Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Dill

Kenneth R. Dill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6748885
    Abstract: An agricultural seed planter and seed meter therefore, wherein the seed meter includes a rotary vacuum drum disposed within a stationary housing to entrain individual seeds on an annular circumferential periphery of the drum. As the entrained seeds rotate with the drum the seeds are singulated before being released from said vacuum drum. The seed metering and dispensing device is adapted to be mounted below the seed hopper to discharge the seeds into a seed tube as is conventional, or alternatively the seed metering and dispensing device is preferably adapted for mounting just above the soil surface and between the furrow opening assembly and furrow closing wheel assembly of a conventional agricultural planter such that the seeds are deposited directly into the seed furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Kenneth R. Dill, Don L. Dunlap, Kenneth P. Sauder, Derek A. Sauder, Jeremy E. Zobrist
  • Patent number: 6729249
    Abstract: An improved seed belt housing to reduce seed skip and method for same. The seed belt housing having a modified back panel with an area of impact absorbing material disposed at least in the area where the seed normally hits the back panel of the seed belt housing after being discharged by the seed meter. The impact absorbing material having the properties to dampen, absorb, or reduce the amount of bounce or ricochet otherwise experienced by the seed after hitting the back panel of the seed belt housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Kenneth R. Dill, Don L. Dunlap, Derek A. Sauder
  • Patent number: 6681706
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlled delivery of seeds between the seed meter of an agricultural planter to an open seed furrow. Seeds are received individually and in a sequence from a seed meter into a housing. The seeds are conveyed in sequence through the housing by a conveyor at a controlled speed to a location proximate the open furrow, then gently released into the open furrow as the agricultural planter moves forward. The controlled delivery of the seed to the furrow ensures more accurate seed placement within the furrow at the desired seed spacing, thereby improving crop yield potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Kenneth R. Dill, Don L. Dunlap
  • Publication number: 20030167986
    Abstract: An improved seed belt housing to reduce seed skip and method for same. The seed belt housing having a modified back panel with an area of impact absorbing material disposed at least in the area where the seed normally hits the back panel of the seed belt housing after being discharged by the seed meter. The impact absorbing material having the properties to dampen, absorb, or reduce the amount of bounce or ricochet otherwise experienced by the seed after hitting the back panel of the seed belt housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Kenneth R. Dill, Don L. Dunlap, Derek A. Sauder
  • Publication number: 20030159631
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlled delivery of seeds between the seed meter of an agricultural planter to an open seed furrow. Seeds are received individually and in a sequence from a seed meter into a housing. The seeds are conveyed in sequence through the housing by a conveyor at a controlled speed to a location proximate the open furrow, then gently released into the open furrow as the agricultural planter moves forward. The controlled delivery of the seed to the furrow ensures more accurate seed placement within the furrow at the desired seed spacing, thereby improving crop yield potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder , Kenneth R. Dill , Don L. Dunlap
  • Publication number: 20030116068
    Abstract: An agricultural seed planter and seed meter therefore, wherein the seed meter includes a rotary vacuum drum disposed within a stationary housing to entrain individual seeds on an annular circumferential periphery of the drum. As the entrained seeds rotate with the drum the seeds are singulated before being released from said vacuum drum. The seed metering and dispensing device is adapted to be mounted below the seed hopper to discharge the seeds into a seed tube as is conventional, or alternatively the seed metering and dispensing device is preferably adapted for mounting just above the soil surface and between the furrow opening assembly and furrow closing wheel assembly of a conventional agricultural planter such that the seeds are deposited directly into the seed furrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder , Kenneth R. Dill , Don L. Dunlap , Kenneth P. Sauder , Derek A. Sauder , Jeremy E. Zobrist
  • Patent number: 6516733
    Abstract: An agricultural seed planter and seed meter therefore, wherein the seed meter includes a rotary vacuum drum disposed within a stationary housing to entrain individual seeds on an annular circumferential periphery of the drum. As the entrained seeds rotate with the drum the seeds are singulated before being released from said vacuum drum. The seed metering and dispensing device is adapted to be mounted below the seed hopper to discharge the seeds into a seed tube as is conventional, or alternatively the seed metering and dispensing device is preferably adapted for mounting just above the soil surface and between the furrow opening assembly and furrow closing wheel assembly of a conventional agricultural planter such that the seeds are deposited directly into the seed furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Kenneth R. Dill, Don L. Dunlap, Kenneth P. Sauder, Derek A. Sauder, Jeremy E. Zobrist