Spread control mechanism
AssigneeEarthway Products, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey D. Kendall, Richard Sevrey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spread control assembly is provided that includes a spread control mechanism and a shut-off adjustment plate attached to a particulate dispersing apparatus. The shut-off adjustment plate includes multiple exit openings that facilitate the dispersing of particulate material. The spread control mechanism pivotally attaches to the shut-off adjustment plate and includes multiple paddles configured to cover at least one of the exit openings in the shut-off adjustment plate when the spread control mechanism is in an activated position.
Claims20
A spread control assembly comprising:
- a shut-off adjustment plate attached to a particulate dispersing apparatus, the shut-off adjustment plate including a plurality of exit openings to facilitate the dispersing of particulate material;
- and
- a spread control mechanism pivotally attached to the shut-off adjustment plate, the spread control mechanism including a plurality of paddles configured to cover at least one of the plurality of exit openings in the shut-off adjustment plate when the spread control mechanism is in an activated position.
A particulate material dispersing apparatus comprising:
- a hopper attached to a frame;
- a spread control assembly attached to a bottom of the hopper that when in an activated position alters a material spread pattern of the particulate material;
- and
- a dispersing mechanism disposed below the spread control assembly.
A method of dispersing particulate material comprising:
- providing a particulate material dispensing apparatus having a spread control assembly;
- moving a spread control mechanism of the spread control assembly to an activated position;
- dispersing particulate material in a direction to a side opposite the covered exit openings;
- impeding, simultaneously, dispersing particulate material in a direction that corresponds to the side of the covered exit openings;
- reducing, simultaneously, an amount of dispersed particulate material;
- moving the spread control mechanism to a de-activated position;
- and
- dispersing the particulate material in all directions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.