Liquid distribution apparatus employing a check valve for distributing liquid into a seed furrow

• US 20050263053A1
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul E. Schaffert
• Original Assignee: Paul E. Schaffert
• Inventors: Schaffert, Paul E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,552,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 111/189
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/025 Continuous injection tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/062 Devices for making drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/068 Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/06 Seeders combined with fertilising apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/201 Mounting of the seeding tools

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention involve an extension adapted to extend from a planter, such as the seed tube portion of the planter, into a seed furrow in order to engage seeds being deposited therein, where such engagement may involve deflecting the seeds toward the vertex region of the furrow and/or firming the seeds in the furrow. The extension includes or supports a fluid distribution arrangement such as a hose or the like, which may be separate or integral with the liquid supply hose of a planter. The fluid distribution arrangement is adapted to supply fluid, such as liquid fertilizer, insecticide, water, etc., to the furrow. A valve is provided in the fluid flow path in the region of the fluid distribution arrangement to control the distribution of fluid to the furrow. The valve may be a check valve that allows fluid flow therethrough when fluid pressure exceeds a value such that the valve opens, and prevents fluid flow when the pressure decreases below the valve activation pressure.

Claims

1. An extension for use with a planter to interact with seeds distributed from the planter into a seed furrow, the planter including a liquid supply hose coupled with a pump configured to deliver a liquid to the liquid supply hose under pressure, the seed furrow having a centrally located bottom portion and a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and second sidewall extending upwardly and outwardly from the centrally located bottom portion of the seed furrow, said extension comprising:

an elongate flexible body member defining a generally downwardly and rearwardly sweeping orientation, and also defining an upper segment and a lower segment;

the lower segment configured to extend into the seed furrow;

a liquid distribution apparatus comprising

a distribution channel adapted for fluid communication with the liquid supply hose, the distribution channel including at least one outlet;

whereby when the distribution channel is in fluid communication with the liquid supply hose, the at least one outlet is oriented to distribute liquid to the furrow; and

a check valve coupled with the liquid distribution apparatus, the check valve being configured to substantially stop the distribution of liquid through the at least one outlet of the liquid distribution apparatus when the liquid is not under pressure by the pump.

2. The extension of claim 1 wherein the upper segment is attachable to the planter.

3. The extension of claim 1 wherein the upper segment is attachable to a drill.

4. The extension of claim 1 wherein the liquid distribution apparatus further comprises a supply channel adapted for fluid connection with the liquid supply hose, the supply channel in fluid communication with the distribution channel.

5. An extension for use with a planter to interact with seeds distributed from the planter into a seed furrow, the planter including at least one liquid supply hose coupled with a pump configured to deliver a liquid to the liquid supply hose under pressure, the seed furrow having a centrally located bottom portion and a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall extending upwardly and outwardly from the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow, said extension comprising:

means for engaging seeds distributed from the planter;

means for distributing liquid from the liquid supply hose to the furrow; and

means for substantially stopping the flow of the liquid into the furrow when the pump is not delivering the liquid under pressure to the liquid supply hose.

6. The extension of claim 5 wherein the means for engaging seeds comprises means for deflecting seeds generally toward the vertex of the furrow.

7. The extension of claim 5 wherein the means for engaging seeds comprises means for firming seeds in the furrow.

8. An extension for use with a planter to interact with seeds distributed from the planter into a seed furrow, the planter including a liquid supply hose coupled with a pump configured to deliver a liquid to the liquid supply hose under pressure, the seed furrow having a centrally located bottom portion and a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and second sidewall extending upwardly and outwardly from the centrally located bottom portion of the seed furrow, said extension comprising:

an elongate flexible body member;

at least one liquid distribution apparatus supported by the elongate flexible body member, the liquid distribution apparatus adapted to fluidly couple with the liquid supply hose and providing at least one outlet for distributing fluid to the seed furrow; and

a valve in fluid communication with the at least one liquid distribution apparatus.

9. The extension of claim 8 wherein the valve comprises a check valve.

10. The extension of claim 9 wherein the check valve is configured to substantially stop the distribution of liquid through the at least one outlet of the liquid distribution apparatus when the liquid is not under pressure from the pump.

11. The extension of claim 8 wherein the elongate flexible body member defines an upper segment and a lower segment;

the upper segment attachable to the planter or a drill; and

the lower segment configured to depend downwardly and rearwardly from the planter and extendible into the seed furrow.

12. The extension of claim 11 wherein the lower segment terminates at a trailing end, the trailing end configured to be spaced above the centrally located bottom portion of the seed furrow.

13. The extension of claim 12 wherein the lower segment terminates at a trailing end, the trailing end configured to engage the centrally located bottom portion of the seed furrow.

14. The extension of claim 11 wherein the lower segment further comprises a lower surface having a downwardly convex shape.

15. The extension of claim 11 wherein the upper segment is adapted to couple with a seed tube portion of the planter.

16. The extension of claim 9 wherein the at least one liquid distribution arrangement comprises:

a supply channel adapted for fluidly coupling with the liquid supply hose; and

a distribution channel in fluid communication with the supply channel, the distribution channel including at least one outlet arranged to direct fluid into the seed furrow.

17. The extension of claim 16 wherein the check valve is positioned in a flow path of the supply channel.

18. The extension of claim 16 wherein the check valve is positioned in a flow path of the distribution channel.

19. The extension of claim 16 wherein the supply channel comprises a first length of hose and wherein the check valve is positioned within the first length of hose.

20. The extension of claim 19 wherein the supply channel further comprises a sleeve fluidly coupled with the first length of hose and wherein the check valve is positioned within the sleeve.

21. The extension of claim 16 wherein the distribution channel comprises at least one second length of hose and wherein the check valve is positioned within the at least one second length of hose.

22. The extension of claim 21 wherein the at least one second length of hose defines a Y-shaped section.

23. The extension of claim 9 wherein the check valve is positioned within the liquid supply hose.

24. The extension of claim 23 wherein the check valve is positioned within the liquid supply hose proximate the liquid distribution apparatus.

25. The extension of claim 8 wherein the elongate flexible body member comprises means for engaging seeds distributed in the seed furrow.

26. The extension of claim 8 wherein the liquid distribution apparatus comprises means for distributing liquid from the liquid supply hose to the furrow.

27. The extension of claim 9 wherein the check valve comprises means for substantially stopping the flow of the liquid to the furrow when the pump is not delivering the liquid under pressure to the liquid supply hose.