Abstract:
A liquid herbicide applicator includes a length adjustable handle member and a reservoir removably coupled to the handle member, the reservoir defining an inlet for receiving a liquid and an outlet from which to dispense liquid. The applicator includes a valve assembly coupled to the reservoir outlet operative between an open configuration that allows the liquid to flow through the outlet and a closed configuration that prevents the liquid from flowing through the outlet. The valve assembly is biased toward the closed configuration. A dispenser assembly having a cap portion is operatively coupled to the valve assembly and includes an application portion connected to the cap portion, the cap portion being selectively movable closer to the valve assembly so as to urge the valve assembly to the open configuration and away from the valve assembly so to allow the valve assembly to return to the closed configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to weed control devices and, more particularly, to a liquid herbicide applicator for selectively applying herbicide to weeds contacted by an applicator pad. 
     It is often times desirable to apply a herbicidal weed killer directly to weeds while avoiding contacting with grass, flowers, or other plants. In other words, traditional spraying of a herbicide may not be possible because it would risk damage to surrounding plant life. If, however, herbicide is applied directly to the weeds, they may be controlled without negative consequences to surrounding plant life. A major problem with applying a herbicidal liquid to the weeds individually is that it may require a user to repeatedly bend over or to kneel to his or knees or even to crawl across the lawn. 
     Various devices have been proposed in the art for applying weed killing liquid directly to weeds. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices and proposals do not provide a liquid herbicide applicator that is easily length adjustable for use by persons of various heights or that sometimes may be using a wheelchair, that includes an easily refillable herbicide reservoir, and that includes removable and replaceable applicator heads. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have an herbicide applicator that satisfies all of the limitations of the existing and previous proposals. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A liquid herbicide applicator according to the present invention includes a length adjustable handle member and a reservoir removably coupled to the handle member, the reservoir defining an inlet for receiving a liquid and an outlet from which to dispense liquid. The applicator includes a valve assembly coupled to the reservoir outlet operative between an open configuration that allows the liquid to flow through the outlet and a closed configuration that prevents the liquid from flowing through the outlet. The valve assembly is biased toward the closed configuration. A dispenser assembly having a cap portion is operatively coupled to the valve assembly and includes an application portion connected to the cap portion, the cap portion being selectively movable closer to the valve assembly so as to urge the valve assembly to the open configuration and away from the valve assembly so to allow the valve assembly to return to the closed configuration. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a liquid herbicide applicator for applying a liquid herbicide directly on a selected weed or weeds. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a herbicide applicator, as aforesaid, that includes an easily refillable reservoir. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a herbicide applicator, as aforesaid, that is length adjustable so that persons of various heights may use the device without bending, squatting, or getting on their knees. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a herbicide applicator, as aforesaid, that includes removable and replaceable heads depending on the types of weeds, terrain, or user desired method of application. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a herbicide applicator, as aforesaid, that is easy to use and economical to manufacture. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a liquid herbicide applicator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in an extended configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the applicator as in  FIG. 1  shown in a retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a length adjustable handle member of the applicator as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the reservoir, valve assembly, and dispenser assembly of the applicator as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a top view of the valve assembly as in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a sectional view taken along line  5   b - 5   b  of  FIG. 5   a;    
         FIG. 6   a  is a top view of the dispenser assembly as in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a sectional view taken along line  6   b - 6   b  of  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 7   a  is a side view of a first auxiliary dispenser assembly; 
         FIG. 7   b  is a perspective view of the first auxiliary dispenser assembly; 
         FIG. 7   c  is a bottom view of the first auxiliary dispenser assembly; 
         FIG. 8   a  is a front view of a second auxiliary dispenser assembly; 
         FIG. 8   b  is a perspective view of a second auxiliary dispenser assembly; 
         FIG. 9   a  is a top view of the second auxiliary dispenser assembly as in  FIG. 8   b ; and 
         FIG. 9   b  is a sectional view taken along line  9   b - 9   b  of  FIG. 9   a.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A liquid herbicide applicator according to the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 9   b  of the accompanying drawings. The liquid herbicide applicator  10  includes a length adjustable handle member  12 , a refillable reservoir  32 , a valve assembly  44  for regulating liquid from the reservoir  32  to a dispenser assembly  70  from which it may be applied to a weed. 
     The length adjustable handle member  12  includes a first portion  14  having opposed upper  16  and lower  18  ends and includes a second portion  22  having opposed proximal  24  and distal  26  ends. The handle second portion  22  includes a configuration that is slidably movable relative to the handle first portion  14 . Preferably, the first  14  and second  22  portions include tubular configurations and the handle second portion  22  has a diameter that is slightly larger than a diameter of the handle first portion  14  such that the handle first portion  14  is selectively receivable into the handle second portion  22 . The handle first portion  14  may include a spring biased button  20  at the upper end  16  thereof. The button  20  is configured to extend outwardly from the handle first portion  14 . The handle second portion  22  may define a plurality of apertures  28  spaced apart longitudinally between proximal  24  and distal  26  ends thereof, each aperture  28  having a configuration suitable to receive a button  20  therein. The spring loaded buttons  28  and plurality of apertures  28  provide a means for maintaining the extendable handle member  12  at a desired length configuration. It is understood that the spring loaded button may be a spring steel flange or other resilient component. The button  20  and apertures  28  may be collectively referred to herein as a locking mechanism. 
     A handle grip  30  may be coupled to the distal end  26  of the second portion  22  of the length adjustable handle member  12 . Preferably, the handle grip  30  may be constructed of a rubber material that is both comfortable and secure for a person to hold onto. The handle grip  30  may also have an ergonomic configuration and have surface texture or relief features that make it easier to grip. 
     The reservoir  32  includes an upper end  34  having a configuration complementary to the lower end  18  of the first portion  14  of the handle member  12  such that respective ends may be coupled together. Preferably, the reservoir upper end  34  is removably coupled to the handle member first portion lower end  18 . More particularly, the handle member first portion lower end  18  may include an interiorly threaded end or coupling and the reservoir upper end  34  may include an exteriorly threaded end, as best shown in  FIG. 4 . Accordingly, the reservoir  32  may be quickly and easily attached or detached from the handle member  12 . In other words, the applicator  10  may generally be used with or without the length adjustable handle  12 . 
     Preferably, the reservoir  32  includes a generally tubular configuration that defines a hollow interior area. Further, the reservoir  32  defines an inlet  38  through which a liquid, such as a liquid herbicide, may be inserted into the interior area. A cap  40  may be removably coupled to the reservoir inlet  38 . This configuration is useful so that the reservoir  32  may be refilled during use. A lower end  36  of the reservoir  32  defines an outlet  42  through which liquid from within the reservoir  32  may flow out of the interior area. 
     The valve assembly  44  includes an upper end  48  attached to the lower end  36  of the reservoir  32 . Preferably, attachment of these ends may be by way of a friction fit, glued, or other permanent attachment means although a releasable mounting arrangement may also work, such as a threaded coupling. The valve assembly upper end  48  defines an opening in fluid communication with the reservoir outlet  42 . An exterior surface of an attachment portion  46  of the valve assembly  44  may include a knurled edge or include various textures or relief features to enhance grip by a user ( FIG. 4 ). The valve assembly  44  also includes a body portion  50  extending from the attachment portion  46  having a valve assembly lower end  52  that includes a threaded exterior surface  53  and that defines an opening. The body portion  50  defines a bore  54  extending between respective end openings, the bore  54  having more than one segment  56  and each segment having a unique inner diameter. The valve assembly lower end  52  may include a threaded exterior surface for attachment to the dispenser assembly  70  as will be described in more detail below. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5   b , a sealing mechanism  58  is positioned in the bore  54  that extends through the valve assembly body portion  50  between the valve assembly upper and lower openings, the sealing mechanism including a seal  60 , an actuation plate  62 , and a spring  64  such that liquid from the reservoir  32  is selectively blocked and not allowed to flow between the valve assembly openings. This position will be referred to as a “closed configuration.” More particularly, the seal  60  is a plate having a configuration complementary to an inner diameter of a first segment  56  within the body portion bore  54 , whereby to block fluid from flowing through that respective segment  56 . It is understood that a bore segment upwardly adjacent to the one segment  56  (hereafter referred to as the “adjacent segment” or “another segment”) has a diameter larger than that of the “first segment” such that liquid is allowed to flow through the bore  54  when the seal  60  is positioned in the adjacent segment. The actuation plate  62  is positioned within the bore  54  lowerly adjacent the seal  60  and a shaft  66  connects the actuation plate  62  to the seal  60 . The spring  64  is mounted about the shaft  66  and is configured to bias the sealing mechanism  58  toward the sealed configuration. When a force is applied to the actuation plate  62 , the sealing mechanism is urged upwardly such that the seal  60  is moved upwardly from the “first segment” into the “adjacent segment” and liquid may flow through the bore. This position will be referred to as an open configuration. When the force is removed from the actuation plate  62 , the spring  64  causes the seal  60  to return to the closed configuration. Operation of the sealing mechanism will be described in greater detail later. 
     The dispenser assembly  70  according to one embodiment of the present invention is best shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . The dispenser assembly  70  includes a cap portion  72  having a configuration that is threadably coupled to the lower end  52  of the valve assembly  44 . More particularly, the cap portion  72  includes a threaded interior section  74  that is complementary to the threaded exterior lower end  52  of the valve assembly  44 . In operation, the dispenser assembly  70  may be coupled to the valve assembly  44  and selectively rotated (i.e. threadably engaged) to move closer to the valve assembly  44  or away from the valve assembly  44  depending upon the direction of rotation. The cap portion  72  defines at least one aperture  76  through which liquid received from the valve assembly  44  may flow. 
     An actuation button  78  is mounted atop the dispenser assembly cap portion  70  and is configured to bear against the valve assembly actuation plate  62  when the dispenser assembly  70  is engaged with the valve assembly  44 . More particularly, the actuation button  78  forces the sealing mechanism  58  upwardly as the dispenser assembly  70  is threaded onto the valve assembly  44 , this upward movement causing the sealing mechanism  58  to move to the open configuration so as to allow liquid from the reservoir  32  to flow through the valve assembly  44  and through the cap portion aperture(s)  76 . 
     The dispenser assembly  70  also includes an application portion  77  connected to the cap portion  72  that is configured to receive the liquid from the reservoir (in the manner described above) and to apply that liquid to weeds. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6   b , the application portion  77  includes a sponge pad  79  mounted downwardly adjacent to the cap portion  72 . In this construction, liquid flowing through the cap portion  72  is deposited on and absorbed by the sponge pad  79  for application to a weed. The dispenser assembly  70  may also include a protective cap  71  that may be removably coupled to the application portion  77 . 
     The dispenser assembly  70  described above is removable from the valve assembly  44  and may be replaced by a first auxiliary dispenser assembly  80  ( FIGS. 7   a  to  7   c ). The first auxiliary dispenser assembly  80  includes a first auxiliary cap portion  84  also having a threaded configuration  85 , a first auxiliary actuation button  86 , and at least one first auxiliary aperture  88 , each having a configuration substantially similar to respective structures described above. The first auxiliary dispenser assembly  80  also includes a first auxiliary application portion  90 . The first auxiliary application portion  90 , however, includes a pump activation valve  92  attached to the first auxiliary cap portion  84  that is in fluid communication with a spray nozzle  94 . The first auxiliary dispenser assembly  80  may also include a spray shield  96  that extends downwardly of the pump activation valve  92  and has a diameter larger than that of the spray nozzle  94  so as to focus spraying of the liquid herbicide onto a desired weed and to prevent overspray. 
     The present invention may also include a second auxiliary dispenser assembly  100  that is substantially similar to the dispenser assembly first described except as specifically described below. The second auxiliary dispenser assembly  100  includes a second auxiliary cap portion  102  also having a threaded configuration  105 , a second auxiliary actuation button  104 , and at least one second auxiliary aperture  106 , each having a configuration substantially similar to respective structures described above. The second auxiliary dispenser assembly  100  also includes a fluid transfer tube  108  extending downwardly from said second auxiliary aperture  106  to a second auxiliary applicator pad  110 . The second auxiliary applicator pad  110  is preferably constructed of an absorbent sponge material that includes a configuration of a wheel or roller. In operation, liquid from the reservoir  32  is able to flow through the valve assembly  44  when the sealing mechanism  58  is at the open configuration and through the dispenser assembly cap portion aperture(s), through the liquid transfer tube  108  to the spongy application pad  79 . The roller-shaped sponge pad  110  is axially coupled to a distal end of the transfer tube  108  and is rotatable so as to be driven across targeted weeds. 
     In use, the liquid herbicide applicator  10  may be prepared for operation. Specifically, the length adjustable handle member  12  may be adjusted between a plurality of length positions by moving the handle second portion  22  relative to the handle first portion  14 . In fact, the handle member  12  may be entirely removed from the reservoir  32  if the user prefers to hold the reservoir  32  directly in use. Next, the reservoir  32  may be filled with a liquid, such as a liquid herbicide, by removing the inlet cap  40  and inserting the liquid through the inlet  38 . The valve assembly  44  is normally closed as described above until a user manually moves the sealing mechanism  58  to an open configuration. A user may rotatably tighten the cap portion  72  of the dispenser assembly  70  to the valve assembly  44  which provides upward pressure against the actuation plate  62  and causes the sealing mechanism  58  to move to the open configuration. Liquid is then allowed to flow from the reservoir  32  through the valve assembly  44  and into the dispenser assembly  70 . Liquid may further flow through the cap portion apertures  76  to the applicator portion  77  from which the herbicide may be applied to a weed as described above. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.