Aerial spraying device

Claim 2

In combination with an aerial craft, a unit for spraying agricultural chemicals, comprising at least one stiff, elongated conduit mounted forwardly of and in parallel alignment with the fuselage of an aerial craft, means disposed at the outboard extremity of said conduit for distributing the chemicals, means for attaching the inboard extremity of said conduit to an aerial craft, said attaching means allowing substantial vertical pivotal movement of the conduit up and down with relation to the aerial craft, means effecting said vertical movement with relation to the aerial craft, means supporting said last mentioned means fixedly extending forwardly of said aerial craftsaid movement effecting means being adapted to allow elevation of the conduit upon contact with the ground, means for controlling flow of the agricultural chemicals to said conduit.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 in combination with another stiff elongated conduit joined in substantially parallel alignment to said one stiff elongated conduit.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 2 wherein said flow controlling means comprises a single solenoid valve for concentrating flow to a single one of said conduits.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 1 i which said conduit attaching means comprises a pivot shaft mounted ventrally of an aerial craft.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 1 in which said distributing means disposed at the outboard extremity of said conduit comprises a spray nozzle.

Claim 7

A unit for spraying agricultural chemicals, comprising a least one stiff elongated conduit, means disposed at the outboard extremity of said conduit for distributing the chemicals means for attaching the inboard extremity of said conduit to an aerial craft, said attaching means allowing substantially vertical pivotal movement of the conduit up and down with relation to the aerial craft, means effecting said vertical movement with relation to the aerial craft, said movement effecting means being adapted to allow elevation of the conduit upon contact with the ground, means for controlling flow of the agricultural chemicals to said conduit and stabilizing means affording lateral stability to the conduits, said stabilizing means comprising a rigid frame mounted above the landing gear but below the fuselage of the aerial craft, said frame having right and left portions disposed outwardly on respective sides of the center line of the fuselage cable, more than one guide attached to said respective portions, right and left cable runs running through respective said guides, said cable runs having lower ends attached to said conduits, and upper ends connected together at a point, a single cable having a first end connected to said point and means attached to the aerial craft for taking up and paying out said run.

Claim 8

A unit for spraying agricultural chemicals, comprising a least one stiff elongated conduit, means disposed at the outboard extremity of said conduit for distributing the chemicals means for attaching the inboard extremity of said conduit to an aerial craft, said attaching means allowing substantially vertical pivotal movement of the conduit up and down with relation to the aerial craft, means effecting said vertical movement with relation to the aerial craft, said movement effecting means being adapted to allow elevation of the conduit upon contact with the ground, means for controlling flow of the agricultural chemicals to said conduit and stabilizing means affording lateral stability to the conduits, said stabilizing means comprising a rigid frame mounted above the landing gear but below the fuselage of the aerial craft, said frame having right and left portions disposed outwardly on respective sides of the center line of the fuselage cable, more than one guide attached to said respective portions, right and left cable runs running through respective said guides, said cable runs having lower ends attached to said conduits, and upper ends connected together at a point, a single cable having a first end connected to said point and means attached to the aerial craft for taking up and paying out said run.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 6 wherein said cable taking up and paying out means comprises a winch for receiving therearound a single cable run, a motor for rotatably driving said winch, an electric circuit for energizing said motor and having a conductor active only when said motor is energized to take up said single run, a switch having normally closed contacts in series with said conductor, said switch having an actuating arm being disposed on the ventral surface of the aerial craft in the path of movement of said conduit so that the motor circuit is opened when the conduit reaches an upper position.

Claim 10

A unit for spraying agriCultural chemicals, comprising at least one stiff elongated conduit, means disposed at the outboard extremity of said conduit for distributing the chemicals, means for attaching the inboard extremity of said conduit to an aerial craft, said attaching means allowing substantially vertical pivotal movement of the conduit up and down with relation to the aerial craft, means effecting said vertical movement of the conduit up and down with relation to the aerial craft, said movement effecting means being adapted to allow elevation of the conduit upon contact with the ground, means for controlling flow of the agricultural chemicals to said conduit, said spraying unit including: reinforcing means permitting collapse of the boom on accidental impact yet maintaining rigidity of the conduit, said reinforcing means comprising a cable attached to either end of said conduit, braces mounted medially of and perpendicular to said conduit, said braces tensioning said cable and spacing it from said conduit, while mounted on the top side thereof.

Claim 11

A unit for spraying agriCultural chemicals, comprising at least one stiff elongated conduit, means disposed at the outboard extremity of said conduit for distributing the chemicals, means for attaching the inboard extremity of said conduit to an aerial craft, said attaching means allowing substantially vertical pivotal movement of the conduit up and down with relation to the aerial craft, means effecting said vertical movement of the conduit up and down with relation to the aerial craft, said movement effecting means being adapted to allow elevation of the conduit upon contact with the ground, means for controlling flow of the agricultural chemicals to said conduit, said spraying unit including: reinforcing means permitting collapse of the boom on accidental impact yet maintaining rigidity of the conduit, said reinforcing means comprising a cable attached to either end of said conduit, braces mounted medially of and perpendicular to said conduit, said braces tensioning said cable and spacing it from said conduit, while mounted on the top side thereof.