Method and apparatus for applying liquid and dry lawn treatment materials

A self-contained, hand-operated, compact applicator for dispensing liquid and/or dry lawn care products is disclosed in which dry treatment materials are broadcast from a hopper in response to manual propulsion of the applicator over the terrain and liquid materials, stored in a tank carried by the hopper, are pressurized by electrically powered pump means and dispensed via plural valve operated spray nozzles selectively controlled by the operator to effect regulated and uniform application of dry and liquid treatment materials either contemporaneously or independently of one another.

This invention relates generally to the art of lawn or turf care and more 
particularly to improve applicator means and a method for uniformly 
applying liquid and/or dry treatment materials over turf areas. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Proper care and maintenance of a lawn or turf area requires periodic 
application of fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and other chemicals 
depending on the condition of the lawn to be treated. Since the task of 
proper lawn maintenance can be time consuming, difficult and tiring, 
particularly to the individual homeowner, professional lawn care services 
have become increasingly popular. Traditionally, such services apply 
fertilizers and herbicides to turf areas, usually at regular intervals of 
four or five times per growing season. The primary method of application 
has been to mix the prescribed herbicides with a liquid fertilizer 
solution in a large truck mounted tank from which the mixture is pumped 
through a hose to a nozzle or hand spray wand and applied to the lawn. At 
best this method of application leaves much to be desired. Properly 
trained operators must master the technique of hand spraying the chemicals 
uniformly in order to insure even turf growth and color, proper control of 
weeds, and to avoid chemical damage to the turf or adjacent ornamentals. 
Such method is highly susceptible to wind conditions since with the liquid 
leaving the hand gun at waist height or higher even a slight wind can 
cause the sprayed materials to drift from a targeted area into unwanted 
places. 
Because of the difficulty of the hand spraying application, dry fertilizer 
products have been resorted to. By using a good quality, properly 
calibrated spreader it is quite easy to uniformly spread the dry 
fertilizer products. In order to alleviate the cost and labor of applying 
liquid herbicides independently of the dry products, combination dry 
herbicide and granular fertilizer products have been introduced. However, 
the cost and treatment effectiveness of the dry herbicides has seriously 
detracted from popularity of such products despite the capability of 
uniform product distribution and lessening wind effect on the application. 
As a result the lawn service industry has more recently returned to the 
original liquid application methods. However, the support equipment for 
this system, requiring multiple storage tanks, elaborate pumping systems, 
high volume water supply and increasing costs of liquid application truck 
equipment has become a heavy cost burden to the lawn service operator, as 
well as the purchaser of the services. 
In recognition of the foregoing indicated problems and drawbacks of 
traditional equipment and materials presently in use in the lawn service 
industry, there is a need for a cost efficient application system which 
can apply both dry fertilizer and liquid weed controls simultaneously or 
independently at the operator's command while carrying out such functions 
as the equipment traverses the turf area to be serviced. Such equipment 
must also be of a size capable of being readily maneuvered around 
obstacles or through narrow passageways, such as gates or entrance-ways, 
encountered by the operator during the application procedures. 
The present invention is directed to the provision of improved equipment 
for applying wet and dry lawn treatment materials and to a method of 
application which alleviates many of the aforenoted problems and 
application difficulties encountered in lawn or turf maintenance problems. 
Combination machines for applying wet and dry treatment materials such as 
dry fertilizers and liquid herbicides, etc., have been developed 
heretofore, but have experienced limited success. Typifying such prior 
developments, for example, is the wet/dry spreader taught in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,352,463 issued to Baker on Oct. 5, 1982. In accordance with that patent 
a power driven combination wet and dry lawn treatment spreader is 
disclosed wherein dry fertilizer materials are stored in a hopper and fed 
by gravity to a spinning impeller which distributes or broadcasts the 
granulated materials in a fan-like pattern. Liquid treatment materials are 
sprayed in a similar pattern. The wet materials are supplied from a remote 
tank truck via a hose connected to the spreader. Provision of the remote 
supply truck tank and pump and the interconnecting hose makes manipulation 
of the spreader cumbersome and of limited maneuverability inasmuch as the 
heavy hose must be dragged over the terrain to be treated. 
A later development is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,486 issued to Magda on 
Nov. 20, 1984, in which a self-contained combination wet/dry spreader is 
taught. The dry granulated materials are broadcast by an spinning impeller 
in response to manual driving of the spreader; the spreader carrying tanks 
of liquid material which are pumped to a spray nozzle by means of a pump 
means driven in response to movement of the spreader. In this particular 
apparatus the spray pattern is laterally isolated from the dry material 
pattern of distribution, thereby seriously impairing uniformity of 
distributing both liquid and dry products simultaneously. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In brief the improved spreading apparatus or applicator of this invention 
obviates the aforenoted difficulties and shortcomings of known combination 
wet/dry spreaders, typified by the aforenoted patents, for example. 
The improved spreader apparatus of this invention employs a hopper for 
holding and gravitationally dispensing granulated dry fertilizer materials 
to an under disposed impeller which is rotatably driven in response to 
manual propulsion of the spreader apparatus. The dry materials are 
broadcast in a generally semi-circular pattern and in a horizontal plane. 
Wet treatment materials are stored in a tank carried by the hopper and 
pumped under pressure by means of an electrically powered pump means to a 
plurality of spray nozzles located forwardly and beneath the dry material 
impeller. Thus, the wet materials are sprayed in a pattern located beneath 
the dry material pattern envelope, thereby protecting the wet materials 
from wind drift while isolating the wet materials from the dry fertilizer 
distributing means. Electrically powered valve means, suitably controlled 
by individual switch means, permit the operator to selectively control the 
spray pattern or patterns evolving from the multiple spray heads whereby 
the applicator is capable of spreading dry materials alone or in 
conjunction with the wet materials and vice versa. An optional hand spray 
wand is provided for hand spraying application to areas requiring limited 
and locally controlled distribution, such as along fences, between bushes, 
sidewalk cracks and other hard to reach areas, thus eliminating the need 
for supplemental portable spray equipment. 
It is one of the principle objects of this invention to provide a 
combination wet/dry machine or apparatus for applying dry and liquid lawn 
treatment materials over turf areas. 
Still another important object of this invention is to provide an improved 
combination wet-dry fertilizer/herbicide spreader employing a wheel driven 
rotating impeller system for broadcasting dry fertilizer materials and a 
self-contained, electrically operated, low volume liquid spraying system 
workable in conjunction with a dry spreader system. 
Still another important object of this invention is to provide an improved 
wet/dry apparatus and method of applying dry and liquid lawn treatment 
materials by which liquid herbicides and like materials are applied within 
and beneath the spread pattern application envelope of the dry materials. 
Another important object of this invention is to provide an improved 
wet/dry applicator for applying wet and dry lawn treatment materials 
either simultaneously or independently of one another. 
Still another important object of this invention is to provide an improved 
spreader for applying lawn treatment materials embodying a manually 
powered wheel driven rotating impeller system for broadcasting dry 
fertilizer granules, and liquid storage tank means carried by the dry 
material spreader system embodying electrically operated pump means and 
valve means coupled with electrical controls for regulating the spray 
pattern of a plurality of liquid distributing spray nozzles. 
Having described this invention, the above and further objects, features 
and advantages thereof will be apparent to those familiar with the art 
from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, 
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and representing the best mode 
presently contemplated for enabling those of skill in this art to make and 
practice this invention and from which it will be understood that this 
invention lies in the construction, arrangement and combination of 
elements as more particularly defined in the claims appended hereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings disclose the features of a self-contained hand 
operated applicator, indicated generally by numeral 10, for distributing 
wet and dry lawn care products, in accordance with this invention. 
It will be recognized that the applicator 10 incorporates a generally 
conventional cyclone type dry fertilizer spreader comprising load carrying 
hopper means 12 of generally rectangular plan profile supported on a 
tubular under frame 14 extending over and carrying a horizontal axle 16 
having ground engaging drive wheels 18 fixed to its opposite ends 
outwardly of the frame means 14. Axle 16 drives a gear train (not shown) 
located in a transmission case 20 for rotatably driving a vertically 
extending impeller shaft 22 having an impeller means 23 mounted 
concentrically thereabout. Dry granulated materials falling through the 
bottom of hopper means 12 are centrifically broadcast in a generally 
circular pattern in response to rotational activity of the impeller means 
23 in a known manner. 
Regulation of the discharge of granular material from the hopper onto the 
impeller 23 is accomplished by changing the size of plural discharge 
openings or orifices 24 located in the bottom wall of the hopper 12. This 
is accomplished, in accordance with conventional practice by a shutter 
(not shown) moveable over openings 24 in response to operation of manually 
operated means 26 (see FIG. 3) adapted to be selectively locked against 
graduated scale means 28, all in a known manner. In addition to the 
opening regulating means 26 manually operated control rod means 30 serves 
to open and close the several discharge orifices 24. 
An auxiliary handle frame 32 is fastened to the rear side of hopper 
supporting frame 14; terminating at its upper end in a pair of outwardly 
turned manually engageable handles 34,34. At the lower end of frame 32 a 
pair of stabilizing wheels 36,36 are mounted on axle 37, rearwardly of the 
main hopper supporting drive wheels 18 to stabilize the applicator against 
tipping and overturning. 
An auxiliary shield member 38 is optionally positionable along one side of 
the impeller 23 to laterally restrict the discharge pattern for the dry 
materials. Such shield is used when fertilizing along a driveway, walk or 
the like. 
It will be appreciated that the foregoing general description of a cyclone 
type spreader is illustrative of existing lawn fertilizer equipment for 
distributing dry ingredients which is particularly applicable to the 
teachings and concepts of the present invention. 
In order to adapt the described dry ingredient spreader to the dispensing 
of liquid herbicides and the like, a generally U-shaped plastic tank and 
liquid reservoir 40 is attached, as by bracket means 41, to the front and 
side walls of the generally rectangular shaped hopper means 12 (see FIG. 
4) so as to be supported from the upper rim or lip of the hopper body. 
Preferably the tank 40 is made of suitable plastic materials, such as high 
density polyethylene, and is of substantially sealed construction except 
for inlet and outlet fittings. More specifically the tank 40 is provided 
with a filling cap 42 on its upper wall for filling the tank 40 with a 
suitable supply of liquid herbicide or other chemical mix which due to the 
regulation of the spray discharge, permits utilization of higher 
concentrated liquid materials then is employed in the more conventional 
tank truck spray systems. 
In addition to the filling cap 42, an inlet supply fitting 44, associated 
pressure regulating valve 45 and flexible supply tube 46 are mounted on 
the rear wall of the tank 40. Discharge fittings 47 and 48 extend from the 
bottom front corner margins of the tank 40 to shut off valves 49 and 50, 
respectively, and line filters 51 and 52 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Flexible 
hoses 54 lead from the two filters 51 and 52 to pump means as will appear 
presently. 
Laterally spaced spray nozzles 56-58 are mounted on a horizontal mounting 
bar 60, positioned forwardly of the wheels 18. Bar 60 is carried by a pair 
of vertically extending threaded adjustment rods 62,62 attached at their 
lower ends to a horizontal mounting bracket 64 carried parallel to axle 
16, by two bracket arms 65,65 fixed to frame 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). 
Threading adjustment of the rods 62 serves to elevate or depress the spray 
emitting from the several nozzles 56-58 for purposes of changing the 
extent of the spray pattern. 
In order to pressurize the liquid contents of the reservoir 40, a diaphragm 
pump 70 powered by an electrical motor 71 is provided; the same being 
mounted on a mounting bracket 72 carried by angularly disposed legs 73,73 
of the handle frame 32 (see FIG. 2). As best shown in FIG. 3 of the 
drawings, pump 70 has an intake 74 and a pair of discharge outlets 75 and 
76. Intake 74 is connected to the filter discharge lines 54 associated 
with the two tank discharge outlets 47 and 48 on the forward lower corners 
of the tank means 40. Provision of such two tank outlets assures liquid 
supply to the pump when the applicator is tilted sideways, as when moving 
along the side of a hill or similar sloping grade. 
The pump's discharge outlet 75 is connected to the hose 46 associated with 
the inlet fitting 44 for the tank 40. Regulation of the control valve 45 
in line 46 serves to regulate the overall system pressure as produced by 
the discharge of the pump means 70. 
Discharge outlet 76 of the pump is connected by a tubing network 78 to 
three solenoid valves marked L, C and R in FIG. 3 for respectively 
controlling the flow of fluid to nozzles 56, 57 and 58. Thus, when the 
solenoid operated valves are in a deenergized or closed position, the 
respectively associated spray nozzles are isolated from the pressurized 
fluid. Conversely opening any one or more of the solenoid operated valves 
serves to supply pressurized fluid to the respectively associated nozzle 
means. The above described hydraulic system is illustrated schematically 
in FIG. 6 of the drawings. 
Turning now to the particulars of the electrical supply means for powering 
the motor 70 as well as the several solenoid operated valves, particular 
reference is made to FIGS. 1-4 and 7 of the drawings. 
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in particular, the front wall of the tank 40 is 
equipped with a rectangular shaped battery carrier 80 in which are mounted 
a pair of high energy compact batteries connected in parallel to supply 12 
volt DC to the motor means 71 as well as to the several solenoid operated 
valves (see FIG. 7). The batteries preferably are of the rechargeable type 
and may be readily replaced in the field by the operator to avoid 
unwarranted delay in the lawn service operation. It is fully contemplated 
that in some instances an appropriate power supply may be provided over an 
extension cord or cable leading to a generator carried by a remote service 
truck, although this type of power supply is not preferred because of the 
need to drag the trailing cable behind the applicator during and 
throughout its maneuvering. 
To control the several aforedescribed electrical elements, namely, the 
electrical motor 71 and the several solenoid operated valves associated 
with the spray nozzles 56-58, a control box 81 is mounted on the upper end 
of the handle frame 32, immediately below its extending handle portions 34 
as best shown in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings. The upper wall of the control 
box 81 is equipped with six manually operable switch means 82-87 which may 
be of a toggle or plunger type. Switch 83, it will be noted, is located in 
direct alignment with the manually operable handle 88 of the control rod 
30 associated with the dry fertilizer spreader and preferably is a plunger 
type switch so that upon manipulating the handle 88 to discharge dry 
materials from hopper means 12 (from its FIG. 4 position to FIG. 1 
position), the plunger switch 83 will be depressed to energize an 
associated circuit, as will appear presently. 
With particular reference to the several switch means 82-87, switch 82 is a 
master control switch which connects battery power to the control panel or 
box 81 (see FIG. 7). With switch 82 closed and the dry material control 
handle in its "on" position to depress switch 83, the controls are 
conditioned for dry material application or dry and wet material 
application as selected. 
In the event that it is desired to provide spray application only, the dry 
material control handle 88 is moved to a lowered or "off" position as 
indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2 and as shown specifically in FIG. 4, 
thereby opening switch 83. Under such circumstances the bypassing of open 
switch 83 to energize the several solenoid controlled valves and motor 
means 71 may take place by closing the auxiliary control switch 84. 
Each of the spray nozzles and specifically operation of the solenoid valves 
L, C and R are controlled by the individual manually operated control 
switches 85, 86 and 87 respectively. Each of the switches 85-87 may be in 
an "on" or "off" position at the selective control of the operator. In 
other words, each of the switches 85-87 is independent of the others so as 
to effect individual selected control of the respectively associated 
nozzle sprays. If none of the switches 85-87 is actuated to "on" then only 
dry material application may take place. 
In addition to the electrically controlled spray nozzles 56-58, it is 
contemplated, as illustrated, that the applicator apparatus 10 will also 
be equipped with a manually controlled wand spray 90 held in clips 91,91 
at one side of the hopper 80 and connected by hose means 92 to the liquid 
distributing network 78 associated with the several solenoid operated 
valve means L, C and R. Such wand preferably is equipped with 
approximately 10 feet of hose or tubing and is employed for selective 
application of spray materials to out of the reach places, such as along 
fence lines, sidewalk cracks and like areas not normally adapted for spray 
application by any one or more of the nozzle sprays 56-58. 
Having described the various elemental portions which go to make up the 
improved combination applicator in accordance with this invention, its use 
and operation will now be set forth. 
Use and Operation 
It will be understood from the foregoing descriptive materials that the 
applicator 10 is capable of spreading dry treatment materials or spraying 
wet treatment materials at the selection of the operator and for applying 
both wet and dry materials simultaneously and in desired control patterns 
of application. The application of the dry fertilizer is accomplished by 
using the traditional wheel driven rotating impeller type system, 
preferably of the cyclone variety, as above described. By combining the 
self-contained electrically operated manually controlled, low-volume 
liquid spraying system with the dry fertilizer spreader, the applicator 10 
in accordance with this invention has the capability of spraying an exact 
prescribed amount of liquid herbicide or other liquid treatment material 
within and beneath the spread pattern of the dry materials being applied. 
Simultaneous wet/dry operation is controlled from the operator's position 
by using a convenient manually operable switching system which permits the 
operator to vary the spray pattern to coincide with the changing 
conditions of the turf area he is servicing. Thus, for example, by 
controlling the spray pattern of the liquid materials ornamental plants, 
lawn furniture, children's play areas, patios, driveways and so forth may 
be avoided by controlling the appropriate electrically controlled valves 
installed in the pressurized line serving each of the three distributing 
nozzles. As noted hereinabove, the several nozzles 56, 57 and 58 are 
located directly below and ahead of the dry material impeller. This allows 
the liquid chemicals or herbicide to be sprayed under the protective 
envelope of the dry material being spread. The close proximity to the turf 
and the overlying windshielding effect created by the dry materials 
reduces the normal wind drift affect on the liquid sprayed materials. FIG. 
8 of the drawings illustrates the relationship of the several liquid spray 
patterns to the dry material pattern or envelope, indicating that the 
spray material is applied substantially coterminous with the dry spreading 
envelope. 
In normal operation both of the outside nozzles 56 and 58 are spraying at 
one time. If the lawn area becomes congested, the operator at the flip of 
a switch can turn "on" or "off" any or both nozzles without changing the 
spread pattern of the dry material. The center nozzle 57 is designed to be 
used in a "spray only" situation when it is necessary to do very exacting 
trim work around delicate ornamentals or other obstacles. This spray 
nozzle emits in a substantially straight downward direction (see FIG. 2) 
to disperse a herbicide solution or other liquid treatment materials in a 
narrow band no wider than the outside limits of the spreader drive wheels 
18,18. This permits the operator to travel adjacent to flower beds, 
gardens, etc., to accomplish the desired weed control or other treatment 
service without fear of damaging desireable plant materials. 
The provision of the optional wand system 90 provides an availability to 
the operator for hand spraying as necessary. As noted, a connecting 
flexible tube of substantially 10 feet or more permits the operator to 
spray weeds along fences, between bushes, sidewalks, or other hard to 
reach areas without having to make special trips to a supply truck for a 
supplemental spray unit as is the usual practice in the lawn service 
industry. 
The battery pack is a long lasting type easily rechargeable over night and 
has a capacity sufficient to satisfy a normal full day's operation. 
Because it is compact in size, a spare battery unit conveniently may be 
carried on the supply truck on which the applicator 10 is moved from site 
to site and thus is available for replacing the battery in the event it 
should run down in operation. 
Due to its compact design, the applicator of this invention is capable of 
passing through normal yard gates and can be maneuvered easily around 
obstacles and trees at the operator's will. Thus the desireable objectives 
of a compact combination wet/dry application machine avoiding the problems 
and application difficulties heretofore experienced in the lawn service 
industry are resolved by the present invention. 
From the foregoing it is believed those familiar with the art will readily 
recognize and appreciate the novel advancement presented by the present 
invention and will readily appreciate that while the same has hereinabove 
been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof 
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the same is susceptible to wide 
variation, modification and substitution of equivalents without departing 
from the spirit and scope of the invention which is intended to be 
unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended 
claims.