GB2579166A

GB2579166A - Agricultural applicator

Info

Publication number: GB2579166A
Application number: GB1815566.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Asante Kwasi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-24
Filing date: 2018-09-24
Publication date: 2020-06-17
Also published as: GB201815566D0

Abstract

An agricultural applicator for sowing seeds 3a, 3b via adjustable spokes or tubes 4 with a nose 1 for distributing seeds and a roll 9 at the end of each of the tubes of multiple wheels attached to a wheel bar 10 and a handle 8 via a U-bar 11. The applicator is suitable for applying materials/substances such as seeds and fertiliser on to a surface (soil) at a speed regulated by the speed of the user or the wheel. The whel bar may be extendable to accommodate more than one wheel, and the (a) wheel(s) may be replaced by another wheel, a bicycle or an animal for greater sowing ability or speed as desired, keeping the applicator sustainable.

Description

The Agricultural Applicator

Background/Problems:

Farmers carry out several agricultural practices such as seed planting, fertiliser, weedicide and pesticide application. Regular agricultural machines such as seeders are used by large commercial farmers for sowing seeds. There are also basic tools such as dibbers, hoes and machetes which are used by 'small-scale' farmers.

This Agricultural Applicator bridges the gap between the implements used in the two scales of farming and its usage is environmentally sustainable. Its versatility enables it to be used on large, medium and small-scale farms. It can also be used on allotments and backyards.

Regular handheld seeders only plant one type of seed at a particular time and may not be used for other seeds or agricultural materials such as fertilisers. They do not adapt to the size of material, type of seed, and number of seeds in the planter as well as the planting distance along and across the plants. In addition they cannot be attached to bicycles, animals or moving wheels therefore their speed and efficiency only depends on the moving speed of the user.

Solution/Statement of Invention:

This agricultural applicator enables several different materials to be put in the soil and released in different quantities making it useful for intercropping when different seeds are being planted on one farm. It allows the user to adjust the distance between the materials as they are released into the soil at the speed of the user, the moving wheel or the animal it is attached to.

Introduction/Basic Description:

The device is made up of several parts including one or more 'wheels', a 'wheel-bar', a 'handle', a 'roll', a and several minor accessories. All these parts can be assembled to produce one unit which can be used for applying materials into the soil. Alternatively, some of the parts can be attached to a bicycle, wheel or an animal for use; this improves its efficiency, versatility and environmental sustainability.

Detailed Description and Functions:

The wheel (Figure A): The main component of the device is the wheel which is like a bicycle wheel. It can be used on its own or can be attached to a bicycle, another wheel or an animal. The rotation of the wheel whilst it is on top of the soil allows the wheel to move forwards or backwards. The quicker the force is applied to the wheel the faster it moves therefore the faster a cyclist moves, the faster the wheel which is attached to the bicycle will advance. The work of the planter commences by the spinning action of the wheel. The wheel also houses the nose (1) and tube (4).

The tube (4): There are 8 tubes enclosed in the wheel with each tube originating from the centre of the wheel (5) like the radius of a circle. Each tube stores the seeds to be planted and different seeds (3a and 3b) can be placed in each of the 8 tubes to enable 8 different seeds to be planted by a single rotation of the wheel on the ground. The user may choose to use as many tubes as required depending on the planting distance between holes in one row. The tubes are movable and can be adjusted to be closer or further apart (6). The distance between tubes is dictated by the required planting distance between plants.

The nose (1): The nose forms the tip of the tube (4) and it can be opened to allow seeds to be placed into the tube. It protrudes from the rim (7) of the wheel. It is slightly pointed. Its shape together with the rotational action of the wheel allows it to penetrate the soil and make a hole for the materials to fall in. The seeds are also released through the opening (2) on the nose (1).

The wheel-bar (10): It is used to connect the centre of the wheels of the planter. It is required when two or more wheels are to be used together. It can be extended to hold several wheels (Figure B).

The roll (9): It is used to cover the hole containing the seed which has been planted. After the nose has created a hole and the seed has been released, the roll covers the hole with soil. It is attached to the wheel and it is found behind the wheel.

U-bar (11): It is shaped like 'U'. It is used to connect the wheel of the agricultural applicator to the bicycle. It functions like the device which is used to connect a bicycle stabiliser to a bicycle.

Handle (8): The user holds the handle while moving to keep the device upright.

Other accessories: There are other accessories which can be used with the device depending on the user's preference.

Appendix: Please refer to sketch/drawing Parts of Drawing of Agricultural Applicator: 1 Nose 2 Opening 3a Seed 1 3b Seed 2 4 Tube Centre 6 Adjustable distance between tubes 7 Rim 8 Handle 9 Roll Wheel-bar 11 U-bar