Patent Application
20210105953
The embodiments generally relate to agricultural equipment and more specifically relate to equipment for cleaning a tree trunk.
Phoenix dactylifera, commonly referred to as “date palm,” is a flowering plant species in the palm family. The tree is often cultivated for its edible sweet fruit but in recent years has been planted for its aesthetic appeal. The date palm can reach heights of 69-75 feet, growing singly or forming a clump with several trunks from a single root system. Another tree in the palm family is the Phoenix roebelenii, commonly known as the “miniature date palm.” Unlike P. dactylifera, the miniature date palm only reaches heights of 6-10 feet, but often has multiple trunks extending from a single root system.
Date palms and miniature date palms which are planted for aesthetic appeal require their trunks to be cleaned or cut to maintain a desirable appearance. It is often desirable for the trees to retain the diamond-shaped scar pattern on the trunk of the tree. Over time, the dried leaf stalks, petioles, moss, dirt and other debris build up on the trunk and cover the natural diamond pattern.
In the current arts, to maintain a desirable appearance of the date palm trees, maintenance personnel use a chainsaw to cut away the dried leaf stalks, petioles, moss, dirt, and other debris to reveal the diamond-shaped scarring on the trunk. This requires a human to operate dangerous equipment while moving up and down the height of the tree, further posing risk to the operator.
This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
An apparatus for cleaning the trunk of a tree is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure washer in fluid communication with a water source and a conduit in fluid communication with the pressure washer to receive a flow of pressurized water expelled therefrom. The conduit is arranged in at least a semi-circle to at least partially extend around the diameter of a tree trunk. A plurality of spray nozzles are disposed along the conduit to expel pressurized water from the conduit to clean the tree trunk. A barrier is connected to the conduit to impede the pressurized water from traveling in an undesired direction.
In one aspect, the conduit is comprised of a first end and a second end, the first end having a male coupler and the second end having a female coupler. Each coupler facilitates the connection between one or more conduits to lengthen the conduit, or to utilize the conduit in a semi-circular configuration.
In one aspect, the apparatus is operable in a semi-circular and circular configuration by connecting one or more of the conduits in series via the male and female couplers.
In one aspect, an extendable member connects the conduit to the pressure washer to permit the user to raise and lower the apparatus up and down the height of the tree trunk.
In one aspect, the top portion of the barrier is constructed of a rigid material, and the bottom portion of the barrier is constructed of a flexible material. Each portion may be constructed of a transparent material.
In one aspect, the pressure washer and/or a water source is mounted to a vehicle such as a service truck. The vehicle may include a lift to lift and lower an operator and/or the conduit system up and down the tree trunk.
A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to the described system and methods of use. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.
Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components and procedures related to the system and method. Accordingly, the system components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In general, the embodiments herein relate to an apparatus to facilitate the removal of debris to clean the trunk of a tree, such as a date palm, miniature date palm, or other trees which may benefit from cleaning of the trunk to produce the desired appearance. The apparatus utilizes pressurized water to dislodge dried leaf stalks, petioles, moss, dirt and other debris build up on the trunk of the tree. For example, the apparatus may be used to restore the natural “diamond scar” appearance found on the date palm and miniature date palm.
The embodiments provide for a water source, such as the municipal water supply or a water tank, to provide a flow of water to a pressure washer.
In some embodiments, the couplers are quick disconnect couplers commonly utilized in the arts. One skilled in the arts will readily understand that various types of couplers may be employed such that multiple conduits can be connected to one another to increase the circumference of the conduit system to clean a tree trunk having a larger diameter, to increase the volume of water which can be expelled through the spray nozzles, or to provide other benefits. Similarly, the receivers may be quick disconnect couplers to facilitate easy connection or disconnection from the pressure washer.
The conduit system 100 shown in
In some embodiments, the top portion 300 may be constructed of a rigid material such as plexiglass, or similar rigid or semi-rigid material that may attach to the outer circumference of the first conduit 105 (and second conduit 110 although not shown). In some embodiments, the bottom portion 305 is constructed of a flexible material such as a plastic or suitable polymer.
The top portion and bottom portion may be a transparent or semi-transparent material to permit the user to see the tree trunk during the operation of the system.
In some embodiments, the pressure washer may be a vehicle-mounted pressure washing system. Member 725 may be a hydraulic arm extending between the apparatus and the vehicle mounted system to raise and lower the cleaning apparatus along the length of the tree trunk.
A plurality of pressure washer fittings may be utilized, including 15-degree, 30-degree, 45-degree, or other fittings known in the arts. The pressure washer fittings connect the conduit assembly to the pressure washer to provide a hermetically sealed fitting to direct the flow of water from the pressure washer and through the spray nozzles positioned on the conduit.
In some embodiments, the conduit system is in fluid communication with a pressure washer mounted to a vehicle to perform the task of pressure washing the trunk of a tree, such as a palm tree. Any vehicle type which can mount a pressure washer and/or a water source may be utilized to perform pressure washing procedures. The vehicle may also include a lift to raise and lower the conduit system and/or an operator up and down the height of the tree trunk during operation.
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.
