Patents by Inventor Rick Stokes

Rick Stokes 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: 7775293
    Abstract: A furrow closer apparatus has a bracket extending down from an upper forward portion of an implement shank. Right and left spring arms with soil moving elements at lower ends thereof are attached at top ends thereof to right and left coil springs connected by a cross member. A spring tube extends through the coil springs and through the bracket aperture to attach the spring arms such that a spring arm extends rearward and downward on each side of a shank location. Clips are attached to the spring tube on each side of the bracket aperture and define clip apertures. The cross member extends through the clip apertures, and the clip apertures are larger than the cross member such that the cross member is movable in the clip apertures. Rotatable discs with a twine wrap inhibiting ring can provide the soil moving elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Rick Stokes
  • Publication number: 20090200052
    Abstract: A furrow closer apparatus has a bracket extending down from an upper forward portion of an implement shank. Right and left spring arms with soil moving elements at lower ends thereof are attached at top ends thereof to right and left coil springs connected by a cross member. A spring tube extends through the coil springs and through the bracket aperture to attach the spring arms such that a spring arm extends rearward and downward on each side of a shank location. Clips are attached to the spring tube on each side of the bracket aperture and define clip apertures. The cross member extends through the clip apertures, and the clip apertures are larger than the cross member such that the cross member is movable in the clip apertures. Rotatable discs with a twine wrap inhibiting ring can provide the soil moving elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Rick Stokes
  • Patent number: 7520338
    Abstract: A furrow closer apparatus for attachment to a shank of a ground working implement, the shank extending rearward and downward from an implement frame member, comprises a bracket adapted for attachment to the shank. The bracket extends down from an upper forward portion of the shank. Spring arms extend from the bracket rearward and downward on each side of and below the shank, and are biased to a neutral position. Soil moving elements are attached to the spring arms near the lower end of the shank. Leading faces of the soil moving elements are oriented at opposed angles to the travel direction such that forward portions thereof are farther apart than rearward portions and such that soil contacted by each face is moved toward the shank rearward of the shank. Rotatable discs with a twine cutter can provide the soil moving elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Rick Stokes
  • Publication number: 20050194159
    Abstract: A furrow closer apparatus for attachment to a shank of a ground working implement, the shank extending rearward and downward from an implement frame member, comprises a bracket adapted for attachment to the shank. The bracket extends down from an upper forward portion of the shank. Spring arms extend from the bracket rearward and downward on each side of and below the shank, and are biased to a neutral position. Soil moving elements are attached to the spring arms near the lower end of the shank. Leading faces of the soil moving elements are oriented at opposed angles to the travel direction such that forward portions thereof are farther apart than rearward portions and such that soil contacted by each face is moved toward the shank rearward of the shank. Rotatable discs with a twine cutter can provide the soil moving elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventor: Rick Stokes