Planting – Liquid or gas soil treatment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-19
2001-02-06
Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)
Planting
Liquid or gas soil treatment
C405S263000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182586
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a soil injection apparatus in which a plurality of probes are guided and independently controlled, thereby preventing probe breakage and preventing fluid from being dispersed until the probe reaches a defined depth.
2. Related Art
Conventional systems have been used to inject various chemicals to subsurface areas to effect the growth conditions of soils for grass, plants or trees. U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,618 discloses a soil injection system mounted to a conventional farm vehicle without modification to the chassis of the vehicle. The system includes a single, hydraulically operated ground penetrating bit with an attached fluid injector which are operated to penetrate the ground. The penetrating bit is designed to be coupled to and powered by the vehicle's hydraulic system. The system further includes a chemical (fluid) supply tank, a pressurization tank and a chemical metering tank. The pressurization tank supplies pressurized gas to the chemical supply tank to transfer chemicals from the chemical supply tank to the chemical metering tank. The pressurization tank also supplies pressurized gas to the chemical metering tank to force the chemicals contained therein into the fluid injector when the bit is penetrating the ground.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,996 describes a mobile or portable soil aerator fertilizer system. The system includes a wheeled frame that mounts a tank and a hydraulic pump that operates hydraulically actuated probes which penetrate the ground. A compressor mounted on the frame delivers compressed air to the probes when the probes are in the ground. The air is released through discharge openings in the probes. Liquid fertilizer and other like materials stored in the tank can be delivered to the probes for discharge into the ground through the openings in the probes. The wheels of the frame can be removed to allow the system to be attached to the flat bed of a truck.
U.S. Pat. 5,115,750 describes a subsoil treatment apparatus mounted on the back of a truck bed. The apparatus includes an air compressor and a plurality of hydraulically powered hammers that drive spikes into the ground. The hammers are driven by a hydraulic pump powered by the engine of the truck. Compressed air supplied by the compressor is injected into the ground via apertures in the spikes to break up, loosen and aerate compacted soil.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,546,886 describes a soil treating apparatus mounted on the back of a truck bed. The apparatus includes a hydraulic system that causes an injector pipe with an injector point mounted at its free end to be deeply inserted into the ground (20 or more feet) in a step-by-step manner to enable the soil to be treated at different depths. At the end of each insertion step, soil treating slurry is injected via the injector point. The above-described patents have the limitation that probes can easily break off when inserted into excessive resistance in the soil and will continue to disperse fluid into the soil at uneven depths or on the top of the soil.
It is desirable to provide a soil injection apparatus in which a plurality of probes are guided to prevent breakage and are controlled to emit fluid only after the probe reaches a defined depth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a soil injection apparatus in which a probe having on insertion tip is inserted into the soil. A pair of probe guide assemblies are positioned adjacent each side of the probe to provide stability of the probe and prevent breaking of the probe. A probe hydraulic system extends and retracts the probe from the soil. A liquid pumping system pumps liquid into an outlet of the probe after insertion of the probe into the soil. A control system activates the probe hydraulic system and liquid pumping system. Preferably, the control system includes a multiple position switch for controlling upward and downward movement of the probe and of pumping the liquid.
A switch can be attached to the probe guide assemblies and the liquid pumping system. The switch is closed when the probe extends a predetermined depth into the soil to activate the liquid pumping system. Accordingly, liquid is only pumped to probes that have been extended a predetermined depth into the soil, thereby preventing untimely disbursement of the liquid.
The soil injection apparatus can be attached to a self-propelled vehicle. Preferably, a holding tank for the liquid and probe guide assembly can be attached to a frame which is removable attached to the vehicle. The vehicle can be steered with skid-steering.
The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3397542 (1968-08-01), Moulden
patent: 3546886 (1970-12-01), Jones et al.
patent: 3583744 (1971-06-01), Paine et al.
patent: 4034686 (1977-07-01), Collins
patent: 4178860 (1979-12-01), Hines et al.
patent: 4226140 (1980-10-01), Gaasenbeek
patent: 4570553 (1986-02-01), Ito
patent: 4809821 (1989-03-01), Fulmer
patent: 4850291 (1989-07-01), Masuko et al.
patent: 4903618 (1990-02-01), Blair
patent: 5115750 (1992-05-01), White et al.
patent: 5802996 (1998-09-01), Baxter
Decker Keith
Hunt Douglas R.
Mathews, Collins Shepherd & Gould P.A.
Novosad Christopher J.
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