Seed planter apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A seed planter apparatus comprising:
- a seed meter including a housing assembly, the housing assembly including a chute portion and a seed chamber, the chute portion including a first opening for receiving seed from a hopper which communicates with the first opening, the chute portion including a second opening formed therein, a bar extending from a portion of the chute portion and positioned above the second opening, a door shaped to cover the second opening and including a clip portion for snap-fitting onto the bar to allow the door to rotate on the bar.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A planter apparatus includes a seed meter including a housing assembly with a cover releasably connected to a shell. The housing assembly includes at least one opening formed therein adjacent a seed discharge area to promote the release of seeds from a disc rotatably attached to the housing assembly. The disc divides an interior of the housing assembly to include a vacuum chamber and a seed chamber. The disc including a plurality of openings formed adjacent a periphery of the disc. The planter apparatus may also include a singulator assembly having rotatably spools, a rotatable chute door, a disc having clusters of openings for simultaneous release, and a one-piece baffle.
141 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A seed planter apparatus comprising:
a seed meter including a housing assembly, the housing assembly including a chute portion and a seed chamber, the chute portion including a first opening for receiving seed from a hopper which communicates with the first opening, the chute portion including a second opening formed therein, a bar extending from a portion of the chute portion and positioned above the second opening, a door shaped to cover the second opening and including a clip portion for snap-fitting onto the bar to allow the door to rotate on the bar. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
3. A method of operating a seed planter apparatus comprising:
-
providing a seed meter including a housing assembly, the housing assembly including a chute portion and a seed chamber, the chute portion including a first opening in communication with a hopper, the chute portion including a second opening formed therein, a bar extending from a portion of the chute portion and positioned above the second opening, a door shaped to cover the second opening and including a clip portion snap fitted to the bar;
rotating the door about the bar;
passing seed from the hopper through the first opening; and
passing seed through the second opening.
-
-
4. A seed planter apparatus comprising:
a seed meter including a housing assembly including a chute portion and a seed chamber, the chute portion including a first opening for receiving seed from a seed source, a lower portion of the chute portion further including a second opening for removing seeds from the chute portion, a door shaped to cover the second opening movably mounted on the housing assembly, and a retaining member to releasably retaining the door in a position to close the second opening in the chute portion. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
-
8. A method of operating a seed planter apparatus comprising:
-
providing a seed meter including a housing assembly, the housing assembly including a seed chamber and a chute portion, the chute portion including a first opening to receive seeds and a second opening to discharge seeds, and a door mounted to the housing assembly shaped to cover the second opening and movable between an open position and a closed position covering the second opening;
passing seed into the chute portion through the first opening with the door in a closed position;
moving the door from the closed position to the open position to open the second opening; and
passing seed through the second opening in the chute.
-
-
9. A method of operating a seed planter apparatus comprising:
-
providing a seed meter including a housing assembly, the housing assembly including a seed chamber in a chute portion, the chute portion including a first opening to receive seeds and a second opening to discharge seeds, a door mounted to the housing assembly shaped to cover the second opening and movable between an open position and a closed position covering the second opening, and a retaining member to releasably retain the cover in the closed position;
passing seed into the chute portion through the first opening with the door in a closed position;
releasing the retaining member and moving the door from the closed position to the open position to open the second opening; and
passing seed through the second opening in the chute portion.
-
-
10. A seed planter apparatus comprising:
a seed meter including a housing assembly, the housing assembly including a chute portion and a seed chamber, the chute portion including a first opening for receiving seed from a hopper which communicates with the first opening, the chute portion including the second opening formed therein, a bar extending from a portion of the chute portion and positioned above the second opening, a door shaped to cover the second opening and including a clip portion for snap-fitting onto the bar to allow the door to rotate on a bar and further including a receiving portion, and a pin for insertion into the receiving portion on the door which locks the door to the housing assembly.
-
11. A seed planter apparatus comprising:
-
a seed meter including a housing assembly including a chute portion and a seed chamber;
the chute portion including a first opening for receiving seed from a seed source, a lower portion of the chute portion further including a second opening for removing seeds from the chute portion, a door shaped to cover the second opening movably mounted on the housing assembly above the second opening, and a locking member positioned on a lower portion of the chute portion to releasably lock the door in a position to close the second opening in the chute portion. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
Specification