Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SECTIONAL METER SHUT-OFF AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
HAVING SECTIONAL METER SHUT-OFF
The present invention relates generally to the field of air seeding systems,
and
more particularly to metered air seeding and/or fertilizing systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Air seeders/fertilizer apparatus are commonly used in agricultural operations
to
apply particulate materials including one or more of the following, namely
seed, fertilizer
and/or innoculants into soil during the planting operation. These apparatus
are often
comprised of a wheeled cart that includes one or more tanks and meters to both
hold and
meter particulate materials. The metered particulate material is delivered to
the soil
through pneumatic pipes that attach to ground-engaging openers which engage
soil and
permit delivery of particulate material such as seed or fertilizer to furrows
which are
created in such soil by the ground-engaging openers.
Historically, farm sizes have increased and likewise field sizes have
increased. As
Such, the necessary seeding/fertilizing equipment has become larger and more
efficient.
However, larger equipment proves to be difficult when attempting to
seed/fertilize a
smaller piece of land within a larger piece of land, or a piece of land with
an irregular
shape such as a triangle. When seeding, these land irregularities create a
significant
overlap in the area of soil being seeded and/or fertilized. As a result, the
cost expended on
seed and fertilizer is in excess of what is necessary for proper seeding and
fertilizing.
Additionally, over-fertilization and/or over-seeding of an area causes the
crop to lodge
and not ripen at the appropriate time causing harvest problems and losses in
yield. The
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accumulative effect of the seeding and fertilizing overlapping in small
sections over
many fields can become a very significant expense to a farmer.
Prior art implements have sought to remedy this situation by implementing a
metering device in the seeder that can apply a specific quantity of seed per
linear
distance. However, the prior art has not resolved the problem that double
seeding can
occur when the land seeded is too narrow or odd shaped for the seeding device.
Further,
the prior art has not resolved the problem that even though the meter has been
turned off,
ground-engaging openers are still engaging the ground and destroying the seed
bed. This
causes the seeded area which is overlapped to be destroyed by the ground-
engaging
openers resulting in uneven germination causing further problems with a poor
crop and
an uneven harvest in these areas.
Canadian Patent 2,503,174 provides for a multi-compartment air seeding system
where each compartment is assigned to a selected air stream based on the
volume or type
of seed and fertilizer required for a specific crop. A metering assembly is
provided which
comprises a metering house 80 for receiving the seed or fertilizer material as
well as a
metering roller for metering the material. Metering cells then collect the
material for
seeding. Diverter plates are also provided to move front and backwards to open
and close
the tops of either the front and rear material cells.
US 5,980,163 further provides a distribution manifold for an air seeder for
dispensing product, Further, it provides by-passed ports and venturi ports,
the venturi
ports making up the row of ports in which product from the product tank
associated with
the primary distribution manifold is to be deposited. The by-pass ports make
up the
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remainder of rows in the primary distribution manifold. If the venturi ports
do not make
up the top row of ports in the primary distribution manifold, product from the
associated
product tank flows through rows of by-pass ports until the product encounters
a row of
venturi ports. Following entering into the venturi ports, product is carried
by the
pneumatic distribution system to the tillage. This device promotes a smooth
flow of
metered product as well as allowing the operator to adapt the pneumatic
distribution
system for varying configurations.
Although both of the above prior art devices disclose air seeders that allow
for
metered seeding or fertilizing, neither of the above devices disclose a device
that is both
able to selectively obstruct a portion of the meter, as well as lift the
corresponding
ground-engaging openers, thus, preventing double seeding and the destruction
of the seed
bed.
Consequently, there is a need for an air seeding system that can combine the
closing of part of the meter and lifting the corresponding ground-engaging
opener.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art air
seeding systems and devices, by providing a metering assembly capable of
restricting
flow to selected ground-engaging members of an agricultural implement used in
dispensing material such as seed and/or fertilizer to soil.
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In an embodiment, a particulate material metering assembly for receiving a
particulate material from an air seeding supply source and supplying and
metering the
particulate material to an air seeding apparatus is provided. The assembly
comprises: at
least one supply receptacle for receiving particulate material from the air
seeding supply
source, the supply receptacle having an opening for receiving particulate
material from
the air seeding supply source and a lower portion where particulate material
is supplied
from the at least one supply receptacle to the air seeding apparatus; a
metering roller
having at least one roll section, the at least one roll section provided in
the at least one
supply receptacle between the opening and the lower portion and rotatable to
meter and
supply particulate material from the at least one supply receptacle; and at
least one flow
stopping device for selectively preventing particulate material from being
supplied from
the at least one supply receptacle to the air seeding apparatus.
In another embodiment, an agricultural implement for injecting particulate
material into soil is provided. The agricultural implement towable behind a
vehicle and
comprises: an air seeding supply source for supplying particulate material; a
central
frame; a plurality of elongate pivotable mounting arms, pivotably mounted at a
proximal
end thereof to said central frame, each adapted to be moved from a raised
transport
position to a lowered operating position, arranged in juxtaposed position and
all aligned
substantially parallel to each other along a longitudinal axis of said
implement and in an
intended direction of travel of said implement; ground engaging openers,
mounted on
each of said mounting arms intermediate a distal and said proximal end
thereof, to engage
soil when each of said mounting arms is in the operating position; material
dispensing
devices on each of said mounting arms, proximate the openers, for dispensing
the
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,
'
particulate material into the soil; and a particulate material metering
assembly operative
to selectively supply and meter the particulate material from the supply
source to the
material dispensing devices on each of the mounting arms.
In another embodiment a method for selectively supplying particulate material
to
an air seeding apparatus for dispensing the particulate material in soil is
provided. The
method comprises: feeding particulate material from an air seeder supply
source to a
particulate material metering assembly; supplying and metering the particulate
material
from the air seeding supply source to the air seeding apparatus using the
metering
assembly; stopping the metering assembly from supplying particulate material
to the air
seeding apparatus when the air seeding apparatus is traveling over ground
where it is
undesirable to dispense particulate material; and after the metering assembly
has been
stopped from supplying particulate material to the air seeding apparatus and
when the air
seeding apparatus is again traveling over ground where it is desired to
dispense
particulate material, using the metering device to supply particulate material
to the air
seeding.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar
parts
throughout the several views, several aspects of the present invention are
illustrated by
way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures,
wherein:
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FIG 1. is a front view of a metering assembly as per one embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG 2. is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the metering assembly of Fig. 1,
taken along line B-B of Fig. 1, showing the shut-off gates in the closed
position;
FIG 3. is a front view of a metering assembly of the present invention,
similar to Fig. 1;
FIG 4. is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the metering assembly of Fig. 3,
taken along line B-B thereof, showing the shut-off gates in the open position;
FIG 5. is a bottom perspective view of the metering assembly of the present
invention, including the individual shut-off gates in both open and closed
positions;
FIG 6. is a top perspective view of the metering assembly of the present
invention, including the individual shut-off gates in both open and closed
positions;
FIG 7. is a front view of the metering assembly of the present invention,
showing
gates in both opened and closed positions;
FIG 8. is a side view of the air seeding apparatus of the present invention
which
supports a fertilizer tank and a seed tank showing the location of
installation of the
metering assembly;
FIG 9. is a top plan view of an air seeding apparatus of the present invention
depicting distribution lines that are open to the flow of fertilizer from the
metering
assembly;
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. .
FIG 10. is a front view of an air seeding apparatus of the present invention
depicting the soil openers in the lowered position;
FIG 11. is a top plan view of an air seeding apparatus of the present
invention,
depicting distribution lines that are either open (white) or shut-off (black)
to the flow of
fertilizer and seed from the metering assembly;
FIG 12. is a front plan view of an air seeding apparatus depicting the soil
openers
in both lowered and raised positions;
FIG 13, is a cross-sectional side view of the agricultural implement of the
present
invention, showing the soil openers in the lowered position and pivotally
mounted to a
conventional frame;
FIG 14. is a cross-sectional side view of the agricultural implement of the
present
invention, with the soil openers in the lowered position;
FIG 15. is a cross-sectional side view of the agricultural implement of the
present
invention, with the soil openers in the raised position and pivotally mounted
to a
conventional frame.
FIG 16. is a cross-sectional side view of the agricultural implement of the
present
inventions with the soil openers in the raised position;
FIG 17. is a schematic of an electrical circuit for operating the air seeding
apparatus of the present invention, showing all switches in the off position;
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. .
FIG 18. is a schematic of the electrical circuit of the metering assembly of
the
present invention, showing switch 1 in the on position;
F1G 19. is a schematic of a hydraulic circuit for operating the metering
assembly
of the present invention, showing all valves in the "off position;
FIG 20. is a schematic of a hydraulic circuit for metering assembly of the
present
invention, showing valves IA and IB in the "on" position and remaining valves
in the
"off position;
FIG 21. is a perspective view of a metering assembly in another embodiment;
FIG 22. is a perspective view of the metering assembly of FIG 21. on a supply
source;
FIG 23. is an exploded perspective view of the metering assembly of FIG 21;
FIG 24. is a perspective view of a single supply receptacle of the metering
assembly of Fig 21. with a side removed so that the internal components of the
metering
device can be seen;
FIG 25. is a side view of the supply receptacle of FIG 24;
FIG 26. is a front view of the supply receptacle of FIG 24; and
FIG 27. is a perspective side view of the supply receptacle of FIG 24.
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DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended
drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present
invention
and is not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the
inventor. The
detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a
comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be
apparent to
those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without
these specific
details.
The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation,
may
best be understood by reference to the following description and the drawings
wherein
numbers are used throughout several views to label like parts. Certain parts
which are
mentioned may be absent in particular figures due to the view of the drawing
or
obstruction by other parts.
An embodiment of a metering assembly 35 of the present invention is
illustrated
in FIGS 1 to 8. The metering assembly 35 is comprised of a fluted or toothed
metering
roller 1 for ultimate distribution of particulate material to an agricultural
implement. The
metering roller 1 extends across the width of the metering assembly 35 and
defines an
axis. The metering assembly 35 is divided into a number of sections and the
metering
roller 1 is divided into a number of roll sections 3. Each roll section 3
corresponds with a
portion of the metering roller 1 that extends through one of the sections. The
metering
roller 1 can be made of a variety of materials and have a variety of fluted or
toothed
configurations to correspond to the various crops that may need seeding. Upon
forward
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movement of an air seeding system 200 the metering roller 1 rotates on a drive
shaft 2
which causes particulate material including seed and fertilizer to be
dispensed from a
supply source 5 having a seed tank 96 and a fertilizer tank 98 to dispense at
a
predetermined rate through outlets in the fertilizer metering assembly 35a or
seed
metering assembly 35b and into distribution lines 27 (see FIG. 8) and
ultimately
dispensed by an air distribution system 27, 15, 18 through a plurality of
ground-engaging
openers 3 (FIGS 13 to 16) and into soil. Each roll section 3 of the metering
roller 1 will
rotate and supply particulate material through the section of the metering
assembly 35 the
roll section 3 is in.
In a field where a pie shape or long strips of land remain unseeded or
unfertilized
and/or are narrower than the width of the seeding/ fertilizing machinery, it
would be
optimal to turn off part of the seeding/ fertilizing machinery to only seed/
fertilize those
areas that have not been seeded/ fertilized rather than over-seed/ fertilize
or double-seed/
fertilize a particular area and disturb an underlying seed bed.
One manner of accomplishing this, it to provide a plurality of gates 4
installed
above the metering roller 1 which are able to move in either forward or
rearward
directions. In the forward direction each gate 4 prevents particulate material
from being
dispensed to that particular section of the metering roller 1 and acts as a
barrier
preventing the particulate material from contacting the metering roller 1. In
the rearward
position the gates 4 allows the particulate material to access the metering
roller 1. A
plurality of these gates 4 occur along the axis 33 of the metering roller 1
such that the
metering roller 1 can be divided into sections and individual gates 4 can be
engaged to
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,
provide a different length of the air seeding system to be blocked for seeding
or
fertilizing purposes.
As seen in FIGS 2 and 4, a gate 4 is threadably connected to a first end of a
shaft
7 above the metering roller 1. The shaft 7 is slidably attached to the
internal surface of the
rear and upper corner of an air seeding system hopper 5. Further, a second end
of the
shaft 7 is attached to an electric actuator, a hydraulic cylinder actuator, or
an electric over
hydraulic meter gate actuator 80. Further, each gate 4 is slidably connected
to a metal
plate 26, the plate 26 being connected to the upper, rear portion of an air
seeding system
hopper 5 by a variety of means which may include but are not limited to
welded, soldered
or bolted. The metal plate 26 serves as a guide for the gate 4 such that the
plate's position
relative to the gate 4 correctly positions the gate 4 over the metering roller
1 when
engaged by the shaft 7. Further, when engaged by the shaft 7, the gate 4 is
brought
forward to engage the opposite end of the air seeding system hopper 5 such
that
particulate material cannot pass between the gate and the air seeding system
hopper 5.
When not engaged by the shaft 7, the gate 4 remains in a fixed position
slidably attached
to the metal plate 26. In this position, particulate material can pass between
the gate 4 and
the air seeding system hopper 5 and through to the metering roller 1 and then
to
distribution lines 27. From the distribution lines 27, the particulate
material will
ultimately pass to the ground-engaging openers 3 of an agricultural implement
/air
seeding apparatus 200 and into the soil.
FIGS. 5 to 7 show the shaft 7 differently engaged to produce an open gate 22
or a
closed gate 23 when activated. Each gate 4 is ideally made of steel or another
suitably
strong metal. When in the forward (closed) position, the gate 23 completely
prevents the
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metering roller 1 from accessing any particulate matter released from above
the metering
roller 1, In FIG. 2 the gate 4 can be clearly seen in its closed position 23
blocking all
access of the particulate material to the metering roller 1. In FIG. 4 and
FIG, 6 the opened
gates 22 can best be seen in which a free flow of particulate matter to the
metering roller
1 can occur.
An electric switch 101 in the cab of the vehicle (not shown) pulling the air
seeding apparatus 200 is connected operatively to an electric actuator,
hydraulic actuator
or electric over hydraulic actuator 80 which is operatively connected to the
second end of
the shaft 7 to allow the operator to operate the metering assembly 35 and more
specifically designate which gates 4 are to be open and which gates 4 are to
be closed
based on the operators knowledge of which soil is to be seeded/fertilized and
which is to
remain undisturbed. FIG. 17 shows a schematic of the electrical circuit 120
for operating
the air seeding apparatus 200 of the present invention, which includes a
plurality of
switches 101, for operating corresponding electrical coils 102 which
respectively operate
corresponding hydraulic valves 202 to control hydraulic cylinder actuator 80
and thus
gates 4 on metering device 35 (see FIG. 19), and such switches 101 further
operate coils
104, which correspondingly control hydraulic valves 112 for controlling
hydraulic
cylinders 12 for raising and lowering respective opener arm assemblies 202
from
engagement with soil.
FIG. 18 is an electrical schematic similar to FIG. 17, both figures showing an
electrical circuit 120 for operating air seeding apparatus 200 of the present
invention,
which includes a plurality of switches 101 for operating corresponding
electrical coils
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102, Electrical coils 102 respectively operate corresponding hydraulic valves
111 to
control gates 4 on the metering assembly 35 (see FIG's 19 & 20).
Switches 101 of FIG. 17 & 18 further and simultaneously operate coils 104
which
correspondingly control hydraulic valves 112 for controlling hydraulic
cylinders 12 for
raising and lowering respective opener arm assemblies 202 from engagement with
soil.
In this regard, FIG. 20 shows shank hydraulic cylinders 12 for groups of
opener
arm assemblies 202 ( see "towers" IA & IB) in actuated position so as to cause
associated
opener assemblies 202 to be in the raised position. Remaining hydraulic
cylinders 12 for
remaining shank towers 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A1 7A & 8A, and 23, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B,
7B, and
8B are shown in the position to effect lowering of associated opener arm
assemblies 202.
In the electrical circuit 120 shown in FIG. 17, all switches 101 (eg, sw1-4)
are
shown in the "off' position. This causes associated hydraulic valves 112 to
open and
thereby cause corresponding hydraulic actuators 80 which control the metering
gates 4 of
the metering assemblies 35a, 35b to actuate the gates 4 to be in the "closed"
position, and
correspondingly control hydraulic valves 112 to cause hydraulic cylinders 12
to lower the
opener arm assemblies 202 to engage soil (See FIG. 19, and FIG. 16).
In the electrical circuit 120 shown in FIG. 18, swl is shown in the "on"
position
and the remaining switches sw 2-4 are shown in the "off position. As seen from
FIGS. 18
and 20 due to swl being in the "on" position, corresponding coil 102 (coil 1A)
activates
meter shut-off valve 111 which correspondingly activates meter gate hydraulic
actuator
80, so as to close meter gate 4. Simultaneously, switch 101 (sw) activates
coil 108 (coil
1B), so as to activate hydraulic valves 112 (see FIG. 20) (valve 1B), which in
turn
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operates hydraulic shank cylinders 12 for opener arm assembly 202 (shank
cylinders 1A,
1B), so as to cause hydraulic shank cylinders 12 to raise opener arm assembly
202 to the
raised position, as shown in FIG. 15 and in position 91 on FIG. 12.
While FIGS. 1-7 illustrates one embodiment of a metering assembly 35 to
accomplish the selective supplying of particulate material to an air seeder
apparatus 200,
the selective supplying of particulate material to the air seeder apparatus
200 can be
performed in a number of different ways. FIG. 21 illustrates a metering
assembly 235 in
another embodiment that allows the selective supplying of seed or other
particulate
material to an air seeding apparatus 200. The metering assembly 235 can be
made up of
a number of supply receptacles 236 as shown in Fig. 23. Fig. 22 illustrates
the metering
assembly 235 provided on the supply source 5. The metering assembly 235 can
selectively dispense particulate material from the supply source 5, by
supplying the
particulate material at a desired rate to distribution lines 27 in lower
portions 237 of the
supply receptacle 236 when desired, and then stop supplying/dispensing the
particulate
material to the distribution lines 27 when desired. In this manner, the
metering assembly
235 can be used to dispense particulate material from the supply source 5 when
the air
seeding apparatus 200 is in operation and then used to prevent or stop
particulate material
from being dispensed to the distribution lines 27 and the air seeding
apparatus 200 when
desired, such as, when the air seeding apparatus 200 is being turned around,
the land
being seeded is narrower than the air seeding apparatus 200, the land being
seeded is odd-
shaped, etc. This can be done to prevent overseeding, double seeding,
unnecessary
seeding, etc. of the land.
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FIG. 23 illustrates a plurality of supply receptacles 236 forming the metering
assembly 235. FIGS. 24-27 illustrate a single one of these supply receptacles
236. Each
supply receptacles 236 can have an opening 203, a diverter plate 204, a roll
section 201
of a metering roller 251 rotating on a drive shaft 202, a primary drive shaft
208, a first
drive gear 212, a clutch assembly 220, a second drive gear 214 and a lower
portion 237.
The roll section 201 can be generally cylindrical in shape and be made of a
variety of materials. The roll section 201 can be provided in the supply
receptacle 236
between the opening 203 of the metering assembly 235, where particulate
material is
supplied to the metering assembly 235, and a lower portion 237 of the supply
receptacle
236, where the particulate material will be supplied to the distribution lines
27. The roll
section 201 can rotate on the drive shaft 202, moving particulate material and
supplying
the particulate material to the lower portion 237 of the supply receptacle 236
and the
distribution lines 27. The roll section 201 can also have a variety of fluted
or toothed
configurations to correspond to the various crops that may need seeding. The
fluting or
teeth can be used to aid the roll section 201 in gripping and moving
particulate material
so that it can be supplied to the lower portion 237 of the supply receptacle
236 and from
there to the distribution lines 27.
In one aspect, a lip 205 can be provided in the supply receptacle 236. The lip
205
can be positioned within the metering assembly 235 so that in order to supply
particulate
material to the lower portion 237 of the supply receptacle 236, the roll
section 201 must
carry particulate material up and over the lip 205 before the particulate
material can be
supplied to the lower portion 237 of the supply receptacle 236 and the
distribution lines
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27. The lip 205 can aid in preventing particulate material from being supplied
to the
distribution lines 27 when the roll section 201 is not rotating.
The primary drive shaft 208 can be used to supply rotational motion to the
drive
shaft 202 that the roll section 201 is provided on. The primary drive shaft
208 can be
ground driven, driven by a PTO from the towing vehicle (e.g. a tractor), etc.
The primary
drive shaft 208 can be operably connected to the first drive gear 212 by the
clutch
assembly 220 and the clutch assembly 220 can be used to selectively couple the
primary
drive shaft 208 to the first drive gear 212. The second drive gear 214 can be
connected to
the drive shaft 202 that the roll section 201 is provided on and the second
drive gear 214
can be placed in engaging contact with the first drive gear 212 so that
rotation of the first
drive gear 212 will cause rotation of the second drive gear 214.
The clutch assembly 220 can be used to couple the primary drive shaft 208 to
the
first drive gear 212 so that the rotational motion of the primary drive shaft
208 will be
transferred through the first drive gear 212 and the second drive gear 214 to
the drive
shaft 202, causing the drive shaft 202 and the roll section 201 to rotate.
When the clutch
assembly 220 is used to de-couple the primary drive shaft 208 from the first
drive gear
212, rotational motion will no longer be transferred to the roll section 201,
the roll section
201 will stop rotating and particulate material will stop being supplied by
the roll section
201 to the distribution lines 27.
In this manner, the clutch assembly 220 can be used to selectively control the
supplying of particulate material to the distribution lines 27 by the supply
receptacle 236.
When the clutch assembly 220 is engaged and rotational motion is transferred
to the roll
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section 201, the supply receptacle 236 can selectively supply particulate
material to the
lower portion 237 of the supply receptacle 236 and the distribution lines 27.
However,
when the clutch assembly 220 is disengaged, rotational motion will no longer
be
transmitted to the roll section 201 and the roll section 201 will stop
rolling, preventing
particulate material from being supplied to the distribution lines 27.
Although, the clutch assembly 220 is shown provided between the primary drive
shaft 208 and the first drive gear 212 in FIGS 21-27, a person skilled in the
art will
appreciate that the physical location of the clutch assembly 220 could be
altered, such as
placing it between the drive shaft 202 and the second drive gear 214, with the
clutch
assembly 220 still having the same ability to selectively transmit rotational
motion to the
roll section 201, causing the roll section 201 to rotate or to stop rotating.
In one aspect, the metering assembly 235 can have a single primary drive shaft
208, while the metering roller 251 is made up a number of drive shafts 202 and
coaxial
roll sections 201 spaced sequentially, with a separate drive shaft 202 and
roll section 201
provided in each supply receptacle 236. In this manner, power can be supplied
from the
single primary drive shaft 208 to each of the separate drive shafts 202. With
a clutch
assembly 220 provided for each supply receptacle 236 between the single
primary drive
shaft 208 and the drive shaft 202 provided in the supply receptacle 236, each
clutch
assembly 220 can be operated separately from the other, coupling and
decoupling each
drive shaft 202 to the primary drive shaft 208 independently of the others,
causing each
supply receptacle 236 to selectively meter and supply particulate material to
the air
seeding apparatus 200 independently of the other supply receptacles 236.
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Alternatively, a single clutch assembly 220 could be connected to a single
drive
shaft 202 passing through each of the roll sections 201 to selectively rotate
all of the roll
sections 201 or none of the roll sections 201.
In one embodiment the clutch assemblies 220 of the metering assembly 235 can
be controlled by an operator inside a cab of a tow vehicle (not shown), such
as by
providing switches or buttons allowing the operator to engage and disengage
the various
clutch assemblies 220 as desired, starting and stopping the supply of
particulate material
to the air seeding apparatus 200 through the various supply receptacles 236.
However, in
another embodiment, the clutch assemblies 220 might be controlled by a GNSS
navigation system, such as a GPS system, that disengages the clutch assemblies
220 and
stops the section roll 201 from rotating when the GPS navigation system
determines that
the air seeding apparatus 200 is passing over fields that has already been
seeded or should
not be seeded.
In operation, when a field is being seeded with the air seeding apparatus 200,
particulate material is provided from the supply source 5 to the metering
assembly 235.
The metering assembly 235 can meter and dispense the particulate material
through each
of the supply receptacles 236 to the distribution lines 27 to be supplied to
the air seeding
apparatus 200 and ultimately dispensed into the soil through the ground-
engaging
openers 3 on the air seeding apparatus 200 (FIGS 13 to 16). Particulate
material entering
one of the supply receptacles 236 can be directed by the diverter plate 204
towards one
side of the roll section 201 associated with that supply receptacle 236. As
the roll section
201 rotates, the roll section 201 can move the particulate material and supply
it to the
lower portion 237 of the supply receptacle 236 and to the distribution lines
27. This can
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continue while the air seeding apparatus 200 is being used to seed and/or
fertilize a field.
However, when it is no longer desirable to supply particulate material, such
as seed and
fertilizer, to the air seeder 200, such as when it is passing over ground that
has already
been seeded, the ground it is passing over is not supposed to be seeded, etc.,
the metering
assembly 235 can be used to selectively stop dispensing particulate material
to the air
seeding apparatus 200. The operator, GPS device, etc. can send a signal to the
appropriate clutch assemblies 220 causing the clutch assemblies 200 to
decouple the
primary drive shaft 208 from the first gear 212 and stopping the roll sections
201 in the
associated supply receptacles 236 from rotating. With the roll section 201 no
longer
rotating, particulate material will no longer be moved by the roll 201 and
supplied from
the supply receptacle 236 to the air seeding apparatus 200. When the air
seeding
apparatus 200 has crossed the ground and seeding of the ground is once again
desired.
The clutch assemblies 220 that were disengaged, can once again be engaged and
the
metering assembly 235 can once again be used to supply particulate material to
the
distribution lines 27 and to the air seeding apparatus 200.
If it is desirably to only stop supplying particulate material to a portion of
ground-
engaging openers 3 on the air seeding apparatus 200, the individual supply
receptacles
236 supplying particulate material to that portion of the ground-engaging
openers 3 can
be prevented from supplying particulate material. Each of the supply
receptacles 236 can
be selectively operated independently from the others, allowing some of the
supply
receptacles 236 to continue to supply particulate material to the air seeding
apparatus 200
which will dispense the particulate material using only some of the ground
openers 3,
while the other supply receptacles 236 are stopped from supplying particulate
material to
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the air seeding apparatus 200. In this way, only a portion of the air seeding
apparatus 200
will continue to dispense particulate material into the soil. This can be used
when the air
seeding apparatus 200 is wider than the ground to be seeded, requiring only a
portion of
the width of the air seeding apparatus 200 to be used for seeding.
FIG. 8 to 12 shows an agricultural apparatus equipped with a seed metering
assembly 35a and a fertilizer metering assembly 35b. From each metering
assembly 35a,
35b, a plurality of distribution lines 27 are coupled such that an individual
gate 4 within a
metering assembly 35a, 35b will correspond to an individual distribution line
27. Each
distribution line 27 is also coupled at its other end to a secondary
distribution head 74.
Alternatively, seed metering assembly 35a and fertilizer metering assembly
35b, shown
in FIGs. 8 to 12, could be replaced with metering assemblies 235, as shown in
Figs. 21-
27. A first metering assembly 235 could be used in place of the seed metering
assembly
35a and a second metering assembly 235 could be used in place of the
fertilizer metering
assembly 35b. These metering assembly 235 could be connected to distribution
lines 27
as shown in Figs. 21-27.
Each agricultural apparatus 200 has a plurality of secondary distribution
heads 74.
Each secondary distribution head 74 has a plurality of couplings to seed hoses
82 or
fertilizer hoses 84. Each secondary distribution head 74 is then coupled at
its other end to
respective seed tube/hose 18 and fertilizer hose/tube 15 (see FIG. 9). Because
the
secondary distribution head 74 has a plurality of couplings to seed tube/hoses
18 or
fertilizer tube/hoses 15, each gate 4 of metering assemblies 35a, 35b (or
metering
assemblies 235) can selectively open or close the supply of seed or fertilizer
to a
respective plurality of seed hoses 18 ( in the case of a seed metering
assembly 35a) and to
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a plurality of fertilizer tube/hoses 15 (in the case of a fertilizer metering
assembly 35b).
In Fig. 9 all of the distribution lines (white) depict seed and fertilizer
hoses 82, 84
respectively open to the flow of fertilizer by a plurality of gates 4 in the
seed metering
assembly 35a, and fertilizer metering assembly 35b, respectively. Accordingly,
in Fig.
10, all of the agricultural implements 200 are in the lowered position to
allow the soil to
be fertilized.
The black distribution lines in Fig. 11 depict seed hoses 82 and fertilizer
hoses 84
shut-off to the flow of fertilizer by a plurality of gates 4 in the respective
metering
assemblies 35a, 35b or by stopping the rotation of the roll sections 201 in
metering
assembly 235, and the white distribution lines depict seed hoses 82 and
fertilizer hoses 84
open to the flow of seed and fertilizer by a plurality of gates 4 in the
respective seed and
fertilizer metering assemblies 35a, 35b or by allowing the section rolls 201
to rotate in the
metering assemblies 235. As such, a plurality of opener arm assemblies 202
will have
seed and fertilizer distributed to them and a plurality of opener arm
assemblies 202 will
not have fertilizer or seed distributed to them.
Fig. 12 depicts a group of opener arm assemblies 202 in the raised position 93
so
that they do not disturb the soil. Fertilizer hoses 84 and associated
fertilizer tubes/hoses
15, and likewise seed hoses 82 and corresponding seed hoses/tubes 18, all
associated with
the opener arm assemblies 202 which are in the raised position 93, are closed
to the flow
of seed/fertilizer. Other opener arm assemblies 202 are shown in the lowered
position 93,
and the associated fertilizer tubes/hoses 15 and seed tube/hoses 18 are
provided with
fertilizer and seed to permit operation of the remaining operable opener arm
assemblies
202 shown in lowered position 93.
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. .
Further, in another embodiment a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)
such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) (not shown) is employed to
automatically
engage the electric actuator, hydraulic actuator, or electric over hydraulic
cylinder
actuator 80 and shaft 7 to close or open the gates 4 into a forward or
rearward position,
(or the clutch assemblies 220 if sectional metering assemblies 235 are used)
based on
previous data determining where the seed or fertilizer has been previously
deposited in
the soil, to ensure that double seeding/fertilizing or over seeding/fertilizer
does not occur.
In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 13 to 16 an
agricultural implement 200 consists of an opener arm 11 pivotally mounted at
pivot joint
6 to a cross-member 9 which is fixedly mounted to a conventional frame 92, The
conventional frame 92 is operatively connected to a plurality of ground-
engaging wheels
94. The opener arm mounting bracket 10 is fixedly mounted via cross- member 9
to
conventional frame 92. Hydraulically extendable arm 45, containing a biasing
hydraulic
ram 12, is pivotably coupled at one end 8 thereof to opener arm mounting
bracket 10, at
another end 20 to seed opener arm 31, such that the biasing hydraulic ram 12
rests
substantially parallel and below the opener arm 11, as shown in FIG. 16. First
mounting
member 31 is pivotably connected to opener arm 11 at pivotal joint 21, such
that
mounting member 31 is below and roughly perpendicular in the operating (soil
engaging)
position to opener arm 11. Hydraulic ram 12 may be extended to cause mounting
member
31 to pivot rearwardly, and upon being so pivoted to contact opener arm 11, to
cause
opener arm 11 to pivot about pivot joint 6 so as to become raised, thereby
raising the
opener arm 11, packer wheel 19, first mounting member 31 (hereinafter
collectively the
opener arm assembly 202) from engagement with the ground.
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First mounting bracket 31 is fixedly connected to the first delivery system
mounting member 13. The first delivery system mounting member 13 contains the
first
cutting knife 14 as well as the first product (e.g. fertilizer) delivery
hose/tube 15 (usually
for delivering fertilizer) behind the first cutting knife 14. Distal to the
first delivery
system mounting member 13 is a second delivery system mounting member 16
connected
below and to a second mounting member 32. The second mounting member 32 is
fixedly
connected at point 24 to a mounting arm extension 29. A pin 33 and plurality
of bolts 34
also adjustably connects the second mounting member 32 to opener arm U. The
pin and
plurality of holes allow for vertical adjustment of the second delivery system
mounting
member 16. The second delivery system mounting member 16 is generally
perpendicular
to opener arm 11. The mounting arm extension 29 is rigidly connected to the
opener arm
11 with two fixed bolts 30. The second delivery system contains a second
cutting knife
17 as well as a second product (e.g. seed) delivery tube/hose 18 (usually for
delivering
seed) behind the second cutting knife 17. Both first and second delivery
system members
13, 16, respectively, are collectively referred to as ground-engaging openers
3. A linked
chain 25 connects the first and second ground-engaging openers 3 and limits
the forward
movement of the first ground-engaging opener.
A ground-engaging packer wheel 19 is connected to the distal end of the second
mounting bracket 32. The packer wheel 19 follows the two delivery system
mounting
members 13, 16 and allows for packing of soil above the material which has
been
inserted in furrows created in the soil. The biasing hydraulic ram 12 is
pivotally
connected to both the frame mounting member 10 as well as the first mounting
bracket
31 to be able to engage the first delivery system mounting member 13. When the
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hydraulic ram 12 is extended, the upper edge of the first delivery system
mounting
member 13 engages the front edge 28 of the mounting arm extension 29. The
mounting
arm extension 29 is then raised, thus raising the attached second delivery
system
mounting member 16, second pivot bracket 32 and packer wheel 19. The front
edge 28 of
the mounting arm extension 29 is sufficiently thick to support the weight of
the second
delivery system mounting member 16 as well as the second pivot bracket 32 and
wheel
19 in a raised position for transport purposes. Reversing the hydraulic ram 12
by
activating hydraulic shank valves 212 causes the corresponding opener arm
assembly 202
to be lowered.
FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrates the agricultural implement 200 having the opener
arm
assemblies 202 in the raised position for transport. This allows for the
agricultural
implement 200 to be driven over a field that has been previously seeded
without
disturbing the seed bed. The biasing hydraulic ram 12 is controlled by a
plurality of
electric and/or hydraulic valves 112 (see FIGS. 19 & 20). This allows the
operator to
selectively raise either a single or multiple opener arm assemblies 202 from
the cab of the
vehicle.
The agricultural implement 200 of the present invention is also contemplated
as
being configured such that it comprises only a plurality of single ground-
engaging
openers 3 and corresponding product delivery hose/ tubes 18 and cutting knives
17 such
that the agricultural implement 200 only delivers seed or fertilizer.
In another important refinement of the present invention, a GNSS (global
navigate
satellite system) control system, such as a GPS control system, (not shown) is
provided to
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automatically control the opening and closing of the gates 4 of the metering
assemblies
35a, 35b or the engagement or disengagement of the clutch assembly 220 in the
metering
assemblies 235, as well as the raising and lowering of the opener arm
assemblies 202 for
the agricultural implement 200 of the present invention.
Specifically, such GNSS control system allows automatic control of not only
coils
102 for controlling the meter valves 111 which in turn actuate/control
hydraulic cylinder
actuators 80 and thus associated gates 4 on metering assemblies 35a, 35b (or
control the
coupling/de-coupling of the clutch assemblies 220 of the metering assemblies
235, if
metering assemblies 235 are used), but as well controls coils 104 for shank
hydraulic
valves 112, which in turn control the biasing hydraulic rams 12 on the opener
arm
assemblies 202 to raise selected opener arm assemblies 202 for areas that are
mapped
using the GPS system and known to already have be seeded, to thus prevent
disturbing an
already- planted seed bed. (see FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 herein) .
In this regard, at least one GPS control system of the prior art may be
specially
adapted for the purpose of the present invention, namely the AutoSPRAY (TM)
7500
model controller manufactured by Rinex Corporation of South Perth, Western
Australia
(www.rinex.com.au/autosDrav.coin).
Specifically, the AutoSPRAY (TM) 7500 model controller and associated GPS
receiver has been used in the prior art for controlling spray nozzles of
agricultural
sprayers (such as that depicted in US 6,053,019 manufactured by Case
Corporation (now
Case/New Holland), used to apply herbicide or liquid fertilizer to crops.
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In the manner that a GPS receiver of the prior art has been used to provide
data
and input to the prior art AutoSPRAY 7500 model controller, which in turn de-
activates
spray nozzles 22 located on booms 28, 30 of the device as shown in US
6,053,019, where
the GPS controller determines that portions of the crop have already been
sprayed and
activates solenoids to control (eg close) spray nozzles on booms 28, 30 to
avoid "double-
application" of herbicide, a GPS receiver and GPS controller such as the
AutoSPRAY
7500 model controller may by used for the purposes of the present invention to
control
coils 102 which in turn control associated hydraulic cylinder actuators 111
which in turn
control individual gates 4 on metering assemblies 35a, 35b, as well
simultaneously
control coils 104 is used to control hydraulic valves H2 and thereby
control/actuate
hydraulic ram cylinders 12 to effect appropriate raising of opener arm
assemblies 202
when desired.
The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable
any
person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various
modifications to
those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and
the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without
departing from
the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not
intended to be
limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope
consistent
with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by
use of the
article "a" or "an" is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless
specifically so
stated, but rather "one or more". All structural and functional equivalents to
the elements
of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are known
or later
come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be
encompassed by
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the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to
be
dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly
recited in the
claims.
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