Liquid fertilizer application system

• US 7,128,007 B1
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Totally Tubular Mfg., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Brent W. Wiesenburger
• Inventors: Wiesenburger, Brent W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US11/208,326
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 111/127, 111/170, 111/174, 111/118, 111/119, 111/121, 111/120
• US Class Current: 111/121
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/025 Continuous injection tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/06 Seeders combined with fertilising apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/21 Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

Abstract

A liquid fertilizer application system for efficiently dispensing and placing liquid fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germination injury. The liquid fertilizer application system includes a fertilizer tube having an input opening and a discharge opening, a mounting tab and a centering bracket. The fertilizer tube is attached to a shank of a planter implement using the mounting tab and is additionally positioned by the centering bracket. The discharge opening of the fertilizer tube is located in front of a scraper attached to the planter implement seed tube. The discharge opening of the fertilizer tube is forward of the seed tube to allows for the application of the fertilizer into a prepared furrow prior to placement of the seed.

Claims

1. A liquid fertilizer application system, comprising:

a fertilizer tube including an input opening and a discharge opening, wherein said fertilizer tube is comprised of a continuous single structure;

wherein said fertilizer tube is comprised of a rigid material;

a mounting tab attached to a central location on said fertilizer tube, said mounting tab attachable to a shank of a planter; and

a centering bracket attached to said fertilizer tube, said centering bracket securable about the shank of a planter;

wherein said centering bracket is comprised of a V-shaped structure;

wherein a central portion of said center bracket is rounded to conform to a shape of said fertilizer tube.

2. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 1, wherein said fertilizer tube includes:

a first segment originating at said input opening extending downward at a first angle;

a second segment extending substantially horizontal;

a third segment extending downward at both a second angle and a third angle; and

a fourth segment extending further downward at a fourth angle, terminating at said discharge opening.

3. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 2, wherein said both third angle and fourth angle substantially match the structure of said shank of said planter.

4. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 2, wherein said first angle is approximately 120 degrees.

5. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 2, wherein said second angle is approximately 135 degrees.

6. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 2, wherein said third angle is approximately 90 degrees.

7. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 2, wherein said fourth angle is approximately 170 degrees.

8. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 2, wherein said attached mounting tab is welded to both said third segment and said fourth segment of said fertilizer tube.

9. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 2, wherein said attached centering bracket is welded to said fourth segment of said fertilizer tube.

10. A liquid fertilizer application system, comprising:

a fertilizer tube including an input opening and a discharge opening, wherein said fertilizer tube is comprised of;

a first segment originating at said input opening extending downward at a first angle;

a second segment extending substantially horizontal;

a third segment extending downward at both a second angle and a third angle; and

a fourth segment extending further downward at a fourth angle, terminating at said discharge opening;

wherein said fertilizer tube is comprised of a continuous single structure;

wherein said fertilizer tube is comprised of a rigid material;

a mounting tab attached said third segment and fourth segment of said fertilizer tube, wherein said mounting tab is utilized for mounting said fertilizer tube to a shank of a planter; and

a centering bracket attached to said fertilizer tube, wherein said centering bracket is utilized for stabilizing said fertilizer tube to the shank of the planter;

wherein said centering bracket is comprised of a V-shaped structure;

wherein a central portion of said center bracket is rounded to conform to a shape of said fertilizer tube.

11. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 10, wherein said both third angle and fourth angle substantially match the structure of said shank of said planter.

12. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 10, wherein said first angle is approximately 120 degrees.

13. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 10, wherein said second angle is approximately 135 degrees.

14. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 10, wherein said third angle is approximately 90 degrees.

15. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 10, wherein said fourth angle is approximately 170 degrees.

16. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 10, wherein said attached mounting tab is welded to both said third segment and said fourth segment of said fertilizer tube.

17. The liquid fertilizer application system of claim 10, wherein said attached centering bracket is welded to said fourth segment of said fertilizer tube.

18. A liquid fertilizer application system, comprising:

a fertilizer tube including an input opening and a discharge opening, wherein said fertilizer tube is comprised of;

a first segment originating at said input opening extending downward at a first angle;

a second segment extending substantially horizontal;

a third segment extending downward at both a second angle and a third angle; and

a fourth segment extending further downward at a fourth angle, terminating at said discharge opening;

wherein said fertilizer tube is comprised of a continuous single structure;

wherein said fertilizer tube is comprised of a rigid material;

a mounting tab attached said third segment and fourth segment of said fertilizer tube, wherein said mounting tab is utilized for mounting said fertilizer tube to a shank of a planter; and

a centering bracket attached to said fertilizer tube, wherein said centering bracket is utilized for stabilizing said fertilizer tube to the shank of the planter;

wherein said centering bracket is comprised of a V-shaped structure;

wherein a central portion of said center bracket is rounded to conform to a shape of said fertilizer tube;

wherein said both third angle and fourth angle substantially match the structure of said shank of said planter;

wherein said first angle is approximately 120 degrees;

wherein said second angle is approximately 135 degrees;

wherein said third angle is approximately 90 degrees;

wherein said fourth angle is approximately 170 degrees;

wherein said attached mounting tab is welded to both said third segment and said fourth segment of said fertilizer tube;

wherein said attached centering bracket is welded to said fourth segment of said fertilizer tube.