Vertical Patents (Class 111/184)
  • Patent number: 11785881
    Abstract: Adjustable seed meters having a first seed disk having first openings defined therein and a second seed disk having second openings defined therein adjacent to the first openings such that the first and second openings are alignable to form adjustable seed cells. Various embodiments have a plate adjustment drive system to rotate the first and second seed disks in relation to each other. Other embodiments relate to methods of automatically adjusting a seed meter during operation of the overall planting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology
    Inventors: Brett Buehler, Alex Hartogh, Scott Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 11627695
    Abstract: Sowing element for precision agricultural seeders comprising a device for selecting the seed, of the type which is formed of a perforated disc having opposing faces that are subject to a pressure differential and a pressurisation device associated with the disc for applying the pressure differential to the faces of the disc, the pressurisation device including a pressurisation bell combined with the disc so as to pneumatically couple thereto in order to guarantee said pressure differential, wherein the bell is rotatably idle with respect to the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Machio Gaspardo S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Donadon, Luigi Giovanni Bot, Bruno Miolo
  • Patent number: 11337362
    Abstract: Systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural include a system for seed orientation having a vision system positioned in proximity to a seed disk. The vision system determines seed orientation data for seed on the seed disk. A seed belt receives seed from the seed disk and the seed belt adjusts an orientation of the seed from the seed disk to a desired seed orientation with a furrow during planting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Dale Koch, Jeremy Hodel, Todd Swanson, Ian Radtke
  • Patent number: 10582655
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for spraying a fluid onto or near seeds may include a planter having a seed meter configured to dispense seeds from a hopper, a seed tube extending from the seed meter toward a furrow, and a rotationally-driven belt positioned within the seed tube. The belt may be configured for conveying the seeds from the seed meter through the seed tube to the furrow. The planter also includes a sprayer assembly having a nozzle configured to spray a fluid on or near the seeds dispensed from the seed meter. The system may further include a controller configured to determine a current speed of the belt relative to the seed tube and control the sprayer assembly based on the current speed of the belt such that the nozzle sprays the fluid at least one of onto or near each of the seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Trevor L. Kowalchuk
  • Patent number: 10021825
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotating conveyor disk of a metering or sowing unit having a plurality of recesses for transporting grains. The conveyor disk rotates within a housing of a metering unit for granular material, such as seeds, fertilizer, or the like. The conveyor disk has at least one recess at the outer periphery for the reception of at least one grain to be separated via at least one revolution of the conveyor disk. In the interaction with a groove-shaped profile of the inner cover surface, the at least one recess forms a conveyor pocket for conveying one grain or a plurality of grains in the direction toward an outlet opening extending approximately tangentially to the inner cover surface. The at least one recess is located at the outer periphery of the conveyor disk in an insert element that is detachably secured in the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Horsch Maschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Haselhoff
  • Patent number: 9924628
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism is provided for a multi-row seed planter to provide infinite adjustability of the seed discs to allow precision planting with staggered seed rows. The adjustment mechanism comprises an idler roller on the end of a pivotal arm about which the drive chain is trained. The position of the roller can be adjusted to modify the chain path, and thereby rotate the seed metering sprocket and associated seed disc to a desired angular position before planting begins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Gary Gene Brockmeier
  • Patent number: 9807923
    Abstract: Seed meters, agricultural planters, and methods of planting seed may include a housing defining a chamber, a seed disc rotatably coupled to the housing and at least partially positioned within the chamber with the seed disc adapted to engage a seed, and a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the seed after the seed disengages the seed disc and before the seed exits the seed meter. The sensor may be coupled to a seed chute of the seed meter and may detect a wide variety of seed characteristics such as seed position within the seed chute, seed size, and seed shape. The seed characteristic may be used to adjust operation of the seed meters, agricultural planters, and methods. In some instances, the adjustment may be manual. In other instances, the adjustment may be automatic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman
  • Patent number: 9675002
    Abstract: A seed meter system with singulators that are automatically controlled while planting to reduce instances of skips and doubles, without requiring stopping for manual adjustment of singulators. This allows the seed meter system to automatically adjust the singulators to compensate for variations in rotational speed of seed disks of the seed meters, variations in vacuum pressure within the seed meters, and variations in the size(s) of seeds being planted to reduce instances of skips and doubles while planting. Adjustments to the singulator may be made reactively by identifying seed delivery discontinuities such as skips and doubles and then making correction adjustments to attenuate singulator-induced stimulus that may influence seed delivery discontinuities. Adjustments to the singulator may be made proactively by identifying changes in seed meter performance characteristics or environment that lead to delivery discontinuities such as skips and doubles and, thus, influence seed delivery rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Joshua J. Roszman
  • Patent number: 9282692
    Abstract: A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system provides for allowing the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Kale J. Brockmann
  • Publication number: 20150090166
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units. In some embodiments, seeds are planted by rotating a seed disc in a first direction; seeds are then unloaded from a seed disc into a seed pool by rotating the seed disc in a second direction. In some such embodiments an amount of rotation in the second rotation is selected to ensure that seeds are released into the seed pool and not released from the from the seed meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan Allgaier, Jason Stoller
  • Publication number: 20140352587
    Abstract: Seed meters, agricultural planters, and methods of planting seed are provided. Such meters, planters, and methods may include a housing defining a chamber, a seed disc rotatably coupled to the housing and at least partially positioned within the chamber with the seed disc adapted to engage a seed, and a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the seed after the seed disengages the seed disc and before the seed exits the seed meter. The sensor may be coupled to a seed chute of the seed meter and may detect a wide variety of seed characteristics such as seed position within the seed chute, seed size, and seed shape. The seed characteristic may be used to adjust operation of the seed meters, agricultural planters, and methods. In some instances, the adjustment may be manual. In other instances, the adjustment may be automatic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman
  • Publication number: 20140261118
    Abstract: A seed meter control system is provided that allows for controlling seed meters of a row crop planter in a manner that reduces frequency of skip occurrences in which no seeds are delivered during a delivery event and double occurrences in which more than one seed is delivered during a delivery event. A target seeding session performance may be compared with an observed seeding session performance value and a delivery anomaly value to determine whether to make a corrective action by controlling at least one of the seed meters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dean J. Mayerle
  • Patent number: 8733258
    Abstract: A metering device having an obstruction within its metering chamber to prevent inputs such as seeds from passing from a seed sump to other areas within the metering chamber and causing to the metering device to become overfilled with seeds when the metering device is raised out of the planting position. In one embodiment, the obstruction includes one or more hingedly connected flaps that move due to the changing orientation of the metering device. In one or more positions of the metering device, the obstruction is positioned to prevent the seeds from leaving the seed sump. The seeds are prevented from leaving the seed sump without having to manually shut a gate on each metering devices of a planter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Ranjit G. Patwardhan, William E. Higgs, William H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8720352
    Abstract: This improved apparatus for planting grain crops provides improved emergence, particularly under heavy soil conditions, promotes more vigorous growth, reduces tillering and improves the yield in wheat and barley crops. The improved apparatus receives seed at a more-or-less uniform rate, captures the flow of seed until a multiplicity of seed generally in the range of 20 to 30 seeds is gathered, then releases seed in concentrated groups spaced apart from one another and with blank or non-seeded portions therebetween into a furrow prepared by an angled disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: HPFM Drill Co., LLC
    Inventors: James David Logan, Richard Wayne Lloyd, Wayne Lucas McProud
  • Publication number: 20140109811
    Abstract: A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system provides for allowing the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Kale J. Brockmann
  • Publication number: 20140109812
    Abstract: A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system provides for allowing the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Kale J. Brockmann
  • Publication number: 20140026793
    Abstract: A seed planting apparatus comprises a meter configured to meter agricultural seeds, a meter drive connected to the meter, a drive gear connected to the meter via the meter drive and configured to rotate the meter based on rotational motion imparted to the drive gear, and a hopper, which comprises a hopper body, a seed port connectable to a seed supply, and a meter port connectable to the meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Chad Alan Baker
  • Publication number: 20130192504
    Abstract: A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: PRECISION PLANTING LLC
    Inventor: Precision Planting LLC
  • Publication number: 20120325132
    Abstract: A direct drive electric seed metering system is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that intakes a volume of multiple seeds from a seed hopper, draws individual seeds from the volume of multiple seeds and discharges them into a seed furrow formed in an agricultural field. The direct drive electric seed metering system includes a meter assembly having a meter housing and a seek disk rotatably mounted concentrically in the housing for singulating the seeds. A direct drive mechanism is mounted to the meter assembly for interfacing and driving the seek disk at an angular velocity which corresponds to the travel velocity of the seed planter. A single seed planter can have multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems, and each of the multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems preferably has its own prime mover to effectuate driving the seek disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Keith Wendte, Brian Adams
  • Publication number: 20120260837
    Abstract: A metering device having an obstruction within its metering chamber to prevent inputs such as seeds from passing from a seed sump to other areas within the metering chamber and causing to the metering device to become overfilled with seeds when the metering device is raised out of the planting position. In one embodiment, the obstruction includes one or more hingedly connected flaps that move due to the changing orientation of the metering device. In one or more positions of the metering device, the obstruction is positioned to prevent the seeds from leaving the seed sump. The seeds are prevented from leaving the seed sump without having to manually shut a gate on each metering devices of a planter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ranjit G. Patwardhan, William E. Higgs, William H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8151718
    Abstract: A seed meter for a planting machine is provided with an adjustable drive coupling between the seed meter and the planting machine main drive. The drive coupling includes a drive member connected to the planter drive and a driven member coupled to the seed meter shaft. The drive member and driven member are drivingly engagable with one another and held into the engaged position by a biasing member. The drive member and driven member are selectively movable relative to one another to a disengaged position, enabling adjustment of the seed meter relative to the drive by rotation of the meter shaft. Once released, the coupling self-engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan A. Mariman, Michael E. Friestad, Elijan Garner
  • Publication number: 20120031315
    Abstract: A seed feeding apparatus includes a feed assembly with a V-shaped groove with at least one moving wall and a pocket formed by the walls of the groove and a pocket plate configured to substantially conform to the groove. The pocket plate is located such that the moving wall moves upward at the pocket. Seeds are received and form a pile in the pocket. As the moving wall moves, seeds fall from the pile to the bottom of the groove with sides of the seeds bearing against the walls of the groove such that the seeds are aligned in single file along the bottom of the groove and move upward over the upper edge of the groove and then fall out of the groove one at a time at a constant rate into a furrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Norbert Beaujot
  • Publication number: 20110253019
    Abstract: A single-grain sowing machine having a sowing disc (3) forming a front wall of a seed hopper (2) is described, which comprises a fixed disc body (4) suctioned on the side facing away from the seed hopper (2) having at least one guide slot (5), and a conveyor disc (6), pressing against the disc body (4) on the side of the seed hopper (2) and drivable around a horizontal axis, having driver slots (7) distributed around the circumference and extending over the radial extension area of the guide slot (5), which form intake openings (8) for the seed grains dispensable from the seed hopper (2) along the guide slot (5) in the overlap area with the guide slot (5). In order to be able to perform simple residual emptying of the seed hopper (2), it is proposed that the seed hopper (2) have a floor in the form of an emptying flap (17), which is pivotable coaxially to the sowing disc (3) between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Wintersteiger AG
    Inventor: Franz Spiesberger
  • Publication number: 20110232554
    Abstract: A seed delivery system for use in a seeding or planting machine that removes the seed from a seed meter by capturing the seed therefrom. The delivery system then moves the seed down to a lower discharge point and accelerates the seed horizontally rearward to a speed approximately equal to the forward travel speed of the seeding machine such that the seed, when discharged has a low or zero horizontal velocity relative to the ground. Rolling of the seed in the trench is thus reduced. Furthermore, as the seed only has a short drop from the outlet to the bottom of the seed trench, the seed has little vertical speed to induce bounce. The delivery system uses a brush belt to capture, move and accelerate the seed. By capturing the seed and moving it from the meter to the discharge, the seed is held in place relative to other seeds and the planter row unit. As a result, the seeds are isolated from row unit dynamics thereby maintaining seed spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Elijah Garner, Michael E. Friestad, Nathan A. Mariman, David J. Rylander, Daniel B. Thiemke
  • Publication number: 20100282142
    Abstract: An indexable coupler for indexing metering disks together for dispensing two or more crop inputs to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: William W. Preheim, Nyle C. Wollenhaupt, Edward L. Swenson
  • Publication number: 20100282144
    Abstract: A metering disk for dispensing two or more crop inputs to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Monte J. Rans, William W. Preheim, Nyle C. Wollenhaupt
  • Publication number: 20100282143
    Abstract: A transfer chamber assembly for an apparatus and method to precisely meter and dispense two or more crop inputs with a common metering disc. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: William W. Preheim, Nyle C. Wollenhaupt, Monte J. Rans
  • Patent number: 7594476
    Abstract: A metering head (20) for a sowing machine (22) is provided. The metering head includes a housing (40) and a metering disc (62) rotatably disposed within the housing. The metering disc includes a seed receptacle (78) substantially defining a perimeter of the metering disc and adapted to engage a seed (44) at any random position along the seed receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Ronnie D. Smith, Douglas R. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20090090283
    Abstract: An agricultural seeding machine includes at least one tool bar, and a plurality of row crop units, with each row crop unit coupled with a respective tool bar. Each row crop unit includes a seed meter; a ground engaging wheel; a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driven by the wheel; and a rotatable drive element coupled between the CVT and the seed meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Paul R. Riewerts
  • Publication number: 20090025620
    Abstract: A seed meter for use in an agricultural seeding machine includes a housing having an inner chamber and one or more deflectors within the inner chamber, and a seed disc rotatably carried by the housing. The seed disc includes at least a portion thereof formed from a flexible material which is deflectable by the one or more deflectors during rotation within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Miles R. Keaton, Michael E. Friestad, Nathan A. Mariman, David J. Rylander
  • Publication number: 20090025619
    Abstract: An agricultural seeding machine including at least one tool bar and a plurality of row units attached to the tool bar. Each row unit including a frame, a plurality of ground engaging wheels including a first ground engaging wheel, at least one suspension structure and a torsional biasing device. The at least one suspension structure including a first suspension structure having a first end and a second end. The first end rotatably coupled to the first ground engaging wheel. The torsional biasing device coupled to the second end of the first suspension structure. The biasing device being carried by the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Todd E. Vandersnick
  • Publication number: 20090000533
    Abstract: A direct drive electric seed metering system is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that intakes a volume of multiple seeds from a seed hopper, draws individual seeds from the volume of multiple seeds and discharges them into a seed furrow formed in an agricultural field. The direct drive electric seed metering system includes a meter assembly having a meter housing and a seed plate rotatably mounted concentrically in the housing for singulating the seeds. A direct drive mechanism is mounted to the meter assembly for interfacing and driving the seed plate at an angular velocity which corresponds to the travel velocity of the seed planter. A single seed planter can have multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems, and each of the multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems preferably has its own prime mover to effectuate driving the seed plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Keith W. Wendte
  • Patent number: 7377221
    Abstract: A twin row planter comprises a drive and a pair of planter units powered by the drive. The planter units include seed metering wheels that are synchronized to discharge seeds in a predetermined staggered pattern along a harvesting row. One of the planter units is adjustable relative to the drive so as to achieve the desired pattern. In particular, the adjustable planter unit includes a connector that is configurable into a plurality of discrete indexing positions. The connector positions determine the relative angular offset between the metering wheels and, thereby, control the spacing of seed within the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Monosem, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary G. Brockmeier
  • Publication number: 20080110382
    Abstract: A twin row planter comprises a drive and a pair of planter units powered by the drive. The planter units include seed metering wheels that are synchronized to discharge seeds in a predetermined staggered pattern along a harvesting row. One of the planter units is adjustable relative to the drive so as to achieve the desired pattern. In particular, the adjustable planter unit includes a connector that is configurable into a plurality of discrete indexing positions. The connector positions determine the relative angular offset between the metering wheels and, thereby, control the spacing of seed within the pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: MONOSEM, INC.
    Inventor: Gary G. Brockmeier
  • Patent number: 7014064
    Abstract: A piece feeder comprising a rotating cylindrical bowl (3) with an aligning track (2) on its upper edge which is driven by a motor in a cylindrical outer housing (1) and having a piece lifter (4) which is attached to the outer housing with constant clearance from the bowl periphery (32). The piece lifter has a slope on its upper edge that starts at or below the bowl bottom (33) and ends at the aligning track. Pieces are pushed up onto the piece lifter continuously by trigger pins (5) that are placed at the foot of the bowl periphery and at the skirt of the bottom bowl of the rotating bowl. Pieces are then pushed up to the aligning track by the following piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Tetsuya Asada
  • Patent number: 6651570
    Abstract: A seeding machine includes at least one seed metering system and at least one seed placement system. Each seed placement system includes a seed slide and a wheel. The wheel includes a structural hub, a resilient middle layer positioned radially around the hub, and a gripping outside layer positioned radially around the middle layer. The gripping outside layer has a circumferential periphery which is positioned adjacent to at least part of the seed slide. The circumferential periphery has a plurality of contiguous disc joint surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Daniel B. Thiemke
  • Patent number: 6352042
    Abstract: A seed meter is provided with a stationary housing having an inlet for receiving seed and an outlet for dispensing metered seed. A rotatable circular member is located adjacent the stationary housing and forms a seed puddle there between. The circular member is provided with seed receiving cells for transporting individual seeds from the seed puddle to the outlet. An internal seed knockout assembly having a rotatable wheel drives trapped seed from seed receiving cells into the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert Wallace Martin, Netza Portillo, James Irwin Lodico
  • Patent number: 6332413
    Abstract: A seed tube for an agricultural implement having a seed metering mechanism for uniformly dispensing seeds. The seed tube defined an enclosed curved seed pathway extending between opposite ends of the tube. To promote control over the seeds passing through the tube, the tube has a smooth but decreasing cross-sectional configuration between the ingress and egress ends of the tube. The tube generally includes a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of side walls. The front wall is generally separated into an upper and lower portion. An opening in the front wall, which is provided to receive a monitoring device, is associated with the lower front wall portion. In addition, the lower front wall portion is stepped forward relative to the upper front wall portion. The enclosed seed pathway further includes a narrowed front edge extending in an upward direction from the egress end of the tube along some section of the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Stufflebeanm, Lisle J. Dunham, Thomas A. Olson, Chad M. Johnson, David N. Slowinski
  • Patent number: 6308645
    Abstract: A seeding machine has a common, bulk seed container that supplies a number of independent openers, each of which is provided with its own separate metering device. Each metering device is gravity-fed through a telescoping supply tube connected between the top of the metering device and the bottom of the seed container. Each metering device has a relative narrow metering wheel rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis that is provided with one or more rows of seed pockets on its outermost peripheral edge. As the wheel rotates upwardly through a pool of incoming seeds that have collected generally above the wheel in a seed chamber inside the metering device, the pockets become filled by gravity with seeds and then successively discharged at the bottom of the downsweep side of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin J. Newkirk, Gregory W. Arnett, J. Michael McClure
  • Patent number: 6273010
    Abstract: A singulating brush for a finger pickup seed meter comprising a flat carrier on which two sets of bristles are mounted. The flat carrier defines two mounting positions for the singulating brush. In its first mounting position the first set of bristles of the singulating brush contact the seed engaging spoons of the radially extending fingers for dislodging extraneous seed. In is second mounting position the second set of bristles of the singulating brush contact the seed engaging spoons of the radially extending fingers for dislodging extraneous seed. The first set of bristles is stiffer than the second set of bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Gary Deloy Luxon
  • Patent number: 6003454
    Abstract: A first torque coupler adapted for use with a second torque coupler having first and second lugs spaced apart by a first distance includes a support, a first member rotatably coupled to the support and including a third lug, and a second member rotatably coupled to the support and including a fourth lug. The first and second members engage one another to prevent unrestricted rotation of the first and second members in the same direction. The first and second members are rotatable in opposite directions when in engagement with at least one of the first and second lugs to move at least one of the third and fourth lugs, a first torque transmitting position in which the third and fourth lugs are spaced from one another by a second distance substantially equal to the first distance to a second position in which the third and fourth lugs are spaced from one another by a third distance unequal to the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Guntis Ozers, Joseph A. Michalic
  • Patent number: 5784985
    Abstract: A mechanical seed meter having a stationary housing and a rotatable bowl. The stationary housing is provided with a first axial wall, an outer radial wall and a flexible inner radial wall. The bowl is provided with seed receiving cells that form a second axial wall for trapping singled seeds in the seed trapping area. A flexible and resilient flap maintains the seed in the seed receiving cells. An axially extending brush removes excess seeds from the seed receiving cells as they pass through the seed puddle before entering the seed trapping area. The seed slides along the radial outer wall by centrifugal force until it enters the outlet area from which the outer radial wall becomes part of the outlet and the metered seed is deposited through the outlet to a seed tube. Jammed seed, that is seed trapped in the seed receiving cells, are provided with a downward force by a bump located in the outlet and an upward force by a rotatable wheel located downstream from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: James Irwin Lodico, Terry Lee Snipes, Donald Raymond Wisor
  • Patent number: 5720233
    Abstract: A mechanical seed meter having a stationary housing and a rotatable bowl. The stationary housing is provided with an axial inner wall, a radial outer wall and a flexible radial inner wall. The bowl is provided with seed receiving cells that form an axial outer wall for trapping singled seeds in the seed trapping area. A flexible and resilient insert together with an axially extending brush removes excess seeds from the seed receiving cells as they pass through the seed puddle before entering the seed trapping area. The seed slides along the radial outer wall by centrifugal force until it enters the outlet area from which the radial outer wall becomes part of the outlet and the metered seed is deposited through the outlet to a seed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: James Irwin Lodico, Terry Lee Snipes, Donald Raymond Wisor
  • Patent number: 5058766
    Abstract: A seed meter for a row crop planter unit having a seed disc rotating in a vertical plane includes improvements for seating individual seeds in seed cells on the periphery of the seed disc as the seed disc rotates through the seed reservoir. The improvements also include a barrier brush for preventing seeds from entering the delivery tube directly from the reservoir, and a brush holder which limits the effective width of a peripheral retainer brush so that the retainer brush cannot retain two seeds simultaneously in the same seed cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry C. Deckler
  • Patent number: 5035190
    Abstract: An implement for seeding "fluffy" grass seed comprising a seed box defining a plurality of seed compartments having a seed dispensing slot in a lower portion thereof. Seed delivery tubes are connected to the seed box so that each of the seed delivery tubes encompasses one of the seed dispensing slots. A picker wheel assembly is rotatably supported on the seed box such that a picker wheel is disposed in each of the seed dispensing slots and a directional flow agitator assembly is rotatably mounted in each of the seed compartments for agitating and directing seed toward the seed dispensing slots and into contact with the picker wheels. A packer assembly, designed to substantially "float" over the surface of the ground, is rotatably connected to the frame assembly so as to support the frame assembly while at the same time firming soil over and around seed dispensed from the seed compartments through the seed delivery tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventor: Charles I. Grimes
  • Patent number: 5027725
    Abstract: A seed dispenser is provided for an agricultural planter and is designed to dispense seeds of substantially uniform size and shape, to which end the dispenser has a drum-like casing provided with horizontally spaced apart upright walls spanned and joined by a cylindrical wall that together define a seed-receiving chamber within which runs a circular plate or disk whose rim is formed with seed cells of uniform size and shape according to the size and shape of the seeds, the cells being uniformly angularly spaced about the rim of the plate and adapted to pick up seeds, one per cell, at the lower part of the chamber and to convey to seeds upwardly and around and past the upper portion of the chamber, ultimately releasing the seeds through an outlet opening for discharge to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: Eugene G. Keeton
  • Patent number: 4924786
    Abstract: A seed dispenser for agricultural planters has a casing forming a seed-receiving chamber and within the chamber, turning on a transverse axis, is a seed plate or wheel having seed-receiving cells on both radial faces. The wheel is in effect a rotating partition which divides the chamber into right and left compartments. One of the compartments receivers seed, as from a hopper, and the wheel has one or more through openings so that the seed flows from the one compartment to the other. Both compartments lead to a seed outlet through which seeds are discharged to the ground, furrow, etc. The arrangement doubles the output of seed from the dispenser and thus enables more efficient planting according to modern agricultural methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Eugene G. Keeton
  • Patent number: RE46461
    Abstract: A seed singulator for use with a vacuum disk having a seed face and a shoulder. The seed singulator has a first member and a second member supported by biasing members. The first member has upper lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly less than the outside radius of a row of apertures on a seed plane of the vacuum disk. The seed member has lower lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly greater than the inside radius than the row of apradius. The biasing members permit the lobes to move with the seed plane and the shoulder as the vacuum disk rotates thereby maintaining their position with respect to the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Derek A. Sauder, Justin L. Koch, Chad E. Plattner
  • Patent number: RE47447
    Abstract: A seed singulator for use with a vacuum disk having a seed face and a shoulder. The seed singulator has a first member and a second member supported by biasing members. The first member has upper lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly less than the outside radius of a row of apertures on a seed plane of the vacuum disk. The seed member has lower lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly greater than the inside radius than the row of apradius. The biasing members permit the lobes to move with the seed plane and the shoulder as the vacuum disk rotates thereby maintaining their position with respect to the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Derek A. Sauder, Justin L. Koch, Chad E. Plattner