Sliding-plunger Control Patents (Class 111/96)
  • Patent number: 11659829
    Abstract: A mole eradication system having a sleeve having a distal end for positioning in the ground, a rod having a distal end axially extending at least partially within said sleeve, at least one sharp connected near the distal end of said rod and radially extending from said rod, said sleeve and said rod axially movable in a first direction with respect to each other to radially expose said at least one sharp near a distal end of said sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Idea Orchard Partners, SARL
    Inventor: Matthew Ciesicki
  • Patent number: 11039567
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nut planter tool comprising an elongate drop tube fixed to a dig tube. The dig tube is spaced from the drop tube with each having generally parallel central axes. A plunger assembly comprises a plunger at an inferior end that translates within the dig tube. The tool ergonomically removes a soil core that is larger than the diameter of the tree nut, delivers the nut from an ergonomic height to a proper depth for germination; and replaces the soil core, covering the tree nut. The device is utilized standing upright thus eliminating the physical labor of bending over and reducing typical nut planting time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Lowell Alan Larson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9609801
    Abstract: A seed planter capable of removing soil, which is capable of: forming holes in which seeds can be planted by applying downward pressure to soil furrows covered by vinyl and by removing the covered vinyl and soil all at once, and at the same time inserting a supply pipe into the formed holes such that the seeds, water, and a fertilizer can be selectively placed therein; enables the removed covered vinyl at a fixing pin and within a needle member; and has a measuring tape such that holes can be precisely formed at proper intervals for growing plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Soon Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 9192092
    Abstract: A reciprocating metering device is disclosed. The metering device provides a mechanism for discharging a metered amount of material, such as rice seeds, into a reservoir formed by plunging the metering device into soil. The metering device operates in a reciprocating motion wherein, in a first position, the spear extends from the device to form the reservoir and the seeds are retained within the device and in a second position, the spear is retracted into the device and the seeds are able to be discharged out of the device and into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: James Tangorra, Alexander Moseson, Marie LaPosta, Raymond John Bauer, Kathryn VenVertloh, Kathleen Shacklett, Phuong N. Diep-Lam
  • Patent number: 8613326
    Abstract: A weeding hand tool, comprising a generally longitudinal member joining a handle grip at a first end thereof and a pedal at a second opposite end thereof, a finger head comprising coiled fingers arranged in a helix and an ejector rod mobile inside the helix, and an ejector arm, wherein, when the tool is positioned generally vertically with free end tips of the coiled fingers on the ground, pushing down on the handle grip and/or on the pedal causes the coiled fingers to rotated down into the soil, entrapping a weed beneath the soil as they penetrate the soil, and wherein when, by pulling up on the longitudinal member, the coiled fingers are pulled out from the soil, with the weed entrapped in the helix they form, and the weed is ejected from the helix pulling down on the ejector arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Garant GP
    Inventors: Richard Paré, François Gaucher, Benoit Orban, Patrick Mainville, David Boies, Patrick Julien
  • Publication number: 20080121152
    Abstract: A tool for injecting solid fertilizer spikes into soil for tree and plant root nutrition utilizing elongated brackets to reduce the step-up height, form a fertilizer load chamber and to provide for a spring fertilizer spike retention mechanism such that the tool is fully operable in an upright position wherein a fertilizer spike is left embedded in the ground and detached from the tool without the need to remove the tool from the ground in a manner where, with one process of downward movement of the foot bar, two functions occur simultaneously, namely; the full injection of the fertilizer spike into the soil concurrent with the full release of the fertilizer spike from the tool by the complete ejection of the fertilizer spike from the fertilizer spike load chamber and the spring fertilizer spike retention mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: George B. F. Blake
  • Patent number: 6662736
    Abstract: A seeding device for tilling the ground and distributing seed. The device includes a handle having a bracket with a seed container, the tilling plate and tilling tines mounted on the bracket. A seed distributor is provided to distribute seed over the ground. The seed distributor includes a plunger with a distribution plate. To use the seeding device, the user first inserts the tilling tines into the ground which moves the plunger upward toward the seed container and then removes the seeding device from the ground. The down and up movement moves seed from the seed container to the ground or the distribution plate. Seed on the distribution plate is moved off of the plate then moves the plunger into the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lowe, Ray H. Grumme
  • Patent number: 6502720
    Abstract: An apparatus for probing rodent burrows and dispensing a measured amount of rodent bait into the burrow. The disclosed apparatus comprises an elongated four-sided hollow shaft with a bait tank sealingly connected to the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft has a shaft tip which is also four-sided. One side of the shaft tip, the sealing end, slides with respect to the other three sides to open or close the shaft tip. The sealing end is at one end of a pusher bar. The other end of the pusher bar is connected to a thumb plate, so the operator may open or close the shaft tip using the thumb plate. A measure dose of bait is placed at the probe tip for dispensing by raising and lowering the probe tip, which causes bait to flow through either a calibrated orifice or a divider within the bait tank and enter into the four-sided hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Horst Schwederski
  • Patent number: 6289828
    Abstract: There is provided a manually operated seeding and tilling device having a tubular feed shaft equipped with a seed retaining chamber, a portal for loading the chamber with seeds, a handle for rotating a shaft about an orbital axis, a tined tilling member positioned at a distal end of the shaft and a seed valve regulating device for regulating the dispensing of seeds from the seed chamber. The tined tilling member serves to churn the soil such as ungrassed patches into a fluffy and uncompacted churned seed bed by rotating the shaft and tined members about its vertical axis with the handle. The rotating tines are then used to churn the seed dispensed from the device into the finished seed bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Robert H. Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 5461992
    Abstract: A deep root tree and shrub fertilizer stake driver comprising an elongated tube having a hollow circular configuration and having an upper end and a lower end, a plurality of axial slots formed in the tube extending upwardly from the lower end thereof and a rigid rod having an upper end and a lower end slidably positionable within the tube of a slightly longer length as the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Robert A. Scollard
  • Patent number: 5241917
    Abstract: Device for automatic positioning of plants is provided with a vertical positioner element conical at the top and cylindrical at the bottom wherein is introduced by known means the plant with its earth ball. The earth ball is located in the cylindrical portion while the plant itself is in the conical portion which is upwardly tapered. An insufflation head is provided with a seal adjusted to the positioner element and permitting the injection of air or a gas when the assembly, including the positioner element and the insufflation head, is above a hole which has been previously made in a receiver element where the planting is to take place. The device facilitates and automates the setting in place of plants of all kinds while preserving their integrity owing to the use of non-mechanical handling means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventor: Claude Ferrand
  • Patent number: 5170729
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a quantity of granular fertilizer to an underground location. The device consists of an inner and outer tubular section with the inner tube being hollow. Both tubular sections have a lower pointed end and the inner tube is rotatably disposed within the outer tube. An inner opening and outer opening are located at the lower end of the inner and outer tubes. A funnel is provided on the inner tube as well as a handle which actuates the rotation of the inner tube. Another handle is provided on the outer tube. When the handles are in alignment the openings are not in alignment. This forms a solid outer tube. The inner tubular section is filled with fertilizer, the handles grasped firmly and the device is thrust into the ground. The inner handle is then rotated 90 degrees bringing the inner and outer openings into alignment. The device is then removed from the ground, leaving the fertilizer in the hole formed by the displaced soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Barry Benner
  • Patent number: 4843982
    Abstract: A device for use in planting seeds and bulbs is disclosed which allows planting in untilled soil with a simple prodding-type motion to both make a hole and to plant the seed in the hole. The device is capable of operation on hills or in almost any other type of terrain, and thus greatly reduces the labor needed to plant seeds and bulbs. It may be used with a conveyor system to continuously supply seed to the device to enable rapid, efficient planting of seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Inventor: Joseph Nagy-Szakaly
  • Patent number: 4614160
    Abstract: A manually operated dispensing tool for repeatedly dispensing a predetermined quantity of pelletized material below the surface of the earth. The tool includes an upright elongated outer housing adapted to be connected with a supply of pelletized material filling a reservoir formed by the outer housing. A spring biased downward sleeve having wall ports is vertically reciprocable in the depending end portion of the outer housing for communicating with the material reservoir. A drop tube of smaller diameter than the sleeve depends from and is secured at its upper end portion in the sleeve below the position of the sleeve ports. A handle assembly, overlying the top of the outer housing, is connected with a stem assembly projecting through the housing and drop tube. A central portion of the stem assembly forms a valve normally closing the upper end of the drop tube to define a measuring chamber in the sleeve communicating with the sleeve ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Fort Dodge Chemical Company
    Inventor: John Curlett
  • Patent number: 4246854
    Abstract: A fertilizer injector comprising in combination a fertilizer storage hopper having an offset bottom portion, an elongated tubular centralizer offset from the hopper and in axial alignment with the bottom portion, an injector-rod mounted in the tubular centralizer and bottom portion, whereby downward movement of the injector rod forms a hole of selected depth in the surface of the soil and upward movement of the injector rod allows a selected quantity of granular fertilizer to fill the hole and another downward movement closes off an outlet in the offset bottom portion stopping the flow of fertilizer from the hopper, and a means for locking the injector rod in any desired position. The fertilizer injector also has a filter screen and lid to prevent undesirable material from entering the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Inventor: Bernard J. Lempa, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4191116
    Abstract: An improvement in an injection planting tool of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,832. The improvement is a detent mechanism on the tool that is manually operable to grasp the plant container being injection planted by a person with the tool in the event a rock interfers with the attempted planting, so that the container can be retained in the tool for another attempted planting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: C. Jay Allison, Jr., Kirk Willis
  • Patent number: 4114543
    Abstract: A device for planting seeds into soil includes an elongated tubular housing having a concentrically-disposed axially-aligned elongated rigid member slidably mounted within the hollow interior of the housing. A tubular socket is connected to the end portion of the member for extending through an opening in the bottom end of the housing to dig into and retain a soil plug from the soil to be planted. A handle portion is connected to the opposite end of the member for extending through an opening in the top portion of the housing to enable the member to be moved axially relative to the housing toward its bottom end so that the socket can be forced into digging engagement with the soil and then the member retracted in the housing to withdraw the soil plug from its hole in the soil, whereby a seed can be dropped in the soil hole. An ejecting mechanism discharges the soil plug from the socket and into the soil hole for covering the seed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Inventor: Roderick A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4084726
    Abstract: A finger-held and operated small seed dispenser has a seed container having one open end through which the container may receive the seeds to be dispensed, the open end being closed by a removable spout through which the seeds may pass; a seed dispensing rod extends through said container and the spout and beyond the enclosed end and there has a fingerpiece, said rod having a cylindrical portion that normally closes the open end of the spout against the escape of the seeds until the rod is finger operated, the rod having a longitudinal groove for the passage of the seeds and a transverse groove to facilitate the entrance of the seeds into the longitudinal groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Inventor: William A. Nicol