AU728888B2 - Device for injecting fertiliser or the like into the ground - Google Patents

Description

1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 JOHN FAGG; EDWARD OREMEK *9 9 9 '9* a

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Device for injecting fertiliser or the like into the ground The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device for injecting fertiliser or the like into the ground. In particular, it relates to a device which enables the efficient and accurate application of metered or controlled amounts of fertiliser in plantations and forests, or wherever required.

Background of the Invention In plantation and forestry situations, the application of fertiliser and the like to trees is a difficult process. For the most part, it is not possible to utilise traditional fertilising machinery for applying measured doses of fertiliser, such as may be used on farm land and the like, because the terrain is wholly unsuitable for such machinery. Application of fertiliser by hand is possible, but is time consuming and somewhat haphazard in terms of the dosages applied to the trees.

The present invention seeks to provide apparatus which can be used in plantations and forestry situations to accurately apply fertiliser to trees.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a device for 20 inserting fertiliser or the like into ground comprising:an elongate member having a handle means at or adjacent one end, and defining a ground piercing means at its other end, the ground piercing means including jaw means comprising a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, such that the jaw means are openable to deliver a dose of fertiliser or the like held in a delivery zone inside the member into ground; biasing means for biasing the jaws closed; and means for delivering a dose of fertiliser or the like into the delivery S•zone; and wherein an arm is fixed to the movable jaw in an arrangement such that when the jaw means are inserted into ground and the member is pivoted about the point of insertion the arm will engage with the ground and pivot the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw causing the jaws to open and release a dose of fertiliser or the like held inside the member into the ground.

Thus the present invention provides a device which can be used to inject a measured dose of fertiliser beneath the surface of the ground adjacent a tree or sapling. Typically, a supply of fertiliser for injection is held in a purpose built backpack or the like carried by the operator of the device.

The device will deliver a predetermined measured dose of fertiliser and preferably includes a metering device for controlling and adjusting the amount of fertiliser injected.

The device may be used to deliver a variety of different forms of fertiliser including powdered or granulated fertiliser.

Typically, the elongate member comprises a square section steel or aluminium tube although other suitable rigid, strong materials could be used.

The arm will preferably define a ground engaging foot on one end. Its opposite end may project beyond the jaw for receiving the biasing means which will typically be a spring one end of which is fixed to the opposite end 15 of the arm and the other end of which is fixed to the elongate member. The jaw may be generally u-shaped in cross-section tapering to a narrow point.

fixed jaw which may be defined by the elongate member and may be a similar shape to the movable jaw.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described by way of example only, and with .:.:"reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic part-sectional view of a first embodiment of a device for injecting fertiliser into ground embodying the present invention; 25 Figure 2 is an enlarged part-sectional view of the lower end of the device shown in Figure 1 in a first position ready for insertion into the ground; Figure 3 is a similar view to figure 2 but with the device in a fertiliser release orientation; and Figure 4 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a device for injecting fertiliser into ground.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a fertiliser injection device generally indicated at The main body component of the device comprises an elongate hollow tube 12 having a square cross section. At the lower end 10A of the device part of the tube is cut away so that it is triangular in side view tapering to a narrow point, so that it can pierce, and be inserted into ground. In cross section the lower end of the device is generally U-shaped.

A jaw and foot assembly 14 is mounted on the lower end 10A on a pivot 16. The assembly includes a movable jaw 18 which is triangular in side view and has a generally U shaped cross-section tapering down to a point The jaw 18 is slightly wider than the lower end 12A of the tube 12 (refer to Figure 3) such that the movable jaw can close around that end 12A, which end acts as a fixed jaw. An actuating arm 22 extends across the upper end of the jaw 18 so that the arm and jaw together are generally T shaped. A ground-engaging foot 24 is defined on one end 22A of the actuating arm. On the opposite end 22B of the actuating arm 26 an elongate actuating rod 26, 15 typically a cylindrical rod of cold drawn steel, is attached on a pivot 28.

A return spring 30 which in the described embodiment is a steel spring coil with hooked ends extends between a point near the end of the actuating arm 22B and the main tube 12 and this spring 30 acts to bias the jaws closed.

The actuating rod extends to a shuttle means 32 which is in the shape 20 of a squat cake-like cylinder with a 120 degree segment removed is pivoted to the tube 12 about a pivot 34. The shuttle is located partly inside the tube 12 and in conjunction with an adjacent restrictor plate 36 located adjacent the shuttle inside the tube, the shuttle controls the movement of fertiliser down the tube 12. The shuttle and plate block the tube but when the shuttle 25 rotates in the anti-clockwise direction, it carries a dose of fertiliser past the plate 36 into a delivery zone. The shuttle is made of high density polyethylene.

Because the rod 26 is linked to the arm 22, movement of the jaws is synchronised with movement of the shuttle and feeding of fertiliser.

At the upper end of the tube there is a handle and shock absorber assembly which comprises a section of round tube with a suitable hand grip and is fixed to the main body by means of a pivot.

Above the shuttle a feed tube 40 feeds fertiliser into the tube via a feed tube saddle to which it is attached by means of a spring. The distal end of the feed tube 40 or hose, not shown, may be attached to a supply of fertiliser typically in granular or powder form which might carried on the backpack.of a person operating the injection apparatus of the present invention.

At the upper end of the device there is a handle 43 and trigger 44. The trigger is linked to a spring loaded pin and which is connected to a rod which extends through the tube 12 and locks the jaws in the open position When the trigger is depressed the jaws are unlocked and then close under the influence of the spring In use, the point of the device 10A is inserted into the ground adjacent a tree or the like and the upper part of the tube is pushed forward by the :.:*.motion of the operator. The foot 24 contacts the ground and the arm and jaw 18 pivot and open dropping any contents of the tube in the delivery zone between the shuttle and the jaws, into the ground. The device can then be removed from the ground. The trigger 44 is then operated and the jaws close and the shuttle rotates allowing a further metered dose of fertiliser into the lower part of the tube.

Thus the present invention provides a device which in a simple 20 walking stick type action can be used to accurately insert a measured dose of fertiliser beneath the surface in an economical and natural action.

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which the principal of operation is the same as the first embodiment, and in which identical parts or parts having similar functions to the first embodiment have 25 the same reference numerals.

The major difference is in the handle 43 and trigger assembly. The handle consists of a section of round tube with a suitable handgrip fixed thereto. The handle is pivotable about pivot 64. A shock absorber allows a restricted and cushioned vertical movement by means of a rubber pad spring or resilient material that is held within the main tube 12.

The trigger 66 incorporates a thumb tab and over-centre pivot and actuating axis. It is fixed to the main tube 12 through the over-centre pivot hole by means of a screw and provides an over-centre locking mechanism.

However, any suitable locking and releasing mechanism could be used in place of the trigger.

6 In this embodiment the actuating rod 60 extends as far as the top of the tube. The shuttle is replaced with a dose meter 68 which is made from folded steel plate and performs the same function as the shuttle. When the jaws are open it blocks the tube 12. As the jaws close it allows a metered dose of fertiliser into the lower part of the tube.

In use when the point of the device is inserted into the ground and the handle is pushed forward by the operator the jaw pivots and opens. This pushes the actuating rod causing the dose meter to open and recharge as well as causing the trigger to move into the over centre position. The device is then pulled out of the ground. The trigger is operated. This allows the spring to pull on the actuating rod thus closing the jaw at the same time as dropping the pre-measured dose into the jaws ready for insertion into ground and returning the trigger to its normal position.

Although the above described embodiments refer to the components of the device being manufactured in particular materials, other suitable materials having required performance characteristics could be used in place g of those described.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in S 20 the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

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Claims (9)

1. A device for inserting fertiliser or the like into ground comprising:- an elongate member having a handle means at or adjacent one end, and defining a ground piercing means at its other end, the ground piercing means including jaw means comprising a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, such that the jaw means are openable to deliver a dose of fertiliser or the like held in a delivery zone inside the member into ground; biasing means for biasing the jaws closed; and means for delivering a dose of fertiliser or the like into the delivery zone; and wherein an arm is fixed to the movable jaw in an arrangement such that when the jaw means are inserted into ground and the member is pivoted about the point of insertion the arm will engage with the ground and pivot the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw causing the jaws to open and release a dose of fertiliser or the like held inside the member into the ground.

2. A device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an associated backpack or the like for carrying fertiliser or the like linked by a hose to the device for feeding fertiliser to the device. 20

3. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a metering device for controlling and adjusting the amount of fertiliser injected.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate member comprises a square section steel or aluminium tube.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the ooarm defines a ground engaging foot on one end and an opposite end of the ar projects beyond the movable jaw and wherein the biasing means comprise a spring one end of which is fixed to the opposite end of the arm and the other end of which is fixed to the elongate member.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each jaw is generally u-shaped in cross-section and tapers to a narrow point.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the metering device comprises a shuttle means which is operatively connected to the jaw means such that opening of the jaw causes the shuttle means to substantially block the tube and closing of the jaw means allows a metered dose of fertiliser into the lower part of the tube. 8

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a locking means adapted to lock the jaws in the open position and a trigger means, preferably located adjacent the handle means for releasing the locking means and jaws.

9. A device as claimed in claims 1 to 8 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in any of the accompanying drawings. Dated this eighth day of November 2000 JOHN FAGG, EDWARD OREMEK Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO Se *o