Thermal deck device for weed control

Abstract

A thermal deck device for weed control. The device includes a chassis having an axle means and a rotatable wheel located adjacent each end of the axle means. An enclosed deck is suspended from the chassis between the wheels and is vertically adjustable. A propane tank is removably attached to the upper planar surface of the enclosed deck. A handle structure is attached to the upper planar surface of the enclosed deck adjacent its rear end. A plurality of propane burners are located within the enclosed deck. Conduits communicate the propane tank with the propane burners via a valve located on the handle.

Claims

1. A thermal deck device for weed control comprising: an enclosed deck having a top, bottom, front and rear ends, and opposing right and left side skirts said enclosed deck including a deck roof located at the top thereof, said deck roof having upper and lower substantially planar surfaces; said right and left side skirts extending downwardly from said deck roof, each of said right and left side skirts having an inner and outer surface; said enclosed deck being open at its bottom; said front end of said enclosed deck having a front skirt with at least one opening located therein; said deck roof, front wall, and right and left side skirts forming a combustion chamber; a plurality of burners located within said combustion chamber; and conduits communicating said burners to a fuel source via a valve.

2. The thermal deck of claim 1 wherein said burners are located adjacent the rear end of said enclosed deck and within said combustion chamber.

3. The thermal deck of claim 2 wherein said burners are configured to direct their thermal output towards said front skirt of said enclosed deck.

4. The thermal deck of claim 3 wherein each of said burners has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to said inner planar surface of said deck roof.

5. The thermal deck of claim 1 wherein said front skirt of said enclosed deck has an arched opening.

6. The thermal deck of claim 5 wherein said arched opening extends substantially to the top and ends of said front skirt.

7. The thermal deck of claim 1 wherein said lower planar surf ace of said deck roof and the inner surfaces of said right and left side skirts are insulated.

8. The thermal deck of claim 7 wherein each of said insulate surfaces includes a metal covering configured to hold said insulation in place and provide radiant heating during operation.

9. The thermal deck of claim 1 including a wheeled chassis attached to said enclosed deck.

10. The thermal deck of claim 9 including a handle attached to said chassis.

11. A thermal deck device for weed control comprising: a chassis including an axle means and a rotatable wheel located adjacent each end of said axle means; an enclosed deck suspended from said chassis and located between said wheels, said enclosed deck having a top, bottom, front and rear ends, and opposing fight and left side skirts; said enclosed deck including a deck roof located at the top thereof, said deck roof having upper and lower substantially planar surfaces; a propane tank removably attached to said upper planar surface of said enclosed deck; a handle structure attached to the upper planar surface of said enclosed deck adjacent its rear end; a plurality of propane burners located within said enclosed deck; and conduits communicating said propane tank with said propane burners via a valve located on said handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective upper view of the thermal deck device of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the chassis and enclosed metal deck portion of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective bottom view of the enclosed metal deck portion of the thermal deck device;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a front view of the front skirt member of the enclosed metal deck portion of the thermal deck device; and

[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the enclosed metal deck portion of the thermal deck device taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In a first embodiment, the thermal deck device is a cart 10 having a chassis that includes an axle toolbar weldment 12 with right and left rotatable wheels 14 and 16 located adjacent the right and left ends thereof, respectively. Wheels 14 and 16 are horizontally adjustable via right and left wheel mount bracket members 14a and 14b to allow the distance between wheels 14 and 16 to be expanded or contracted.

[0025] Mounted below the chassis is enclosed deck 20 having a metal roof member 21, front metal skirt member 22, and right and left metal side skirt members 24 and 25. Roof member 21 is substantially rectangular and has upper and lower substantially planar surfaces. Front skirt member 22 has an opening 122 therein which, preferably, is arched (as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4). Skirt members 22, 24, and 25 extend vertically downward from the periphery of roof member 21 and, together with roof member 21, form a combustion chamber.

[0026] The lower planar surface of roof member 21 and the inner surfaces of right and left side skirt members 24, and 25 of the thermal deck 20 are insulated with insulation layers 121, 124, and 125, respectively, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0027] An expanded metal cover 221 is placed over the insulation underlying roof member 21 and attached to deck roof 21 by any suitable fastening means. Stainless steel plates 224 and 225 are placed over insulation layers 124 and 125, respectively, and attached to right and left side skirt members 24 and 25 by suitable fastening members. The metal covers 221, 224, and 225 provide radiant heating during use.

[0028] Enclosed deck 20 is suspended from the chassis by adjustable right and left lifters 26a and 26b in a manner that allows both course and fine vertical adjustment of the deck. Vertical adjustment of enclosed deck 20 allows the user to raise and lower the enclosed deck 20 in accordance with to the type of terrain being traversed.

[0029] Right and left flat skid members 30 and 32 are attached by skid brackets 35 to the lower edges of the right and left side skirt members 24 and 25 of enclosed deck 20, respectively, and

[0030] A handle 50 adapted to allow a user to push or pull the thermal deck device 10 is attached to the rear end 23 of the enclosed deck 20 on the upper surface of roof member 21 by means of strut structure 52.

[0031] The height of the handle 50 is vertically adjustable to a location comfortable for the user. The handle 50 is also adapted to allow horizontal movement from a central position to a right or left position to allow the user to walk in the space between crop beds.

[0032] A quick access weathertight toolbox 60 can be attached to handle strut structure 52.

[0033] In a second embodiment wheels 14 and 16 and handle mechanism 50 can be eliminated and means provided for attaching thermal deck 21 to a tractor or other vehicle via a boom mechanism (not shown). Such boom devices for flame type weed killing mechanisms are well known in the art.

[0034] It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments of his invention without departing from the underlying principles thereof. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.