Inclinometer-controlled apparatus for varying the rate of seed population

• US 6,640,733 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2002
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward H. Huffmeyer
• Original Assignee: Edward H. Huffmeyer
• Inventors: Huffmeyer, Edward H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAMMEN, NATHAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/224,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047122A1
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 111/17, 111/28, 111/32, 111/77, 111/177, 111/903, 111/904, 111/921, 474/8, 474/159, 605/71, 605/72, 605/53, 221/13
• US Class Current: 111/177
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/107 Calibration of the seed rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/903 Monitor

Abstract

An apparatus for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills, comprising first and second squeeze jack variable speed pulleys, and a belt running around the pulleys; a cog mounted on the first pulley and a cog mounted on the second pulley, and a drive chain running around the cog mounted on the first pulley and a row unit chain running around the cog mounted on the second pulley; and apparatus to vary selectively the speed of the row unit chain at any given speed of the drive chain and at any slope of the apparatus above or below level ground.

Claims

1. An apparatus for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills, comprising:

first and second squeeze jack variable speed pulleys, each having a top half and a bottom half, with the first pulley spinning about a first axis and the second pulley spinning about a second axis, a first oil-actuated squeeze jack affixed to the bottom half of the first pulley that moves the bottom half of the first pulley along its axis from a first position in which the first pulley is closed to a second position in which the first pulley is opened, and a second oil-actuated squeeze jack affixed to the bottom half of the second pulley that moves the bottom half of the second pulley along its axis from a first position in which the second pulley is closed to a second position in which the second pulley is opened, and a belt running around the pulleys;

a drive cog affixed to the top half of the first pulley with a drive chain running around the drive cog, and a row unit cog affixed to the top half of the second pulley with a row unit chain running around the row unit cog;

a double-rod oil cylinder in fluid communication in a closed system with the first and second squeeze jacks and having a piston therein that is movable between a first position at which the bottom half of the first pulley is in its second position and opened, and the bottom half of the second pulley is in its first position and is closed, and a second position at which the bottom half of the first pulley is in its first position and is closed, and the bottom half of the second pulley is in its second position and is opened; and

means to move the piston between its first and second positions and to positions in-between

wherein said means includes a linear actuator having a clevis that is attached to a double-rod cylinder and controlled by inclinometer monitor means that automatically actuates the linear actuator in response to changes in the slope of the apparatus above and below level ground.

2. The apparatus for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills of claim 1 wherein said linear actuator has an electrical sensor that is connectable to a control for the actuator selected from the group consisting of a toggle switch, a seed population monitor, and a Global Positioning System monitor.

3. An apparatus for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills, comprising:

first and second squeeze jack variable speed pulleys, and a belt running around the pulleys;

a cog mounted on the first pulley and a cog mounted on the second pulley, and a drive chain running around the cog mounted on the first pulley and a row unit chain running around the cog mounted on the second pulley; and

means to vary selectively the speed of the row unit chain at any given speed of the drive chain

wherein said means includes a linear actuator having a clevis that is attached to a double-rod cylinder and controlled by inclinometer monitor means that automatically actuates the linear actuator in response to changes in the slope of the apparatus above and below level ground.

4. The apparatus for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills of claim 3 wherein said linear actuator has an electrical sensor that is connectable to a control for the actuator selected from the group consisting of a toggle switch, a seed population monitor, and a Global Positioning System monitor.