Patent ID: 8074904

Claim:
A broadcast spreader, comprising: a hopper adapted to store granular material and including a discharge port through a surface thereof; a fan rotating about an axis for distributing the granular material passing from the hopper through the discharge port; a first plate that is secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the hopper, the first plate defining an opening therethrough that is substantially in registry with but smaller than the discharge port, thus serving to define a pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, wherein movement of the first plate relative to the hopper causes a shifting of the pathway for the granular material; and a second plate secured to and adapted for slidable movement with respect to the hopper and the first plate, wherein the second plate is in a stacked relationship with respect to the first plate, wherein movement of the second plate is independent of movement of the first plate, wherein movement of the second plate relative to the first plate selectively opens or closes the pathway for the granular material from the hopper through the discharge port and onto the fan, and wherein the first plate moves in a first direction, and the second plate moves in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; wherein said first plate defines first and second longitudinal slots along one edge, and further defines third and fourth longitudinal slots along an opposite edge.