Patent ID: 7766257

Claim:
A variable discharge mechanism for a hopper spreader apparatus including a hopper having a discharge outlet for dispensing particulate material; and a spinner carried by a drive shaft, the spinner located adjacent to the discharge outlet for distributing material dispensed from the hopper, said variable discharge mechanism comprising: a flow gate assembly including first and second flow gate members each having a discharge aperture therethrough, said first and second flow gate members interposed between the discharge outlet of the hopper and the spinner, said first flow gate member overlying said second flow gate member and said first and second flow gate members aligned so that said discharge aperture in said first flow gate member at least partially overlaps a portion of the discharge aperture of said second flow gate member, defining a delivery opening interposed between the discharge opening of the hopper and the spinner, and said first and second flow gate members mounted for relative angular movement independently of one another to different relative positions to adjust the size of said delivery opening to a desired setting, wherein said flow gate assembly includes a locking member carried by one of said flow gate members, said locking member extending through an aperture in said first flow gate member, said locking member being operatable between locking and release positions, said locking member having an engaging portion moved into engagement with said second flow gate member when said locking member is operated to said locking position to lock together said first and second flow gate members in any of said positions, allowing said first and second flow gate members to be rotated as a unit to reposition the delivery opening that is defined by said first and second flow gate members with respect to the spinner while maintaining the desired setting for the delivery opening.