Powered hand-held spreader

Abstract

A powered hand-held spreader device is disclosed that has a handle that allows a user to grip and hold the device with one hand. The spreader includes an adjustable shutter, controlled by a rotary dial, 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. 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 actuated by a trigger. A spinning rotor plate distributes the granular product fed from the hopper. A trigger lock 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 optionally can be used to control the distribution pattern of the granular product.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A portable device suitable for spreading granular product, comprising:
 a spreader body, comprising:
 a hopper configured to contain an amount of the granular product, comprising an open upper portion and an outlet located at a bottom portion of the hopper; 
 a handle integral to the spreader body; 
 a motor; 
 an opening located on a forward portion of the spreader body; 
 a rotor plate for spreading the granular product located in the opening below the outlet and operably coupled to the motor; 
 a trigger, mounted in the handle, that is movable between a first position in which the motor is off and a second position in which the motor is actuated, the trigger configured to default to the first position, the trigger being operably coupled to a trigger mechanism; 
 a shutter dial, coupled to the forward portion of the spreader body below the handle, the shutter dial being rotatably movable between a plurality of settings; and 
 a shutter cam, coupled to the shutter plate and to the shutter dial, for adjusting a distance of travel of a shutter plate, that is located proximal to the outlet, based on a selected setting of the shutter dial; 
   wherein when the trigger is in the first position the shutter plate covers the outlet and when the trigger is in the second position, the shutter plate is retracted and uncovers the outlet, traveling a distance based on the selected setting of the shutter dial through movement of the trigger mechanism.   
     
     
         31 . The portable device of  claim 30 , wherein the handle is facing rearward over the hopper such that the handle overhangs the hopper. 
     
     
         32 . The portable device of  claim 30 , wherein the handle is integral to a forward portion of the spreader body. 
     
     
         33 . The portable device of  claim 30 , wherein the motor is powered by a power source comprising one or more batteries. 
     
     
         34 . The portable device of  claim 30 , further comprising an agitator mounted in the hopper and operably coupled to the motor. 
     
     
         35 . The portable device of  claim 34 , wherein the agitator comprises a single blade. 
     
     
         36 . The portable device of  claim 35 , wherein the single blade is curved. 
     
     
         37 . The portable device of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of settings each result in a different position of the shutter plate. 
     
     
         38 . The portable device of  claim 30 , further comprising a trigger lock configured to secure the trigger in the second position when engaged. 
     
     
         39 . The portable device of  claim 38 , the trigger lock being further configured to prevent movement of the trigger from the first position. 
     
     
         40 . The portable device of  claim 30 , wherein the trigger mechanism further comprises:
 a first spring connected to an upper portion of the trigger mechanism; and   a second spring connected to a lower portion the trigger mechanism.   
     
     
         41 . The portable device of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 a stop connected to an upper end of the second spring such that the second spring is compressed upon the stop contacting the shutter cam in response to movement of the trigger mechanism.   
     
     
         42 . The portable device of  claim 30 , the trigger mechanism comprising:
 a frame comprising a dividing frame member, centrally located in the frame, dividing the frame into an upper and a lower portion, the dividing frame member having an upper surface and a lower surface;   a first spring located in the upper portion;   a second spring located in the lower portion;   the first spring being attached at its lower extremity to the upper surface and extending upwardly therefrom and having its upper extremity attached to a fixed projection of (New) The portable device that is separate from the frame such that the first spring is compressed during upward movement of the trigger mechanism;   a stop member located below the dividing frame member comprising a first portion contacting, but not connected to, the lower surface dividing frame member and held in place by the second spring, and   the second spring being attached at its lower extremity to a lower portion of the frame and extending upwardly therefrom such that its upper extremity is attached to the stop member, and   the stop member 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 first position to the second position causing a compression of the second spring in response to the contact with the shutter cam.   
     
     
         43 . A portable hand-held spreader device for spreading granular product comprising:
 a hopper configured to contain an amount of the granular product, the hopper comprising an outlet;   a handle means for holding the hopper;   an opening located on a forward portion of a spreader body below the handle, the outlet in communication with the opening;   a spreading means for spreading the granular product located in the opening and driven by a power source;   a control means for controlling a distance of travel of a shutter plate located inside of the outlet and mechanically coupled to the control means, the control means being coupled to the forward portion of the spreader body and having a plurality of settings, such that each setting adjusts the distance of travel of the shutter plate with respect to the outlet;   a trigger mechanism for actuating the power source and moving the shutter plate the distance of travel according to the setting of the control means, the trigger mechanism further comprising:
 a first spring connected to an upper portion of the trigger mechanism, and 
 a second spring connected to a lower portion the trigger mechanism; and 
   a stop connected to an upper end of the second spring such that the second spring is compressed upon the stop contacting the shutter cam in response to movement of the trigger mechanism.   
     
     
         44 . The portable hand-held spreader device of  claim 43 , wherein the trigger mechanism has a first, default position in which the power source is not actuated and the shutter plate covers the outlet and a second, actuated position in which the power source is actuated and the shutter plate is retracted from the outlet and travels the distance based on the setting of the control means. 
     
     
         45 . The portable hand-held spreader device of  claim 43 , wherein the power source comprises a power transfer means for transferring power from the power source to the spreading means. 
     
     
         46 . The portable hand-held spreader device of  claim 43 , further comprising a locking means for securing the trigger mechanism in the first position or the second position when engaged. 
     
     
         47 . The portable hand-held spreader device of  claim 43 , wherein the handle means is located at a forward portion of the container. 
     
     
         48 . The portable hand-held spreader device of  claim 47 , wherein the handle means is rearward facing and overhangs the hopper. 
     
     
         49 . A portable hand-held spreader device, comprising:
 a hopper comprising an outlet;   a handle overhanging the hopper, the handle including a trigger;   a motor;   a rotor plate, located below the outlet, operably coupled to the motor, and configured to spread the granular product;   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 shutter dial rotatably movable between a plurality of settings; and   a shutter cam, coupled to the shutter plate and to the shutter dial, for adjusting a distance of travel the shutter plate based on a selected setting of the shutter dial through contact with the stop;   wherein when the trigger is in a first position, the shutter plate covers the outlet, and when the trigger moves from the first position to a second position, the shutter plate retracts from the outlet through movement of the trigger mechanism, uncovering the outlet by traveling a distance based on a selected setting of the shutter 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.