Land vehicles – Wheeled – Extensible
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-27
2001-03-27
Mai, Lanna (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Extensible
C239S163000, C239S166000, C239S167000, C239S169000, C239S172000, C239S077000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206406
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a dispensing apparatus and more particularly to a dispensing apparatus designed and configured to dispense and swath any substance, such as fertilizer, repellent, or the like, over a multiplicity of plants simultaneously for consequently reducing labor, costs and time generally associated with the dispensing process for treating a bulk of plants, crops or the like, typically located on farms, in nurseries, or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fertilizing is of the utmost importance in maintaining and growing healthy and hearty plants for inherently producing an aesthetically pleasing and a beautiful and plentiful fruit/flowering product. Fertilizers provide the needed nutrients required for a healthy plant. Several products are out on the market to enable a proper supply of nutrients to any given plants, lawn grass, crops, or the like. Many of these products consist of a chemical solution, which can be placed on the soil surrounding the plant, or optionally can be mixed with water to produce a solution. In either method, an even distribution is difficult to obtain and its fumes may be hazardous to the distributor. In addition, the plant may receive too much fertilizer, inadvertently harming the plant, or too little fertilizer, which will hinder the plant from thriving as well as not promote an effective growth. Additionally, the use of such methods can be laborious, hazardous, and at times can even be difficult and awkward to perform in order to obtain the optimum use of substance for the growing product, especially when applying over a large area, such as a field, nursery or the like.
As such, apparatus have been developed to enable a plurality of plants to be sprayed, simultaneously. One such apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,833 issued to Gandrud et al. In this patent, there is disclosed a complicated dispensing device which, includes several components for its frame member. This patent may provide a means of dispensing a chemical, but it fails to disclose a device simple in design and easy to utilize. A complicated device, such as the one disclosed in this patent, will provide an apparatus with increase components and which will inherently provide for an increase in component failure.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,757 there is disclosed yet another complex, yet foldable, sprayer. This apparatus comprises two wing booms, a left and right, which are controlled independently from one another via hydraulic cylinders. Thereby allowing the operator to utilize either the left boom, right boom, or optionally, both booms simultaneously. The sprayer mechanism in this apparatus comprises a conduit having a conventional spray head attached thereto. This will permit for fluid to be stored in a central holding tank. Such an arrangement provides an apparatus which appears to be used for dispensing a singular type of fluid. Thereby, prohibiting other types of chemicals to be used with this particular apparatus unless extensive cleaning of the holding tank, conduits and sprayers must be accomplish prior to use of a different type of cleaner. In addition, since conventional hoppers are not used, it may not be difficult for the user to estimate and determine the actual amount of fluid/graduals needed to cover a particular area. Further, the use of left and right booms provides an apparatus that may be difficult and awkward to maneuver.
Hence, what is needed is an apparatus which will adequately and efficiently dispense a substance, such as fertilizer, or the like, utilizing a minimal amount of labor and at a reasonable cost for distribution. Such an apparatus should be of simple construction so as to provide a device which is successful and that can be used with a minimal amount of training.
Accordingly, it is seen that none of these previous efforts provide the benefits intended with the present invention, such as identified above. Additionally, prior techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements as disclosed and claimed herein. The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objectives and advantages over the prior art device through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements, which is simple to use, with the utilization of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, assemble, test and by employing only readily available material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus that will adequately and efficiently dispense a substance, such as fertilizer, repellent, or the like, which is adapted to be removably secured to a conventional tractor or the like to allow for adequate traveling thereof. The present invention includes a frame member having a first portion or first boom and a second portion or second boom. Each portion or boom operates independently and travels transversely from the conventional tractor to enable utilization. The portions or booms can also be relocated centrally and rearwardly with respect to the tractor for rendering a more compact unit which will provide an easy means for transporting the apparatus from field to field, from field to barn, barn to field, or the like.
This apparatus is designed and configured to travel transversely from the tractor and over at least two rows of crops for allowing a device which will cover a large surface area. In particular, the device has been successfully employed in a commercial nursery and can successfully spray and swath a multiplicity of plants.
The first and second portions of the frame have a truss boom configuration. Each portion is coupled, via a coupling device, to a trailer. This trailer is removably coupled to the conventional tractor device and as such includes a transportation device, such as wheels, endless tracks or the like.
The coupling device allows for the first and second portions to extend outward or inward from the main frame. In the outward position, the portions are transversely disposed and are in position for disbursing of a substance. In the inward position, the portions are aligned centrally on the main frame. This will provide for the portions to extend behind the main frame and the tractor. It is noted that a separate coupling device is secured to each portion so as to enable each portion to operate independently and separately from one another.
For adequate disbursing of the particular substance, the first portion is designed to be longer in length than the second portion. This will allow for the first portion to service subsequent plants while the second portion will service preceding plants. Thereby, when in a transverse position or the second position, the booms are perpendicularly located with respect to the trailer. In a retracted position, the first portion and second portion will be in a side-by-side position behind the trailer.
When the first frame portion and the second frame portion are located behind the tractor, in the retracted position, transportation can occur, such as from field to field or from field to barn. This placement of the first and second portions provides a means of transportation of the apparatus of the present invention which is achieved with minimal or no difficulties. This retracted position also allows for easy storage of the present invention.
At least one conventional dispensing device, such as a hopper, is secured to each distal end of the first portion and second portion. The dispensing device is conventional and is known in the industry. It is noted that the present invention is not limited to dispensing devices, but can include other conventional farming implement devices, such as, but not limited to, sprayers, toppers, or the like. Such a means of attaching various farming implement devices provides an apparatus that is versatile and applicable to any environment or situation.
The first portion and the second portion further includes a means of adjusting and leveling the farm implements (dispensing devices, sprayers, etc.) to a desired location.
May Brad
May Fred B.
May, Jr. Don
May, Jr. Fount
Taylor, II John Lawson
Carnes Cona & Dixon
Mai Lanna
To Toan
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