Agricultural crop application system

Abstract

A product applicator system for dispensing various products onto a ground surface is provided. The system provides an assembly of a protective tube and applicator that protects the product as it travels from the boom to the ground surface. The assembly may include a swivel connection facilitating a rotational movement of the hose assembly to the supporting boom. The protective tube assembly is designed with bending properties that enable the applicator to self-center itself during use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for dispersing a product on a ground surface using a mobile supporting boom spanning portions of the ground surface, comprising:
 a product delivery assembly operatively coupled to a portion of the mobile supporting boom comprising:
 at least one protective tube able to protect and carry the product from the mobile supporting boom to the ground surface; 
 at least one applicator being in operative communication with the at least one protective tube, wherein the at least one applicator is configured to deliver the product to the ground surface; and 
 at least one product delivery hose disposed proximate to an end portion of the at least one protective tube and configured to deliver the product to an interior of at least one protective tube. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one attachment member being attached to and extending between a portion of the at least one protective tube and a portion of the at least one applicator. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one attachment member further comprises at least two diverging product paths formed thereon to direct a flow of product to the applicator. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one applicator comprises at least one flexible tube. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one applicator comprises at least one flexible tube and at least on rigid tube. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protective tube comprises a plurality of modular components of at least one flexible tube segment and at least one generally rigid tube segment coupled together, wherein the modular components are interchangeable to adjust a length of the at least one protective tube. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protective tube comprises a plurality of modular components of at least one flexible tube segment and at least one generally rigid tube segment coupled together, wherein the modular components are interchangeable to adjust a flexing property of the protective tube. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one product delivery assembly further comprises:
 an extension member coupled to and extending away from a portion of the supporting boom;   a swivel member being disposed on a portion of the extension member and coupled to a portion of the at least one protective tube; and   wherein the swivel member is configured to rotate the at least one protective tube generally about a long axis of the extension member.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one hook member extending generally away angularly away from a long axis of the extension member. 
     
     
         10 . A system for dispersing a product on a ground surface using a mobile supporting boom spanning portions of the ground surface, comprising:
 a product hose assembly operatively coupled to a portion of the mobile supporting boom comprising:
 at least one protective flexible hose configured to protect and carry the product from the mobile supporting boom; 
 at least one applicator being in communication with the at least one protective flexible hose to enable passage of the product to the ground surface; 
 at least one product delivery hose in communication with the at least one protective flexible hose; and 
 wherein the product is directed to flow from the at least one product delivery hose, through the at least one protective flexible hose and the at least one applicator onto the ground surface. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one protective flexible hose comprises a resilient material that is configured to move from a bent orientation to a generally straight orientation during use. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at one protective flexible hose further comprises at least one generally rigid tube segment. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one attachment member being attached to and extending between a portion of the at least one protective flexible hose and a portion of the at least one applicator. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one applicator comprises at least one flexible hose. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one applicator comprises at least one flexible hose and at least on rigid tube. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at one protective flexible hose comprises a plurality to modular hose segments coupled together, wherein the modular components are interchangeable to adjust a length of the at least one protective flexible hose. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at one protective flexible hose comprises a plurality of modular segments coupled together, wherein the modular components are interchangeable to adjust a flexing property of the at least one protective flexible hose. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an extension member mounted to and extending away from a portion of the support boom;   a swivel member coupled to a portion of the at least one protective flexible hose and rotatably disposed proximate to the extension member; and   at least one hook member disposed proximate to and extending angularly away from the extension member.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an extension member mounted to and extending away from a portion of the support boom;   a swivel member coupled to a portion of the at least one generally rigid tube and rotatably disposed proximate to the extension member; and   at least one hook member disposed proximate to and extending angularly away from the extension member.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the product delivery hose extends through the at least one protective flexible hose and at least a portion of the at least one applicator.