Title: Apparatus for selectively applying electrical current to plants

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Claims: What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for selectively destroying plants by the application of electrical current thereto, comprising

a. a source of high-voltage electrical current,

b. movable means for mounting said source of electrical current for movement,

c. safety grounding means for providing continuous grounding of said source of electrical current during movement thereof, said grounding means comprising a sharpened electrically conductive wheel attached to said movable means, and means being provided for selectively moving said wheel into and out of ground engagement,

d. means for transferring electrical current from said source to selective plants to be destroyed, said means including (i) a non-conductive staff member adapted to be grasped by an operator, (ii) a single semi-circularly shaped dull-edged conductive member operatively attached to said staff member and adapted to be brought into engagement with plants to be destroyed, (iii) a high-voltage circuit adapted to connect said conductive member to said source of electrical current, (iv) a normally spring-biased open first electrical switch interposed in said high-voltage circuit, (v) means for selectively closing said first electrical switch against said spring bias, said means including a low-voltage control circuit and a spring-biased open sound electrical switch disposed in said low voltage control circuit, said second electric switch having an actuator mounted on said non-conductive staff member.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising an electrode having a non-conductive portion and a conductive portion adapted to be inserted into the ground proximate to a plant root system to facilitate passage of electrical current from said electrical current transferring means conductive member through the plant root system.

Other info:

Inventors: Pluenneke, Ricks H. (Greenwood, MS, US)
Dykes, Willis G. (Vicksburg, MS, US)

Application Number: 520229
Filing Date: 1974-11-01
Publication_date: 1976-02-03
Assignee: Lasco Corporation (Greenwood, MS)
Primary Class(es): 47/1.3 452/60
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

1140365	May, 1915	Dixon	231/2.
1553135	Sep, 1925	Byrnes	17/1.
1661030	Feb, 1928	Burt	47/1.
2007383	Jul, 1935	Opp	47/1.
2682729	Jul, 1954	Poynor	47/1.
3167809	Feb, 1965	Rollins	17/1.
3196877	Jul, 1965	Corbin	128/406.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Bagwill, Robert E.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Cushman, Darby & Cushman