Abstract:
A seed planting assembly comprises a depth regulating member and a residue driving member. The depth regulating member and residue driving member may be integrally formed as one structure, or they may be formed separately and later joined to one another. A method of planting comprises selecting the geometries of the depth regulating member and residue driving member for a given set of conditions so that the depth regulating member facilitates travel of a planting unit over debris.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Applicant states that this application claims priority from and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/543,637 filed on Oct. 5, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,069,798, which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The methods described herein are generally applicable to the field of agricultural equipment. The embodiments shown and described herein are more particularly for improved travel of seed planters in minimum or no-till conditions with less plugging of seed planters due to residue. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
    
    
     
         FIG. 1  provides a side view of a first embodiment of a row planter unit. 
         FIG. 2  provides a rear view of a first embodiment of a furrow opening device with a depth regulation device of the prior art. 
         FIG. 3  provides a rear view of a first embodiment of a depth regulation device having a plurality of diameters. 
         FIG. 4  provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of the depth regulation device having a plurality of diameters. 
         FIG. 5  provides a side view of a second embodiment of a row planter unit. 
         FIG. 6  provides a rear view of a second embodiment of a furrow opening device with a depth regulation device of the prior art. 
         FIG. 7  provides a rear view of a second embodiment of a depth regulation device having a plurality of diameters. 
         FIG. 8  provides a perspective view of a second embodiment of the depth regulation device having a plurality of diameters. 
         FIG. 9A  provides a perspective view of a multi diameter gauge wheel. 
         FIG. 9B  provides an end view of a multi diameter gauge wheel with the gauge wheel first and second portions separated. 
       
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DETAILED DESCRIPTION - LISTING OF ELEMENTS 
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                   Element Description 
                   Element Number 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                   Lateral Support Member 
                   1 
                 
                 
                     
                   Planting Unit 
                   2 
                 
                 
                     
                   Planting Unit Frame 
                   3 
                 
                 
                     
                   Furrow Opening Assembly 
                   4 
                 
                 
                     
                   Ground Surface 
                   5 
                 
                 
                     
                   Seed Delivery Assembly 
                   6 
                 
                 
                     
                   Furrow Closing Assembly 
                   7 
                 
                 
                     
                   Gauge Wheel 
                   8 
                 
                 
                     
                   Pivoting Arm Assembly 
                   9 
                 
                 
                     
                   Stop 
                   10 
                 
                 
                     
                   Row Cleaner 
                   11 
                 
                 
                     
                   Gauge Wheel First Portion 
                   12 
                 
                 
                     
                   Gauge Wheel Second Portion 
                   13 
                 
                 
                     
                   Multi Diameter Gauge Wheel 
                   14 
                 
                 
                     
                   Saddle Link 
                   15 
                 
                 
                     
                   Gauge Wheel Arm Pivot 
                   16 
                 
                 
                     
                   Parallel Linkage 
                   17 
                 
                 
                     
                   Gauge Wheel Rotation Axis 
                   18 
                 
                 
                     
                   Gauge Wheel Bolt 
                   19 
                 
                 
                     
                   Furrow 
                   20 
                 
                 
                     
                   Yoke Link 
                   24 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a lateral support member  1  of a seed planting assembly with a planting unit  2  attached to said lateral support member  1  via parallel linkage  17 , which is one means of attaching a planting unit  2  to the lateral support member  1  as recited in the claims. The planting unit  2  includes a furrow opening assembly  4 , a planting unit frame  3 , a pivoting arm assembly  9  with a gauge wheel  8  rotatably attached at one end, a seed delivery assembly  6  and a furrow closing assembly  7 . The seed planting assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  is of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,038, “Adjustable Gauge Wheel for a Planter” issued to Ege (hereinafter Ege), which is incorporated by reference herein and well known to those skilled in the art. The seed planting assembly shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8  is similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,747, “Equalizing Gauge Wheel Mechanism for Row Crop Planter” issued to Deckler et al. (hereinafter referred to as Deckler), which is also incorporated by reference herein and also well known to those skilled in the art. The present art is shown in combination with the prior art in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  7  and  8 . The embodiment disclosed in Deckler also generally includes a furrow opening assembly  4 , a planting unit frame  3 , a pivoting arm assembly  9  with a gauge wheel  8  rotatably attached at one end, a seed delivery assembly  6  and a furrow closing assembly  7 . The present invention may be applied to existing seed planting assemblies with any number of planting units  2  attached to the lateral support member  1 . Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the number of planting units  2  engaged with the lateral support member  1  of the seed planting assembly. In the embodiments described and disclosed herein, a double disc opener is shown as one type of furrow forming means as recited in the claims, and selection of alternate furrow forming means in no way limits the scope of the current invention. 
       FIG. 2  provides a rear view of one embodiment of a furrow opening assembly  4  and a gauge wheel  8 , one type of depth regulating means as recited in the claims, of the prior art. In  FIG. 3 , the multi diameter gauge wheel  14  is shown as two distinct portions affixed to one another with a plurality of gauge wheel bolts  19 , with each portion having dimensions unique to that portion. Gauge wheel bolts  19  are one type of affixing means for affixing the gauge wheel second portion  13  to the gauge wheel first portion  12  as recited in the claims. In this embodiment, the multi diameter gauge wheel  14  communicates with the planting unit frame  3  in substantially the same manner as gauge wheels  8  of the prior art, such as the type of gauge wheels  8  disclosed in Ege, communicated with a planting unit frame  3 . The multi diameter gauge wheel  14  is engaged with one end of a pivoting arm assembly  9 , which is one type of connection means as recited in the claims. The pivoting arm assembly  9  is pivotably engaged with the planting unit frame  3  at the gauge wheel arm pivot  16 . A stop  10  defines the limit to vertical motion of the pivoting arm assembly  9 , and hence the multi diameter gauge wheel  14 , in the direction substantially opposite the ground surface  5 . 
     The gauge wheel first portion  12  is similar in both form and function to gauge wheels  8  of the prior art. The gauge wheel first portion  12  is located adjacent the furrow opening assembly  4  and engages the ground surface  5  that is adjacent the furrow  20 . In the embodiments described and disclosed herein, a double disc opener is shown as one type of furrow forming means as recited in the claims, and selection of alternate furrow forming means in no way limits the scope of the current invention. The gauge wheel first portion  12  controls the depth to which the furrow forming assembly  4  is allowed to penetrate the ground surface  5 . This depth is adjustable by the seed planting assembly operator and is dictated by the vertical relation between the furrow opening assembly  4  and the gauge wheel first portion  12  in the same manner as the furrow  20  depth is controlled by gauge wheels  8  of the prior art. 
     The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrates an embodiment adapted for attachment to a planting assembly as taught by Ege wherein the gauge wheel second portion  13 , which is one type of residue driving means as recited in the claims, is of a smaller diameter than the gauge wheel first portion  12  and of a greater width than the gauge wheel first portion  12 . Because the gauge wheel first portion  12  and the gauge wheel second portion  13  are affixed to one another, rotational forces from the gauge wheel first portion  12  are transferred to the gauge wheel second portion  13  and vice versa. Since the gauge wheel first portion  12  is engaged with the ground surface  5  when the seed planting assembly is operating in the field, the gauge wheel first portion  12  rotates according to the direction of travel of seed planting assembly, similar to gauge wheels  8  of the prior art. The resulting rotational forces are transferred from the gauge wheel first portion  12  to the gauge wheel second portion  13  and the gauge wheel second portion  13  rotates at the same rate as the gauge wheel first portion  12 . As will be understood by those practiced in arts, the row spacing between planting units  2  determines the limit for the total allowable width of the combined gauge wheel first portion  12  and gauge wheel second portion  13 . Furthermore, as will be understood by those practiced in the arts, the present art is not limited to distinct gauge wheel first portions  12  and gauge wheel second portions  13  affixed to one another. The present art may also be embodied by a single continuous multi diameter gauge wheel  14  having at least two distinct diameters wherein the gauge wheel first portion  12  of the multi diameter gauge wheel  14  is adjacent the furrow opening assembly  4  and has a first diameter which is greater than gauge wheel second portion  13 , which is adjacent the gauge wheel first portion  12  and non-adjacent the furrow opening assembly  4 . Additionally, the present art may also be embodied by a multi diameter gauge wheel  14  having more than two distinct diameters. 
     The gauge wheel second portion  13  contacts residue on the ground surface between the areas of travel of adjacent furrow opening assemblies  4  and acts as a rotating paddle to slightly compress and then drive the residue through and clear of the seed planting assembly. This rotation of the gauge wheel second portion  13  facilitates travel of the seed planting assembly thereby potentially reducing plugging of the planting unit  2  or elements thereof with residue. The utility of the present art may be further enhanced by placement and utilization of a row cleaner  11  prior to the planting unit  2  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 8 . The width of the gauge wheel first portion  12  may be sized to engage and contact the ground surface  5  wherein all or a portion of the residue has been removed by the row cleaner  11 . The width and diameter of the gauge wheel second portion  13  may then be sized to engage and contact ground surface  5  wherein existing residue is relatively undisturbed and the residue removed from the adjacent ground surface  5  by the row cleaner  11  has accumulated. Row cleaners  11  are well known to those skilled in the arts and are one type of row cleaning means, and selection of alternate means in no way limits the scope of the current invention. A row cleaner  11  exemplary of those available is embodied by U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,890 entitled “Ground-Driven Rotary Row Cleaner” issued to Applicant and incorporated by reference herein. 
     The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  are similar in both form and function to those shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , but are more adapted to a seed planting assembly taught by Deckler. As with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in this embodiment, the multi diameter gauge wheel  14  communicates with the planting unit frame  3  in substantially the same manner as gauge wheels  8  of the prior art communicated with a planting unit frame  3 . The multi diameter gauge wheel  14  is engaged with one end of a pivoting arm assembly  9 , which is one type of connection means as recited in the claims. The pivoting arm assembly  9  is pivotably engaged with the planting unit frame  3  at the gauge wheel arm pivot  16 . A stop  10  defines the limit to vertical motion of the pivoting arm assembly  9 , and hence the multi diameter gauge wheel  14 , in the direction substantially opposite the ground surface  5 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the stop  10  consists of a yoke link  24 , one type of stop means as recited in the claims. A saddle link  15  is placed through the yoke link  24  for communication therewith and the position of the yoke link  24  defines a limit for vertical motion of the gauge wheels  8  in the direction substantially opposite the ground surface  5 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the gauge wheel second portion  13  is again shown as having a smaller diameter and a larger width than the gauge wheel first portion  12 , and the rotational forces from the gauge wheel first portion  12  are transferred to the gauge wheel second portion  13  in the same way as in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As before, the rotation of the gauge wheel second portion  13  contacts residue on the ground surface between the areas of travel of adjacent furrow opening assemblies  4  and acts as a rotating paddle to slightly compress and then drive the residue through and clear of the seed planting assembly. 
     In both the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the difference in diameter between the gauge wheel first portion  12  and the gauge wheel second portion  13  is determined for optimal operation in the conditions the planting unit assembly is to be operated. In most embodiments, the diameter of the gauge wheel second portion  13  will be from 5 percent to 40 percent less than the diameter of the first gauge wheel portion  12 . Although not shown, the gauge wheel second portion  13  may also consist of a variable diameter wheel that can be adjusted for optimal performance in conditions with varying amounts of residue. 
     In both the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the difference in width between the gauge wheel first portion  12  and the gauge wheel second portion  13  is also determined for optimal operation in the conditions the planting unit assembly is to be operated. In most embodiments, the width of the gauge wheel second portion  12  will be from 100 percent to 300 percent of the width of the first gauge wheel portion. It will be understood by those practiced in the arts that although not shown herein, the width of the gauge wheel second portion  13  may be greater than, less than or equal to the width of the first gauge wheel portion  12 , without limiting the present art. 
     In planting units  2  such as those described herein, the weight of the elements attached to the planting unit frame  3  generally provide a first source of down pressure to the furrow opening assembly  4 . As such, down pressure is necessary for the penetration of the ground surface  5  by the furrow opening assembly  4 , and the proper amount of down pressure is critical to achieving optimal emergence and yields. Many times additional means of providing the furrow opening assembly  4  with down pressure are employed and typically called supplemental down pressure systems, which may include pneumatic systems, spring tension systems or pressurized fluid systems. The disclosed invention is applicable to all types of planters regardless of whether the planter is outfitted with a supplemental down pressure means and if so, which type it employs. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the presence or absence of supplemental down pressure means on a given planting unit  2  or the type of supplemental down pressure means. 
     Although not shown herein, the present invention may also be practiced by allowing the diameter of the second portion to exceed the diameter of the first portion. The difference in diameters between the gauge wheel first portion  12  and the gauge wheel second portion  13  is determined by the typical planting conditions the planting unit assembly is to be operated in. 
     It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar methods for monitoring, indicating or validating depth control and or furrow penetration of a planting, seeding or drill unit during operation. Accordingly, modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention.