Patent ID: 6481647
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: A01C

Abstract:
A seed meter and accelerator for metering and accelerating seed on a seeding machine, the seed meter and accelerator comprising:a stationary housing having an axially extending metering rim, the axially extending metering rim is provided with a metering gap; a stationary axially extending dispensing rim being located radially outward from the stationary housing, the axially extending dispensing rim having a dispensing gap; a rotating disc located adjacent to the stationary housing, the rotating disc having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion having seed pockets for receiving individual seeds, the seed pockets of the inner portion being located adjacent to and radially inward from the metering rim so that the metering rim prevents the radially outward release of seed from the seed pockets, the metering gap allowing the radially outward release of seed from the seed pockets, the outer portion of the rotating disc having seed dispensing openings for releasing seed from said seed meter and accelerator, the seed dispensing openings being located adjacent to and radially inward from the dispensing rim so that the dispensing rim prevents the radially outward release of seed from the seed dispensing openings, the seed dispensing gap allowing the radially outward release of seed from the seed dispensing openings, each seed pocket is coupled to one of the seed dispensing openings by a passage extending from the seed pocket to the seed dispensing opening; a positive source of air pressure for driving the seed to the seed pockets and outwardly through the passage to the seed dispensing opening.