Seed planter
First Claim
1. A seed planting apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a first generally rectangular frame assembly;
(b) an axle extending transversely to the intended direction of travel of said seed planting apparatus;
(c) wheels journaled for rotation on said axle for supporting said first frame above ground;
(d) a second frame carried atop said first frame generally forward of said axle and having a lever arm secured to said second frame, said lever arm being pivotable about said axle;
(e) at least one colter attached to said second frame and extending downwardly therefrom forward of said wheels;
(f) a box-like hopper having mutually perpendicular side walls and a downwardly sloping bottom terminating in an elongated slit;
(g) an endless chain deployed about a plurality of sprocket wheels so as to have a generally horizontal flight aligned with said elongated slit, a generally vertical flight directed toward the ground and a return flight, said endless chain having a plurality of regularly spaced seed-carrying pockets fastened thereto; and
(h) means for driving said endless chain at a predetermined velocity whereby seeds flow from said hopper into said seed pockets and are released proximate the ground in the furrow created by said colter, said furrow being closed over the seed by the passage of said wheels proximate said furrow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trailer-like apparatus adapted to be towed by a farm implement for depositing seed from a supply hopper into the ground at a controlled spacing substantially independent of the vehicle'"'"'s relative ground speed. In a first embodiment, an endless chain having pockets for receiving individual seeds from a supply hopper affixed to predetermined lengths of the chain is driven by a sprocket wheel which is, in turn, belt-coupled to a ground-engaging towed wheel of the vehicle. The chain is longitudinally aligned rearward of a disk-like colter which digs the trench into which the seeds ultimately fall and the trench is then closed as the vehicle'"'"'s frame supporting wheels pass by the trench. Means are provided for elevating the colter, the chain-driving wheel and the supply hoppers when, at the end of a planting row and when moving to or from the planting site. In an alternative embodiment, an endless chain having pockets for receiving individual seeds from a supply hopper, affixed to predetermined lengths of the chain, is driven by a sprocket wheel which is, in turn, miter gear-coupled to a drive shaft turned by a low-speed, high-torque hydraulic motor controlled by a hydraulic flow control valve rather than by a ground-engaging wheel.
47 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A seed planting apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a first generally rectangular frame assembly; (b) an axle extending transversely to the intended direction of travel of said seed planting apparatus; (c) wheels journaled for rotation on said axle for supporting said first frame above ground; (d) a second frame carried atop said first frame generally forward of said axle and having a lever arm secured to said second frame, said lever arm being pivotable about said axle; (e) at least one colter attached to said second frame and extending downwardly therefrom forward of said wheels; (f) a box-like hopper having mutually perpendicular side walls and a downwardly sloping bottom terminating in an elongated slit; (g) an endless chain deployed about a plurality of sprocket wheels so as to have a generally horizontal flight aligned with said elongated slit, a generally vertical flight directed toward the ground and a return flight, said endless chain having a plurality of regularly spaced seed-carrying pockets fastened thereto; and (h) means for driving said endless chain at a predetermined velocity whereby seeds flow from said hopper into said seed pockets and are released proximate the ground in the furrow created by said colter, said furrow being closed over the seed by the passage of said wheels proximate said furrow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A seed planting apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a generally rectangular frame assembly adapted to be pulled by a motor vehicle; (b) an axle extending transversely to the intended direction of travel of said seed planting apparatus; (c) wheels journaled for rotation on said axle for supporting said frame above the ground; (d) at least one colter attached to said frame and extending downwardly therefrom forward of said wheels; (e) a box-like hopper having mutually perpendicular side walls and a downwardly sloping bottom terminating in an elongated slit; (f) an endless chain deployed about a plurality of sprocket wheels so as to have a generally horizontal flight aligned with said elongated slit, a generally vertical flight directed toward the ground and a return flight, said endless chain having a plurality of regularly spaced seed-carrying pockets fastened thereto; (g) motor means mounted on said frame for driving said endless chain at a predetermined velocity independent of the vehicle'"'"'s ground speed whereby seeds flow from said hopper into said seed pockets and are released proximate the ground in the furrow created by said colter, said furrow being closed over the seed by the passage of said wheels therealong; (h) control means disposed in said motor vehicle and operatively coupled to said motor means for allowing manual adjustment of said predetermined velocity; and (i) indicator means also in said rotor vehicle for displaying the density at which seeds are being planted as a function of the speed at which said endless chain is driven for a given ground speed of said motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification