US20110297763A1 - Portable spreader for particulate matter - Google Patents
Portable spreader for particulate matter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110297763A1 US20110297763A1 US12/794,762 US79476210A US2011297763A1 US 20110297763 A1 US20110297763 A1 US 20110297763A1 US 79476210 A US79476210 A US 79476210A US 2011297763 A1 US2011297763 A1 US 2011297763A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- rotor
- spreader
- housing
- particulate matter
- closed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000013618 particulate matter Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 70
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 6
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010298 pulverizing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011780 sodium chloride Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007779 soft material Substances 0.000 description 2
- UXVMQQNJUSDDNG-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium chloride Chemical compound [Cl-].[Cl-].[Ca+2] UXVMQQNJUSDDNG-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000001110 calcium chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001628 calcium chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003337 fertilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004009 herbicide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011343 solid material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
- A01C15/00—Fertiliser distributors
- A01C15/02—Fertiliser distributors for hand use
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
- A01C15/00—Fertiliser distributors
- A01C15/005—Undercarriages, tanks, hoppers, stirrers specially adapted for seeders or fertiliser distributors
- A01C15/006—Hoppers
- A01C15/007—Hoppers with agitators in the hopper
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
- B05B12/002—Manually-actuated controlling means, e.g. push buttons, levers or triggers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
- B05B15/60—Arrangements for mounting, supporting or holding spraying apparatus
- B05B15/62—Arrangements for supporting spraying apparatus, e.g. suction cups
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B3/00—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
- B05B3/02—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
- B05B3/12—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements with spray booms or the like rotating around an axis by means independent of the liquid or other fluent material discharged
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
- E01C19/00—Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving
- E01C19/12—Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving for distributing granular or liquid materials
- E01C19/20—Apparatus for distributing, e.g. spreading, granular or pulverulent materials, e.g. sand, gravel, salt, dry binders
- E01C19/2005—Apparatus for distributing, e.g. spreading, granular or pulverulent materials, e.g. sand, gravel, salt, dry binders without driven loosening, discharging or spreading
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H10/00—Improving gripping of ice-bound or other slippery traffic surfaces, e.g. using gritting or thawing materials ; Roadside storage of gritting or solid thawing materials; Permanently installed devices for applying gritting or thawing materials; Mobile apparatus specially adapted for treating wintry roads by applying liquid, semi-liquid or granular materials
- E01H10/007—Mobile apparatus specially adapted for preparing or applying liquid or semi-liquid thawing material or spreading granular material on wintry roads
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
- A01C7/00—Sowing
- A01C7/02—Hand sowing implements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
- E01C19/00—Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving
- E01C19/12—Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving for distributing granular or liquid materials
- E01C19/20—Apparatus for distributing, e.g. spreading, granular or pulverulent materials, e.g. sand, gravel, salt, dry binders
- E01C2019/2055—Details not otherwise provided for
- E01C2019/206—Hand operated spreading devices
Definitions
- the invention relates, in general, to spreaders for distributing particulate matter and, in particular, to man-portable spreaders for distributing particulate matter.
- Some conventional spreaders for distributing particulate matter may rely in whole or in part on entraining the particulate matter in air. Using air to entrain the particulate matter may require high power to generate sufficient air velocity and may generate undesirable noise.
- Impellers with a vertical axis of rotation may jam easily. Impellers with a vertical axis of rotation may impart only a small tangential trajectory to the particulate matter, unless the trajectory of the particulate matter is altered by contact or collision with an exit nozzle. If the particulate matter does collide with an exit nozzle, the particulate matter may be fractured or pulverized.
- Ease of handling and operation may be another problem with known spreaders.
- the user may have difficulty supporting the spreader because of the location of the center of gravity of the spreader relative to the handle of the spreader.
- the center of gravity of the spreader is affected by the location of the container for the particulate matter.
- a gravity-feed spreader for particulate matter may include a rotor having a shaft, at least one paddle, and a longitudinal axis of rotation.
- the spreader may be operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor in a horizontal position.
- a generally cylindrical rotor housing may be coaxial with the rotor.
- the rotor housing may include a pair of closed, axial ends.
- An entrance aperture for the particulate matter may be formed in a surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends.
- An exit aperture for the particulate matter may be formed in a surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends.
- a rotor driver may be coupled to the rotor shaft for rotating the rotor.
- An intake housing may include a passageway therethrough for the particulate matter.
- the intake housing may have a first end in communication with the entrance aperture of the rotor housing and a second end.
- a gate for selectively opening and closing the particulate matter passageway may be disposed in the intake housing.
- the gate may be continuously adjustable between fully open and fully closed positions.
- An agitator may be coupled to the rotor shaft for facilitating movement of particulate matter through the passageway in the intake housing.
- a support member may be connected to the rotor housing and the intake housing.
- a handle may be connected to the support member.
- At least one paddle may extend axially substantially an entire distance between the closed, axial ends of the rotor housing and radially substantially to the curved surface of the rotor housing.
- the spreader may include an exit channel for the particulate matter extending from the exit aperture of the rotor housing.
- the rotor driver may be mechanically coupled to the rotor shaft. There may be a plurality of paddles on the rotor.
- the spreader may include a canister for holding the particulate matter.
- the canister may be connected to the second end of the intake housing.
- a longitudinal axis of the handle and a longitudinal axis of the canister may be substantially parallel.
- the rotor driver may be a motor.
- the spreader may include an on/off control for the motor.
- the on/off control may be located on the handle.
- the on/off control may control positions of the gate including continuous adjustment from the fully open position to the fully closed position.
- the on/off control may start the motor before opening the gate.
- the on/off control may stop the motor before the gate is closed.
- the support member may include a battery housing.
- the spreader may include at least one battery disposed in the battery housing.
- the exit channel may include a lower surface that may be substantially planar.
- the lower surface of the exit channel may lie substantially in a horizontal plane.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable spreader for particulate matter.
- FIG. 2 is a partially cut away, perspective view of the spreader of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a partially cut away, perspective view of the spreader of FIG. 1 , showing one way to couple a motor and a rotor.
- FIG. 4 is a partially cut away, perspective view of another side of the spreader of FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of an agitator.
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a partially cut away, perspective view of the spreader of FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of a control mechanism.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rotor having a paddle in the form of a brush.
- FIG. 8 is a side view of the spreader of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gravity-feed portable spreader 10 for spreading particulate matter.
- Spreader 10 may be used to distribute or spread particulate matter.
- particulate matter may include plant seeds, grass seeds, fertilizer, calcium chloride, sodium chloride (de-icing salt), herbicides, etc.
- the size of the individual particles in the particulate matter may vary from small, such as powdery materials, to larger materials such as sodium chloride crystals, or even particles larger than sodium chloride crystals.
- Spreader 10 may include a canister 12 , a handle 14 , a first housing 16 , a second housing 18 , an intake housing 20 , and an exit channel 22 .
- Canister 12 may function as a storage container for the particulate matter to be spread.
- Canister 12 may be formed integrally with intake housing 20 or may be removably connected to intake housing 20 .
- canister 12 and intake housing 20 may include complementary threads for threaded engagement. If canister 12 is integral with intake housing 20 , then a means for filling the canister, such as a door or threaded cap, may be provided in a surface of the canister 12 .
- Handle 14 may include a grip portion 26 where a user's fingers may be placed.
- a control 28 may be located on handle 14 .
- the control 28 is a trigger-type switch located on the grip portion 26 , although other types of controls may be used.
- Handle 14 and canister 12 may have respective longitudinal axes A and B. In one embodiment, axes A and B may be substantially parallel. With axes A and B parallel, the distance h between a midpoint 34 of the grip portion 26 and the center of gravity D of the spreader 10 may be minimized, which may enhance the ease of using the spreader 10 .
- FIG. 2 is a partially cut away, perspective view of the spreader 10 of FIG. 1 .
- Spreader 10 may include a rotor housing 36 .
- Rotor housing 36 may be generally cylindrical and may have a longitudinal axis C. Opposed, axial ends 38 , 40 of rotor housing 36 may be closed. In FIG. 2 , the closed end 40 of rotor housing 36 is cut away, but closed axial end 40 may be formed like closed axial end 38 .
- An entrance aperture 42 for particulate matter may be formed in a curved surface of the rotor housing 36 between axial closed ends 38 and 40 .
- An exit aperture 44 for particulate matter may be formed in the curved surface of the rotor housing 36 between axial closed ends 38 and 40 .
- a rotor 46 having a rotor shaft 32 may be disposed in rotor housing 36 .
- Rotor 46 and rotor housing 36 may be coaxially disposed on longitudinal axis C.
- Spreader 10 may be operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis C of the rotor 46 in a horizontal position.
- Rotor 46 may include at least one paddle 48 .
- a plurality of paddles 48 may be used. In FIG. 2 , four paddles 48 are shown, but fewer or more paddles 48 may be used.
- Paddle or paddles 48 may be planar or substantially planar, that is, flat or substantially flat, or may have other forms. Paddle or paddles 48 may be made of one or more solid materials.
- At least the outer surface of paddles 48 may be a soft material, such as an elastomer, a fabric, etc.
- a soft material may prevent pulverization of the particulate matter. Pulverization of the particulate matter may adversely affect the performance of spreader 10 .
- the outer surface of paddles 48 may have a hardness in a range of about 30-70 Shore A durometer.
- Paddle or paddles 48 may be in the form of a stiff brush or brushes.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rotor 146 having a paddle 148 in the form of a brush.
- a paddle 148 formed of a brush may be planar, as shown in FIG. 7 , or may have other forms, such as a helix, etc.
- a paddle formed of a brush may be stiff.
- the brush may be made of a plurality of bristles fixed to the center of the rotor 146 .
- Paddles 48 may extend the entire length, or substantially the entire length, of rotor 46 between axial ends 38 , 40 of rotor housing 36 . There may be only enough clearance between paddles 48 and the axial ends 38 , 40 of rotor housing 36 to prevent contact between the paddles 48 and the axial ends 38 , 40 .
- the paddles 48 may extend radially from the center of rotor 46 to, or substantially to, the curved surface of rotor housing 36 . There may be sufficient clearance between the radial edges of paddles 48 and the curved surface of housing 36 to prevent contact between the two. Or, in the case of a paddle 48 that is a brush, the paddle may contact the curved surface of housing 36 .
- the width of the exit aperture 44 in the rotor housing 36 may be the same as the distance between the axial ends 38 , 40 of the rotor housing 36 .
- An exit channel 22 for particulate matter may extend from the exit aperture 44 of the rotor housing 36 .
- the width g of the exit channel 22 ( FIG. 1 ) may be the same or different than the width of the exit aperture 44 .
- the width of the exit channel 22 may be constant or may vary.
- Exit channel 22 may include a bottom surface 30 .
- a support member may be connected to the rotor housing 36 and the intake housing 20 .
- the support member may include the first and/or second housings 16 , 18 .
- Handle 14 may be connected to the support member.
- handle 14 may be connected to first housing 16 .
- the intake housing 20 may define a passageway 54 therethrough for particulate matter.
- Intake housing 20 may include a first end 21 in communication with the entrance aperture 42 of the rotor housing 36 and a second end 58 .
- Canister 12 ( FIG. 1 ) may be formed integrally with intake housing 20 or may be removably connected to intake housing 20 at second end 58 .
- a gate 56 may be disposed in intake housing 20 for selectively opening and closing the passageway 54 in the intake housing 20 .
- the gate 56 is shown displaced upwardly somewhat from the entrance aperture 42 of the rotor housing 36 .
- the gate 56 may selectively open and close the passageway 54 in intake housing 20 by opening and closing the entrance aperture 42 .
- Flow of particulate matter through intake housing 20 may be aided by an agitator 60 , discussed in more detail below.
- Shaft 32 of rotor 46 may be coupled to a rotor driver for rotating the rotor 46 .
- the rotor driver may be, for example, a hand crank (not shown), or, rotor 46 may be rotated by a motor 24 .
- Motor 24 may be, for example, an alternating current (AC) electric motor, a direct current (DC) electric motor, an air motor, a hydraulic motor, an internal combustion engine, etc.
- Motor 24 may be connected to rotor 46 in a variety of conventional manners.
- Motor 24 may be located, for example, in second housing 18 .
- FIG. 3 is a partially cut away, perspective view of the spreader 10 of FIG. 1 , showing one way to mechanically couple motor 24 and rotor 46 .
- a drive gear 62 on the shaft of motor 24 may engage an intermediate gear 64 that engages a rotor gear 66 that is coaxial with rotor 46 .
- Other means to couple motor 24 and rotor 46 may include, for example, belts, direct drive, differing numbers and types of gears, fluid couplings, etc.
- Spreader 10 may include one or more batteries 68 to power the motor 24 .
- Batteries 68 may be housed, for example, in first housing 16 .
- Batteries 68 may be, for example, rechargeable. Recharging may be performed with the batteries 68 in place in housing 16 using a conventional charging device, or the batteries 68 may be removed for recharging, in a known manner.
- Spreader 10 may include a conventional AC electric plug, for corded operation from an AC supply. The AC plug may be male or female.
- FIG. 4 is a partially cut away, perspective view of another side of the spreader 10 of FIG. 1 , showing the structure of an embodiment of an agitator 60 .
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4 .
- An eccentric drive 70 may be fixed on an end of the shaft of rotor 46 , outside of closed axial end 38 ( FIG. 5 ).
- Agitator 60 may include, for example, a small diameter rod fixed at one end to eccentric drive 70 .
- the other end of the rod may be disposed in passageway 54 in intake housing 20 above gate 56 .
- the rod may be made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel.
- the agitator rod may include three segments 74 , 76 , 78 that may be angled with respect to each other.
- Eccentric drive 70 may drive segment 74 , which causes segment 78 to move up and down and sideways in intake housing 20 . Movement of segment 78 facilitates the flow of particulate matter through the passageway 54 , which may be opened and closed by gate 56 .
- Segment 76 may pass through a wall of intake housing 20 ( FIG. 5 ).
- a seal 72 made of, for example, rubber, may be used to seal the opening between segment 76 and the wall of intake housing 20 .
- control 28 may control motor 24 .
- Control 28 may be located on handle 14 .
- Control 28 may be, for example, a trigger switch.
- Control 28 may also be, for example, a variable speed switch, such as a potentiometer.
- Control 28 may be biased to an “off” position by spring 80 .
- Spring 80 may be disposed between control 28 and an internal surface of handle 14 . In the “off” position of control 28 , rotor 46 may not be turning.
- a micro switch 112 may be disposed in handle 14 adjacent an arm 114 of control 28 .
- arm 114 may activate micro switch 112 to connect a power supply, for example, batteries 68 , to motor 24 .
- spring 80 may move control 28 to the “off” (not depressed) position, thereby disengaging arm 114 from micro switch 112 and disconnecting the power supply to motor 24 .
- Control 28 may also control gate 56 to open and close passageway 54 through intake housing 20 .
- gate 56 By varying the position of gate 56 , the mass flow of particulate matter through the spreader 10 may be varied. In the “off” position of control 28 , gate 56 may completely close passageway 54 . When gate 56 is closed, particulate matter above gate 56 may not enter the rotor 46 . When gate 56 is partially open or fully open, particulate matter above gate 56 may enter the rotor 46 .
- FIG. 6 is a partially cut away, perspective view of the spreader 10 of FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of a connection between control 28 and gate 56 .
- Gate 56 may be fixed to a first linkage member 82 that may be translatable along its longitudinal axis.
- One end 84 of member 82 may be operatively engaged with a second linkage member 86 .
- Member 86 may engage member 82 , for example, via a tab 88 on member 86 that may be inserted in a slot 90 in member 82 .
- Member 86 may be rotatable about a pivot 92 .
- a spring 94 may bias linkage member 86 , and thus gate 56 , to a closed position. Spring 94 may be disposed between linkage member 86 and an internal surface of handle 14 .
- second linkage member 86 may include a pin 96 inserted in an opening 98 in a third linkage member 100 .
- Third linkage member 100 may be rotatable about a pivot 102 .
- Pivot 102 may include a pin 104 ( FIG. 4 ) fixed at one end to member 100 and inserted in a pivot hole (not shown) in an internal surface of handle 14 .
- Another end of member 100 may include a pin 110 .
- Pin 110 may be slidable in a slotted opening 108 formed in control 28 .
- the slotted opening 108 in control 28 may provide a delay function.
- the spreader 10 When the control 28 is not depressed, the spreader 10 may be “off”, that is, the rotor 46 may be stationary and the gate 56 may be fully closed.
- the arm 114 When the control 28 is depressed any amount, the arm 114 may activate micro switch 112 to connect a power supply to motor 24 , as described above. However, gate 56 may not begin to open until the pin 110 of linkage member 110 contacts an end 118 of slotted opening 108 .
- Further depressing control 28 may cause pin 110 to rotate linkage member 100 about pivot 102 , which causes linkage member 86 to rotate in an opposite direction about pivot 92 , which causes linkage member 82 to translate gate 56 .
- partially depressing control 28 allows the rotor 46 to begin rotating before the gate 56 begins to open. In this way, particulate matter may not enter the rotor 46 when the rotor is stationary, which may prevent jamming of the rotor 46 .
- Control 28 may be used to continuously or infinitely vary the position of gate 56 to thereby vary the mass flow through the rotor 46 . It may also be desirable to vary the speed of motor 24 . Compared to infinitely variable speed control of motor 24 , a less expensive speed control may be a two speed (high/low) control.
- a speed control 120 may be disposed on the handle 14 . The speed control 120 may have two positions corresponding to high speed and low speed.
- all the batteries 68 may be used to power the motor 24 .
- five batteries 68 may each have a voltage of 1.2 volts.
- the voltage supplied to motor 24 may be 6.0 volts.
- one battery for example, may be disconnected so that the voltage supplied to the motor 24 is 4.8 volts.
- the diameter of the rotor and the angular velocity of the rotor determine the speed at the tip of the paddle.
- the types of particulate matter that may be used in the spreader may have different resistances to shattering and pulverization.
- the paddle tip speed may be limited to avoid shattering the particulate matter.
- FIG. 8 is a side view of the spreader 10 of FIG. 1 illustrating a position wherein the spreader 10 may be operable for gravity-feed operation.
- the rotor axis C may be horizontal.
- the exit channel 22 may have a lower surface 30 that may be planar.
- the lower surface 30 may lie in a horizontal plane that may be normal to the local gravity vector G (vertical direction).
- the axes A, B of the handle 14 and canister 12 may form angles alpha and beta, respectively, with the vertical.
- the angles alpha and beta may be the same or different. In one embodiment, alpha and beta may be equal so that A and B may be parallel. Alpha may range from about thirty degrees to about sixty degrees, or from about forty degrees to about fifty degrees, or may be about forty-five degrees. Beta may range from about thirty degrees to about sixty degrees, or from about forty degrees to about fifty degrees, or may be about forty-five degrees. Alpha and beta may be chosen to minimize the horizontal separation h between the center of gravity D of the spreader 10 and the midpoint 34 of the grip portion 26 of handle 14 . Minimizing the distance h may contribute to ease of handling the spreader 10 .
- the midpoint 34 of the grip portion 26 of the handle 14 may have at least the same elevation as the approximate center of gravity D. Or, the midpoint 34 may be vertically above the center of gravity D a distance k.
- the center of volume F of the canister 12 may be vertically above the rotor axis C.
- the center of volume M of the second housing 18 which may contain batteries 68 , may be vertically above the rotor axis C.
- the center of volume N of the motor 24 may be vertically above the rotor axis C.
- the center of gravity D of the spreader 10 may be vertically above the rotor axis C.
- the locations of the centers of volume, center of gravity, and axis of rotation may contribute to ease of handling the spreader 10 .
Abstract
A gravity-feed spreader for particulate matter may include a rotor. The spreader may be operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of the rotor in a horizontal position. A generally cylindrical rotor housing with a pair of closed, axial ends may be coaxial with the rotor. Entrance and exit apertures for the particulate matter may be formed in the surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends. A rotor driver may be coupled to the rotor shaft for rotating the rotor. An intake housing may include a passageway therethrough for the particulate matter. A gate may be provided for selectively opening and closing the particulate matter passageway in the intake housing. An agitator may be coupled to the rotor shaft for facilitating movement of particulate matter through the passageway in the intake housing.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates, in general, to spreaders for distributing particulate matter and, in particular, to man-portable spreaders for distributing particulate matter.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Some conventional spreaders for distributing particulate matter may rely in whole or in part on entraining the particulate matter in air. Using air to entrain the particulate matter may require high power to generate sufficient air velocity and may generate undesirable noise.
- Some conventional spreaders may use an impeller with a vertical axis of rotation. Impellers with a vertical axis of rotation may jam easily. Impellers with a vertical axis of rotation may impart only a small tangential trajectory to the particulate matter, unless the trajectory of the particulate matter is altered by contact or collision with an exit nozzle. If the particulate matter does collide with an exit nozzle, the particulate matter may be fractured or pulverized.
- Ease of handling and operation may be another problem with known spreaders. The user may have difficulty supporting the spreader because of the location of the center of gravity of the spreader relative to the handle of the spreader. The center of gravity of the spreader is affected by the location of the container for the particulate matter.
- A need exists for a portable spreader for particulate matter that is efficient, ergonomically designed, and inexpensive to manufacture.
- In one aspect, a gravity-feed spreader for particulate matter may include a rotor having a shaft, at least one paddle, and a longitudinal axis of rotation. The spreader may be operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor in a horizontal position. A generally cylindrical rotor housing may be coaxial with the rotor. The rotor housing may include a pair of closed, axial ends.
- An entrance aperture for the particulate matter may be formed in a surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends. An exit aperture for the particulate matter may be formed in a surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends. A rotor driver may be coupled to the rotor shaft for rotating the rotor.
- An intake housing may include a passageway therethrough for the particulate matter. The intake housing may have a first end in communication with the entrance aperture of the rotor housing and a second end. A gate for selectively opening and closing the particulate matter passageway may be disposed in the intake housing. The gate may be continuously adjustable between fully open and fully closed positions. An agitator may be coupled to the rotor shaft for facilitating movement of particulate matter through the passageway in the intake housing.
- A support member may be connected to the rotor housing and the intake housing. A handle may be connected to the support member.
- At least one paddle may extend axially substantially an entire distance between the closed, axial ends of the rotor housing and radially substantially to the curved surface of the rotor housing.
- The spreader may include an exit channel for the particulate matter extending from the exit aperture of the rotor housing. The rotor driver may be mechanically coupled to the rotor shaft. There may be a plurality of paddles on the rotor.
- The spreader may include a canister for holding the particulate matter. The canister may be connected to the second end of the intake housing. A longitudinal axis of the handle and a longitudinal axis of the canister may be substantially parallel.
- The rotor driver may be a motor. The spreader may include an on/off control for the motor. The on/off control may be located on the handle. The on/off control may control positions of the gate including continuous adjustment from the fully open position to the fully closed position. When the spreader is actuated from an off state to an on state, the on/off control may start the motor before opening the gate. When the spreader is actuated from the on state to the off state, the on/off control may stop the motor before the gate is closed.
- The support member may include a battery housing. The spreader may include at least one battery disposed in the battery housing.
- The exit channel may include a lower surface that may be substantially planar. When the spreader is operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor in a horizontal position, the lower surface of the exit channel may lie substantially in a horizontal plane.
- The invention will be better understood, and further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- In the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, like or corresponding parts are denoted by like or corresponding reference numerals.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable spreader for particulate matter. -
FIG. 2 is a partially cut away, perspective view of the spreader ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a partially cut away, perspective view of the spreader ofFIG. 1 , showing one way to couple a motor and a rotor. -
FIG. 4 is a partially cut away, perspective view of another side of the spreader ofFIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of an agitator. -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a partially cut away, perspective view of the spreader ofFIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of a control mechanism. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rotor having a paddle in the form of a brush. -
FIG. 8 is a side view of the spreader ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gravity-feedportable spreader 10 for spreading particulate matter.Spreader 10 may be used to distribute or spread particulate matter. By way of example, and not limitation, particulate matter may include plant seeds, grass seeds, fertilizer, calcium chloride, sodium chloride (de-icing salt), herbicides, etc. The size of the individual particles in the particulate matter may vary from small, such as powdery materials, to larger materials such as sodium chloride crystals, or even particles larger than sodium chloride crystals. Spreader 10 may include acanister 12, ahandle 14, afirst housing 16, asecond housing 18, anintake housing 20, and anexit channel 22. -
Canister 12 may function as a storage container for the particulate matter to be spread.Canister 12 may be formed integrally withintake housing 20 or may be removably connected tointake housing 20. For example,canister 12 andintake housing 20 may include complementary threads for threaded engagement. Ifcanister 12 is integral withintake housing 20, then a means for filling the canister, such as a door or threaded cap, may be provided in a surface of thecanister 12. -
Handle 14 may include agrip portion 26 where a user's fingers may be placed. Acontrol 28 may be located onhandle 14. In the embodiment shown, thecontrol 28 is a trigger-type switch located on thegrip portion 26, although other types of controls may be used.Handle 14 andcanister 12 may have respective longitudinal axes A and B. In one embodiment, axes A and B may be substantially parallel. With axes A and B parallel, the distance h between amidpoint 34 of thegrip portion 26 and the center of gravity D of thespreader 10 may be minimized, which may enhance the ease of using thespreader 10. -
FIG. 2 is a partially cut away, perspective view of thespreader 10 ofFIG. 1 .Spreader 10 may include arotor housing 36.Rotor housing 36 may be generally cylindrical and may have a longitudinal axis C. Opposed, axial ends 38, 40 ofrotor housing 36 may be closed. InFIG. 2 , theclosed end 40 ofrotor housing 36 is cut away, but closedaxial end 40 may be formed like closedaxial end 38. Anentrance aperture 42 for particulate matter may be formed in a curved surface of therotor housing 36 between axial closed ends 38 and 40. Anexit aperture 44 for particulate matter may be formed in the curved surface of therotor housing 36 between axial closed ends 38 and 40. - A
rotor 46 having arotor shaft 32 may be disposed inrotor housing 36.Rotor 46 androtor housing 36 may be coaxially disposed on longitudinalaxis C. Spreader 10 may be operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis C of therotor 46 in a horizontal position.Rotor 46 may include at least onepaddle 48. In some embodiments, a plurality ofpaddles 48 may be used. InFIG. 2 , fourpaddles 48 are shown, but fewer ormore paddles 48 may be used. Paddle or paddles 48 may be planar or substantially planar, that is, flat or substantially flat, or may have other forms. Paddle or paddles 48 may be made of one or more solid materials. - At least the outer surface of
paddles 48, that is, the surface that contacts and propels the particulate matter, may be a soft material, such as an elastomer, a fabric, etc. A soft material may prevent pulverization of the particulate matter. Pulverization of the particulate matter may adversely affect the performance ofspreader 10. The outer surface ofpaddles 48 may have a hardness in a range of about 30-70 Shore A durometer. - Paddle or paddles 48 may be in the form of a stiff brush or brushes.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of arotor 146 having apaddle 148 in the form of a brush. Apaddle 148 formed of a brush may be planar, as shown inFIG. 7 , or may have other forms, such as a helix, etc. A paddle formed of a brush may be stiff. The brush may be made of a plurality of bristles fixed to the center of therotor 146. - Paddles 48 (whether in the form of a brush or any other material) may extend the entire length, or substantially the entire length, of
rotor 46 between axial ends 38, 40 ofrotor housing 36. There may be only enough clearance betweenpaddles 48 and the axial ends 38, 40 ofrotor housing 36 to prevent contact between thepaddles 48 and the axial ends 38, 40. Thepaddles 48 may extend radially from the center ofrotor 46 to, or substantially to, the curved surface ofrotor housing 36. There may be sufficient clearance between the radial edges ofpaddles 48 and the curved surface ofhousing 36 to prevent contact between the two. Or, in the case of apaddle 48 that is a brush, the paddle may contact the curved surface ofhousing 36. - The width of the
exit aperture 44 in therotor housing 36, that is, the dimension parallel to axis C, may be the same as the distance between the axial ends 38, 40 of therotor housing 36. Anexit channel 22 for particulate matter may extend from theexit aperture 44 of therotor housing 36. The width g of the exit channel 22 (FIG. 1 ) may be the same or different than the width of theexit aperture 44. The width of theexit channel 22 may be constant or may vary.Exit channel 22 may include abottom surface 30. - A support member may be connected to the
rotor housing 36 and theintake housing 20. The support member may include the first and/orsecond housings Handle 14 may be connected to the support member. For example, handle 14 may be connected tofirst housing 16. - The
intake housing 20 may define apassageway 54 therethrough for particulate matter.Intake housing 20 may include afirst end 21 in communication with theentrance aperture 42 of therotor housing 36 and asecond end 58. Canister 12 (FIG. 1 ) may be formed integrally withintake housing 20 or may be removably connected tointake housing 20 atsecond end 58. Agate 56 may be disposed inintake housing 20 for selectively opening and closing thepassageway 54 in theintake housing 20. - In
FIG. 2 , thegate 56 is shown displaced upwardly somewhat from theentrance aperture 42 of therotor housing 36. In some embodiments, thegate 56 may selectively open and close thepassageway 54 inintake housing 20 by opening and closing theentrance aperture 42. Flow of particulate matter throughintake housing 20 may be aided by anagitator 60, discussed in more detail below. -
Shaft 32 ofrotor 46 may be coupled to a rotor driver for rotating therotor 46. The rotor driver may be, for example, a hand crank (not shown), or,rotor 46 may be rotated by amotor 24.Motor 24 may be, for example, an alternating current (AC) electric motor, a direct current (DC) electric motor, an air motor, a hydraulic motor, an internal combustion engine, etc.Motor 24 may be connected torotor 46 in a variety of conventional manners.Motor 24 may be located, for example, insecond housing 18. -
FIG. 3 is a partially cut away, perspective view of thespreader 10 ofFIG. 1 , showing one way to mechanically couplemotor 24 androtor 46. Adrive gear 62 on the shaft ofmotor 24 may engage anintermediate gear 64 that engages arotor gear 66 that is coaxial withrotor 46. Other means to couplemotor 24 androtor 46 may include, for example, belts, direct drive, differing numbers and types of gears, fluid couplings, etc. -
Spreader 10 may include one ormore batteries 68 to power themotor 24.Batteries 68 may be housed, for example, infirst housing 16.Batteries 68 may be, for example, rechargeable. Recharging may be performed with thebatteries 68 in place inhousing 16 using a conventional charging device, or thebatteries 68 may be removed for recharging, in a known manner.Spreader 10 may include a conventional AC electric plug, for corded operation from an AC supply. The AC plug may be male or female. -
FIG. 4 is a partially cut away, perspective view of another side of thespreader 10 ofFIG. 1 , showing the structure of an embodiment of anagitator 60.FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion ofFIG. 4 . Aneccentric drive 70 may be fixed on an end of the shaft ofrotor 46, outside of closed axial end 38 (FIG. 5 ).Agitator 60 may include, for example, a small diameter rod fixed at one end toeccentric drive 70. The other end of the rod may be disposed inpassageway 54 inintake housing 20 abovegate 56. The rod may be made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel. - The agitator rod may include three
segments Eccentric drive 70 may drivesegment 74, which causessegment 78 to move up and down and sideways inintake housing 20. Movement ofsegment 78 facilitates the flow of particulate matter through thepassageway 54, which may be opened and closed bygate 56.Segment 76 may pass through a wall of intake housing 20 (FIG. 5 ). Aseal 72 made of, for example, rubber, may be used to seal the opening betweensegment 76 and the wall ofintake housing 20. - Referring again to
FIG. 3 ,control 28 may controlmotor 24.Control 28 may be located onhandle 14.Control 28 may be, for example, a trigger switch.Control 28 may also be, for example, a variable speed switch, such as a potentiometer.Control 28 may be biased to an “off” position byspring 80.Spring 80 may be disposed betweencontrol 28 and an internal surface ofhandle 14. In the “off” position ofcontrol 28,rotor 46 may not be turning. - A
micro switch 112 may be disposed inhandle 14 adjacent anarm 114 ofcontrol 28. Whencontrol 28 is depressed,arm 114 may activatemicro switch 112 to connect a power supply, for example,batteries 68, tomotor 24. Whencontrol 28 is released,spring 80 may movecontrol 28 to the “off” (not depressed) position, thereby disengagingarm 114 frommicro switch 112 and disconnecting the power supply tomotor 24. -
Control 28 may also controlgate 56 to open andclose passageway 54 throughintake housing 20. By varying the position ofgate 56, the mass flow of particulate matter through thespreader 10 may be varied. In the “off” position ofcontrol 28,gate 56 may completelyclose passageway 54. Whengate 56 is closed, particulate matter abovegate 56 may not enter therotor 46. Whengate 56 is partially open or fully open, particulate matter abovegate 56 may enter therotor 46. -
FIG. 6 is a partially cut away, perspective view of thespreader 10 ofFIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of a connection betweencontrol 28 andgate 56.Gate 56 may be fixed to afirst linkage member 82 that may be translatable along its longitudinal axis. Oneend 84 ofmember 82 may be operatively engaged with asecond linkage member 86.Member 86 may engagemember 82, for example, via atab 88 onmember 86 that may be inserted in aslot 90 inmember 82.Member 86 may be rotatable about apivot 92. Aspring 94 may biaslinkage member 86, and thusgate 56, to a closed position.Spring 94 may be disposed betweenlinkage member 86 and an internal surface ofhandle 14. - One end of
second linkage member 86 may include apin 96 inserted in anopening 98 in athird linkage member 100.Third linkage member 100 may be rotatable about apivot 102. Pivot 102 may include a pin 104 (FIG. 4 ) fixed at one end tomember 100 and inserted in a pivot hole (not shown) in an internal surface ofhandle 14. Another end ofmember 100 may include apin 110.Pin 110 may be slidable in a slottedopening 108 formed incontrol 28. - The slotted
opening 108 incontrol 28 may provide a delay function. When thecontrol 28 is not depressed, thespreader 10 may be “off”, that is, therotor 46 may be stationary and thegate 56 may be fully closed. When thecontrol 28 is depressed any amount, thearm 114 may activatemicro switch 112 to connect a power supply tomotor 24, as described above. However,gate 56 may not begin to open until thepin 110 oflinkage member 110 contacts anend 118 of slottedopening 108. Furtherdepressing control 28 may causepin 110 to rotatelinkage member 100 aboutpivot 102, which causeslinkage member 86 to rotate in an opposite direction aboutpivot 92, which causeslinkage member 82 to translategate 56. Thus, partially depressingcontrol 28 allows therotor 46 to begin rotating before thegate 56 begins to open. In this way, particulate matter may not enter therotor 46 when the rotor is stationary, which may prevent jamming of therotor 46. - When the
spreader 10 is “on”, that is, therotor 46 is rotating and thegate 56 is at least partially open, and thecontrol 28 is released by the user,spring 94 may rotatelinkage member 86 such thatlinkage member 82 translates to thereby movegate 56 to a closed position. Whengate 56 is fully closed,rotor 46 may continue to rotate untilpin 110 oflinkage member 100 moves fromend 118 of slotted opening 108 to end 116 of slottedopening 108. Whenpin 110 reaches end 116 of slottedopening 108,arm 114 ofcontrol 28 may disengagemicro switch 112 and therotor 46 may no longer rotate, that is, thespreader 10 may be in the “off” position. -
Control 28 may used to continuously or infinitely vary the position ofgate 56 to thereby vary the mass flow through therotor 46. It may also be desirable to vary the speed ofmotor 24. Compared to infinitely variable speed control ofmotor 24, a less expensive speed control may be a two speed (high/low) control. Aspeed control 120 may be disposed on thehandle 14. Thespeed control 120 may have two positions corresponding to high speed and low speed. - In the high speed position or mode, all the
batteries 68 may be used to power themotor 24. For example, fivebatteries 68 may each have a voltage of 1.2 volts. In the high speed mode, the voltage supplied tomotor 24 may be 6.0 volts. In the low speed mode, one battery, for example, may be disconnected so that the voltage supplied to themotor 24 is 4.8 volts. - The diameter of the rotor and the angular velocity of the rotor determine the speed at the tip of the paddle. The types of particulate matter that may be used in the spreader may have different resistances to shattering and pulverization. For a given type of particulate matter, the paddle tip speed may be limited to avoid shattering the particulate matter.
-
FIG. 8 is a side view of thespreader 10 ofFIG. 1 illustrating a position wherein thespreader 10 may be operable for gravity-feed operation. In the position shown inFIG. 8 , the rotor axis C may be horizontal. Theexit channel 22 may have alower surface 30 that may be planar. In the position ofFIG. 8 , thelower surface 30 may lie in a horizontal plane that may be normal to the local gravity vector G (vertical direction). The axes A, B of thehandle 14 andcanister 12 may form angles alpha and beta, respectively, with the vertical. - In
FIG. 8 , the angles alpha and beta may be the same or different. In one embodiment, alpha and beta may be equal so that A and B may be parallel. Alpha may range from about thirty degrees to about sixty degrees, or from about forty degrees to about fifty degrees, or may be about forty-five degrees. Beta may range from about thirty degrees to about sixty degrees, or from about forty degrees to about fifty degrees, or may be about forty-five degrees. Alpha and beta may be chosen to minimize the horizontal separation h between the center of gravity D of thespreader 10 and themidpoint 34 of thegrip portion 26 ofhandle 14. Minimizing the distance h may contribute to ease of handling thespreader 10. - In the position shown in
FIG. 8 , themidpoint 34 of thegrip portion 26 of thehandle 14 may have at least the same elevation as the approximate center of gravity D. Or, themidpoint 34 may be vertically above the center of gravity D a distance k. The center of volume F of thecanister 12 may be vertically above the rotor axis C. The center of volume M of thesecond housing 18, which may containbatteries 68, may be vertically above the rotor axis C. The center of volume N of themotor 24 may be vertically above the rotor axis C. The center of gravity D of thespreader 10 may be vertically above the rotor axis C. The locations of the centers of volume, center of gravity, and axis of rotation may contribute to ease of handling thespreader 10. - While the invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, numerous changes, alterations and modifications to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
Claims (24)
1. A gravity-feed spreader for particulate matter, comprising:
a rotor having a shaft, at least one paddle, and a longitudinal axis of rotation, wherein the spreader is operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor in a horizontal position;
a generally cylindrical rotor housing coaxial with the rotor, the rotor housing including a pair of closed, axial ends;
an entrance aperture for the particulate matter formed in a surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends;
an exit aperture for the particulate matter formed in a surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends;
a rotor driver coupled to the rotor shaft for rotating the rotor;
an intake housing including a passageway therethrough for the particulate matter, the intake housing having a first end in communication with the entrance aperture of the rotor housing and a second end;
a gate for selectively opening and closing the particulate matter passageway in the intake housing, the gate being continuously adjustable between fully open and fully closed positions;
an agitator coupled to the rotor shaft for facilitating movement of particulate matter through the passageway in the intake housing;
a support member connected to the rotor housing and the intake housing; and
a handle connected to the support member;
wherein the at least one paddle extends axially substantially an entire distance between the closed, axial ends of the rotor housing and radially substantially to a curved surface of the rotor housing.
2. The spreader of claim 1 , further comprising an exit channel for the particulate matter extending from the exit aperture of the rotor housing.
3. The spreader of claim 1 , wherein the rotor driver is mechanically coupled to the rotor shaft.
4. The spreader of claim 1 , wherein the at least one paddle comprises a plurality of paddles.
5. The spreader of claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of paddles extends axially substantially the entire distance between the closed, axial ends of the rotor housing and radially substantially to the curved surface of the rotor housing.
6. The spreader of claim 1 , wherein the at least one paddle comprises a brush.
7. The spreader of claim 6 , wherein the brush extends radially to and in contact with the curved surface of the rotor housing.
8. The spreader of claim 1 , wherein the rotor driver comprises a motor.
9. The spreader of claim 1 , further comprising a canister for holding the particulate matter, the canister being connected to the second end of the intake housing.
10. The spreader of claim 9 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the handle and a longitudinal axis of the canister are substantially parallel.
11. The spreader of claim 8 , further comprising an on/off control for the motor, the on/off control being located on the handle.
12. The spreader of claim 11 , wherein the on/off control controls positions of the gate including continuous adjustment from the fully open position to the fully closed position.
13. The spreader of claim 12 , wherein, when the spreader is actuated from an off state to an on state, the on/off control starts the motor before opening the gate.
14. The spreader of claim 13 , wherein, when the spreader is actuated from the on state to the off state, the on/off control stops the motor before the gate is closed.
15. The spreader of claim 14 , further comprising a mechanical linkage between the on/off control and the gate.
16. The spreader of claim 1 , wherein the agitator is coupled to the rotor shaft with an eccentric drive.
17. The spreader of claim 8 , wherein the support member includes a battery housing, the spreader further comprising at least one battery disposed in the battery housing.
18. The spreader of claim 2 , wherein the exit channel includes a lower surface that is substantially planar and further wherein, when the spreader is operable for the gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor in a horizontal position, the lower surface of the exit channel lies substantially in a horizontal plane.
19. The spreader of claim 18 , further comprising a canister for holding the particulate matter, the canister being connected to the second end of the intake housing wherein a longitudinal axis of the handle and a longitudinal axis of the canister are substantially parallel.
20. The spreader of claim 19 , wherein the longitudinal axes of the handle and the canister are at about forty-five degrees from the vertical.
21. The spreader of claim 18 , wherein a horizontal distance between a center of gravity of the spreader and a midpoint of a grip portion of the handle is minimized.
22. A gravity-feed spreader for particulate matter, comprising:
a rotor having a shaft, at least one paddle, and a longitudinal axis of rotation, wherein the spreader is operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor in a horizontal position;
a generally cylindrical rotor housing coaxial with the rotor, the rotor housing including a pair of closed, axial ends;
an entrance aperture for the particulate matter formed in a curved surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends;
an exit aperture for the particulate matter formed in the curved surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends;
a rotor driver coupled to the rotor shaft for rotating the rotor;
an exit channel for the particulate matter extending from the exit aperture of the rotor housing, the exit channel including a lower surface that is substantially planar wherein, when the spreader is operable for the gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor in a horizontal position, the lower surface of the exit channel lies substantially in a horizontal plane;
an intake housing including a passageway therethrough for the particulate matter, the intake housing having a first end in communication with the entrance aperture of the rotor housing and a second end;
a gate for selectively opening and closing the particulate matter passageway in the intake housing, the gate being continuously adjustable between fully open and fully closed positions;
an agitator coupled to the rotor shaft for facilitating movement of particulate matter through the passageway in the intake housing;
a support member connected to the rotor housing and the intake housing; and
a handle connected to the support member;
wherein the at least one paddle extends axially substantially an entire distance between the closed, axial ends of the rotor housing and radially substantially to the curved surface of the rotor housing and further wherein a midpoint of a grip portion of the handle is higher in elevation than a center of gravity of the spreader.
23. A gravity-feed spreader for particulate matter, comprising:
a rotor having a shaft, at least one paddle, and a longitudinal axis of rotation, wherein the spreader is operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor in a horizontal position;
a generally cylindrical rotor housing coaxial with the rotor, the rotor housing including a pair of closed, axial ends;
an entrance aperture for the particulate matter formed in a curved surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends;
an exit aperture for the particulate matter formed in the curved surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends;
a rotor driver mechanically coupled to the rotor shaft for rotating the rotor;
an exit channel for the particulate matter extending from the exit aperture of the rotor housing;
an intake housing including a passageway therethrough for the particulate matter, the intake housing having a first end in communication with the entrance aperture of the rotor housing and a second end;
a gate for selectively opening and closing the particulate matter passageway in the intake housing, the gate being continuously adjustable between fully open and fully closed positions;
an agitator coupled to the rotor shaft for facilitating movement of particulate matter through the passageway in the intake housing;
a support member connected to the rotor housing and the intake housing;
a handle connected to the support member; and
an on/off control for the rotor driver;
wherein the at least one paddle extends axially substantially an entire distance between the closed, axial ends of the rotor housing and radially substantially to the curved surface of the rotor housing and further wherein actuation of the on/off control controls positions of the gate including continuous adjustment from a fully open position to a fully closed position.
24. The spreader of claim 23 , wherein, when the spreader is actuated from an off state to an on state, the on/off control starts the rotor driver before opening the gate and, when the spreader is actuated from the on state to the off state, the on/off control stops the rotor driver before the gate is closed.
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EP11702322.6A EP2576912A2 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2011-01-18 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
CA2835924A CA2835924A1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2011-01-18 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
PCT/US2011/021513 WO2011156012A2 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2011-01-18 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
US13/419,295 US8272584B2 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2012-03-13 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
US13/680,064 US20130075502A1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2012-11-18 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
US14/016,338 US20140166785A1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2013-09-03 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
US15/137,093 US10239068B1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2016-04-25 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
US16/268,175 US11059058B1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2019-02-05 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
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US12/794,762 US20110297763A1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2010-06-06 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
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US14/016,338 Abandoned US20140166785A1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2013-09-03 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
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US16/268,175 Active 2030-07-13 US11059058B1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2019-02-05 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
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US13/680,064 Abandoned US20130075502A1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2012-11-18 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
US14/016,338 Abandoned US20140166785A1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2013-09-03 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
US15/137,093 Active US10239068B1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2016-04-25 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
US16/268,175 Active 2030-07-13 US11059058B1 (en) | 2010-06-06 | 2019-02-05 | Portable spreader for particulate matter |
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CA190194S (en) * | 2019-04-23 | 2021-04-28 | Guangzhou Xaircraft Tech Co Ltd | Broadcast sowing device |
USD915847S1 (en) * | 2019-07-24 | 2021-04-13 | Earthway Products Inc | Handheld spreader |
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Cited By (11)
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US20150201732A1 (en) * | 2014-01-17 | 2015-07-23 | Haim Koren | Fiber and powder electric dispenser |
US10166562B2 (en) | 2017-01-10 | 2019-01-01 | Top Secret Inc. | Protective cap with detachable nozzle and nozzle holder |
US11490561B2 (en) | 2017-02-23 | 2022-11-08 | Oms Investments, Inc. | Dual rotor spreader system |
USD860261S1 (en) | 2017-02-24 | 2019-09-17 | Oms Investments, Inc. | Spreader |
USD909421S1 (en) | 2017-02-24 | 2021-02-02 | Oms Investments, Inc. | Spreader |
USD936109S1 (en) * | 2017-02-24 | 2021-11-16 | Oms Investments, Inc. | Spreader |
USD956827S1 (en) | 2017-02-24 | 2022-07-05 | Oms Investments, Inc. | Spreader |
CN109005823A (en) * | 2018-08-15 | 2018-12-18 | 王倪龙 | A kind of energy conservation agri-scientific research fertilizer apparatus |
AT521252A4 (en) * | 2018-08-20 | 2019-12-15 | Nowe Gmbh | Device for spreading grit in front of the wheels of a vehicle |
AT521252B1 (en) * | 2018-08-20 | 2019-12-15 | Nowe Gmbh | Device for spreading grit in front of the wheels of a vehicle |
WO2020038856A1 (en) | 2018-08-20 | 2020-02-27 | Nowe Gmbh | Device for scattering grit in front of the wheels of a vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2011156012A4 (en) | 2012-08-09 |
CA2835924A1 (en) | 2011-12-15 |
US20120168540A1 (en) | 2012-07-05 |
US11059058B1 (en) | 2021-07-13 |
EP2576912A2 (en) | 2013-04-10 |
US20140166785A1 (en) | 2014-06-19 |
US8272584B2 (en) | 2012-09-25 |
WO2011156012A2 (en) | 2011-12-15 |
US20130075502A1 (en) | 2013-03-28 |
US10239068B1 (en) | 2019-03-26 |
WO2011156012A3 (en) | 2012-06-07 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ICG SALTSHOOTER LLC, PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KRESSY, MATTHEW S.;BARNETT, WADE CHARLES;SIGNING DATES FROM 20100607 TO 20100614;REEL/FRAME:024552/0708 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |