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 farm product application system coupled to a vehicle having a boom and adapted to move a product from a location on the vehicle to a ground surface, the system comprising:
 at least one product delivery assembly comprising,   a conduit comprising alternating flexible and rigid tubes coupled to and in fluid communication with each other, the conduit being configured to flex;   an angled diverter comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with each other, the inlet being coupled to and in fluid communication with the conduit;   a delivery tube being coupled to and in fluid communication with the outlet to deliver the a product to the ground surface; and   wherein the angled diverter has a lower surface forming an obtuse angle with a long axis of the conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The farm product application system of  claim 1 , further comprising a quick-release conduit support configured to couple a portion of the conduit to the boom, the quick-release conduit support comprising an extension member removably coupled to the boom by at least one U-bolt. 
     
     
         3 . The farm product application system of  claim 2 , wherein the extension member has a long axis parallel to a plane of the ground surface. 
     
     
         4 . The farm product application system of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the conduit is flexibly coupled to the conduit support. 
     
     
         5 . The farm product application system of  claim 2 , further comprising a connector member connected to a portion of the conduit, the connector member being configured to mate with the extension member. 
     
     
         6 . The farm product application system of  claim 5 , further comprising a pin extending through the extension member and the connector member. 
     
     
         7 . The farm product application system of  claim 5 , further comprising a spring assembly coupled to and extending between the conduit and the connector member. 
     
     
         8 . The farm product application system of  claim 2 , wherein a long axis of the extension member and a long axis of the conduit form an oblique angle. 
     
     
         9 . The farm product application system of  claim 2 , wherein a long axis of the extension member and a long axis of the conduit form an acute angle. 
     
     
         10 . The farm product application system of  claim 2 , wherein a long axis of the extension member and a long axis of the conduit form an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         11 . The farm product application system of  claim 2 , wherein a long axis of the extension member and a long axis of the conduit form an outer obtuse angle and an inner acute angle. 
     
     
         12 . A method of coupling a farm product application system to a vehicle having a boom for spreading a product to a ground surface, the method comprising the steps:
 providing a conduit comprising alternating flexible and rigid tubes coupled to and in fluid communication with each other, the conduit being configured to flex;   providing an angled diverter comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with each other, the inlet being coupled to and in fluid communication with the conduit;   providing a delivery tube being coupled to and in fluid communication with the outlet to deliver the a product to the ground surface;   coupling a quick-release conduit support having an extension member to a portion of the boom with a U-bolt;   mating a connector member with the extension member;   inserting a pin through a portion of the extension member and the connector member; and   wherein the angled diverter has a lower surface forming an obtuse angle with a long axis of the conduit.   
     
     
         13 . The farm product application system of  claim 12 , wherein the extension member has a long axis parallel to a plane of the ground surface. 
     
     
         14 . The farm product application system of  claim 12 , wherein a portion of the conduit is flexibly coupled to the conduit support. 
     
     
         15 . The farm product application system of  claim 14 , further comprising a spring assembly coupled to and extending between the conduit and the connector member. 
     
     
         16 . The farm product application system of  claim 12 , wherein a long axis of the extension member and a long axis of the conduit form an oblique angle. 
     
     
         17 . The farm product application system of  claim 12 , wherein a long axis of the extension member and a long axis of the conduit form an acute angle. 
     
     
         18 . The farm product application system of  claim 12 , wherein a long axis of the extension member and a long axis of the conduit form an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         19 . The farm product application system of  claim 12 , wherein a long axis of the extension member and a long axis of the conduit form an outer obtuse angle and an inner acute angle. 
     
     
         20 . The farm product application system of  claim 12 , wherein a long axis of the extension member and a long axis of the conduit form an outer right angle and an right acute angle.