Liquid delivery equipment

Abstract: Liquid delivery equipment, such as a herbicide applicator, comprises a delivery head (6) mounted on a tubular support member (2) by means of a housing (4). The delivery head (6) is mounted pivotably relatively to the housing (4) about a pivot axis (38). Support for this pivotal movement is provided by a connector element (28) through which liquid is conveyed to the delivery head for distribution.

Description: This invention relates to liquid delivery equipment and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with applicators for distributing agrochemicals such as herbicide. Herbicide applicators are known which comprise a handset from which extends a support tube carrying a delivery head at the end away from the handset. The delivery head has means, such as a spinning disc, for distributing the herbicide. Such an arrangement is disclosed in EP-A-300762. It is desirable for the spinning disc to rotate about a generally vertical axis. However, if the distribution head is mounted rigidly on the support tube, it is not possible to maintain this vertical orientation of the spinning disc axis as the delivery head is raised and lowered to dispense herbicide at different heights. Thus, for example, if the orientation of the delivery head is set so as to be appropriate for distributing herbicide over weeds at ground level, the orientation of the axis of the spinning disc will be incorrect when distributing herbicide over plants at, for example, waist level. It is known to mount the delivery head pivotably on a support tube by means of a crude pivot and butterfly nut connection. Herbicide is then supplied from the handset through the support tube to the delivery head through a flexible tube which extends from the support tube to the delivery head on the outside of the equipment, the flexibility of the tube permitting pivotal adjustment of the distribution head. However, the unprotected flexible tube is exposed to damage, and also makes it difficult to achieve a clean, integrated design of the distribution head. EP-A-036287 discloses liquid delivery equipment in the form of a fire fighting cannon comprising a support member carrying a delivery head, the delivery head being mounted on the support member for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, for adjustment of the direction of discharge of liquid from the delivery head relatively to the support member, the support member comprising a housing which is provided with an aperture in which the delivery head is situated, the delivery head having a peripheral surface region which is configured so that it cooperates with the periphery of the aperture in all operative angular positions of the delivery head relatively to the housing, the delivery head thereby forming a permanent closure of the aperture during operation of the equipment. According to the present invention, the pivotal support of the delivery head within the aperture is accomplished at least partly by a connector element through which liquid is conveyed from the support member to the delivery head. In a preferred embodiment, the delivery head is supported on one side by the connector element and on the opposite side by a further support element. The connector element preferably has a first part which engages the delivery head and extends parallel to the pivotal axis, and a second part which extends perpendicular to the pivotal axis. To support the delivery head, the connector element may be received in an opening in the delivery head. It is desirable for an operator to be able to determine visually whether or not liquid is flowing to the delivery head. For this purpose, the connector element may be made from transparent material, or include a transparent portion, which is exposed to the outside of the equipment, so that an operator can determine whether or not liquid is flowing through the connector element. An appropriately positioned aperture may be provided in the housing to expose the connector element if it is transparent, or has a transparent portion. The housing may also accommodate a metering valve for controlling the flow of liquid to the delivery head, and a calibration vessel for use in checking the output from the metering valve. The delivery head may be provided with a spinning disc for distributing the liquid, and may accommodate and electric motor for driving the spinning disc. For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a delivery assembly of a herbicide applicator; Figure 2 is a top view of the delivery assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the other side of the delivery assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV-IV in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line V-V in Figure 2. The assembly shown in the Figures is mounted on the end of a support tube 2. At the opposite end of the support tube, there is a handset (not shown) to enable the equipment to be carried by a pedestrian operator. Equipment of this kind is shown, by way of example, in British Patent Application No. 8903243.7. The assembly comprises a housing 4 which is secured at one end to the support tube 2 and which carries, at the other end, a delivery head 6. The housing also accommodates a metering valve 8 and a calibration vessel 10. The metering valve 8 is adjustable manually by means of a knurled ring 12 which is accessible through openings 14 on opposite sides of the housing 4. A further opening 16 is provided in the housing, through which part of the wall of the calibration vessel 10 is visible, the calibration vessel 10 itself being made from transparent material. The metering valve 8 has an inlet spigot 18 on which is fitted a supply tube (not shown) which extends from the handset through the support tube 2. The outlet 20 of the metering valve 8 opens into the calibration vessel 10. The calibration vessel 10 itself has an outlet spigot 22 which is connected by a flexible tube 24 to an inlet spigot 26 of a connector element 28. The connector element 28 has an outlet spigot 30 which is received in an opening in the delivery head 6. The delivery head 6 has internal passageways which provide communication between the connector element 28 and an outlet (not shown) in a face 32 of the delivery head 6. The delivery head 6 accommodates an electric motor (not shown) which drives a spinning disc, situated adjacent the face 32, about an axis 34. On the side of the delivery head 6 away from the connector element 28, a portion 36 of the wall of the housing 4 is provided with a boss (not shown) which engages a recess in the delivery head 6. The spigot 30 and the boss on the wall portion 36 thus support the delivery head 6 within the housing 4 for pivotal movement about an axis 38, which axis is perpendicular to the axis 34. The connector element 28 and the flexible tube 24 are accommodated within a projecting region 40 of the housing 4. This region 40 is disposed on the opposite side of the housing 4 from the window 16. Apertures 42 are provided in the projecting region 40, and these apertures receive projections 44 formed on the connector element 28. The connector element 28 is made from a transparent or translucent material. In use, herbicide flows from the handset through the flexible tube provided in the support tube 2 to the spigot 18 of the metering valve 8. The flow rate through the metering valve 8 is regulated by appropriate adjustment of the ring 12, so that the herbicide flows, at a desired flow rate, through the calibration vessel 10 and the flexible tube 24 to the connector element 28. From the connector element 28, the herbicide flows into the delivery head 6 to be discharged over the plants to be treated by the spinning disc rotating about the axis 34. If it is desired to check the flow rate of herbicide to the delivery head 6, this can be done by operating the equipment for a predetermined time and establishing the volume of herbicide which enters the calibration vessel 10. It will be appreciated that the equipment would be held by an operator with the support tube 2 extending obliquely downwardly from the operator's hand so that the delivery head 6 is situated close to the plant to be treated. If the plant to be treated is at a relatively high level, the support tube 2 may be almost horizontal, in which case an orientation of the delivery head 6 as shown in Figure 5 would be appropriate. However, if the plant to be treated is nearer the ground, the support tube 2 would be more nearly vertical, and it would be appropriate for the delivery head to be pivoted relatively to the housing 4 in the clockwise direction from the position shown in Figure 5. This can be achieved simply by pivoting the delivery head 6 manually about the axis 38, this movement being permitted by the pivotal support provided by the outlet spigot 30 of the connector 28 and the boss on the wall portion 36. Adequate sealing is provided between the outlet spigot 30 and the recess in the delivery head, to prevent leakage of herbicide at this point. Also, some frictional resistance to pivoting is provided, to ensure that the delivery head 6 remains in the position in which it is set.

Claims: Liquid delivery equipment comprising a support member (4) carrying a delivery head (6), the delivery head (6) being mounted on the support member (4) for pivotal movement about a pivot axis (38), for adjustment of the direction of discharge of liquid from the delivery head (6) relatively to the support member (4), the support member (4) comprising a housing which is provided with an aperture in which the delivery head (6) is situated, the delivery head (6) having a peripheral surface region which is configured so that it cooperates with the periphery of the aperture in all operative angular positions of the delivery head (6) relatively to the housing, the delivery head (6) thereby forming a permanent closure of the aperture during operation of the equipment, characterized in that pivotal support of the delivery head (6) within the aperture is accomplished at least partly by a connector element (28) through which liquid is conveyed from the support member (4) to the delivery head (6). Equipment as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the delivery head (6) is supported by the connector element (28) on one side and by a further support element on the opposite side. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the connector element (28) has a first part extending parallel to the pivot axis and a second part extending perpendicular to the pivot axis. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connector element (28) engages an opening in the delivery head (6) to provide pivotal support for the delivery head (6). Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connector element (28) has a transparent region which is exposed through the housing for providing a visual indication of flow of liquid through the connector element (28). Equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing accommodates a metering valve (8) and a calibration vessel (10). Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the delivery head (6) accommodates an electric motor for driving a distribution element fitted to the delivery head (6). Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the peripheral surface region is past-spherical, having a centre of curvature which lies on the pivot axis (38). Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connector element (28) is connected to a supply tube by passageways (24, 22, 18) disposed within the housing.

Inventors: EREN ALI, EREN, ALI
Applicants: NOMIX CHIPMAN LTD, NOMIX-CHIPMAN LIMITED
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A01M7
IPC codes: B05B15, A01M7