Drag Patents (Class 111/197)
  • Patent number: 11653591
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a seed firmer having a resilient portion and a firming portion that are molded together into a unitary part with each portion being a different material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Brian McMahon, Todd Swanson, Michael Strnad
  • Patent number: 8794164
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting seed planting appurtenances in substantial alignment with respect to a seed tube of an agricultural planter. The bracket assembly includes a shaft mount and a shank mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Chad Plattner
  • Patent number: 8201507
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting seed planting appurtenances in substantial alignment with respect to a seed tube of an agricultural planter. The bracket assembly includes a shaft mount and a shank mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Chad Plattner
  • Patent number: 7997218
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a seed drill row unit with an arm and an opener disc assembly rotatably mounted on the row unit arm. A soil strip assembly includes a mounting bracket with a mounting bracket base and first and second bracket arms. Each of the bracket arms has a front end attached to the bracket base and a trailing back end. The base is attached to the row unit arm in front of the opener disc assembly. Each of the mounting bracket arms extends rearwardly from the base along a respective side of the disc assembly. First and second flexible soil strips are attached to the first and second mounting bracket arms respectively and extend downwardly and rearwardly therefrom along either side of the disc assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Landoll Corporation
    Inventor: Allan S. Gengler
  • Patent number: 7975631
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combine agricultural machine (1) comprising a planting device (3), in particular a potato planting device, provided with at least one storage container (10), an extraction device associated thereto, a setting plow (7) and an downstream mounted end damming device (4). A loosening tool (2) for preparing a seedbed is arranged upstream of the planting device (3) in a travelling direction and one or several wheels (18) for disintegrating soil and supporting the machine are mounted upstream of said loosening tool (2) in said travelling direction. The invention also relates to a method for mechanically planting seeds comprising a stage for preparing the seedbed, a sowing stage and a final damming stage which are simultaneously carried out by means of tools mounted on the agricultural machine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Andreas Heiss, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7921787
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting seed planting appurtenances in substantial alignment with respect to a seed tube of an agricultural planter. The bracket assembly includes a shaft mount and a shank mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Chad Plattner
  • Patent number: 7497174
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting seed planting appurtenances in substantial alignment with respect to a seed tube of an agricultural planter. The bracket assembly includes a shaft mount and a shank mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Chad Plattner
  • Patent number: 6990911
    Abstract: A planting assembly including a frame, a furrow opening mechanism, a seed tube for directing a seed into a furrow, a liquid source, a liquid delivery conduit having a delivery end, and a furrow closing mechanism. An adapter is configured for mounting to the seed tube, and a spray arm including a proximal end is configured for mounting to the adapter. The spray arm includes a central portion and a distal end, the central portion extends rearward such that the distal end is disposed above the furrow. The liquid delivery conduit is in fluid communication with the liquid source and the delivery end is adjacent to the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: AG-Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6220191
    Abstract: The present invention is a planter which embeds planted seeds into the ground and then dispenses liquid in the vicinity of the embedded seeds. The planter includes a flexible arm which drags upon the ground and presses the deposited seeds into the ground and liquid dispensing passage disposed on the flexible arm. The liquid dispensing passage may be integrally with the arm or may be separate from the arm. A flexible hose may be disposed within the passage and connected to a liquid supply tank for communicating the liquid from the supply tank to the embedded seeds. The resulting planted seeds are thereby embedded and substantially free of surrounding air pockets, and provided with liquid after being embedded to provide proper germination and growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey Peter
  • Patent number: 6178901
    Abstract: A furrow opener of an air seed planter is equipped with a seed boot and seed positioner for planting one or more rows of seeds in soil. The seed boot has walls providing a passage for directing seeds into a furrow. The seed positioner attached to the seed boot channels seeds in one or more rows of seeds and covers the seeds with a substantially uniform layer of soil. The forward ground speed of the air seed planter and the velocity of the seeds carried by the flowing air reduce seed bounce due to the reverse drop of the seed boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6082274
    Abstract: The present invention is a planter which embeds planted seeds into the ground and then dispenses liquid in the vicinity of the embedded seeds. The planter includes a flexible arm which drags upon the ground and presses the deposited seeds into the ground and liquid dispensing passage disposed on the flexible arm. The liquid dispensing passage may be integrally with the arm or may be separate from the arm. A flexible hose may be disposed within the passage and connected to a liquid supply tank for communicating the liquid from the supply tank to the embedded seeds. A diverter disposed at the outlet of the liquid supply diverts the liquid flow from flowing directly over the embedded seed. The resulting planted seeds are thereby embedded and substantially free of surrounding air pockets, and provided with adjacent liquid after being embedded to provide proper germination and growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Farmer Fabrications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Peter
  • Patent number: 5852982
    Abstract: The present invention is a planter which embeds planted seeds into the ground and then dispenses liquid in the vicinity of the embedded seeds. The planter includes a flexible arm which drags upon the ground and presses the deposited seeds into the ground and liquid dispensing passage disposed on the flexible arm. The liquid dispensing passage may be integrally with the arm or may be separate from the arm. A flexible hose may be disposed within the passage and connected to a liquid supply tank for communicating the liquid from the supply tank to the embedded seeds. The resulting planted seeds are thereby embedded and substantially free of surrounding air pockets, and provided with liquid after being embedded to provide proper germination and growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Farmer Fabrications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Peter
  • Patent number: 5730074
    Abstract: The present invention is a planter which embeds planted seeds into the ground and then dispenses liquid in the vicinity of the embedded seeds. The planter includes a flexible arm which drags upon the ground and presses the deposited seeds into the ground and a rigid tube which is attached to the flexible arm. A flexible hose extends from a liquid supply tank and is telescopingly received within the rigid conduit for communicating the liquid from the supply tank to the embedded seed. The resulting planted seeds are thereby embedded and substantially free of surrounding air pockets, and provided with liquid after being embedded to provide proper germination and growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Farmer Fabrications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Peter
  • Patent number: 5673638
    Abstract: A resilient seed firming attachment for a planting machine designed to effectively place seed at a consistent depth and at consistent spacing. The attachment may be of any geometrical configuration having a length adequate to firm the seed in the opened furrow and is mounted in a position trailing the discharge end of a seed boot. The resilience of the seed firming attachment being of sufficient force to pressure the seed into the soil at the desired planting depth, but flexible enough so as to not disturb the depth obtained by the furrow opening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: J & K Keeton Enterpriseses, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene G. Keeton
  • Patent number: 5595130
    Abstract: A planting unit utilizing a single disk opener supported for rotation about a horizontal axis offset at a small angle from the transverse direction for opening a furrow. A seed tube assembly is located adjacent the rearward facing side of the disk and includes a runner extending forwardly of the lower portion of the seed tube for holding loose soil out of the furrow in advance of seed or other material deposited therein, the runner being located in the shadow of the disk so as not to significantly contact or disturb the side of the furrow. The opener is mounted on an arm which is pivotable about a relatively low point so as to be oriented at a relatively flat angle with respect to the ground and to maintain the general orientation of the opener as it moves through the soil throughout the range of pivotal movement of the arm. The planting unit can include one or more pivotable press wheels which can be mounted for pivotal movement about the same axis as a pivotable gauge wheel adjusting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventors: Roger D. Baugher, Garreth D. Baugher
  • Patent number: 5431232
    Abstract: A cultivator is equipped with detachable harrows or detachable packers. When the cultivator is used for direct seeding, narrow openers cut through the earth, and seed pneumatically transported from an air seeder, is placed immediately behind the openers. Thereafter a series of packers, mounted to the rear of the cultivator, pack the seed. Spring tensioned support arms support the packers or harrows. Through various adjustments, these support arms can generate packing pressures from 0.5 psi to 3.5 psi, depending upon soil conditions. The same implement with the narrow openers and packers removed can be equipped with sweeps and mounted harrows to act as a general soil preparation device. When the harrows are mounted for field operation the adjustable spring tensioned support arms are adjusted to relax downward pressure. The unit as a whole, therefore, serves as a seeding or general tillage device, saving the operator extensive capital costs in farm machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: F. P. Bourgault Industries Cultivator Division Ltd.
    Inventor: Jason R. Kirsch
  • Patent number: 5425318
    Abstract: A resilient seed firming attachment for a planting machine designed to effectively place seed at a consistent depth and at consistent spacing. The attachment may be of any geometrical configuration having a length adequate to firm the seed in the opened furrow and is mounted in a position trailing the discharge end of a seed boot. The resilience of the seed firming attachment being variable and having a control mechanism to ensure that sufficient force is applied to the seed to firm it into the soil at the desired planting depth. By controlling the amount of flex, the proper seed planting depth and firming will be accomplished in a variety of soil and moisture conditions. The seed firming device is also variable so that the amount of down pressure will not modify the depth desired and obtained by the furrow opening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: J & K Keeton Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene G. Keeton
  • Patent number: 5417171
    Abstract: A seed and fertilizer boot is mounted on a conventional cultivator shank. The boot has side-by-side fertilizer and seed tubes. One tube leads to a downwardly and rearwardly sloping delivery spout while the other delivery tube projects below the delivery spout. A flat knife is mounted on the front of the straight delivery tube to form a narrow furrow immediately in front of the associated delivery tube for receiving seed or fertilizer from the tube. The knife is adjustable along the tube so that its depth can be adjusted to compensate for wear. A second knife extends along the front face of the delivery spout to form a second furrow immediately beside the first furrow. This closes the first furrow and packs the soil onto the planted seed or fertilizer. The second knife also provides a shallower furrow for planting fertilizer or seed as the case may be. Like the first knife, the second knife is adjustable. Where desired, a skid-type packer can be mounted on the shank to close the furrows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventors: Gerard H. Poirier, Bernard P. Poirier, Louis L. Poirier, Aurel A. Poirier, Emile P. Poirier, Gerard P. Poirier
  • Patent number: 5372205
    Abstract: A hand held garden implement (FIG. 1) for refilling a furrow, requiring only one hand for operation, and allowing the operator to stand and walk fully erect. A handle (11) is attached into a receptacle (12) on a cover plate (13) which is connected to an inclined and converging scraper (14) which is connected to a bottom plate (15). Dirt is lifted up and into the tool as well as being pushed by it. Dirt then traverses the scraper towards the centerline of the tool, and is deposited into the furrow. The bottom plate then smoothes out and levels the deposited dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas A. Velez
  • Patent number: 5323720
    Abstract: Surface mined lands are reseeded by dispensing grass, forb and shrub seed from a seed drill with seed-dispensing boxes connected to plural dispensing tubes which drop seed on the earth's surface and wherein at least one seed box is operable to dispense cool season grass seed through conventional opener assemblies into furrows formed thereby. An English tine harrow drag is pulled behind the seed drill to cover and distribute seed to provide improved species diversity and desired shrub density on the seeded area. Fine seed shrubs are broadcast by the drill during traversal of the seeded area in a direction generally perpendicular to the first seeding operation. Companion crops of annual grain are seeded with native grass, forb and shrub seed and mowed prior to seedhead maturity to prevent reseeding and to provide cover and protection for native seedlings. Improved species diversity, shrub density and overall revegetation success is provided for semi-arid lands, in particular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5092255
    Abstract: A flexible seed boot extension fabricated from an ultra-high molecular polyethylene sheet and releasably held in position by a slot and retaining lug so that seed bounce and soil coverage variations are reduced while desired seed flow from the boot to the furrow is unrestricted. The length of the extension is sufficient to prevent seed from bouncing out of the furrow and yet short enough that normal press wheel operation remains unimpeded. The extension, which is constantly in contact with the soil, and is flexible and smooth to easily ride over objects and resist breakage soil build-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John D. Long, Richard W. Hook
  • Patent number: 4995325
    Abstract: A wheel (4) for setting sown seeds, for use in a sowing machine, is rigidly connected in rotation with at least one gauging wheel (5) having a rolling radius smaller than the radius of the periphery of the setting wheel (4). The gauging wheel (5) is a wheel with a deformable peripheral coating, such as a low pressure pneumatic tire (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Societe Sogefina, Societe de Gestion Financiere Armoricaine
    Inventors: Auguste Herriau, Paul Herriau
  • Patent number: 4989676
    Abstract: An improved sweeper system for use with a grass mowing machine for use in the care of golf course greens in which the lawn mowing machine has at least one mower assembly, the sweeper system including a sweeper structural support affixed to and extending from the mower assembly, an elongated broom having a horizontal head portion and bristles downwardly extending therefrom, an elongated structural head member affixed to the broom head portion, a cylindrical vertical shaft extending upwardly from the structural head member, a bearing trunnion affixed to the structural support member adjacent the outer end the shaft being rotatably received in the bearing trunnion and a plurality of spacers received on the shaft above the trunnions so that the elevation of the brush is adjustable and elastomeric members extending from the sweeper system to the structural head member on either side of the structural support, the broom following behind the mower assembly to sweep the golf green as it is mowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Billy G. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4930431
    Abstract: An implement for agricultural field work is primarily useful for preparing a field for no-till planting and comprises a wheel carried frame for carrying a massive fertilizer hopper which has apertures in its bottom portion through which fertilizer flows at a metered rate into feed tubes which carry the fertilizer to furrows formed by double-disc ground openers mounted on the frame. The openers aerate the soil and chop crop residues remaining on the ground surface from the previous crop. Hoes attached to the openers draw a portion of the soil displaced from the furrows back into the furrows after the fertilizer is deposited therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Malcolm H. Alexander