LIQUID DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING LIQUID INTO A SEED FURROW

• US 20100212558A1
• Filed: 05/04/2010
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schaffert Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Schaffert Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Schaffert, Paul E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,336,467 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 111/120
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/025 Continuous injection tools
• 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 7/206 Seed pipes

Abstract

An extension for use with a planter, drill, or other farming implement having a seed tube that deposits seed in a furrow. The extension defines protrusions for attaching one or more liquid distribution apparatuses arranged to distribute liquid in a furrow well above the seeds, on the seeds, or both.

Claims

1. A liquid distribution system for a farm machine that is configured to place seeds in a furrow, the liquid distribution system comprising:

a liquid supply conduit;

an extension configured for selective attachment to the farm machine and including an extension fluid passage extending from a first surface of the extension to a second surface of the extension, the second surface distal the first surface; and

a fluid distribution member joined to the extension, the fluid distribution member including a body defining a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the liquid supply conduit, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the extension fluid passage, and a fluid passage that fluidly connects the fluid inlet with the fluid outlet, the fluid passage extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and the fluid passage including a first portion and a second portion extending away from the first portion at an angle relative to the first portion.

2. The liquid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the fluid passage extends generally downwardly from the first portion of the fluid passage.

3. The liquid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the extension includes an upper segment attachable to the farm machine and a lower segment including first and second protrusions extending from the first surface of the extension.

4. The liquid distribution system of claim 3, wherein the fluid distribution member is located between the first and the second protrusions.

5. The liquid distribution system of claim 3, wherein the first and second protrusions each define an aperture configured to receive first and second fasteners, respectively.

6. The liquid distribution system of claim 5, further comprising a retainer plate selectively joined to the first protrusion with the first fastener and to the second protrusion with the second fastener.

7. The liquid distribution system of claim 6, wherein the fluid distribution member is located between the first and second protrusions, and the retainer plate in conjunction with the first and second protrusions secures the fluid distribution member to the extension.

8. The liquid distribution system of claim 5, wherein:

the fluid distribution member includes a first flange extending from the body and defining an aperture configured to receive the first fastener therethrough and a second flange extending from the body and defining an aperture configured to receive the second fastener therethrough; and

the fluid distribution member is joined to the extension through receipt of the first fastener in the apertures of the first protrusion and the first flange and receipt of the second fastener in the apertures of the second protrusion and the second flange.

9. The liquid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the farm machine comprises a furrow opener.

10. The liquid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the farm machine comprises a seed tube.

11. The liquid distribution system of claim 10, wherein the extension is joined to the seed tube.

12. The liquid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises an upper surface of the extension and the second surface comprises a lower surface of the extension.

13. The liquid distribution system of claim 12, wherein the fluid distribution member is positioned on the upper surface of the extension.

14. A fluid distribution member for use with an extension, the extension including a portion configured to join the extension to a farming machine that is configured to plant seeds in a furrow, the fluid distribution member comprising:

a body including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, a threaded end and an end surface distal the threaded end, the body further defining a fluid inlet in the threaded end configured for fluid communication with a liquid supply hose, a fluid outlet defined in the bottom surface to fluidly communicate with a hole in the extension, and a fluid passage fluidly connecting the fluid inlet with the fluid outlet, the fluid passage extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and including a first portion and a second portion extending away from the first portion at an angle relative the first portion;

a first flange extending outwardly from the first sidewall and defining a first aperture configured to receive a first fastener; and

a second flange extending outwardly from the second sidewall and defining a second aperture configured to receive a second fastener.

15. The fluid distribution member of claim 14, wherein:

the extension includes first and second protrusions extending from a first surface of the of the extension;

the first protrusion defines an aperture configured to receive the first fastener;

the second protrusion defines an aperture configured to receive the second fastener; and

receipt of the first fastener in the apertures of the first flange and the first protrusion and the second fastener in the apertures of the second flange and the second protrusion secures the fluid distribution member to the extension.

16. The fluid distribution member of claim 15, wherein the first and second fasteners each comprise a screw.

17. The fluid distribution member of claim 15, wherein the first surface defines a centerline along a length of the extension, the first and second protrusions being located on opposing sides of the centerline.

18. The fluid distribution member of claim 17, wherein the first and second flanges are located on opposing sides of the centerline.