Seed slide for use in an agricultural seeding machine

• US 20040134400A1
• Filed: 01/10/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Thiemke, Daniel B., Valdez, Jose M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,185,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 111/178
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/18 Machines for depositing quantities of seed at intervals
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/20 Parts of seeders for conducting and depositing seed

Abstract

A seeding machine includes at least one seed metering system and at least one seed placement system. Each seed placement system is in communication with a corresponding seed metering system. Each seed placement system includes a seed slide having a bottom end and a seed trough terminating at the bottom end.

Claims

1. A seeding machine, comprising:

at least one seed metering system; and

at least one seed placement system, each said seed placement system being in communication with a corresponding said seed metering system, each said seed placement system including a seed slide having a bottom end and a seed trough terminating at said bottom end.

2. The seeding machine of claim 1, wherein said seed slide has a top end, and said seed trough does not extend to said top end.

3. The seeding machine of claim 2, wherein said seed trough increases in depth from said top end to said bottom end.

4. The seeding machine of claim 3, wherein said seed slide has a top end, and said seed trough does not extend into said seed slide at said top end and has a maximum depth at said bottom end.

5. The seeding machine of claim 3, wherein said seed trough has a depth of about 5 mm at said bottom end.

6. The seeding machine of claim 1, wherein said seed slide has a generally j-shaped configuration.

7. The seeding machine of claim 6, wherein said seed slide includes two generally linear segments interconnected by an arced segment, one said linear segment defining said bottom end.

8. The seeding machine of claim 1, wherein said seed trough has a generally parabolic shaped cross section at said bottom end.

9. The seeding machine of claim 1, wherein each said seed placement system further includes a rotatable seed velocity regulator positioned in association with said seed slide.

10. The seeding machine of claim 9, wherein said seed velocity regulator comprises a wheel.

11. A seed slide for use in a seed placement system in a seeding machine, comprising a generally j-shaped slide including two generally linear segments interconnected by an arced segment, one said linear segment defining a bottom end, said slide having a seed trough terminating at said bottom end.

12. The seed slide of claim 11, wherein an other said linear segment defines a top end, and said seed trough does not extend to said top end.

13. The seed slide of claim 12, wherein said seed trough increases in depth from said top end to said bottom end.

14. The seed slide of claim 13, wherein an other said linear segment defines a top end, and said seed trough does not extend into said seed slide at said top end and has a maximum depth at said bottom end.

15. The seed slide of claim 13, wherein said seed trough has a depth of about 5 mm at said bottom end.

16. The seed slide of claim 11, wherein said seed slide has a generally j-shaped configuration.

17. The seed slide of claim 11, wherein said seed trough has a generally parabolic shaped cross section at said bottom end.

18. A method of placing seeds with a seeding machine in a trench formed in soil, comprising the steps of:

receiving seeds at a predetermined rate at a seed slide in a seed placement system, said seed slide having a bottom end and a seed trough terminating at said bottom end;

engaging the seeds at the predetermined rate within said seed trough; and

guiding the seeds from said seed trough into the trench at a trajectory defined by said seed trough.

19. The method of placing seeds of claim 18, wherein said seed slide has a top end, and said seed trough does not extend to said top end.

20. The method of placing seeds of claim 19, wherein said seed trough increases in depth from said top end to said bottom end.

21. The method of placing seeds of claim 18, wherein said seed slide has a generally j-shaped configuration.