Planting – Drilling – Frame and planting-element arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-05
2001-02-27
Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)
Planting
Drilling
Frame and planting-element arrangement
C111S170000, C111S200000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192812
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a shield for a planter unit and more particularly to a debris shield for a planter unit which prevents debris from moving upwardly into the support frame for the planter unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multi-row planters are generally comprised of a plurality of single furrow planter units secured to a tool bar or the like. In certain planters, such as those manufactured by John Deere, the planter unit consists of a seed hopper mounted on a support frame which is pivotally connected to the tool bar or the like by means of a parallel arm arrangement. In some planter units, a granular herbicide/pesticide box is positioned on the support frame rearwardly of the seed hopper. The support frame or panel, as it is termed by John Deere, is comprised of a pair of horizontally spaced frame members or panel members which are generally vertically disposed and which define a space or opening therebetween. A shank assembly is secured to the support frame and is positioned therebelow. The shank assembly includes the conventional gauge wheels, furrow opening disks, furrow closer, etc.
Some sort of seed metering device, such as a seed pick up device, is associated with the discharge opening of the seed hopper for metering seeds from the hopper to a distribution tube extending downwardly therefrom which directs the seeds into the prepared furrow. The upper end of the distribution tube is positioned between the frame members by means of a plate or cover having a rectangular opening formed therein which is in communication with the seed metering device. In certain of the John Deere planter units, a chain and sprocket assembly is mounted between the frame members for driving the seed metering device.
The spacer opening between the frame members, as described above, is open except for the distribution tube and the plate supporting the same. The open area between the frame members presents a major problem in that in certain field conditions, such as a muddy field, the gauge wheels, as well as the furrow opening disks, throw dirt and mud upwardly into the opening between the frames members which creates problems for the chain and sprocket assembly therein. Further, in minimum and no-till fields, cornstalks and the like can poke or stick upwardly between the frame members, thereby creating problems for the chain and sprocket assembly as well as the metering device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A debris shield is described for use in combination with a single furrow planter unit of a multi-row planter wherein the planter unit comprises a generally horizontally disposed frame including a pair of horizontally spaced-apart frame members which define an opening therebetween. The planter unit is provided with a seed hopper positioned on the frame members as well as the conventional furrow opening disks, gauge wheels, and furrow closing device. A debris shield is positioned between the frame members below the seed hopper for preventing debris from passing upwardly through the opening towards the sprocket and chain assembly and a metering device positioned therein. In one form of the invention, the debris shield comprises a molded plastic member having an elongated rectangular opening formed therein which is adapted to receive the lower end of the metering device. In another form of the invention, the debris shield comprises a generally rectangular metal member having a rectangular opening formed therein.
It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a debris shield for a planter unit.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a debris shield for a planter unit which is positioned below the metering device and the chain and sprocket assembly of the planter unit for preventing debris from passing upwardly thereby.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described which may be easily installed on a planter unit.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described which is durable in use.
These and other objects will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 364836 (1995-12-01), Schlangen et al.
patent: 712624 (1902-11-01), Warner
patent: 925541 (1909-06-01), Welch
patent: 1110048 (1914-09-01), Flint
patent: 1413641 (1922-04-01), Whipple
patent: 2540262 (1951-02-01), Higginson
patent: 2753782 (1956-07-01), Chattin
patent: 2762285 (1956-09-01), Yetter
patent: 3155169 (1964-11-01), Mattson et al.
patent: 3714913 (1973-02-01), Gandrud
patent: 3830455 (1974-08-01), Brightly
patent: 3901325 (1975-08-01), Richards
patent: 4011622 (1977-03-01), Gillum et al.
patent: 4013192 (1977-03-01), Pillon
patent: 4054063 (1977-10-01), Perrin
patent: 4061002 (1977-12-01), Drews
patent: 4066130 (1978-01-01), Heppner
patent: 4266489 (1981-05-01), Parramore
patent: 4781253 (1988-11-01), Cosson
patent: 4784227 (1988-11-01), Cosson
patent: 4878443 (1989-11-01), Gardner
patent: 5139200 (1992-08-01), Greimann et al.
patent: 5303780 (1994-04-01), Evenson
patent: 5611572 (1997-03-01), Alava
Novosad Christopher J.
Thomte Dennis L.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
LandOfFree
Debris shield for a planter unit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Debris shield for a planter unit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Debris shield for a planter unit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2613654