Resilient seed firming attachment for a planting machine
First Claim
1. A planting assembly having a furrow opening mechanism, a seed dispensing means, including a seed tube for directing the seeds downwardly and rearwardly as the planting assembly moves forward, and structure for guiding and firming seeds in the furrow as seeds are deposited, comprising:
- a flexible member with first and second ends;
means for attaching and supporting said first end of said flexible member on the planting assembly with the second end of said flexible member extending downwardly and rearwardly applying downward pressure in the bottom of the furrow to firm the seeds in the soil;
said flexible member includes a first, second and third section;
the first section, which includes said first end, being inflexible, the second section of said flexible member being flexible and located between said first and said third sections, said second section including means for varying the flex of said second section, and the third section, which includes said second end, is inflexible.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A resilient seed firming attachment for a planting machine designed to effectively place seed at a consistent depth and at consistent spacing. The attachment may be of any geometrical configuration having a length adequate to firm the seed in the opened furrow and is mounted in a position trailing the discharge end of a seed boot. The resilience of the seed firming attachment being variable and having a control mechanism to ensure that sufficient force is applied to the seed to firm it into the soil at the desired planting depth. By controlling the amount of flex, the proper seed planting depth and firming will be accomplished in a variety of soil and moisture conditions. The seed firming device is also variable so that the amount of down pressure will not modify the depth desired and obtained by the furrow opening device.
85 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A planting assembly having a furrow opening mechanism, a seed dispensing means, including a seed tube for directing the seeds downwardly and rearwardly as the planting assembly moves forward, and structure for guiding and firming seeds in the furrow as seeds are deposited, comprising:
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a flexible member with first and second ends; means for attaching and supporting said first end of said flexible member on the planting assembly with the second end of said flexible member extending downwardly and rearwardly applying downward pressure in the bottom of the furrow to firm the seeds in the soil; said flexible member includes a first, second and third section; the first section, which includes said first end, being inflexible, the second section of said flexible member being flexible and located between said first and said third sections, said second section including means for varying the flex of said second section, and the third section, which includes said second end, is inflexible. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13)
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11. The invention in accordance with claim 11, wherein said means for retaining said flexible member are straps removably attached to said seed tube assembly.
Specification