US5277655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ventilating apparatus for farm equipment used in the fumigation of crop fields
Assignee: Trical Inc
•
Filing: 1992-11-04
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Granted: 1994-01-11
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Expires: 2012-11-04
Abstract
Abstract Ventilating apparatus for farm equipment used in the fumigation of crop fields including the provision of a ducted blower unit disposed directly above the head of a fumigation equipment operator so as to cause a continual downward flow of air over the operator's body when the equipment is in use. The apparatus includes a shroud for housing an electrically or hydraulically driven fan which collects air from the space above the tractor and forces it downward in a flow enveloping the operator. In alternative embodiments, various filtration devices may be utilized as well as flow directing deflector assemblies, heat exchangers and misting applicators.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean C. Storkan
- 👤 Douglas J. Buessing
- 👤 Verdiano Donatini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60H; B60H1/00; B60H1/00357; B60H1/00407; B60H1/00378; B60H3/00; B60H3/06; B60H3/0608
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An operator safety apparatus for attachment to the canopy of a tractor used to disseminate fumigating gases, fertilizers, and other toxic chemicals, comprising: a housing affixed to said canopy and including an inlet opening disposed above said canopy and an exit opening disposed below said canopy, said housing being adapted to provide a flow passageway from above said canopy to below said canopy; motor-driven fan means disposed within said housing and adapted to draw relatively clean ambient air into said housing through said inlet opening and to direct it through said exit opening downwardly about the operator so as to retard the movement of environmental gases into the breathing space of the operator and to enhance mixing and dilution of environmental contaminants with ambient air; and a flow-directing ring means circumscribing said inlet opening and serving to enhance entry thereinto of air flowing from the front of the moving tractor and to militate against entry thereinto of air and contaminants rising from the rear of the tractor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An operator safety apparatus for attachment to the canopy of a tractor used to disseminate fumigating gases, fertilizers, and other toxic chemicals, comprising: a housing affixed to said canopy and including an inlet opening disposed above said canopy and an exit opening disposed below said canopy, said housing being adapted to provide a flow passageway from above said canopy to below said canopy; motor-driven fan means disposed within said housing and adapted to draw relatively clean ambient air into said housing through said inlet opening and to direct it through said exit opening downwardly about the operator so as to retard the movement of environmental gases into the breathing space of the operator and to enhance mixing and dilution of environmental contaminants with ambient air; and a flow-directing ring means circumscribing said inlet opening and serving to enhance entry thereinto of air flowing from the front of the moving tractor and to militate against entry thereinto of air and contaminants rising from the rear of the tractor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing is generally cylindrical in configuration along at least a part of its length and the motor-driven fan means is disposed within the cylindrical portion thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein at least one end of said housing is provided with a screen for blocking the passage of foreign objects without substantially interfering with the flow of air through said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 1 and further comprising flow deflector means disposed at the downstream end of said housing for causing the flow of air to surround the operator but be directed away from the location of his head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 1 and further comprising flow-directing bonnet means disposed at said inlet opening to said housing for exclusively directing air from a particular direction into said housing, said bonnet means having an inlet end for receiving air and an outlet end mated with said inlet opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 5 and further comprising filter means for filtering particulate matter from the flow entering said passageway, said filter means being disposed at the inlet end of said bonnet means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 1 and further comprising heat exchange means disposed within said passageway and adapted to heat the air flowing therethrough, said heat exchange means being operatively associated with the tractor engine coolant system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 1 and further comprising water-injection means disposed within said passageway for spraying water into said passageway to cool the flow of air passing therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said motor-driven fan means includes a hydraulic motor driven by the hydraulic fluid system of the tractor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 5 and further comprising flow deflector means disposed at the downstream end of said housing for causing the flow of air to surround the operator but be directed away from the location of his head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 10 and further comprising heat exchange means disposed within said passageway and adapted to heat the air flowing therethrough, said heat exchange means being operatively associated with the tractor engine coolant system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 10 and further comprising water-injection means disposed within said passageway for spraying water into said passageway to cool the flow of air passing therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said motor-driven fan means includes a hydraulic motor driven by the hydraulic fluid system of the tractor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 11 and further comprising water-injection means disposed within said passageway for spraying water into said passageway to cool the flow of air passing therethrough.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said housing is generally cylindrical in configuration along at least a part of its length and the motor-driven fan means is disposed within the cylindrical portion thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein at least one end of said housing is provided with a screen for blocking the passage of foreign objects without substantially interfering with the flow of air through said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 7 and further comprising water-injection means disposed within said passageway for spraying water into said passageway to cool the flow of air passing therethrough.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing is mounted directly above the space normally occupied by the operator and the flow of air is directed vertically downwardly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 18 and further comprising flow deflector means disposed at the downstream end of said housing for causing the flow of air to surround the operator but be directed away from the location of his head.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 19 and further comprising heat exchange means disposed within said passageway and adapted to heat the air flowing therethrough, said heat exchange means being operatively associated with the tractor engine coolant system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said flow-directing ring means is generally circular in shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
An operator safety apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said flow-directing ring means is in a generally flat configuration.
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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) | 1997-01-10 | 1997-07-12 | 1998-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-10 | 2001-07-12 | 2002-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-07-12 | 2006-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |