Agricultural spray containment devices, systems and methods

Devices, systems, and methods for containing the plume of a sprayed agricultural compound applied to a crop field are disclosed. In particular, the plume of the sprayed agricultural compound may be contained within a spray hood assembly attached to an agricultural vehicle or device such as a planter unit. Each spray hood assembly may be situated behind an individual planter unit, and multiple spray hood assemblies may be combined to form an agricultural spray containment system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for containing sprayed agricultural products. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an agricultural spray containment device for attachment to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern agriculture relies upon the delivery of a variety compounds such as pesticides via hydraulic sprayer devices. The effectiveness of the sprayed products is influenced by a variety of factors including the timing of the application as well as the climatic conditions that exist during application of the sprayed compound. Pre-emergent pesticide products must be applied prior to the germination of the weeds, and therefore the timing of the spray application is critical. Application of the sprayed compound during rainy conditions may result in excessive runoff of the compound. Application of the sprayed compound during windy conditions may result in excessive drift in which the sprayed product is blown away from its intended target. These reductions in the effectiveness of the sprayed products are associated with increased costs to the farmer, as well as the introduction of the sprayed products into unwanted locations such as other crop fields or water sources.

Without specialized equipment, farmers are forced to time-spraying applications to coincide with relatively windless and dry climatic conditions. However, due to the variability of climatic conditions, in particular during typical planting seasons, the application of sprayed products may be delayed until the sprayed product may no longer be used effectively (i.e., weeds germinate before applying pre-emergent pesticide), or windy or rainy conditions may arise during application of the sprayed products, with the associated difficulties described above.

Existing specialized spray containment equipment for agricultural spray devices have incorporated spray hoods extending across an entire row of sprayers or an array of smaller spray hoods integrated into a single structure, but such large structures are relatively onerous to transport, operate, and maintain. Typically, these large spray containment structures are too large to be used in combined planting/spraying operations. As a result, the use of these large spray containment structures typically require spraying to be performed as a separate operation from planting, thereby impacting the timing of the application of the sprayed product. In addition, the existing spray containment equipment is typically large and awkward to transport to the fields and operate, thereby prolonging the time needed for a spray application and potentially sacrificing effectiveness in the face of uneven terrain. One existing spray containment structure includes an array of individual spray hoods, but the individual spray hoods are fixedly attached to a support boom, effectively integrating the array into a single enlarged structure with the attendant problems as discussed above.

A need exists for an agricultural spray containment system capable of operating in uneven terrain. A need further exists for an agricultural spray containment system capable of operating coincidentally with other agricultural processes such as field preparation and/or planting. Such a system would enable enhanced flexibility for the application of sprayed agricultural products and reduce the amount of time and fuel expended performing spray applications, as well as reduce waste due to drift as part of an agricultural operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, an agricultural spray containment device for attachment to a vehicle is provided that may include a spray hood assembly and a support arm. The spray hood assembly may include a spray hood and a top plate. The top plate may include a hinged attachment fitting and a spray head attachment fitting. The support arm may include a forward end operatively coupled to the vehicle and a rear end operatively coupled to the top plate at the hinged attachment fitting. The top plate may provide a structural attachment point for the spray hood attached to a lower surface of the top plate. The hinged attachment fitting may permit upward rotation of the top plate and attached spray hood to provide clearance over an obstacle. The hinged attachment fitting may further include a biasing spring to provide a restoring torque and to return the top plate to a horizontal position after an upward rotation. The spray hood may include an open-ended shell covering a region of a field corresponding to an area wetted by a spray head directed into the spray hood via the spray head attachment fitting. The spray hood may further include: a front face; a rear face; a pair of lateral faces; and a top face joined to the front face, rear face, and the pair of lateral faces to form a front top edge, a rear top edge, and a pair of lateral top edges, respectively. Each lateral face may include a lateral opening. Each lateral face may be joined to the front face to form one front lateral edge and joined to the rear face to form one rear lateral edge. An upper surface of the top face may be attached to the lower surface of the top plate. The spray hood assembly may further include: a front curtain that includes a first flexible rectangular sheet with a front curtain edge attached to a lower front edge of the front face and hanging downward; a rear curtain that may include a second flexible rectangular sheet with a rear curtain edge attached to a lower rear edge of the rear face and hanging downward; and a pair of lateral curtains. Each lateral curtain may include a flexible trapezoidal sheet including a front lateral curtain edge affixed to the front face along one front lateral edge and a rear lateral curtain edge affixed to the rear face along one rear lateral edge. Each attached lateral curtain may form a conical profile curving laterally outward from each lateral face. The front curtain may further include a lower front curtain edge opposite to the front curtain edge and hanging to a distance of at least 2 inches above the field. The rear curtain may further include a lower rear curtain edge opposite to the rear curtain edge and hanging to a distance of at least 1 inch above the field. Each lateral curtain may further include a lower lateral curtain edge forming a lower edge of the curved partial cone at a distance of at least 1 inch above the field. The spray hood assembly may be situated behind a planter unit attached to the vehicle. The top plate may further include: a central portion including the lower surface covering at least a portion of the top face of the spray hood; and a forward tongue projecting forward and downward from a forward edge of the central portion. The hinged attachment fitting may be attached to an upper surface of the central portion opposite to the lower surface. The central portion may define the spray head attachment fitting extending through the upper surface and the lower surface. A forward contact surface of the forward tongue may contact at least a portion of the forward face of the spray hood. The downward rotation of the top plate and attached spray hood may be limited by a mechanical interference between the forward tongue and at least a portion of the support arm. The top plate may further include a rear tongue projecting rearward and downward from a rear edge of the central portion. A rear contact surface of the rear tongue may contact at least a portion of the rear face of the spray hood.

In another aspect, an agricultural spray containment system for attachment to a vehicle is provided that may include at least two spray containment devices. Each spray containment device may include: a spray hood assembly that includes a spray hood and a top plate; and a support arm assembly that may include a forward end operatively coupled to the vehicle and a rear end operatively coupled to the top plate at the hinged attachment fitting. The top plate may include a hinged attachment fitting and a spray head attachment fitting. The top plate may provide a structural attachment point for the spray hood attached to a lower surface of the top plate. The hinged attachment fitting may permit upward rotation of the top plate and attached spray hood to provide clearance over an obstacle. Each of the at least two spray containment devices may rotate upward independently of any of the other spray containment devices. The hinged attachment fitting of each of the at least two spray containment devices may further include a biasing spring to provide a restoring torque and return the top plate to a horizontal position after an upward rotation. The spray hood of each of the at least two spray containment devices may include an open-ended shell covering a region of a field corresponding to an area wetted by a spray head directed into the spray hood via the spray head attachment fitting. The spray hood assembly of each of the at least two spray containment devices may be situated behind one planter unit attached to the vehicle. The region of the field covered by the spray hood of each of the at least two spray containment devices may include at least one row planted by the planter unit situated forward of each spray containment device. The hinged attachment fitting of each of the at least two spray containment devices may permit upward rotation of the top plate sufficient to invert the spray hood to facilitate maintenance of the spray containment device.

Corresponding reference characters and labels indicate corresponding elements among the views of the drawings. The headings used in the figures should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In various aspects, devices, systems and methods for applying an agricultural spray using an agricultural spray containment device attached to a vehicle are disclosed herein. The agricultural spray containment device may reduce losses of the applied spray due to drift without substantially interfering with a coverage pattern of a spray nozzle used to apply the agricultural spray. In addition, each spray containment device is dimensioned to contain the spray from a single nozzle corresponding to a coverage of one or more rows of a crop planted by a single planter unit, thereby enabling a modular design. Using this modular design, each spray containment device may be combined with one or more additional spray containment devices to form an agricultural spray containment system to perform spray applications over two or more rows of a crop.

The modular design of the spray containment device further enables flexibility of the device with respect to integration with a variety of existing spray systems, planting systems, soil preparation systems, farming vehicles, and hitching systems. By way of non-limiting example, each spray containment device may be situated behind a planter unit attached to the vehicle. In this example, if the planting system includes multiple planter units, a spray containment device may be situated behind each individual planter unit of the system. The spray containment device may be situated behind any known planter unit including, but not limited to: a single row planter unit, a twin row planter unit, and any other planter unit known in the art. This arrangement of a spray containment system in which a spray containment device is situated behind each planter unit enables the farmer to plant a crop and immediately apply an agricultural spray product including, but not limited to, a pre-emergent pesticide and/or a sprayed fertilizer, in a single trip.

In an aspect, each spray containment device may include a spray hood mounted at a hinged attachment fitting to allow the spray hood to rotate within a limited range. This hinged attachment fitting enables the spray hood to rotate upward and provide clearance over an obstacle including, but not limited to, a dirt clod or other topographical irregularity in a crop field. Because each spray hood is attached to the vehicle independently via a dedicated hinged attachment fitting, each spray hood may independently rotate without perturbing other spray hoods in the system. In another aspect, each spray hood may be rotated independently upward to an inverted position to facilitate maintenance of the spray containment device and associated spray head.

In various aspects, the agricultural spray containment device and spray containment system overcome many of the limitations of previous spray containment systems. The modular design enables considerable flexibility in the integration of the spray containment device with existing agricultural vehicles, devices, and systems. In particular, the spray containment system may be situated behind a planting system, enabling planting and spraying to be accomplished in a single run, saving both time and fuel. Further, the combined planting/spraying may reduce the risk of loss due to random events such as rain that may delay a spray application performed separately after completion of planting, as must be done in previous spray containment systems.

In addition, the modular design permits the repair or replacement of individual spray containment devices within a system, thereby facilitating maintenance or trouble-shooting of the spray containment system. The independent rotation of each spray containment device in the system further enhances access to each individual spray hood, permitting the maintenance of the spray containment system while still attached to the planting system and/or vehicle.

Detailed descriptions of the spray containment device and spray containment systems in various aspects are provided herein below.

I. Spray Containment Device

In one aspect, the spray containment device100is illustrated inFIG. 1. In this aspect, the spray containment device100may include a spray hood assembly200and a support arm assembly300. The spray hood assembly200may form a barrier around a spray plume (not shown) produced by a spray head402operatively coupled to the spray hood assembly200to reduce the loss of an agricultural spray (not shown) applied by the spray head402to the field500. The support arm assembly300is operatively coupled to the spray hood assembly200at a rear end302and is further operatively coupled to the vehicle, or to a towed agricultural device including, but not limited to, a planter unit (not shown) at a forward end304opposite to the rear end302.

The spray containment device100is configured to contain the spray plume without significantly altering the spray pattern contacting the field500from the spray pattern produced by the spray head402in the absence of the spray containment device100. In one aspect, the spray head402and associated spray containment device100may be dimensioned to cover at least one planted row of a crop in the field500and may further overlap with an adjacent spray plume associated with one or more adjacent planted rows of a crop in the field500. In other aspects, the spray head402and associated spray containment device100may be dimensioned to cover two or more adjacent planted rows of a crop in the field500.

a. Spray Hood Assembly

Referring again toFIG. 1, the spray hood assembly200may cover a region of the field500wetted by a spray application of an agricultural compound to prevent the loss of the sprayed compound due to drift.FIG. 2is a close-up isometric view of the spray hood assembly200in an aspect. In various aspects, the spray hood assembly200may include a top plate202, a spray hood206attached to the top plate202, a front curtain208and a rear curtain210attached to the spray hood206, and a pair of lateral curtains212/214also attached to the spray hood206.

In one aspect, each spray hood assembly200is configured to contain the spray plume produced by a single spray head (not shown) over one or more rows of a planted crop. Each spray hood assembly200is attached to the vehicle independently and operates independently, enabling the incorporation of multiple spray hood assemblies200in a modular manner into a variety of agricultural operations involving a variety of different devices and equipment. By way of non-limiting example, a spray hood assembly200may be attached behind each planter unit in an 8-row assembly, a 12-row assembly, or any other number of rows in an assembly. In various additional aspects, each spray hood assembly200may be repaired and/or replaced independently, thereby facilitating the maintenance of a group of spray hood assemblies200used in an agricultural operation.

Spray Hood

Referring again toFIG. 1and toFIG. 10, the spray hood assembly200may include a spray hood206in various aspects. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the spray hood206may include an upper face220, a forward face228(not shown), a rear face230, and a pair of lateral faces232and234. The forward face228may further include a spray head attachment fitting236through which the spray head402(not illustrated) may be inserted to enable the spray plume to be directed into the interior volume beneath the spray hood206and downward to the field (not shown) below. The spray hood206may enclose the spray plume within an interior volume enclosed by the upper face220, forward face228, rear face230, and the pair of lateral faces232and234.

In various aspects, the spray hood206may be constructed of any suitably lightweight and stiff material known in the art including, but not limited to, a lightweight plastic material such as polypropylene. In an aspect, the upper face220, forward face228, rear face230(not shown), and lateral faces232/234may be formed from relatively thin sheets of material. In various other aspects, the spray hood206may include local thickening, formed ribs, bracing, and/or any other known structural reinforcement within one or more regions including, but not limited to, an adjoining edge between two faces of the spray hood206, along a free edge of any of the faces not joined to another face of the spray hood206, an interior region of a relatively large face including, but not limited to, the forward face228and/or rear face230.

By way of non-limiting example, the forward face228and rear face230of the spray hood206may include a thickened forward lower edge241and a thickened rear lower edge243, respectively. In addition to structural reinforcement, the forward lower edge242and rear lower edge244may further provide attachment edges for the front curtain208and rear curtain210, respectively, as described herein.

In another aspect, each of the lateral faces232/234may contain lateral openings238/240, respectively, that enable the lateral spread of the spray plume beyond the limits of the lateral faces232/234. The spray plume is ultimately contained by the pair of lateral curtains212/214(not illustrated) fastened over the lateral faces232/234as described herein.

Any suitable spray hood206may be incorporated into the spray hood assembly200without limitation. In one aspect, the spray hood206may be fabricated for use in the spray hood assembly200. In another aspect, the spray hood206may be a commercially available spray hood element that may be adapted for use as the spray hood206within the spray hood assembly200. In this aspect, the commercially available part may be used as purchased, or the commercially available part may be subjected to one or more modifications including, but not limited to, forming fastener holes, forming a spray head attachment fitting, forming a pair of lateral openings, adding structural reinforcements, and any other necessary modification known in the art.

In one aspect, the spray hood206may be a hood segment as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,335 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In another aspect, the spray hood206may be a hood segment as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,578 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In these aspects, the hood segments may be modified as described herein previously.

Top Plate

Referring again toFIG. 1and toFIG. 10, spray hood assembly200may include the top plate202attached to the spray hood206. In an aspect, the top plate202may provide robust structural support for the attachment of the spray hood assembly200to the support arm assembly300. In addition, the hinged attachment fitting204may provide a hinged coupling of the spray hood assembly200to the support arm assembly300that enables the rotation of the spray hood assembly200.

FIG. 4is a plan view of the top plate202in one aspect. The top plate202may include a central portion218, a forward tongue222, and a rear tongue224. The central portion218may attach to the upper face220of the spray hood206, as illustrated inFIG. 2. In one aspect, the central portion218of the top plate202may essentially cover the upper face220of the spray hood206. In another aspect, the central portion218may be smaller than the upper face220. Referring toFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the width242of the spray hood206may be matched to the width246of the central portion218, and the length248of the central portion220of the spray hood206may be matched to the length244of the upper face220of the spray hood206in various aspects.

The top plate202may be attached to the upper face220using any attachment means known in the art without limitation. Non-limiting examples of suitable attachment means include: adhesives, welding, and fasteners such as screws, bolts, pins, rivets, and the like. Referring again toFIG. 4, in an aspect the top plate202may include one or more bores254formed through the top plate202to the underlying upper face220of the spray hood206.

The top plate202may be formed from a sheet of a suitably strong material including, but not limited to, a metal such as steel or aluminum, a polymer, a composite material such as a graphite composite, and any other known high strength material. In one aspect, the top plate202may be formed from a steel plate including, but not limited to, a ⅜″ hot rolled steel plate.

Forward and Rear Tongues

Referring again toFIG. 4, the forward tongue222may bend downward at a forward bend line250to extend forward and downward over the forward face228of the spray hood206, as illustrated inFIG. 5, a top view of the spray containment device100. Similarly, the rear tongue224may bend downward at a rear bend line252(seeFIG. 4) to extend rearward and downward over the rear face230of the spray hood206as illustrated inFIG. 5. In an aspect, the rear tongue224may be aligned along the rear face230of the spray hood206, as illustrated inFIG. 2, and the forward tongue222may be aligned along the forward face228of the spray hood206.

Spray Head Attachment Fitting

Referring again toFIG. 4, the central portion218of the top plate202may define a spray head attachment fitting256to which the spray head402is operatively coupled. In an aspect, the spray head attachment fitting256of the top plate202may be situated in vertical alignment with the spray head attachment fitting236of the spray hood206. The spray head402may be situated within the opening formed by the spray head attachment fittings236/256and held in place by a spray head fixation plate404that may be reversibly attached to the top plate202as illustrated inFIG. 1and inFIG. 10.

Hinged Attachment Fitting

Referring again toFIG. 2, a hinged attachment fitting204may be attached to the top plate202in various aspects. In various aspects, the hinged attachment fitting204may be any known hinged fitting known in the art without limitation. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the hinged attachment fitting204may include a pair of hinge plates258A/258B projecting perpendicularly upward from the top plate202in an aspect.FIG. 12is a side view of a hinge plate258in one aspect showing a bottom edge260which is attached to the top plate202(not shown) as well as a hinge pin bore262formed near a forward end264of the hinge plate258. The hinge plate258may attach to the top plate202(not shown) at the bottom edge260by any known fastening means including, but not limited to, welding and/or an adhesive in various aspects. In various other aspects, the hinged attachment fitting204may be an integral structure with the top plate202. By way of non-limiting example, the top plate202and hinged attachment fitting204may be cast as a single structure in an aspect.

Referring again toFIG. 5, each hinge pin receptacle262A/262B may be aligned to receive a hinge pin266inserted through the hinge pin receptacles262A/262B along a hinge axis216. The hinge pin receptacles262A/262B may further align with corresponding hinge pin receptacles316A/316B, respectively, formed within the rear end302of the support arm assembly300. The hinge pin266may extend through the hinge pin receptacles316A/316B and may be retained in this position using any known retention means including, but not limited to, pins or nuts. In one aspect, the hinge pin266may be retained by a nut268advanced over a threaded end of the hinge pin266, as illustrated inFIG. 5.

In various aspects, the hinged attachment fitting204may enable limited rotation of the spray hood assembly200about the hinge axis216within an angular range constrained by one or more means as described in detail herein below.FIG. 6is a side view of spray containment device100illustrating the spray hood assembly200with the top plate axis270rotated relative to horizontal; this rotation may enable the spray hood assembly200to clear an obstacle502including, but not limited to, a rock, dirt clod and/or other irregularity on the surface of the field500.FIG. 7is a side view of spray containment device100illustrating the spray hood assembly200in an operating position characterized by a horizontal alignment of the top plate axis270.FIG. 8is a side view of spray containment device100illustrating the spray hood assembly200in an inverted position; the inverted position may be used to facilitate the maintenance and/or repair of the spray hood assembly200in various aspects.

Constraints on Spray Hood Assembly Rotation

The rotation of the spray hood assembly200about the hinge axis216may be constrained to within a predetermined range using any known means of limiting rotation of a hinge joint known in the art without limitation. In one aspect, the rotation of the spray hood assembly200may be limited by a mechanical interference of two or more structural elements of the spray containment device100. Referring again toFIG. 6, the rotation of the spray hood assembly200in a forward direction may be limited by a mechanical interference between the rear end302of the support arm assembly300and the forward tongue222of the top plate202. In other aspects, the rotation of the spray hood assembly200about the hinge axis216may be constrained using other means including, but not limited to springs, dampers, rotational actuators, mechanical stops, and any other known means of limiting rotation about a hinge.

In various aspects, any known biasing spring may be used to constrain the rotation of the spray hood assembly200.FIG. 11Ais a top view of a biasing spring1100used to constrain the rotation of the spray hood assembly200about the hinge axis216in one aspect. The biasing spring1100may include a first end1102and a second end1104projecting from opposite ends of a wound spring portion1106as well as a central arm portion1108. The wound spring portion1106may contain a lumen (not shown).FIG. 11Bis a top view of a spray containment device100with a biasing spring1100installed at the hinged attachment fitting204in one aspect.

As illustrated inFIG. 11B, the hinge pin266may be inserted through the lumen of the wound spring portion1106of the biasing spring1100to retain the biasing spring1100in position. The central portion1108may be situated upon the surface of the central portion218of the top plate202, and the first and second ends1102/1104may be situated over the rear end302of the support arm assembly300. In an aspect, the first and second ends1102/1104may be detached from the rear end302of the support arm assembly300to permit the free rotation of the spray hood assembly200. By way of non-limiting example, the first and second ends1102/1104may be detached from the rear end302to permit the rotation of the spray hood assembly200into the inverted position as illustrated inFIG. 8without inducing a restoring force from the biasing spring1100.

Curtains

Referring again toFIG. 2, the spray hood assembly200may include at least one flexible curtain extending from the spray hood206to within a predetermined distance from the surface of the field500(not shown) in various aspects. In various aspects, the curtains may include a front curtain208, a rear curtain210, and a pair of lateral curtains212/214. In these various aspects, the curtains may contain the spray plume beneath the spray hood206while permitting sufficient inward airflow to enable an even distribution of the sprayed compound on the portion of field500situated beneath the spray hood206.

Referring toFIG. 3,FIG. 5, andFIG. 6, the front curtain208may be attached to the forward lower edge241of the spray hood206in an aspect. In another aspect, the front curtain208may extend essentially the entire width242of the spray hood206along the forward lower edge241. In an additional aspect, the front curtain208may extend downward to maintain a front gap270of 2 inches or more between the surface of the field500and the front curtain208. In this additional aspect, the front gap270may enable the front curtain208to flex in a rearward direction to provide clearance over an obstacle502on the field500(seeFIG. 7) without interfering with the distribution of the spray plume onto the field500. Because the rearward deflection of the front curtain208may potentially deflect the lower edge of the front curtain208into the internal volume enclosed by the spray hood206, the front gap270reduces the likelihood of deflection of the front curtain208into this internal volume.

Referring again toFIG. 3,FIG. 5, andFIG. 6, the rear curtain210may be attached to the rear lower edge243of the spray hood206in an aspect. In another aspect, the rear curtain210extends essentially the entire width242of the spray hood206along the rear lower edge243. In an additional aspect, the rear curtain208may extend downward to maintain a rear gap272of 1 inch or less between the surface of the field500and the rear curtain210. In this additional aspect, the rear gap272enables the rear curtain210to flex in a rearward direction to provide clearance over an obstacle502on the field500(seeFIG. 7). Because the rearward deflection of the rear curtain210may deflect the lower edge of the rear curtain210away from the internal volume enclosed by the spray hood206, the rear gap272may be less than the front gap270without interfering with the distribution of the spray plume onto the field500.

In various aspects, the front curtain208and rear curtain210may be produced using any flexible material without limitation. Suitable materials for use in producing the front and rear curtains208/210include any flexible plastic material such as polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In one aspect, the front and rear curtains208/210may be produced from a polyurethane sheet.

Referring again toFIG. 2, a lower portion of the front and rear sheets208/210may be sectioned into two or more strips274along the width of the sheets208/210. In various aspects, each strip274may range between about 2 inches and 6 inches in width. In one aspect, each strip274may be about 4 inches in width. Each of the two or more strips274may extend up to the full height of the front and rear sheets208/210. In one aspect, the strip274may extend up a portion of the full height of the front and rear sheets208/210to maintain an intact top portion for attachment to the forward lower edge241and rear lower edge243, respectively.

Referring again toFIG. 2,FIG. 5, andFIG. 10, the spray hood assembly200may include a pair of flexible lateral curtains212/214covering the lateral openings238/240within the lateral faces232/234of the spray hood206. In various aspects, each of the lateral curtains212/214may include a front edges276A/276B attached to the forward face228of the spray hood206and rear edges278A/278B attached to the rear face230of the spray hood206. Each of the lateral curtains212/214may protrude laterally away from the ends of the spray hood206in an open-ended half-cone profile with a relatively small upper opening280and larger lower opening282.

FIG. 16is a planform view of a lateral curtain212/214in one aspect, The lateral curtain212/214may include a curved upper edge284and a curved lower edge286in addition to the front edge276and the rear edge278. The curved lower edge286may form a relatively straight profile when installed as illustrated inFIG. 6. Referring again toFIG. 6, the lower edge286may maintain a lateral gap288of 1 inch or less between the lower edge286and the field500.

Referring again toFIG. 16, the lateral curtains212/214may be provided in a symmetrical pattern as illustrated inFIG. 16in order to enable installation at either end of the spray hood206without modification. In some aspects, the front edge276and rear edge278may be provided with tabs290to provide material through which one or more fasteners (not shown) may be inserted to hold the front edge276and rear edge278in place. In various aspects, the lateral curtains212/214may be constructed from any suitable material without limitation including, but not limited to polyurethane.

b. Support Arm

Referring again toFIG. 1, the spray containment device100may include a support arm assembly300to attach the spray hood assembly200to a vehicle including, but not limited to, a tractor. In various aspects, a support arm assembly300may provide a compatible attachment fitting for the vehicle at the forward end304and a hinged fitting at the rear end302. In various other aspects, the support arm assembly300may enable the spray hood assembly200to be maintained at a suitable height over the field500during use. In these various other aspects, the height of the forward end304and the height of the rear end302relative to the field500may be different to compensate for differences in height of the attachment point of the vehicle for different models and types of vehicles.

Support Member

The support arm assembly300may include one or more support member320that may be any suitable support arm without limitation. In one aspect, the support member320may be a single elongate structural member including, but not limited to a solid section bar, an I-beam, a tubular bar, and any elongate structural member known in the art. The elongate structural member may have any cross-sectional profile without limitation including, but not limited to: circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, and any other known cross-sectional profile.

Referring toFIG. 1, the support member320may be a pair of support members320with a rectangular cross-sectional profile. A side view of a support member320in one aspect is illustrated inFIG. 13A. In this aspect, the rear end302may contain a hinge pin receptacle316to receive a hinge pin266as described herein above. The rear end302may terminate in any known profile without limitation including, but not limited to a rounded profile as illustrated inFIG. 13A; this profile may be configured to permit the free rotation of the spray hood assembly200about the hinged attachment fitting204. In another aspect, the rear end302may terminate in a profile configured to limit the range of rotation motion of the spray hood assembly200about the hinged attachment fitting204as described previously herein

Referring again toFIG. 13A, the support member320may include a rear bend322to align the rear-most portion of the support member320with the angle of the rear tongue224, as illustrated inFIG. 6, thereby maintaining the spray hood assembly200in a vertical operating position as described herein previously. The support arm may further include a front bend324to align the front-most portion of the support member320at an angle compatible with the attachment fittings of the vehicle in an aspect. The front bend324and/or rear bend322may be configured to enable a height difference326between the forward end304and the rear end302. As illustrated inFIG. 13A, both the front bend324and the rear bend322may enable the height difference326. As illustrated inFIG. 13B, a support member with only a rear bend322, only the rear bend322may enable the height difference326.

The support member320may be constructed using any suitable material without limitation including, but limited to a metal, a high-strength polymer or plastic, a wood, and any other suitably strong material. In one aspect, a pair of support members320A and320B as illustrated inFIG. 1may be produced using a steel plate including, but not limited to, a ⅜″ hot rolled steel plate.

Spacers

Referring again toFIG. 5, the support members320A/320B may be maintained at a separation distance by one or more spacers situated between the support members320A/320B at one or more locations along the length of the support arm assembly300. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the support arm assembly300may include a rear spacer310attached at opposed ends to the rear ends302A/302B of the support members320A/320B. In addition, the support arm assembly300may include a mid-arm spacer312attached at opposed ends to the support members320A/320B at a location between the forward end304and rear end302of the support arm assembly300. Further, the support arm assembly300may include an attachment plate314attached between the support members320A/320B at the forward end304of the support assembly300that may further maintain the spacing between the support members320A/320B.

In various aspects, the spacers310/312may be any suitable cross-sectional shape without limitation. In one aspect, the spacers310and312may be provided in the form of a slab or plate, as illustrated inFIG. 5. In other aspects, not illustrated, the spacers310and312may be provided in additional forms including, but not limited to: solid bars and/or tubular members. In additional aspects, the spacers310and312may include bores, cut-outs, and any other openings configured for a variety of uses including, but not limited to: receiving one or more fasteners, supporting peripheral equipment or devices, and any other suitable purpose without limitation.

The spacers310/312may be attached to the upper face220using any attachment means known in the art without limitation. Non-limiting examples of suitable attachment means include: adhesives, welding, and fasteners such as screws, bolts, pins, rivets, and the like. The support member320may be constructed using any suitable material without limitation including, but limited to a metal, a high-strength polymer or plastic, a wood, and any other suitably strong material. In one aspect, a pair of support members320A/320B as illustrated inFIG. 1may be produced using a steel plate including, but not limited to, a ⅜″ hot rolled steel plate.

In one aspect, the spacers310/312may maintain the support members320A/320B at a relatively constant separation distance, thereby maintaining the support members320A/320B in an essentially parallel orientation, as illustrated inFIG. 5. In various other aspects, the spacers310/312may align the support members320A/320B in a non-parallel orientation such that the separation distance of the support members320A/320B at the rear end302of the support arm assembly300is greater than or less than the separation distance of the support members320A/320B at the forward end304.

Attachment Plate

Referring again toFIG. 5, the support arm assembly300may include an attachment plate314attached to the support member320at the forward end304. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the attachment plate314may be attached at opposed edges to the support members320A/320B. In one aspect, the attachment plate314may be configured to mechanically interact with corresponding features of an attachment fitting (not shown) of a vehicle to which the spray containment device100is attached. In one aspect, the attachment plate314may be provided in the form of a single plate, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6.FIG. 14Ais a plan view of the attachment plate314illustrated inFIG. 5. As illustrated inFIG. 14A, the attachment plate314may include opposed lateral edges326A/326B to which the forward segments308of the support members320are attached, as illustrated inFIG. 5. The opposed lateral edges326A/326B may be parallel, as illustrated inFIG. 14BandFIG. 14C, or the opposed lateral edges326A/326B may be non-parallel, as illustrated inFIG. 14A.

Referring again toFIG. 5,FIG. 14A, andFIG. 14C, the attachment plate314may further include a forward portion328configured to interact with various elements of an attachment fitting of the vehicle to enable the attachment of the support arm assembly300to the vehicle. The forward portion328may be an essentially rectangular projection, as illustrated inFIGS. 14B and 14Cin one aspect. In other aspects, the forward portion328may include additional features configured to engage one or more elements of the attachment fitting of the vehicle. Non-limiting examples of additional features of the forward portion328include: one or more bores330as illustrated inFIG. 14A, threaded fittings, raised ridges, raised shafts, trailer hitches, and any other additional feature suitable for enabling the hitching of the support arm assembly300to the vehicle.

Referring again toFIG. 5,FIG. 6, andFIG. 17, the attachment plate314may be attached to the forward end304of the support arm assembly300in any orientation without limitation including, but not limited to a horizontal orientation, a vertical orientation, and any other orientation between a horizontal and vertical orientation. In one aspect, the attachment plate314may be attached to the forward end304of the support arm assembly300in a horizontal orientation, as illustrated inFIG. 6. In another aspect, a top view of which is illustrated inFIG. 17, the attachment plate314may be attached to the forward end304of the support arm assembly300in a vertical orientation.

Referring again toFIG. 17, the support arm assembly300may further include one or more side plates332A/332B attached to the lateral edges326A/326B of the attachment plate314in an aspect. The one or more side plates332A/332B may be configured to interact with additional features of the attachment fitting of the vehicle to which the support arm assembly300is attached.FIGS. 15A-15Bare side views of side plates332in two aspects. Each side plate332may include a rear portion334configured for attachment to the attachment plate314as illustrated inFIG. 17. Each side plate332may further include a front portion336configured to interact with the features of the vehicle's attachment fitting. In one aspect, the front portion336may project forward from the attachment plate314as illustrated inFIG. 17. In another aspect, the front portion336may include additional features to facilitate the interaction of the side plate332with the vehicle's attachment fitting including, but not limited to: bores, threaded fittings, raised ridges, raised shafts, trailer hitches, and any other additional feature suitable for enabling the hitching of the support arm assembly300to the vehicle.

II. Spray Containment System

In various aspects, two or more spray containment devices100as described herein may be combined to form an agricultural spray containment system2000.FIG. 9is an isometric view of an agricultural spray containment system2000that includes eight spray containment devices100attached to the vehicle (not shown). As discussed previously herein, the support arm assembly300of each spray containment device100may be independently attached to the vehicle and may operate independently of any of the other spray containment devices100of the system2000.

In one aspect, each spray containment device100may be attached to the vehicle. Non-limiting examples of suitable vehicles include farming vehicles such as tractors, trucks, and the like. In various other aspects, the modular design of each spray containment device100enables the attachment of each device to a variety of existing agricultural systems and devices including, but not limited to, spray systems, planting systems, soil preparation systems, farming vehicles, and hitching systems. In these various other aspects, the devices100of the agricultural spray containment system2000may be attached to the vehicle by way of one or more agricultural systems.

By way of non-limiting example, each spray containment device100may be attached to a planter unit2002as illustrated inFIG. 9. In this example, each planter unit2002and attached spray containment device100may be ganged together by attachment to a beam2004. The beam2004may be attached to a tractor or other agricultural vehicle using one or more beam attachment arms2006.

Any number of spray containment devices100may be included in the agricultural spray containment system2000as needed without limitation. In various aspects, the number of spray containment devices100included in the agricultural spray containment system2000may range between about 2 and about 32 or more. In various aspects, the devices100of the system2000may be arranged in any configuration without limitation. In one aspect, the devices100may be arranged in a linear configuration as illustrated inFIG. 9. In another aspect, the devices100may be arranged in a staggered configuration in which adjacent devices100are alternately offset in a forward or rearward direction. In another aspect, the devices100may be arranged in an offset configuration in which an adjacent device100is offset in a rearward direction relative to a preceding device100such that devices100are aligned along a diagonal line extending laterally and rearward relative to a lead device100in the system2000.

In various aspects, each device100in the system2000is configured to spray the width of one or more planted rows of a crop, with a slight degree of overlap with one or more adjacent planted rows. In one aspect, the agricultural spray containment system2000may be used to apply a sprayed agricultural product at the same time as another agricultural operation, such as the planting of a crop using a plurality of planting units2002as illustrated inFIG. 9. In another aspect, the agricultural spray containment system2000may be used to apply a sprayed agricultural product separately from other agricultural operations.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the present invention. From the above description and drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the particular embodiments shown and described are for purposes of illustrations only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. References to details of particular embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.