Furrow tool for seed placement

• US 9,155,244 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2012
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schaffert Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Schaffert Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Schaffert, Paul E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TORRES, ALICIA M
• Application Number:
  US13/365,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20120312209A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,348 Days
• Field of Search: 111/118, 111/120, 111/124, 111/150, 111/189, 111/190, 111/197
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/066 Devices for covering drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/068 Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/06 Seeders combined with fertilising apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/201 Mounting of the seeding tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/203 comprising depth regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/206 Seed pipes

Abstract

A furrow tool configured to attach to a planting device includes a compressor including a neck portion and a body extending from the neck portion. A deflector is connected to the compressor. The deflector includes a top portion connected to the neck portion and an extension portion. The extension portion is located beneath a bottom side of the body and may be configured to deflect seeds. The furrow tool also includes an attachment mechanism connected to the neck portion and configured to attach to the planting device.

Claims

1. A furrow tool configured to attach to a planting device comprising

a compressor made of a first material comprising:

a neck portion; and

a body extending from the neck portion;

a deflector having a separate structure from the compressor and made from a second material different from the first material and being operatively connected to the compressor, the deflector comprising;

a top portion operatively connected to the neck portion; and

an extension portion located beneath a bottom side of the body and configured to deflect seeds; and

an attachment mechanism operatively connected to the neck portion and configured to attach to the planting device.

2. The furrow tool of claim 1, wherein the deflector further comprises at least one securing aperture on a front face of the extension portion.

3. The furrow tool of claim 2, further comprising a securing tab on the front face of the extension portion below the at least one securing aperture.

4. The furrow tool of claim 2, further comprising

a nutrient tube positioned adjacent to the at least one securing aperture;

and

at least one fastener where the at least one securing aperture and the at least one fastener substantially secure the nutrient tube on the front face.

5. The furrow tool of claim 4, further comprising a splitter fluidly connected to a first end of the nutrient tube.

6. The furrow tool of claim 4, wherein the at least one securing aperture comprises a first securing aperture and a second securing aperture.

7. The furrow tool of claim 6, further comprising a securing bar operatively connected between the first securing aperture and the second securing aperture and substantially secured to the first securing aperture and the second securing aperture via the at least one fastener, wherein the securing bar secures the nutrient tube on the front face of the extension.

8. The furrow tool of claim 1, further comprising a step disposed between the neck portion and the body, wherein the step reduces a height of the compressor portion as it transitions from the body to the neck portion.

9. The furrow tool of claim 1, wherein the compressor portion increases in height from the neck portion to a back end of the body.

10. The furrow tool of claim 1, wherein the compressor further comprises a bottom surface, and the bottom surface has a width substantially equal to a width of a furrow created by the planting device.

11. A planting tool configured to be attached to a planter row unit, wherein the planter row unit includes a furrow creating device and a seed tube, the planting tool comprising:

an attachment bracket configured to attach the planting tool to the seed tube;

a compressor operatively connected to the attachment bracket, comprising

a neck portion operatively connected to the attachment bracket; and

a body extending from the neck portion, and the body has a greater height than the neck portion; and

a deflector operatively connected to the attachment bracket and located beneath a bottom face of the compressor, the deflector has a shorter length than the compressor, and the compressor extends beyond a back end of the deflector.

12. The planting tool of claim 11, wherein when the planting tool is attached to the planter row unit, the deflector is adjacent the seed tube and extends past a first end of the seed tube, and the deflector is disposed between the compressor and the seed tube.

13. The planting tool of claim 11, wherein the body comprises

a substantially flat bottom with a first width;

a first side and a second side, the first and second sides increase in height from a front of the body to a back of the body, and the height and a length of the first side and the second side is larger than the first width of the bottom.

14. The planting tool of claim 13, wherein:

the first side and the second side are substantially curved from the front of the body to the back of the body; and

the first side and the second side have a substantially flat outer surface.

15. The planting tool of claim 11, wherein the deflector further comprises:

a first securing aperture and a second securing aperture located on a top face of the deflector;

an attachment portion operatively attached to the attachment bracket; and

an extension portion extending from the attachment portion, wherein the extension portion is rounded downwards.

16. The planting tool of claim 15, further comprising a fertilizer tube located between the first securing aperture and the second securing aperture.

17. The planting tool of claim 16, further comprising:

a securing bar spanning the first securing aperture and the second securing aperture, and the securing bar positioned substantially above the fertilizer tube; and

a first fastener and a second fastener with the first fastener disposed in the first securing aperture to secure the securing bar at a first location and the second fastener disposed in the second securing aperture to secure the securing bar at a second location.

18. The planting tool of claim 16, further comprising a splitter operatively attached to a first end of the fertilizer tube.

19. The planting tool of claim 11, wherein the attachment bracket comprises at least one aperture configured to receive a fastener securing the attachment bracket to the row unit.

20. The planting tool of claim 11, wherein the compressor comprises a plastic.