COMMODITY DELIVERY FIELD DEBRIS GUARD

A commodity debris guard for a commodity delivery apparatus may comprise a debris guard configured to mitigate debris from engaging with an endless member. The debris guard may comprise a first debris guard operably connected to a housing. The first debris guard may comprise a base and upwardly extending side portions. The first debris guard may be configured to mitigate debris from contacting an endless member positioned at least partially within the housing. A second debris guard may be operably connected to the housing and disposed forward and below the first debris guard. The second debris guard may be configured to mitigate debris from contacting the endless member comprising. The second debris guard may comprise a base, upwardly extending side portions, and an extension portion configured to channel commodity as it exits the extension member to an associated furrow of an underlying surface.

BACKGROUND

When a commodity, such as seed, falls by gravity from the meter through the seed tube, it can be difficult to maintain accurate and consistent seed spacing at planting speeds. To maintain spacing accuracy, a seed delivery system that controls the seed as the seed moves from the seed meter to the soil has been utilized. At times, while an endless member rotates within a housing of the delivery system, debris from the crops and fields, such as cotton residue, corn stalks, bean residue, etc., may collect and be drawn into the seed delivery and metering system. As such, there is a need in the art to prevent such debris from entering the housing or contacting the endless member in the seed delivery system.

SUMMARY

In one implementation, a commodity debris guard for a commodity delivery apparatus may comprise a debris guard configured to mitigate debris from engaging with an endless member. The debris guard may comprise a first debris guard operably connected to a housing. The first debris guard may comprise a base and upwardly extending side portions. The first debris guard may be configured to mitigate debris from contacting an endless member positioned at least partially within the housing. A second debris guard may be operably connected to the housing and disposed forward and below the first debris guard. The second debris guard may be configured to mitigate debris from contacting the endless member comprising. The second debris guard may comprise a base, upwardly extending side portions, and an extension portion configured to channel commodity as it exits the extension member to an associated furrow of an underlying surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example of an agricultural seeding machine10is shown inFIG.1. The seeding machine10may have a central frame12on which are mounted a plurality of individual planting units14. The seeding machine10may have a fore-aft direction shown by the arrow15and a transverse direction shown by the arrow17. Each planting unit14may be coupled to the central frame12by a parallel linkage16so that the individual planting units14may move up and down to a limited degree relative to the frame12. Large storage tanks13hold commodity such as seed or fertilizer that may be delivered pneumatically to a mini-hopper on each planting unit14.

The agricultural seeding machine10travels in the direction of arrow102, as shown inFIG.2. Each planting unit14may have a frame member18as shown inFIG.2to which the components of the planting unit are mounted. The frame member18may comprise a pair of upstanding arms20at the forward end of thereof. The arms20are coupled to the rearward ends of the parallel linkage16. Furrow opening disks may be attached to a shaft22in a known manner to form an open furrow in the soil beneath the seeding machine into which seed is deposited. Closing and packing wheels are also mounted to the frame member18in a known manner to close the furrow over the deposited seed and to firm the soil in the closed furrow. A rock guard30may extend downwardly from the shaft22and forward of a second debris guard (described below) to further protect the endless member170from encountering large debris such as rocks, gravel or other larger objects.

A seed meter24and a seed delivery system100may also be attached to the frame member18of the planting unit. A support member139may comprise a housing140and/or an idler body141. An endless member170may carry the commodity and be at least partially disposed within the housing140. An idler body141may extend out of the housing140with a pulley to tension the endless member170. In some implementations, the housing140may comprise the idler body141. In other implementations, the housing140and the idler body141may be separate components. In another example, the endless member170may be entirely enclosed or substantially entirely enclosed inside the housing140. In one example, the endless member170may be a brush belt. In another embodiment, the endless member may be a conveyor belt. In another implementation, the endless member170may be a flighted belt. In another implementation, the endless member170may be a flighted brush. In another implementation, the endless member may be at portion of at least one or more of a conveyor belt, a bush belt, a flighted brush, and a flighted belt.

With continued reference to the housing140, the housing may further comprise a first side142and a second side144oppositely disposed form the first side142. A rear edge wall146may be operably connecting the first side142and the second side144. A front edge wall148may be oppositely disposed from the rear edge wall146and be operably connected to the first side142and the second144. The housing140may have a first opening (not shown) through which commodity, such as seed, may be received and a second opening134through which commodity exits before it is disposed into the targeted furrow.

A commodity debris guard200for a commodity delivery apparatus for transferring a commodity to a furrow is described. The commodity debris guard200may comprise a first debris guard202and a second debris guard210. The first debris guard202and the second debris guard210may operatively connect or be fixed directly to the support member139, such as the housing140and/or the idler body141. In some implementations, the first debris guard202may be coupled to the housing140. Alternatively, the first debris guard202may be fixed directly to the housing140. Still further, the first debris guard202may be coupled to the idler body141. Alternatively, the first debris guard202may be fixed directly to the idler body141. In some implementations, the second debris guard210may be coupled to the housing140. Alternatively, the second debris guard204may be fixed directly to the housing140. Still further, the second debris guard204may be coupled to the idler body141. Alternatively, the second debris guard204may be fixed directly to the idler body141.

The first debris guard202may be operably connected to the housing140. The first debris guard202may comprise a base204and upwardly extending side portions206. The first debris guard202may be configured to mitigate debris from contacting the endless member170positioned at least partially within the housing140. The upwardly extending side portions206may be configured to assist the mitigation of debris entering the housing140and contacting or engaging with the endless member170and thus, the metering system.

The first debris guard202may comprise an upper substantially linear portion220and a lower curved portion222. The upper substantially linear portion220and the lower curved portion222each comprising the base204and upwardly extending sidewalls206. In one example, the base204of the substantially linear portion220may comprise ribbing205for increased rigidity and strength. In one implementation, the upwardly extending sidewalls206may generally increase in length from a first end226to the first debris guard to a second end228of the first debris guard202. In one implementation, the length of the upwardly extending sidewalls206may be of sufficient length to cover or substantially cover the endless member170. As shown in the FIGURES, the upwardly extending sidewalls206of the lower curved portion222may increase along the curve of the lower curved portion222. The length of the upwardly extending sidewall is shorter proximate the linear portion220, and as the lower curved portion222extends along the curve towards the front edge wall148of the housing140, the length increases. The length of the upwardly extending sidewall206may be greatest proximate the second end228Proximate the first end226, the first debris guard202may comprise a tab230. The tab230may be operably connected to the first end226. The tab230may have a width w that may be less than a width of the first debris guard202. The tab230may slidably engage and into a slot152of the housing140.

A forked attachment body232may provide additional operational engagement between the first debris guard202and the idler body141. Two fork sections234terminate in a base section236defining an opening238therebetween. A stud154may extend from the first side142of the housing. When the first debris guard202is positioned, the stud may be disposed at least partially or completely through the opening238to provide another attachment location between the first debris guard202and the housing140. Further, the base204may be proximate the endless member170, and one upwardly extending sidewall206may be proximate the first side142of the housing140and the other upwardly extending sidewall206being proximate the second side144of the housing.

A second debris guard210may be operably connected to the support member139, such as the idler body141and disposed forward and below the first debris guard202. The second debris guard210may be configured to mitigate debris from entering the housing140and contacting the endless member170. The second debris guard210may have a first end240and a second end242oppositely disposed from the first end240. A base212may extend between the first end240and the second end242. The first end240may terminate in a hooked portion244that may bend away from the housing140. The second debris guard210may comprise an upper substantially linear portion246and a lower curved portion248. The upper substantially linear portion246may further comprise two flanges249extending outwardly from the base212that may operably connect the second debris guard210to the support member139, such as the idler body141. The lower curved portion248may comprise upwardly extending side portions214that may be operably connected to the base212. The upwardly extending side portions214may have a length that generally increase along the curve to at partially cover or substantially cover the endless member170. The length of the upwardly extending side portions214may be greatest proximate the second end242of the second debris guard210. Further, the upper substantially linear portion246may be proximate the front edge wall148of the housing140. In another implementation, the upper substantially linear portion246may be disposed between the front edge wall148of the housing140and the endless member170. Further, the hooked portion244may over hang a portion of the front edge wall148of the housing140to secure the second debris guard210in place. One upwardly extending sidewall of the lower curved portion248may be proximate the first side142of the housing140and the other upwardly extending sidewall being proximate the second side144of the housing140.

With continued reference to the FIGURES, the lower curved portion222may be operably connected to the extension member250. The extension member250may comprise an extension portion252having an upper edge254. The base212of the extension portion252may be proximate the endless member170. The upper edge254of the extension portion252may be proximate the lower curved portion222of the first debris guard202.

The second debris guard210may be configured to mitigate debris from contacting the endless member170positioned at least partially within the housing140. The upwardly extending side portions214are configured to assist the mitigation of debris entering the housing140and contacting or engaging with the endless member170and thus, the seed delivery system100.

It should be understood that a variety of variations may be contemplated with the commodity debris guard200. In one implementation, only the first debris guard202may be utilized to mitigate debris from entering the housing140or engaging with the endless member170. In another implementation, only the second debris guard210may be utilized to mitigate debris from entering the housing140or engaging with the endless member170. In yet another implementation, both the first debris guard202and the second debris guard210may be utilized to mitigate debris from entering the housing140or engaging with the endless member170.

In another implementation, the second debris guard210may comprise the extension member250to further enhance placement of the commodity, such as seed, to an underlying surface. In one implementation, the extension member may have an extension portion252that may be configured to channel the commodity, such as seed, as it exits the extension portion250to an associated furrow of an underlying surface.

In one implementation, the extension portion252may be configured to extend substantially along a tangent line TL extending from the commodity lower (second) opening134.

In yet another implementation, a drop down body260may comprise the tangent line TL and a drop down line DDL forming a drop down angle α therebetween. The drop down angle α may reduce dynamic impact on upward accelerations acting on the commodity, such as seed, for better placement in the furrow. The drop down angle α may range from about zero degrees to about thirty degrees. In another implementation, the drop down angle α may be about 10 degrees. In yet another implementation, the support member139, such as the idler body141, may comprise a ramp angle θ, defined between a substantially horizontal line intersecting a center point143of a pulley disposed in the idler body141. In one implementation, the ramp angle θ may be chosen with sound engineering judgment, and is contemplated to be about 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees or 85 degrees. In one implementation, as the ramp angle θ decreases, the drop down angle increases. In one implementation, as the ramp angle decreases from less than 90 degrees down to about 40 degrees, the drop down angle α increases from about greater than zero degrees to about thirty degrees. It is also contemplated that the drop down angle θ may be about zero degrees and coincident with an extension bottom256of the extension portion252.

With references toFIGS.9a-9e, the extension portion252may comprise a cross section profile formed from the bottom256and the upwardly extending side walls214. The cross section profile being one of a parabola, one more undulating contours, a triangle, a w-shape, a square, a rectangle, a curve, or semi-circular.

With reference toFIGS.10-12, an implementation of debris guard200is shown. The first debris guard202and the second debris guard210are of similar construction as previously described. As shown inFIGS.10-12, the lower curved portion222of the first debris guard202may comprise a rib300about a portion of its upper perimeter for additional rigidity and strength. The second debris guard210may comprise an extension member350. The extension member350may comprise an extension portion352. An upper edge354may be proximate the lower curved portion222and second end228of the first debris guard202when installed. The extension member350may be shortened such that the second end242does not extend beyond the lower curved portion222of the first debris guard. In another implementation, the second end242of the second debris guard210may form a tangent line340with the lower curved portion222. In some implementations, the second end242of the second debris guard210may form an angle with the second end228of the first debris guard202. Angle β may be an acute angle. In some implementations, angle β may be between about 80 degrees and about 30 degrees. In other implementations, it may be about 45 degrees. With a shortened extension member350, there is more space from the extension member350where the commodity exits and the underlying surface. This may be helpful with uneven terrain to prevent engagement of the extension member350and the debris guard202,210with the underlying surface.

FIG.13illustrates an implementation of the first debris guard202. A commodity protrusion body380may extend outwardly between the linear portion220and the curved portion222. The commodity protrusion body380may provide additional strength and rigidity to the first debris guard202. Further the commodity protrusion body380may further protect the endless member170from encountering large debris such as hulls from commodities or other objects and materials that may be carried around the endless member170. Additionally, the commodity protrusion body380may be configured to enable commodity hulls to be discharged without significantly interacting with the endless member170. The commodity protrusion body380may also prevent fertilizer over-spray from contacting the endless member170. The commodity protrusion body380may be a rectangular or square shaped body. However, any shape or configuration may be utilized to assist with exiting hulls from commodities.

The foregoing description and examples has been set forth merely to illustrate the disclosure and are not intended as being limiting. Each of the disclosed aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure may be considered individually or in combination with other aspects, embodiments, and variations of the disclosure. In addition, unless otherwise specified, none of the steps of the methods of the present disclosure are confined to any particular order of performance. Modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the disclosure may occur to persons skilled in the art and such modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, all references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Terms of orientation used herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” and “end” are used in the context of the illustrated embodiment. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to the illustrated orientation. Indeed, other orientations are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. Terms relating to circular shapes as used herein, such as diameter or radius, should be understood not to require perfect circular structures, but rather should be applied to any suitable structure with a cross-sectional region that can be measured from side-to-side. Terms relating to shapes generally, such as “circular” or “cylindrical” or “semi-circular” or “semi-cylindrical” or any related or similar terms, are not required to conform strictly to the mathematical definitions of circles or cylinders or other structures, but can encompass structures that are reasonably close approximations.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Likewise, the terms “some,” “certain,” and the like are synonymous and are used in an open-ended fashion. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

Overall, the language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims. The language of the claims is not to be limited to the non-exclusive embodiments and examples that are illustrated and described in this disclosure, or that are discussed during the prosecution of the application.

Although systems and methods for a commodity debris guard have been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, this disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the embodiments and certain modifications and equivalents thereof. Various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of systems and methods for a commodity debris guard. The scope of this disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed implementations described herein.

While the methods and devices described herein may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but, to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments described and the appended claims. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with an embodiment can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Any methods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited. Depending on the embodiment, one or more acts, events, or functions of any of the algorithms, methods, or processes described herein can be performed in a different sequence, can be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the algorithm). In some embodiments, acts or events can be performed concurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processors or processor cores or on other parallel architectures, rather than sequentially. Further, no element, feature, block, or step, or group of elements, features, blocks, or steps, are necessary or indispensable to each embodiment. Additionally, all possible combinations, subcombinations, and rearrangements of systems, methods, features, elements, modules, blocks, and so forth are within the scope of this disclosure. The use of sequential, or time-ordered language, such as “then,” “next,” “after,” “subsequently,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to facilitate the flow of the text and is not intended to limit the sequence of operations performed. Thus, some embodiments may be performed using the sequence of operations described herein, while other embodiments may be performed following a different sequence of operations.

The methods disclosed herein may include certain actions taken by a practitioner; however, the methods can also include any third-party instruction of those actions, either expressly or by implication. For example, actions such as “positioning an electrode” include “instructing positioning of an electrode.”

The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, subranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “about” or “approximately” include the recited numbers and should be interpreted based on the circumstances (e.g., as accurate as reasonably possible under the circumstances, for example ±5%, ±10%, ±15%, etc.). For example, “about 1 V” includes “1 V.” Phrases preceded by a term such as “substantially” include the recited phrase and should be interpreted based on the circumstances (e.g., as much as reasonably possible under the circumstances). For example, “substantially perpendicular” includes “perpendicular.” Unless stated otherwise, all measurements are at standard conditions including temperature and pressure.

In summary, various embodiments and examples of systems and methods for the commodity debris guard have been disclosed. Although the systems and methods for the commodity debris guard have been disclosed in the context of those embodiments and examples, this disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or other uses of the embodiments, as well as to certain modifications and equivalents thereof. This disclosure expressly contemplates that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another. Thus, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described herein, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.