WO1995005066A1

WO1995005066A1 - Centrifugal combination sprayer/cutter apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1995005066A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/007572
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucas Domingue, Jr.
Original assignee: Domingue Lucas Jr
Priority date: 1992-02-04
Filing date: 1993-08-12
Publication date: 1995-02-23

Abstract

An apparatus or system for delivering a pesticide spray to a predetermined area, which includes a container (18) for the pesticide to be delivered; a spraying portion, further including a substantially circular rotating member (40) positioned on a central rotating axis; an upper circular shield (50) positioned above and extending beyond the outer perimeter edge (45) of the rotating member (4); a nozzle (67) for injecting a quantity of pesticide onto the rotating member (40); a splash guard (52) on the circular shield (50) for directing the spray from the edge of the rotating member (40) to the area of weeds below the shield (50) covering the rotating member (40); and a powered device (14) for moving the spraying member (12) along the weeds to be sprayed, and for delivering the quantity of pesticide to the weeds. The apparatus may further include a rotating blade for cutting the weeds as the spray of pesticide is delivered beneath the circular shield (50).

Description

APPLICATION FOR PATENT

Centrifugal Combination Sprayer /Cutter Apparatus

SPECIFICATION:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: l. Field Of The Invention:

The apparatus of the present invention relates to weed control. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus or system for controlling weeds by introducing a spray of pesticide, such as fertilizers and/or insecticide, or herbicide, beneath a cover, such as a backcutter, during the cutting of the weeds.

2. General Background:

In the art of weed control with the use of pesticides, it has become a grave concern of environmentalists, and of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) itself, that the spraying of pesticides, which commonly includes insecticides, herbicides and/or fertilizers, to control or eradicate weed growth must be done in a very controlled environment, and with the use of only certain approved pesticides. For example, one area which is a great concern is the control of weed growth along highways. In the past, the task was achieved simply, but somewhat expensively, by spraying the weed growth as a supplement or in the place of cutting the weed growth along the highway, or in the medians between divided highways. This mode of weed control has proven to be unsuitable because of the toxic nature of certain pesticides to surrounding plant and animal growth, and because when the pesticides are sprayed from conventional nozzle sprayers, at the end of a hose or the like, the wind tended to carry the vaporized spray into the highway path itself, which no only created a potential health hazard to passin motorists, but also, may have caused property damage to th vehicles on the highway. Therefore, the EPA has developed stringent guideline both in the types of pesticides that may be used, and i addition, to the manner in which they may be delivered Even with the approved pesticides being used, th application of the pesticide must avoid the movement of th pesticide from the area being sprayed, and must be confine to that area. Therefore, there is need for a means t apply the pesticide which will provide the intended result, and yet, may be within the reasonable costs in order t carry out the use. Other objects of the invention will be obvious t those skilled in the art from the following description o the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION: The apparatus of the present invention solves th shortcomings in the art in a simple and straightforwar manner. What is provided is an apparatus or system fo delivering a pesticide spray to a predetermined area, whic includes a container for the pesticide to be delivered; a spraying portion, further including a substantially circular rotating member positioned on a central rotating axis; an upper circular shield positioned above and extending beyond the outer perimeter edge of the rotating member; a channel formed along the outer edge of the rotating member, with openings for the distribution of pesticide from the channel; a nozzle for injecting a guantity of pesticide onto the rotating member; a splash guard on the circular shield for directing the gpray from the edge of the rotating member to the area of weeds below the shield covering the rotating member; and a powered device for moving the spraying member along the weeds to be sprayed, and for delivering the guantity of pesticide t the weeds. The apparatus may further include a rotating blade for cutting the weeds as the spray of pesticide is delivered beneath the circular shield. Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a system for delivering a pesticide to a confined area of weed growth while the delivery system is moved along the ground;

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for spraying pesticide which eliminates the consideration of outside wind factors disturbing the spray pattern; .•

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pesticide spray system which delivers spray to a confined area, and which would allow for cutting of the weed growth simultaneously, so as to eliminate the time and cost of cutting apart from the spraying of the pesticide;

It is a further object of the present invention to provide pesticide spray system which would deliver spray to a confined area and minimizes the drift exposure to outside environment;

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pesticide spray system and method to reduce skips in spraying by physical indicators of what has been mechanically cut and sprayed; and

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pesticide delivery system, which includes a precise calibrated application of pesticide being sprayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 illustrates an overall side view of the preferred embodiment of the system of the presen invention;

FIGURE 2 illustrates an overall partial, exploded vie of the cutting and spraying assembly in the preferre _.r..bodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 illustrates a partial view of the nozzl system delivering pesticide to the cutting and sprayin assembly of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 illustrates a cross section view of th perimeter edge of the circular sprayer of the presen invention;

FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate in cross section view th view of the sprayer system of the present invention durin the spraying process; and FIGURE 7 illustrates a representational view of th relationship between components in the cutting and spraye assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT: FIGURES 1 through 6 illustrate the preferre embodiment of the present invention by the numeral 10. A illustrated, apparatus 10 would comprise the genera components of a spraying and/or cutting means 12, whic would be pulled by a power means 14, such as a tractor. The tractor 15 would be a typical small tractor hich woul be driven along the ground, pulling the cutting means 12.

As seen in the overall side view in FIGURE 1, th tractor 15 would also carry a container 16 which would b filled with a typical liguid pesticide 18, approved by the EPA, preferably, in the front of the tractor 15, as illustrated. As further seen, there is provided a pesticide line 20, from the container 16 to the cutting/spraying means 12 which would be positioned at the rear of the tractor 15. As illustrated, the cutting/spraying means 12 is a modified cutter which is common in cutting weeds along highways and other large land areas, for weed control, commonly referred to in the art a a " bushhog" or "batwing" cutter, which cuts broa stretches of grass along highway medians or the like.

In general, as illustrated cutting/spraying means 12 as seen in FIGURE 1 would comprise a connection arm 22 connected to tractor 15, on the front end and a wheel 24 on the rear end for keeping the cutting/spraying means 1 lifted off the ground below. Further, there is illustrate a drive rod 26 extending from the rear power assembly o tractor 15 for imparting rotation to rod 26 to a gea assembly 28 mounted on top of cutting/spraying means 12, s that the rotation of rod 26 would in turn impart vertica rotation to shaft 30 for rotating the cutting/sprayin assembly which will be discussed further. For purposes of clarity, the delivery of the pesticide from the containe 16 to the cutting/spraying means 12 would be powered by the tractor 15, and would be regulated by the driver of th tractor, or through an automatic regulating system, know in the art. FIGURES 2 through 6 illustrate the spraying/power means 12 in detail, and the functioning of the system 12. As illustrated in FIGURE 2 in particular, means 12 would comprise a first rotating circular member 40 having a central bore 42 therein for being positioned on the shaft 30, through threaded member 44, so that rotation of shaft 30 would impart rotation to circular member 40. Circular member 40 would further comprise a reinforcing plate 46, which would secure a pair of cutting blades 48 positioned substantially 180 degrees apart, so that the blades would rotate to cut weeds or the like. Furthermore, there would be provided an overhead circular shield means 50 which would be spaced apart from the rotating cutting blades 48, and would include a perimeter guard means 52 so as to provide that as the weeds are cut by blades 48, the upper shield means 50 directs the cuttings downward long the circular path of the perimeter guard 52. The aforesaid description of the cutting assembly 12 would be guit typical to cutting devices already known in the art.

However, as seen in the FIGURES 2 through 6, th cutting means 12 has been redesigned to include the ne combination of the present invention. As illustrated, th present invention would further comprise a means 60 fo delivering a certain, predetermined guantity of ligui pesticide (arrows 62) into undercarriage 61 of cuttin means 12. The pesticide would be delivered from tank 1 through line 20 into an electric solenoid valve 64 whic would be mounted onto the upper wall 66 of undercarriag

61. Solenoid valve 64 would be controlled by the operato of the tractor, and would allow pesticide through the lin 20 and into a delivery channel 67 when the valve was placed in the open position, through which the predetermined measured amount of pesticide would flow as seen by arrows

62. As seen in FIGURE 5, the valve 64 would be mounted off center and apart from the central shaft 30, so that the pesticide is directed to the circular member 40 upon which blades 48 are mounted. Circular member 40, as seen in cross section view in FIGURE 4 would comprises a generally flat floor portion 41 with an upturned outer perimeter portion 43. The outer portion 43 would further comprise a turned in lip 45, for defining a channel 47 around the perimeter edge of member 40, serving as a means for blocking the indiscriminate flow of pesticide off of the outer edge of circular member 40, as it rotates.

As seen in FIGURE 2, in overall, exploded view, the lip 45 would be provided with a pair of spaced apart openings 70, each of which are separated approximately 180 degrees apart. As the member 40 is rotated during the cutting action, the pesticide delivered via the delivery system, would, through centripetal force collect in the channel 47, and when the flow of pesticide along lip 45 would reach either opening 70, the pesticide would be sprayed out through opening 70. FIGURE 6 clearly illustrates the direction of flow taken by pesticide durin rotation. As pesticide 18 flows through openings 70, i would make contact with the under face 69 of shield mean 50. Shield 50 forms a continuous annular shield over th rotating member 40, and, as illustrated, would exten outward so that the outer edge 51 of shield 50 woul terminate at a point near a the upper face of blades 48, a that point along blades 48 which comprise the upturned rea edge 49, previously defined. The reason for this will b explained further.

The process of delivering the flow of pesticide 1 during the use of the system is quite unique. A illustrated in the Figures, the container 16 mounted on th front of tractor 15 would, as previously stated, contain certain amount of pesticide 18 to be sprayed. Th operator, through the use of electronic or eve computerized delivery systems would activate a pump on th tractor 15 to pump the pesticide through line 20 to th delivery system. The pesticide would then enter valve 64, which woul include a downward spout 65 for delivering pesticide int the undercarriage 61 of the modified "bush hog." The delivery of the pesticide would take place during the cutting process. As discussed, when delivered, the pesticide stream would make contact with the upper face of shield member 40, and due to the centripetal force, would immediately flow on shield 40 and be collected within the channel 47 formed by lip member 45. The pesticide would then reach one of the two openings 70 in lip 45 and would be sprayed, from the force of the rotating member 40, upward and outwardly in the direction of arrows 72, and would encounter upper shield member 50. The pesticide would flow along the under face 69 of upper shield member 50 and would be sprayed from its outer edge, where in turn, the pesticide spray would make contact with the grass confined beneath the undercarriage to be treated. There are two important points to be discuss regarding the means to deliver and spray the pesticide. is critical that the space between the outer edge 51 shield 50 be a precise distance from blade members 4 during their rotation, so as to define a very narrow trav space for the pesticide between the blades and the shie

50. This will avoid any carrying of the pesticide spr leaving shield 50 upward into the air and out of t confines of undercarriage 61, which could environmentally detrimental. This would further minimiz the air disturbance caused by the cutting edge of th blade, and reduce the influx of grass cuttings inside th shielded area for achieving a better spray pattern.

Secondly, and as seen in FIGURE 7 the distance an position of each of the openings 70 in circular member 4 is critical. As the blades are rotated, the pesticide i sprayed from openings 70. The pesticide,which is "flung outward by the circular movement of member 40 (see arrow

74) , makes contact with the passage of the next blade a cutting edge 53, which would be aligned with the upturne edge 49 of the blade, so that pesticide is not collected o the blade itself. This position along the circular membe

40 can be calculated depending on the size of the circula member, and the rotation speed of the blades during cuttin process.

Although the discussion of the present invention ha been primarily addressed to "bushhogs" and "batwing cutters, the delivery system could be constructed so as t accommodate any rotary cutter, even lawn mowers, where th blades are rotating within a confined undercarriage. Th basic principles of the system would be the same, so tha the simultaneous cutting and pesticide treatment of particular area could be undertaken.

Parts List apparatus 10 spraying/cutting means 12 power means 14 tractor 15 container 16 pesticide 18 pesticide line 20 connection arm 22 wheel 24 drive rod 26 gear assembly 28 shaft 30 circular member 40 central bore 42 threaded member 44 reinforcing plate 46 cutting blades 48 upturned edge 49 shield means 50 outer edge 51 under face 69 outer edge 55 perimeter guard 52 delivery means 60 arrows 62 undercarriage 61 electric shut-off solenoid valve 64 downward spout 65 upper wall 66 delivery channel 67 floor portion 41 outer portion 43 lip 45 channel 47 opening 70 arrows 72 arrows 74 cutting edge 53

Because many varying and different embodiments may made within the scope of the inventive concept here taught, and because many modifications may be made in t embodiments herein detailed in accordance with t descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understo that the details herein are to be interpreted illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A system for cutting and spraying foliage, comprising; a) a closed-wall undercarriage; b) a blade rotatably mounted within th undercarriage for cutting grass or the like when rotated; c) a pesticide; d) means for delivering a specified quantity of said pesticide into a collection area within the closed- wall undercarriage while the blade is rotated; e) channel means associated with the collection area for collecting the pesticide delivered onto the collection area; f) openings in the channel means positioned so that the pesticide is sprayed through the openings as a result of the rotation of the blade; and g) shield means, positioned above the rotating blade to define a means for collecting the sprayed pesticide to deliver the pesticide to the grass beneath the undercarriage.

2. The apparatus in Claim 1, further comprising a tractor or vehicle for pulling the apparatus along the ground.

3. The apparatus in Claim 1, wherein the undercarriage and blade assembly are a modified bushhog assembly.

4. The apparatus in Claim 1, wherein the collection means further comprises a circular plate supporting the blade as the blade is mounted and rotated.

5. The apparatus in Claim 1, wherein the channel means is further defined by an upturned lip along the outer edge of the collection means.

6. The apparatus in Claim 1, wherein the shield means further comprises an annular place secured to the upper wall of the undercarriage extending downward to define a narrow space between the edge of the annular plate and the rotating blade for the flowing pesticide to trav as it is delivered to the grass below.

7. The apparatus in Claim 6, wherein the trav space between the plate and the blade minimizes the a disturbance of pesticides caused by the cutting edge of t blade, and reduces the influx of grass cuttings inside t shielded area for achieving a better spray pattern.

8. A system for cutting and spraying foliag comprising; a) a cutting assembly, including a closed wa undercarriage; b) blade members rotatably mounted upon annular member within the undercarriage for cutting gra or the like when the member is rotated; c) a pesticide; d) means for delivering a specified guantity o said pesticide onto the upper face of the annular membe within the closed-wall undercarriage while the blades ar rotated; e) channel means formed on the outer edge o the annular member for collecting the pesticide delivere onto the upper face of the annular member while the membe is rotated; f) openings in the channel means positioned s that the pesticide is sprayed through the openings as result of the rotation of the annular member during th cutting process; and g) shield means, positioned above the rotatin blades to define a means for collecting the spraye pesticide to deliver the pesticide to the grass beneath th undercarriage.

9. The apparatus in Claim 8, further comprising tractor or vehicle for pulling the apparatus along th ground.

10. The apparatus in Claim 8, wherein th undercarriage and blade assembly are a modified bushho assembly.

11. The apparatus in Claim 8, wherein the annula member further comprises a means supporting the blades a the blades are rotated during cutting.

12. The apparatus in Claim 8, wherein the channe means is formed by an upturned lip along the outer edge o the annular member.

13. The apparatus in Claim 8, wherein the shiel means further comprises an annular plate secured to th upper wall of the undercarriage extending downward t define a narrow space between the edge of the annular plat and the rotating blades for the flowing pesticide to trave as it is delivered to the grass below.

14. The apparatus in Claim 8, wherein the trave space between the plate and the blades eliminates pesticid from being sprayed out of the confines of the undercarriag walls.

15. The apparatus in Claim 8, wherein the position o each of the openings in the channel wall is a distance fro where the blades are mounted on the annular member so tha depending on the rotation speed of the blades, the spraye pesticide sprayed from the channels makes contact with th next rotation of the blade at the tip end of each of th blade members to more evenly distribute the pesticide t the grass being cut within the undercarriage space.

16. A system ^■ for cutting grass and delivering pesticide to the grass being cut, the system comprising: a) a cutting assembly further comprising a rotatable blade within an undercarriage, the rotatabl blade confined within the walls of the undercarriage; b) power means for driving the rotation of the blade during the cutting process; c) a system for delivering a guantity of pesticide into the space defined within the walls of the undercarriage during the rotation of the cutting blades; d) an annular member upon which the rotating blades are mounted which would received the liqu pesticide as it enters the undercarriage space; e) openings in an outer channel formed alo the outer edge of the annular member for allowing th pesticide to spray outward from the channels durin rotation of the annular member; and f) shield means, positioned above the annula member, and extending outward beyond the annular member t a point defining a narrow fluid passage between the blad and the shield means, for the sprayed pesticide to trave into the area to be sprayed.

17. The system in Claim 16, wherein the position o each of the openings in the channel wall is a distance fro where the blades are mounted on the annular member so tha depending on the rotation speed of the blade, the spraye pesticide sprayed from the channels makes contact with th next rotation of the blade at the tip end of each of th blade members to more evenly distribute the pesticide t the grass being cut within the undercarriage space.