Seed delivery apparatus, systems, and methods
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for delivering a seed to a planting surface, comprising:
- a seed meter configured to entrain and release the seed from a seed disc at a seed release location;
a seed conveyor disposed to receive the seed after the seed is released from said seed disc at an upper end of said seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a belt configured to convey the seed from said upper end to a lower end of said seed conveyor and release the seed with a rearward velocity relative to said seed conveyor;
a first loading wheel disposed adjacent to said seed release location, said first loading wheel being driven for rotation, wherein said first loading wheel compresses the seed against an opposing surface, and wherein said first loading wheel ejects the seed toward said seed conveyor; and
a guide selected from a group in which said guide comprises;
(i) a plurality of laterally spaced fins, wherein said first loading wheel comprises a circumferential finger, wherein said circumferential finger extends between said laterally spaced fins during rotation of said first loading wheel;
(ii) a plurality of laterally spaced fins, wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, wherein said fins extend between said circumferential fingers during rotation of said first loading wheel; and
(iii) a laterally spaced fin, wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, wherein said fin extends between said circumferential fingers during rotation of said first loading wheel.
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Abstract
An apparatus and methods for delivering seed from a metering device to a furrow. In one embodiment, a seed meter entrains and releases seed from a seed disc at a seed release location. The released seed is directed into a seed conveyor by a loading wheel. The seed conveyor conveys the seed toward the soil and releases the seed with a rearward relative velocity.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for delivering a seed to a planting surface, comprising:
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a seed meter configured to entrain and release the seed from a seed disc at a seed release location; a seed conveyor disposed to receive the seed after the seed is released from said seed disc at an upper end of said seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a belt configured to convey the seed from said upper end to a lower end of said seed conveyor and release the seed with a rearward velocity relative to said seed conveyor; a first loading wheel disposed adjacent to said seed release location, said first loading wheel being driven for rotation, wherein said first loading wheel compresses the seed against an opposing surface, and wherein said first loading wheel ejects the seed toward said seed conveyor; and a guide selected from a group in which said guide comprises; (i) a plurality of laterally spaced fins, wherein said first loading wheel comprises a circumferential finger, wherein said circumferential finger extends between said laterally spaced fins during rotation of said first loading wheel; (ii) a plurality of laterally spaced fins, wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, wherein said fins extend between said circumferential fingers during rotation of said first loading wheel; and (iii) a laterally spaced fin, wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, wherein said fin extends between said circumferential fingers during rotation of said first loading wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for delivering a seed to a planting surface, comprising:
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a seed meter configured to entrain and release the seed from a seed disc at a seed release location; a seed conveyor disposed to receive the seed after the seed is released from said seed disc at an upper end of said seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a belt configured to convey the seed from said upper end to a lower end of said seed conveyor and release the seed with a rearward velocity relative to said seed conveyor; a first loading wheel disposed adjacent to said seed release location, said first loading wheel being driven for rotation, wherein said first loading wheel compresses the seed against an opposing surface, and wherein said first loading wheel ejects the seed toward said seed conveyor; and wherein said opposing surface against which the seed is compressed is stationary with respect to said seed meter. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. An apparatus for delivering a seed to a planting surface, comprising:
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a seed meter configured to entrain and release the seed from a seed disc at a seed release location; and a seed conveyor disposed to receive the seed after the seed is released from said seed disc at an upper end of said seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a belt configured to convey the seed from said upper end to a lower end of said seed conveyor and release the seed with a rearward velocity relative to said seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a housing, said housing having a vent formed therein, wherein debris or liquid entering said lower end of said conveyor passes said vent prior to reaching said upper end of said conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for delivering a seed to a planting surface, comprising:
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a seed meter configured to entrain and release the seed from a seed disc at a seed release location; and a seed conveyor disposed to receive the seed after the seed is released from said seed disc at an upper end of said seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a belt configured to convey the seed from said upper end to a lower end of said seed conveyor and release the seed with a rearward velocity relative to said seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a housing, an upper pulley and a lower pulley, wherein said lower pulley is resiliently displaceable with respect to said housing. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification