US 12,010,940 B2
Handle-mounted control system for a broadcast spreader
Craig Stewart, Marietta, GA (US); Dominic Lovely, Denver, CO (US); and Brent Christopher, Denver, CO (US)
Assigned to Home Depot Product Authority, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Home Depot Product Authority, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Oct. 30, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/668,028.
Application 16/668,028 is a continuation of application No. 15/591,879, filed on May 10, 2017, granted, now 10,499,559.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/435,005, filed on Dec. 15, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2020/0060075 A1, Feb. 27, 2020
Int. Cl. A01C 17/00 (2006.01); A01C 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC A01C 17/008 (2013.01) [A01C 15/02 (2013.01); A01C 17/001 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control apparatus for a broadcast spreader, the broadcast spreader including a base having a plurality of wheels mounted thereon, the control apparatus comprising:
a handle portion coupled to the base enabling a user to push the broadcast spreader, the handle portion having a handle axis passing longitudinally therethrough generally parallel to a surface upon which the plurality of wheels rest;
a gate adjustment dial mounted on the handle portion and having a rotational axis coaxial with the handle axis, wherein rotation of the gate adjustment dial in a first direction causes an increase in a current maximum discharge rate of the broadcast spreader and rotation of the gate adjustment dial in a second direction causes a decrease in the current maximum discharge rate of the broadcast spreader;
an outer housing;
a gate actuation lever, wherein the gate actuation lever is positioned on a different side of the handle portion than the gate adjustment dial relative to an imaginary plane that bisects the handle portion across the handle axis;
wherein at least a portion of the gate actuation lever is disposed within the outer housing; and
a deflector adjustment lever mounted on the handle portion;
wherein the deflector adjustment lever is coupled with one end of a cable and the other end of the cable is coupled with a deflector lift member which is in turn coupled with a deflector of the broadcast spreader, the deflector for adjusting a spread angle of the broadcast spreader,
wherein operation of the deflector adjustment lever in a first direction pulls on the cable, which in turn pulls upward on the deflector lift member thereby causing a deflector of the broadcast spreader to rise, and operation of the deflector adjustment lever in a second direction relieves tension on the cable which causes the deflector lift member to lower thereby causing the deflector to lower;
wherein the deflector is disposed on a lateral side of the spreader and is configured to deflect material received from a material spreader of the broadcast spreader.