초록 ▼

An improved spreader assembly adapted to be mounted on a vehicle having a tailgate and a bumper. The improved spreader assembly includes a hopper and a retaining arrangement. The hopper has an upper section and a bottom section. The bottom section has a base surface adapted to at least partially res

An improved spreader assembly adapted to be mounted on a vehicle having a tailgate and a bumper. The improved spreader assembly includes a hopper and a retaining arrangement. The hopper has an upper section and a bottom section. The bottom section has a base surface adapted to at least partially rest on a top surface of the bumper. The retaining arrangement includes a band that fits at least about a portion of a front face of the upper section of the hopper. One end of the band is adapted to connect to the vehicle to maintain at least a portion of a back face of the upper section at least closely adjacent to the tailgate of the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An improved spreader for spreading particulate material comprising a hopper having an upper section and a bottom section, said bottom section having a lower material discharge chamber terminating in a lower discharge opening; a broadcast spreader positioned beneath said discharge opening; a motor

1. An improved spreader for spreading particulate material comprising a hopper having an upper section and a bottom section, said bottom section having a lower material discharge chamber terminating in a lower discharge opening; a broadcast spreader positioned beneath said discharge opening; a motor to rotate at least a portion of said broadcast spreader; a retaining band that at least partially fits about a front face of said upper section; and a bumper post extending downwardly from said bottom section, said bumper post at least partially adapted to at least partially extend into a hitch ball hole in a bumper of a vehicle.2. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said retaining band is at least partially flexible and releasably connectable to said vehicle, said retaining band adapted to draw said upper section of said hopper toward a tailgate of the vehicle.3. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said front face of said upper section includes a band retainer adapted to at least partially retain said retaining band on said front face.4. The improvement as defined in claim 1, including a band tensioner adapted to at least partially tighten said retaining band.5. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said front face of said upper section includes an arcuate surface.6. The improvement as defined in claim 1, including a vibrating device connected to said hopper.7. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said broadcast spreader includes a motor guard that at least partially encapsulates said motor.8. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper section includes a fill opening in a top surface of said upper section.9. The improvement as defined in claim 8, wherein said fill opening is at least partially closed by a removable cap.10. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said hopper is a plastic molded unit.11. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said bottom and upper sections include multiple wall layers.12. The improvement as defined in claim 1, including a screw mechanism adapted to draw particulate material through said lower discharge opening.13. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said bottom section includes a gripping surface adapted to at least partially maintain at least a portion of said bottom section on a top surface of said bumper.14. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper section includes a viewing opening.15. The improvement as defined in claim 1, including at least one hook attached to said retaining band and adapted to connect to a tailgate strike pin of said vehicle.16. An improved spreader for spreading particulate material comprising a hopper having an upper section and a bottom section, said bottom section having a lower material discharge chamber terminating in a lower discharge opening and a gripping surface adapted to at least partially maintain at least a portion of said bottom section on a top surface of a bumper of a vehicle; a broadcast spreader positioned beneath said discharge opening; a motor to rotate at least a portion of said broadcast spreader; and a retaining band that at least partially fits about a front face of said upper section.17. The improvement as defined in claim 16, wherein said front face of said upper section includes a band retainer adapted to at least partially retain said retaining band on said front face.18. The improvement as defined in claim 16, including a band tensioner adapted to at least partially tighten said retaining band.19. The improvement as defined in claim 16, wherein said front face of said upper section includes an arcuate surface.20. The improvement as defined in claim 16, including a vibrating device connected to said hopper.21. The improvement as defined in claim 16, wherein said broadcast spreader includes a motor guard that at least partially encapsulates said motor.22. The improvement as defined in claim 16, wherein said upper section includes a fill opening in a top surface of said upper section.23. The improvement as defined in claim 22, wherein said fill opening is at least partially closed by a removable cap.24. The improvement as defined in claim 16, wherein said hopper is a plastic molded unit.25. The improvement as defined in claim 16, wherein said bottom and upper sections include multiple wall layers.26. The improvement as defined in claim 16, including a screw mechanism adapted to draw particulate material through said lower discharge opening.27. The improvement as defined in claim 16, wherein said upper section includes a viewing opening.28. The improvement as defined in claim 16, including at least one hook attached to said retaining band and adapted to connect to a tailgate strike pin of said vehicle.29. The improvement as defined in claim 16, including a post extending downwardly from said bottom section.30. The improvement as defined in claim 29, wherein said post is at least partially adapted to at least partially extend into a hitch ball hole.31. An improved spreader for mounting on a vehicle and spreading particulate material comprising a hopper having an upper section and a bottom section, said bottom section having a lower material discharge chamber terminating in a lower discharge opening; a broadcast spreader positioned beneath said discharge opening; a motor to rotate at least a portion of said broadcast spreader; a retaining band that at least partially fits about a front face of said upper section; and a band tensioner adapted to at least partially retain said retaining band.32. The improvement as defined in claim 31, wherein said front face of said upper section includes an arcuate surface.33. The improvement as defined in claim 31, wherein said bottom and upper sections include multiple wall layers.34. The improvement as defined in claim 31, wherein said bottom section includes a gripping surface adapted to at least partially maintain at least a portion of said bottom section on a top surface of a bumper of a vehicle.35. The improvement as defined in claim 31, including a post extending downwardly from said bottom section.36. The improvement as defined in claim 35, wherein said post is at least partially adapted to at least partially extend into an opening in a bumper of a vehicle.37. The improvement as defined in claim 36, wherein said opening in said bumper is a hitch ball hole.38. An improved spreader for mounting on a vehicle and spreading particulate material comprising a hopper having an upper section and a bottom section, said bottom section having a lower material discharge chamber terminating in a lower discharge opening; a broadcast spreader positioned beneath said discharge opening; a retaining band that at least partially fits about a front face of said upper section; and a hook attached to said retaining band, said hook adapted to receive a striker pin to which a tailgate of the vehicle selectively secures.39. The improvement as defined in claim 38, including a band tensioner adapted to at least partially tighten said retaining band.40. The improvement as defined in claim 38, including a post extending downwardly from said bottom section.41. The improvement as defined in claim 40, wherein said post is at least partially adapted to at least partially extend into an opening in a bumper of said vehicle.