Seed firmer

• US 9,402,341 B1
• Filed: 01/26/2015
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wipf, Danny
• Original Assignee: Wipf, Danny
• Inventors: Wipf, Danny
• Primary Examiner(s): WEISS, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US14/605,221
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 111/84, 111177-181, 111/189, 111/190
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/068 Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/20 Parts of seeders for conducting and depositing seed

Abstract

A seed firmer for use on a seed boot having a guide plate with a rear edge may include an elongated main portion having a mount end for mounting to the boot and a free end extending away from the boot. The main portion may have broad faces and narrow sides extending between the broad faces. The firmer may have a guide portion positioned at a medial location on the guide portion between the ends. The guide portion may have a thin, planar character that protrudes from the main portion in a plane that is oriented generally perpendicular to a plane of one broad face. The guide portion may have a peripheral edge with a substantially linear section and an arcuate section, and the substantially linear section may be positionable adjacent to the guide plate when the main portion is mounted on the boot.

Claims

1. A seed firmer for use on a seed boot to guide seed dispensed from the seed boot, the seed boot having a guide plate with a rear edge, the firmer comprising:

an elongated main portion configured to mount on the seed boot and extend from the seed boot, the main portion having a mount end for mounting to the seed boot and a free end extending away from the seed boot, the main portion having a pair of broad faces and a pair of narrow sides extending between the broad faces; and

a guide portion positioned at a medial location on the main portion between the ends, the guide portion being spaced from the mount end and the free end;

wherein the guide portion has a thin, planar character that protrudes from the main portion in a plane that is oriented generally perpendicular to a plane of one of the broad faces;

wherein a width of the main portion between the pair of narrow sides tapers narrower toward the free end of the main portion; and

wherein a thickness of the main portion between the pair of broad faces tapers thinner from the free end toward the mount end.

2. The seed firmer of claim 1 wherein the guide portion protrudes from the main portion in a plane that is oriented generally parallel to a plane of one of the side edges.

3. The seed firmer of claim 1 wherein the main portion is formed of a flexible material.

4. The seed firmer of claim 1 wherein the guide portion has a substantially uniform thickness.

5. A seed firmer for use on a seed boot to guide seed dispensed from the seed boot, the seed boot having a guide plate with a rear edge, the firmer comprising:

an elongated main portion configured to mount on the seed boot and extend from the seed boot, the main portion having a mount end for mounting to the seed boot and a free end extending away from the seed boot, the main portion having a pair of broad faces and a pair of narrow sides extending between the broad faces; and

a guide portion positioned at a medial location on the main portion between the ends;

wherein the guide portion has a thin, planar character that protrudes from the main portion in a plane that is oriented generally perpendicular to a plane of one of the broad faces;

wherein the guide portion has a peripheral edge with a substantially linear section and an arcuate section, the substantially linear section being positionable adjacent to the guide plate of the seed boot when the main portion is mounted on the seed boot; and

wherein the substantially linear section of the perimeter edge is positioned toward the mount end of the main portion and the arcuate section is located toward the free end.

6. The seed firmer of claim 5 wherein a width of the main portion between the sides tapers narrower toward the free end of the man portion.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the guide portion has a thin, planar character that protrudes from the main portion in a plane that is oriented generally perpendicular to a plane of one of the faces.

8. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the main portion is formed of a flexible material.

9. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the guide portion has a substantially uniform thickness.

10. The assembly of claim 5 wherein a thickness of the main portion between the pair of broad faces tapers thinner from the free end toward the mount end.

11. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the guide portion is spaced from the mount end and the free end.

12. A seeder assembly comprising:

a seed boot to guide dispensed seed toward a ground surface, the seed boot defining a passage with an outlet, the seed boot having a guide plate with a rear edge; and

a seed firmer having an elongated main portion mounted on the seed boot and extending from the seed boot, the main portion having a mount end mounted in the seed boot adjacent to the outlet and a free end extending away from the seed boot, the main portion having a pair of broad faces and a pair of narrow sides extending between the broad faces, the seed firmer having a guide portion protruding from the main portion at a medial location on the main portion between the ends;

wherein the guide portion protrudes from the main portion in a plane that is oriented generally perpendicular to a plane of one of the broad faces and parallel to the guide plate; and

wherein the guide portion has a peripheral edge with a substantially linear section and an arcuate section, the substantially linear section being positioned adjacent to the rear edge of the guide plate of the seed boot when the main portion is mounted on the seed boot such that the guide portion forms an extension of the guide plate;

wherein the substantially linear section of the perimeter edge is positioned toward the mount end of the main portion and the arcuate section is located toward the free end.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the guide portion has a thin, planar character that protrudes from the main portion in a plane that is oriented generally perpendicular to a plane of one of the faces.

14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the main portion is formed of a flexible material.

15. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the guide portion has a substantially uniform thickness.

16. The assembly of claim 12 wherein a thickness of the main portion between the pair of broad faces tapers thinner from the free end toward the mount end.

17. The assembly of claim 12 wherein a width of the main portion between the sides tapers narrower toward the free end of the man portion.