Metering apparatuses for sectional control
First Claim
1. A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product, comprising:
- a meterbox configured for association with a hopper for receiving agricultural product from the hopper;
a rotatable metering element disposed within a chamber in the meterbox, the rotating metering element configured to deliver the agricultural product at a regulated rate from the hopper through the chamber to a product distribution line; and
,stopping means for selectively stopping delivery of the agricultural product to the product distribution line, the stopping means comprising a disengagement structure for disengaging the agricultural product from the metering element while the metering element continues to rotate,wherein the chamber comprises a chamber floor and the disengagement structure comprises the chamber floor moveable between a raised product engaging position and a lowered product disengaging position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product in a field has a meterbox configured for association with a hopper for receiving agricultural product from the hopper. A rotatable metering element is disposed within a chamber in the meterbox, and the rotating metering element is configured to deliver the agricultural product at a regulated rate from the hopper through the chamber to a product distribution line. Delivery of the agricultural product to the product distribution line may be selectively stopped by a reversibly inflatable seal between the metering element and an outlet to the distribution line, a reversible seal formed by contact between the metering element and an inlet from the hopper to the chamber, or a disengagement structure for disengaging the agricultural product from the metering element while the metering element continues to rotate.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product, comprising:
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a meterbox configured for association with a hopper for receiving agricultural product from the hopper; a rotatable metering element disposed within a chamber in the meterbox, the rotating metering element configured to deliver the agricultural product at a regulated rate from the hopper through the chamber to a product distribution line; and
,stopping means for selectively stopping delivery of the agricultural product to the product distribution line, the stopping means comprising a disengagement structure for disengaging the agricultural product from the metering element while the metering element continues to rotate, wherein the chamber comprises a chamber floor and the disengagement structure comprises the chamber floor moveable between a raised product engaging position and a lowered product disengaging position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14)
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10. A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product, comprising:
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a meterbox configured for association with a hopper for receiving agricultural product from the hopper; a rotatable metering element disposed within a chamber in the meterbox, the rotating metering element configured to deliver the agricultural product at a regulated rate from the hopper through the chamber to a product distribution line; and
,stopping means for selectively stopping delivery of the agricultural product to the product distribution line, the stopping means comprising a disengagement structure for disengaging the agricultural product from the metering element while the metering element continues to rotate, wherein the chamber comprises a trough portion secured to a translatable product conduit, the product conduit configured to permit agricultural product to flow from the hopper to the trough portion, the product conduit and trough portion translatable between a product engaging position and a product disengaging position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 15)
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Specification