GB1574308A - Band sprayers - Google Patents

Description

(54) BAND SPRAYERS (71) I. MICHAEL WALTER CLAX TON, a British subject of Manor Workshops, Birthorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to band sprayers, in particular band sprayers as used for spraying adjacent rows of crops simul taneouslv.

Band sprayers normally have a plurality of spray nozzles, carried side by side on a frame which frame is carried by a vehicle such as a tractor. Each spray nozzle is positioned above the ground by a predetermined distance to produce a spray across a desired area of ground. The area of ground sprayed by each spray nozzle is varied by adjusting the height of the spray nozzle above the ground and this is chosen bearing in mind the concentration wanted per unit area of ground of the fluid to be sprayed. A major drawback with conventional band sprayers is that as the vehicle carrying the spray nozzles pitches and rolls as it traverses a field, the height of the spray nozzles above the ground is constantly changing and so consequently does the area sprayed by the nozzles.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a spray nozzle support for connection to a vehicle or a frame carried by a vehicle, the nozzle support including a leg member which is adapted for connection to the frame or vehicle, a movable part movably connected to the leg member. the movable part having a ground engaging member for contacting the ground and a nozzle support arm fixedly connected to the movable part for mounting at least one spray nozzle.

The movable part preferably carries a ground engaging member in the form of a skid or more preferably a wheel. The movable part may be biased so that, in use, the ground engaging member is urged to engage the ground. Preferably, the movable part is resiliently biased for example a spring may be provided. Preferably, the movable part is pivotally connected to the leg member.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a band sprayer including a frame adapted for connection to a vehicle, and at least one spray nozzle support as defined above, attached to the frame.

The frame is preferably arranged so that it may be movably connected to the vehicle so that it may be moved between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position. The frame includes at least a main frame for extending laterally of the vehicle and may additionally include at least one subsiduary frame hingedly connected to one end of the main frame. Preferably two subsiduary frames are provided, one being hingedly connected to one end of the main frame and the other being hingedly connected to the other end of the main frame.

Advantageously, means are provided for moving the subsiduary frames to an inclined position relative to the main frame when in the inoperative position.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a band sprayer according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a spraying nozzle support according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the band sprayer shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a bracket for attaching a spray nozzles to the spray nozzles support.

Referring initially to Figure 1, the band sprayer 10 comprises a support frame 11 from which depend a plurality of spraying nozzle supports 12. Between the centre pair of nozzle supports 12, the frame 11 is provided with a depending leg 9 which carries a laterally extending nozzle support member 8 to which a nozzle is attached. The support frame 11 includes a main frame 14 which at each respective end carries a subsiduary frame 15. The main frame 14 and subsiduary frames 15 are connected to one another by means of a hinge joint 16. Each hinge joint 16 includes a removable hinge pin (not shown) which when removed permit the subsiduary frames to be separated from the main frame. Each subsiduary frame 15 is provided with a depending leg 18 which rotatably carries a ground engaging wheel 19. The ground engaging wheels 19 serve to grovide support for the subsiduary frames during use.

The main frame 14 is provided with two laterally extending connection members 22 which servie to connect the main frame 14 to the front of a vehicle, such as a tractor.

Accordingly each connection member 22 is provided with a bore 23 for the reception of a pivot pin (not shown) so that the main frame 14 may be pivotally connected to the vehicle.

The frame 14 is also provided with a bracket 26 to which the ram of a hydraulic ram (not shown) provided on the vehicle may be connected. In use the ram serves to pivotally deflect the main frame 14 in relation to the vehicle between raised and lowered positions.

The main frame 14 is also provided with an upstanding member 28 which carries a pair of pulleys 30. In use. a cable 31 (shown in broken lines in Figure 1) is trained around a pulley 32 on the main frame 14, the cable 31 dividing into two cables 31a, 31b above the pulley 32. one of the cables 31a being trained around a pulley 30 and being connected to the outermost end of one of the subsiduary frames 15 and the other cable 31b being trained around the other pulley 30 and being connected to the outer end of the other subsiduarv frome member 15. The opposite end of cable 31 is anchored to the vehicle.

The frame 11 as illustrated in Figure 1 is in its lowered position and is used in this position for spraying. When frame 11 is moved to its raised position. the cable 31 is effectively shortened which results in the cables 31a, 31b pulling the subsiduary frames 15 about their hinge connection to assume an inclined position in relation to the main frame 14 as seen in Figure 3. If desired. a strut 40 may be provided which may be releasably connected between the inclined subsiduary frames 15 to maintain them in their inclined positions during transportation of the sprayer 10 from and to a field.

In Figure 2 one of the spray nozzle supports 12 is shown in greater detail. The support 12 includes a leg member 60 which at one end pivotally supports a lever 61 and at its other end is provided with a bracket arrangement 62 which enables the support 12 to be releasably attached to the frame 11.

The bracket arrangement 62 includes a U-shaped channel member 63 which in use receives a longitudinally exteding frame element of frame 11. One of the arms 63a of the channel member 63 is elongated and provided with a plurality of apertures (not shown). The leg member 60 is provided with a plate 66 having a pair of apertures (not shown Bolts 69 are passed through the overlapping apertures of arm 63a and plate 66 and by suitably choosing which apertures coincide, the height of the leg member 60 may be adjusted. Arm 63a has laterally extending portions 63a which threadedly received bolts 70 which servie to clamp the channel member 63 onto the frame element received therein. Additionally, a bolt (not shown) is provided which entends across the channel member 60 to prevent removal of the frame element through the mouth of the channel.

The lever 61 has a first arm 80 and a second arm 81. A spring 83 extends between arm 80 and a bracket 84 fixed to leg member 60 so as to bias the lever 61 and when in this biased position are 80 abuts against a stop 86 projecting from leg member 60.

The arm 81 rotatably carries a ground engaging wheel 90 which engages the ground when the frame 11 is in its lowered position. In this position, the lever 61 is pivotally deflected against the bias of spring 83 so that the wheel 90 is biased into engagement with the ground.

An upstanding arm 90a projects upwardly from arm 81 and carries a laterally extending nozzle support member 91. A spraying nozzle 100 is releasably connected to support member 91 by means of a bracket 92.

The nozzle 100 includes a nozzle head 101 and an elongate body portion 102 which is received within a boss member 93 or bracket 92. The member 93. as best seen in Figure 4, includes a hollow cylindrical casing 95 in which a shaft 96 is received. The shaft 96 has an reduced diameter portion 97 which is externally threaded and which projects through an aperture formed in one end of casing 95.

The casing 95 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed apertures 99 and the shaft 96 is provided with a transverse bore 98 which communicates with the aperture 99. The elongate body portion 102 is passed through the apertures 99 and bore 98 and is gripped between the shaft 96 and casing 95 by virtue of tightening a nut on the threaded portion 97.

The bracket 92 also includes two generally U-shaped bracket members 105, 106 which straddle support member 91 and which are clamped Thereon by means of bolt 107 and the boss member 93. Accordingly the position of the nozzle head 101 may be varied as desired by suitable positioning of the bracket on support member 91 and by suitable inclination of the elongate body portion 102.

The support member 91 is also provided with a bracket 120 so that a nozzle 100 may be located by virtue of a bos member 93 near to the wheel 90 so as to be able to spray directly beneath the wheel as is desirable for spraying after the drilling of seeds.

More than one spray nozzle 100 may be provided on the support member 91. For instance. as shown in Figure 3 two nozzles 100 may be provided which are inclined so as to produce overlapping sprays. Such an arrangement is suitable for spraying around the roots and stems of young sugar beet plants to remove weeds.

Advantageously, plough members 130 are provided which serve to lift the leaves of the young plants so as to enable the spray to reach the weeds located around their stems.

Convenientlv. the plough members 130 are formed from lengths of metal rod bent to shape and each are supported by a boss member 131 which is of similar construction to boss member 93.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A spray nozzle support for connection to a vehicle or a frame carried by a vehicle. the nozzle support including a leg member which is adapted for connection to the frame or vehicle. a movable part movably connected to the leg member. the movable part having a ground engaging member for contacting the ground and a nozzle support arm fixedly connected to the movable part for mounting at least one spray nozzle.

2. A support according to Claim 1.

wherein the ground engaging member is a wheel.

3. A support according to Claim 1.

wherein the ground engaging member is a skid.

4. A support according to Claim 1. 2 or 3. wherein the movable part is biased so that. in use. the ground engaging member is urged to engage the ground.

5. A support according to Claim 4.

wherein the bias is provided by a resilient biasing means.

6. A support according to any preceding claim. wherein the movable part is pivotally connected to the leg member.

7. A support according to any preceding claim including attachment means for attaching a spray nozzle to the arm of the movable part, the attachment means including a hollow casing slidably receiving a shaft, the casing having at least one pair of facing apertures, and the shaft having a transversely extending bore so that a body portion of the nozzle may be passed through the pair of apertures and the bore, and motive means for moving the shaft axially relative to the casing.

8. A support according to Claim 7, wherein the casing is elongate and has a closed end having an aperture, the shaft having a portion of reduced diameter projecting through the aperture.

9. A support according to Claim wherein the portion of reduced diameter is externally threaded to receive a nut.

10. A spray nozzle support substantially as herein described with reference and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

11. A band spray including a frame adapted for connection to a vehicle and at least one spray nozzle support according to any preceding claim attached to the frame.

12. A band sprayer according to Claim 11, wherein the frame is adapted for connection to the vehicle so that it may be moved between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position.

13. A band sprayer according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the frame includes a main frame which in use extends laterally of the vehicle.

14. A band sprayer according to Claim 13. including at least one subsiduary frame hingedly connected to the main frame.

15. A band sprayer according to Claim 14, wherein two subsiduary frames are provided, one subsiduary frame being hingedly connected at one lateral end of the main frame and the other subsiduary frame being hingedly connected at the other lateral end of the main frame.

16. A band sprayer according to Claim 15. wherein means are provided for moving the subsiduary frames to an inclined position relative to the main frame when in the inoperative position.

17. A band sprayer substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (17)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. portion 97. The bracket 92 also includes two generally U-shaped bracket members 105, 106 which straddle support member 91 and which are clamped Thereon by means of bolt 107 and the boss member 93. Accordingly the position of the nozzle head 101 may be varied as desired by suitable positioning of the bracket on support member 91 and by suitable inclination of the elongate body portion 102. The support member 91 is also provided with a bracket 120 so that a nozzle 100 may be located by virtue of a bos member 93 near to the wheel 90 so as to be able to spray directly beneath the wheel as is desirable for spraying after the drilling of seeds. More than one spray nozzle 100 may be provided on the support member 91. For instance. as shown in Figure 3 two nozzles 100 may be provided which are inclined so as to produce overlapping sprays. Such an arrangement is suitable for spraying around the roots and stems of young sugar beet plants to remove weeds. Advantageously, plough members 130 are provided which serve to lift the leaves of the young plants so as to enable the spray to reach the weeds located around their stems. Convenientlv. the plough members 130 are formed from lengths of metal rod bent to shape and each are supported by a boss member 131 which is of similar construction to boss member 93. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A spray nozzle support for connection to a vehicle or a frame carried by a vehicle. the nozzle support including a leg member which is adapted for connection to the frame or vehicle. a movable part movably connected to the leg member. the movable part having a ground engaging member for contacting the ground and a nozzle support arm fixedly connected to the movable part for mounting at least one spray nozzle.

2. A support according to Claim 1.

wherein the ground engaging member is a wheel.

3. A support according to Claim 1.

wherein the ground engaging member is a skid.

4. A support according to Claim 1. 2 or 3. wherein the movable part is biased so that. in use. the ground engaging member is urged to engage the ground.

5. A support according to Claim 4.

wherein the bias is provided by a resilient biasing means.

6. A support according to any preceding claim. wherein the movable part is pivotally connected to the leg member.

7. A support according to any preceding claim including attachment means for attaching a spray nozzle to the arm of the movable part, the attachment means including a hollow casing slidably receiving a shaft, the casing having at least one pair of facing apertures, and the shaft having a transversely extending bore so that a body portion of the nozzle may be passed through the pair of apertures and the bore, and motive means for moving the shaft axially relative to the casing.

8. A support according to Claim 7, wherein the casing is elongate and has a closed end having an aperture, the shaft having a portion of reduced diameter projecting through the aperture.

9. A support according to Claim wherein the portion of reduced diameter is externally threaded to receive a nut.

10. A spray nozzle support substantially as herein described with reference and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

11. A band spray including a frame adapted for connection to a vehicle and at least one spray nozzle support according to any preceding claim attached to the frame.

12. A band sprayer according to Claim 11, wherein the frame is adapted for connection to the vehicle so that it may be moved between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position.

13. A band sprayer according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the frame includes a main frame which in use extends laterally of the vehicle.

14. A band sprayer according to Claim 13. including at least one subsiduary frame hingedly connected to the main frame.

15. A band sprayer according to Claim 14, wherein two subsiduary frames are provided, one subsiduary frame being hingedly connected at one lateral end of the main frame and the other subsiduary frame being hingedly connected at the other lateral end of the main frame.

16. A band sprayer according to Claim 15. wherein means are provided for moving the subsiduary frames to an inclined position relative to the main frame when in the inoperative position.

17. A band sprayer substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.