Seed planter with equalizer assembly

• US 10,060,467 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2015
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schaffert Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Schaffert Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Schaffert, Paul E., Shadley, Doug
• Primary Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US14/961,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20160084298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 111121, 111140, 111128, 111 52, 111135, 111139, 111120, 111122, 111149, 111157-169, 111190-196, 172518, 172540-576, 172579-605, 172 29, 172 31
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/025 Continuous injection tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/04 Machines for making or covering holes for sowing or planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/06 Machines for making or covering drills or furrows for sowing or planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/066 Devices for covering drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/06 Seeders combined with fertilising apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/201 Mounting of the seeding tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/203 comprising depth regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/04 Pivotal connections hinges for doors, windows or wings E05D
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/21 Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32606 Pivoted

Abstract

A bracket for use with an agriculture planter including a trailing arm frame defining a pivot point thereon may include an arm bracket assembly with first and second arms. Each arm may extend from a middle portion of the bracket. First and second implements may be rotatably mounted on mounting ends of two of the arms. The middle portion of the bracket may be pivotally coupled to the trailing arm frame at the pivot point.

Claims

1. A trailing arm assembly comprising:

a trailing arm frame configured to be movably attached to a planter;

a lever arm bracket having a pivoting attachment to the trailing arm frame, the bracket including;

at least a first arm and a second arm with the first arm and the second arm joined to a middle portion of the bracket;

a first mounting end positioned proximal to an end of the first arm and configured to rotatably and selectively receive a first implement including at least one of a furrow closer wheel or a disc,

a second mounting end positioned proximal to an end of the second arm and configured to rotatably receive a second implement including at least one of a disc or a furrow closer wheel;

a pivot located on the middle portion of the lever arm bracket that is pivotably connected to the trailing arm frame, wherein the trailing arm frame separates the bracket and the planter.

2. The trailing arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the middle portion of the lever arm bracket that is pivotally coupled to the trailing arm frame at the pivot is configured to move upwardly relative to the planter via movement of the trailing arm frame relative to the planter.

3. The trailing arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the trailing arm frame is pivotally coupled to a rear portion of the planter via at least one pivot.

4. The trailing arm assembly of claim 3, wherein the trailing arm frame is pivotally coupled to the rear portion of the planter via a single pivot.

5. The trailing arm assembly of claim 4, wherein the trailing arm frame is directly coupled to the rear portion of the planter.

6. The trailing arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the lever arm bracket is pivotally coupled to a rear portion of the trailing arm frame via a single pivot.

7. The trailing arm assembly of claim 6, wherein the lever arm bracket is directly coupled to the trailing arm frame.

8. The trailing arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacement of the first implement relative to the trailing arm frame is generally greater than the displacement of the second implement relative to the trailing arm assembly.

9. The trailing arm assembly of claim 1, wherein at least two of the arms include an angular offset with respect to one another.

10. The trailing arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the second arm extends rearwardly from the middle portion and a furrow closer wheel is rotatably mounted thereon.

11. The trailing arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the first arm extends forwardly from the middle portion and a furrow closer wheel is rotatably mounted thereon.

12. The trailing arm assembly of claim 1, the middle portion comprises a first end and an opposite second end and defines a cylindrical opening extending between the ends along a longitudinal axis for joining with the trailing arm frame.

13. The trailing arm assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fertilizer distribution tube coupled to the arm bracket.

14. The trailing arm assembly of claim 13, wherein the fertilizer distribution tube is located proximate the fertilizer furrow opener discs.

15. The trailing arm assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one additional implement is connected to the trailing arm frame separate from the lever arm bracket.

16. A trailing arm assembly comprising:

a trailing arm frame configured to be movably attached to a planter;

a lever arm bracket having a pivoting attachment to the trailing arm frame, the bracket including;

at least a first arm and a second arm with the first arm and the second arm joined to a middle portion of the bracket;

a first mounting end positioned proximal to an end of the first arm and configured to rotatably and selectively receive a furrow closer wheel, wherein the first mounting end is positioned forwardly of the middle portion,

a second mounting end positioned proximal to an end of the second arm and configured to rotatably receive a second implement including at least one of a disc or a furrow closer wheel;

a pivot located on the middle portion of the lever arm bracket that is pivotably connected to the trailing arm frame, wherein the trailing arm frame separates the bracket and the planter.

17. The trailing arm assembly of claim 16, wherein the second implement is a disc with a fertilizer distribution tube located proximate thereto.

18. The trailing arm assembly of claim 16, wherein the second implement is located rearwardly of the middle portion.

19. A trailing arm assembly comprising:

a trailing arm frame configured to be movably attached to a planter;

a lever arm bracket having a pivoting attachment to the trailing arm frame, the bracket including;

at least a first arm and a second arm with the first arm and the second arm joined to a middle portion of the bracket;

a first mounting end positioned proximal to an end of the first arm and configured to rotatably and selectively receive a first implement including at least one of a furrow closer wheel or a disc,

a second mounting end positioned proximal to an end of the second arm and configured to rotatably receive a furrow closer wheel;

a pivot located on the middle portion of the lever arm bracket that is pivotably connected to the trailing arm frame, wherein the trailing arm frame separates the bracket and the planter.

20. The trailing arm assembly of claim 19, wherein the first implement is a disc with a fertilizer distribution tube located proximate thereto and the second implement is located rearwardly of the middle portion.