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US 4,705,220 AGranted
Granular applicator with interchangeable metering wheels
AssigneeGandy Company
InventorsDale E. Gandrud, Ebenhard S. Gandrud
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved, more versatile applicator (10) for precisely dispensing granular chemicals, fertilizers or seed, includes a hopper (14) with a metering assembly (40) mounted over a material discharge opening (34) in an inclined wall of the closed, convergent bottom end (18) of the hopper. The metering assembly (40), which is preferably removably secured to the hopper (14), includes a plurality of individual sets of metering wheels (64), receivers (56) and gate plates (60) for precise control and more tolerance to tilt. The metering assembly (40) is also adapted to facilitate thorough clean-out of the hopper (14) as well as removal and replacement of the metering wheels (64) without emptying the hopper.
Claims19
A granular applicator, comprising:
- a hopper having an open top end, and a closed convergent bottom end defined in part by an inclined wall;
- the inclined wall of the convergent bottom end of said hopper including a plurality of material discharge openings therein;
- a receiver mounted over each opening in the inclined wall of the bottom end of said hopper, said receiver including a pair of spaced-apart side walls and a partial bottom wall with an inclined terminal free end;
- a fluted metering wheel disposed within each receiver between the bottom wall thereof and the associated material discharge opening in the inclined wall of the bottom end of said hopper;
- means releasably secured to said hopper for commonly supporting said metering wheels for rotation;
- a slideable gate plate mounted for movement between open and closed positions between each metering wheel and the associated material discharge opening;
- means for effecting rotation of said metering wheels to feed material between said wheel and the bottom walls of said receivers;
- and
- means associated with said receiver for receiving and distributing the material for application.
6 more elements
A granular applicator, comprising:
- a hopper having an open top end, and a closed convergent bottom end defined in part by an inclined wall;
- the inclined wall of the convergent bottom end of said hopper including an opening therein;
- a panel removably secured over the opening in the inclined wall of the bottom end of said hopper, said panel including a plurality of laterally spaced-apart material discharge openings therein;
- a receiver individually mounted over at least some of the openings in said panel, each receiver including a pair of spaced-apart side walls and a partial bottom wall with an inclined terminal free end;
- a fluted metering wheel mounted for rotation in each receiver between the bottom wall thereof and the respective material discharge opening in said panel;
- a gate plate mounted for movement between open and closed positions between each metering wheel and the respective material discharge opening in said panel;
- means for adjustably securing each gate plate in the desired position;
- means for effecting rotation of said metering wheels to feed material underneath said wheel and over the bottom wall of said receiver;
- and
- means associated with each receiver for receiving and distributing the material for application.
7 more elements
A granular applicator, comprising:
- a hopper having an open top end, and a closed convergent bottom end defined in part by an inclined wall;
- the inclined wall of the convergent bottom end of said hopper including at least one material discharge opening therein;
- a panel positioned over the opening in the inclined wall of the bottom end of said hopper, said panel including a plurality of laterally spaced-apart material discharge openings therein;
- means for releasably securing said panel to said hopper;
- a normally closed discharge spout mounted over one of the openings in said panel;
- a plurality of receivers, one mounted over each of the rest of the openings in said panel, each receiver including a pair of spaced-apart side walls and a partial bottom wall with an inclined terminal free end;
- a plurality of fluted metering wheels, one disposed in each receiver between the bottom thereof and the material discharge opening in the inclined wall of the bottom end of said hopper;
- a drive shaft supporting said metering wheels for simultaneous rotation;
- a plurality of gate plates, one mounted for movement between open and closed positions between each metering wheel and the respective material discharge opening in said panel;
- means for adjustably securing each gate plate in the desired position;
- and
- means for effecting rotation of said drive shaft and metering wheels to reed material between said wheel and the bottom of said receiver for distribution and application.
9 more elements
A granular applicator, which comprises:
- a hopper having an open top end, and a closed convergent bottom end defined in part by an inclined wall;
- the inclined wall of the convergent bottom end of said hopper including at least one opening therein;
- a cover disposed over the top end of said hopper;
- a handle secured to said cover;
- two pairs of pivotal links coupled between opposite sides of said cover and said hopper, each link of each pair of links being coupled directly between the cover and hopper at different spaced-apart points for supporting said cover for movement between open and closed positions;
- an interchangeable metering wheel assembly releasably secured to said hopper over the opening therein;
- and
- means associated with said metering wheel assembly for receiving and distributing the metered material for application.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.