US3666178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Field-treating device
Assignee: All American Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1970-10-30
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1990-10-30
Abstract
Abstract An elongated canopy approximately 50 feet long and about 10 feet wide is driven widthwise over a field on wheels of adjustable height. Air circulating fans are mounted under the canopy along its longitudinal axis pointing in the direction of movement of the canopy. Crop-treating substances, such as wet or dry chemicals, are ejected under the canopy and intermixed with the circulating air currents. The canopy substantially confines the circulating mixture and applied substance to the portion of the field substantially under it. Adjustable auxiliary lift surfaces and air inlet means may be provided on the canopy to help support its weight above the ground or to responsively control the footprint pressure and attitude of the device. A dual canopy may thus be joined by an auxiliary lift surface. A control console is mounted on a longitudinal center of the canopy. It is rotatable for driving in both directions without turning the entire device around. A pair of tandem driving wheels are mounted in the center of the canopy and freely rotatable castered outrigger wheels are spaced on both sides of the center driving wheels.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur G Crimmins
- 👤 Donald B Doolittle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:01
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M7/00; A01M7/0089; A01M7/005; B; B60; B60G; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/40; B60G2202/42; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/40; B60G2204/423; B60G2204/4232; B60G2204/62; B60G2300/00; B60G2300/08; B60G2300/083; B60G2500/00; B60G2500/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A device for applying to a field mixtures of treating substances and air comprising a canopy extending over several rows of crops, mobile traction means connected below said canopy for traversing it over the ground, drive means connected to said device for causing it to move over the ground, a control unit connected to said drive means for guiding the direction and speed of movement of said device, distributing means for said treating substance connected to said device for ejecting said substance under said canopy, air propelling means on said device for generating air currents under said canopy and towards the portion of said field under said canopy for mixing and entraining said treating substance with said air for distribution and substantial confinement to the portion of said field substantially under said canopy, said mobile traction means being elongated to hold said canopy a substantial height above the ground, and said canopy and air propelling means being constructed and arranged for generating a substantial flow of air within and out of said canopy for causing a substantial force reaction by said canopy at said height on said mobile traction means whereby the footprint pressure and attitude of said canopy are responsively controlled.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
202 words
A device for applying to a field mixtures of treating substances and air comprising a canopy extending over several rows of crops, mobile traction means connected below said canopy for traversing it over the ground, drive means connected to said device for causing it to move over the ground, a control unit connected to said drive means for guiding the direction and speed of movement of said device, distributing means for said treating substance connected to said device for ejecting said substance under said canopy, air propelling means on said device for generating air currents under said canopy and towards the portion of said field under said canopy for mixing and entraining said treating substance with said air for distribution and substantial confinement to the portion of said field substantially under said canopy, said mobile traction means being elongated to hold said canopy a substantial height above the ground, and said canopy and air propelling means being constructed and arranged for generating a substantial flow of air within and out of said canopy for causing a substantial force reaction by said canopy at said height on said mobile traction means whereby the footprint pressure and attitude of said canopy are responsively controlled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said canopy comprises an elongated frame and a substantially air resistant sheet material upon an upper portion of said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said canopy comprises an elongated frame, a substantially air resistant sheet material upon an upper portion of said frame, air inlet openings through portions of said sheet material whereby currents of air are directed relative to said canopy whereby a substantial force reaction is generated to help control the footprint pressure and attitude of said device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control unit is connected to said canopy, and driving controls in said control unit whereby the speed and direction of movement of said device is controlled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mobile traction means comprises wheels connected below said canopy on adjustable supports for holding said canopy an adjustable distance above said field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said supports comprise telescopic rods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control unit is disposed substantially in the longitudinal center of said canopy with said canopy extending laterally on each side of said control unit, a pair of tandem outrigger wheels spaced below said canopy a distance on each side of said control unit to prevent lateral rocking of said device, and a pair of tandem driving wheels mounted beneath said control unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said control means includes driving controls, swivelling means connected to said wheels and said driving controls being connected to said swivelling means by a control linkage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said control linkage is of the hydraulic type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said canopy includes several detachable sections whereby transportation from one location to another is facilitated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a control console is included in said control unit, a storage means for said crop-treating substance is mounted on said device, and a discharge control means on said storage means and operable from said control console.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control unit includes a control console, and said control console being two-directional to permit said device to be driven in opposite directions without turning it around.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said canopy is elongated having a length extending over several rows of crops and a width of at least several feet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said drive means causes said device to move widthwise over the ground in a direction substantially perpendicular to its length.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air propelling means comprises air circulating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as set forth in claim 15 wherein said air circulating means and said canopy means are constructed and arranged to recirculate a substantial amount of said mixtures.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for applying to a field mixtures of treating substances and air comprising a canopy extending over several rows of crops, mobile traction means connected below said canopy for traversing it over the ground, drive means connected to said device for causing it to move over the ground, a control unit connected to said drive means for guiding the direction and speed of movement of said device, distributing means for said treating substance connected to said device for ejecting said substance under said canopy, air propelling means on said device for generating air currents under said canopy and towards the portion of said field under said canopy for mixing and entraining said treating substance with said air for distribution and substantial confinement to the portion of said field substantially under said canopy, and said air propelling means comprises a number of fans vertically mounted within said canopy along its longitudinal axis, and the axes of said fans being disposed normal to said longitudinal axis of said canopy.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for applying to a field mixtures of treating substances and air comprising a canopy extending over several rows of crops, mobile traction means connected below said canopy for traversing it over the ground, drive means connected to said device for causing it to move over the ground, a control unit connected to said drive means for guiding the direction and speed of movement of said device, distributing means for said treating substance connected to said device for ejecting said substance under said canopy, air propelling means on said device for generating air currents under said canopy and towards the portion of said field under said canopy for mixing and entraining said treating substance with said air for distribution and substantial confinement to the portion of said field substantially under said canopy, and said air propelling means comprises a number of fans vertically mounted within said canopy along its longitudinal axis, and the axes of said fans being disposed normal to said longitudinal axis of said canopy.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for applying to a field mixtures of treating substances and air comprising a canopy extending over several rows of crops, mobile traction means connected below said canopy for traversing it over the ground, drive means connected to said device for causing it to move over the ground, a control unit connected to said drive means for guiding the direction and speed of movement of said device, distributing means for said treating substance connected to said device for ejecting said substance under said canopy, air propelling means on said device for generating air currents under said canopy and towards the portion of said field under said canopy for mixing and entraining said treating substance with Said air for distribution and substantial confinement to the portion of said field substantially under said canopy, and an auxiliary lift surface is connected to said canopy which is constructed and arranged for reacting with said air propelling means to generate a force reaction for helping control the footprint pressure and attitude of said device.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for applying to a field mixtures of treating substances and air comprising a canopy extending over several rows of crops, mobile traction means connected below said canopy for traversing it over the ground, drive means connected to said device for causing it to move over the ground, a control unit connected to said drive means for guiding the direction and speed of movement of said device, distributing means for said treating substance connected to said device for ejecting said substance under said canopy, air propelling means on said device for generating air currents under said canopy and towards the portion of said field under said canopy for mixing and entraining said treating substance with Said air for distribution and substantial confinement to the portion of said field substantially under said canopy, and an auxiliary lift surface is connected to said canopy which is constructed and arranged for reacting with said air propelling means to generate a force reaction for helping control the footprint pressure and attitude of said device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as set forth in claim 18, wherein said auxiliary lift surface comprises plane means upon a lower portion of said canopy.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as set forth in claim 19, wherein air inlet means is disposed in a portion of said canopy for causing a current of air to react against said plane means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as set forth in claim 20 wherein said canopy includes movable sections which are constructed and arranged to form said air inlet and said plane means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as set forth in claim 18 wherein a pair of said elongated canopies are disposed one behind the other in a direction substantially normal to said canopy, and said auxiliary lift means is disposed between said canopies.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as set forth in claim 22 wherein air inlet means is disposed in said canopy for reacting against said auxiliary lift surface.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for applying to a field mixtures of treating substances and air comprising a canopy extending over several rows of crops, mobile traction means connected below said canopy for traversing it over the ground, drive means connected to said device for causing it to move over the ground, a control unit connected to said drive means for guiding the direction and speed of movement of said device, distributing means for said treating substance connected to said device for ejecting said substance under said canopy, air propelling means on said device for generating air currents under said canopy and towards the portion of said field under said canopy for mixing entraining said treating substance with said air for distribution and substantial confinement to the portion of said field substantially under said canopy, and said canopy and said air propelling means are constructed and arranged for generating a negative lifting reaction on said device to help control its attitude.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for applying to a field mixtures of treating substances and air comprising a canopy extending over several rows of crops, mobile traction means connected below said canopy for traversing it over the ground, drive means connected to said device for causing it to move over the ground, a control unit connected to said drive means for guiding the direction and speed of movement of said device, distributing means for said treating substance connected to said device for ejecting said substance under said canopy, air propelling means on said device for generating air currents under said canopy and towards the portion of said field under said canopy for mixing entraining said treating substance with said air for distribution and substantial confinement to the portion of said field substantially under said canopy, and said canopy and said air propelling means are constructed and arranged for generating a negative lifting reaction on said device to help control its attitude.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
162 words
A device for applying to a field mixtures of treating substances and air comprising a canopy extending over several rows of crops, mobile traction means connected below said canopy for tranversing it over the ground, drive means connected to said device for causing it to move over the ground, a control unit connected to said drive means for guiding the direction and speed of movement of said device, distributing means for said treating substance connected to said device for ejecting said substance under said canopy, air propelling means on said device for generating air currents under said canopy and towards the portion of said field under said canopy for mixing and entraining said treating substance with said air for distribution and substantial confinement to the portion of said field substantially under said canopy, and an auxiliary airfoil is mounted on said device relative to said air propelling means for helping control the attitude of said device by reaction with said air currents.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
162 words
A device for applying to a field mixtures of treating substances and air comprising a canopy extending over several rows of crops, mobile traction means connected below said canopy for tranversing it over the ground, drive means connected to said device for causing it to move over the ground, a control unit connected to said drive means for guiding the direction and speed of movement of said device, distributing means for said treating substance connected to said device for ejecting said substance under said canopy, air propelling means on said device for generating air currents under said canopy and towards the portion of said field under said canopy for mixing and entraining said treating substance with said air for distribution and substantial confinement to the portion of said field substantially under said canopy, and an auxiliary airfoil is mounted on said device relative to said air propelling means for helping control the attitude of said device by reaction with said air currents.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as set forth in claim 25 wherein said auxiliary airfoil is adjustable for varying its lift characteristics.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |