Patents by Inventor LEE E. ZUMDOME
LEE E. ZUMDOME 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).
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Publication number: 20230389465Abstract: Example apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with seed double eliminators are disclosed. An example seed double eliminator includes at least one tine that is disposed adjacent to an inner surface of a seed disc. The at least one tine is pivotably movable about an axis of rotation to engage seed doubles located at one or more locations along the inner surface of the seed disc and eliminate excess seeds such that a single seed is retained at the location. The at least one tine is pivotably movable in response to operation of a position selector to cause an angular orientation of the tine to become altered.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2022Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Lee E. Zumdome, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Publication number: 20230122381Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface with a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Lee E. Zumdome, Nathan A. Mariman, Michael E. Friestad
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Publication number: 20230068227Abstract: A commodity debris guard for a commodity delivery apparatus may comprise a debris guard configured to mitigate debris from engaging with an endless member. The debris guard may comprise a first debris guard operably connected to a housing. The first debris guard may comprise a base and upwardly extending side portions. The first debris guard may be configured to mitigate debris from contacting an endless member positioned at least partially within the housing. A second debris guard may be operably connected to the housing and disposed forward and below the first debris guard. The second debris guard may be configured to mitigate debris from contacting the endless member comprising. The second debris guard may comprise a base, upwardly extending side portions, and an extension portion configured to channel commodity as it exits the extension member to an associated furrow of an underlying surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Lee E. Zumdome, Michael E. Frasier, Matt Arnold
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Publication number: 20220287225Abstract: A row unit has a seed meter and a seed delivery system. A target seed population is obtained and a motor that drives at least one of the seed meter and the seed delivery system is intermittently pulsed to plant seeds in groupings based on machine speed and target seed population.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2021Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Lee E. ZUMDOME, Michael E. Frasier, Elijah B. Garner, Cary S. Hubner
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Publication number: 20200344941Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface with a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Lee E. Zumdome, Nathan A. Mariman, Michael E. Friestad
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Publication number: 20190254224Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface with a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Lee E. Zumdome, Nathan A. Mariman, Michael E. Friestad
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Patent number: 10206326Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface with a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Lee E. Zumdome, Nathan A. Mariman, Michael E. Friestad
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Patent number: 9693498Abstract: A seed-double eliminator and planting unit for a seeding machine have an aperture in a seed-carrying surface of a metering member of the seeding machine. A paddle is included on the metering member, the paddle extending away from the seed-carrying surface toward a seed path. At least one seed-double projection is included on the metering member between the aperture and the paddle, the at least one seed-double projection preventing retention on the metering member of at least one seed of a seed double pair.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Lee E. Zumdome, Elijah B. Garner, Michael E. Friestad, Nathan A. Mariman
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Publication number: 20170172056Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface with a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: ELIJAH B. GARNER, LEE E. ZUMDOME, NATHAN A. MARIMAN, MICHAEL E. FRIESTAD
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Patent number: 9661799Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface with a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Lee E. Zumdome, Nathan A. Mariman, Michael E. Friestad
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Patent number: 9426939Abstract: A vibrational seed-double eliminator (“VSDE”) for a seeding machine that moves seed along a seed path from a seed pool to a release position and a related planting unit are described. The VSDE may include a vibration strip extending along the seed path along the seed pool. As the seed is moved by the seeding machine along the seed path, the vibration strip may cause the seed to vibrate, thereby removing from the seed path one or more seeds from a seed double. The vibration strip may include a plurality of protrusions extending into the seed path, including rounded, cylindrical or other protrusions. The vibration strip may include various parallel ridges extending into the seed path, or a various recesses extending into the vibration strip and away from the seed path. An automated vibration device may impart vibrational motion to the vibration strip.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Lee E. Zumdome
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Publication number: 20160157416Abstract: A seed meter is disclosed as having resilient tines for eliminating multiple seeds from being disposed for planting. As the seeds are displaced along a seed path, the resilient tines contacts the additional seeds with a force so as to dislodge additional seeds while not dislodging seeds wherein individual seeds are present. This helps in planting the seeds individually and sequentially.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventor: LEE E. ZUMDOME
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Patent number: 9345188Abstract: A planting unit for a seed machine is described. The planting unit includes a seed meter with a metering member that moves seed along a first path to a release position, at which the seed is moving in a first direction. A delivery system receives seed from the metering member at the release position and moves the seed in a second direction by way of a brush belt with flexible bristles that sweep seed off the metering member. A blocking member has a blocking face adjacent the first path to prevent movement of the seed in the second direction until the seed has passed the blocking face, and to deflect a first portion of the flexible bristles. The blocking member includes a transition surface to allow the deflected bristles to return gradually to an un-deflected configuration as the bristles travel downstream of the blocking face.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Lee E. Zumdome, Nathan A. Mariman
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Patent number: 9332688Abstract: A seed-double eliminator is described for a seeding machine that moves seed along a seed path. The seed-double eliminator may include a mounting fixture mounted in a fixed position relative to the seed path and a slide member mounted to the mounting fixture. Various flexible extensions, such as various brushes, may extend from the slide member toward the seed path. The various flexible extensions may thereby contact at least one seed of a seed-double pair being moved along the seed path by the seeding machine in order to remove the at least one seed from the seed path. The slide member may be configured to mount to the mounting fixture in various locations, thereby altering the distance that the flexible extensions extend toward the seed path. A seed deflector may also be provided, for directing seed toward a seed pool after the seed has been removed from the seed path.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Lee E. Zumdome, Nathan A. Mariman
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Patent number: 9313943Abstract: A seed-double eliminator is described for a seeding machine that moves seed along a seed path. The seed-double eliminator may include a pocket with a pocket opening exposed to the seed path and a pocket cavity extending away from the seed path. A flexible extension may extend from within the pocket cavity toward the seed path. The flexible extension may be disposed to contact at least one seed of a seed-double pair being moved along the seed path by the seeding machine in order to remove the at least one seed from the seed path.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Lee E. Zumdome, Elijah B. Garner
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Patent number: 9313941Abstract: A alignment system is described for a blocking member for the transfer of seed from a seed meter with a seed meter housing to a delivery system with a delivery system housing. The blocking member may have a blocking face adjacent a seed path of the seed meter, the blocking face opening to a seed passage, and the seed passage extending through the blocking member to an interface with the delivery system housing. A first recess may be included on the blocking member, and a second recess may be included on the delivery system housing. When the seed passage of the blocking member is correctly aligned with the delivery system, a protrusion on the delivery system housing may be configured to seat firmly in the first recess and a protrusion on the seed meter housing may be configured to seat firmly in the second recess.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Lee E. Zumdome
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Publication number: 20150216112Abstract: A seed-double eliminator is described for a seeding machine that moves seed along a seed path. The seed-double eliminator may include a mounting fixture mounted in a fixed position relative to the seed path and a slide member mounted to the mounting fixture. Various flexible extensions, such as various brushes, may extend from the slide member toward the seed path. The various flexible extensions may thereby contact at least one seed of a seed-double pair being moved along the seed path by the seeding machine in order to remove the at least one seed from the seed path. The slide member may be configured to mount to the mounting fixture in various locations, thereby altering the distance that the flexible extensions extend toward the seed path. A seed deflector may also be provided, for directing seed toward a seed pool after the seed has been removed from the seed path.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Lee E. Zumdome, Nathan A. Mariman
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Patent number: D739790Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Lee E. Zumdome, Michael E. Frasier
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Patent number: D739791Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Lee E. Zumdome, Michael E. Frasier
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Patent number: D744009Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Lee E. Zumdome