Patents by Inventor Paul E. Schaffert

Paul E. Schaffert 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: 7552689
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention involve an extension adapted to extend from a planter, such as the seed tube portion of the planter, into a seed furrow in order to engage seeds being deposited therein, where such engagement may involve deflecting the seeds toward the vertex region of the furrow and/or firming the seeds in the furrow. The extension includes or supports a fluid distribution arrangement such as a hose or the like, which may be separate or integral with the liquid supply hose of a planter. The fluid distribution arrangement is adapted to supply fluid, such as liquid fertilizer, insecticide, water, etc., to the furrow. A valve is provided in the fluid flow path in the region of the fluid distribution arrangement to control the distribution of fluid to the furrow. The valve may be a check valve that allows fluid flow therethrough when fluid pressure exceeds a value such that the valve opens, and prevents fluid flow when the pressure decreases below the valve activation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Publication number: 20090084295
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Patent number: 7121216
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Publication number: 20040255834
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Patent number: 6763773
    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 defining one or more depressions for locating one or more liquid distribution apparatuses arranged to distribute liquid in a furrow well above the seeds, on the seeds, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Publication number: 20020195033
    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 defining one or more depressions for locating one or more liquid distribution apparatuses arranged to distribute liquid in a furrow well above the seeds, on the seeds, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Patent number: 6453832
    Abstract: A liquid distribution apparatus for use with a planter, drill or other farming implement having a seed tube that deposits seeds in a furrow. The liquid distribution apparatus includes a supply channel in fluid connection with a hose supplying a liquid to the furrow. The liquid distribution apparatus also includes a distribution channel that is oriented to distribute the liquid onto one or both sidewalls of the furrow. The apparatus may be used alone or along with an extension for reducing seed bounce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Publication number: 20020043197
    Abstract: A liquid distribution apparatus for use with a planter, drill or other farming implement having a seed tube that deposits seeds in a furrow. The liquid distribution apparatus includes a supply channel in fluid connection with a hose supplying a liquid to the furrow. The liquid distribution apparatus also includes a distribution channel that is oriented to distribute the liquid onto one or both sidewalls of the furrow. The apparatus may be used alone or along with an extension for reducing seed bounce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Patent number: 6283050
    Abstract: An extension for use with a furrow opener is disclosed for properly placing seeds in a furrow. The extension attaches by way of particular attachment brackets to the furrow opener to help direct bouncing seeds into the vertex in the bottom portion of the furrow. The extension comprises an elongated flexible body member defining a general arcuate shape, and also defines an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment defines an attachment structure for releasable engagement to the furrow opener. The lower segment depends downwardly and rearwardly from the furrow opener and extends into the furrow. The lower segment has a width dimension decreasing continuously along its length, the width dimension substantially equal to but less than the width of the furrow along the length of the extension. The lower segment terminates at a trailing end, which is spaced above the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Patent number: 6082275
    Abstract: An extension for use with a furrow opener is disclosed for properly placing seeds in a furrow. The extension attaches by way of particular attachment brackets to the furrow opener to help direct bouncing seeds into the vertex in the bottom portion of the furrow. The extension comprises an elongated flexible body member defining a general arcuate shape, and also defines an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment defines an attachment structure for releasable engagement to the furrow opener. The lower segment depends downwardly and rearwardly from the furrow opener and extends into the furrow. The lower segment has a width dimension decreasing continuously along its length, the width dimension substantially equal to but less than the width of the furrow along the length of the extension. The lower segment terminates at a trailing end, which is spaced above the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Patent number: 5918557
    Abstract: An extension for use with a furrow opener is disclosed for properly placing seeds in a furrow. The extension attaches to the furrow opener to help direct bouncing seeds into the vertex in the bottom portion of the furrow. The extension comprises an elongated flexible body member defining a general arcuate shape, and also defines an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment defines an attachment structure for releasable engagement to the furrow opener. The lower segment depends downwardly and rearwardly from the furrow opener and extends into the furrow. The lower segment has a width dimension decreasing continuously along its length, the width dimension substantially equal to but less than the width of the furrow along the length of the extension. The extension does not contact the furrow. The lower segment terminates at a trailing end, which is spaced above the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Patent number: 5640915
    Abstract: An extension for use with a furrow opener is disclosed for properly placing seeds in a furrow. The extension attaches to the furrow opener to help direct bouncing seeds into the vertex in the bottom portion of the furrow. The extension comprises an elongated flexible body member defining a general arcuate shape, and also defines an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment defines an attachment structure for releasable engagement to the furrow opener. The lower segment depends downwardly and rearwardly from the furrow opener and extends into the furrow. The lower segment has a width dimension decreasing continuously along its length, the width dimension substantially equal to but less than the width of the furrow along the length of the extension. The extension does not contact the furrow. The lower segment terminates at a trailing end, which is spaced above the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Patent number: 5375542
    Abstract: A seed covering apparatus for covering seeds with soil after an agricultural seed planter places the seeds within an open seed trench and before the planter closes the seed trench. The apparatus includes a disk with a center guide hole and a sealed bearing attached within the guide hole. An adjustable mounting assembly fixes the sealed bearing to the planter so that the disk can rotate about the bearing along one side of the seed trench. The mounting assembly orients the disk at an acute angle to the seed trench so that rotation of the disk along the side of the trench transfers soil from the side into the bottom of the seed trench. The transferred soil completely covers the seeds within the trench prior to closure of the trench by the planter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert
  • Patent number: D596203
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Paul E. Schaffert