US3680741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fertilizer distributor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-16
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A fertilizer distributor comprising a truck-mounted storage hopper and cantilevered distributing hoppers carried on the truck at the rear end and movable between storage positions alongside the truck and operational positions projecting laterally outward from the truck. An improved drive mechanism is disclosed for powering the metering shaft mechanism in the distributing hoppers. A selectively powered central drive unit is mounted at the rear of the truck, taking power by engagement with one truck wheel. Meshing chain flights at the inner ends of the distributing hoppers automatically engage the drive unit while the distributing hoppers are in their respective operational positions. One or both distributing hoppers may be selectively powered from the common drive unit to assure an even rate of application of fertilizer across one half or the entire width of the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 James R Barber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:51
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
In combination with: a wheeled truck having a fertilizer storage hopper supported thereon; a fertilizer distributing hopper movably supported at the rear end of the truck for movement between a storage position alongside the storage hopper and an operational position protrudinG laterally outward at one side of the truck; a feed conveyor means on said truck for selectively directing fertilizer from said storage hopper to said distributing hopper; said distributing hopper including a longitudinal shaft mounted therein for rotation about the central shaft axis and protruding outward beyond the distributing hopper at the inner end thereof when in its operational position; the improvement in means for powering said shaft, comprising: driven means mounted to the inner end of said distributing hopper operatively connected to said shaft; powered drive means mounted on said truck at the rear end thereof, said powered drive means being located on said truck at a position intersecting the path of said driven means as the distributing hopper is moved from its storage position to its operational position, said drive means being operatively engaged by said driven means only when the distributing hopper is at its operational position; said powered drive means comprising: a sprocket mounted to said truck for rotation about a transverse axis; a power connection operatively driving said sprocket about said axis; said driven means comprising a yieldable chain flight mounted on said distributing hopper drivingly connected to said shaft, said flight being in meshed driving engagement with said sprocket only when the distributing hopper is at its operational position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
In combination with: a wheeled truck having a fertilizer storage hopper supported thereon; a fertilizer distributing hopper movably supported at the rear end of the truck for movement between a storage position alongside the storage hopper and an operational position protrudinG laterally outward at one side of the truck; a feed conveyor means on said truck for selectively directing fertilizer from said storage hopper to said distributing hopper; said distributing hopper including a longitudinal shaft mounted therein for rotation about the central shaft axis and protruding outward beyond the distributing hopper at the inner end thereof when in its operational position; the improvement in means for powering said shaft, comprising: driven means mounted to the inner end of said distributing hopper operatively connected to said shaft; powered drive means mounted on said truck at the rear end thereof, said powered drive means being located on said truck at a position intersecting the path of said driven means as the distributing hopper is moved from its storage position to its operational position, said drive means being operatively engaged by said driven means only when the distributing hopper is at its operational position; said powered drive means comprising: a sprocket mounted to said truck for rotation about a transverse axis; a power connection operatively driving said sprocket about said axis; said driven means comprising a yieldable chain flight mounted on said distributing hopper drivingly connected to said shaft, said flight being in meshed driving engagement with said sprocket only when the distributing hopper is at its operational position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
257 words
In combination with: a wheeled truck having a fertilizer storage hopper supported thereon; a fertilizer distributing hopper movably supported at the rear end of the truck for movement between a storage position alongside the storage hopper and an operational position protruding laterally outward at one side of the truck; feed conveyor means on said truck for selectively directing fertilizer from said storage hopper to said distributing hopper; said distributing hopper including a longitudinal shaft mounted therein for rotation about the central shaft axis and protruding outward beyond the distributing hopper at the inner end thereof when in its operational position; the improvement in means for powering said shaft, comprising: driven means mounted to the inner end of said distributing hopper operatively connected to said shaft; powered drive means mounted on said truck at the rear end thereof, said powered drive means being located on said truck at a position intersecting the path of said driven means as the distributing hopper is moved from its storage position to its operational position, said drive means being operatively engaged by said driven means only when the distributing hopper is at its operational position; said powered drive means comprising: a sprocket mounted to said truck for rotation about a transverse axis; a power connection releasably interposed between one truck wheel and said sprocket; said driven means comprising a yieldable chain flight mounted on said distributing hopper drivingly connected to said shaft, said flight being in meshed driving engagement with said sprocket only when the distributing hopper is at its operational position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
257 words
In combination with: a wheeled truck having a fertilizer storage hopper supported thereon; a fertilizer distributing hopper movably supported at the rear end of the truck for movement between a storage position alongside the storage hopper and an operational position protruding laterally outward at one side of the truck; feed conveyor means on said truck for selectively directing fertilizer from said storage hopper to said distributing hopper; said distributing hopper including a longitudinal shaft mounted therein for rotation about the central shaft axis and protruding outward beyond the distributing hopper at the inner end thereof when in its operational position; the improvement in means for powering said shaft, comprising: driven means mounted to the inner end of said distributing hopper operatively connected to said shaft; powered drive means mounted on said truck at the rear end thereof, said powered drive means being located on said truck at a position intersecting the path of said driven means as the distributing hopper is moved from its storage position to its operational position, said drive means being operatively engaged by said driven means only when the distributing hopper is at its operational position; said powered drive means comprising: a sprocket mounted to said truck for rotation about a transverse axis; a power connection releasably interposed between one truck wheel and said sprocket; said driven means comprising a yieldable chain flight mounted on said distributing hopper drivingly connected to said shaft, said flight being in meshed driving engagement with said sprocket only when the distributing hopper is at its operational position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 2 further comprising: a releasable latch operatively connected between the truck and said distributing hopper for selectively fixing said distributing hopper in its operational position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |