Agricultural Portable Chemical Applicator With Protective Shield

This invention relates to an applicator for the selective application of a liquid, i.e. a chemical or biocide, to a plant, shrub, or weed.

The art, or science of cultivating plants, whether for pleasure or profit, requires the application to plants of chemicals or biocides e.g., fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and the like often in the form of liquids, or liquid solutions. Certain favored plants, e.g., must be protected from competition with other plants, i.e. weeds. Weeds are destroyed to make room for the cultivated plants.

In modern gardening, herbicides as liquids or liquid solutions are often applied to weeds. In such applications it is desirable, and often essential to apply the liquid only upon the weeds while minimizing or avoiding contact between the liquid and the cultivated plants. Some few herbicides are selective, killing certain types of weeds, while leaving the cultivated plants unharmed. Other herbicides however are less selective, or lacking in selectivity. Some herbicides thus damage, or injure the cultivated plants as well as the weeds, and some may even kill every plant with whose leaves they come into contact. It is thus desirable to control the applications of the herbicides, or weed killers, to prevent waste, if indeed it is not desirable, or even essential to prevent injury, or destruction of the cultivated plants.

Apparatus, or machinery, for spraying plants of various types are well known. A large class of such apparatus is that used for spraying orchards, or that used by large agricultural establishments, these taking the form of relatively large, complex pieces of equipment. Such equipment, as described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,664 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,376, generally includes a wheeled vehicle which carries a tank of the material to be dispersed, a large fan or blower to create a large volume, high velocity air blast, a self-contained power plant, and pump for pumping the liquid from the tank into the air stream for dispersement. Smaller, far less complex portable sprayers have also been designed and carried on the backs of or been towed by individual operatives; and small applicators with liquid fillable tanks have also been mounted on wheels, and thereby been made transportable for use by individual operatives.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,267,610 there is described an applicator for applying a liquid spray to the ground at the base of a tree. The applicator is constituted of a liquid fillable tank, and a movable applicator inclusive of an elongated handle, movable applicator head, and shield. The movable applicator is connected to a tank via a long flexible hose. A major difficulty with this apparatus, inter alia, is that the operative must carry the movable applicator portion while using same, and it is tethered via the flexible hose to the tank, and the hose must be dragged about while the tank is rested upon the ground in a spotted location.

Applicators wherein a tank has been mounted on a wheeled carriage are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,740,664 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,581,678. These applicators, albeit they can be propelled by an operative nonetheless suffer certain deficiencies not the least of which is related to their undue complexity, lack of mobility and low selectivity in targeting the plants and shrubs on which liquid is to be applied.

It is accordingly the primary objective of the present invention to provide a new, improved self contained applicator of simple compact construction and light weight which can be readily moved, or propelled by an operative through narrow spaces between rows of cultivated plants and shrubs, and liquid selectively applied to growing weeds.

A particular object is to provide an applicator of such character which can be moved, or propelled with great facility by an operative even over loose, and sometimes wet soil with minimal obstruction offered by growing plants, shrubs or weeds.

A further, and more specific object is to provide an applicator further characterized in that the applicator carries a tank of liquid which can be pressurized with minimum inconvenience by the operative and, while the applicator is being propelled, the liquid can be cut-off or released as a spray from an adjustably movable nozzle located on the bottom of the applicator near ground level, via hand actuation by the operative of a nozzle control means, located on the handle of the applicator; and the spray can be controlled, and interrupted via actuation of a cut-off valve also located on the handle.

These objects and others are achieved in accordance with the present invention, an applicator or apparatus for the controlled spraying of a liquid upon growing plants or shrubs. The apparatus includes generally a carriage, a tank detachably mounted on a bracket frame constituting a part of said carriage, a spray nozzle assembly means, and spray guard for controlling the area of application of the spray. The carriage is constituted of a frame provided with a pair of alternately disposed wheels mounted on an axle located at the lower end of said frame, and handle located at the upper end of said frame. A platform, or bracket frame is located on the lower end of the carriage, and projected outwardly from the carriage frame, for supporting the tank which can be detachably mounted on said bracket frame.

The tank is constituted of an outer shell, preferably with an opening within which a pump assembly can be located. The pump assembly can be removed for filling the tank with liquid, replaced after filling with the tank with liquid, and in place the pump can be conveniently activated by the hand of the operative to pressurize the liquid. The spray nozzle assembly means includes a pivotally movable spray nozzle operatively communicated with said tank. The spray nozzle is mounted on the bracket frame at the lower end of the carriage frame, and it is provided with control means located on the handle of the carriage for use by a hand of the operative for movement of the spray nozzle through a range of angles of application. In one form, the control means is constituted of a movable cable extending from the applicator to the spray nozzle for the adjustment and movement of the latter. In another form, the control means is comprised of a reciprocable elongate shaft a terminal end of which is engaged with the spray nozzle while the other end extends to the carriage frame handle for the convenience of the operative in adjusting the spray of liquid from the spray nozzle. The spray guard is of substantially planar shape though the forward end thereof can be slightly curved if desired. The spray guard is mounted on the side of the carriage such that the plane of movement of the narrow edges thereof is vertically oriented, and the spray guard is adjustably movable within said plane. An inside flat side of the spray guard can be adjusted to face the spray nozzle of the spray nozzle assembly to restrict and control the area of application of the spray of liquid emitted from the spray nozzle, the shape or pattern of which can be controlled in part by the nozzle design. The alignment of the narrow edges of the guard are in the direction of the forward movement of the carriage to facilitate movement of the carriage through the plants and shrubs with minimum obstruction.

The invention, and its principle of operation, will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a specific embodiment, and to the attached drawings to which reference is made in the description. In the description, similar numbers are used to represent similar parts or components, and subscripts are used to designate the several parts of a complete sub-assembly.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts in perspective a preferred spray applicator inclusive of a two wheeled carriage, a tank supported thereon within which a liquid can be contained, a spray nozzle assembly, inclusive of spray nozzle, a spray nozzle control mechanism, and a spray guard, or shield.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, right side view of the upper spray nozzle control mechanism of the applicator depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, right side view of the lower side of the applicator this view depicting the spray guard, or shield, and supporting structure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the spray nozzle and supporting mechanism located at the lower end of the carriage, adjacent the shield.

FIG. 5 is a right section view of the tank, with its included pump and supporting structure; and FIG. 5A is an enlarged segment of the pump.

FIG. 6 depicts a preferred type of a spray nozzle control mechanism.

Referring to the figures, first to FIG. 1, there is shown a spray applicator 10 which includes generally a carriage 11, a tank 12 which can be filled with a liquid, a liquid spray nozzle assembly, inclusive of a spray nozzle 13, a nozzle adjustment mechanism 14, a valved conduit 15 for conveying pressurized liquid from the tank 12 to the spray nozzle 13, and a spray guard, or shield 17.

The carriage 11 of the spray applicator 19 is constituted of a frame formed by a pair of spaced apart parallel aligned bars 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2 of equal length, the bars 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2 being secured together by the upper lateral bar 11.sub.3, the intermediate lateral bar 11.sub.4, and the lower lateral bar 11.sub.5. The upper lateral bar 11.sub.3 and the lower lateral bar 11.sub.5 are of greater length than the lateral distance between bars 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, the terminal ends thereof extending beyond the confines defined by the lateral distance between bars 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2. The bar 11.sub.3 provides a convenient handle for an operative, and the bar 11.sub.5 provides an axle, or axle support, on which a pair of wheels, e.g. hard rubber tired wheels, 11.sub.6, 11.sub.7 can be mounted. On the lower side of the frame of the carriage there is located a platform, or bracket frame 16 of adjustable depth, or length, on which the tank 12 can be mounted and supported.

The bracket frame 16 is mounted generally forward of the axle 11.sub.5, and inside the pair of wheels 11.sub.6, 11.sub.7. The bracket frame 16 is preferably of adjustable size. It is thus constituted of a lower flat segment 16.sub.1 and an upper flat segment 16.sub.2, the upper flat segment 16.sub.2 being slidably movable inwardly or outwardly relative to the lower flat segment 16.sub.1 ; the two members being bolted together and affixed one to the other via a pair of bolts 16.sub.3, 16.sub.4 after adjustment of the bracket frame 16 to the desired length. The upwardly projected shank 16.sub.5 provides a hinge support upon which the spray nozzle 13 can be mounted, and the downwardly projected shank 16.sub.6 provides, with wheels 11.sub.6, 11.sub.7, a means for support of the applicator 10, and carriage 11 in a generally vertical orientation, or upright position.

The tank 12 is supported atop the bracket frame 16 of the carriage 11, and can be conveniently held in place against the parallelly aligned bars 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2 via a bunge chord 12.sub.1, i.e. an elastic chord which wraps around or encompasses the diameter of tank 12 and has hook-shaped metal ends which can be conveniently secured one to the other, or upon the bars 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2. The tank 12 can be filled with a liquid biocide, e.g., an insecticide or herbicide solution, and the solution then pressurized within the tank.

The tank 12 is connected via a valved flexible hose, conduit, or tubing 15, i.e. conduit sections 15.sub.1, 15.sub.3, to the spray nozzle assembly; the lower terminal end of conduit section 15.sub.3 being passed through a collar 14.sub.10 (FIG. 4) located upon a flat hinge tab 14.sub.6 for connection with the upwardly projecting tubular portion of the tubular segment 13.sub.2 of the spray nozzle 13. The lower terminal end of the upwardly projecting tubular segment and flexible conduit 15.sub.3 is held securely in place within the collar 14.sub.10 via tightening down the screw 14.sub.11, the terminal end of the screw abutting and pressing against the conduit 15.sub.3 and the upwardly projecting portion of tubular segment 13.sub.2. The tubular segment 13.sub.2 can be slidably moved upwardly or downwardly within the collar 14.sub.10 for adjusting the height of the spray nozzle 13 above ground level. Pressurized liquid within the tank 12 exits, when valve 15.sub.2 is opened via passage upwardly through the segment of conduit 15.sub.1, and the segment of conduit 15.sub.3, which leads through a one-way flow valve 19 to the spray nozzle 13. The valve 19 permits flow of liquid when the tank 12 is pressurized, and prevents liquid drip from the nozzle 13 when the tank 12 is not pressurized. The valve 15.sub.2, which is affixed upon the handle 11.sub.3 of the carriage frame, is biased in closed position and conveniently opened by inward movement of valve handle 15.sub.2A, as by the hand of an operative.

One form of the nozzle adjustment mechanism 14, referring for convenience to FIGS. 1 and 2, is constituted of an elongated movable shaft, or lever 14.sub.1, the upper end of which is adjustably affixed and slidably movable within a collar lock assembly (FIG. 2). The collar lock assembly includes a tubular member 14.sub.2 which is secured upon the projecting shank or tab 14.sub.3 which, in turn, is rigidly affixed to, or mounted as by welding upon the bar 11.sub.2. The tubular member 14.sub.2 contains an internally threaded lateral opening within which is provided a laterally movable externally threaded mating shaft 14.sub.5 which can be rotated via upward or downward movement of handle 14.sub.4 to move the end of said shaft 14.sub.5 into or away from engagement with the lever 14.sub.1 to bind and lock the lever 14.sub.1 in fixed position, or to loosen the lever 14.sub.1 to permit slidable movement thereof within the tubular member 14.sub.2. The handle 14.sub.4 is suitable provided with a handle grip to facilitate the use of the collar lock assembly at the hands of an operative.

The lower terminal end of the lever 14.sub.1, referrring for convenience to FIGS. 1 and 4, is hinged with, or pivotally engaged to an end of the flat tab 14.sub.6, the opposite end of which is, in turn, pivotally attached via passage of a pin 14.sub.9 through a washer and an end opening within the flat, rigidly affixed tab 16.sub.5 for engagement with the member 16.sub.5. The lower terminal end of the lever 14.sub.1 is provided with a projecting shank, or bent at a right angle, and passed through an opening within an end of the flat plate or tab 16.sub.5, a washer 14.sub.7 is fitted thereover, and the lower terminal end of the lever 14.sub.1 is held in place by a cotter key 14.sub.8 affixed within a small opening within said lever 14.sub.1. The upward or downward movement of lever 14.sub.1 is readily controlled by the hand of an operative who releases the pressure of the shaft 14.sub.5 by movement of handle 14.sub.4 who can then pull upwardly or push downwardly on knob 14.sub.12 to move the lever 14.sub.1. Upward movement of lever 14.sub.1 rotates the outer end of flat tab 14.sub.6 upwardly about the pivot pin 14.sub.9 and moves, or redirects the spray nozzle 13 outwardly in the direction of the spray guard 17. Or, alternatively, downward movement of lever 14.sub.1 rotates the outer end of flat tab 14.sub.6 downwardly about the pivot pin 14.sub.9 and moves, or redirects the spray nozzle 13 inwardly in a direction away from the spray guard 17. The direction of the spray nozzle 13 is also controlled by hand rotation of the hexagonal faced hollow block 13.sub.1 upon the small diameter tubular shaped body 13.sub.2, to an upper side of which the terminal end of the flexible conduit 15.sub.3 is adjoined. The spray nozzle 13, and consequently the liquid spray itself can be directed toward the front side of the spray applicator 10 by clockwise rotation of the hexagonal faced blocked 13.sub.1 upon the tubular body 13.sub.2 or to the rearward side of the spray applicator 10 by counterclockwise rotation of the hexagonal faced blocked 13.sub.1 upon the tubular body 13.sub.2. Thus, referring to FIG. 1, pressurized liquid flows upwardly from tank 12 through the segment of flexible conduit 15.sub.1, through open valve 15.sub.2, and then downwardly through the flexible conduit 15.sub.3 into the inside chamber of tubular body 13.sub.2, then into a connecting chamber within hexagonal block 13.sub.1 and outwardly through spray nozzle 13. Spray nozzles of various design can be employed to control in part the pattern of the liquid spray direct therefrom.

With reference to FIG. 6, there is depicted a second preferred type of spray nozzle control mechanism 24. In accordance with this type of spray nozzle control mechanism a cable 24.sub.1 is passed through and slidably movable within a semi-flexible tubular member 24.sub.4 rigidly affixed to the carriage 10. The tubular member 24 is thus affixed at an upper end to a plate 24.sub.3, which in turn is mounted upon the bar 11.sub.1, and is affixed at its lower end to a plate 24.sub.4, which in turn carries the nozzle 23 and is pivotably mounted via a plate 26 upon the bracket frame 16. One end of the cable 24.sub.1 is attached to a movable side of the handle 24.sub.5, pivotally mounted upon the plate 24.sub.3, and the other end of the cable 24.sub.1 is attached to the pivotal plate 24.sub.4 which carries the spray nozzle 23. Movement of the handle 24.sub.5 by the hand of an operative pulls and slides the cable 24.sub.1 upwardly or downwardly within the tubular member 24.sub.2 and in turn moves the spray nozzle 23 upwardly or downwardly to direct the liquid spray.

The tank 12, referring to FIGS. 5 and 5A, can be filled with liquid by removal of the entire pump assembly 12.sub.1 from its central location within the top of the tank 12, and after filling the pump assembly 12.sub.1 is simply put back in place for application of the liquid which is sprayed via nozzle 13 upon the plants or shrubs which are to be treated with the liquid. The pump assembly 12.sub.1 is constituted of a hollow tubular body or shell 12.sub.2 provided with a flange or collar 12.sub.3 by virtue of which the tubular body can be affixed, and sealed within the neck 12.sub.4 of the tank 12. A plunger 12.sub.5, provided at its upper end with a handle 12.sub.6, is reciprocably fitted within the hollow tubular body, or shell 12. The lower portion of the plunger 12.sub.5 is provided with a seal 12.sub.7 which provides wiping contact with the inside wall of hollow tubular body, or shell 12.sub.2, and the lower end of the hollow tubular body, or shell 12.sub.2 contains one-way flow valve 12.sub.8 through which air can be expressed via downward movement of the plunger 12.sub.5 to pressurize the tank 12. Upward movement of the plunger 12.sub.5 thus permits air to flow via valved passageway 12.sub.9 into the interior of shell 12 to fill same, and downward movement of the plunger 12.sub.5 forces the air under pressure through valve 12.sub.8 into the tank. Repeated reciprocation of the plunger 12.sub.5, as by the arm of an operative who gasps the handle 12.sub.6 with his hand, fills the tank 12 with air to pressurize up to a certain preselected level the liquid within the tank. Another one-way check valve, if desired, can be used to prevent this pressure from being exceeded when the pump is pressurized.

The guard 17, or shield, is removably mounted on the same side of the carriage 11 as the spray nozzle 13. If desired, a similar guard and spray nozzle can be mounted on the opposite side of the carriage; or, the guard and spray nozzle herein referred to could be singularly mounted on the opposite side of the carriage. The guard 17, in any event, is a substantially planar member mounted with its narrow edges vertically oriented relative to the earth surface, with the inner flat side facing toward the spray nozzle assembly, or spray nozzle 13. The inner face of the guard 17 is provided with an elongate tubular member 17.sub.1, which fits in socket fashion over the projecting shaft 18 to provide a pivotal mounting. The carriage 11 is thus provided with an elongated shaft member 18 extending from the vertical bar 11.sub.2, and the inner face of the shield 17 is provided with a tubular socket member 17.sub.1 which fits over and mates with the shaft member 18 to provide a hinged connection. A lower forward edge 17.sub.2 of the guard 17 can be, and when the applicator 10 is in use, is maintained at a level slightly above the level of the ground, and horizontal therewith. The guard 17 is maintained in this position by a lower forward inclined edge thereof which resets against the axle 11.sub.5. The forward end of guard 17 can also be rested upon the ground, as when the carriage itself is in rest position. The guard 17 can also be conveniently removed as when it is desirable to spray as wide an area as possible.

When the carriage 11 is moved forwardly, with the guard 17 in a position slightly above and substantially parallel with the ground, the narrow substantially straight edge position thereof cuts through plants or shrubs with a minimum of resistance. Liquid spray from the spray nozzle 13 is applied generally downwardly, any portion of the laterally directed spray impinging on the inner face of guard 17 to confine the outer edge of the spray area to that generally defined by the edge 17.sub.1 or guard 17. A guard, or shield of this type, unlike prior art aprons and the like, permits virtually unimpeded movement of the carriage through plants and shrubs. The movable nature of the guard 17 permits placing this member in a position which will provide the greatest protection to the plants and shrubs which are to be cultivated, or in position which will permit greater utilization of the spray on application of the liquid to the cultivated plants or shrubs.

It is apparent that various modifications and changes can be made without departing the spirit and scope of the present invention. Changes in the absolute or relative dimensions of the parts, materials of construction used and the like will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, whereas the guard, or shield, is of substantially planar shape, the forward end thereof can be bent very slightly inwardly, or curved. However, too much bending can impede the movement of the applicator. The absolute size and shape of the component parts of the applicator, e.g. the tank, can vary. The component parts, e.g. the tank, can be made of various materials which are non-reactive or inert with the liquid chemicals which are used. The size, shape and kind of flow nozzle can also vary dependent upon the spray distribution that is desired.

The tank can be constructed of a metal or plastic material, a plastic or metal such as stainless steel being preferred. The valves, and parts of the carriage are generally constructed of metal, e.g. ferrous metals such as iron, iron alloys, and the like. The flexible conduit can be constructed of synthetic rubber, plastic or the like as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.