Patent ID: 9491939
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: A01C,A01K,A01M,E01C

Claim Text:
1. A broadcast spreader, comprising: a container for storing material and having an opening at its lower end for releasing material from the container; a closure spreader member below the container that covers the opening at the lower end of the container and is movable downward away from the opening of the container to release and spread material onto the ground surface; a motor mounted inside the container and positioned above the opening at the lower end of the container; a rotating motor shaft extending downwardly from the motor through the opening at the lower end of the container and having a threaded portion at the lower end fitted to a threaded portion on the closure spreader member to move the closure spreader member downward on the motor shaft upon rotation of the motor shaft to release and spread material onto the ground surface; a closure spring positioned around and at the lower end of the motor shaft and below the closure spreader member to move the closure spreader member upward upon the non-rotation of the motor shaft to cover and seal the opening at the lower end of the container with the closure spreader member and to allow the closure spreader member to move downward to release and spread material onto the ground surface upon rotation of the motor shaft; a spreader shield having a deflecting surface partially circumscribing the closure spreader member to directionally restrict the spreading of material by the closure spreader member and to prevent the closure spreader member from propelling particulate material to the sides and rear of the broadcast spreader mechanism and restrict the spreading to front of the broadcast spreader mechanism and vertically down below the broadcast spreader mechanism; a base support member attached to the lower end of the container and extending above the opening, having a surface for mounting the motor above the opening for releasing material from the container and through which the motor shaft extends downwardly; a funnel member mounted below the base support member, having an opening at its lower end for releasing material from the container upon rotation of the motor shaft and for contacting the top surface of the closure spreader member to stop the release of material from the container upon non-rotation of the motor shaft, and through which the motor shaft extends downwardly; the closure spring is positioned above a lower spring support member attached to the lower end of the motor shaft to support and compress the spring as the closure spreader member moves downward upon rotation of the motor shaft; and rotation of the motor shaft causes the closure spreader member to rotate as it moves down the motor shaft and to continue rotating when compression of the closure spring stops the closure spreader member from moving further down the motor shaft.