NZ333673A - Garden sprayer, spraying action initiated by pressing spray head on ground - Google Patents

Abstract

The garden sprayer apparatus comprises: a trigger or pump action means attached to a shield, so that the spraying action is initiated and maintained by causing a (normally downward) force against the ground by the shield to activate the spraying action so that the spray material is confined to the area inside the shield which prevents accidental spraying into the air or onto non-target plants; a handle that, when attached to the spraying apparatus allows the sprayer to be used in an upright position, while keeping the shield close to the ground and target plants to be sprayed and a variable cam arranged to adjust the length of travel by the pump of spray mechanism to allow the dosage of spray delivered to the target area to be adjusted and controlled;

Description

Patents Form No. 5 OurRef: RL801882 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 Complete After Provisional No. 333673 Filed: 7 July 1999.

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SHIELDED, GROUND PRESSURE ACTIVATED GARDEN SPRAYER We, COLIN DONALD ALLAN BROWN AND NOLA XIAO PING BROWN, citizens of New Zealand of 10 Glenbrook Drive, Mosgiel, New Zealand 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: Intellectual Property Office of NZ PT0586977 -7 JUL 2000 received 2 SHIELDED. GROUND PRESSURE ACTIVATED GARDEN SPRAYER Field of the Invention The invention relates to a garden sprayer.

Background to the Invention For current designs of garden sprayers the spraying action is initiated by a hand operated trigger (in the case of pressurised sprayers), or hand/finger pump (in the case of pump sprayers). In some designs, the spray nozzle is 10 surrounded by a (typically cone shaped) shield or shroud to minimise spray drift or overspray.

Although these sprayers operate satisfactorily there is a need for an alternative fast and efficient sprayer for use in nearly all situations where the 15 user wishes to accurately control and target plants such as when spot spraying.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide accurate control of spray onto target plants when "spot spraying", without the risk of accidental 20 spraying of non-target plants.

A further object is to allow one to undertake spraying as a management method, in a fast and efficient manner, in circumstances where it would not otherwise be appropriate or time efficient to do so. 3 Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a sprayer apparatus in which a trigger or pump action means is utilised, the means being attached or attachable to a shield, so that a spraying action is initiated by causing a (normally downward) force against the ground by the shield to activate the spraying action so that the spray material is confined to the area inside the 10 shield, thus preventing accidental spray of non-target plants.

The ground pressure activation also ensures that the spraying action can only take place while the protective shield is in contact with the ground, thus preventing accidental spraying into the air or onto non-target plants.

By attaching a handle to the apparatus, it also allows one to operate the sprayer in an upright position, while keeping the shield close to the ground and target plants to be sprayed.

The ground pressure activation allows rapid repeat spray action without the risk of accidental spraying of non-target plants. 4 The spraying action can be operated by either incorporating a pump assembly in the apparatus or adapting the apparatus to operate in association with a pressure container or cylinder.

The sprayer apparatus can include a variable cam arranged to adjust the length of travel by the pump or spray mechanism thereby allowing the dosage of spray delivered to the target area to be adjusted and controlled.

The sprayer can also include a measuring device incorporated into a filling 10 opening of a spray bottle, so that the user can measure small quantities of chemical into the bottle without the need to use a separate measuring cup.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following examples which are given by way of example only.

Brief Description of the Drawings An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing: Figure 1: is an exploded diagrammatic view of the major components of a sprayer apparatus; and Fiqurq 2: is a view from below of a shield of the sprayer apparatus.

Description of a Preferred Example There are various methods or components that can be used to achieve the desired result. This invention relates both to the outcome achieved from how the components are constructed and joined, and where a unique approach is 5 employed, to the method used.

An example of how this is achieved is illustrated in Figure 1 although it is recognised there are also other configurations of components which will achieve a similar result.

A pump assembly 3 comprises a conventional barrel and piston type mechanism, drawing liquid in from bottle 4, and ejecting the liquid through a conventional nozzle, pointing downwards and located at the base of the pump assembly.

A shroud 1 is free to move up and down the outside of the pump assembly 3, while a trigger component of the shroud acts on the piston mechanism. When the pump assembly is forced downwards inside the shroud, it forces a quantity of spray mixture downwards through the nozzle, onto the target 20 plant.

A selector 2, incorporating a rotating cam, acts to control the travel distance of the shroud 1, thus enabling the quantity of spray ejected on each pump depression to be varied. One setting can be set to prevent any depression of 25 the pump, thus acting as a trigger lock. 6 A measuring device 5 can be incorporated into a filling aperture, so that the user can easily measure the desired quantity of chemical to be added to the water in the spray bottle 4.

A handle 6 acts as a cap to the bottle, and also allows the pump to be used while the operator remains in a standing position.

Figure 2 shows a view from below of the shield 2 and shows the central 10 location of the spray nozzle 3.

Thus by the invention there is provided a garden sprayer the shape and construction of which is designed to limit and confine spray created thereby to minimise overspray and spray drift.

Where in the description particular mechanical integers are described it is envisaged that their alternatives can be substituted as if they were individually set forth herein.

Particular examples of the invention have been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 7 333673

Claims (1)

1. Claims 5 m 10 2. 15 3. 20 4. A sprayer apparatus in which a trigger or pump action means is utilised, the means being attached to a shield, so that a spraying action is initiated by causing a (normally downward) force against the ground by the shield to activate the spraying action so that the spray material is confined to the area inside the shield, thus preventing accidental spray or non-target plants. A sprayer apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the ground pressure activation ensures that the spraying action only takes place while the protective shield is in contact with the ground thereby preventing accidental spraying into the air or onto non-target plants. A sprayer apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein attaching a handle it also allows one to operate the sprayer in an upright position, while keeping the shield close to the ground and target plants to be sprayed. A sprayer apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the ground pressure activation allows rapid repeat spray action without the risk of accidental spraying of non-target plants. A sprayer apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the spraying action operates by either iQfiflJ^9Xaitjnjgi_^pjjmp iNIELLEC]:U^i:SIp£R/Y OrFiCii* Of Ni. - 6 OCT 2000 RECEIVED 8 assembly in the apparatus or adapting the apparatus to operate in association with a pressure container or cylinder. A sprayer apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sprayer apparatus includes a variable cam arranged to adjust the length of travel by the pump of spray mechanism thereby allowing the dosage of spray delivered to the target area to be adjusted and controlled. A sprayer apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sprayer includes a measuring device incorporated into a filling opening of a spray bottle, so that the user can measure small quantities of chemical into the bottle without the need to use a separate measuring cup. A sprayer apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. COLIN DONALD ALLAN BROW intellectual Property Office of NZ - 7 JUL 2C00 received