초록 ▼

A broadcast spreader includes a directional control assembly that defines a pathway for granular material from the hopper to a rotating fan, resulting in the distribution of the granular material in a predetermined distribution pattern, wherein rotation of a first (or rotating) plate of the directio

A broadcast spreader includes a directional control assembly that defines a pathway for granular material from the hopper to a rotating fan, resulting in the distribution of the granular material in a predetermined distribution pattern, wherein rotation of a first (or rotating) plate of the directional control assembly relative to the hopper causes a clockwise or counterclockwise shifting of the pathway for the granular material, thus altering the direction of the predetermined distribution pattern. Furthermore, the directional assembly includes a second (or shutter) plate that is secured to the first plate, the slidable movement of the second plate relative to the first plate regulating flow of granular material from the hopper to the fan.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A broadcast spreader with directional control, comprising: a hopper adapted to store granular particles and including a discharge port through a surface thereof; a fan rotating about an axis for distributing the granular particles passing from the hopper through the discharge

What is claimed is: 1. A broadcast spreader with directional control, comprising: a hopper adapted to store granular particles and including a discharge port through a surface thereof; a fan rotating about an axis for distributing the granular particles passing from the hopper through the discharge port in a predetermined distribution pattern; a rotating plate that is secured to and adapted for rotation with respect to the hopper, said rotating plate defining an opening therethrough that is substantially in registry with but smaller than the discharge port, thus serving to define a pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, wherein rotation of the rotating plate relative to the hopper causes a clockwise or counterclockwise shifting of the pathway for the granular material, thus altering the direction of the predetermined distribution pattern; and a shutter plate that is secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the rotating plate, such slidable movement of the shutter plate relative to the rotating plate regulating flow of granular material from the hopper, through the discharge port and the opening defined through the rotating plate, and onto the fan. 2. The broadcast spreader as recited in claim 1, wherein said rotating plate is adapted for rotation with respect to the hopper about an axis common with the axis about which the fan rotates. 3. The broadcast spreader as recited in claim 1, and further comprising an actuator lever and control cable for effectuating the slidable movement of the shutter plate with respect to the rotating plate to regulate flow of granular material from the hopper, through the discharge port and the opening defined through the rotating plate, and onto the fan. 4. A broadcast spreader with directional control, comprising: a hopper adapted to store granular particles and including a discharge port through a surface thereof; a fan rotating about an axis for distributing the granular particles passing from the hopper through the discharge port in a predetermined distribution pattern; a rotating plate that is secured to and adapted for rotation with respect to the hopper, said rotating plate defining an opening therethrough that is substantially in registry with but smaller than the discharge port, thus serving to define a pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, wherein rotation of the rotating plate relative to the hopper causes a clockwise or counterclockwise shifting of the pathway for the granular material, thus altering the direction of the predetermined distribution pattern; a means for opening and closing the pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan; and an upper plate interposed between the hopper and said rotating plate, said upper plate defining an opening therethrough which is substantially in registry with the discharge port and the opening defined through said rotating plate, said rotating plate being adapted for rotation with respect to the upper plate and the hopper. 5. The broadcast spreader as recited in claim 4, wherein the opening defined through said rotating plate is substantially smaller than the opening defined through said upper plate. 6. The broadcast spreader as recited in claim 5, wherein the opening defined through said upper plate is an arc-shaped opening spanning approximately 180째, and wherein the opening defined through said rotating plate is an arc-shaped opening spanning approximately 90째. 7. In a broadcast spreader having a hopper adapted to store granular particles and a fan rotating about an axis for distributing the granular particles passing from the hopper through a discharge port, the improvement comprising a directional control assembly, including: a first plate that is secured to and adapted for rotation with respect to the hopper about an axis common with the axis about which the fan rotates, said first plate defining an opening therethrough, said opening being substantially in registry with but smaller than the discharge port and thus serving to define a pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, resulting in the distribution of the granular material in a predetermined distribution pattern, wherein rotation of the first plate relative to the hopper causes a clockwise or counterclockwise shifting of the pathway for the granular material, thus altering the direction of the predetermined distribution pattern; and a second plate that is secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the first plate, such slidable movement of the second plate relative to the first plate regulating flow of granular material from the hopper, through the first plate, and onto the fan. 8. The broadcast spreader as recited in claim 7, and further comprising a third plate interposed between the hopper and said first plate, said third plate defining an opening therethrough which is substantially in registry with the discharge port and the opening defined through said first plate, said first plate being adapted for rotation with respect to the third plate and the hopper. 9. The broadcast spreader as recited in claim 7, and further comprising an actuator lever and control cable for effectuating the slidable movement of the second plate with respect to the first plate to regulate flow of granular material from the hopper, through the first plate, and onto the fan. 10. A directional control assembly for a broadcast spreader having a hopper adapted to store granular particles and a fan rotating about an axis for distributing the granular particles passing from the hopper through a discharge port, comprising: an upper plate secured to a bottom surface of said hopper, said upper plate defining an opening therethrough that is substantially in registry with the discharge port; an intermediate plate that is secured to and adapted for rotation with respect to the upper plate and the hopper about an axis common with the axis about which the fan rotates, said intermediate plate defining an opening therethrough that is substantially in registry with but smaller than the opening defined through the upper plate, thus serving to define a pathway for the granular material from the hopper, through the discharge port and upper plate, and onto the fan, resulting in the distribution of the granular material in a predetermined distribution pattern, wherein rotation of the intermediate plate relative to the upper plate causes a clockwise or counterclockwise shifting of the pathway for the granular material, and thus altering the direction of the predetermined distribution pattern; and a lower plate that is secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the intermediate plate, such slidable movement of the lower plate relative to the intermediate plate regulating flow of granular material from the hopper, through the upper and intermediate plates, and onto the fan. 11. The directional control assembly for a broadcast spreader as recited in claim 10, and further comprising an actuator lever and control cable for effectuating the slidable movement of the lower plate with respect to the intermediate plate to regulate flow of granular material from the hopper, through the upper and intermediate plates, and onto the fan. 12. The directional control assembly for a broadcast spreader as recited in claim 10, wherein the opening defined through said intermediate plate is substantially smaller than the opening defined through the upper plate. 13. The directional control assembly for a broadcast spreader as recited in claim 12, wherein the opening defined through said upper plate is an arc-shaped opening spanning approximately 180째, and wherein the opening defined through said intermediate plate is an arc-shaped opening spanning approximately 90째.