SEEDING FOLLOWER ISOLATION DEVICE

• US 20120266794A1
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schaffert Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Schaffert Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Schaffert, Paul E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,374,942 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 111/52
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/062 Devices for making drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/068 Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/201 Mounting of the seeding tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/206 Seed pipes

Abstract

A seeding follower isolation device may include a forming bar connection portion, a seeding follower support portion, and an extension portion. The forming bar connection portion may be configured for secured attachment to a forming bar in a leading position relative to a seed tube of a planting unit. The seeding follower support portion may be configured to adjustably and removably support a seeding follower in an aft position relative to a seed tube. The extension portion may extend between the forming bar connection portion and the seeding follower support portion. The seeding follower isolation device does not contact a seed tube so that a seeding follower joined to the seeding follower isolation device is isolated from the seed tube.

Claims

1. A furrow assembly for a planting unit including a seed tube and a seeding follower, comprising:

a forming bar configured to be secured to a planting unit;

an isolation device configured to support a seeding follower off of the forming bar, the forming bar including a leading surface and a trailing surface, and the isolation device secured to the trailing surface; and

when the forming bar is secured to the planting unit, the forming bar leads a seed tube along a furrow, the isolation device positions the seeding follower in an aft position relative to the seed tube and isolates the seeding follower from the seed tube, and the seeding follower is configured to control bouncing seeds placed in the furrow by the seed tube.

2. The furrow assembly of claim 1, wherein the isolation device includes a forming bar connecting portion, an extension portion, and a follower support portion.

3. The furrow assembly of claim 2, wherein the forming bar connecting portion includes a flange arranged along a surface of, and connected to, the forming bar.

4. The furrow assembly of claim 3, wherein the connection between the flange and the forming bar includes a welded connection.

5. The furrow assembly of claim 3, wherein the connection between the flange and the forming bar includes a bolted connection.

6. The furrow assembly of claim 2, wherein the extension portion includes a pair of sidewalls in spaced apart relationship on opposing sides of the seed tube.

7. The furrow assembly of claim 6, wherein the sidewalls are spaced apart by a distance larger than a depth of the seed tube, thereby isolating the seed tube from vibrations imparted on the seeding follower.

8. The furrow assembly of claim 2, wherein the follower support portion includes a channel-shaped element for seating of the follower therein.

9. The furrow assembly of claim 8, wherein the seeding follower includes a connection portion having a width, and the channel-shaped element includes a pair of lateral flanges spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the connection portion of the seeding follower providing for a snug fit therein.

10. The furrow assembly of claim 9, wherein the channel-shaped element further includes a connecting wall extending between the pair of lateral flanges.

11. The furrow assembly of claim 10, wherein the connecting wall includes apertures for fastening of the seeding follower thereto.

12. The furrow assembly of claim 2, wherein the planting unit includes a lead extending adjacent to the seed tube, the forming bar connecting portion, the extension portion, and the follower support portion are arranged to form an aperture, and the aperture configured for isolated passage therethrough of the seed tube and the lead.

13. The furrow assembly of claim 1, wherein the isolation device comprises a bracket secured to the forming bar.

14. The furrow assembly of claim 13, wherein the bracket includes an extension portion including a pair of sidewalls and a follower support portion including a channel-shaped element having a pair of lateral flanges and a connecting wall, wherein the sidewalls, the pair of lateral flanges, and the connecting wall define an inside of the bracket and the follower is positioned inside the bracket.

15. A furrow assembly for a planting unit including a seed tube, a shank, and a seeding follower, comprising:

a forming bar configured to be secured to a shank joined to a planting unit; and

an isolation device configured to support a seeding follower off of the forming bar;

wherein;

the forming bar comprises an upper portion and a lower portion;

the upper portion of the forming bar is configured to be connected to the shank;

the isolation device is connected to the lower portion of the forming bar; and

when the forming bar is secured to the shank, the forming bar leads a seed tube along a furrow, the isolation device positions the seeding follower in an aft position relative to the seed tube and isolates the seeding follower from the seed tube, and the seeding follower is configured to control bouncing seeds placed in the furrow by the seed tube.

16. A furrow assembly for a planting unit including a seed tube and a seeding follower, comprising:

a forming bar configured to be secured to a planting unit;

an isolation device configured to be solely joined to the forming bar and to support a seeding follower off of the forming bar; and

when the forming bar is secured to the planting unit, the forming bar leads a seed tube along a furrow, the isolation device positions the seeding follower in an aft position relative to the seed tube and isolates the seeding follower from the seed tube, and the seeding follower is configured to control bouncing seeds placed in the furrow by the seed tube.

17. A furrow assembly for a planting unit including a furrowing disc, a seed tube and a seeding follower, comprising:

a forming bar configured to be secured to a planting unit;

an isolation device configured to support a seeding follower off of the forming bar; and

when the forming bar is secured to the planting unit, the forming bar leads a seed tube along a furrow, the isolation device positions the seeding follower in an aft position relative to the seed tube and isolates the seeding follower from the seed tube, the seeding follower is configured to control bouncing seeds placed in the furrow by the seed tube, and the isolation device is configured to be in a lower position relative to a centrally located axle of a furrowing disc.

18. A furrow assembly for a planting unit including a seed tube and a seeding follower, comprising:

a forming bar configured to be secured to a planting unit;

an isolation device configured to support a seeding follower off of the forming bar; and

when the forming bar is secured to the planting unit, the forming bar leads a seed tube along a furrow, the isolation device positions the seeding follower in an aft position relative to the seed tube and isolates the seeding follower from the seed tube, the seeding follower is configured to control bouncing seeds placed in the furrow by the seed tube, and the isolation device is not directly connected to a shaft that secures a furrowing disc to the planting unit.

19. A seeding follower isolation device for use with a furrow assembly including a forming bar for use with a planting unit including a seed tube and a seeding follower, the seeding follower isolation device comprising:

a forming bar connection portion configured for secured attachment to a forming bar;

a seeding follower support portion configured for adjustably supporting a seeding follower such that a first portion of the seeding follower is above the seeding follower support portion and a second portion of the seeding follower is below the seeding follower support portion;

an extension portion extending between the forming bar connection portion and the seeding follower support portion; and

when the seeding follower isolation device is secured to the forming bar, the forming bar leads a seed tube along a furrow, the seeding follower isolation device positions the seeding follower in an aft position relative to the seed tube and isolates the seeding follower from the seed tube, and the seeding follower is configured to control bouncing seeds placed in the furrow by the seed tube.

20. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 19, wherein the seeding follower support portion is configured for removably supporting the seeding follower.

21. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 19, wherein the forming bar connection portion includes a pair of flanges arranged between the seed tube and the forming bar and secured to the forming bar.

22. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 21, wherein the flanges are welded to the forming bar.

23. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 21, wherein the flanges are bolted to the forming bar.

24. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 19, wherein the seeding follower support portion includes a channel-shaped element for seating of the follower therein.

25. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 19, wherein the extension portion includes a pair of sidewalls arranged on opposing sides of the seed tube and spaced apart by a distance larger than a corresponding depth of the seed tube.

26. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 25, wherein the sidewalls have a length greater than a corresponding width of the seed tube thereby isolating the follower support portion from contact with the seed tube.

27. A seeding follower isolation device for use with a furrow assembly including a forming bar for use with a planting unit including a seed tube and a seeding follower, the seeding follower isolation device comprising:

a forming bar connection portion configured for secured attachment to a forming bar;

a seeding follower support portion configured for adjustably supporting a seeding follower such that different portions of the seeding follower selectively contact the seeding follower support portion;

an extension portion extending between the forming bar connection portion and the seeding follower support portion; and

when the seeding follower isolation device is secured to the forming bar, the forming bar leads a seed tube along a furrow, the seeding follower isolation device positions the seeding follower in an aft position relative to the seed tube and isolates the seeding follower from the seed tube, and the seeding follower is configured to control bouncing seeds placed in the furrow by the seed tube.

28. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 27, wherein the seeding follower includes at least one aperture.

29. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 28, wherein the seeding follower support portion includes a plurality of apertures, and the at least one aperture of the seeding follower selectively aligns with the plurality of apertures of the seeding follower support portion such that different portions of the seed follower selectively contact the seeding follower support portion.

30. A seeding follower isolation device for use with a furrow assembly including a forming bar for use with a planting unit including a seed tube and a seeding follower, the seeding follower isolation device comprising:

a forming bar connection portion configured for secured attachment to a forming bar;

a seeding follower support portion configured for adjustably supporting at least one aperture of a seeding follower at different elevations relative to the seeding follower isolation device;

an extension portion extending between the forming bar connection portion and the seeding follower support portion; and

when the seeding follower isolation device is secured to the forming bar, the forming bar leads a seed tube along a furrow, the seeding follower isolation device positions the seeding follower in an aft position relative to the seed tube and isolates the seeding follower from the seed tube, and the seeding follower is configured to control bouncing seeds placed in the furrow by the seed tube.

31. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 30, wherein the seeding follower isolation device comprises at least one aperture, and when the seeding follower is secured to the seeding follower isolation device, the seeding follower is supported at different elevations relative to the seeding follower isolation device by selective alignment between the at least one aperture of the seeding follower and the at least one aperture of the seeding follower isolation device.

32. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 31, wherein the at least one aperture of the seeding follower isolation device is located in the seeding follower support portion.

33. A seeding follower isolation device for use with a furrow assembly including a forming bar for use with a planting unit including a seed tube and a seeding follower, the seeding follower isolation device comprising:

a forming bar connection portion configured for secured attachment to a forming bar;

a seeding follower support portion comprising a plurality of apertures configured to support a seeding follower at different elevations relative to the seeding follower isolation device;

an extension portion extending between the forming bar connection portion and the seeding follower support portion; and

when the seeding follower isolation device is secured to the forming bar, the forming bar leads a seed tube along a furrow, the seeding follower isolation device positions the seeding follower in an aft position relative to the seed tube and isolates the seeding follower from the seed tube, and the seeding follower is configured to control bouncing seeds placed in the furrow by the seed tube.

34. The seeding follower isolation device of claim 33, wherein the seeding follower includes at least one aperture, and the seeding follower isolation device supports the seeding follower at different elevations relative to the seeding follower isolation device by selective alignment between the plurality of apertures of the seeding follower support portion and the at least one aperture of the seeding follower.