초록 ▼

A hopper spreader apparatus adapted for mounting to a vehicle, to be towed by a vehicle or to be pushed by hand, includes a sprayer apparatus for spraying liquid material as well as dispensing dry free-flow material. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a variable discharge mechanism, allowing adj

A hopper spreader apparatus adapted for mounting to a vehicle, to be towed by a vehicle or to be pushed by hand, includes a sprayer apparatus for spraying liquid material as well as dispensing dry free-flow material. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a variable discharge mechanism, allowing adjustment of both the flow rate and the distribution pattern of the dry free-flow material particulate material being dispensed. The operation of the hopper spreader apparatus can be controlled remotely using radio frequency (RF) signaling. The hopper spreader apparatus obtains electrical power from an on-board battery and includes a battery charger to allow the battery to be charged when the hopper spreader apparatus is not in use.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A hopper spreader apparatus, comprising: a hopper for containing dry, free flow material to be dispensed, said hopper having a discharge outlet for dispensing the material, said hopper being molded as a unitary structure to include a hollow wall extending around the entire periphery of said hoppe

1. A hopper spreader apparatus, comprising: a hopper for containing dry, free flow material to be dispensed, said hopper having a discharge outlet for dispensing the material, said hopper being molded as a unitary structure to include a hollow wall extending around the entire periphery of said hopper, said hollow wall of said hopper providing a liquid storage space for containing within said hollow wall of said hopper a liquid to be dispensed, the liquid storage space extending around the entire periphery of said hopper, and the hollow wall being closed around the periphery of said hopper at the bottom of the hopper to allow liquid to be retained in said liquid storage space;a spinner located adjacent to said discharge outlet for receiving free flow material discharged from said hopper and spreading the material over a distribution area;a liquid distribution device; anda flow control apparatus coupling said liquid distribution device to the liquid storage space, said flow control apparatus operable to allow liquid from said liquid storage space to be dispensed in a spray pattern defined by said liquid distribution device;a control unit for controlling operating parameters of at least said spinner; wherein the control unit includes a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting control signals and a radio frequency receiver responsive to the control signals for controlling operating parameters of said spinner. 2. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hopper spreader apparatus is adapted for mounting on a vehicle, the hopper spreader apparatus including an adapter adapted to be received by a trailer hitch of the vehicle. 3. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hopper includes wheels supporting the hopper on a surface being traveled by the vehicle, and a hitch coupler for connecting to a ball hitch of a vehicle to allow the hopper spreader apparatus to be towed by the vehicle. 4. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hopper includes wheels supporting said hopper on a surface, and a handle, allowing the hopper spreader apparatus to be pushed manually along said surface. 5. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hopper includes at least one roller wheel rotatably attached to said hopper to facilitate moving the hopper spreader apparatus along a surface. 6. the hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 1, and further including a variable discharge mechanism interposed between said discharge outlet and said spinner for delivering material to the spinner through a delivery opening. 7. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said variable discharge mechanism includes a flow gate assembly defining said delivery opening said flow gate assembly being adjustable to vary at least the size of said delivery opening. 8. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hollow wall of said hopper includes an outer wall and an inner wall, said inner wall of said hopper defining an inner storage chamber for dry free flow material to be dispensed from the hopper, said outer wall of said hopper hollow wall being spaced apart from said inner wall of said hopper hollow wall, providing said hollow space between said outer and inner walls of said hopper hollow wall that defines said liquid storage space, with said inner wall of said hopper being common to said inner storage chamber and said liquid storage space. 9. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said liquid distribution device comprises a spray wand including a nozzle, and wherein said flow control apparatus includes a liquid pump interposed between said spray wand and said liquid storage space for supplying liquid from said liquid storage space to said spray wand. 10. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said liquid distribution device comprises a liquid distribution tube, and wherein said flow control apparatus includes a flow control device interposed between said liquid distribution tube and said liquid storage tank for supplying liquid from said liquid storage tank to said liquid distribution tube. 11. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said liquid distribution device comprises a pressurized spray rail, and wherein said flow control apparatus includes a fluid pump interposed between said pressurized spray rail and said liquid storage tank for supplying liquid under pressure from said liquid storage tank to said pressurized spray rail. 12. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hopper further includes a tool rack for carrying tools. 13. A hopper spreader apparatus for use with a vehicle, said hopper spreader apparatus comprising: a hopper for containing dry, free flow material to be dispensed, said hopper having a discharge outlet for dispensing the material, said hopper being molded as a unitary structure to include a hollow wall extending around the entire periphery of said hopper, said hollow wall of said hopper providing a liquid storage space for containing within said hollow wall of said hopper a liquid to be dispensed, the liquid storage space extending around the entire periphery of said hopper, and the hollow wall being closed around the periphery of said hopper at the bottom of the hopper to allow liquid to be retained in said liquid storage space;a spinner located adjacent to said discharge outlet for receiving free flow material discharged from said hopper and spreading the material over a large distribution area;a coupling mechanism for coupling the hopper to the vehicle;a liquid distribution device;a flow control apparatus coupling said liquid distribution device to the liquid storage space, said flow control apparatus operable to allow liquid from said liquid storage space to be dispensed in a spray pattern defined by said liquid distribution device; anda control unit for controlling operating parameters of at least said spinner;wherein the control unit includes a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting control signals and a radio frequency receiver responsive to the control signals for controlling operating parameters of said spinner. 14. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 13, and wherein said coupling mechanism includes a hitch adapter adapted to be received by a trailer hitch of the vehicle for removably mounting the hopper spreader apparatus on the vehicle. 15. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said hopper includes wheels supporting said hopper on a surface being traveled by the vehicle, and wherein said coupling mechanism includes a hitch coupler assembly for connecting to a ball hitch on a vehicle to allow the hopper spreader apparatus to be towed by the vehicle. 16. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said hitch coupler assembly includes a hitch tube, said hitch coupler assembly adjustable for compensating for a difference in vertical height, relative to said surface, between the location of the ball hitch on the vehicle and said hitch tube. 17. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 13, and further including a variable discharge mechanism interposed between said discharge outlet and said spinner for delivering material to the spinner through a delivery opening. 18. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said variable discharge mechanism includes a flow gate assembly defining said delivery opening said flow gate assembly being adjustable to vary at least the size of said delivery opening. 19. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said hollow wall of said hopper includes an outer wall and an inner wall, said inner wall of said hopper defining an inner storage chamber for dry free flow material to be dispensed from the hopper, said outer wall of said hopper hollow wall being spaced apart from said inner wall of said hopper hollow wall, providing a hollow space between said outer and inner walls of said hopper hollow wall that defines said liquid storage space, with said inner wall of said hopper being common to said inner storage chamber and said liquid storage space. 20. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said liquid distribution device comprises a spray wand including a nozzle, and wherein said flow control apparatus includes a liquid pump interposed between said spray wand and said liquid storage space for supplying liquid from said liquid storage space to said spray wand. 21. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said liquid distribution device comprises a liquid distribution tube, and wherein said flow control apparatus includes a flow control device interposed between said liquid distribution tube and said liquid storage tank for supplying liquid from said liquid storage tank to said liquid distribution tube. 22. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said liquid distribution device comprises a pressurized spray rail, and wherein said flow control apparatus includes a fluid pump interposed between said pressurized spray rail and said liquid storage tank for supplying liquid under pressure from said liquid storage tank to said pressurized spray rail. 23. A portable hopper spreader apparatus adapted to be pushed by hand by a user, said hopper spreader apparatus comprising: a hopper for containing dry, free flow material to be dispensed, said hopper having a discharge outlet for dispensing the material, said hopper being made of a rigid plastic material and being molded as a unitary structure to include a hollow wall defined by inner and outer walls of said hopper extending around the entire periphery of said hopper, said inner and outer walls of said hopper hollow wall being molded to be spaced apart from one another to provide a hollow space between said outer wall of said hopper and said inner wall of said hopper, said hollow wall of said hopper providing a liquid storage space for containing within said hollow wall of said hopper a liquid to be dispensed, the liquid storage space extending around the entire periphery of said hopper, and the hollow wall being closed around the periphery of said hopper at the bottom of the hopper to allow liquid to be retained in said liquid storage space;a spinner located adjacent to said discharge outlet for receiving free flow material discharged from said hopper and spreading the material over a large distribution area;a liquid distribution device;a flow control apparatus coupling said liquid distribution device to the liquid storage space, said flow control apparatus operable to allow liquid from said liquid storage space to be dispensed in a spray pattern defined by said liquid distribution device; anda set of wheels mounted on the bottom on the hopper for supporting the hopper spreader apparatus on a surface, allowing the hopper spreader apparatus to be pushed manually along said surface by a user. 24. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said hopper includes a handle to facilitate pushing of the hopper spreader apparatus by a user. 25. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said liquid distribution device comprises a spray wand including a nozzle, and wherein said flow control apparatus includes a liquid pump interposed between said spray wand and said liquid storage space for supplying liquid from said liquid storage space to said spray wand. 26. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said liquid distribution device comprises a liquid distribution tube, and wherein said flow control apparatus includes a flow control device interposed between said liquid distribution tube and said liquid storage tank for supplying liquid from said liquid storage tank to said liquid distribution tube. 27. The hopper spreader apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said liquid distribution device comprises a pressurized spray rail, and wherein said flow control apparatus includes a fluid pump interposed between said pressurized spray rail and said liquid storage tank for supplying liquid under pressure from said liquid storage tank to said pressurized spray rail. 28. A combined hopper spreader/sprayer apparatus for dispensing dry, free flow material and liquid material, said hopper spreader/sprayer apparatus comprising: a hopper spreader apparatus including a hopper for containing the dry, free flow material to be dispensed, said hopper having a discharge outlet for dispensing the material, said hopper being molded as a unitary structure to include a hollow wall extending around the entire periphery of said hopper, said inner and outer walls of said hopper being molded to be spaced apart from one another to provide a hollow space between said outer wall of said hopper and said inner wall of said hopper, said hollow wall of said hopper providing a liquid storage space for containing within said hollow wall of said hopper a liquid to be dispensed, the liquid storage space extending around the entire periphery of said hopper, and the hollow wall being closed around the periphery of said hopper at the bottom of the hopper to allow liquid to be retained in said liquid storage space,the hopper further including a hitch adapter receivable by a hitch of a vehicle, allowing the hopper spreader apparatus to be towed by the vehicle or to be mounted directly on and carried by the vehicle;a spinner located adjacent to said discharge outlet for receiving free flow material discharged from said hopper and spreading the material over a large distribution area; anda discharge mechanism interposed between said discharge outlet and said spinner;a sprayer apparatus includinga liquid distribution device,a flow control apparatus coupling said liquid distribution device to the liquid storage space, said flow control apparatus operable to allow liquid from the liquid storage space to be dispensed in a spray pattern defined by said liquid distribution device; anda wheel assembly including a set of wheels and mounting members removably installing said set of wheels on said hopper for supporting the hopper spreader apparatus on a surface, allowing the hopper spreader/sprayer apparatus to be towed by the vehicle or pushed manually along said surface when said set of wheels is installed on said hopper, said mounting members allowing said set of wheels to be removed from said hopper to allow the hopper spreader apparatus to be directly mounted on and carried by the vehicle.