Patent Description:
The spreading of salt, sand, seed, fertilizer, or other generally dry, free-flowing material is common in many areas of road or driveway maintenance, landscaping, and agriculture. Various types of hopper spreader apparatuses that are mounted on a vehicle or towed by the vehicle have been developed for spreading or dispensing dry, free-flowing materials, with some hopper spreader units being permanently or semi-permanently mounted onto vehicles such as heavy duty trucks, while others, known as "insert hopper spreaders," may be removably mounted onto vehicles such as pick-up trucks. <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose examples of known winter service vehicles with hoppers from which material is spread.

The present invention provides a hopper spreader assembly as claimed in claim <NUM>.

According to the invention, a hopper spreader assembly for spraying liquid(s) and spreading solid material may include a first dual-wall hopper module and a second dual-wall hopper module. The first dual-wall hopper module has a first liquid chamber defined between a first inner surface portion and a first outer surface portion. The second dual-wall hopper module has a second liquid chamber defined between a second inner surface portion and a second outer surface portion. The first inner surface portion cooperates with the second inner surface portion to define a receptacle for receiving and storing solid material such that the first and second hopper modules form a hopper that is sized and shaped to be received on a bed of a truck or a support vehicle. The hopper spreader assembly further includes a fluid conduit for filling or draining a liquid into or out of the first and second liquid chambers, a liquid pump in fluid communication with the first and second liquid chambers for drawing the liquid from the first and second liquid chambers, a selector valve in fluid communication with the fluid pump for directing the liquid drawn from the first and second liquid chambers, and a liquid dispenser in fluid communication with the selector valve for distributing the liquid onto an application area.

The fluid conduit may be configured to inter-connect the first and second hopper modules in fluid communication with one another. The fluid conduit may include a plurality of liquid fittings, each liquid fitting adapted to fluidly connect a respective one of the first or second liquid chambers with the fluid conduit.

The hopper spreader assembly may further includes a central processing unit (CPU) communicatively connected to the selector valve and operable to control the selector valve. The selector valve may be electrically operable in response to operator commands received from the CPU, and manually operable in response to manual intervention by an operator.

The liquid dispenser may include a pre-wet nozzle, a hose reel with a dispensing hose, and a spray bar, each selectively supplied with the liquid through the selector valve controlled by the CPU.

Each of the first and second hopper modules may include a pair of corner openings configured to receive respective lifting and mounting assemblies. Each lifting and mounting assembly may include an elongated spacer, an upper plate disposed at an upper end of the spacer, a ring member with a ring plate and a nut fastener disposed at a lower end of the spacer, and a corner bolt extending through the spacer and threadably engaging the nut fastener.

In one embodiment the first and second hopper modules may be secured together by a structural support that includes a pair of generally parallel rods extending longitudinally along the first and second inner surface portions. Each rod may have opposite end portions that are configured to couple to respective corner portions of the first and second hopper modules. The rods may be coupled together by at least one structural bar laterally extending between the rods.

In one embodiment the hopper spreader assembly may further includes a third dual-wall hopper module disposed between the first and second hopper modules. The third dual-wall hopper module may have a third liquid chamber defined between a third inner surface portion and a third outer surface portion. The first, second, and third dual-wall hopper modules may be correspondingly shaped and cooperate to form the hopper defining the receptacle. The first, second, and third liquid chambers may be interconnected in fluid communication with one another to form a single liquid reservoir. The first, second, and third inner surface portions may be at least partially angled and converging at a bottom of the receptacle so that said receptacle is shaped as a trough. Each of the first, second, and third liquid chambers may be in fluid communication with the selector valve that directs the liquid drawn from the first, second, and third liquid chambers to the liquid dispenser for distributing the liquid onto the application area. The third dual-wall hopper module may include separate left and right module portions disposed on opposite lateral sides of the hopper.

According to the invention, each module further includes a pair of side walls. Each side wall includes a flange with a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners to removably secure each hopper module to a respective adjacent hopper module. Each pair of adjacent flanges may be further secured together by a structural brace.

In yet another embodiment, the hopper spreader assembly may further includes a hopper module insert defining a fourth liquid chamber disposed within the receptacle. The fourth liquid chamber may be in fluid communication with the selector valve and the liquid dispenser. The fourth liquid chamber may not be connected in fluid communication with the first, second, or third liquid chambers.

In still another embodiment, the selector valve may comprise a plurality of selector valves including a first selector valve configured to direct the liquid drawn from the fourth liquid chamber to at least one of the pre-wet nozzle, spray bar, and the dispensing hose of the hose reel, and a second selector valve configured to direct the liquid drawn from the first and second liquid chambers to the at least one of the pre-wet nozzle, the spray bar, and the dispensing hose.

In yet another embodiment, the hopper spreader assembly may further include a rinse line with a rinse valve fluidly connected to the first, second, third, and fourth liquid chambers. The rinse line may be configured to fill the first, second, third and fourth liquid chambers with a cleaning solution to be drained through any one of the pre-wet nozzle, the spray bar, and the dispensing hose.

In still another embodiment, the hopper spreader assembly may further include a spreader assembly that includes (i) a pre-wet nozzle and a spray bar of said liquid dispenser and (ii) a spinner system. The hopper may define a lower aperture for receiving an auger or conveyor mechanism that is adapted to move the solid material from the receptacle to the spreader assembly.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a hopper spreader assembly for spraying liquid(s) and spreading solid material includes a first dual-wall hopper module and a second dual-wall hopper module. The first dual-wall hopper module has a first liquid chamber defined between a first inner surface portion and a first outer surface portion. The second dual-wall hopper module has a second liquid chamber defined between a second inner surface portion and a second outer surface portion. The hopper spreader assembly further includes a fluid conduit for filling or draining a liquid into or out of the first and second liquid chambers, a liquid pump in fluid communication with the first and second liquid chambers for drawing the liquid from the first and second liquid chambers, a hose reel with a dispensing hose for distributing the liquid onto an application area, a pre-wet nozzle for distributing the liquid onto the application area, and a selector valve in fluid communication with the fluid pump for directing the liquid drawn from the first and second liquid chambers to the hose reel and the pre-wet nozzle. The first inner surface portion cooperates with the second inner surface portion to define a receptacle for receiving and storing solid material such that the first and second hopper modules form a hopper that is sized and shaped to be received on a bed of a truck or a support vehicle.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a hopper spreader assembly for spraying liquid(s) and spreading solid material includes a first dual-wall hopper module, a second dual-wall hopper module, and a third dual-wall hopper module. The first dual-wall hopper module has a first liquid chamber defined between a first inner surface portion and a first outer surface portion. The second dual-wall hopper module has a second liquid chamber defined between a second inner surface portion and a second outer surface portion. The third dual-wall hopper module has a third liquid chamber defined between a third inner surface portion and a third outer surface portion. The hopper spreader assembly further includes a fluid conduit for filling or draining a liquid into or out of the first, second, and third liquid chambers. A liquid pump operable to draw the liquid from the first, second, and third liquid chambers. A hose reel with a dispensing hose operable to distribute the liquid onto an application area. A pre-wet nozzle operable to distribute the liquid onto the application area, and a selector valve in fluid communication with the fluid pump for directing the liquid drawn from the first, second, and third liquid chambers to the hose reel and the pre-wet nozzle. The fluid conduit extends along a lower surface of each of the first, second, and third hopper modules and comprises a plurality of liquid fittings, each of which is adapted to fluidly connect a respective one of the first, second, and third liquid chambers with the fluid conduit. The first, second, and third inner surface portions cooperate to define a receptacle for receiving and storing solid material such that the first, second, and third hopper modules form a hopper that is sized and shaped to be received on a bed of a truck or a support vehicle.

The hopper spreader assembly may further includes a hopper module insert defining a fourth liquid chamber disposed within the receptacle. The fourth liquid chamber may be in fluid communication with the selector valve, the hose reel, and the pre-wet nozzle. The fourth liquid chamber may not be connected in fluid communication with the first, second, and third hopper modules.

Thus, the present invention provides a modular hopper spreader assembly that is reconfigurable in size and volume, with spreading equipment and various liquid dispensing equipment. The spreading and dispensing equipment, which can receive liquids and solids from different chambers, allows the hopper spreader assembly to separately or concurrently spread solid material and dispense one or more liquids onto the ground and/or road surfaces, depending on an application.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a modular dual-wall hopper spreader with individual storage tanks or chambers within the hopper spreader for storing and dispensing or spraying solid particles or liquid(s) onto the ground and/or road surfaces. In the following description, numerous specific details of different embodiments are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of configurations.

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a hopper spreader assembly <NUM> includes a hopper assembly <NUM> and a spreader assembly <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Hopper assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of structural support members and a plumbing system attached to or supported by a generally rectangular, modular, dual-wall insert hopper <NUM>, which is sized and shaped to be received on or in a bed <NUM> of a pick-up truck <NUM> or other support vehicle, such as shown in <FIG>. As best shown in <FIG>, hopper <NUM> is constructed of separate correspondingly-shaped double-wall modules, which can be assembled and plumbed together to form completed assemblies having different dimensions and capabilities, as will be described in more detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, hopper <NUM> may be constructed of three separate correspondingly-shaped double-wall modules 18a, 18b, 18c each having lateral opposite sides. A front module 18a is located proximal to the cabin of the pick-up truck <NUM>, and a rear module 18c is proximal to the rear end of the truck's bed <NUM>. A middle module 18b is a two-piece module positioned and secured between the front and rear modules 18a and 18c, respectively. As will be described in more detail below, solid and liquid materials carried within hopper <NUM> may be selectively discharged onto a ground surface, such as a road surface, based on signals received from an operator. In the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, hopper <NUM> is shown as a "short version" and is constructed only of the front and rear modules 18a and 18c. The modular (piecemeal) construction of hopper <NUM> allows it to be easily assembled as the "short version" of <FIG> and <FIG>, or as the "extended version" that includes the middle module 18b of <FIG> and <FIG>. Thus, hopper <NUM> may be constructed as a shortened version by omitting the middle module 18b, or may be constructed as an elongated version by inserting one or more correspondingly-shaped middle modules 18b, which may be of different longitudinal lengths, between front module 18a and rear module 18c. It will be appreciated that constructing hoppers <NUM> of different lengths may necessitate changes in length of other components of the hopper spreader assembly <NUM>, which will be described in more detail below.

The double wall modules 18a-c may be formed of a plastic material, such as a linear medium density polyethylene, though it will be appreciated that any suitable polymeric plastic material, metal, and/or fiber-reinforced panels may be utilized in accordance with sound engineering judgment. Preferably, the material used is lightweight and corrosion resistant due to the nature of the products it will be carrying and dispensing. Optionally, the modules 18a-c may be formed of resinous plastic in a rotational molding process. Each module 18a-c includes a hollow inner cavity defined by respective inner and outer surfaces of modules 18a-c, which will be discussed in more detail below.

With reference to <FIG>, each module 18a-c has a pair of respective opposite outer side walls 24a-c, with front module 18a additionally including a forward end wall <NUM> defining a front end <NUM>, and with rear module 18c additionally including a rear end wall <NUM> defining a rear end <NUM>. Hopper <NUM> is longitudinally defined by the forward end wall <NUM> and the rear end wall <NUM>, and laterally by the outer side walls 24a-c of modules 18a-c (or by only the outer side walls 24a, 24c of the front module 18a and the rear module 18c for the short version of hopper <NUM>). Thus, front module 18a and rear module 18c are each unitarily formed as a generally U-shaped piece. The middle module 18b of the extended hopper <NUM> is formed by a pair of separate modules that are selectively inserted opposite one another between U-shaped front module 18a and rear module 18c. Optionally, the two separate modules that together form the middle module 18b are identical to one another, and thus can be formed in the same mold. It should be understood that the overall construction of the short version of the hopper <NUM> is identical to that of the extended version, except that the middle module 18b present in the extended version is omitted from the short version.

Each module 18a-c also has a respective pair of opposite front inner surfaces 30a, middle inner surfaces 30b, and rear inner surfaces 30c that laterally define a solids receptacle <NUM> (<FIG>). As best seen in <FIG>, receptacle <NUM> is longitudinally defined by a forward inner surface <NUM> of front module 18a that extends between the front module's pair of opposite front inner surfaces 30a, and by a rearward inner surface <NUM> of rear module 18c, the rearward inner surface <NUM> extending between the rear module's pair of opposite rear inner surfaces 30c. Respective front, middle, and rear inner surfaces 30a, 30b and 30c of modules 18a-c, and the respective forward and rearward inner surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of front and rear modules 18a and 18c are sloped so that receptacle <NUM> has a trough-like inner shape with the sloped surfaces converging at the bottom of receptacle <NUM>. Receptacle <NUM> may be used to hold a solid or generally dry, free-flow material, such as salt, sand, fertilizer, or the like, that is used to treat a ground surface. Receptacle <NUM> is in communication with an aperture <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) defined between lower regions of the modules 18a-c so that the solid contents of receptacle <NUM> may be applied to the ground surface. With reference to <FIG>, hopper <NUM> may include a vibrator <NUM> mounted towards a lower portion of the forward inner surface <NUM> of front module 18a to help direct the solid contents closer to aperture <NUM> and/or to loosen any solid materials remaining on the inner surfaces 30a, 30b, 30c, <NUM>, <NUM> of receptacle <NUM>.

The hollow inner cavities or liquid chambers of modules 18a-c are formed by their respective outer side walls 24a-c, <NUM>, <NUM> and inner surfaces 30a-c, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the hollow inner cavity of front module 18a is formed by the pair of opposite outer side walls 24a connected by the forward end wall <NUM> and the pair of opposite front inner surfaces 30a connected by the forward inner surface <NUM>. The hollow inner cavity of rear module 18c is formed by the pair of opposite outer side walls 24c connected by the rearward end wall <NUM> and the pair of opposite rear inner surfaces 30c connected by the rearward inner surface <NUM>. The hollow inner cavity of each module of the pair of separate modules of middle module 18b is formed by an outer side wall 24b and the middle inner surface 30b.

The modular construction of hopper <NUM> allows each module 18a-c to define a separate hollow portion forming a liquid chamber for carrying liquid material, with each lateral side of the front, middle, and rear modules 18a-c being in fluid communication with the opposing side of that module. It should be understood that each separate liquid chamber of individual modules 18a-c may carry or store different liquid materials that may be used to treat the ground surface. In an alternative embodiment, however, the separate liquid chambers of modules 18a-c may be in fluid communication with one another via inner-modular plumbing, such as pipes, valves, fluid fittings, plumbing fixtures, or other apparatuses conveying fluids, such that the combination of the respective hollow portions or liquid chambers of modules 18a-c effectively forms a single liquid reservoir of hopper <NUM>.

Optionally, the hopper spreader assembly <NUM> includes an emptying and suction valve <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, for draining the liquid material out of the liquid chambers of modules 18a-c. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two emptying and suction valves <NUM> connected to respective opposite sides of rear module 18c. It is further envisioned that the front and middle modules 18a, 18b may also have at least one emptying and suction valve <NUM>, if desired. The rear end wall <NUM> of rear module 18c may also include a liquid level indicator <NUM> (<FIG>). Indicator <NUM> may be a clear hose in fluid communication with the liquid chambers of modules 18a-c to show the liquid levels at a glance. It is also envisioned within the scope of the present disclosure that the hopper spreader assembly <NUM> includes, instead or in addition to the liquid level indicator <NUM>, an electronic liquid level sensor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, front module 18a includes a rear end region, middle module 18b includes front and rear end regions, and rear module 18c includes a front end region. The rear end region of front module 18a includes a pair of upright-extending front flanges 48a, the front and rear end regions of middle module 18b include a pair of upright-extending middle flanges 48b, and the front end region of rear module 18c includes a pair of upright-extending rear flanges 48c. Each flange 48a-c laterally outwardly extends from respective outer side walls 24a, 24b, and 24c, and laterally inwardly extends from respective inner surfaces 30a, 30b, and 30c. As shown in <FIG>, each pair of middle flanges 48b of middle module 18b abuts adjacent flanges 48a and 48c of respective front module 18a and rear module 18c for additional structural support, strength and stability of modular hopper <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment of <FIG>, the respective flanges of adjacent modules may be fixedly secured together by a plurality of removable flange fasteners <NUM>. It is thus envisioned that the adjacent modules 18a-c formed with the flanges 48a-c described above allow the modules to be bolted or otherwise fastened together without relying on other structures to hold hopper <NUM> as a unitary piece. It should also be apparent that if the two-piece middle module 18b is absent, opposing front flanges 48a of front module 18a are removably securable by flange fasteners <NUM> to opposing rear flanges 48c of adjacent rear module 18c.

In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, each respective corner of hopper <NUM> includes a corner opening <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, each corner opening <NUM> receives a lifting and mounting assembly <NUM>, which includes an elongated cylinder or spacer <NUM>, an upper plate <NUM> disposed at an upper end of the cylinder <NUM>, and a ring member <NUM> disposed at a lower end of the cylinder <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the ring member <NUM> includes a ring plate <NUM> perpendicularly oriented to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder <NUM>. A corner bolt <NUM> extends through the upper plate <NUM> and the cylinder <NUM>, and threadably engages a nut fastener <NUM> that is coupled to the ring plate <NUM>. By tightening the bolt <NUM> and nut fastener <NUM>, the upper plate <NUM> and ring plate <NUM> are biased against respective top and bottom ends of the corner opening <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, with the cylinder <NUM> serving as a rigid spacer to prevent the module from being crushed at the corner opening <NUM> by over-tightening the bolt <NUM>. The ring member <NUM> can then be used for lifting and securely mounting hopper spreader assembly <NUM> onto the bed <NUM> of the pick-up truck <NUM> (<FIG>), or on a support structure or platform of a different support vehicle such as a heavy duty truck, trailer, or a hand cart. The lifting and mounting assembly <NUM> is made of metal or other rigid material in accordance with sound engineering judgment.

In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, modules 18a-c are secured together by a structural support frame <NUM> disposed at upper portions of the inner surfaces 30a-c. The structural support frame <NUM> includes a pair of longitudinal and parallel bars <NUM>, each extending along respective opposing inner surfaces 30a-c. As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, each opposite end of each longitudinal bar <NUM> is inter-coupled, via a coupling link <NUM> extending along an open-top channel <NUM>, with hopper <NUM> at a respective cavity area <NUM> near each corner opening <NUM>. The coupling link <NUM> can be a threaded bolt with a head <NUM> and a washer <NUM> at one end and a threaded fastener nut <NUM> at another end. By tightening the coupling link <NUM> and the fastener nut <NUM>, the front and rear modules 18a, 18c are pressed and secured together. As can be best seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, whenever the upper plate <NUM> is fixed to the corner opening <NUM>, the upper plate <NUM> secures the washer <NUM> and hence the coupling link <NUM> within the cavity area <NUM> so that the coupling link <NUM> cannot be lifted up and out of the open-top channel <NUM>. Conversely, whenever the upper plate <NUM> is removed from the corner opening <NUM>, the coupling link <NUM> can be freed from the cavity area <NUM> and open-top channel <NUM> of hopper <NUM> so that the bar <NUM> can be lifted away from the hopper <NUM>. Thus, the structural support frame <NUM> provides additional structural integrity, load support and overall stability of the entire modular hopper <NUM>. The structural support frame <NUM> further includes generally parallel frame rods <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) that laterally extend between and removably couple, via rod fasteners <NUM>, the pair of longitudinal bars <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, modular hopper <NUM> may include one or more generally parallel reinforcement rods <NUM> laterally extending and connecting upper portions of opposite inner surfaces 30a and 30c. Also, upper portions of opposite inner surfaces 30b may similarly be connected by the reinforcement rod <NUM>, if two-piece middle module 18b is included in hopper <NUM>. Optionally, respective adjacent and inwardly-protruding portions of the upright-extending flanges of modules 18a-c may be secured together by a structural brace <NUM> that is removably connected to respective longitudinal bar <NUM> of structural support frame <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>. The structural brace <NUM> is constructed as a U-shaped bracket having a longitudinal surface <NUM> extending between a pair of parallel brace side walls <NUM> laterally extending from the longitudinal surface <NUM>. As best seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, each longitudinal bar <NUM> includes a plurality of bar openings <NUM> that are adapted to receive a respective tip projection of each brace side wall <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>, to engage and secure the longitudinal bar with the structural brace <NUM>. Inwardly protruding portions of flanges 48a and 48b are secured together by the structural brace <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>. A brace bolt <NUM> may additionally be provided to longitudinally extend through the pair of parallel brace side walls <NUM> of the structural brace <NUM> and the inwardly protruding portions of adjacent flanges 48a and 48b to threadably engage a fastener (not shown in <FIG>) to secure the middle and front modules 18a and 18b together and to provide for more secure hold and stability of the entire modular hopper <NUM>. It should be understood that the middle and rear modules 18b and 18c may likewise be secured together.

Referring now to <FIG>, a pair of opposing structural braces <NUM> may optionally be inter-coupled together by a structural beam <NUM> laterally extending between the pair of opposing structural braces <NUM>. For instance, each pair of opposing adjacent and inwardly-protruding portions of the upright-extending flanges 48a and 48c of respective modules 18a and 18c may first be secured together by respective structural brace <NUM>, as described above. Then, the opposing structural braces <NUM> are intercoupled by the structural beam <NUM>. It is envisioned that the structural beam <NUM> may be welded, fastened via a latch, or inserted into an opening formed in each structural brace <NUM>, and secured to each respective structural brace <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the structural support frame <NUM> may be omitted if the hopper modules are connected by the structural braces <NUM> and beam <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the modules may be designed with interlocking features that facilitate their attachment to one another, or for increasing the rigidity of the assembled modules.

With reference to <FIG>, the bottom of hopper <NUM> includes lateral support members 122a and 122c attached by fasteners to the bottom of hopper <NUM>. Support members 122a and 122c are designed to provide support for an auger housing or bottom chute <NUM> and, optionally, may be used to securely attach hopper <NUM> to the bed <NUM> of the pick-up truck <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). The bottom chute <NUM> contains an auger mechanism <NUM> and serves a dual function of protecting the auger mechanism <NUM> from the environment and as a bottom chute used to move/deliver/transfer the solid material of receptacle <NUM> towards the discharge end of bottom chute <NUM> that is proximal to the rear-end of the bed of the truck from where the solid material carried within hopper <NUM> may be eventually discharged onto a ground surface. Bottom chute <NUM> attaches to hopper <NUM> at the surfaces defining the bottom of rear recess <NUM> formed in rear module 18c, as shown. Bottom chute <NUM> may be fastened to hopper <NUM> by fasteners such as bolts, clamps, or rivets. Optionally, the bottom chute <NUM> and hopper <NUM> may be configured so that no separate fasteners are required to secure those components together. Alternatively, instead of the auger mechanism <NUM>, a conveyor system (not shown) may be used to transport or convey the solid material toward the rear end of the spreader system where it can be distributed.

The auger mechanism <NUM> is at least partially positioned within aperture <NUM> and is used to move the solid material from receptacle <NUM> towards the end of bottom chute <NUM>. An auger drive motor <NUM> and a gear box <NUM> are attached to the front end of the auger <NUM> and used to drive the auger. The drive motor <NUM> and gear box <NUM> may include and incorporate any desired gearing and connections for any energy source, including electrical, hydraulic, or combustion engine. Rotation of the auger <NUM> causes solid material to be drawn out of receptacle <NUM> and to be communicated to the end of bottom chute <NUM>, where it leaves the hopper <NUM>. It should be understood that lengths of the bottom chute <NUM> and the auger mechanism <NUM> may vary depending on length, i.e. the short or extended versions, of the hopper <NUM>. Similarly, the size and/or power requirements of the drive motor <NUM> and/or gear box <NUM> should vary based on sound engineering judgement.

In an alternative embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the hopper spreader assembly <NUM> further includes an inner hopper module or bladder insert <NUM> disposed within receptacle <NUM> of the hopper <NUM>. The inner hopper module <NUM> defines another liquid chamber inside a soft, rigid, or semi-rigid bladder tank that is mechanically secured to and/or supported by the respective inner surface portions of the respective hopper modules used to form the hopper <NUM>. The inner hopper module <NUM> forms an extra liquid tank to provide the hopper spreader assembly with extra liquid capacity, or to allow the hopper to store and dispense two or more different liquids. It is contemplated that the inner hopper module <NUM> may be supported by an elevated platform <NUM> such that a gap is formed between the bottom portion of the receptacle <NUM> and the inner hopper module <NUM>. Each of the liquid chambers of the respective hopper modules 18a-c used to form such hopper, including the inner hopper module <NUM>, are connected in fluid communication to various plumbing and spray equipment of the hopper spreader assembly <NUM>, as described in more detail below.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, hopper assembly <NUM> includes various plumbing and spray equipment that is mounted within or near a rear recess <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) formed in rear module 18c. Rear recess <NUM> is formed within curved inward rear end wall <NUM> of rear module 18c. Rear recess <NUM> is isolated from receptacle <NUM> by the double wall formed between the rear end wall <NUM> and the rear inner surface <NUM> of module 18c (<FIG>). In the illustrated embodiment, the plumbing and spray equipment at or near the rear recess <NUM> includes first and second suction filters 90a and 90b each in liquid communication with respective first and second liquid pumps 92a and 92b, a liquid filling connector <NUM>, a set of manually and/or electrically actuated selector valves <NUM>, and a central processing unit (CPU) controller <NUM> communicatively connected to the selector valves <NUM>. The rear end wall <NUM> of rear module 18c may also support a hose reel <NUM> with a dispensing hose <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). The supply of the pressurized liquid to the hose reel <NUM> is controlled by one of the selector valves <NUM>, which selectively pressurizes the dispensing hose <NUM> so that it can be used by the operator to manually spray the liquid carried within the liquid chamber(s) of hopper <NUM>, such as saline solution or liquid fertilizer, directly onto an application area of the ground. The dispensing hose <NUM> may be in fluid communication with each liquid chamber of modules 18a-c and/or the inner hopper module <NUM>. It is also envisioned that, in an alternative embodiment in which the adjacent liquid reservoirs of the modules 18a-c are in fluid communication with one another via one or more fluid conduits, the dispensing hose <NUM> may be in fluid communication with what is effectively a single liquid reservoir formed by modules 18a-c of the extended version of hopper <NUM>, or formed by the front and rear modules 18a and 18c of the short version of hopper <NUM>.

According to the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the first and second suction filters 90a and 90b are fluidly connected with the liquid chamber of the rear module 18c via respective fluid lines 102a and 102b. More specifically, the fluid lines 102a and 102b are connected to the liquid chamber of the rear module 18c via their respective valve fittings 103a and 103b. According to an alternative embodiment, however, each of the first and second suction filters 90a, 90b may be in fluid communication via their respective fluid lines 102a and 102b with a fluid pipe or conduit <NUM> (<FIG>). More specifically, the fluid lines 102a and 102b may be in fluid communication with the fluid pipe <NUM>, via a manifold, T-shaped fitting, or Y-shaped fitting (not shown), at a point of the pipe <NUM> that is near the rear end wall <NUM> of rear module 18c and downstream of the liquid filling connector <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first suction filter 90a is connected in fluid communication by a first filter hose 104a with the first liquid pump 92a, and the second suction filter 90b is connected in fluid communication by a second filter hose 104b with the second liquid pump 92b. The first liquid pump 92a is connected in fluid communication by a first pump hose 106a with a first selector valve 96a. The second liquid pump 92b is connected in fluid communication by a second pump hose 106b with a valve manifold <NUM> adapted to connect in fluid communication with second, third, and fourth selector valves 96b, 96c, and 96d, respectively. The first and second selector valves 96a, 96b are connected in fluid communication by respective spray bar hoses 110a and 110b with a spray bar <NUM> (<FIG>). The third selector valve 96c is connected in fluid communication by a reel fluid line <NUM> to the dispensing hose <NUM> on the hose reel <NUM>. The fourth selector valve 96d is connected in fluid communication with a pre-wet spray nozzle <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) via a second valve manifold <NUM> and pre-wet hoses 108a and 108b. It should be understood that each selector valve 96a-d can be electrically controlled based on operator commands transmitted wirelessly or by hard-wire. Additionally or alternatively, each selector valve 96a-d can be manually controlled by the operator.

According to the embodiment of <FIG>, the fluid pipe <NUM> extends from the liquid filling connector <NUM> and around the bottom surfaces of the hopper <NUM>. The fluid pipe <NUM> includes a plurality of fluid fittings 130a-c connecting each respective fluid reservoir of each module 18a-c to the fluid pipe <NUM>, thereby providing for each of the modules to be in fluid communication with the other modules of the hopper <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the fluid pipe <NUM> includes a front pair of fluid fittings 130a to connect the fluid chamber of front module 18a to the fluid pipe <NUM>, a middle pair of fluid fittings 130b to connect the fluid chambers of two-piece middle module 18b to the fluid pipe <NUM>, and a rear pair of fluid fittings 130c to connect the fluid chamber of rear module 18c to the fluid pipe <NUM>. The fluid pipe <NUM> is supported by lateral support members 122a and 122c. It should be understood that if the two-piece middle module 18b is not included in the hopper <NUM>, only front and rear fluid fittings 130a and 130c will be connecting the fluid chambers of respective front and rear modules 18a and 18c to the fluid pipe <NUM> (<FIG>).

Liquid directed into or out of the liquid chambers of hopper <NUM> may be supplied or drained via the filling pipe <NUM> through the liquid filling connector <NUM>. After filling and once a connector valve <NUM> is closed, the liquid in the liquid chambers of the modules 18a-c will typically be present in the filling pipe <NUM> due to gravity. According to the embodiment of <FIG>, each side of each module 18a-c may be fitted with a pipe on either side of the bottom chute <NUM> to communicatively connect one of the liquid chambers of each module to the liquid filling connector <NUM> and to the liquid pumps 92a or 92b, thus providing for each module 18a-c to be in individual fluid communication with the liquid pumps 92a and 92b.

Optionally, and with reference to <FIG>, it is contemplated that the inner hopper module <NUM> and the liquid chambers of the modules 18a-c are not necessarily interconnected in fluid communication with one another. Instead, the inner hopper module <NUM> includes an independent bladder pipe <NUM> connected in fluid communication to a manifold valve <NUM> (<FIG>) for selectively directing the liquid stored in the inner hopper module <NUM> for subsequent distribution to liquid pumps 90a and/or 90b and then to a dispensing apparatus, such as pre-wet spray nozzle(s) <NUM>, hose reel <NUM> and/or spray bar <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, the manifold valve <NUM> is also fluidly connected to the valve fittings 103a and 103b such that the manifold valve <NUM> is operable to select from which of the liquid chambers of the inner hopper module <NUM> or the modules 18a-c to receive the liquid, and to which liquid pump 92a or 92b, to feed the liquid. The manifold valve <NUM> can be manually and/or electrically operated. Additionally, the manifold valve <NUM> can consist of several on/off valves to separate the fluid in the manifold valve <NUM> into separate fluid lines, such as shown in <FIG>. In the illustrative embodiment of <FIG>, the inner hopper module <NUM> is connected by a bladder connector <NUM> to the bladder pipe <NUM>. It should thus be understood that the liquid stored in and distributed out of the inner hopper module <NUM> may be same or different from the liquid stored in the liquid chambers of the modules 18a-c. It should also be understood that the inner hopper module <NUM> may include a bladder liquid filling connector (not shown) that can be used to fill the inner hopper module with the liquid. Optionally, and with reference to <FIG>, the inner hopper module or bladder tank <NUM> may be connected in direct fluid communication by the bladder pipe <NUM> with the rear module 18c such that inner hopper module <NUM> is also fluidly connected by the fluid pipe <NUM> with one or more middle modules 18b and front module 18a.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, it is further contemplated that the liquid pumps 92a and 92b and/or liquid chambers of the modules 18a-c and/or the inner hopper module <NUM> may be rinsed, separately or together, using a rinse line <NUM> fitted with a rinse port valve <NUM>. Rinse line <NUM> is fluidly connected with the valve fittings 103a, 103b and manifold valve <NUM> so that the liquid chambers of the modules 18a-c and/or inner hopper module <NUM> can be first filled with water, anti-freeze, or cleaning solution using the rinse line <NUM>. Subsequently, the cleaning solution is drained via any one of the pre-wet nozzle <NUM>, the dispensing hose <NUM>, or the spray bar <NUM>. To rinse liquid pumps 92a and 92b, it is envisioned that a liquid chamber rinse valve <NUM> is closed so that the water, anti-freeze, or cleaning solution is fed directly into the pumps for rinsing and subsequent draining via any one of the pre-wet nozzle <NUM>, the dispensing hose <NUM>, or the spray bar <NUM>. Optionally, a separate liquid tank (not shown) containing water, a cleaning solution, or anti-freeze liquid solution can be carried by the hopper spreader assembly <NUM>, such as in one of the liquid chambers described hereinabove. The separate liquid tank is envisioned to be connected to the rinse line <NUM> to perform the rinsing function of the liquid pumps 92a and 92b and/or liquid chambers of the modules 18a-c and/or the inner hopper module <NUM> as described above.

Referring now to <FIG>, hopper assembly <NUM> optionally includes a screen <NUM>. Screen <NUM> may be installed to prevent large debris, clumps of salt, or other granular material from being received in the receptacle <NUM>. Screen <NUM> may also desirably cause clumps of salt to be broken apart during filling of the hopper <NUM>. Screen <NUM> may be attached to hopper <NUM> by using fasteners <NUM> (<FIG>, and <FIG>) to hold screen <NUM> to hopper <NUM>, or may be received on a track or a shelf (not shown) that is integrally-formed within hopper <NUM>. It is also contemplated that screen <NUM> may be made of metal or other rigid material and act as a reinforcement structure securing the modules 18a-c together and providing enhanced overall stability to the hopper assembly <NUM>, either in addition to or in place of the framework and/or cross members described above.

With reference to <FIG>, hopper assembly <NUM> optionally includes a cover support mechanism <NUM>. Cover support mechanism <NUM> may have various clamps or hooks suitable for receiving a tarp or other surface coverings to prevent foreign material from mixing with the contents in the hopper and/or from spilling of the contents outside of the hopper. In the illustrated embodiment, cover support mechanism <NUM> includes a pair of opposing cover arms <NUM>, distal ends of which are pivotably joined to an upper surface of hopper <NUM> such that cover support mechanism <NUM> may be pivotally lifted and lowered, and proximal ends of which are adapted to come close together when the opposing cover arms <NUM> are pivotally lowered. It is also envisioned that at least one proximal end of the cover arms <NUM> may include a hook or a latch <NUM> to securely couple another proximal end of the cover arms <NUM> when the opposing cover arms <NUM> are pivotally lowered. Hopper assembly <NUM> may also include an equipment cover <NUM> (<FIG>) to protect the plumbing and spray equipment mounted at rear recess <NUM> of rear module 18c from weather conditions and/or vehicle spray.

The spreader assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) serves to distribute the solid granular material carried within receptacle <NUM> of hopper <NUM> onto the ground or road surface. Optionally, the spreader assembly <NUM> also distributes liquid received from the modules 18a-c, which liquid may be sprayed, via the pre-wet nozzle <NUM>, onto the solid granular material before the resulting mixture is discharged. As shown in <FIG>, spreader assembly <NUM> includes a vertical chute assembly <NUM> and a spinner assembly <NUM>. Vertical chute assembly <NUM> is securely attached by fasteners to bottom chute <NUM> and receives the solid material discharged from receptacle <NUM> of hopper <NUM> via the discharge aperture of bottom chute <NUM> and an aperture of vertical chute assembly <NUM> that are in fluid communication with one another. Vertical chute assembly <NUM> is selectively secured to bottom chute <NUM> and is generally vertically oriented and positioned perpendicular to bottom chute <NUM>, in an operating mode. Vertical chute assembly <NUM>, which is generally hollow, includes a body portion formed as one or more pieces of plastic or metal components. Optionally, the liquid spray bar <NUM> is provided, as shown in <FIG>, to spray the liquid material carried within the liquid chamber(s) of hopper <NUM>, and/or inner hopper module <NUM>, directly onto an application area of the ground. In the illustrated embodiment, spray bar <NUM> may include downward spray nozzles <NUM> and/or a plurality of side spray nozzles <NUM>. Further, vertical chute assembly <NUM> may be pivotably connected to bottom chute <NUM> and hydraulically or electrically controlled, via hydraulic or electrically-driven mechanism(s), and is adapted to be pivotally raised from and lowered to its generally perpendicular position with respect to bottom chute <NUM>.

Spinner assembly <NUM> includes the pre-wet spray nozzle <NUM> (<FIG>) that is selectively connected in fluid communication with the liquid chambers of the modules 18a-c via fourth selector valve 96d and pre-wet hoses 108a and 108b, and/or with the inner hopper module <NUM>. Pre-wet spray nozzle <NUM> serves to pre-wet the solid contents of receptacle <NUM>, which is moved by the auger (not shown) to spinner assembly <NUM>, so that the solid content takes the form of a slurry being distributed over an application area by spinner assembly <NUM>. The spinner assembly <NUM> also includes a spinner plate <NUM>. Spinner assembly <NUM> may be powered either via a hydraulic unit, a belt and pulley system, or an electric motor. The hydraulic unit, belt, or motor rotates plate <NUM> so that when the solid material lands on plate <NUM>, it is spread broadly over the ground area. The spinner assembly <NUM> may at least partially surround plate <NUM> and the hydraulic unit, belt or motor, as shown.

According to the embodiments described above, the hopper assembly includes individual liquid chambers that may be inter-connected in fluid communication with one another to effectively form a single liquid reservoir filled with a liquid, and an extra liquid chamber of the inner hopper module that may be provided in the hopper assembly and that can be filled with the same or different liquid material. The liquid material(s) of the individual liquid chambers and the extra liquid chamber may be selectively dispensed by using any one of the spraying equipment of the hopper assembly, such as the pre-wet nozzle, spray bar, and dispensing hose. Alternatively, the individual liquid chambers of the hopper assembly may not be inter-connected in fluid communication with one another, and thus can be individually filled with the same or different liquids, and individually and selectively dispensed by using any one of the spraying equipment.

Thus, the present invention provides a hopper spreader assembly that includes a modular dual wall hopper with a solid material receptacle and individual liquid storage tanks for spreading solid particles and/or spraying one or more liquids onto the ground and/or road surfaces in a fully controllable, convenient and efficient manner. The modular hopper is adaptable to be selectively shortened or elongated in order to accommodate different sizes of vehicles and/or volumes of solid and/or liquid materials to be distributed. The modular hopper also reduces the sloshing of liquid in the modular liquid reservoirs, optionally without the use of baffles, as compared to unitary or contiguous liquid reservoirs.

Claim 1:
A hopper spreader assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a first dual-wall hopper module (18a) having a first liquid chamber defined between a first inner surface portion (30a) and a first outer surface portion (24a);
a second dual-wall hopper module (18c) having a second liquid chamber defined between a second inner surface portion (30c) and a second outer surface portion (24c);
a fluid conduit (<NUM>) for filling or draining a liquid into or out of said first and second liquid chambers;
a liquid pump (92a-b) in fluid communication with said first and second liquid chambers for drawing the liquid from said first and second liquid chambers;
a selector valve (<NUM>) in fluid communication with said fluid pump (92a-b) for directing the liquid drawn from said first and second liquid chambers; and
a liquid dispenser (<NUM>, <NUM>) in fluid communication with said selector valve (<NUM>) for distributing the liquid onto an application area;
wherein said first inner surface portion (30a) cooperates with said second inner surface portion (30b) to define a receptacle for receiving and storing solid material such that said first and second hopper modules (18a, 18b) to form a hopper that is sized and shaped to be received on a bed of a truck or support vehicle (<NUM>);
characterized in that
each first and second hopper module (18a, 18b) comprises a pair of side walls, and each side wall includes a flange (48a-c) with a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners (<NUM>) to removably secure each first and second hopper module (18a, 18b) to a respective adjacent hopper module..