WO2014066220A2

WO2014066220A2 - Fertilizer dispenser apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014066220A2
Application number: PCT/US2013/065861
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric J. SHAFFER
Original assignee: Shaffer Eric J
Priority date: 2012-10-23
Filing date: 2013-10-21
Publication date: 2014-05-01
Also published as: WO2014066220A3

Abstract

The fertilizer dispenser apparatus with contoured wheels prepares the surface receiving the fertilizer, making the application of the fertilizer more efficient. A plurality of tines extend radially from each contoured wheel. The tines dig up the surface of the area to be fertilized. Then, a trigger mechanism is pulled and a metering auger dispenses a controlled amount of fertilizer. The surface treatment enables the fertilizer to be inserted into the soil close to the root system of the plants targeted for growth. A manual operated version is powered by the motion of the wheels, whereby the user grasps the trigger mechanism and using the forward and rearward motion of the apparatus, dispenses a metered amount of fertilizing agent to a specific area. Also, the surface treatment results in less handling of the fertilizer, and a reduction in the amount of wind-blown fertilizer needed in the area of the plant system.

Description

FERTILIZER DISPENSER APPARATUS

FIELD OF USE

The present invention relates to a portable fertilizer dispenser for dispensing fertilizer onto small areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior approaches to fertilizer dispensing have been large, stand along push dispensers, or tractor attachments, or attachments for lawn mowers, which dispense massive amounts of fertilizer over a large area. Even smaller, portable units tend towards the volume method of fertilizer dispensation.

Some of the prior art includes the following:

U.S. Patent Document 20130068861 (Zwahlen; et al) discloses a portable scattering apparatus for storing and dispensing granular material, especially pourable bulk material on a surface, e.g. of grainy fertilizer on a lawn surface, or scattering material on slick roads or paths. The scattering apparatus contains a closable container and a handle part connected to the container for dispensing the granular material. The handle part comprises a lock chamber in the connecting region of the container for controlling the flow rate, and it is shaped into a distributor at the front end. A valve is arranged in the lock chamber, which valve can be actuated via a lever, which is pivotably held on the outside on the handle part. The lever is connected via a valve stem with the valve disk of the valve.

U.S. Patent Document No. 20070289511 (Chen; et al.) discloses a method for cutting sub-surface cavities into a region of soil and for delivering liquid fertilizer directly to each cavity while minimizing overflow or spillage of liquid fertilizer onto the surrounding surface soil. A cutting apparatus is described for creating sub-surface cavities the soil, each cavity is associated with an opening at the soil surface through which liquid fertilizer can be delivered to the cavity. A system for delivery of liquid fertilizer to the cavities is described, which includes a fertilizer dispenser including a metering valve assembly for delivery of liquid fertilizer to each cavity. A synchronization system may be incorporated into the system for locating each cavity and directing the dispensing of liquid fertilizer.

U.S. Patent No. 7,281 ,675 (Elrod; et al. ) discloses a portable, user shoulder supported spreader/ blower unit includes an economically configured housing which includes a section defining a storage bin for holding a quantity of salt or like chemical particulate material for spreading onto ground surfaces to prevent icing thereon in winter. A centrifugal distributor disk is located in a housing space section below the bin and, a bin discharge aperture aligns over a peripheral area of the distributor disk. A user controllable closure member selectively alters bin discharge aperture size and, hence, outflow quantity from the bin onto the distributor disk, the distributor disk rotating at high speed propelling particulate material out of the housing through a discharge nozzle thereon at a high speed.

U.S. Patent No. 6,729, 557 (Dillon) discloses a portable particulate spreader comprising a container having a closed end, an open end and a storage chamber for holding particulate matter therein is disclosed. A first handle is attached to a side of the container proximate the closed end. A second handle is attached, preferably pivotally, to the same side, approximately midway between the closed end and the open end, allowing a person to conveniently grasp the spreader in either a vertical position for carrying or a horizontal position for use. An impeller at the open end disperses the particulate outwardly and downwardly from the spreader.

U.S. Patent No. 5,944,264 (Truax; et. al. ) discloses a portable seed spreader for distribution of bulky and irregular size seeds over a local area. The spreader includes a U-shaped frame that carries a housing having a first seed bin and a second seed bin. A first transverse shaft is mounted to legs of the frame and extends through the first seed bin. The first shaft carries agitators for mixing and stirring the seeds in the first seed bin. Discharge slots are located in a bottom wall of the first seed bin. A second transverse shaft is mounted on the frame and extends beneath the bottom wall of the first seed bin. The second transverse shaft carries picker wheels that extend through the discharge slots into the first seed bin to pick seeds therefrom and draw them through the discharge slot. The shafts are connected so that rotation of one transverse shaft as by a hand crank, an electric motor or a wheeled mechanism, results in rotation of the other.

The primary object of the fertilizer drop dispenser is to enable a user to apply a specified amount of fertilizer to a given area, instead of over large areas where fertilizer might not be needed. Also, the less fertilizer that is used, results in more saving on waste and cost.

What is need is a device to save fertilizer, to enable a user to control a dosage of fertilizer dispensed at any time to any location, a device that is portable, and easy to operate, that will enable the user to operate easily, and efficiently measuring the amounts of fertilizer being applied to pre-selected areas, replacing large, space consuming, volume spreaders which cannot supply metered amounts of fertilizer to small areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The fertilizer dispenser apparatus of the present invention addresses these objectives and these needs.

Fertilizer, as used herein, is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to improve the quality or quantity of plant growth.

The fertilizer dispenser apparatus is for use over a surface area to be treated. The apparatus comprises a main body for storing the fertilizer, a rolling mechanism affixed to the main body, and a control mechanism cooperatively engaged with the main body. The rolling mechanism disrupts the surface to be treated as the fertilizer dispenser apparatus rolls over the surface area to be treated.

The control mechanism enables the user to control the amount of fertilizer dispensed over any part of the surface area to be treated. The control mechanism enables the user to pinpoint an exact location where the dosage of fertilizer is dispensed.

The control mechanism is cooperatively engaged with the main body, the control mechanism enables the user to control a dosage of fertilizer dispensed over the surface area to be treated,

The control mechanism is cooperatively engaged with the main body, the control mechanism enables the user to control a location where the dosage of fertilizer is dispensed over the surface area to be treated. The control mechanism may include a meter which shows the user the amount of fertilizer being used in each dose and the total amount of fertilizer used.

Once the surface of which fertilizer is to be applied is coarsened, via a back and forth motion of the present invention, the operator need only to depress the trigger or control mechanism to dispense a specific amount to the area to be fertilized.

The longer the trigger is held, the more fertilizer is dispensed. While the fertilizer is being dispensed, the unit is moved in a manner so as to fertilize the area desired.

In another embodiment, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a receptacle for attachment of a grounded extension cord.

In a yet another embodiment of the present invention, a power cord is attached with a grounded extension cord plug.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is manually driven via a gear box attached to the front of the screw housing, which is driven by the motioned generated when the wheels turn in either the forward or backward direction with the trigger actuating an engagement mechanism inside of the gear box, allowing fertilizing agent to be metered out according to the users wishes.

Another embodiment will eliminate the trigger housing and, instead, have an attachment point for a drive mechanism, such as a cordless drill, which will be used in lieu of the trigger assembly. The drive mechanism will be connected to the dispensing mechanism via a drive shaft which will replace the electric drive motor.

For a complete understanding of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus of the present invention, reference is made to the following summary of the invention detailed description and accompanying drawings in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example. As the invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from spirit of essential characteristics thereof, it is expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 depicts the front view of the first preferred embodiment of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 depicts the side view of the first preferred embodiment of the fertilizer drop dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 depicts an isometric view of the handle and trigger assembly of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 depicts an isometric view of the auger housing, manual gearbox and the contoured wheel assembly, the manual gear box assembly attached to the auger which dispenses the fertilizing agent of the preferred embodiment of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 1. FIGURE 5 depicts an assembly view of the of the auger housing and manual gearbox of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6B depicts an isometric view of the auger housing and manual gearbox of FIGURE 4 of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus of the present invention, and FIGURE 6A is a half-section the auger housing and manual gearbox of FIGURE 6B.

FIGURES 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D depict various views and details of the manual gearbox engagement gear of FIGURES 6A and 6B.

FIGURE 8 depicts the drive shaft gear engagement with the manual gearbox engagement gear of FIGURE 7D, the engaging gear located in the manual gear box which engages the auger to dispense fertilizing agent of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 9 depicts the front view of a second preferred embodiment of fertilizer dispensing apparatus, said apparatus deploying an electric motor and a rechargeable battery.

FIGURE 10 depicts the side view of the power-operated fertilizer dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 9, said apparatus using a rechargeable battery.

FIGURE 11 depicts an assembly view of the power-operated fertilizer dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 depicts an exploded assembly view of the auger feeder, bridge breaker, and the electric motor of the power-operated fertilizer dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 13 depicts an exploded assembly view of the auger assembly as it would be attached to the auger housing of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 14A depicts the auger feeder/mount, and FIGURE 14B depicts a sectional view of the auger feeder/mount, with DETAIL "B" showing an exploded view of the bridge breaker assembly and DETAIL "C" showing an exploded view of the auger assembly for the power-operated fertilizer dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 9. FIGURE 15 depicts a third preferred embodiment of fertilizer dispensing apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus having an electric drill/driver attached to the body.

FIGURE 16 depicts the front view of a fourth preferred embodiment of fertilizer dispensing apparatus of fertilizer dispensing apparatus, said apparatus being powered by a self-contained battery pack.

DETAILED DECRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURES 1 and 2 depict the preferred embodiment of the manual fertilizer dispensing apparatus [20] of the present invention. Attached to the top of the dispenser body [11] is the handle [16] with trigger [17] which enables the user to operate fertilizer dispensing apparatus [20] of the present invention. Attaching the handle [16] to the dispenser body [11] is a handle mount [18] which is a compression style mount attached via fasteners. At the base of the dispenser body is the auger/feeder mount [35] which is attached to the fertilizer dispensing apparatus [20] and houses the auger [4]. The contoured wheels [15] are attached to the auger housing [32] via a wheel mount/manual gearbox drive shaft [40] (as best depicted in FIGURE 5), which are used for mobility to coarsen the ground prior to dispensing of the fertilizer.

FIGURE 3 depicts an isometric view of the manual embodiment of the present invention in which the manual gearbox [30] with attached contoured wheels [15] and the handle [16], and handle mount are visibly attached to the dispenser body [11] via a wheel mount/manual gearbox drive shaft [40] (as best depicted in FIGURE 5) with the dispenser cap [9] attached to the dispenser body [11] just above the handle [16].

FIGURE 4 depicts the auger housing [32] attached to the front end of the manual gearbox [30] which is operated via the forward and rearward motion of the contoured wheels [15]. A plurality of tines [25] extend radially about each contoured wheel [15]. The tines [25] are generally equally spaced about the circumference of each wheel [15]. The purpose of the tines [25] is to coarsen or break up the surface crust of the area being fertilized. As the surface is being dispersed, the trigger [17] is engaged and a metering auger dispenses a controlled amount of fertilizer. The surface treatment enables the fertilizer to be inserted into the soil close to the root system of the plants targeted for growth, rather than fertilizing the weed system surrounding the plants which may eventually threaten the plants. Also, the surface treatment results in less handling of the fertilizer and a reduction in the overall amount of fertilizer needed in the area of the plant system.

FIGURE 5 depicts a detailed assembly view of the manual gear box [30] and the auger housing [32] of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus of FIGURE 1. Inside the manual gearbox [30] is the wheel mount/drive shaft [40] up which the engagement gear [68] is mounted which engages the auger gear [80], which turns the auger [4], dispensing fertilizing. Locating the auger [4] in the auger housing [32] is a thrust bearing [65] and a pair of C-clips [62]. The manual gearbox [30] is attached to the end of the assembly by four fasteners with the auger [4] being positioned inside an auger sleeve [63]. Forward and rearward motion of the wheels [15] turns the gearbox [30] and when the trigger [17] is pulled, the gear box engager [38] engages the gears, turning the auger [4] and dispensing a metered amount of fertilizing agent.

FIGURES 6A and 6B depict the manual gearbox [30] attached to the auger housing [32]. FIGURE 6A is a cutaway view and FIGURE 6B is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the assembly. A drive shaft [40] is mounted inside the manual gearbox [30], which the wheels [15] are mounted to and when a rotational force is applied to them, the driveshaft [40] turns, which in turn turns the auger [4], dispensing fertilizing agent. The cutaway view shows the auger [4] and manual gear box [30]. Fertilizer is loaded into the fertilizer dispenser apparatus of the present invention [20] through a fertilizer feeding slot [23] disposed in the top of the auger housing [32]. A weep hole [26] is disposed on the underside of the auger housing [32]. The weep hole [26] is preferably positioned slightly upstream of fertilizer feeding slot [23] and is designed to drain off accumulated material from the auger [4]. The fertilizer dispensing slot is located downstream of the auger [4] and is positioned on the underside of the manual gearbox [30].

Referring now to FIGURES 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D, when the operator pulls the trigger [17], the manual gearbox engager [38] engages the engagement gear [68], which in turn engages the driveshaft gear [78] of FIGURE 8, and turns the auger [4], through the fertilizing dispensing slot [22] located on the underside of the manual gearbox [30]. The manual gearbox engagement gear [68] depicted in includes an internal spring [70] which aides in the seating and engagement of the gear during operation. In the body of the engagement gear [68] are a plurality of screws [72], which secure the gear head [90] to the gear body [92].

FIGURES 9 and 10 depict the front and profile view of the power version of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus [120] of the present invention, and FIGURE 11 is an assembly view of the power version of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus [120]. The auger housing [32] which is mounted to the auger feeder/mount [35] is shown, which is mounted to the end of the dispenser body [11]. Mounted to the front of the auger housing [32] is the auger support [42] which is used to locate the auger [4] as well as being a mounting point for the wheels [115]. At the opposite end of the dispenser body [11] is the handle [116], which is mounted to a compression fit mount [18] via six fasteners. A rechargeable battery [48] is positioned inside the handle [116]. The rechargeable battery [48] is used to actuate the electric motor [45] which is mounted to the rear of the auger housing [32]. The dispenser body cap [9] is positioned just behind the handle [116] and is used for loading the fertilizer into the fertilizer dispensing apparatus [120] of the present invention.

The meter [122] depicted in FIGURE 10 is positioned in the handle [116] of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus [120] of the present invention. The meter [122] is preferably either a volume flow meter or a mass flow meter. The control mechanism [17] is cooperatively engaged with a main body [11]. The control mechanism [17] is also cooperatively engaged with the meter [122]. The meter [122] is a mass or volume flow meter displaying a dosage of fertilizer being dispensed. The user pinpoints a location where said dosage of fertilizer is to be dispensed by positioning said fertilizer dispensing apparatus [120]. The user uses the set point stem setter to advise the apparatus the dosage of fertilizer to be dispensed to the location selected. The control mechanism [17] and the flow meter [122] enable the user to control the dosage of fertilizer dispensed.

FIGURES 12 and 13 depict the assembly view of the auger housing [32] auger support [42], wheels [15], electric motor [45], electric motor mount [65], and auger feeder/mount [35] of the fertilizer dispensing apparatus [120] of the present invention. The electric motor [45] is mounted to the back of the auger housing [32] via the electric motor mount [65], with the auger housing [32] being attached to the auger feeder/mount [35], which is, in turn, attached to the dispenser body [11]. The wheels [15] are attached to two wheel axles [55] which are attached to the auger support [42]. The auger [4] is supported by the auger support [42] and positioned via thrust bearing [65] and C-clips [62]. The auger/feeder mount [35] is disposed in the bridge breaker [52] (see DETAIL "B") which is used to break up any chunks of fertilizer or other material which may interfere with the function the fertilizer dispensing apparatus [120] of the present invention. A coupler [95] transfers rotational energy from the electric motor [45] to the auger [4] which is attached to the drive shaft of the electric motor [45] and to the end of auger [4].

FIGURES 14A and 14B depict the section and off-set view of the auger housing [32], auger feeder/mount [35] and auger support [42] assembly. In this embodiment, as opposed to the manual version described in FIGURE 1 , in place of the manual gear box [30] is the auger support [42] onto which the wheels [15] are mounted via wheel axles [55]. At the rear of the auger housing [32] is the electric motor [42] and electric motor cover [68] which protects the motor from debris and the elements. Attached to the top of the auger housing [32] is the auger feeder/mount [35] into which the dispenser body [11] is inserted. Insuring proper alignment between the auger feeder/mount [35] and the auger housing [32] is a mounting plate [50]. Visible in the cutaway is the coupler [95] which couples the electric motor [45] to the auger [4]. FIGURE 15 depicts a third preferred embodiment of fertilizer dispensing apparatus of fertilizer dispensing apparatus [220] of the present invention in which in place of the trigger [17] is a cordless drill/driver [58] which mounted underneath the dispenser body [11] via a mount [62] which attaches to the drill body and to where the drive shaft [60] is connected to the drill with the drive shaft [60] connected to the auger housing [32] in place of the electric motor [45]. In this embodiment, the cordless drill [58] powers the unit. The fertilizer is added to the dispenser body [11] and is fed via gravity into the extruder assembly [25] with fertilizer only being spread when the trigger [17] is depressed. The specially contoured wheels help to coarsen the surface where the fertilizer is to be applied, making the application of the fertilizer more efficient.

FIGURE 16 depicts the front view of a fourth preferred embodiment of fertilizer dispensing apparatus of fertilizer dispensing apparatus [320] of the present invention, said apparatus being powered by a self-contained battery pack. In this embodiment, along the dispenser body [11] is located battery compartments [12] which power the unit, with said battery compartments [12] preferably being removable and enabling the use the cordless drill, rechargeable style batteries instead. The fertilizer is added to the dispenser body [11] and is fed via gravity into the extruder assembly [25] with fertilizer only being spread when the trigger [17] is depressed. The specially contoured wheels help to coarsen the surface where the fertilizer is to be applied, making the application of the fertilizer more efficient. Battery-packs differ greatly in power and weight. The battery packs offered a range between 12 and 36 volts. The lower end of this range is appropriate for smaller applications.

The fertilizer dispenser apparatus of the present invention may be manual or powered as described above. In either event, the fertilizer dispenser apparatus is used by an operator that walks behind or alongside of the unit, deciding how much fertilizer to apply at any particular location.

Throughout this application, various Patents and Applications are referenced by number and inventor. The disclosures of these documents in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

It is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations of the fertilizer dispenser apparatus [20] of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the metes and bounds of the present invention be determined by the appended claims rather than by the language of the above specification, and that all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which form a conjointly cooperative equivalent are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of these claims.

PARTS LIST

4. Auger

9. Dispenser Body Cap

1 1 . Dispenser Body

12. Battery Pack

15. Contoured Wheel

16. Handle

17. Trigger

18. Handle Mount

20. Fertilizer Dispenser Apparatus - 1 ^st Embodiment

22. Fertilizer Dispensing Slot

23. Fertilizer Feeding Slot

25. Tine

26. Weep Hole

30. Manual Gearbox

32. Auger Housing

35. Auger Mount/Feeder

38. Manual Gearbox Engager

40. Wheel Mount/Manual Gearbox Drive Shaft

42. Auger Support

45. Electric Motor

48. Battery

50. Mounting Plate

52. Ridge Breaker 55. Wheel Axles

58. Cordless Drill

60. Drive Shaft

62. C-Clamp

63. Auger Sleeve

65. Thrust Bearing

66. Electric Motor Cover

68. Manual Gearbox Engagement Gear

70. Spring

72. Screw

78. Drive Shaft Gear

80. Auger Gear

82. Manual Gearbox Housing

85. Gearbox Front Cover

95. Coupler

1 1 5. Contoured wheels

1 16. Handle

1 17. Trigger

120. Fertilizer Dispenser Apparatus - 2^nd Embodiment 122. Meter

124. Set Point Stem Setter

220. Fertilizer Dispenser Apparatus - 3^rd Embodiment 320. Fertilizer Dispenser Apparatus - 4^th Embodiment

Claims

CLAIMS I claim:

1. An apparatus for dispensing fertilizer by a user over a surface area to be treated, said apparatus comprising;

a. a main body for storing said fertilizer;

b. a rolling mechanism affixed to said main body, said rolling mechanism disrupting said surface to be treated as said apparatus rolls upon said surface area; and

c. a control mechanism cooperatively engaged with said main body, said control mechanism enabling said user to control a dosage of fertilizer dispensed over said surface area to be treated, said control mechanism enabling said user to control a location where said dosage of fertilizer is dispensed over said surface area to be treated.

2. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein said user walks behind or alongside of said apparatus during use.

3. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism enables said user to control an amount of fertilizer dispensed over any part of the surface area to be treated, said control mechanism enabling said user to pinpoint an exact location where the dosage of fertilizer is dispensed.

4. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism is engageable by said user who controls said amount of fertilizer being dispensed by the pressure exerted on the control.

5. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism is engageable by said user who controls said amount of fertilizer being dispensed, said control including a meter which shows said amount of fertilizer dispensed.

6. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising a power unit to drive said apparatus.

7. A fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein fertilizer is dispersed via motion of the wheels of said apparatus, with said motion operating a manual gearbox which drives an auger enabling dispersion of said fertilizer.

8. An apparatus for dispensing fertilizer by a user over a surface area to be treated, said apparatus comprising; a. a main body for storing said fertilizer; b. a rolling mechanism affixed to said main body, said rolling mechanism disrupting a surface area for dispensing said fertilizer; c. a control mechanism secured to said main body, said control mechanism releasing said fertilizer over said surface area; and d. an electric motor powering said fertilizer dispensing apparatus.

9. A fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 8, wherein said control mechanism is cooperatively engaged with said main body, said control mechanism enabling said user to control a dosage of fertilizer dispensed over said surface area to be treated.

10. A fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 8, wherein said control mechanism is cooperatively engaged with said main body, said control mechanism enabling said user to control a location where said dosage of fertilizer is dispensed over said surface area to be treated.

1 1 . The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 8, wherein said control mechanism enables said user to control an amount of fertilizer dispensed over any part of the surface area to be treated, said control mechanism enabling said user to pinpoint an exact location where the dosage of fertilizer is dispensed.

12. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 8, wherein said control mechanism is engageable by said user who controls said amount of fertilizer being dispensed by the pressure exerted on the control.

13. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 8, wherein said control mechanism is engageable by said user who controls said amount of fertilizer being dispensed, said control including a meter which shows said amount of fertilizer dispensed.

1 . An apparatus for dispensing fertilizer, said apparatus comprising; a. a compartment for storing said fertilizer; b. means for moving said fertilizer from a fertilizer inlet toward a fertilizer outlet, said fertilizer inlet and said fertilizer outlet being disposed in said fertilizer dispensing apparatus; c. a rolling mechanism which coarsens the surface upon which said fertilizer is to be dispensed; and d. a control mechanism cooperatively engaged with said moving means, said control mechanism enabling said user to pinpoint an exact location where a dosage of fertilizer is dispensed.

15. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 14, wherein said control mechanism is cooperatively engaged with said main body, said control mechanism enabling said user to control a dosage of fertilizer dispensed over said surface area to be treated.

16. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 14, wherein said control mechanism is cooperatively engaged with said main body, said control mechanism enabling said user to control a location where said dosage of fertilizer is dispensed over said surface area to be treated.

17. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 14, wherein said control mechanism is engageable by said user who controls said amount of fertilizer being dispensed by the amount of time said control is engaged, the amount of time that said control is engaged being directly proportional to the amount of fertilizer dispensed.

18. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 14, wherein said user walks behind or alongside of said apparatus during use.

19. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 14, wherein said control mechanism is engageable by said user who controls said amount of fertilizer being dispensed, said control including a meter which shows said amount of fertilizer dispensed.

20. The fertilizer dispensing apparatus of Claim 14, wherein said control mechanism enables said user to control an amount of fertilizer dispensed over any part of the surface area to be treated, said control mechanism enabling said user to pinpoint an exact location where the dosage of fertilizer is dispensed.

21 . A fertilizer dispensing apparatus having a control mechanism cooperatively engaged with a main body, said control mechanism enabling a user to control a dosage of fertilizer dispensed over a surface area to be treated, said control mechanism enabling said user to pinpoint a location where a dosage of fertilizer is to be dispensed;

whereby said user controls said dosage of fertilizer being dispensed by an amount of time said control mechanism is engaged; and whereby said user walks behind or alongside of said fertilizer dispensing apparatus during use.

22. A fertilizer dispensing apparatus having a control mechanism cooperatively engaged with a main body, said control mechanism enabling a user to control a dosage of fertilizer dispensed, said control mechanism enabling said user to pinpoint a location where a dosage of fertilizer is to be dispensed, said user controlling said dosage of fertilizer being dispensed by an amount of time said control mechanism is engaged.

23. A fertilizer dispensing apparatus having a control mechanism cooperatively engaged with a main body, said control mechanism enabling a user to control a dosage of fertilizer dispensed, said control mechanism enabling said user to pinpoint a location where a dosage of fertilizer is to be dispensed, said user controlling said amount of fertilizer being dispensed by a pressure exerted on the control mechanism.

24. A fertilizer dispensing apparatus having a control mechanism cooperatively engaged with a main body, said control mechanism being cooperatively engaged with a meter, said meter displaying a dosage of fertilizer being dispensed, said user pinpointing a location where said dosage of fertilizer is to be dispensed by positioning said fertilizer dispensing apparatus, said control mechanism and said meter enabling said user to control said dosage of fertilizer dispensed.