Abstract:
A mist blower for blowing chemicals, such as pesticides, onto objects. The mist blower includes a powered centrifugal blower having a rectangular-shaped air discharge opening formed in the blower housing thereof. A plurality of air discharge tubes have their lower ends in communication with the air discharge opening. The tubes are preferably radially spaced from one another. Spray nozzles are positioned in each of the air discharge tubes for mixing the chemicals with the air being blown through the discharge tubes. The blower housing may be rotated so that air discharge tubes may direct misted air in different directions from the blower.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a mist blower for applying insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, etc., onto objects. More particularly, this invention relates to a mist blower which has a plurality of individual air discharge tubes which have their inner ends in communication with the air discharge opening of the blower housing. Even more particularly, the mist blower of this invention relates to a mist blower which is especially adapted for use in orchards such as pecan tree orchards. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the air discharge tubes are radially offset from one another to increase the overall direction of the mist being discharged from the blower. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Many types of mist blowers have been previously provided. For example, the Assignee of this invention, Broyhill Co., has been marketing a mist blower for some time under the trademark “G Force”. In Assignee&#39;s prior art device, a centrifugal fan blower is mounted on a frame which may be secured to a three-point hitch of a tractor so that the blower may be powered by the PTO of the tractor. Assignee&#39;s prior art mist blowers could also be mounted on a trailer and powered by an engine. Further, Assignee&#39;s prior art mist blowers could also be mounted on an ATV, UTV, etc. In Assignee&#39;s prior art devices, and many other devices of the prior art, the blower included a centrifugal fan mounted on a frame with the centrifugal fan having an air inlet opening and an air discharge opening. An air discharge housing was connected to the blower and the discharge opening of the blower for discharging mist from the blower. In the prior art devices, the blower could be rotated through an arc whereby mist could be selectively sprayed from either side of the blower. 
     However, the mist output of the prior art blowers could not be directed simultaneously to both sides of the unit. Thus, if two rows of trees were to be sprayed, the blower would have to be moved along the lengths of the trees in two passes, one for one row of trees and another for the other row of trees. Further, especially in pecan tree orchards, the canopies of the trees in one row may intermingle with the canopies in the adjacent row of trees. The prior art mist blowers were unable to spray the intermingled canopies between the rows and the two rows in one pass but would require three or more passes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A mist blower is disclosed for spraying insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, etc., onto objects such as cattle, orchards, weed patches in ditches, etc. The mist blower of this invention includes a mobile frame having forward and rearward upstanding and horizontally spaced-apart support frames having upper ends. A centrifugal blower is mounted on the upper ends of the forward and rearward support frames with the blower including a blower housing having a forward end, a rearward end, and a circular side wall. The blower housing is horizontally disposed between the forward and rearward frames. The blower housing may be rotated from side to side. The side wall of the blower housing has a horizontally extending and rectangular-shaped air discharge opening formed therein. An air discharge tube assembly is secured to the side wall of the blower housing so as to extend around the air discharge opening thereof. The air discharge tube assembly includes an elongated and rectangular-shaped first air discharge tube having an open lower end, an open upper end, a forward wall, a rearward wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The first air discharge tube extends vertically upwardly from the air discharge opening. The air discharge tube assembly also includes an elongated and rectangular-shaped second air discharge tube having an open lower end, an open upper end, a forward wall, a rearward wall, a first side wall and a second side wall which is positioned rearwardly of the first air discharge tube. The second air discharge tube extends upwardly and laterally from the air discharge opening with the forward wall of the second air discharge tube being positioned adjacent the rearward wall of the first air discharge tube. The second air discharge tube is radially offset with respect to the first air discharge tube. An elongated and rectangular-shaped third air discharge tube having an open upper end, an open lower end, a forward wall, a rearward wall, a first side wall and a second side wall is positioned rearwardly of the second air discharge tube with the third air discharge tube extending upwardly and laterally from the air discharge opening. The forward wall of the third air discharge tube is positioned adjacent the rearward wall of the second air discharge tube. The third air discharge tube is radially offset with respect to the second air discharge tube. 
     The air discharge tube assembly also includes an elongated and rectangular-shaped fourth discharge tube having an open lower end, an open upper end, a forward wall, a rearward wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The fourth air discharge tube extends upwardly and laterally from the air discharge opening with the rearward wall of the fourth air discharge tube being positioned adjacent the forward wall of the first air discharge tube. The fourth air discharge tube is radially offset with respect to the first air discharge tube. The air discharge tube assembly also includes an elongated and rectangular-shaped fifth air discharge tube having an open upper end, an open lower end, a forward wall, a rearward wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The fifth air discharge tube extends upwardly and laterally from the air discharge opening with the rearward wall of the fifth air discharge tube being positioned adjacent the forward wall of the fourth air discharge tube. The fifth air discharge tube is radially offset with respect to the fourth air discharge tube. 
     Spray nozzles are positioned in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth air discharge tubes at the upper ends thereof. The spray nozzles are in communication with a source of liquid chemicals under pressure. The blower is configured to be connected to a power source for powering the blower. 
     In a second embodiment of the invention, all of the air discharge tubes are aligned in a side-by-side relationship and are not radially offset with respect to one another. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be more than five air discharge tubes provided. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved mist blower. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mist blower which enables trees or the like on opposite sides of the blower to be simultaneously misted with an insecticide, pesticide, etc. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a mist blower which includes a plurality of air discharge tubes which do not restrict air flow from the blower. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a blower of the type described wherein each of the spray nozzles in each of the air discharge tubes may be individually shut-off while others continue to spray. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a blower of the type described which provides maximum discharge efficiency. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of the mist blower of this invention mounted on the three-point hitch of a tractor; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the air discharge tube assembly of this invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an end elevational view of the air discharge tube assembly of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the mist blower of this invention mounted on the rear end of a tractor with the mist blower being in its normal operating position; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  except that the mist blower has been rotated towards the right side of the tractor; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  except that the mist blower has been rotated towards the left side of the tractor; 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  which shows the mist blower being in its normal operating position so as to blow mist chemicals to rows of trees at the sides of the tractor and blower and so as to blow mist chemicals upwardly onto the overlapping canopies of the two rows of trees; 
         FIG. 8  is an end elevational view similar to  FIG. 3  except that the air discharge tube assembly has seven air discharge tubes; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating the chemical tank, pump, controller and spray nozzles of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The numeral  10  refers to a conventional mist blower except for the air discharge tubes thereof which will be described hereinafter. Blower  10  is usually mounted on a support frame or skid  12  which may be attached to a three-point hitch of a tractor  13  with the blower being driven by the PTO of the tractor. Frame  12  could also be mounted on a trailer with the blower  10  being driven by an engine. Frame  12  could also be mounted on an ATV, UTV, etc. 
     Blower  10  includes a blower housing or shroud  14  having a rearward end  16 , a forward end  18 , and a circular side wall  20 . Both ends  16  and  18  will have an air inlet opening formed therein. The protruding ends of the drive shaft  22  of the blower  10  are rotatably mounted in bearings which are mounted on upstanding frame members  24  and  26  of frame  12 . Blower  10  includes a centrifugal fan  27  in the interior of housing  14  in conventional fashion. Side wall  20  has a rectangular air discharge opening  28  formed therein. 
     A sprocket  30  is fixedly mounted on the rearward end  16  of housing  14 . An electric or hydraulic motor  32  is mounted on frame  12  and has a sprocket  34  mounted on the drive shaft thereof in conventional fashion. Chain  36  extends around sprockets  30  and  34 . Motor  32  is provided to selectively rotate housing  14  to enable the positioning of the air discharge opening  28  in various positions so that the misted air of the blower  10  may be directed to either side of the direction of travel of the tractor  13  or other prime mover, or directed upwardly as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     The numeral  38  refers to the air discharge tube assembly of this invention. The air discharge tube assembly  38  includes hollow, elongated air discharge tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  which are hollow and which have open upper and lower ends. Although it is preferred that the air discharge tube assembly  38  includes five air discharge tubes, the assembly  38  would have less than five air discharge tubes or more than five air discharge tubes. Although it is preferred that the tube  42  have a shorter length than the tube  40  and that the tube  44  have a shorter length than tube  42 , tubes  40 ,  42  and  44  could have the same lengths. Although it is preferred that tube  46  have a shorter length than tube  40  and that tube  48  have a shorter length than tube  46 , tubes  40 ,  46 , and  48  could have the same length. As seen, tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  have open upper ends. Tube  40  includes a front wall  50 , a rear wall  52 , a first side wall  54  and a second side wall  56 . Tube  42  includes a front wall  58 , a rear wall  60 , a first side wall  62  and a second side wall  64 . Tube  44  includes a front wall  66 , a back wall  68 , a first side wall  70  and a second side wall  72 . Tube  46  includes a front wall  74 , a rear wall  76 , a first side wall  78  and a second side wall  80 . Tube  48  includes a front wall  82 , a rear wall  84 , a first side wall  86  and a second side wall  88 . The tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  may be constructed of a metal material such as steel, aluminum, etc. The tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  may also be comprised of a plastic material, wood, or other suitable materials. 
     If tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  are metal, the lower ends of the tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  will be joined together by welding to form a base  90  which is connected to side wall  20  or the discharge flange extending around discharge opening  28  so that the lower open ends of tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  are in communication with the air discharge opening  28 . If the tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  are constructed of a material other than metal, the tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  will be joined together by any convenient means. 
     It is preferred that the tube  42  be radially offset with respect to tube  40  and that tube  44  be radially offset with respect to tube  42 . It is also preferred that tube  46  be radially offset with respect to tube  40  and that tube  48  be radially offset with respect to tube  48 . However, in some cases the tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  may be positioned so as to be parallel to one another. If the tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  are of metal construction, the first wall  58  is tack welded to the rear wall of tube  40  and the front wall  66  of tube  44  is tack welded to the rear wall  60  of tube  42 . The rear wall  76  of tube  46  is tack welded to the front wall  50  of tube  40  and the rear wall  84  of tube  48  is tack welded to the front wall  74  of tube  40 . 
     Although it is preferred that tubes  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  be radially offset with respect to the tube  40 , they could be parallel to one another. Although it is preferred that air discharge tube  42  has a shorter length than tube  40  and that tube  44  has a shorter length than tube  42 , tubes  42  and  44  could have the same lengths as tube  40 . Although it is preferred that air discharge tube  46  have a shorter length than tube  40  and that tube  48  has a shorter length than tube  46 , tubes  46  and  48  could have the same lengths as tube  40 . 
     Spray nozzles  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  and  100  are positioned in the air discharge tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  respectively to spray chemicals into the air being blown outwardly through the air discharge tubes. The numeral  102  refers to a tank or the like containing liquid chemicals. If only a water mist is being sprayed onto animals to cool them, the tank  102  will contain water. Tank  102  is connected to a power driven pump  104  by a hose, conduit or pipe  106 . The discharge side of pump  104  is fluidly connected to controller  108  by a hose, conduit or pipe  110 . Controller  108  is individually fluidly connected to spray nozzles  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  and  100  by hoses  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110  respectively. 
     Thus, when the blower  14  is in the position of  FIGS. 1, 4 and 7 , the tractor  13  may be driven between the rows of trees as seen in  FIG. 7  so that the air discharge tube assembly will direct the misted air onto the trees at either side of the tractor  13  with the air discharge tubes  42  and  44  directing the misted air onto the trees at the left side of the tractor  13  with the air discharge tubes  46  and  48  directing the misted air onto the trees at the right side of the tractor  13 . At the same time, tube  40  will direct misted air upwardly onto the intermingled canopies of the trees. Further, if there is no need to direct misted air upwardly from tube  40 , the controller  108  will be controlled so that the spray nozzle  92  is inactive. Additionally, if only a single row of trees are to be sprayed, the spray nozzles  92 ,  94  and  96  or the spray nozzles  92 ,  98  and  100  may be deactivated by the controller  108 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an air discharge tube assembly  38 ′ wherein seven air discharge tubes  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  48  are utilized. Thus, the air discharge tube assembly may have any number of air discharge tubes. Further, the air discharge tube assembly may have less than five air discharge tubes. 
     It can therefore be seen that the mist blower  10  of this invention represents a vast improvement in the prior art. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.