GB2175482A - Spreader apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A spreader (10) for depositing granular material over an area of ground (e.g. a lawn) comprises a container (12) for the material with outlet apertures (24) for escape of the material. A cover member (60) which determines the extent of opening of the apertures (24) is interchangeable with alternative cover members to give different escape rates. The cover member (60) may be connected to a collar (50) carrying support (40) and feeler (30) members relative to which the container (12) is angularly movable. When the container (12) stilted rearwardly, i.e. to the left, the feelers (30) touch the ground and continued rearward tilting causes the apertures (24) to be uncovered. Resilient bias (54) to the initial closed position avoids wasteful loss of material on letting go of the spreader. If desired, a cover member 60, Fig. 6, may be used having castellations corresponding to the apertures (24), and the escape/deposit rate may be adjusted by adjusting the cover member's position transversely relative to the spreader (10), between preset calibrated positions, the cover member 60' being positively retained in each such position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Spreader apparatus This invention relates to apparatus suitable for use in depositing granular material (for example, fertiliser, weed killer, moss killer, orseed) over an area of ground (for example, a lawn) and is particularly concerned with such apparatus of the kind, hereinafter referred to as being ofthe kind specified, comprising a containerfor such material, and an outlet means via which the material may escape progressively from the container so as to be deposited progressively on the ground, as the apparatus is moved overthe ground.

Conventionally, the outlet means comprises a substantial portion of the width ofthe container, to permit the material to be deposited on the ground in bands of convenient width.

Apparatus ofthe kind specified is popularly known as a 'spreader".

Conventionally such apparatus, with its outlet means open, deposits the material at a rate which is determined by the size and extent ofthe opening of the outlet means. The outlet means is sometimes adjustable between fully open and fully closed conditions, there being a tendency for users inadvertently to leave the outlet means open when the apparatus is not being moved, leading to wasteful loss of material from the container.

It is desirable that a particular rate of deposit should be achieved without undue skill, since in the case of modern materials especially, it is importantthatan accurate rate of deposit should be achieved. For example, for lawn treatments, too low a rate of deposit of say weed killer, will fail to kill weeds, whilsttoo high a rate of deposit will kill the weeds but will also harm the lawn.

It is an object of the invention to provide new and improved apparatus ofthe kind specified.

According to a first aspect ofthe invention,there is provided apparatus ofthe kind specified wherein the outlet means comprises an aperture through which material may escape from the container and a control member releasably locatable relative to the aperture so as to determine the extent of opening permitted for the aperture.

In this manner, use of the control member may at least partiallydeterminethe rate at which the apparatus deposits said material on the ground.

Conveniently the control member is in the form of a cover member.

The apparatus may be provided with more than one such control or cover member, the control or cover members being interchangable so asto permit respective different extents of opening of said apertureto be obtained using respective control or cover members.

In this manner, different rates of deposit of said material may be achieved, using different control or cover members.

The outlet means may comprise a plurality of such apertures, and different cover members may permit corresponding different extents of opening for each aperture.

The cover members may be constructed so as to close different numbers of apertures at different positions on the outlet means, particularly where a large number of apertures is present.

Preferably, the or each cover member is in the form of a respective strip releasably engagable, for example at its ends, with cooperating formations, for example at or near respective opposite sides ofthe container. Preferably, if appropriate opposite ends and corresponding formations are formed differently on opposite sides of the apparatus, to ensure that each the cover membercan be fitted only in a correct orientation.

According to a second aspect ofthe invention there is provided a control member suitable for use in apparatus in accordance with the first aspect ofthe invention.

Preferably the control member is of plastics material.

According to a third aspect ofthe invention, there is provided apparatus ofthe kind specified wherein the outlet means comprises an aperture through which material may escape from the container and a control member positionally adjustable transversely ofthe apparatus so as to determine the extent of opening permittedforthe aperture.

In this manner, an adjustable rate of deposit may be achieved, and since the adjustment ofthe control member is in a direction generallytransverseto the direction of travel of the apparatus, the control member is unlikely to be knocked out of adjustment through striking an obstacle in use.

Preferably, the control member is adjustable between discrete pre-set positions, which may be calibrated, means preferably being provided to positively retain the control member in each such position.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus of the kind specified wherein the outletmeans comprises an aperturethrough which material may escape from the container and a control member positionally adjustable between dis crete pre-set positions relative to the aperture so asto determine the extent of opening permittedforthe aperture, and means for positively retaining the control member in each such position.

Preferably said positions are calibrated.

In apparatus in accordance with either of the third and fourth aspects of the invention, the outlet means may comprise a plurality of such apertures, and the control member may have an edge provided with castellations, one corresponding to each aperture.

In this manner, said adjustment adjusts the extent to which each such castellation covers the respective aperture during use ofthe apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a castellated shutter suitable for use in apparatus in accordance with the third orfourth aspectofthe invention.

According to a sixth aspect ofthe invention, there is provided apparatus ofthe kind specified comprising parts relatively movable between first and second configurations so as to change the extent of opening of the outlet means, such that in the first configuration the outlet means is closed and the apparatus is capable of being free-standing, whilst in the second configuration, the outlet means is open and the apparatus is movable across the ground.

Thusthe apparatus may be left free-standing in a first attitude in which it is in the first configuration, without significant loss of material from the container, but on moving the apparatus to a second attitude in which the parts are in the second configuration, it becomes possible to move the apparatus across the ground, depositing the material.

Preferably the parts are biased towards the first configuration, for example by spring means acting between the parts.

Preferablythe relatively movable parts are the container, which may conveniently be provided with a handle, and ground engaging means ofthe apparatus.

Preferably the container and the ground engaging means are relatively movable angularly between said configurations.

Preferably, such angular movement between the parts occurs about an axis co-linear with axes of rotation of ground-engaging wheels provided on opposite sides ofthe containerto facilitate movement ofthe apparatus across the ground.

Preferably the outlet means comprises an aperture or apertures in the container, and a control member conveniently in the form of a cover memberassoci- ated with the ground engaging means such that in the first configuration, the cover member overlies and closes the or each aperture, whilst in the second configuration the cover member does not overlie the or each aperture or overliesthe or each aperture to the least permitted extent Preferably the ground engaging means comprises a feeler member extending downwardly and rearwardly such that with the apparatus on the ground, angular movementfrom the first configuration, by application offorce to the container, causesthefeelermemberto engagethegrnundandtherebyarrnstfurtherangular movement ofthe ground engaging means, whilst continued angular movement ofthe container, relative to the ground engaging means enables said second condition to be achieved, the feeler member remaining in contactwith the ground during move mentoftheapparatus across the ground.

Preferably two such feeler members are provided on opposite sides of the apparatus-and advantageous ly serve to mark boundary edges, on the surface onto which the material is being deposited, of a band on which material has been deposited,forreference during a return "run" alongside that band.

Preferably, the ground engaging means comprises support members extending forwardly and downwardly, which contribute to support ofthe apparatus inthefirstconfiguration and which tend to inhibit forward movementofthe apparatus unless the apparatus is moved angularly towards said second condition.

Preferablythe feeler member(s) and the support member(s) are integrally formed with each other, at least on each sideoftheapparatus (and where the cover member is interchangable, then preferably the respective locating means for the ends of the cover members are also integrally formed with the feeler and support members on the respective sides of the apparatus).

Preferably the apparatus is also in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, so that the cover member can be interchanged for another cover member, in which case a stop is preferably provided to define, and prevent significant movement beyond, the second configuration, thereby ensuring thatthe intended extent of opening in the second condition is obtained for any given cover member.

The apparatus orcontrol membermay be in accordance with any combination of said aspects of the invention.

Where the apparatus is in accordance with any one or more ofthefirst, third, fourth and sixth aspects of the invention, and is provided with two wheels on opposite sides on the container, then preferably a rotatable paddle, e.g. of plastics material, extends through a lower portion ofthe container, above the outlet means, the paddle being co-axial with the wheels and rotating with at least one of the wheels, in orderto drive material through the outlet means during movement of the apparatus overthe ground.

Preferably the paddle is driven by only one wheel, to permitturning of the apparatus on the ground, about a vertical axis th rough said driving wheel, without causing excessive deposit of material on the ground at the location oftheturn during turning movement.

Preferably the apparatus comprises a dismantlable elongate handle which is releasably attachable to the container.

Preferably the apparatus is of lightweight construction e.g. largely by of plastics materials.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE lisa perspective front view of spreader apparatus embodying the invention; FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view, to a larger scale and on the plane XX of Figure 1, ofthe spreader in a first configuration thereof; FIGURE 3 is a similar cross-sectiona I view of the spreader, in a second configuration thereof; FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view, on the plane YY of Figure3, of a portion ofthespreader; and FIGURES is a perspective view of a cover member of the spreader, to a still largerscale.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view, similarto Figure 5, of an alternative cover member, also showing means for retaining itin each of several pre-set positions.

Referring to the drawings, "spreader" apparatus 10 embodying the invention comprises an open-topped container 12 supported on wheels 14 on opposites sides ofthe container 12, the wheels 14 being carried on an axle 16 which passes through a lower portion of the interiorofthe container 12. A dismantlable handle 18 is releasably attached to the container 12 on a rear wall thereof. The container 12 has side walls 20 which tapertowards said lower portion of the container, and a lowerwall 22 ofthe container 12 is provided with a series of apertures 24 of outlet means 25, the apertures 24 providing communication between the interior ofthe container and the environment below the wall 22. The axle 16 carries a plastics paddle 26 which rotates with one of the wheels 14 in response to rotation ofthatwheel.

The spreader 10 is used in depositing granular material (for example, fertiliser, weed killer, moss killer, or seed) over an area of ground, for example a lawn, by placing such material in the container 12 and moving the spreader 10 overthe ground,the material escaping progressively from the container, via the outlet means 25, so as to be deposited progressively onto the ground. Since the outlet means 25 occupies a substantial portion of the width of the container 12, the material is deposited on the ground in bands of a convenient width, in this case about 30 cm.

The spreader 10 is provided, on opposite sides of the container 12, with ground engaging means comprising said wheels 14, respective rearwardly and downwardly extending members 30 and respective forwardly and downwardly extending members 40, the members 30 and 40 on any given side ofthe container 12 being integrally formed with each other and with both an arcuate collar 50 and bearing means 52, each bearing means 52 being carried rotatably on a respective end ofthe axle 16. The collars 50 are spaced from the lowerwall 22, which is also substantially arcuate, and the space on each side ofthe container between the respective collar 50 and the wall 22 is partly occupied by respective opposite ends of a control member in the form of a cover member 60 of the outlet means 25.The cover member 60 is shown particularly in Figure 5 ofthe drawings, and has differently formed ends to ensure that it may be located in only one correct orientation so as to span the width of the container 12 below the walls 22, between the collar 50.

On each member 30, a respective spring 32 carried on a respective boss 33 biases the container 12 in a direction corresponding to angular movement ofthe container in a clockwise direction relative to the members 30 and 40 (as has occurred in Figure 3) such a spring 32 being provided on each side ofthe container 12. The members 30 on opposite sides of the container 12 are connected by a metal cross member 33, and the members 40 on opposite sides ofthe container 12 are connected by a metal cross member 43.Additionally,themembers30carryattheir respective extremities 34, respective discs 35 capable of marking the ground, as will hereinafter be described.

When the spreader 10 is not in use, it may be left in a free-standing attitude in which its parts are in the first configuration illustrated in Figure 2, supported on the wheels 14 and the members 40, with the container 12 forwardly tilted, so that the centre of gravity ofthe spreader itself and any material in the container 12 lies between the respective points of contact P and Q of the member40 and thewheel 14with the ground, so as to be stable. Such forward tilting is due two the weight ofany such material, and due to action ofthe springs 32 which bias the container 12 in a clockwise direction relative to the ground engaging means. In thisfirst configuration, the tilting causes the aperture 24to lie rearwardly on a front edge 62 ofthe cover member 60, the cover member60 thus overlying and closing the apertures 24.In this manner, significant loss of material from the container, via the apertures 24, does not occurwhen the spreader loins left free-standing in the first configuration.

When it is desired to use the spreader 10, a user graspsthe handle 18and urgesthe handle downward- ly so as to cause rearward tilting of the apparatus 10.

During such rearward tilting thefeeler members 30 engage the ground and arrestfurthertilting ofthe ground engaging means, and continued rearward angular movement ofthe container 12 relative to the ground engaging means is arrested by attainment of a second attitude for the spreader on abutment of the rearwall ofthe container 1 with resilient stop means 54 of the collars 50, such abutment defining a second configuration ofthe parts ofthespreader 10, and being shown in Figure 3. In this second configuration, the cover member 60 no longer overlies the apertures 24 (or overlies them to the least extent permitted by the shape of the cover member 60), thereby opening the outlet means 25 to permit progressive escape of material from the container 12, via the apertures 24.In said second configuration,the members 40 clearthe ground, and so the apparatus 10 may be pushed, while remaining in said second configuration, in the direction ofthe arrowA (see Figure 3) while depositing the material onto the ground during the ensuant movement ofthe spreader. The marking means 35 serve to mark grooves on the ground essentially at boundary edges of bands on the ground within which the material is being deposited, so that on a return "run" in the opposite direction, alongside said band, a further band of material may be deposited adjacent to the first band but not overlying the first band. When the spreader 10 is brought to a halt, and is allowed to tiltforwardly, it again resumes the first configuration, wherein the outlet means 25 is automatically closed.

Due to mounting of the ground engaging means on the axle 16, the angular movement between the container 12 and the ground engaging means between said configurations is about an axis co-linear with the axes of rotation ofthe wheels 14.

during movement of the sp reader 10 across the ground, rotation ofthewheels 14causes rotation of the paddle 26, which serves to drive material from the containeroutthrough the apertures 24, and affords a more uniform flow of material through the apertures 24 than would be achieved by relying solely on the weight ofthe material in the container 12 as a means for causing escape ofthe material through the apertures 24.Although the paddle 26 is driven by one of the wheels 14, it is not driven by the other of the wheels 14, which other wheel is freely rotatable on the axle 60, so that when it is desired to turn the apparatus 10 about a vertical axis, it may be turned about a vertical axis through the driving wheel, so that although the non-driving wheel rotates considerably during such turning it does notcauseturning ofthe paddle 26, thereby avoiding excessive deposit of material on the ground during theturn. The spreader lOis of lightweight construction, consisting largely of plastics materials (except where otherwise stated), which are corrosion-resistant).

The cover member 60 may be released from its location between the collars 50 and the wall 22, so as to be interchangable with another such cover member (not illustrated). The other cover member may for example have a front edge different formed from the front edge 62, such that with the other cover member fitted to the spreader 10, and with the spreader 10 in the second configuration, the outlet means 25 has a different extent of opening from that which would be provided by use ofthe cover element 60. Thus, ht use of an alternative,differentcover member, the rate ar which the spreader 10 deposits material on the ground may be at least partly determined by the user.

Alternative cover members may be constructed so as to permit different extents of opening for each of the apertures 24 by being apertured or having differently shaped edges, and may for example be constructed so as to close different numbers of the apertures 24 at different positions on the outlet means 25, the lattertechnique being suitable primarily where a large numberofapertures is present such that complete closing of a given aperture in the second "open" configuration is not significantly detrimental to uniform depositofthematerial.Thecovermember 60 comprises two reinforcing ribs 61 on its lower surface, and such ribs are advantageously also provided on any alternative cover members.

The cover member60, and preferably also any alternative cover members, are formed by moulding thereoffrom plastics material.

The cover member 60, or any alternative cover member, may be supplied separately if desired, to enable them to be purchased according to a particular user's needs.

Although the use of interchangable cover members has been described above in relation to the spreader 10 also has the above-described feature of automatic opening of the outlet means in said second configuration and automatic closing of the outlet means of said first configuration, it will be appreciated that an interchangable cover membersupplied for a spreader without such automatic open and closing features, and such a spreader when fitted with such a cover element, will remain within the scope of the invention.

Referring now to Figure 6 ofthe drawings, an alternative cover member 60' is generally similar to the cover member 60 except that its edge 62' is provided with a plurality ofcastellations, each of which corresponds to one of the apertures 24. At one end ofthe member60' there is provided a plurality of spaced upstanding ridges 70 between each pair of which a resilient retaining element71 integrally formed with one ofthe collars 50 may be received.

Calibration markings 1 to 4 are provided to identify different positions ofthe member 60' relative to the element 71. The member 60' is positionally adjustable transversely ofthe apparatus so as to determine the extent of opening which is permitted for each of the apertures. For different positions ofthe member 60', (which positions are discrete and preset, being determined by receipt oftheelement71 in one or other ofthe aforesaid spaces between the ridges), the resilient element 71 positively retains the member60' in the position concerned.Said adjustment adjusts the extentto which each ofthe castellations covers its respective aperture during use ofthe apparatus, since whilst the member 60' is movable between open and closed positions thereof, as was the case with the member60, said transverse adjustment adjusts the transverse position of each castellation with respect to its respective aperture, so determining the extent of opening permitted in the normally"open" position.

When using the member 60' an adjustable rate of deposit may be achieved, in accordance with the elected position ofthe member 60', and since the adjustment ofthe member 60' is in a direction generallytransverseto the direction of travel of the apparatus, the control member is unlikelyto be knocked out of adjustmentthrough striking an obstacle in use.

The castellated member 60' may be supplied separately if desired.

Itis envisage that recommended settings, corresponding to the aforementioned calibrations, may be provided on packaging or instruction material for granular material to be deposited, so enabling a user to select the correct position for member 60'.

If desired, as an alternative or addition to any arrangement hereinbefore described, foot-operated means may be provided to permit a userto control or adjust, as appropriate. opening and closing and/or transverse adjustment ofthe control member.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, orthe accompanying drawings orthefollowing claims, expressed in their specificforms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, our a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, ora class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (37)

1. Apparatus of the kind specified wherein the outlet means comprises an aperture through which material may escape from the container and a control member releasably locatable relative to the aperture so as to determine the extent of opening permitted for the aperture.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the control member is in the form of a cover member.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 Claim 2 wherein the apparatus is provided with more than one such control or cover member, the control or cover members being interchangeable so as to permit respective different extents of opening of said aperture to be obtained using respective control or cover members.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein the outlet means comprises a plurlaity of such apertures, and different cover members permit corresponding different extents of opening for each aperture.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the cover members are constructed so as to close different numbers of apertures at different positions on the outlet means.

6. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 to 5 wherein the or each cover member is in the form of a respective strip releasably engageable with co-operating formations on the container.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein the strip is releasably engageable at its ends at or near respective opposite sides of the container.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein opposite ends and corresponding formations are formed differently on opposite sides ofthe apparatus.

9. Acontroi membersuitableforuse in apparatus in accordancewith any one of Claims 1 to 8.

10. A control member according to Claim 9 which is of plastics material.

11. Apparatus of the ki nd specified wherei n the outlet means comprises an aperture through which material may escape from the container and a control member positionally adjustable transversely of the apparatus so as to determine the extent of opening permitted for the aperture.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein the control member is adjustable between discrete preset positions, means being provided to positively retain the control member in each such position.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 12wherein said positions are calibrated.

14. Apparatus of the kind specified wherein the outlet means comprises an aperture through which material may escape from the container and a control member positionally adjustable between discrete pre-set positions relative to the aperture so as to determine the extent of opening permitted forthe aperture, and means for positively retaining the control member in each such position.

15. Apparatus according to Claim 14wherein said positions are calibrated.

16. Apparatusaccording to any one of Claims 1 to 8 or any one of Claims 11 to 15 wherein the outlet means comprises a plurality of such apertures, and the control member has an edge provided with castellations, one castellation corresponding to each aperture.

17. A castellated control member suitable for use in apparatus in accordance with Claim 16.

18. Apparatus of the kind specified comprising parts relatively movable between first and second configurations so as to change the extent of opening ofthe outlet means, such that in the first configuration the outlet means is closed and the apparatus is capable of being free-standing, whilst in the second configuration, the outlet means is open and the apparatus is movable across the grounds.

19. Apparatus according to Claim 18wherein the parts are biased towards the first configuration, for example by a spring means acting between the parts.

20. Apparatus according to Claim 18 or Claim 19 wherein the relatively movable parts are the container and ground engaging means ofthe apparatus.

21. Apparatus according to Claim 20 wherein the containerandthe ground engaging means are relatively movable angularly between said configurations.

22. Apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein such angularmovement between the parts occurs about an axis co-linearwith axes of rotation of groundengaging wheels provided on opposite sides of the container.

23. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 18 to 22 wherein the outlet means comprises an aperture or apertures in the container, and a control member in the form of a cover member associated with the ground-enngaging meanssuchthatinthefirstconfiguration, the cover member overlies and closes the or each aperture, whilst in the second configuration the cover member does not overlie the or each aperture or overlies the or each aperture to the least permitted-extent.

24. Apparatus according to Claim 20 or any one of Claims 21 to 23 where dependant on Claim 20 wherein the ground-engaging means comprises a feeler member extending downwardly and rearwardly.

25. Apparatus according to Claim 24 wherein two such feeler members are provided on opposite sides ofthe apparatus.

26. Apparatus according to Claim 25 wherein such feeler members may serve to mark boundary edges of a band on which material has been deposited.

27. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 20 to 26 wherein the ground-engaging means comprises support members extending forwardly and downwardly.

28. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 24 to 27 wherein the feeler members and the support members are integrally formed with each other at least on each side of the apparatus.

29. Apparatus according to Claim 28, and any one of Claims 1 to 8,wherein respective locating means for ends ofthe control or cover members are also integrally formed with the feeler and support members.

30. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 18 to wherein the cover member is interchangeable and a stop is provided to define, and prevent significant movement beyond, the second configuration.

31. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus is provided with two wheels on opposite sides ofthe container and a rotatable paddle extends th rough a lower portion of the containerabovethe outlet means, the paddle being co-axial with the wheels and rotating with at least one ofthe wheels.

32. Apparatus according to Claim 31 wherein the paddle is driven by one wheel only.

33. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a dismantlable elongate handle which is releasably attachable to the container.

34. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims which is of lightweight construction.

35. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 ofthe accompanying drawings,

36. Acontrol membersubstantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 of the acccompanying drawings,

37. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.