstract: Our invention relates to a wheeled fertilizer spreader which is pushed over the area which is to be fertilized or chemically treated and in which the fertilizer, chemical or other granular material is broadcast by being dropped onto a horizontal impeller which rotates on a vertical axis and throws the material outward horizontally in a frontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Republic Tool & Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: John W. McRoskey, Leonard H. McRoskey, Delbert D. Swartz
  • Patent number: 4032074
    Abstract: A material spreader for the uniform distribution to the soil or to vegetation of particulate material such as fertilizers, pesticides or seeds. The material spreader comprises a hopper for particulate material adapted to be advanced along a given direction, the hopper including an outlet for discharging the particulate material downwardly, an impeller in association with the outlet for broadcasting the discharged material in a generally radial path surrounding the axis of discharge, and a shroud surrounding the impeller aligned to intersect the path of the broadcast material and to deflect the material downwardly to a region of controlled configuration. The shroud is curved, preferably elliptically in horizontal cross-section and has a width along the direction of advance of the spreader which is less than the width along a direction transverse to the direction of advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: O. M. Scott & Sons Company
    Inventor: James Dalton Amerine
  • Patent number: 3951312
    Abstract: An agricultural fertilizer spreader having a hopper carrying a conveyor operable to move material from the hopper onto rotatable fertilizer distributing discs. A ground wheel, through a gear drive power transmission system, is operable to concurrently operate the conveyor and fertilizer distributing discs. An adjustable support is used to release a driven gear from a drive gear or hold the driven gear in driving relation with the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: Mobility, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Gay