Combination drop and broadcast spreader
a technology of drop and broadcast spreader, which is applied in the direction of centrifugal wheel fertilisers, ways, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of affecting the growth or halt of desired vegetation, combination spreaders are still susceptible to many of the weaknesses of individual drop and broadcast spreading machines, and combination spreaders encounter difficulty in handling the wide variety of materials
Inactive Publication Date: 2006-01-12
SMITH FRED P +1
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AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The design ensures efficient and consistent distribution of materials, reduces material sticking and bridging, and enhances user safety by minimizing exposure to rotating parts.
Problems solved by technology
Uneven distributions result in waste and may even hinder or halt the progress of the desired vegetation.
While an improvement, combination spreaders are still susceptible to many of the weaknesses associated with the individual drop and broadcast spreading machines.
Additionally, combination spreaders encounter difficulty in handling the wide variety of materials that are distributed by both drop and broadcast spreading devices.
As a result, it becomes more difficult to remove the material from the hopper and provide a consistent metering.
Conveyors with raised patterns cause two problems.
First, the wet mixture clings to the conveyor between the raised portions of the surface pattern.
When top-dressing material does fall off the conveyor, it often does so in uneven clumps.
Removal of the top-dressing material from conveyors with raised patterns has proven to be a difficult challenge.
A simple scraper does not work well with raised patterns.
Other more effective removal devices are complicated and inhibit the addition of other distributing attachments.
A second problem occurs when all of the recesses between the raised patterns become filled with top-dressing material.
As a result, the device again is faced with the challenge of drawing the moist top-dressing material from the hopper with consistent metering.
For example, maintaining a desired distribution pattern of equal density is another common challenge.
For example, if a broadcast type spreader is used to apply top-dressing material to a golf green, any uneven distribution will soon be noticeable.
Moreover, as uneven applications accumulate, the problem is exacerbated and the result must be corrected with considerable difficulty.
Another challenge in combination spreader design relates to loading heights.
However, low profile spreaders have difficulty maintaining a sufficient trailing clearance.
Trailing clearance and other operational constraints are often at odds or balanced with one another with difficulty.
Funnel height restriction, imposed by overall height and trailing clearance considerations, often results in funnel angles so shallow that the wet, cohesive material sticks to the funnel walls stopping further flow.
Additionally, with typical spreaders, due to the larger number of variables, it is difficult to know how much material is actually being distributed at any given time.
These variables are too numerous for a user to take into consideration when trying to generate a desired application of material.
Safety considerations also present challenges to spreader design.
Rotating paddles cannot be completely covered or protected without adversely affecting the function of the broadcast spreader.
However, these proposed solutions do not remove the shear point.
With such measures, if a hand or finger did inadvertently enter the path of the spinner at the shear point, significant damage would still occur.
Meanwhile, obstructions to hands are often obstructions to distribution of the granular material.
Method used
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[0060] It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 28, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of certain embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the invention.
[0061] The embodiments of systems in accordance with the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. Those of ordinary skill in the art will, of course, appreciate that various modifications may easily be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention Referring to FIG. 1, in describing a spreader 10 in accordance with the present i...
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A spreader for distributing a material on a surface. In certain embodiments, the spreader may include a disk rotatable about an axis and having an upper surface extending substantially radially from the axis. A driver may operably connect to the disk to provide rotation about the axis. A paddle may secure to the upper surface of the disk and rotate therewith. The paddle may be aligned to rotationally engage particulate material directed thereto and generate a centrifugal acceleration therein. A controller may limit the centrifugal release of the particulate material from the apparatus.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 290,064, filed on Nov. 7, 2002, entitled COMBINATION DROP AND BROADCAST SPREADER, which will issue as U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,286 on Aug. 23, 2005 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 337,701, filed on Nov. 7, 2001, entitled COMBINATION DROP AND BROADCAST SPREADER FOR SPREADING GRANULAR MATERIAL and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 340,748, filed on Nov. 30, 2001, entitled SAFETY SHIELD FOR ROTATING SPINNER.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. The Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to transporting and distributing particulate material and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for drop and broadcast spreading of materials used in turf care. [0004] 2. The Background Art [0005] Agrarians have always been interested in efficiently managing their land. Common land management tasks include spreading substances such as seed, water, ...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): A01C17/00A01C15/16E01C19/20
CPCA01C15/16A01C17/001E01C2019/2075E01C19/203E01C19/2025
InventorSMITH, FRED P.MENDENHALL, TODD
OwnerSMITH FRED P