Self-propelled walking spray boom

• US 20080197210A1
• Filed: 02/15/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ryan T. Hahn
• Original Assignee: Brannon W. Polk, Kent S. Hahn
• Inventors: Hahn, Kent S., Polk, Brannon W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,857,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/160
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 7/0039 motor-driven

Abstract

A self-propelled and self-contained shrouded walking boom unit including a small tank and pump mounted on the unit. The unit also has a small transmission and DC drive which makes the unit self-propelled. The configuration is such that the operator walks in front of the spray applicator system with the spray being applied behind the operator. The operator steers the applicator and controls the spray from a handle attached to a single front steering wheel.

Claims

1. A self-contained walking spray applicator comprising:

a drive wheel,

a motor driving said drive wheel,

a handle, said handle mounted to a steering wheel such that rotation of the handle controls the direction of travel of the spray applicator,

a battery powering said motor and a pump,

a tank containing liquid, said pump pumping said liquid from said tank to a nozzle under a protective shroud,

wherein said drive wheel drives said spray applicator such that said handle leads said nozzle and wherein said steering wheel is ahead of said drive wheels.

2. The applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a liquid flow control that controls the application of liquid by said nozzle.

3. The applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a spring actuated brake, wherein the application of said brake is controlled by raising and lowering said handle.

4. The applicator as recited in claim 3, wherein said brake is a deadman control such that release of said handle will cause said spring to actuate said brake.

5. The applicator as recited in claim 3, wherein the direction of travel of said spray applicator is controlled by turning the handle to the left to travel left and turning the handle to the right to travel right.

6. The applicator as recited in claim 5, wherein a frame of said spray applicator carries adjustable limits that limit the travel of said handle to the left and to the right.

7. The applicator as recited in claim 5, wherein said motor is a DC motor and includes a constant speed setting and wherein said motor directly engages said drive wheel.

8. A self-contained walking ahead spray applicator comprising:

at least one powered drive wheel

a control, said control connected to a steering wheel such that movement of the control controls the direction of travel of the spray applicator,

a battery powering said powered drive wheel and a pump,

a tank adapted to contain liquid, said pump including an inlet hose in said tank and said pump including an outlet hose connected to a nozzle,

wherein said powered drive wheel drives said spray applicator such that said control leads said nozzle and wherein said steering wheel is ahead of said drive wheels such that an operator holding said control walks ahead of said spray applicator.

9. The applicator as recited in claim 8, wherein said control is an elongated handle and said handle includes a spring actuated brake, wherein the application of said brake is controlled by raising and lowering said handle.

10. The applicator as recited in claim 9, wherein said handle includes a liquid flow control that controls the application of liquid by said nozzle.

11. The applicator as recited in claim 9, wherein said handle and said steering wheel are mounted to a mutual axis of rotation and a direction of travel of said spray applicator is controlled by said handle pivoting said steering wheel about said mutual axis.

12. The applicator as recited in claim 9, wherein said brake is a deadman control such that release of said handle will cause said spring to actuate said brake.

13. The applicator as recited in claim 12, wherein said motor is a DC motor and includes a constant speed setting and wherein said motor directly engages said wheel drive.

14. A walk ahead spray applicator comprising:

at least one powered drive wheel,

a control handle, said control handle connected to a steering wheel such that movement of the control handle controls the direction of travel of the spray applicator,

a battery powering said power drive wheel and a pump,

a tank adapted to contain liquid, said pump including an inlet hose in said tank and said pump including an outlet hose connected to a nozzle,

wherein said powered drive wheel drives said spray applicator such that said control handle leads said nozzle and wherein said steering wheel is ahead of said drive wheels such that an operator holding said control walks ahead of said spray applicator.

15. The applicator as recited in claim 14, wherein said control handle and said steering wheel are mounted to a mutual axis of rotation and the direction of travel of said spray applicator is controlled by pointing said handle.

16. The applicator as recited in claim 15, wherein said control handle is an elongated handle and said handle includes a spring actuated brake, wherein the application of said brake is controlled by raising and lowering said handle.

17. The applicator as recited in claim 16, wherein said handle includes a liquid flow control that controls the application of liquid by said nozzle.

18. The applicator as recited in claim 16, wherein said spray applicator carries adjustable limits that limit the travel of said handle to the left and to the right.

19. The applicator as recited in claim 16, wherein said brake is a deadman control such that release of said handle will cause said spring to actuate said brake.

20. The applicator as recited in claim 16, wherein said motor is a DC motor and includes a constant speed setting and wherein said motor directly engages said drive wheel.