Patent ID: 6672229
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: A01C,Y10S

Abstract:
A storage apparatus for use with a planting assembly including a first mounting member having first and second horizontally separated ends, the apparatus comprising:first and second rigid support members that extend in the same direction from and substantially perpendicular to the first and second ends of the mounting member and that form first and second support surfaces, respectively; a hopper including first and second lower wall members that together define an upwardly facing cavity and form first and second downward and oppositely facing external surfaces, respectively, the external surfaces sloping downward toward a hopper opening along first and second trajectories, respectively, the hopper positioned on the support members such that the first and second external surfaces are received on the first and second support surfaces, respectively, the first external surface forming a first hopper coupler having an engaging length dimension along the first trajectory, the second external surface forming a second hopper coupler having a second engaging length dimension along the second trajectory, the apparatus further including; a first locking member having a first locking coupler formed to be received by the first hopper coupler at various juxtapositions along the engaging length, the first locking member further including a first engager integrally formed with the first locking coupler and operable to lock the first locking coupler to the first support member; and a second locking member having a second locking coupler formed to be received by the second hopper coupler at various juxtapositions along the second engaging length, the second locking member further including a second engager integrally formed with the second locking coupler and operable to lock the second coupler to the first support member, wherein each of the hopper couplers includes a receiving passageway that has first and second opposing edges that are substantially flush with the corresponding external surface and a basin therebetween, the basin having a basin width dimension and the first and second edges forming a restricted width dimension proximate the external surface where the basin width dimension is greater than the restricted width dimension and wherein each of the locking couplers includes a leg member having first and second leg ends and a leg width dimension that is greater than the restricted width dimension, the second end received within the corresponding basin.