Abstract:
A dry particulate spreader includes an attachment assembly for use with a portable hand-held air blower for entraining granular fertilizer, grass seed or similar materials into the discharge air stream of the blower, whereby the particulate is broadcast by the air stream.

Description:
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
       [0001]    The prior art includes several patents related to devices for dispensing particulates and grass seeds and fertilizers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,097 to McCauley (2002) discloses an apparatus that is designed for liquid dispersal or dry material using a hand held leaf blower as a source of air flow. However, this invention does not take advantage of the low pressure area created by the nozzle of the present invention to assist in particulate feed into the air stream. U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,420 to Hampton (1998) discloses a device for attachment for a leaf blower for applying powdered pesticides to a lawn or garden but is not well suited for dispersal of larger particulates or seeds. U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,161 to Dvorak (1998) discloses an apparatus for dispensing powdered and granulated materials and cites a conventional leaf blower as a motive source, but is unclear on how a leaf blower might be attached. U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,996 to Ussery (1994) discloses an apparatus that attaches to the intake of a leaf blower for introducing particulates into the air intake for dispersion through the outlet. Although this method would work, it would probably damage the leaf blower since the intake air is also used to cool the engine. The particulates would no doubt adhere to the cooling fins of the engine, causing it to overheat in a short time. U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,327 to Mattson et al. (1984) discloses a spreader attachment for leaf blowers. The disclosed method of entraining particulate material within the discharge air stream of a blower appears to be susceptible to clogging and other interference. It also appears to be a complicated apparatus to fabricate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,225 to Williams (1993) discloses a device for the dispersal of particulates, but lacks the simplicity of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,238 to Schmierer et. al. (1971) is similar to the apparatus described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,225 but seems more suited to dispensing nutrients and fertilizers and pesticides entrained in a liquid medium. It use appears to be limited to this use and would be costly to manufacture for this singular use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,278 to Sansalone (1994) discloses an apparatus specifically designed for fine particulates such as pesticides, and does not appear to have the capacity to accommodate large granular nutrients or seeds. U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,778 to Gamoh, et al. (1987) discloses a powered backpack unit designed to dispense fine particulates. This invention suffers from the same design flaw as Ussery, in that the particulate is introduced in the air supply which also cools the engine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,241 to Mesic (1981) discloses a device for the application of pesticide dust. This unit does not appear to be able to dispense large granular nutrients or seed due to this design. The material container is only suitable for a small amount of fine particulate material that could be distributed as a fine dust over many plants or a large grassy area to be treated for an infestation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,567 to Sansalone (1993) discloses an air-powered device for applying dust to garden plants. The device is limited in the capacity of the material container to powdered insecticides, and would not be able to dispense large granular nutrients due to the possibility of clogging of the delivery mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 1,406,903 to Rose (1922) disclosed a hand held dry spray gun. This unit was not designed for fertilizer; it might be able to dispense seeds, but appears to be primarily designed for spraying dust. 
     
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention provides an apparatus that is easily attached to and removed from a hand-held leaf blower for the distribution, through the outlet air stream, of particulate matter including fertilizers, weed killers, pesticides and seed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a view of the invention showing it mounted on the outlet tube of a leaf blower. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the invention from the opposite perspective of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the mounting mechanism of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the mounting mechanism of the invention from the opposite perspective of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a view of the mounting mechanism of the invention fully assembled. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are views from the bottom side of the mounting mechanism showing the operation of the particulate flow limiting valve. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are view of the opposite halves of the hopper. 
           [0011]      FIG. 11  is a detail view of the invention as attached to the outlet tube of a leaf blower. 
           [0012]      FIG. 12  is a cut-away view of the invention as attached to the leaf blower. 
           [0013]      FIG. 13  is a view of the attachment mechanism showing the operation of the flexible straps used to secure the attachment mechanism to the outlet tube of the leaf blower. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the device  10  can be seen mounted on a portable, hand-held blower  1  having a motive force such as a gasoline or electric engine coupled with a fan that accepts air through an intake, accelerates the air and exhausts it at high speed through an outlet tube  2  having an inlet to accept the air from the blower  1  and an outlet. These types of blowers are in wide use with home owners and landscape professionals. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the invention  10  can be seen in exploded view comprising a hopper  11 , a bayonet mount  12 , and a saddle  13 . The saddle  13  includes a regulating valve  14  which comprises raised boss  14   a  located on the top of the saddle  13  and a sliding plate  14   b  which fits into a slot provided in the boss  14   a.  In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the saddle  13  and the raised boss  14   a  are a single contiguous piece. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the underside of the invention  10  is illustrated. The underside of the plate  14   b  is provided with a plurality of depressions  14   c  which engage a ball-spring detent (not shown) in the saddle  13  to lock the plate into position when in use. A variety of means of keeping the plate  14   b  stationary could be used such as friction or a set screw, but the preferred embodiment uses a ball-spring detent. A cap  15  is also provided which prevents the contents of the hopper  11  from spilling when in use. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , the saddle  13 , the bayonet mount  12  and the regulating valve  14  can be more clearly seen.  FIG. 4  shows the underside of the saddle  13 , allowing a view of a nozzle  13   a  which extends into the air flow provided by the blower. The nozzle  13   a  has a cylindrical profile facing the air stream and is open on the downstream side. As the air stream flows around the nozzle  13   a,  a relative low pressure region is created on the downstream side of the nozzle  13   a.  The low pressure assists in extracting the material from the hopper  11 . The shape of the nozzle  13   a  ensures that a turbulent air flow is present on the downstream side. The turbulence created by the nozzle  13   a  mixes the material from the hopper  11  with the air stream, helping create a homogenous distribution of the material upon exiting the blower tube  2 . 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that the nozzle  13   a  is contiguous with a circular opening  13   b  through the saddle  13 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , it can be seen that the bayonet mount  12  is also provided with a circular opening  12   a  therethrough, providing a path for the material in the hopper  11  to flow into the air stream provided by the blower.  FIGS. 4 and 5  show the bayonet mount  12 , the saddle  13  and sliding plate  14   b  in exploded view.  FIG. 6  shows these parts assembled. In the preferred embodiment, screws are used to secure the bayonet mount  12  to the raised boss  14   a.  The saddle  13  and the raised boss  14   a,  in the preferred embodiment, are a single structure, formed by an injection molding process. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the configuration and operation of the regulating valve  14  can be seen. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the sliding plate  14   a  is show in on open position allowing the material from the hopper  12  to enter the air stream (shown by the arrows).  FIG. 8  shows the regulating valve  14  in a closed position. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , the device  10  is shown attached to the outlet tube  2 .  FIG. 12  shows a cut-away view of the device  10  attached to the outlet tube  2 . The nozzle  13  is shown extending into the air stream inside the outlet tube  2 . Referring again to  FIG. 12 , it can be seen that the bayonet mount  12  is provided with a funnel shaped interior surface  12   a  to facilitate flow of the material from the hopper  11 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , the means of attachment of the device  10  to the outlet tube  2  is shown. The saddle  13  is provided with upwardly extending pegs  13   a  in each corner of the saddle  13 . Flexible rubber straps  15  provided with a plurality of through holes are wrapped around the outlet tube  2  and fitted over the pegs  13   a  to secure the saddle  13  to the outlet tube  2 . The hopper  11  is then attached to the bayonet mount  12 .