Patent US4013224A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4013224A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Material spreader
Assignee: VCI CAPITAL Inc
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Filing: 1975-09-22
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Granted: 1977-03-22
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Expires: 1995-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A liquid manure spreader having a tank for carrying liquid manure. An auger assembly driven by a power takeoff from a tractor delivers the manure to a pump mounted on the back of the tank. The pump discharges the material through a spreading structure. A valve operated by a hydraulic cylinder controls the flow of manure from the pump to the spreading structure. The spreading structure has a horizontal plate that directs the material in a wide, relatively low spread pattern onto the ground. The tank has a fill hole equipped with a safety grid assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas M. Carter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:04
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C23/00; A01C23/008; A01C23/001; A01C23/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for spreading material, as liquid manure, onto a location comprising: a tank having a top wall and a chamber for holding material, wheel means for supporting the tank whereby the tank can be moved over the ground, an upright tubular wall secured to the top wall of the tank, said tubular wall having a portion extended down from the top wall into the chamber and a passage open at one end to the chamber and open at the other end outside of the tank whereby material can be placed in the chamber through said passage, said portion having a lower edge located below the top wall, open grid means secured to the tubular member and extended across said passage in general alignment with the lower edge of the portion of the tubular wall operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, fastening means for connecting the open grid means to the tubular wall, and means for removing material from the chamber and spreading the material onto a location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for spreading material, as liquid manure, onto a location comprising: a tank having a top wall and a chamber for holding material, wheel means for supporting the tank whereby the tank can be moved over the ground, an upright tubular wall secured to the top wall of the tank, said tubular wall having a portion extended down from the top wall into the chamber and a passage open at one end to the chamber and open at the other end outside of the tank whereby material can be placed in the chamber through said passage, said portion having a lower edge located below the top wall, open grid means secured to the tubular member and extended across said passage in general alignment with the lower edge of the portion of the tubular wall operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, fastening means for connecting the open grid means to the tubular wall, and means for removing material from the chamber and spreading the material onto a location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said means for removing the material from the chamber and spreading the material onto a location includes a pump mounted on the tank, said pump having a material discharge outlet, a valve assembly mounted on said material discharge outlet, power means mounted on the valve assembly operable to open and close the valve assembly, and a spreading assembly mounted on said valve assembly for receiving material flowing through the valve assembly and spreading the material onto a location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the open grid means includes a plurality of legs attached to the grid structure, said fastening means attaching the legs to the tubular wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said open grid means includes a plurality of generally upright legs and grid structure secured to lower portions of the legs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: the grid structure comprises a plurality of spaced side-by-side first rods and a plurality of spaced side-by-side second rods, said second rods being normally disposed relative to the first rods.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: each leg has an inwardly directed foot at the end thereof, said grid structure being secured to each foot.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
233 words
An apparatus for spreading material, as liquid manure, onto a location comprising: a tank having a top wall and a chamber for holding material, wheel means for supporting the tank whereby the tank can be moved over the ground, an upright tubular wall secured to the top wall of the tank, said tubular wall has a first portion extended down from the top wall into the chamber and a second portion projected upwardly from the top wall, said first portion having a lower edge located below the top wall, said tubular wall having a passage open at one end to the chamber and open to the other end outside the tank whereby material can be placed in the chamber through said passage, open grid means secured to the tubular member and extended across that passage operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, said open grid means having grid structure located generally in alignment with the lower edge across the lower open end of the passage, and a plurality of generally upright legs, said grid structure being secured to lower portions of the legs, said legs having upper ends located adjacent said second portion of the tubular wall, and means attaching said upper ends of the legs to the second portion of the tubular wall, and means for removing material from the chamber and spreading the material onto a location.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
233 words
An apparatus for spreading material, as liquid manure, onto a location comprising: a tank having a top wall and a chamber for holding material, wheel means for supporting the tank whereby the tank can be moved over the ground, an upright tubular wall secured to the top wall of the tank, said tubular wall has a first portion extended down from the top wall into the chamber and a second portion projected upwardly from the top wall, said first portion having a lower edge located below the top wall, said tubular wall having a passage open at one end to the chamber and open to the other end outside the tank whereby material can be placed in the chamber through said passage, open grid means secured to the tubular member and extended across that passage operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, said open grid means having grid structure located generally in alignment with the lower edge across the lower open end of the passage, and a plurality of generally upright legs, said grid structure being secured to lower portions of the legs, said legs having upper ends located adjacent said second portion of the tubular wall, and means attaching said upper ends of the legs to the second portion of the tubular wall, and means for removing material from the chamber and spreading the material onto a location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: the grid structure comprises a plurality of spaced side-by-side first rods and a plurality of spaced side-by-side second rods, said second rods being normally disposed relative to the first rods.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: each leg has an inwardly directed foot at the lower end thereof, said grid structure being secured to each foot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 including: cover means adapted to close the upper end of the passage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said means for removing the material from the chamber and spreading the material onto a location includes a pump mounted on the tank, said pump having a material discharge outlet, a valve assembly mounted on said material discharge outlet, power means mounted on the valve assembly operable to open and close the valve assembly, and a spreading assembly mounted on said valve assembly for receiving material flowing through the valve assembly and spreading the material onto a location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 11 including: arm means extended from the valve assembly and means attaching the power means to the arm means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: said power means is a double acting fluid cylinder.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for carrying material, as liquids, semi-liquids, particulate matter and the like, comprising: a tank having a top wall and a chamber for holding material, a tubular wall secured to the top wall of the tank, said tubular wall having a lower end open to the chamber and a passage open at the lower end to the chamber and open at the other end outside of the tank whereby material can be placed in the chamber through said pssage, open grid means extended across said passage in general alignment with the lower end of the tubular wall operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, and fastening means for connecting the open grid means to the tubular wall.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for carrying material, as liquids, semi-liquids, particulate matter and the like, comprising: a tank having a top wall and a chamber for holding material, a tubular wall secured to the top wall of the tank, said tubular wall having a lower end open to the chamber and a passage open at the lower end to the chamber and open at the other end outside of the tank whereby material can be placed in the chamber through said pssage, open grid means extended across said passage in general alignment with the lower end of the tubular wall operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, and fastening means for connecting the open grid means to the tubular wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: said tubular wall having a first portion extended down from the top wall into the chamber and a second portion extended upwardly from the top wall, said first portion having a lower edge located below the top wall, said open grid means having grid structure located generally in alignment with the lower edge across the lower open end of the passage, said fastening means securing the open grid means to the second portion of the tubular member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: the open grid means includes a plurality of legs attached to the grid structure, said fastening means attaching the legs to the second portion of the tubular wall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: said open grid means includes a plurality of generally upright legs and grid structure secured to lower portions of the legs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: the grid structure comprises a plurality of spaced side-by-side first rods and a plurality of spaced side-by-side second rods, said second rods being normally disposed relative to the first rods.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: each leg has an inwardly directed foot at the end thereof, said grid structure being secured to each foot.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus for carrying material, as liquids, semi-liquids, particulate matter and the like, comprising: a tank having a top wall and a chamber for holding material, a tubular wall secured to the top wall of the tank, said tubular wall having a first portion extended down from the top wall into the chamber and a second portion projected upwardly from the top wall, said first portion having a lower edge located below the top wall, said tubular wall having a passage open at one end to the chamber and open at the other end outside of the tank whereby material can be placed in the chamber through said passage, open grid means extended across said passage operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, said open grid means having grid structure located generally in alignment with the lower edge across the lower open end of the passage, and a plurality of generally upright legs, said grid structure being secured to lower portions of the legs, said legs having upper ends located adjacent said second portion of the tubular wall, and means attaching said upper ends of the legs to the second portion of the tubular wall.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus for carrying material, as liquids, semi-liquids, particulate matter and the like, comprising: a tank having a top wall and a chamber for holding material, a tubular wall secured to the top wall of the tank, said tubular wall having a first portion extended down from the top wall into the chamber and a second portion projected upwardly from the top wall, said first portion having a lower edge located below the top wall, said tubular wall having a passage open at one end to the chamber and open at the other end outside of the tank whereby material can be placed in the chamber through said passage, open grid means extended across said passage operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, said open grid means having grid structure located generally in alignment with the lower edge across the lower open end of the passage, and a plurality of generally upright legs, said grid structure being secured to lower portions of the legs, said legs having upper ends located adjacent said second portion of the tubular wall, and means attaching said upper ends of the legs to the second portion of the tubular wall.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein: the grid structure comprises a plurality of spaced side-by-side first rods and a plurality of spaced side-by-side second rods, said second rods being normally disposed relative to he first rods.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein: each leg has an inwardly directed foot at the lower end thereof, said grid structure being secured to each foot.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 20 including: cover means adapted to close the upper end of the passage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
135 words
A safety grid assembly for a tank having a material inlet opening comprising: open grid means adapted to cross the inlet opening operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, said open grid means including grid structure and means for attaching the grid structure to the tank, said grid structure having a plurality of spaced side-by-side first rods and a plurality of spaced side-by-side second rods, said second rods being normally disposed relative to the first rods, said first rods and second rods having outer rods with adjacent ends being secured to each other, a plurality of generally upright legs attached to the said adjacent ends of the first and second rods, said legs having upper ends provided with means usable to accommodate fastening means for attaching the legs to the tank.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
135 words
A safety grid assembly for a tank having a material inlet opening comprising: open grid means adapted to cross the inlet opening operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, said open grid means including grid structure and means for attaching the grid structure to the tank, said grid structure having a plurality of spaced side-by-side first rods and a plurality of spaced side-by-side second rods, said second rods being normally disposed relative to the first rods, said first rods and second rods having outer rods with adjacent ends being secured to each other, a plurality of generally upright legs attached to the said adjacent ends of the first and second rods, said legs having upper ends provided with means usable to accommodate fastening means for attaching the legs to the tank.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein: each leg has an inwardly directed foot at the lower end thereof, said grid structure being secured to each foot.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for spreading material, as liquid manure, onto a location comprising: a tank having a chamber for holding material, and means for removing the material from the chamber and spreading the material onto a location, said means including a pump mounted on the tank, said pump having a material discharge outlet, a valve assembly mounted on said material discharge outlet, power means mounted on the valve assembly operable to open and close the valve assembly, and a spreading assembly mounted on said valve assembly for receiving material flowing through the valve assembly and spreading the material onto a location.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for spreading material, as liquid manure, onto a location comprising: a tank having a chamber for holding material, and means for removing the material from the chamber and spreading the material onto a location, said means including a pump mounted on the tank, said pump having a material discharge outlet, a valve assembly mounted on said material discharge outlet, power means mounted on the valve assembly operable to open and close the valve assembly, and a spreading assembly mounted on said valve assembly for receiving material flowing through the valve assembly and spreading the material onto a location.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 26 including: arm means extended from the valve assembly, and means attaching the power means to the arm means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: said power means is a double acting fluid cylinder.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein: said valve assembly has a housing mounted on the pump outlet and a gate movably mounted on the housing to selectively open and close the valve assembly, a pair of laterally spaced arms secured to the valve assembly housing, said power unit comprising a double acting fluid cylinder having a movable piston rod, link means connecting the piston rod to the gate whereby operation of the fluid cylinder will move the gate between its open and closed positions, and means mounting the cylinder on said arms.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 29 including: sleeve means mounted on the housing for guiding the link means.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for carrrying material, as liquids, semi-liquids, particulate matter and the like comprising: a tank having a top wall and a chamber for holding material, a generally upright tubular wall secured to the top wall of the tank, said tubular wall having an upper end open to the environment outside of the tank and a lower end open to the chamber and a passage in communication with the open upper end and the open lower end whereby material can be placed in the chamber through said passage, open grid means located in said passage substantially below the open end of the tubular wall, said grid means extending across said passage operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, and fastening means for connecting the open grid means to the tubular wall.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for carrrying material, as liquids, semi-liquids, particulate matter and the like comprising: a tank having a top wall and a chamber for holding material, a generally upright tubular wall secured to the top wall of the tank, said tubular wall having an upper end open to the environment outside of the tank and a lower end open to the chamber and a passage in communication with the open upper end and the open lower end whereby material can be placed in the chamber through said passage, open grid means located in said passage substantially below the open end of the tubular wall, said grid means extending across said passage operable to prevent large objects from being placed in the chamber, and fastening means for connecting the open grid means to the tubular wall.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 31 wherein: said tubular wall has a first portion extended down from the top wall into the chamber and a second portion extended upwardly from the top of the wall, said first portion having a lower edge located below the top wall, said second portion having an upper edge located above the top of the wall, said fastening means securing the open grid means to the second portion of the tubular member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 32 wherein: the open grid means includes a plurality of upright legs attached to the grid structure, said fastening means attaching the legs to the second portion of the tubular wall.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein: said grid means includes a plurality of spaced side-by-side first rods and a plurality of spaced side-by-side second rods, said second rods being normally disposed relative to the first rods, said legs being attached to adjacent ends of the first and second rods.
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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) | 1980-03-21 | 1980-09-20 | 1981-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-21 | 1984-09-20 | 1985-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-21 | 1988-09-20 | 1989-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |