Seed delivery device for seed planter

• US 5,678,500 A
• Filed: 09/01/1995
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Montezuma Welding & Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Montezuma Welding & Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Schmidt, LaVern D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Melius, Terry Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): BATSON, VICTOR D
• Application Number:
  US08/522,617
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 111/164, 111/165, 111/166, 111/167, 111/168, 111/169, 111/170, 37/460, 172/558, 172/560, 172/561, 172/563, 172/574, 172/575, 172/179, 172/180, 172/181
• US Class Current: 111/164
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/20 Parts of seeders for conducting and depositing seed

Abstract

A seed delivery device is positioned on the seed tube of a planter and between a pair of V-oriented opening disks. The device has an elongated duct having an upper end with an opening capable of being disposed in spatial communication with the seed tube. A lower end of the duct has an opening which is positioned directly behind and adjacent to the location where the pair of opening disks contact one another. The duct extends along a substantially straight line below the seed tube so that a seed traveling through the duct is directed in a substantially downward direction into a V-shaped trench. Structure is also provided for attaching the duct to the planter.

Claims

1. A seed delivery device for attachment to a planter, said device positioned on a seed tube of the planter and between a pair of opening disks positioned in a V-orientation and contacting one another at a location along their peripheries so that they form a V-shaped trench in the soil for planting a seed, the device comprising:

an elongated duct having an upper end with an opening capable of being disposed in spatial communication with the seed tube of the planter when the device is installed on the planter, and a lower end with an opening disposed behind where the pair of opening disks contact one another so that said lower end is capable of depositing a seed in the V-shaped trench formed by the opening disks, said duct extending along a substantially straight line below the seed tube so that a seed traveling through the duct is directed in a substantially downward direction into the formed V-shaped trench and is wedged therein;

a blade attached to a forward portion of said duct, said blade having a lower edge that curves upwardly and forwardly from said lower end of said duct, said lower curved edge forcing debris below said duct and engaging and compressing soil in the valley of the trench formed by the opening disks so that the trench tends to have more of a V-shape; and

means for attaching said duct to the planter.

2. The seed delivery device of claim 1 wherein said duct has a generally rectangular cross-section and is formed by a front plate, a rear plate and a pair of side plates.

3. The seed delivery device of claim 2 wherein said front plate has a pair of scraping edges formed on opposite sides thereof, each said scraping edge engaging the inner surface of one of said opening disks to help prevent build up of soil thereon.

4. The seed delivery device of claim 3 wherein said scraping edges converge towards one another as they extend downwardly so that they conform to the inner surfaces of the V-oriented opening disks.

5. The seed delivery device of claim 2 wherein said lower end of said duct has a generally rectangular shape, a front edge of said lower end being vertically lower than a rear edge of said lower end so that said opening of said lower end is slanted in an upwardly and rearwardly direction.

6. The seed delivery device of claim 1 further comprising adjusting means for allowing positioning of said duct in a plurality of generally vertical positions.

7. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein said lower end of said duct is treated to increase its wearability.

8. The delivery device of claim 1 wherein said lower curved edge of said blade is treated to increase its wearability.

9. A seed delivery device for attachment to a planter, said device positioned on a seed tube of the planter and between a pair of opening disks positioned in a V-orientation and contacting one another at a location along their peripheries so that they form a V-shaped trench in the soil for planting a seed, the device comprising:

an elongated duct having an upper end with an opening capable of being disposed in spatial communication with the seed tube of the planter when the device is installed on the planter, and a lower end with an opening disposed behind where the pair of opening disks contact one another so that said lower end is capable of depositing a seed in the V-shaped trench formed by the opening disks, said duct extending along a substantially straight line below the seed tube so that a seed traveling through the duct is directed in a substantially downward direction into the formed V-shaped trench and is wedged therein;

a pair of scraping edges formed on opposite sides of a front plate that is coupled with said duct, each said scraping edge engaging the inner surface of one of said opening disks to help prevent build up of soil thereon, said scraping edges converging towards one another as they extend downwardly so that they conform to the inner surfaces of the V-oriented opening disks;

a blade attached to a forward portion of said duct, said blade having a lower edge that curves upwardly and forwardly from said lower end of said duct, said lower curved edge forcing debris below said duct and engaging and compressing soil in the valley of the trench formed by the opening disks so that the trench tends to have more of a V-shape; and

means for attaching said duct to the planter.

10. The seed delivery device of claim 9 further comprising adjusting means for allowing positioning of said duct in a plurality of generally vertical positions.

11. A seed delivery device for attachment to a planter, said device positioned on a seed tube of the planter and between a pair of opening disks positioned in a V-orientation and contacting one another at a location along their peripheries so that they form a V-shaped trench in the soil for planting a seed, the device comprising:

an elongated duct of generally rectangular cross-section that is formed by a front plate, a rear plate and a pair of side plates, said front plate having a pair of scraping edges formed on opposite sides thereof, each said scraping edge engaging the inner surface of one of said opening disks to help prevent build up of soil thereon, said duct having an upper end with an opening capable of being disposed in spatial communication with the seed tube of the planter when the device is installed on the planter, and a lower end with an opening disposed behind where the pair of opening disks contact one another so that said lower end is capable of depositing a seed in the V-shaped trench formed by the opening disks, said duct extending along a substantially straight line below the seed tube so that a seed traveling through the duct is directed in a substantially downward direction into the formed V-shaped trench and is wedged therein; and

means for attaching said duct to the planter.

12. The seed delivery device of claim 11 wherein said scraping edges converge towards one another as they extend downwardly so that they conform to the inner surfaces of the V-oriented opening disks.

13. The seed delivery device of claim 12 further comprising adjusting means for allowing positioning of said duct in a plurality of generally vertical positions.

14. The delivery device of claim 13, wherein said lower end of said duct is treated to increase its wearability.

15. The delivery device of claim 14 wherein said lower curved edge of said blade is treated to increase its wearability.