NZ778222B2 - Powered hand-held spreader - Google Patents

Abstract

powered hand-held spreader device (10) is disclosed that has a handle (14) that allows a user to grip and hold the device with one hand. The spreader includes an adjustable shutter (58), controlled by a rotary dial (22), to allow for distribution of a range of different granular products that require different flow rates for distribution. The granular product is contained in a hopper (12). The product can be distributed over various types of terrain, including, but not limited to, lawns, gardens, and paths. The spreader is driven by an electric motor (52) actuated by a trigger (16). A spinning rotor plate (26) distributes the granular product fed from the hopper. A trigger lock (18) is optionally available to lock the trigger in the "on" position during use and to prevent actuation when the trigger is in the "off position. An adjustable side deflector (28) optionally can be used to control the distribution pattern of the granular product.

Claims (16)

1. A portable hand-held spreader device, comprising: a hopper configured to contain granular product for spreading over terrain or other surfaces comprising an outlet; a handle overhanging the hopper; a motor; a gear train driven by the motor; a rotor plate, located below the outlet and driven by the gear train, configured to spread the granular product; an agitator, mounted in the hopper, proximate the outlet, driven by the gear train; a trigger mounted in the handle; a trigger mechanism, coupled to the trigger, comprising a first spring, a second spring, and a stop; a shutter plate coupled to the trigger mechanism for covering and uncovering the outlet; a rotary dial rotatably movable between a plurality of settings; a shutter cam, coupled internally to the rotary dial, for adjusting a distance of travel the shutter plate based on a selected setting of the rotary dial through contact with the stop; and the shutter plate being coupled to the shutter cam and being movable with respect to the outlet, the shutter plate being movable such that when the trigger is in a default position the shutter plate covers the outlet and when the trigger is in an actuated position, the shutter plate is retracted from the outlet through movement of the trigger mechanism, uncovering the outlet by traveling a distance based on the selected setting of the rotary dial such that retraction of the shutter plate stops when the stop contacts the shutter cam and the first spring is compressed during movement of the trigger mechanism and the second spring is compressed upon the stop contacting the shutter cam.

2. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, further comprising: a trigger lock configured to secure the trigger in the actuated position when engaged.

3. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 2, the trigger lock being further configured to prevent movement of the trigger from the default position when engaged.

4. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of settings comprises 23 different positions.

5. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of settings each result in a different position of the shutter plate.

6. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, wherein the handle is facing rearward over the hopper such that the handle overhangs the hopper.

7. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, wherein the handle is integral to a forward portion of the portable hand-held spreader device.

8. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, wherein the granular product comprises ice melting granules, fertilizer, pesticides, granular soil amendment material, granular oil absorbent material, dusting products, granular floor cleaning product, grass seed, or combinations thereof.

9. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, wherein the motor is powered by a power source comprising one or more batteries.

10. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, wherein the agitator comprises a single blade.

11. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 9, wherein the single blade is curved.

12. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, wherein the first spring is connected to an upper portion of the trigger mechanism, and the second spring is connected to a lower portion of the trigger mechanism.

13. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 12, wherein the stop is connected to an upper end of the second spring.

14. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, wherein, in the default position, the motor is not actuated and, in the actuated position, the motor is actuated.

15. The portable hand-held spreader device according to claim 1, the trigger mechanism comprising: a frame comprising a dividing frame member centrally located in the frame, dividing the frame into an upper portion and a lower portion, the dividing frame member having an upper surface and a lower surface; wherein the first spring is located in the upper portion and is attached at its lower extremity to the upper surface and extending upwardly therefrom and having its upper extremity is attached to a fixed projection of the portable hand-held spreader device that is separate from the frame wherein the second spring is located in the lower portion and is attached at its lower extremity to the lower portion of the frame and extending upwardly therefrom such that its upper extremity is attached to the stop; wherein the stop is located below the dividing frame member and comprises a first portion contacting, but not connected to, the lower surface of the dividing frame member and is held in place by the second spring, and wherein the stop further comprises a second portion configured to contact the shutter cam upon upward movement of the trigger mechanism in response to movement of the trigger from the default position to the actuated position causing a compression of the second spring in response to the contact with the shutter cam.

16. The portable hand-held spreader device as claimed in claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed.