Patent ID: 6332413
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: A01C,Y10S

Abstract:
A seed metering apparatus capable of periodically releasing seeds for deposit onto the ground, a seed tube arranged in seeding receiving relation relative to said seed metering apparatus, said seed tube comprising a hollow member defining an enclosed curvilinear shaped seed pathway and which is formed from a material having low surface friction characteristics, said member having an elongated length defined between ingress and egress ends of said pathway, and with said pathway having a narrowed forward edge extending upwardly from a lower end of said tube and along the majority of the length of said pathway with surfaces angularly diverging rearwardly in opposite directions relative to each other from said forward edge toward a rear surface, with said narrowed forward edge and said angularly diverging surfaces extending below the ingress end of said pathway to receive seeds from said ingress end of said tube, and wherein the low surface friction characteristics along with the narrowed forward edge of said pathway serve to deaden seed bounce and rattle as the seeds move along said pathway without detracting from the speed of the seeds as the seed slides along said pathway thereby enhancing controlled delivery of the seeds to the ground.