Planting – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-02
2002-05-21
Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)
Planting
Miscellaneous
C111S900000, C701S050000, C172S004000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06389999
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to surface or ground-engaging implements and specifically to agricultural row-crop planting implements. Although this disclosure is directed primarily towards application in the setting of a row-crop planting implement, the present invention may find application in any setting wherein dynamic control of excess downpressure upon guide structures is desired. Examples include manufacturing processes wherein controlled material cutting or scoring is required across a surface that presents a variable surface profile or a surface having a spatially variable load-bearing strength or hardness.
Producers of agricultural row crops select planting space between seeds within a row in accordance with a predetermined row width and a desired plant population per acre of land. Due to high populations of plants within a given row, competition between plants for available sunlight, soil moisture, and soil nutrients often plays an important role in the growth and development of individual plants. Competition between plants, each provided equal opportunity, can produce positive results. For example, forestry engineers make use of controlled population pressure to force the tall straight growth of trees. Competition can, however, produce negative effects. For example, it is generally believed that overall production per acre of corn is compromised if equal opportunity is not provided for each competing plant. If the emergence of a seed in the row is delayed 24 hours relative to other seeds nearby, total yield for the plants in that segment of row may be measurably reduced. Also, if the emergence of a single seed is delayed 48 hours, relative to the seeds nearby, remaining yield potential may be best protected by destroying the delayed plant. Agricultural producers thus have a clear and definite interest in practices that produce or favor not only an optimum growing environment for all seeds generally, but an equal opportunity for each seed and resulting plant.
The system disclosed herein provides for the dynamic control of excess downpressure applied to a surface-engaging depth control structure that is used in combination with a surface-penetrating instrument. In the agricultural setting, this system addresses an important aspect of the producers' interest in providing an equal environment and opportunity for each plant, namely, providing uniform depth of seed placement. This new system expands the producers' opportunities to manage the effects of the several variable factors that commonly affect the depth of seed placement. A discussion of a typical planting unit that may benefit from the present invention, namely, a row crop planting unit, is provided below.
FIG. 1
(prior art) illustrates a typical row crop planting unit, the basic components, relative placement, and function of which are in widespread use and commonly known. In reference to
FIG. 1
, a toolbar
2
, is shown. The toolbar
2
is a structural element to which additional functional elements are connected. The toolbar's position is generally parallel to, and typically approximately 20 inches above, the surface of the soil
14
. Of course, depending on the application, this height may vary dramatically. Typical toolbars
2
are supported by wheels and a lift system (not shown). The toolbar
2
is typically pulled forward by a tractor
50
(in the direction of the viewer's left) by means of a hitch (not shown). The primary function of the toolbar
2
is to support row unit(s)
4
. Typically, a plurality of row units
4
are attached to the rear (the viewer's right) of the toolbar
2
. In practice, a given toolbar
2
is used to support and pull numerous row units
4
that are positioned generally parallel to one another.
The main frame
6
of the row unit
4
is attached to the rear of the toolbar
2
by means of two pairs of parallel linkages
8
, each pair being pivotal at both ends. In
FIG. 1
(prior art), only the left pair of parallel linkages
8
is shown. Attached between the top and bottom portions of the parallel linkages
8
are adjustable, supplemental downpressure springs
10
. The adjustable, supplemental downpressure springs
10
are typically attached at a fixed point
24
on one of the parallel linkages
8
, and at one of several selectable attachment points
22
on the paired parallel linkage
8
.
As the row unit
4
is drawn forward a linear, “V”-shaped opening or furrow (into which seeds may be dropped) is created in the surface of the soil
14
by what is well known in the row crop planter industry as a double disk opener
12
. Other furrow forming means, for example, single disk openers or wedge-shaped implements, may also be employed to form furrows. Double disk openers
12
typically comprise a pair of rotating disks mounted in angled relationship to one another to form a driving wedge that may be moved through the soil. The left hand disk of the double disk opener
12
is shown in the side elevation view of FIG.
1
. The double disk opener
12
may produce the linear “V” shaped opening or furrow in the soil surface due to the particular orientation of one rotating disk relative to the other. This relationship is generally fixed by the disks' mounting to the row unit main frame
6
. The horizontal distance between the centers of the two separate disks of the double disk opener
6
is generally one to several inches. The generally intersecting axes about which each disk of the double disk opener respectively and independently rotates are typically vertically fixed in relation to the row unit main frame
6
. The angled relationship between the disks (that form the wedge) typically brings the edges of the two disks into contact or closest relationship with each other at the opener disk cutting edge
16
where the disks enter and penetrate the soil surface
14
. The effectiveness of the double disk opener
12
as herein generally described, is well established by its numerous applications and extensive use over several decades. In addition, such planting units often include a third, contoured, ground-breaking disk (not shown) that may be mounted to cut through and loosen the soil in front of the dual-disk wedge.
Equally well established is the use and function of adjustable gauge wheels
18
(a left one of which is shown in
FIG. 1
(prior art)) mounted generally parallel to or in slightly angled relationship with, and in some applications, in side contact with, the disks of the double disk opener
12
. Whereas the mounting location of the double disk opener
12
to the row unit main frame
6
is generally fixed by its manufacturer or user, the mounting location of the depth gauge wheels
18
relative to the row unit main frame
6
is generally vertically adjustable. This adjustment allows for the positioning of the lowermost point of a depth gauge wheel
18
at a distance between about zero and three inches (or other desired planting depth) above the lowermost point on an opener disk cutting edge
16
. It is possible, then, by means of vertical adjustment of the gauge wheels
18
to control the depth of penetration of the double disk opener
12
into, and a selected distance beyond, the surface of the soil
14
. In this manner, the gauge wheels
18
are relied on to support a portion of the weight of the row unit
4
upon the soil surface
14
. A portion of the weight of the row unit generally is supported by other means such as the toolbar.
Although reference is made above to double disk openers
12
wherein disks are fixed in vertical relationship with the main frame, various suspension systems are disclosed in the prior art that relate to gauge wheel
18
and disk
12
suspensions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,922 discloses a planter with an equalizer between gauge wheels. In the '922 patent, gauge wheels are controlled by an equalizer arm that is connected to a main frame. In
FIG. 4
of the '922 patent, disks are shown in suspension with gauge wheel supports and equalizer structures. The present inve
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