TW201818804A - Handheld apparatus for spreading material - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates a handheld apparatus (100) for spreading material. The handheld apparatus (100) includes a bucket member (102) configured to store the material, and having a closable dispensing opening (114). The handheld apparatus (100) further includes an actuating member (118) disposed on the bucket member (102), and a housing member (120) connected below the bucket member (102). The handheld apparatus (100) further includes a rotating member (122) disposed within the housing member (120) and positioned at a predefined distance from the housing member (120). The rotating member (122) is operably associated with the actuating member (118) to receive rotary movement therefrom. The predefined distance of the rotating member (122) from the housing member (120) is greater than maximum size of the material passing through the dispensing opening (114).

Description

 Handheld device for spreading materials  

This invention relates to a spreading device and, more particularly, to a hand held device for spreading material.

The spreading device is generally used for spreading and distributing materials on surfaces such as turf, agricultural land, etc., and the materials spread by the spreading device include materials such as fertilizer and seeds, but it is not limited thereto. The spreading device typically has a barrel member, a dispensing opening, and an actuation grip. The barrel member stores the material to be dispensed. The ingredient opening is provided on the underside of the tub member. The actuating grip is disposed on the tub member for rotating a rotating member in the tub member. Further, a housing member having a spreading disc is coupled to the tub member. Actuating the rotation of the grip will cause the rotating member to rotate with the dispenser. Due to the rotation of the rotating member and the dispenser, the material in the barrel member passes through the ingredient opening and is thus dispensed onto the surface below the spreading device. Since the spreading device can be used to spread materials having particles of various sizes and hardnesses, the particles may become caught in the housing member and are often caught between the spreading disc and the housing member. This situation can cause the rotating member to become stuck and cause the flow of material in the tub member to stop or be hindered.

U.S. Patent No. 3,227,461 (hereinafter referred to as Patent '461) discloses a device for spreading and playing materials. The apparatus for playing and playing material includes: a housing that can be held by one hand; and a rotatable handle mounted to the housing and operable by another hand. Granular or similar material is stored in the housing and selectively deposited on the rotating impeller member, wherein the rotating impeller member has blades that centrifugally scatter material onto the dispersed region.

Therefore, for the above reasons, there is a need in the industry for an improved handheld spreading device that overcomes the above problems.

In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to solve or at least alleviate the above problems. The hand-held device for spreading material according to the invention can achieve this at least in part. The handheld device of the present invention includes a barrel member configured to store material, the barrel member having a dispensing opening that is closable. The handheld device further includes: an actuating member disposed on the tub member; and a housing member coupled to the tub member. The handheld device further includes a rotating member disposed within the housing member and located at a predetermined distance from the housing member. The rotating member is operatively associated with the actuating member to receive rotational motion from the actuating member. A predetermined distance between the rotating member and the housing member is greater than a maximum dimension of material passing through the dispensing opening. Since the predetermined distance between the rotating member and the housing member is greater than the maximum size of the material passing through the dispensing opening, the possibility of material clogging in the rotating member can be eliminated. Furthermore, it is also possible to eliminate the possibility of damage to the rotating member and the housing member.

According to one aspect of the invention, the housing member has a plurality of slots.

According to an aspect of the invention, the housing member has a top wall, a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls surrounding the rotating member.

According to an aspect of the invention, the distance between the rotating member and the top wall, the bottom wall and the side walls is greater than a maximum dimension of the material. Since the distance between the rotating member relative to the top wall, the bottom wall, and the side walls is greater than the maximum dimension of the material, material from the ingredient opening can pass therethrough.

According to an aspect of the invention, the notches of the housing are defined on a bottom wall of the housing member.

According to one aspect of the invention, the notches of the housing member are bounded by a plurality of ribs on a bottom wall of the housing member. The size of each of the slots is greater than the maximum size of the material. Since the size of each of the slots is greater than the maximum size of the material passing through the dispensing opening, the likelihood of material clogging in the housing member can be eliminated.

According to an aspect of the invention, the housing member is detachably coupled to the tub member.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the rotating member is operatively associated with the actuating member to receive rotational motion through one of a gear device and a belt device.

According to an aspect of the invention, the actuating member is configured to be manually operated.

According to an aspect of the invention, a grip is mounted on the tub member.

According to one aspect of the invention, the grip has a button to selectively open the ingredient opening of the barrel member.

According to an aspect of the invention, a recessed grip portion is formed on the tub member.

According to an aspect of the invention, the tub member has a quadrangular cross-sectional shape.

According to an aspect of the invention, the tub member has a circular cross-sectional shape.

According to one aspect of the invention, the handheld device is configured to dispense at least one of seeds, salt, fertilizer, sand and stone.

100‧‧‧Handheld devices

102‧‧‧ barrel components

104‧‧‧Base part

106‧‧‧First side vertical wall

108‧‧‧Second vertical wall

110‧‧‧ front vertical wall

112‧‧‧ rear vertical wall

114‧‧‧ ingredient opening

116‧‧‧ grip

118‧‧‧Actuating components

120‧‧‧Shell components

122‧‧‧Rotating components

124‧‧‧The first part of the grip

126‧‧‧The second part of the grip

128‧‧‧ button

130‧‧‧Locking mechanism

132‧‧‧ Closed components

134‧‧‧ Gear unit

136‧‧‧ rod body

138‧‧‧ Holding components

140‧‧‧ helical gear

142‧‧‧Small helical gear

143‧‧‧Clamping members

144‧‧‧ Gears

146‧‧‧ pinion

148‧‧‧ vertically extended drive shaft

150‧‧‧ Impeller

152‧‧‧ Flat section

154‧‧‧ leaves

156‧‧‧ bolt

158‧‧‧ top wall

160‧‧‧ bottom wall

162‧‧‧ side wall

164‧‧‧ notch

166‧‧‧ Ribs

The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a handheld device according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention, such as FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handheld device shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a view showing the handheld device shown in FIG. 1 along the A-A according to an embodiment of the present invention; A cross-sectional view of a portion of a hatching; and FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the handheld device of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings are combined with one or more aspects of the invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the details of the embodiments described below. The embodiments are intended to make the contents of the specification more detailed and complete, and to enable those skilled in the art The scope of the invention can be fully understood. For example, more than one aspect of the invention, or even other types of structures and/or methods, may be utilized in other embodiments. In the drawings, the same symbols represent the same elements. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the

1 is a perspective view showing a handheld device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Handheld device 100 can be used to spread and/or dispense a mixture of materials or materials. In the present invention, the hand-held device 100 is implemented as a spreading device that can be used to spread and dispense materials in a farm or garden. The material may include: seeds, salt, fertilizer, sand and stone, or may be any other material having different particle sizes of different sizes and shapes. The particles of the material can have a minimum size and a maximum size.

Handheld device 100 has a barrel member 102 that is adapted to contain material. In one example, the tub member 102 can have a cup or a cylinder or any other shape known in the art to carry material during operation of the handheld device 100. In another example, the bucket member 102 can have a cylindrical cross-sectional configuration, or can have a quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration, or any other cross-sectional structure/shape known in the art. The structure of the tub member 102 can define a predetermined capacity of material that can be received in the tub member 102.

The tub member 102 can include a base portion 104 and a plurality of outer walls, such as a first side vertical wall 106, a second side vertical wall 108, a front vertical wall 110, and a rear vertical wall 112. The first side vertical wall 106, the second side vertical wall 108, the front vertical wall 110, and the rear vertical wall 112 may be coupled to each other and extend upward from the base portion 104. In an embodiment of the invention, the first side vertical wall 106, the second side vertical wall 108, the front vertical wall 110, and the rear vertical wall 112 diverge upwardly from the base portion 104 to define an open top portion relative to the base portion 104. (The figure is not coded). Material for dispensing by the handheld device 100 can be filled into the tub member 102 through the open top portion.

As shown in FIG. 2 showing a top view of the handheld device 100, the tub member 102 further includes a closable dispensing opening 114. The closable ingredient opening 114, also referred to as "ingredient opening 114", may be defined on the base portion 104. The ingredient opening 114 can have a predetermined size and can have a square, quadrilateral, circular or any other shape of structure. In an example, the ingredient opening 114 may be sized larger than the largest size of the material contained in the barrel member 102.

In an alternate embodiment, the tub member 102 can have a smaller or greater number of walls defining the tub member 102. For example, if the tub member 102 has a cylindrical structure or a circular configuration, the wall surface defining the tub member 102 may be a cylindrical outer wall (not shown) extending upward from the base portion 104.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the handheld device 100 further includes a grip 116, an actuation member 118, a housing member 120, and a rotating member 122. Actuating member 118 is disposed on barrel member 102. The housing member 120 is coupled below the bucket member 102. The rotating member 122 is disposed in the housing member 120. The rotating member 122 is located at a predetermined distance from the housing member 120. Additionally, the rotating member 122 is operatively associated with the actuating member 118 to receive rotational motion. The predetermined distance between the rotating member 122 and the housing member 120 may be greater than the largest dimension of the material passing through the ingredient opening.

3 is an exploded view showing the handheld device 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The grip 116 can be mounted on the outer wall of one of the barrel members 102. In the example shown in the figures, the grip 116 is mounted on the rear vertical wall 112 of the tub member 102. In an alternative example, the grip 116 can be mounted to any of the first side vertical wall 106, the second side vertical wall 108, and the front vertical wall 110 of the bucket member 102. In an embodiment, the grip 116 can be removably mounted on the rear vertical wall 112 of the tub member 102. Alternatively, the grip 116 can be integral with the rear vertical wall 112 of the tub member 102.

The grip 116 can include a first portion 124 and a second portion 126. The first portion 124 of the grip 116 can be coupled to the rear vertical wall 112 of the tub member 102 from which the second portion 126 of the grip 116 extends outwardly at an oblique angle. The grip 116 can have a quadrilateral tubular section and a cylindrical tubular section. In another embodiment, the grip 116 can be a recessed grip portion formed on the rear vertical wall 112 of the tub member 102. The grip 116 allows the user to hold the handheld device 100 with one hand.

A button 128 can be provided on the grip 116 for selectively opening and closing the ingredient opening 114 of the tub member 102. More specifically, the button 128 is part of the locking mechanism 130, wherein the locking mechanism 130 includes a closure member 132 that is coupled to the button 128. The ingredient opening 114 of the tub member 102 can be selectively opened and closed by operating the locking mechanism 130. In an example, actuation of the button 128 can move the closure member 132 to close the ingredient opening 114, thereby blocking the passage of material to the ingredient opening 114. Additionally, actuation of the button 128 can also move the closure member 132 to open the ingredient opening 114, thereby allowing material to pass through the passage of the ingredient opening 114. In the same example, slightly actuating the button 128 may slightly move the closure member 132 and partially close the ingredient opening 114, thereby allowing a small amount of material to pass to the passage of the ingredient opening 114.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the actuation member 118 can be coupled to the barrel member 102. In an embodiment, the actuation member 118 can be manually operated by a user to rotate the rotating member 122. Alternatively, the actuation member 118 can also be electrically operated to rotate the rotating member 122. Actuating member 118 can be disposed on first side vertical wall 106 of barrel member 102.

As shown in the figures, the actuation member 118 is operatively associated with the rotating member 122 by a gearing arrangement 134 whereby a rotational motion is received from the actuation member 118. The actuation member 118 can include a shaft 136 and a grip member 138 coupled to the shaft 136. The grip member 138 can be rotated to drive the shaft 136 to rotate, thereby providing rotational motion to the rotating member 122.

The gear device 134 includes a helical gear 140, a small helical gear 142, a gear 144, a pinion 146, a vertically extending drive shaft 148, and an impeller 150. The rod body 136 of the actuation member 118 is coupled to the helical gear 140 by a clamping member 143. The helical gear 140 is disposed rearward of the first side vertical wall 106. The helical gear 140 meshes with the small helical gear 142 and drives the small helical gear 142. The small helical gear 142 and the gear 144 are integrated. Therefore, the gear 144 rotates as the small helical gear 142 rotates. Additionally, the gear 144 meshes with a pinion 146 mounted on a vertically extending drive shaft 148. The impeller 150 is also mounted on a vertically extending drive shaft 148. Furthermore, the rotating member 122 is also mounted on a vertically extending drive shaft 148.

In an embodiment, the rotating member 122 can be operatively associated with the actuating member by a belt device (not shown) whereby the rotational motion is received from the actuating member 118. In an alternate embodiment, the rotating member can be operatively associated with the actuating member 118 by any other conventional mechanical means.

As shown in the figures, the rotating member 122 can include a flat plate portion 152 and a plurality of vanes 154 extending outwardly from the flat plate portion 152. The vanes 154 may have a curved profile. In an alternate embodiment, the blade 154 can have a straight line or any other shape. The blade 154 has a predetermined height from the flat plate portion 152. Although four vanes 154 are shown in the figures, in alternative embodiments, the rotating members 122 may have fewer or more vanes such as vanes 154.

4 and FIG. 5, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the handheld device 100 taken along the line A-A' of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention. A bottom perspective view of the handheld device 100 shown in FIG. The housing member 120 can be mounted to the base portion 104 of the tub member 102. The housing member 120 can be detachably coupled to the base portion 104 of the tub member 102 by a plurality of bolts 156 (shown in FIG. 3). Alternatively, the housing member 120 can be detachably coupled to the base portion 104 of the tub member 102 by any other method.

The housing member 120 includes a top wall 158, a bottom wall 160 below the top wall 158, and a plurality of side walls 162 that are coupled to the top wall 158 and the bottom wall 160. As described above, the rotating member 122 is disposed in the housing member 120. The rotating member 122 is disposed in the housing member 120 in such a manner as to surround the rotating member 122 by the top wall 158, the bottom wall 160, and the side wall 162. The rotating member 122 has a predetermined distance from the top wall 158, the bottom wall 160, and the side wall 162, respectively. The predetermined distance between the rotating member 122 relative to the top wall 158, the bottom wall 160, and the side wall 162 is greater than the largest dimension of the material.

Additionally, the housing member 120 includes a plurality of slots 164. The plurality of slots 164 can be defined on the bottom wall 160 of the housing member 120. The plurality of notches 164 are located below the rotating member 122. The size of each of the plurality of slots 164 is greater than the largest dimension of the material. The plurality of notches 164 of the housing member 120 can be bounded by a set of ribs 166 on the bottom wall 160 of the housing member 120. The set of ribs extend radially outward from the center of the bottom wall 160, thereby defining the notches 164.

When the hand piece 100 of the material having the smallest size to the largest size is filled in the barrel member 102, the rod 136 of the actuation member 118 is rotated. When the shaft 136 rotates, the helical gear 140 rotates, and the small helical gear 142 that meshes with the inclined wheel 140 also rotates. The small helical gear 142 will drive the gear 144 to rotate, and the gear 144 will drive the pinion 146 to rotate. The vertically extending drive shaft 148 will rotate with the pinion 146. In addition, since the impeller 150 and the rotating member 122 are mounted on the vertically extending drive shaft 148, the vertically extending drive shaft 148 also causes the impeller 150 and the rotating member 122 to rotate. Due to the rotation of the impeller 150, the material in the tub member 102 will be agitated and thus move.

The material contained in the tub member 102 will flow through the ingredient opening 114 and toward the housing member 120. The rotating member 122 positioned in the housing member 120 also rotates with the vertically extending drive shaft 148. In addition, the material passes through the gap (predetermined distance) between the rotating member 122 and the top wall 158, the bottom wall 160, and the side wall 162 of the housing member 120. Due to the predetermined distance between the rotating member 122 and the top wall 158, the bottom wall 160 and the side walls 162 of the housing member 120, the material from the ingredient opening 114 can pass therethrough. Since the predetermined distance between the rotating member 122 and the housing member 120 is greater than the maximum size of the material passing through the dispensing opening 114, any possibility of material clogging in the rotating member 122 can be eliminated. In addition, any possibility that the rotating member 122 and the housing member 120 are damaged may also be excluded.

The material can then pass through the notch 164 of the housing member 120. Since the size of each notch of the notch 164 is greater than the largest dimension of the material passing through the ingredient opening 114, any possibility of material clogging in the housing member 120 can be eliminated.

The preferred embodiments and examples of the present invention are disclosed in the specification and the drawings, and although specific terms are used in the specification, the terms are in a generic and descriptive sense and should not be construed in the scope of the invention Causes restrictions.

Claims (15)

 A hand-held device (100) for spreading material, the hand-held device (100) comprising: a barrel member (102) configured to store the material and having a closable ingredient opening (114); an actuating member ( 118), disposed on the barrel member (102); a housing member (120) coupled to the barrel member (102); a rotating member (122) disposed within the housing member (120) At a predetermined distance from the housing member (120), wherein the rotating member (122) is operatively associated with the actuating member (118) for receiving from the actuating member (118) The rotary motion; wherein the handheld device (100) is characterized in that the predetermined distance between the rotating member (122) and the housing member (120) is greater than the maximum dimension of the material passing through the dispensing opening (114).    The hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 1, wherein the housing member (120) has a plurality of notches (164).    The hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 1, wherein the housing member (120) has a top wall (158) and a bottom wall surrounding the rotating member (122). 160) and a plurality of side walls (162).    The hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 3, wherein the rotating member (122) is opposite to the top wall (158), the bottom wall (160), and the side walls (162) The distance between each is greater than the maximum size of the material.    The hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 2, wherein the notches (164) of the casing (120) are defined on a bottom wall of the casing member (120) (160).    A hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 5, wherein the notches (164) of the housing member (120) are defined by the set of ribs (166) in the housing The bottom wall (160) of the member (120), wherein each of the slots (164) has a dimension greater than a maximum dimension of the material.    The hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 1, wherein the housing member (120) is detachably coupled to the tub member (102).    The hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member (122) is operatively associated with the actuating member (118) for passing a gear device and One of the belt devices receives a rotational motion.    The hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 1, wherein the actuating member (118) is configured to be manually operated.    A hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 1, wherein a grip (116) is mounted on the tub member (102).    A hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 10, wherein the grip (116) is provided with a button (128) for selectively opening the ingredient of the tub member (102) Opening (114).    A hand-held device (100) for spreading materials according to claim 1, wherein a recessed grip portion is formed on the tub member (102).    A hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 1, wherein the tub member (102) has a quadrangular cross-sectional shape.    A hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 1, wherein the tub member (102) has a circular cross-sectional shape.    The hand-held device (100) for spreading material according to claim 1, wherein the hand-held device (100) is configured to dispense at least one of seeds, salt, fertilizer, sand and stone.