Seed sowing apparatus

• US 5,269,237 A
• Filed: 03/02/1992
• Issued: 12/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Christopher John Baker
• Original Assignee: Massey University
• Inventors: Robinson, David J., Baker, Christopher J., Kerndhan, Craig D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WARNICK IV, SPENCER K
• Application Number:
  US07/844,442
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 111/121, 111/124, 111/52, 111/59, 111/62, 111/136, 111/70, 111/71, 111/73, 111/79, 111/80, 111/81, 111/149, 111/168, 111/152, 111/157, 111/163, 111/167, 111/76, 111/169, 111/170 , 111/186, 111/187, 172/558, 172/561, 172/566, 172/610
• US Class Current: 111/121
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 15/18 Coulters
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools

Abstract

Apparatus for laying seeds includes a towable frame from which one or more blades are supported for cutting a slot in the ground surface below, a seed and fertiliser chute feeds seed into the cut ground surface via a channel formed between the frame and blade(s) and tines which make a horizontal branch cut from the slot. A scraper device continually cleans the blade(s).

Claims

1. Seed sowing apparatus comprising a frame, a cutting blade mounted on a horizontal axis and rotatable with respect to the frame, means for attaching the frame with respect to a supporting carriage or towing vehicle which allows contact to occur between the cutting blade and a ground surface below, said cutting blade having a peripheral ground entry part which is arranged to penetrate and cut a vertical slot in the ground surface as the apparatus travels over same, chute means carried by the frame, said chute means being arranged to disperse seed and fertilizer into a vertical slot cut by the cutting blade, said frame supporting at least one tine having a tip part for location below ground level and extending rearwardly of leading cutting edges of said cutting blade, the said at least one tine being adapted to cut a substantially horizontal branch slot below ground level which extends from the vertical slot cut by the cutting blade, and being mounted with respect to the frame below the axis of rotation of the cutting blade, the mounting allowing for lateral deflection of the tine in sympathy with flexing of the cutting blade, said apparatus further including a scraper arm supported from said frame and extending in close contact with at least the ground entry part of the cutting blade, said scraper presenting a downwardly sloping leading edge which removes matter from the ground entry part of the cutter blade as it rotates, wherein said scraper arm has a leading face which diverts emerging seed sideways into the branch slot cut by the said at least one tine.

2. Seed sowing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chute means includes a channel formed between the frame, said at least one tine and the cutter blade, the channel directing matter passing through it in a rearward direction congruent with the direction of rotation of the cutting blade.

3. Seed sowing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a lower part of the channel is embodied in the said at least one tine and is inclined to facilitate frictional contact between the cutting blade and seed feed into the channel prior to dispersal from the channel.

4. Seed sowing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having a pair of tines situated on opposite sides of the cutting blade so that the combination of the cutting blade and tines is able to cut a substantially tee-shaped slot in the ground surface below the apparatus.

5. Seed sowing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a press wheel supported by said frame and trailing the cutting blade, said press wheel being adapted to close the vertical slot by the cutting blade.