US3683547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-centering spraying apparatus
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1971-02-11
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1991-02-11
Abstract
Abstract An improved crop spraying apparatus, particularly adapted for spraying tobacco plants, is suspended for lateral movement from the boom of a self propelled mobil sprayer having a built-in tank and pump for supplying a spray nozzle on the spraying apparatus. The spraying apparatus is suspended from the boom by a selfcentering linkage which includes oppositely disposed sensing elements, preferably in the form of curved surfaces forming a converging-diverging channel. The sensing elements are designed to contact the leaves on opposite sides of successive plants in a continuous row of tobacco plants. The sensing elements are displaced laterally on contacting a misaligned plant which is translated into lateral movement of the pivoted linkage to center the spray nozzle over the top of each plant in the row so that liquid is sprayed downwardly from the nozzle over the center of the plant stalk.
Inventors
- 👤 Kendall L Harden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:57
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/09; A01M; A01M7/00; A01M7/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S56/00; Y10S56/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A self-centering spraying apparatus comprising: a. a pair of oppositely disposed sensing elements mounted in spaced relationship on a linkage mechanism adapted for attachment to a vehicle, said sensing elements having surfaces for making contact with leaves projecting from opposite sides of a plant stalk as the spraying apparatus is moved forward, b. means supporting said linkage mechanism, said means permitting lateral movement of said linkage mechanism in response to any shift in the relative lateral position of said sensing elements, c. at least one spray nozzle mounted on said linkage mechanism vertically above and intermediate said sensing elements such that lateral movement of said sensing elements is translated to said spray nozzle by said linkage mechanism whereby the spray nozzle is positioned centrally over a plant stalk in response to the lateral displacement of the sensing elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A self-centering spraying apparatus comprising: a. a pair of oppositely disposed sensing elements mounted in spaced relationship on a linkage mechanism adapted for attachment to a vehicle, said sensing elements having surfaces for making contact with leaves projecting from opposite sides of a plant stalk as the spraying apparatus is moved forward, b. means supporting said linkage mechanism, said means permitting lateral movement of said linkage mechanism in response to any shift in the relative lateral position of said sensing elements, c. at least one spray nozzle mounted on said linkage mechanism vertically above and intermediate said sensing elements such that lateral movement of said sensing elements is translated to said spray nozzle by said linkage mechanism whereby the spray nozzle is positioned centrally over a plant stalk in response to the lateral displacement of the sensing elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A self-centering spraying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said sensing elements comprises a smooth curved surface having a principal radius of curvature, the axis of which is substantially a straight line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A self-centering spraying apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sensing elements are mounted such that their surfaces form a converging-diverging channel through which the plant passes and wherein said spray nozzle is mounted substantially over the throat of said converging-diverging channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A self-centering spraying apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the surface of said sensing elements in a vertical plane are inclined downwardly and inwardly so that the axis of their principal radius of curvature is at an angle of about 30* with respect to the axis of the plant stalk.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A self-centering spraying apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the surface of said sensing elements in a vertical plane are inclined downwardly and inwardly so that the axis of their principal radius of curvature is at an angle of about 30* with respect to the axis of the plant stalk.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A self-centering spraying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensing elements are mounted such that their surfaces form a converging-diverging channel through which the plant passes and wherein said spray nozzle is mounted substantially over the throat of said converging-diverging channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A self-centering spraying apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the surface of said sensing elements in a vertical plane are inclined downwardly and inwardly so that the axis of their principal radius of curvature is at an angle of about 30* with respect to the axis of the plant stalk.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A self-centering spraying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the surface of said sensing elements in a vertical plane are inclined downwardly and inwardly so that the axis of their principal radius of curvature is at an angle of about 30* with respect to the axis of the plant stalk.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1188131A
Cited
US1543021A
Cited
FR837328A
Cited
US2301213A
Cited
US2966880A
Cited
US3445961A
Cited
US3412938A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |