U.S. patent application number 14/880946 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-04 for furrow tool for seed placement.
The applicant listed for this patent is SCHAFFERT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.. Invention is credited to Paul E. Schaffert.
Application Number | 20160219782 14/880946 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47292041 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160219782 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schaffert; Paul E. |
August 4, 2016 |
FURROW TOOL FOR SEED PLACEMENT
Abstract
A furrow tool configured to attach to a planting device includes
a compressor including a body portion. A deflector is connected to
the compressor. The deflector is made of a first material and
configured to deflect seeds into the furrow after being released
from a seed tube. The compressor is directly attached to the
deflector and made of a second material having a separate structure
from the deflector. The compressor is configured to compress the
seeds into the furrow. An attachment mechanism is operatively
connected to the deflector and configured to attach to the planting
device.
Inventors: |
Schaffert; Paul E.;
(Indianola, NE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SCHAFFERT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. |
Indianola |
NE |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47292041 |
Appl. No.: |
14/880946 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13365969 |
Feb 3, 2012 |
9155244 |
|
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14880946 |
|
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61439254 |
Feb 3, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C 7/06 20130101; A01C
7/201 20130101; A01C 5/066 20130101; A01C 5/068 20130101; A01C
7/206 20130101; A01C 7/203 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01C 7/20 20060101
A01C007/20; A01C 7/06 20060101 A01C007/06; A01C 5/06 20060101
A01C005/06 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A furrow tool configured to attach to a planting device
operated in a furrow comprising a deflector made of a first
material and configured to deflect seeds into the furrow after
being released from a seed tube; a compressor directly attached to
the deflector and made of a second material having a separate
structure from the deflector and configured to compress the seeds
into the furrow; and an attachment mechanism operatively connected
to the deflector and configured to attach to the planting
device.
22. The furrow tool of claim 21, wherein the compressor has a
distal end, a proximal end and a height, and the height increases
from the proximal end to the distal end.
23. The furrow tool of claim 21, wherein the seeds are first
deflected by the deflector and are then compressed by the
compressor.
24. The furrow tool of claim 21, wherein the deflector does not
contact the furrow.
25. The furrow tool of claim 21, wherein a bottom portion of the
compressor is configured to press the seeds into the furrow.
26. The furrow tool of claim 21, wherein the first material
comprises a plastic.
27. The furrow tool of claim 21, wherein the second material
comprises a plastic.
28. The furrow tool of claim 21, wherein the deflector is attached
to a bottom portion of the compressor.
29. The furrow tool of claim 21, wherein the compressor includes an
outer protrusion extending therefrom.
30. The furrow tool of claim 29, wherein the outer protrusion is
used to hold a fertilizer tube.
31. The furrow tool of claim 21, wherein the distal end of the
compressor extends past a distal end of the deflector.
32. A planting tool configured to be attached to a planter row
unit, wherein the planter row unit includes a furrow creating
device and a seed tube, the planting tool comprising an attachment
mechanism configured to attach the planting tool to the seed tube;
a deflector removably attached to the attachment bracket; and a
compressor integrally formed separate from the deflector and
directly attached to a portion of the deflector, with the deflector
posited to deflect seeds into the furrow and the compressor
positioned to compress the seeds into the furrow.
33. The planting tool of claim 32, wherein the deflector comprises
a first material and the compressor comprises a second
material.
34. The planting tool of claim 32, wherein at least one of the
first material or the second material are comprised of plastic.
35. The planting tool of claim 32, wherein the compressor has a
distal end, a proximal end and a height, and the height expands
from the proximal end to the distal end.
36. The planting tool of claim 32, wherein the deflector is
attached to a bottom portion of the compressor.
37. The planting tool of claim 32, wherein the compressor extends
past an end portion of the deflector.
38. The planting tool of claim 32, further comprising a fertilizer
tube.
39. The planting tool of claim 38, wherein the fertilizer tube is
attached to and extends along the compressor.
40. The planting tool of claim 39, wherein the compressor has an
outer protrusion extending from a distal end of the compressor and
the protrusion is used to hold the fertilizer tube.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. 119(e),
of U.S. provisional application No. 61/439,254, entitled "Furrow
Tool for Seed Placement" and filed on Feb. 3, 2011. The entire
contents of this application are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The technical field relates generally to agricultural
planting equipment, and more specifically to seed placement
tools.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Mechanical seed planting devices are used to plant seeds
accurately in furrows formed in a field. Planting devices are often
pulled by a tractor and include multiple planting units. Each
planting unit may hold seeds and may include a device to create a
furrow in the ground as the tractor moves forward, and a device for
closing the furrow around the seeds.
[0004] The seed placement in the furrow can affect the growth and
characteristics of the plant. Often times as the seed drops from
the planter into the furrow, via the seed tube, the seed may
bounce. This bouncing may impact the direction and location of the
seed distribution within the furrow. Additionally, as the seed may
be traveling quickly through the seed tube, the seed may even
bounce off of the ground at the bottom of the furrow, altering its
location. The bouncing down the seed tube, or off the ground, may
place the seeds on the side of the furrow or even outside the
furrow. After the seed is placed within the furrow the furrow may
be closed by the furrow closers. If the seeds are placed improperly
(e.g., on the side of the furrow or outside the furrow completely),
the seeds may not be adequately covered by soil.
[0005] Also, as seeds are deposited within the furrows even if they
do not bounce out of place, they may still not be deposited at the
correct depth. Often times there may be residual soil that may
cause air pockets underneath the seed. Therefore, it may be desired
to push or press the seed into place to better ensure that the
planting depth may be accurate.
[0006] The plant depth and location affects the growth aspects of
the plants. For example, improper seed placement may result in
uneven plant emergence, poor strands, increase in weed population,
uneven plant maturity, longer insect lift, higher susceptibility to
chemical damage and lower yields.
SUMMARY
[0007] Some embodiments of a furrow tool may take the form of a
furrow tool configured to attach to a planting device. The furrow
tool may include a compressor or tool. The compressor may include a
neck portion and a body extending from the neck portion. A
deflector may be connected to the compressor. The deflector may
include a top portion connected to the neck portion and an
extension portion. The extension portion may be located beneath a
bottom side of the body and may be configured to deflect seeds into
a proper location in the furrow. The furrow tool may also include
an attachment mechanism connected to the neck portion and
configured to attach to the planting device.
[0008] Other embodiments include a planting tool configured to be
attached to a planter row unit including a furrow creating device
and a seed tube. The planting tool may include an attachment
bracket configured to attach the planting tool to the seed tube.
The planting tool may also include a compressor and a deflector
connected to the attachment bracket. The compressor may include a
neck portion connected to the attachment bracket and a body
extending from the neck portion. The body may have a greater height
than the neck portion. The deflector may be located beneath a
bottom face of the compressor. The deflector may have a shorter
length than the compressor, and the compressor may extend beyond a
back end of the deflector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures
of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures
described and shown herein are to be considered illustrative rather
than limiting. The use of the same reference numerals in different
drawings indicates similar or identical items.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor pulling a planter
having a multiple row units.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a section taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, and
illustrates a row unit including the furrow tool.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the furrow tool of FIG. 1
attached to the seed tube.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the furrow tool of
FIG. 3 removed from the seed tube.
[0014] FIG. 5 is side elevation view of the furrow tool illustrated
in FIG. 4.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the furrow tool
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a top isometric view of one embodiment of the
furrow tool illustrated in FIG. 4 with the furrow tool including a
nutrient tube.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a top isometric view of another embodiment of the
furrow tool illustrated in FIG. 4 with the furrow tool including a
splitter for the nutrient tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Although one or more of the embodiments of a seed planting
tool may be described in detail with reference to a particular seed
planting tool, the embodiments should not be interpreted or
otherwise used as limiting the scope of the claims. In addition,
one skilled in the art will understand that the following
description has broad application. For example, while embodiments
of the seed planting tool described herein may focus on seed
location and depth, the concepts described herein equally apply to
other planting and fertilization aspects. In addition, while the
described embodiments may focus on a particular shaped furrow, the
concepts set forth herein may equally apply to other furrow types
and shapes, as well as to non-furrow planting. Accordingly, the
discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary and is
not intended to suggest that the scope of the claims is limited to
these embodiments.
[0019] In some embodiments, a fertilizer tool is described that may
be used with a variety of drills and planters. FIG. 1 illustrates
an agricultural planter 10 that includes a number of planter row
units 26 mounted on a main frame member 28. FIG. 2 illustrates a
section view along line 2-2 of the planter 10 in FIG. 1, showing a
single planter row unit 26. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the
row units 26 may form a seed furrow 56 and may deposit seeds 50
within the furrow 56. A furrow tool 52 may substantially prevent
the seeds 50 from bouncing as they are deposited into the furrow 56
as well as press the seeds 50 into the furrow 56. The furrow tool
52 furthermore helps position the seeds 50 at the correct lateral
location and depth within the furrow 56, which minimizes the risk
that the seeds 50 will be incorrectly positioned or set atop air
pockets within the soil.
[0020] The row unit 26 may include a seed hopper 14 that contains
and dispenses the seeds 50, and a seed metering unit 30 may be
positioned below the seed hopper 14. Additionally, the row unit 26
may include a fertilizer or watering tank (not shown) to provide
nutrients to the seeds that are placed in the furrow 56. The seed
metering unit 30 may receive seeds from the seed hopper 14. The
seed metering unit 30 may facilitate depositing the correct number
of seeds 50 in the furrow 56. Below the seed metering unit 30 may
be a seed tube 42. The seed tube 42 may receive seeds from the seed
hopper 14 (via the seed metering unit 30) and deposit the seeds 50
within the furrow 56. The row unit 26 may additionally include a
furrow opening apparatus 16 that penetrates the ground to open the
furrow 56. The furrow opening apparatus 16 may be placed beneath
the seed hopper 14. The furrow opening apparatus 16 may include a
divider at the leading edge of the row unit 26 and a furrow opener
34. The furrow opener 34 may be placed centrally underneath the
seed hopper 14. The furrow opener 34 may be partially encompassed
by a pair of gage wheels 20 and a pair of furrow closer wheels 24.
The furrow close wheels 24 may trail behind the furrow opener 34
and gage wheels 20.
[0021] The furrow 56 may be formed by the furrow opener 34 as the
row unit 26 is pulled by the planter. There are many different
types of furrow openers. A double disk furrow opener 38 is
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The double disk furrow opener 38 may
include two circular blades that are rotatably mounted to the row
unit 26. The double disk furrow opener 38 may be configured to form
a V-shaped furrow 56 at a predetermined depth within in the soil.
However, other furrow openers 34 may be used to create a variety of
furrow shapes and/or sizes.
[0022] The seed tube 42 may extend downward from the metering unit
30. The seed tube 42 may be positioned between the disk blades of
the furrow opener 34. The seed tube 42 may include a bottom portion
40 that curves to generally define an acute angle between the
ground and a longitudinal centerline of the seed tube 42. An
opening 48 of the seed tube 42 may partially face the furrow tool
52. The seed tube 42 may be positioned over the furrow 56 to
distribute seeds 50 received from the metering unit 30 into the
furrow 56. As the metering unit 30 regulates the number of seeds
distributed from the seed hopper 14, each seed 50 may be placed
within the furrow 56 at a predetermined distance away from adjacent
seeds 50. The seed tube 42 may have a substantially hollow body 44,
and a bottom end of the seed tube 42 may be positioned to be
directly over a centerline of the furrow 56. The bottom end 40 of
the seed tube 42 may include the opening 48 through which the seeds
50 may exit the seed tube 42. The seed tube 50 may include a
slightly arcuate shape along its length in a rearward direction.
Such a shape may help to place the seeds 50 at the correct location
within the furrow 56. As the seeds 50 travel through the seed tube
50, the seeds 50 may bounce as a result of the interaction with the
walls of the seed tube 42 and the movement and velocity of the
planter 10 over the ground.
[0023] The furrow tool 52 may be attached to the bottom portion 40
of the seed tube 42. The furrow tool 52 facilitates placing the
seeds 50 in the proper location in the furrow 56 even though the
seeds 50 may bounce within the seed tube 42. The furrow tool 52 may
also press or compress the seeds 50 within the furrow 56 after they
have been deposited therein. In these embodiments, the furrow tool
52 may help to position the seeds 50 at the correct depth and
location within the furrow 56, which may result help in better
plant growth and development rates. The furrow tool 52, in some
embodiments, may include a deflector 62 or seed tube extension and
a compressor 60. The furrow tool 52 may contact the seeds 50 both
before and after the seeds 50 are deposited within the furrow 56.
In these embodiments, the deflector 62 may contact the seeds 50 to
facilitate placing the seeds 50 in a desired lateral location in
the furrow 56, and the compressor 60 may then contact the seeds 50
to facilitate placing them at the correct depth within the furrow
56.
[0024] Turning to FIG. 3, the seeds 50 may bounce off the seed tube
42 in a variety of directions as the planter 10 moves. However, as
the seeds 50 exit the seed tube 42, the seeds 50 hit the deflector
62. Regardless of whether the seeds 50 bounce off of the seed tube
42 and hit the deflector 62 or bounce off of the ground and hit the
deflector 62, the seeds 50 generally end up placed in the desired
location. Thus, in some embodiments, the deflector 62 may not act
to substantially decrease the bouncing of the seeds 50 within the
seed tube 42 but rather act to place the seeds 50 at the desired
location in the furrow 56, even if the seeds 50 bounce
significantly. However, some seeds 50 may not contact the deflector
62. This may occur if the seeds 50 do not bounce significantly
inside the seed tube 42.
[0025] Once the seeds 50 are placed into the furrow 56, the
compressor 60 passes over the seeds 50. The compressor 60 helps to
position the seeds 50 at the correct depth within the furrow 56. In
some embodiments, the compressor 60 may press the seeds 50 into the
furrow bottom. In some embodiments, the compressor 60 may also
compress soil/earth in the furrow to eliminate any air pockets. By
eliminating the air pockets and compressing the soil, the seeds 50
can settle into the desired depth within the furrow 56.
Furthermore, by compressing the seeds 50 into the furrow 56, the
seeds 50 are more likely to be planted at a uniform planting depth.
The compressor 60 may be configured to provide varying pressure to
the seeds 50. For example, altering the material, size or
attachment location the compressor 60 may result in the application
of more or less force to the seeds 50, thus allowing the furrow
tool 52 to be used with a variety of seeds 50.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a front top perspective view of the
furrow tool 52 detached from the seed tube, FIG. 5 illustrates a
side elevation view of the furrow tool 52, and FIG. 6 illustrates a
front elevation view of the furrow tool 52. Referring now to FIGS.
4-6, the furrow tool 52 may be an integral construction, such that
the compressor 60, the deflector 62 and the attachment bracket 74
may be a singular piece. In other embodiments, the furrow tool 52
may include separate elements attached together, or a combination
of integral elements with separately attached elements. For
example, the compressor 60 may be integral with the attachment
bracket 74, such as shown in FIG. 4, and the deflector 62 may be a
separate attachment.
[0027] The compressor 60, the deflector 62, and the attachment
bracket 74 may be formed using the same or similar same materials,
or they may be formed using different materials. In some
embodiments, the compressor 60 and the deflector 62 may be made of
plastic, metal, wood, or the like.
[0028] The deflector 62 may be attached or connected to a bottom
portion of the compressor 60, and the compressor 60 may extend past
the end portion of the deflector 62. In these embodiments, when a
seed 50 is released from the seed tube 42 and the seed 50 bounces,
it may hit the deflector 62. After the seed 50 rests within the
furrow 56, the compressor 60 may be dragged over the seed 50 to
compress the seed 50 into the furrow 56. In these embodiments, the
deflector 62 may initially contact the seeds 50 as they are dropped
from the seed tube 42, and then the compressor 60 may contact the
seeds 50 after they are deposited in the furrow 56. In some
embodiments, the compressor 60 may have a longer total length than
the deflector 62. This configuration may allow the compressor 60 to
contact the seeds 50 after the deflector 62. Additionally, the
deflector 62 may be configured so as to not contact the seeds 50
once they are deposited within the furrow 56. In these embodiments,
the deflector 62 may not touch the furrow 56. This configuration
may help to eliminate unnecessary pressure on the seeds 50, which
may damage them.
[0029] The compressor 60 may have a lower total height where it
attaches to the deflector 62, and may increase in height after the
deflector 62. In these embodiments, the distal end of the
compressor 60 may be significantly larger than the front end. The
bottom portion 64 of the compressor 62 may be configured to press
the seeds 50 into the furrow 56. As the bottom portion 64 of the
compressor is dragged over the seeds 50 as the planter 10 pulls the
furrow tool 52, the weight of the compressor 60 presses the seeds
50 into the furrow 56.
[0030] The compressor 60 also may include an outer protrusion 63
extending from the back or distal end of the compressor body 60.
The outer protrusion 63 may be used to hold a fertilizer tube. For
example, as shown in FIG. 8, a fertilizer tube assembly may be
attached to a top face of the compressor 60. In other embodiments,
the outer protrusion 63 may be omitted. This may be done when a
fertilizer tube is not added to the furrow tool.
[0031] The compressor 60 may include a compressor body. The
compressor body may be generally oval shaped with a flat top face
61 and angled sides. The compressor body may expand in height from
the front to the back end of the compressor body. In some
embodiments, the compressor 60 may also include a step 66 at the
transition point from the connection area to the back area of the
compressor 60. The step 66 may be included to reduce the weight and
material required to create the compressor 60. For example, the
compressor 60 may be constructed to have a large height, which
increases the weight of the compressor. This increased weight
allows for a greater force to be applied to the seeds 50 by the
compressor. However, the large height and/or weight may only be
required for the portion of the compressor 60 that contacts the
seeds 50. Therefore, the step 66 may reduce the amount of material
used for the entire compressor 60, while still providing sufficient
height and/or weight to press the seeds 50 into the furrow 56. The
step 66 may also be used to allow the furrow tool 52 to be easily
connected to the seed tube 42 and to maintain a desired spacing
between the row unit 26 (e.g., the discs, the wheels, etc.) and the
furrow tool 52.
[0032] The compressor 60 may also include various tabs, hooks, or
protrusions 68, 70, 72 located on an upper portion of the
compressor body. The protrusions 68, 70, 72 may be used to secure
one or more components of a fertilizer tube assembly, such as a
fertilizer tube, to the top face 61 of the compressor 60. With
reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the fertilizer tube assembly may
include a fertilizer tube. In these embodiments, the fertilizer
tube may extend over the top face 61 of the compressor 60. The
protrusions 68, 70, 72 may partially wrap around the fertilizer
tube or otherwise secure the tube in place along the compressor 60.
However, in other embodiments, the protrusions 68, 70, 72 may be
omitted. These components may be omitted when a fertilizer tube is
not attached to the compressor 60. In some embodiments, the
protrusions 68, 70, 72 may be partially curved at their top end, so
as to be partially hooked shaped. In other embodiments, the
protrusions 68, 70, 72 may be partial walls that are spaced so as
to allow a fertilizer tube to extend there between and be
substantially secured between each protrusion 68, 70, 72 by a
friction fit connection or the like.
[0033] The compressor 60 may be connected to an attachment bracket
74 at a neck portion 86 of the compressor body. The neck portion 86
may be slightly bent or rounded towards the ground. In these
embodiments, the compressor 60 may be angled generally downwards
towards the ground to press the seeds 50 downward in the furrow 56.
The angle of the compressor 60 may be increased or decreased to
alter the force exerted onto the seeds 50 by the compressor 60.
[0034] In some embodiments, the bottom portion 64 of the compressor
60 may be shaped to generally conform to the shape of the furrow
56. For instance, if the furrow 56 has a v-shape, the bottom
portion 64 may be shaped to have a relatively small width. The
walls from the bottom portion 64 to the top of the compressor 62
may be angled to be substantially the same angle as the walls of
the furrow 56. In these embodiments, the compressor 60 may be
better able to track the shape of the furrow 56, and thus most
efficiently press the seeds 50 into the furrow 56. Additionally,
the shape and size of the compressor 60 may be adjusted to
accommodate the types of crops being grown and the soil conditions.
For instance, some seeds 50 may require significant pressure,
whereas other seeds 50 may be easily damaged and thus lighter
pressing is required. In these embodiments, the shape of compressor
60 may be changed as well as the material. For example, a lighter
material may be used for easily damaged seeds, whereas a heavier
material may be used for seeds that can withstand more force. Also,
the shape of the compressor 60 may be altered such that the bottom
portion 64 may not fit/reach to the bottom of the furrow 56, thus
the amount of force applied by compressor 60 to the seeds 50 may be
reduced.
[0035] The deflector 62 may be secured to the compressor 60 and may
extend beyond the width of the compressor 60. In these embodiments,
the deflector 62 may be wider than the compressor 60, and the
compressor 60 may extend past the deflector 62 and be longer than
the deflector 62. In these embodiments, the deflector 62 can direct
seeds 50 bouncing in a variety of directions from the seed tube 42.
The deflector 62 may curve downwards at a bend point 88. In these
embodiments, the deflector 62 may be generally rounded and follow
the shape of the compressor 60. The deflector 62 may also be
configured to receive fertilizer tubes as shown in FIGS. 7 and
8.
[0036] The fertilizer tubes may be attached by fasteners connected
at apertures 92 located on a front or top face of the deflector 62.
The apertures 92 may be raised above the body of the deflector 62
and be spaced apart from one another. In other embodiments, the
apertures 92 may be omitted (for instance if no fertilizing is
desired), or the apertures 92 may be located in other areas of the
deflector 62. The deflector 62 may be shaped to generally follow
the width of the furrow 56 and therefore be better able to deflect
the seeds 50 regardless of how the seeds 50 bounce. In some
embodiments, the deflector 62 may have rounded sides and a flat
front face. However, in other embodiments the deflector 62 may be
shaped to accommodate other planter and/or types of furrows 56. For
example, if the furrow 56 is shaped wider or formed in a shape
other than a V, the deflector 62 may be shaped to mimic that
additional width or different shape to provide bounce coverage for
the seeds 50.
[0037] The attachment bracket 74 may be attached to the compressor
60 and the deflector 62 via the neck portion 86 of the compressor.
The neck portion 86 may be integral with the attachment bracket 74,
or may be attached via glue, welding, or the like. The attachment
bracket 74 secures the furrow tool 52 to the seed tube 42 or other
location on the row unit 26. In some embodiments, the furrow tool
52 may be attached to the seed tube 42 via fasteners. The fasteners
(not shown) may be attached via fastener apertures 76, 78, 80, 82.
In some embodiments, the fasteners may wrap around the seed tube 42
(e.g. wire, string, plastic connectors, or the like), and in other
embodiments, the fasteners may be screws, nails, or the like that
attach to a bracket or at another attachment area on the seed tube
42.
[0038] The attachment bracket 74 may also include projections 84.
The projections 84 may assist in attaching the bracket but are not
required. The attachment bracket 74 illustrates one embodiment for
attaching the furrow tool 52 to the row unit 26. In other
embodiments, the furrow tool 52 may be attached in a variety of
ways. In some embodiments, the furrow tool 52 may be integrated
with the seed tube 42. However, the attachment bracket 74 allows
the furrow tool 52 to be used with a variety of planters 10,
including different row units 26 and seed tubes 42 since the furrow
tool 52 may be attached to a variety of already existing planting
devices. The attachment bracket 74 also allows the height of the
furrow tool 52 to be readily adjusted so that the compression
pressure applied by the compressor 60 and the height of the
compressor 60 or the deflector 62 above the bottom of the furrow 56
may be adjusted.
[0039] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the furrow tool 52 with fertilizer
tubes installed on the furrow tool 52. The furrow tool 52 may
include a nutrient tube 100 (as show in FIG. 7) or may include a
splitter (as shown in FIG. 8). Referring now to FIG. 7, the
nutrient tube 100 may be attached to the deflector 62 via fasteners
93 that attach a securing bar 102 to the deflector 62. The
deflector 62 may include an additional securing tab 101. The
securing tab 101 may receive the nutrient tube 100 and may be
configured to deposit the water, fertilizer, etc. at a desired
location in the furrow 56. The nutrient tube 100 may be use to
deposit fertilizer, water, nutrient, or the like. The nutrient tube
100 may be connected to a storage tank or other type of container
located on the planter 10 or the row unit 26. In some embodiments,
the nutrient tube 100 may be configured to be placed between the
deflector 62 and the compressor 60. In these embodiments, the
nutrient tube 100 may deposit the fertilizer, water, or the like to
the seeds 50 before the compressor 60 passes over the seeds 50.
However, in other embodiments, the nutrient tube 100 may be longer
so that the fertilizer, water, or the like may be delivered to the
furrow 56 after the seeds 50 are pressed into the soil.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 8, a splitter 106 may be used to allow
the nutrient tube 100 to deposit elements on either side of the
seeds 50 within the furrow 56. In these embodiments, the securing
tab 101 may not be used to secure the nutrient tube 100 to the
furrow tool 52.
[0041] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
furrow tool 52 may be secured to the row unit 26 via a bracket 41.
The bracket 41 may be used in place of the attachment bracket 74,
or used in conjunction with the attachment bracket 74. The seed
tube 42 may be inserted into the bracket 41 and secured via a
fastener or other mechanism (not shown). The opening 48 of the seed
tube 42 may then be angled so as to dispense the seeds 50 into the
furrow 56.
[0042] In still other embodiments, the nutrient tube 100 may be
secured to a top portion of the compressor 60. For example, as
shown in FIG. 8, the nutrient tube 100 may be secured to the top
face 61 of the compressor 60 via the protrusions 68, 70, 72. The
deflector 62 then may be directly adjacent to the bottom 64 of the
deflector 62. The nutrient tube 100 may then extend away from the
outer protrusion 63 to provide fertilizer and/or nutrients to the
seed after it is pressed into the furrow 56. The compressor 60 may
further include a splitter 106. The splitter 106 may be configured
to provide nutrients to either side of the seeds 50.
[0043] All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward,
downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above,
below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are
only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's
understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do
not create limitations, particularly as to the position,
orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth
in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled,
connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and
may include intermediate members between a connection of elements
and relative movement between elements. As such, connection
references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly
connected and in fixed relation to each other.
[0044] In some instances, components are described with reference
to "ends" having a particular characteristic and/or being connected
with another part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize
that the present invention is not limited to components which
terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other
parts. Thus, the term "end" should be interpreted broadly, in a
manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or
otherwise near the terminus of a particular element, link,
component, part, member or the like. In methodologies directly or
indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are
described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in
the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged,
replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and
not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
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