Multi-purpose spreader

• US 6,378,793 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen G. Lantz
• Original Assignee: Stephen G. Lantz
• Inventors: Lantz, Stephen G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWU, DAVIS D
• Application Number:
  US09/675,795
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 239/661, 239/664, 239/667, 239/668, 239/669, 239/672, 239/676, 239/683, 239/675, 239/680, 239/657, 239/681, 239/671, 239/666, 198/778, 198/883
• US Class Current: 239/672
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/122 with moving floor parts
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/124 with adjustable shutters or slits
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/015 Floor coverings, e.g. bedding-down sheets ; Stable floors
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 31/04 Dropping-boards; Devices for removing excrement
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/001 Fodder distributors with mixer or shredder adaptations of cutting machine A01F29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0266 with stable trolleys, e.g. suspended

Abstract

A hollow, upright hopper to receive particulate material, means operable to discharge material outwardly from the hopper in one direction or in an opposite direction and control means to control the amount, the direction, and the velocity of the discharged material, so as to direct the material into a cattle feeding trough or to a cattle bedding area, for example.

Claims

1. Apparatus for spreading particular material comprising,

a hopper having upright sides forming at least one opening for filling with said material and at least one side having an opening for discharging said material from the side of the hopper,

sloping surfaces within said hopper facilitating movement of said material onto a conveyor,

a transverse conveyor for accelerating and forcefully discharging the material in a substantially horizontal direction through said side opening,

a transverse shaft mounting a plurality of beater arms which are in contact with said material, wherein said shaft rotates and the beater arms rotate within said material and thereby urge said material to move onto said conveyor,

a moveable gate placed over said conveyor at a position proximate said side opening thereby restricting the open area of said side opening and thereby controlling the quantity of material discharged through said side opening,

drive means to power said conveyor and to power said transverse shaft carrying said beater arms;

and

attachment means for affixing said apparatus to a prime mover.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1 in which a removable deflector is placed adjacent to said side opening so as to deflect said discharged material downwardly.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said conveyor comprises longitudinal slats which drag said material along a fixed surface and which discharges said material through said opening.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said conveyor comprises a belt.

5. Apparatus as in claim 3 in which said slats are coupled to chains.

6. Apparatus as in claim 3 in which said fixed surface comprises a plastic material.