Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring inflorescence, seed and/or seed yield pheno-type of a plant. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for high throughput analysis of inflorescence, seed and/or seed yield phenotype of a panicle-like bearing plant.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis, a threshing system carried by the chassis, and a cleaning system carried by the chassis and positioned below the threshing system. The cleaning system includes one or more sieves, a clean grain auger positioned below at least one sieve, and a cover plate positioned above the clean grain auger. The cover plate has a front edge and a rear edge which each extend generally parallel to a lateral axis of the clean grain auger. The front edge and rear edge are each open to allow clean grain to pass therebelow to the clean grain auger.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a database of multimedia content elements assigned to users are provided. The method comprises receiving at least one parameter identifying a user; receiving at least one multimedia content element from a user device; generating at least one signature to the at least one multimedia content element; searching for the existence of the at least multimedia content element in a database using the least one generated signature to determine whether each of the at least one multimedia content element is an existing multimedia content element or a non-existing multimedia content element; and generating a unique identifier using the at least one parameters for each non-existing multimedia content element; assigning the generated unique identifier to its respective non-existing multimedia content element; and storing each of the non-existing multimedia content elements and their respective unique identifiers in the database.

Abstract: A grain deflector assembly includes a combine head that has a pair of lateral walls and a rear wall extending therebetween. The rear wall has an intake chute extending therethrough. An auger extends between the lateral walls. The auger is positioned in front of the intake chute. A frame has a first end, a second end and a rear side and a front side each extending between the first end and the second end. The frame is coupled to the combine head. The frame extends between the lateral walls. The frame is positioned over the intake chute. The frame extends forwardly over the auger. A panel is coupled to the frame. The panel extends between the first end, the second end, the front side and the rear side. The panel may deflect grain tossed upwardly by the auger such that the grain is directed into the intake chute.

Abstract: A corn harvesting header comprises a knife bar extending along a front lower edge of a cutting header, with triangular knife sections attached along the bar and a plurality of guards with guard fingers extending forward. Pointed divider pans extend forward from the header such that a slot is formed between adjacent pans. A mounting bracket extends down from a rear of each pan and is attached to forward end portions of a pair of adjacent guard fingers, leaving rear portions of these guard fingers exposed. The divider pans are attached to alternating pairs of guard fingers such that a pair of bare guard fingers extends forward under and laterally adjacent to edges of each slot. The bottom surface of each seed pan is above the guard fingers an elevated distance that is greater than a spacing distance between the guard fingers. The header cuts the corn rows at angle.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a handheld harvester apparatus including a threshing drum configured to rotate. The harvester may further include a plurality of teeth connected to the threshing drum and configured to strip seeds from a head of a plant. The harvester also includes a screening assembly coupled to the threshing drum. The screening assembly is configured to receive seeds and plant material from the threshing drum and to eject the plant material from the harvester and direct the seeds downward. The harvester further includes a first screen configured to receive the seeds from the screening assembly and to allow seeds sized below a predetermined threshold to pass through the first screen and to prevent plant material exceeding the predetermined threshold to pass through the first screen. The harvester may further include a collection chamber coupled to the first screen and configured to receive the seeds.

Abstract: A seed pan apparatus has an elongated seed pan plate with parallel right and left edges, a curved configuration and a pointed front end. An engagement mechanism attaches the plate to a harvester cutting header such that the plate is above two adjacent guard fingers, such that an open slot is defined between the right edge of one plate and the left edge of an adjacent plate and the edges of the slot are in proximity to the outer edges of the guard fingers under the adjacent plates. The point is offset to make one front tapering edge forming the point longer than the other. The inclination, height, and fore and aft position of the seed pan plate can be adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining substantially pure hybrid cereal seed and a machine for use thereof. In particular the invention describes a method for separating hybrid barley seed from a mixed population of inbred barley seed and hybrid barley seed on the basis of a difference which is detectable via the use of near infrared light.

Abstract: A novel alfalfa variety designated 05N16PY and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant that comprise crossing alfalfa variety 05N16PY with another alfalfa plant. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 05N16PY through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the alfalfa seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Alfalfa seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing alfalfa variety 05N16PY or a trait conversion of 05N16PY with another alfalfa plant or population. Alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 05N16PY, methods for producing other alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 05N16PY and the alfalfa populations and their parts derived by the use of those methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated NPCJ7895, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPCJ7895 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line NPCJ7895, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line NPCJ7895, and plants produced according to these methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated NPID6897, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPID6897 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line NPID6897, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line NPID6897, and plants produced according to these methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated NPJC6794, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPJC6794 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line NPJC6794, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line NPJC6794, and plants produced according to these methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated NPID3649, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPID3649 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line NPID3649, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line NPID3649, and plants produced according to these methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated NPFA6899, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPFA6899 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line NPFA6899, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line NPFA6899, and plants produced according to these methods.

Abstract: According to this invention, plants of the genus Triodia are harvested for use as a renewable energy source or as a means of carbon sequestration. Triodia is a hummock-forming grass endemic to Australia, commonly known as spinifex. It is an abundant perennial plant which grows in semi-arid and arid regions. The novel use of Triodia as a biofuel feedstock has many advantages over the prior art. Being perennial, there is no need to plant and fertilise crops. The plants can be continuously harvested without damaging the soil. Triodia grows well with even small amounts of natural rainfall.

Abstract: A seed pan apparatus has an elongated seed pan plate with parallel right and left edges, a curved configuration and a pointed front end. An engagement mechanism attaches the plate to a harvester cutting header such that the plate is above two adjacent guard fingers, such that an open slot is defined between the right edge of one plate and the left edge of an adjacent plate and the edges of the slot are in proximity to the outer edges of the guard fingers under the adjacent plates. The point is offset to make one front tapering edge forming the point longer than the other, and smoothes the passage of stalks into the slot. The inclination, height, and fore and aft position of the seed pan plate can be adjusted to suit varying conditions of crop, moisture, soil, and the like or to suit different harvesting machines.

Abstract: A method of cutting crops is suitable for the production of biofuel. The crops are of the kind that first grows a stem bearing seeds and subsequently grows branches bearing seeds. The crops are irrigated and grown until a majority of them have grown seeds and then are cut by a motor vehicle before a majority of them have grown branches bearing seeds.

Abstract: A work machine for harvesting a cane crop having a lower crop material gathering device, the work machine including a chassis and an upper crop material gathering device coupled to said chassis. The upper crop material gathering device including at least one moving device configured to substantially surround a stalk of a cane crop plant as said at least one moving device moves, and a stalk engaging device positioned proximate to the at least one moving device. The stalk engaging device being configured to pull the stalk from the at least one moving device, thereby stripping grain from a head of the cane crop plant.

Abstract: A harvester for crops including biomass crop material and seed heads. The harvester includes a base unit, a biomass harvester sub-system for harvesting the biomass crop material, and a seed harvester sub-system for harvesting the seed heads. The biomass harvester sub-system includes a biomass harvester carried by the base unit. The seed harvester sub-system is carried by the base unit and operable independent from the biomass harvester sub-system, whereby the biomass crop material and seed heads are processed independently from each other within the harvester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rice oil, rice bran and rice seeds which have altered levels of oleic acid, palmitic acid and/or linoleic acid. The present invention also provides methods for genetically modifying rice plants such that rice oil, rice bran and rice seeds produced therefrom have altered levels of oleic acid, palmitic acid and/or linoleic acid. Specifically this is achieved through modulation of Fad2 and/or FatB expression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genes, and markers therefor, involved in lutein production in cereal plants such as wheat. In particular, the invention characterizes ?-cyclase and phytoene synthase genes from wheat. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the manipulation of ?-cyclase and/or phytoene synthase expression to alter colour traits of a plant which can effect the characteristics of food and/or non-food products obtained from said plants.

Abstract: A seed harvester pod and method are provided for harvesting seeds from the cones of a live, free—standing, coniferous tree. The pod comprises an open-sided conical frame, open at the top and bottom, supporting a permeable side wall, which may be netting. The netting is operative to allow penetration of sunlight, air and rain. However it will prevent the passage therethrough of airborne seeds released by the cones of the tree. The retained seeds deflect off the netting and drop into an interior, open-topped, annular trough supported by the frame at its base. The seeds are intercepted and collected by the trough. The pod can be lowered by a helicopter line onto the conical upper end of the tree, prior to cone maturation. After the cones have opened and the seeds have matured, released and become airborne, they are contained by the netting, drop and collect in the trough. The harvester is then later retrieved from the tree and the seeds are recovered.

Abstract: A seed harvester pod and method are provided for harvesting seeds from the cones of a live, free-standing, coniferous tree. The pod comprises an open-sided conical frame, open at the top and bottom, supporting a permeable side wall, which may be netting. The netting is operative to allow penetration of sunlight, air and rain. However it will prevent the passage therethrough of airborne seeds released by the cones of the tree. The retained seeds deflect off the netting and drop into an interior, open-topped, annular trough supported by the frame at its base. The seeds are intercepted and collected by the trough. The pod can be lowered by a helicopter line onto the conical upper end of the tree, prior to cone maturation. After the cones have opened and the seeds have matured, released and become airborne, they are contained by the netting, drop and collect in the trough. The harvester is then later retrieved from the tree and the seeds are recovered.

Abstract: A combine header attachment system for preventing grain and crop heads from falling onto the ground when the crops are being combined. The combine header attachment system includes a plurality of brace members each being designed for coupling to a header of a combine. Each of a plurality of channel members are coupled to an associated one of the brace members. Each of the channel members has a hook portion. The hook portion of each of the channel members extends from a free end of an associated one of the channel members. The hook portion of each of the channel members is for inhibiting the crop heads from falling off of the free end of the associated one of the channel members.

Abstract: A device for digging and harvesting seed pods from plant roots, in particular, a device for digging and harvesting peanuts, where after the peanut plants are removed from the ground, the peanuts are removed from the peanut plant root system. The device comprises a harvesting head which includes three essential components for performing the requisite function, namely a shaft, a pair of circular hubs and at least one set of tines. A self-cleaning member is also provided.

Abstract: A reel for harvesters of the type including a leading platform with crop cutters and cut-plant collectors and conveyors, the reel comprising a plurality of parallel cross bars rotating around a driving shaft, the bars being driven by end transmission bands at respective ends of the reel, the bands running over wheels arranged in a desired manner to define a desired close path.

Abstract: The object of this Patent comprises the action of flexible nylon cords (3), spirally attached in parallel axis (2), rotating one opposed to the other, producing pounding impacts on the standing uncut plants in the field.

Abstract: A crop stripper has a rotor provided with metal stripping teeth. The teeth each have an outwardly tapering outer portion extending from a radially inner root portion of arcuate form which provides a root opening between adjacent teeth wider than the spacing between the teeth at the junctions of the inner and outer portions. Along each outer portion the edges of the teeth have flanging which terminates short of the inner portions. The flanging extends over not substantially more than 70%, preferably not more than 60%, of the length of the teeth. The stripping teeth are supported by shorter and thicker backing teeth placed behind the stripping teeth in the direction of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A set of pans are provided for catching grain such as sunflower heads, that are broken from the stalks as they are being harvested. The pans are mounted onto the cutter bar and leave a space at the desired spacing of the rows of the crop being harvested. The leading ends of the pans are pointed, and have different tapers on each side. Every other pan is shorter than the intermediate pans, as well, for serving to guide the stalks positively into the slots for cutting. The pans catch heads of grain that might be broken or shaken loose and otherwise lost. The pans are pivotally mounted, quickly attached or detached, and the angle of the bottom of the pan can be adjusted.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft of this invention is so constructed that a flexible shaft liner assembly is inserted in an external tube, and a flexible shaft is inserted in a flexible shaft liner. The flexible shaft liner has two groups of projecting portions extending in a longitudinal direction, one-group projecting portions extend consecutively in the longitudinal direction, and the other-group projecting portions have notches at plural spots in the longitudinal direction. Vibration-proof rubbers fit in the notches, and the one-group projecting portions fit in grooves formed on inner faces of the vibration-proof rubbers. Outer faces of the vibration-proof rubbers contact with an inner face of the external tube so that the flexible shaft liner fits in the external tube.

Abstract: A grain stalk lifter attached to a conventional combine for use with grain stalks which are lying down. The grain stalk lifter includes a body having an upper lifting surface extending from a forward end upwards to a rear position above the cutting blades of the combine and further having a forward end provided with a skid for sliding on the ground surface. The body is connected through a spring to the blade guards of the combine to allow the skid to resiliently move upwards from the ground surface.

Abstract: A harvester thresher has a cutting mechanism, a reel having reel supporting arms, an exchangeable attachment which is releasably connected with the cutting mechanism, sliding shoes in which the reel is rotatably supported and which are synchronously forwardly and rearwardly displaceable on the reel supporting arms for adjusting the reel relative to the cutting mechanism, shaped parts arranged on the cutting mechanism and the attachment for moving the cutting mechanism and the attachment to a proper position, driving and pulling elements arranged on the sliding shoes and on the attachment and connectable with one another at a predetermined distance between the cutting mechanism and the attachment so that by moving back the reel the attachment is movable to an end position.

Abstract: An engine mounting structure is provided for use with a turf care machine such as a greens mower. Single cylinder engines, such as are used on greens mowers and similar turf care cutting machines, generate significant vibration. Greens mowers and which are used for finish cutting lose cut quality and precision with excessive vibration. To reduce vibration, an improved mounting structure includes resilient mounts to support the rear portion of the engine on the machine frame. To avoid belt misalignment between the engine drive pulley and the driven pulley powering the cutting reel, which can occur when resiliently mounting an engine, the forward portion of the engine is rigidly secured to the machine frame.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bearing arrangement for a drive shaft connecting a work tool to a drive unit. A protective tube has an inner wall surface and is part of this bearing arrangement. A bearing structure is mounted in the protective tube and has a bearing sleeve for accommodating the drive shaft therein. A plurality of longitudinally running supporting ribs extend from the bearing sleeve to act on the inner wall surface to hold the bearing sleeve approximately centered in the protective tube. Each of the supporting ribs includes a radial leg extending approximately radially from the bearing sleeve and a peripheral leg extending axially of the radial leg and approximately in the peripheral direction of the inner wall surface. The radial leg has an outer radial end portion facing toward the inner wall surface so as to leave a gap therebetween. The peripheral leg extends from the radial leg at the outer radial end portion and is supported on the inner wall surface.

Abstract: A portable device as disclosed for threshing grain to obtain a sample to be tested, for example, for its moisture content, disease, and protein content. The grain sampling device includes a housing with a handle enabling the device to be carried, an inlet for sampled grain, a chaff outlet and a collection drawer for the threshed grain kernels. Grain entering the inlet first passes through a declustering device consisting of a first group of stationary, transversely disposed pins and a second plurality of transversely disposed pins that are carried on a rotating first gear wheel. The threshing function is performed between a vertically disposed, stationary surface having a layer of resilient, frictional material, and a second gear wheel disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation to the stationary surface, and which includes a layer of resilient, frictional material in disk form that defines a movable threshing surface.

Abstract: A mower unit includes a plurality of blade mechanisms each having a blade and a blade shaft fixed to the blade for supporting the blade, pulleys and a belt for transmitting drive among the blade mechanisms, a plate-like support frame for interconnecting the blade mechanisms through intermediate members, a mower deck, and vibration proofing rubber elements disposed between the mower deck and the blade mechanisms.

Abstract: A grain harvester for propulsion by a tractor over a field of grain growing on upwardly extending plant stems, the harvester having a housing supported and movable in a direction of travel over a field of grain by a tractor, an elongated cylindrical brush supported by the housing and rotating about a horizontal axis that is transverse to the housing direction of travel, the brush having bristles extending generally radially therefrom, shield members supported by the housing in planes parallel the brush rotational axis, the shield members providing an elongated air and grain intake opening, an air discharge opening and a grain discharge opening, the openings being spaced apart from each other, a grain bin supported by the harvester housing and connected with the grain discharge opening, the brush being rotated as the harvester is moved to draw air and grain into the housing through the air and grain intake opening and to dispel grain through the grain discharge opening into the grain bin, and to dispel air out

Abstract: Structure for stripping cotton bolls from cotton stalks comprising a rubber batt having a rounded head and a toed foot; said foot being formed so that it may be installed into a lipped channel strip for connection to a rotatable shaft. The rounded head of the batt provides a buffering contact area between the batt and a cotton stalk thereby preventing excessive chipping of bark from the cotton stalk during harvesting operations. This results in production of a more pure cotton product by minimizing a cotton stripper's collection of foreign matter together with the desired cotton bolls.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for harvesting seed which includes a frame and a housing defining a seed box and having a rotary brush mounted on a forward portion thereof which is connected to link bars which are in turn connected to the frame. Corresponding pairs of link bars are attached between the frame and housing on opposite sides of the apparatus, the link bars on each side being substantially parallel to each other. Means are provided for varying the angle of the link bars to the frame, the link bars operationally functioning as a parallelogram to raise or lower the housing at a constant angle relative to the frame. A draw bar is pivotably connected to the front of the frame and tilt angle adjustment means are provided to vary the angle between the frame and the draw bar thereby providing an independent means for varying the angle of attack of the rotary brush to the plants from which seed is being collected.

Abstract: A shock absorbing motor mount for heavy duty rotary cutting machines equipped with a frame and a hydraulic motor, or the like, mounted on the frame for driving a rotating cutting blade is disclosed. The shock absorbing motor mount includes a bearing for rotatably mounting the motor to the frame and a torsion arm for limiting the rotation of the motor with respect to the frame to permit an effective transfer of drive force from the motor to the cutting blade while maintaining the motor in a neutral position. The torsion arm includes a resilient shock absorber such as a compression spring mounted on one end of the torsion arm for progressively decelerating the rotation of the motor when the cutting blade strikes an object that possesses sufficient inertia to induce a rotation of the motor with respect to the frame, and returns the motor to the neutral position after the impact.

Abstract: A device and method for automated, mechanical harvesting of plants having differing heights and stem lengths, wherein a stem portion of the plant must be severed at a uniform, predetermined length from the top of the plant.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprises a riding and a steering frame pivotally connected to an engine and cutter assembly which includes an engine and transmission mounted on an engine deck and cutter blades driven by the engine and mounted below the cutter deck. The steering frame is pivotally attached to the engine deck and supports a rider seat and a steering assembly. A shock absorber extends between the pivotally connected engine and riding and steering frame.

Abstract: A drive system to move a moveable beater assembly of a harvesting machine in a back and forth movement comprises a housing, a drive, and a drive compensating component. The drive drives the beater assembly in a back and forth movement so that a beater assembly force is exerted on the housing, this force being directed along an alignment axis. The drive compensating component comprises first and second eccentrically revolving weights mounted to the housing for rotation. It further comprises a drive transmission to rotate the first and second weights to produce a net compensating force that is colinear with the alignment axis. In a timed relationship with the back and forth movement of the beater assembly, the net compenating force opposes colinearly the beater assembly force, whereby an equilibrium of the housing is able to be maintained.

Abstract: A seed collector device for a mower apparatus having an elongatged cutter blade, including a seed collection tray having an elongated transverse front edge mounted above the cutter blade and declining rearward in order to collect seed from the seed heads of the vegetation encountered by the front edge of the tray and the cutter blade, causing the seeds to drop upon the tray, and a transverse declining trough at the rear end of the tray for routing the seeds from the tray to a receptacle below the discharge end of the trough.

Abstract: An elongate housing is provided for removable attachment to either a self-propelled windrower or conventional farm tractor. A flexible-bristle brush is adjustably secured to the housing such that when the housing is moved through a field of seed-bearing plants, the rotating brush interacts with the housing to strip seeds from the plants. The seeds are deposited in an auger trough and moved by the auger to one end of the housing. An impeller or blower located outside the housing creates a vacuum such that the seeds are drawn through a screened opening in the housing and conveyed to a seed storage area. In order to break apart agglomerations of seeds or seed bearing pods, the blower/impeller is preferably provided in the form of a fan having blades which rotate about a shaft aligned such that the harvested seeds strike the fan blades, thereby breaking apart the seed agglomerates and seed pods.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lawn mower comprising a motor, preferably of the combustion engine type, rotating a knife about a vertical axis, a chassis surrounding said knife and a support structure between the motor and the chassis comprising vibration insulating means. The vibration insulating means comprise several elongated blocks (22) of elastic material the blocks being placed with their longitudinal axis in the radial direction so that they when being acted on by tangential forces (B) are deformed more than when they are acted on by radial forces (C) the support structure joining the chassis (16) and a motor support (10) to each other by separate means (28,29) allowing a limited tangetial movement between the motor support and the chassis and preventing separation of the motor support and the chassis.

Abstract: A harvester includes a mobile vehicle with a forward vertically adjustable header that includes a mechanism for stripping grain from a standing crop as the machine advances while leaving the stem of the crop attached to the soil. The stripping mechanism including a pair of axially transverse vertically offset brush-type rotors having randomly spaced radial bristles, the upper rotor being disposed slightly forwardly of the lower and being driven so that its lower surface moves rearwardly in close proximity to the rearwardly moving upper surface of the lower roller that is driven in the opposite direction from the first rotor. The grain heads on most of the standing crop is disposed between the axes of the rotors, and the grain is stripped as the heads move into the bite between the rotors.

Abstract: A knife drive centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber for an agricultural combine harvester includes a wobble drive assembly 82 with an input drive shaft 132. A flywheel 188 is secured to the wobble drive input drive shaft 132. The flywheel has apertures 192 with walls that are arcs about an axis that are parallel to the axis of rotation of the flywheel 188. A roller 194 is inserted in each aperture 194. The rollers 194 roll along the walls of the apertures 194 in response to changes in the speed of rotation of the flywheel 188 and absorb vibrations induced in the drive shaft 132 by a reciprocating knife assembly 74.

Abstract: A self-driven chopper-harvester for experimental plots of ground of reduced size, intended especially for collecting fodder plants, comprises a collecting and chopping device forming a first module to which is connected via an ejection duct to a second module comprising an automatic weighing and sampling assembly.

Abstract: A device and method for automated, mechanical harvesting of plants having differing heights and stem lengths, wherein a stem portion of the plant must be severed at a uniform, predetermined length from the top of the plant.