Lateral Extent Decreases Upwardly Patents (Class 172/731)
  • Patent number: 6129156
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically moving the blade of a motor grader from a present blade position to a mirror image position. The method includes the steps of: providing an electronic controller, blade controls having position sensors, and an input switch; obtaining information from the position sensors indicating the position of the blade controls; determining the present blade position; receiving an input signal from the input switch requesting a mirror image position; calculating the mirror image position of the present blade position; and producing a control signal for actuating the blade controls to move the blade from the present blade position to the mirror image position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Susan M. Boast, Michael I. Cline, Matthew A. Hartman, Xiaojun Zhang, Mark D. Shane, Daniel E. Shearer
  • Patent number: 5685246
    Abstract: A seed drill includes a novel planting assembly combining press wheels for packing angular sides of a furrow and a runner immediately behind and longitudinally aligned with the press wheel. The runner includes an arcuate front edge that is juxtaposed immediately behind the coulter, thereby preventing accumulation of field trash between them. The runner extends rearwardly from beneath the press wheel and is transversely guided on the supporting vehicle frame of the drill to maintain it in longitudinal alignment within an open longitudinal slot cut through the soil and intersecting the base of the packed furrow. Seed is dropped into the open slot prior to being covered with soil. Moist soil can be packed along the sides of the furrow to maintain the furrow in an open condition during seed germination and plant emergence. Highly accurate planting depth control can be achieved, with provision for upward relative movement of the runner as required by encountered field conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventor: Robert Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5509363
    Abstract: A seed drill includes a novel planting assembly combining press wheels for packing angular sides of a furrow and a runner immediately behind and longitudinally aligned with the press wheel. The runner extends rearwardly from beneath the press wheel at the lower end of an arcuate shank that is transversely guided on the press wheel structure or frame of the drill to maintain it in longitudinal alignment within an open longitudinal slot cut through the soil and intersecting the base of the packed furrow. The shank is guided by a series of rollers within a guide frame pivotally mounted on a supporting frame for motion about a transverse horizontal axis. Highly accurate planting depth control can be achieved, with provision for upward relative movement of the runner as required by encountered field conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Robert Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5461994
    Abstract: A seed drill includes a novel planting assembly combining press wheels for packing angular sides of a furrow and a runner immediately behind and longitudinally aligned with the press wheel. The runner extends rearwardly from beneath the press wheel and is transversely guided on the press wheel structure or frame of the drill to maintain it in longitudinal alignment within an open longitudinal slot cut through the soil and intersecting the base of the packed furrow. Seed is dropped into the open slot prior to being covered with soil. Moist soil can be packed along the sides of the furrow to maintain the furrow in an open condition during seed germination and plant emergence. Highly accurate planting depth control can be achieved, with provision for upward relative movement of the runner as required by encountered field conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Robert Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5309852
    Abstract: A seed drill includes a novel planting assembly combining press wheels for packing angular sides of a furrow and a runner immediately behind and longitudinally aligned with the press wheel. The runner extends rearwardly from beneath the press wheel and is transversely guided on the press wheel structure to maintain it in longitudinal alignment within an open longitudinal slot cut through the soil and intersecting the base of the packed furrow. Seed is dropped into the open slot prior to being covered with soil. Moist soil can be packed along the sides of the furrow to maintain the furrow in an open condition during seed germination and plant emergence. Highly accurate planting depth control can be achieved, with provision for upward relative movement of the runner as required by encountered field conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Robert Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4412589
    Abstract: An earth clod pulverizing and earth smoothing implement (10) has rows of heavy, cast-iron, pointed teeth (14a-v) which are wedge-shaped in cross section with the cutting edges (42) of the wedges defining substantially vertical lines facing the forwardly direction. The implement further includes downwardly directed channel irons (16a-d) after each row of teeth, with each successive channel iron being mounted slightly lower than the one in front of it. The front leg (54) of each channel iron is shorter than the back leg (56). The implement (10) also includes downwardly directed side walls (18a and b), an upwardly flared front member (20) and a downwardly flared rear, smoothing, member (22). A channel iron (16e) having equal sides is mounted on the downwardly flared smoothing member (22). The teeth are spaced two feet apart in the rows, and the rows of teeth are spaced 14 inches apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Inventor: Thomas E. Francis
  • Patent number: 4026367
    Abstract: A plow sweep construction comprising a generally horizontal plate is provided. The plate includes front and rear marginal edges extending longitudinally of the plate and the center portion of the rear marginal edge includes an integral rearwardly and upwardly projecting mounting shank portion spaced substantially centrally intermediate the opposite ends of the plate and provided for attachment to and support from a tool support member. The front marginal edge portion defines a substantially horizontal edge facing forwardly and the, blade member, at least for the most part, is transversely rearwardly and upwardly inclined. The mounting shank portion includes a lower end portion merging smoothly into the longitudinal central portion of the blade member and the lower end portion and the longitudinal central portion of the blade member, including the front marginal portion thereof, being forwardly convex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Inventor: Robert C. Tibbs