Patent ID: 7644670
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: A01C,Y02P,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An opener unit for ground surface engagement comprising: a. A row unit mounting plate having a first and second end; b. A first upper parallel link having a first and second end; c. A first lower parallel link having a first and second end, wherein said first end of said first upper parallel link and said first end of said first lower parallel link are both cooperatively engaged with said first end of said row unit mounting plate; d. A second upper parallel link having a first and second end; e. A second lower parallel link having a first and second end, wherein said first end of said second upper parallel link and said first end of said second lower parallel link are both cooperatively engaged with said second end of said row unit mounting plate; f. A first hub support having an upper and lower end wherein said upper end of said first hub support is cooperatively engaged with said second ends of said first upper and lower parallel links; g. A second hub support having an upper and lower end wherein said upper end of said second hub support is cooperatively engaged with said second ends of said second upper and lower parallel links; h. A horizontal support having a first and second end, wherein said horizontal support is rigidly affixed to and between said first and second hub supports; i. A first opener disc hub wherein said first opener disc hub is mounted to the lower end of said first hub support; j. A second opener disc hub wherein said second opener disc hub is mounted to the lower end of said second hub support; k. A first opener disc wherein said first opener disc is mounted to said first opener disc hub by a disc axle; l. A second opener disc wherein said second opener disc is mounted to said second opener disc hub by a disc axle; m. A receiver tube vertically orientated and positioned between said first and second hub supports; n. An adjustable gauge wheel hub support tube having an upper and lower end vertically orientated and cooperatively positioned within said receiver tube; and p. A gauge wheel cooperatively engaged with said lower end of said adjustable gauge wheel hub support tube for rotation wherein said gauge wheel serves as a depth regulating member having a vertical position relative to said first and said second disc openers and wherein said gauge wheel responds to forces upon said opener unit to control the depth of penetration during ground surface engagement by said disc openers.