# US 10,440,942 B2 · Sprayer systems with drop apparatuses having retractable arms

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- Number: US 10,440,942 B2
- Document ID: US10440942B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/890,594
- Filed: 2018-02-07
- Published: 2019-08-08
- Granted: 2019-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2018-02-07
- Assignees: Deere & Company
- Applicants: Deere & Company
- Inventors: Mark E. Barker; Richard A. Humpal
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10440942B2

## CPC

- A01M 7/006: {Mounting of the nozzles}
- A01C 23/047: {Spraying of liquid fertilisers}
- A01M 7/0042: {Field sprayers, e.g. self-propelled, drawn or tractor-mounted}
- A01M 7/0071: {Construction of the spray booms}
- A01M 7/0075: {including folding means}
- B05B 1/20: Perforated pipes or troughs, e.g. spray booms; Outlet elements therefor
- B05B 15/72: using hydraulic or pneumatic means
- A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01C: PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING (parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, in general A01B51/00 - A01B75/00)
- B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D)

## Abstract

A sprayer system is provided for a work machine that includes a boom, a fluid source, and an air source. The sprayer system includes a spray device configured to selectively apply a fluid from the fluid source to an agricultural crop. A retractable arm includes a first arm segment, a second arm segment, a first hinge joint positioned such that the first arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the boom, and a second hinge joint positioned such that the second arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the first arm segment. An actuation assembly coupled to the retractable arm selectively folds and unfolds the first arm segment relative to the boom at the first hinge joint and the second arm segment relative to the first arm segment at the second hinge joint based on air pressure from the air source.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sprayer system of a work machine with a boom, a fluid source, and an air source, the sprayer system comprising:
a spray device configured to selectively apply a fluid from the fluid source to an agricultural crop; and
a drop apparatus comprising:
a retractable arm with a first end coupled to the boom and a second end coupled to the spray device, the retractable arm including a first arm segment, a second arm segment, a first hinge joint positioned in between the first arm segment and the boom such that the first arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the boom, and a second hinge joint positioned in between the first arm segment and the second arm segment such that the second arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the first arm segment; and
an actuation assembly coupled to the retractable arm to selectively fold and unfold the first arm segment relative to the boom at the first hinge joint and the second arm segment relative to the first arm segment at the second hinge joint based on air pressure from the air source.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sprayer system of claim 1, wherein the retractable arm further includes a third arm segment coupled to the second arm segment and a third hinge joint positioned in between the second arm segment and the third arm segment such that the third arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the second arm segment.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The sprayer system of claim 2, wherein the spray device is mounted on the third arm segment.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The sprayer system of claim 1, wherein the drop apparatus includes a base bracket that mounts the first hinge joint and the first arm segment of the retractable arm to the boom.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The sprayer system of claim 4,
wherein the actuation assembly includes an air hose fluidly coupled to the air source and extending at least through the first hinge joint, the first arm segment, and the second hinge joint, and
wherein the air hose, upon being pressurized by the air source, is configured to stiffen such that the first arm segment is unfolded relative the boom at the first hinge joint and the second arm segment is unfolded relative to the first arm segment at the second hinge joint.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The sprayer system of claim 5, wherein the actuation assembly further comprises a retraction device configured to pull at least the first arm segment and the second arm segment into a folded position when the air hose is unpressurized.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The sprayer system of claim 6,
wherein the retraction device includes:
a spring with first and second ends, the first end of the spring being anchored to the base bracket, and
a cable extending from the second end of the spring to a position proximate the second end of the retractable arm,
wherein the spring is extended under tension when the air hose is pressurized and the first arm segment and the second arm segment are unfolded, and
wherein, when the air hose is unpressurized, the spring retracts to pull the first arm segment and the second arm segment into the folded position via the cable.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The sprayer system of claim 7, wherein the cable extends at least partially through the first arm segment and the second arm segment.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The sprayer system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid hose fluidly coupled to the fluid source and extending through the retractable arm to the spray device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The sprayer system of claim 9, wherein the spray device includes a ball guide supporting a first hose branch fluidly coupled to the fluid hose and a second hose branch fluidly coupled to the fluid hose.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The sprayer system of claim 10, wherein the ball guide is formed by a first hemisphere portion and a second hemisphere portion that collectively secure the spray device to the retractable arm, the ball guide further including a hose fitting housed within the first and second hemisphere portions to fluidly couple the first and second hose branches to the fluid hose.

### Claim 12

An agricultural work machine, comprising:
a chassis;
an engine mounted on the chassis for propelling the work machine;
a boom extending from at least one side of the chassis; and
a sprayer system comprising:
a tank coupled to the chassis;
an air source coupled to the chassis;
at least one spray device arranged to selectively apply a fluid from the tank to an agricultural crop; and
at least one drop apparatus comprising:
a retractable arm with a first end coupled to the boom and a second end coupled to the at least one spray device, the retractable arm including a first arm segment, a second arm segment, a first hinge joint positioned in between the first arm segment and the boom such that the first arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the boom, and a second hinge joint positioned in between the first arm segment and the second arm segment such that the second arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the first arm segment; and
an actuation assembly coupled to the retractable arm to selectively fold and unfold the first arm segment relative to the boom at the first hinge joint and the second arm segment relative to the first arm segment at the second hinge joint based on air pressure from the air source.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The agricultural work machine of claim 12, wherein the retractable arm further includes a third arm segment coupled to the second arm segment and a third hinge joint positioned in between the second arm segment and the third arm segment such that the third arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the second arm segment, the spray device being mounted on the third arm segment.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The agricultural work machine of claim 12, wherein the drop apparatus includes a base bracket that mounts the first hinge joint and the first arm segment of the retractable arm to the boom.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The agricultural work machine of claim 14,
wherein the actuation assembly includes an air hose fluidly coupled to the air source and extending at least through the first hinge joint, the first arm segment, and the second hinge joint, and
wherein the air hose, upon being pressurized by the air source, is configured to stiffen such that the first arm segment is unfolded relative the boom at the first hinge joint and the second arm segment is unfolded relative to the first arm segment at the second hinge joint.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The agricultural work machine of claim 15, wherein the actuation assembly further comprises a retraction device configured to pull at least the first arm segment and the second arm segment into a folded position when the air hose is unpressurized.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The agricultural work machine of claim 16, wherein the retraction device includes:
a spring with first and second ends, the first end of the spring being anchored to the base bracket, and
a cable extending from the second end of the spring to a position proximate the second end of the retractable arm, the cable extending at least partially through the first arm segment and the second arm segment,
wherein the spring is extended under tension when the air hose is pressurized and the first arm segment and the second arm segment are unfolded, and
wherein, when the air hose is unpressurized, the spring retracts to pull the first arm segment and the second arm segment into the folded position via the cable.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The agricultural work machine of claim 17, further comprising a fluid hose fluidly coupled to the fluid source and extending through the retractable arm to the at least one spray device.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The agricultural work machine of claim 18, wherein the at least one spray device includes a ball guide supporting a first hose branch fluidly coupled to the fluid hose and a second hose branch fluidly coupled to the fluid hose.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The agricultural work machine of claim 19, wherein the ball guide is formed by a first hemisphere portion and a second hemisphere portion that collectively secure the at least one spray device to the retractable arm, the ball guide further including a hose fitting housed within the first and second hemisphere portions to fluidly couple the first and second hose branches to the fluid hose.