Abstract:
A modular hopper assembly for use with a seed meter of a row unit for an agricultural planter is provided. The modular hopper assembly includes a base hopper unit that can be attached to the row unit. The base hopper unit can be attached to a seed delivery apparatus, such as an air seed delivery of a central hopper. The base hopper unit is also configured to be attachable to various sizes of row hoppers that can quickly and easily attach to the base unit to provide for varying amounts of storage at each of the row units. As the base unit is operatively attachable to a seed meter, the base unit can be used with generally any seed delivery device, including row hoppers, fluid seed deliveries connected to central hoppers, or the like.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional application Ser. No. 61/763,687, filed Feb. 12, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to mechanisms used in agricultural planting machines for storing and distributing seed. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to the storage and distribution of seed at individual row units for distribution to a respective seed meter that can be used with multiple types of seed meters. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An agricultural row crop planter is a machine built for evenly distributing seed into the ground. The row crop planter generally includes a horizontal toolbar fixed to a hitch assembly for towing behind a tractor or other vehicle. A plurality of row units are mounted to the toolbar. The row units include ground-working tools for opening and closing a seed furrow, a seed metering system for distributing seed to the seed furrow, and a storage bin for maintaining a seed supply to the seed meter. In different configurations, seed may be stored at individual hoppers on each row unit or it may be maintained in a central hopper and delivered to the row units as needed. 
         [0004]    Seed in a row unit&#39;s storage hopper is generally supplied to the bin in one of two ways. In the first method, the hopper is periodically filled by the operator with seed from an external seed source, such as seed bags or a seed tender. In the second method, seed is continuously supplied to the row units from a central storage hopper. As the seed supply is depleted at the row unit, seed is pneumatically delivered from the central hopper. Depending on which of these two methods is used, a different hopper will be installed on the planter. In the first method, a larger hopper is desired to maximize the amount of seed that can be stored on the row unit, while in the second method, a smaller hopper is used to maintain a minimal amount of seed at the row unit. 
         [0005]    In addition to the various hopper sizes, hopper shapes also differ depending on the type of seed meter selected. Three types of seed meters are commonly used; mechanical brush meters, mechanical finger meters, and air meters. To ensure that the seed meter will fit properly, a different hopper may be manufactured for each type of seed meter, thus adding another variable. 
         [0006]    To accommodate the various combinations of hopper size and seed meter shape, a different hopper will need to be designed and manufactured for each arrangement. For example, hoppers being fitted with an air seed meter may need to be manufactured in a small size for pneumatic seed delivery and two large hoppers for manual fill. This requires the manufacture and inventory of a different hopper for each size of hopper offered for each seed meter type. Therefore, the number of hoppers could rise exponentially. If the hoppers are molded, this would require a different tooling for each hopper, which increases the costs associated with the production and storage of the hoppers greatly. 
         [0007]    Thus, there is a need in the art for a more universal-type hopper that allows a variety of hopper volumes to be adapted to a variety of supply systems and seed meters without having to manufacture a unique hopper for each combination. The hopper may be modular, in that it can include a unit that allows for the attachment of various types of seed delivery mechanisms. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Thus, it is principal object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus that overcomes the deficiencies in the art. 
         [0009]    It is therefore an object, feature, and/or benefit of the present invention to provide a modular seed hopper system that allows an assortment of supply sources to be attached to a standard base hopper, thus allowing the same base hopper to be fitted for both continuous and periodic seed supply. 
         [0010]    It is another object, feature, and/or benefit of the present invention to reduce the tooling and inventory required for seed hopper manufacturing by eliminating the need to have a unique hopper be produced for each unique combination of seed meter and supply source. 
         [0011]    It is still another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to reduce the number of molds required for forming hoppers. 
         [0012]    It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide a seed hopper that can be configured to store a number of different volumes of seed. 
         [0013]    These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features and advantages. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. 
         [0014]    An aspect of the present invention allows for a seed hopper to be adapted to various supply sources through the use of a modular hopper unit design. In all variations, a standard base hopper unit is selected based on the type of seed meter to be used, e.g., mechanical brush meter, mechanical finger meter, or air meter. The standard base hopper has a seed inlet, an outlet aperture, and a storage body between the inlet and output. Extending outward from the perimeter of the inlet is a horizontal mounting flange for removably attaching an external supply source. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the external supply source is a secondary hopper mounted to the top of the base hopper at the inlet end of the hopper unit. The secondary hopper can be substantially rectangular in shape, with vertical upper sidewalls and tapered lower sidewalls. The bottom face of the secondary hopper abuts the upper flange face of the base hopper and can be removably attached with fasteners or other means. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the external supply source is a flat panel with a supply aperture therein. The flat panel is removably attached to the mounting flange of the base hopper such that the base hopper inlet is substantially enclosed. The supply aperture is in fluid communication with the toolbar central seed supply, which supplies the base hopper with seed. 
         [0017]    While the present invention illustrates a base hopper and external supply source that are directly attached to each other, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the external supply source may be attached to the base hopper indirectly through the use of couplers or other intermediate adapters. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0018]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are a perspective and side elevation view of a planter row unit, including the modular seed hopper according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 1C and 1D  are a perspective and side elevation view of a planter row unit, including another embodiment of a modular seed hopper according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 2-5  are perspective, top, and elevation views of an embodiment of the base hopper unit of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a base hopper attached to a row unit. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a side elevation view of a seed meter attached to a base hopper unit, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustration of another embodiment of the base hopper unit of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of invention seed hopper as configured for use in a continuous-supply system. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a lower perspective view of a secondary hopper to be used as a supply source of the seed hopper of the present invention in conjunction with a period-supply system. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 9-12  are views showing various configurations of the modular seed hopper of the present invention configured for use with secondary hoppers as the supply source. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention. Figures represented herein are not limitations to the various embodiments according to the invention and are presented for exemplary illustration of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1D , the reference numeral  10  generally designates a planter row unit incorporating the modular seed hopper assembly  16  of the present invention. The row unit  10 , aside from the inventive modular seed hopper  16 , is known in its general aspects to persons skilled in the art. The row unit  10  includes a U-bolt mount (not shown) for mounting the row unit  10  to a conventional planter frame or tool bar (not shown), as it is sometimes called, which may be a steel tube of 5 by 7 inches (although other sizes are used). The mount includes a faceplate  12 , which is used to mount left and right parallel linkages  14 , each linkage being a four-bar linkage such as the left one seen in  FIGS. 1A-1D . It is noted that the opposite linkage is generally a mirror image of the linkage  14  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D . The double linkage is sometimes described as having upper parallel links and lower parallel links, and the rear ends of all four parallel links are pivotally mounted to the frame  15  of the row unit  10 . The frame  15  includes a support for a modular seed hopper  16 , as well as a structure including a shank weldment  17  for mounting a pair of ground-engaging wheels  18 , and a furrow-closing unit (not shown), which includes a pair of inclined closing wheels. It should be appreciated that the row units  10  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D  are for illustrative purposes only, and the present invention contemplates variations made thereto. As will be understood, the modular seed assembly  16  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D  includes a base hopper unit and either a lid or an additional storage unit. However, the differences relate generally only to the seed delivery systems, and it is to be appreciated that the modular seed assemblies  16  shown in the Figures can be used with many types and configurations of row units. 
         [0029]    The modular seed assembly  16  of the present invention is contemplated to include a variety of seed meters  20 , including, but not limited to mechanical brush meters, mechanical finger meters, or air meters. The use of the different seed meters  20  gives end users a choice, while also providing a variety of means for dispensing the seed from the hopper  16  to the ground. The choice of seed meter will be dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to the type and size of seed, ground conditions, planter model, spacing needs, and the like. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 2-5B  show an embodiment of the base hopper unit  21  configured for use with a modular seed assembly  16  including mechanical seed meter  20 . The base hopper  21  comprises an open-top intermediate storage body  22  formed by upper sidewalls  23  having a substantially rectangular cross section, and lower, tapered sidewalls  24 . The lower, tapered sidewalls  24  converge at a discharge outlet  25  at the discharge end  34  of the storage body  22 . A mounting face  31  on the bottom of the base hopper  21  surrounds the discharge outlet  25  and includes one or more holes  32 , either threaded or unthreaded, used for attaching a seed meter  20  to the base hopper  21 . Fasteners, such as screws, pins, dowels, or the like can be inserted into the holes  32  to attach the base hopper  21  to the seed meter  20  and/or row unit  10 . The mounting face  31  may be substantially flat or planar, or may be multi-leveled. In addition, the mounting face  31  may include a plurality of ribs  33  to aid in strengthening the base hopper unit  21 . At one side of the storage body  22  is an integral pocket  28  for receiving the body of an externally attached seed meter  20 .  FIG. 5B  shows an exemplary embodiment of the base hopper  21  attached to a seed meter  20 . The integral pocket  28  is semi-cylindrical with its axis generally horizontally disposed perpendicular to the vertical left sidewall. The pocket  28  may be shaped such that a convex portion  35  of the pocket  28  extends into one or more of the upper and/or lower sidewalls  23 ,  24 . 
         [0031]    Extending outward from the perimeter of the upper sidewall  23  is a flange  26  with one or more mounting holes  27  therethrough. Two connection members  29 , which are shown as mounting hooks, extend generally downward from the right-front and left-front region of the flange  26 . These hooks  29  are used for engaging the base hopper  21  on the row unit  10 . For example, the hooks  29  can be configured to engage a member  9  of the frame  15  of the row unit  10  to aid in positioning the base hopper  21  during placement of the hopper and to keep the base hopper  21  in position during planting or other transport.  FIG. 5A  is a partial sectional view of the row unit  10  showing the hooks  29  engaging members of the frame  15 . Note, however, that the hooks could be configured to engage generally any portion of the frame or row unit, and that different row units may include different members for the base hopper  21  to attach thereto. While this is an embodiment of the base hopper  21 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that the shape of the hopper can be modified to accommodate various row units and/or seed meters, such as the base hopper  60  shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  includes additional cutouts or pockets  30  that may be configured to receive additional portions of seed meters. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the axis for connecting the seed disc to the base hopper  31  has been moved to accommodate a different disc. 
         [0032]    The base hopper unit  21  shown in the Figures comprises high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that is injection molded. As will be discussed, having the base hopper unit  21  as shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 2-5B  will allow for fewer tools/molds in order to manufacture the seed hopper  16  of the present invention. This is due to the base hopper unit  21  being compatible with multiple sizes and configurations of seed storage sources, which eliminates the need for a separate mold for each combination of seed meter type (mechanical or air) and seed storage type and/or size. 
         [0033]    The modular seed hopper  16  shown in  FIG. 7  is configured to operate in a continuous-supply seed storage system by including a supply member  50 , which is shown to be a removable cover  70  attached to the flange  26  of the base hopper  21 . For example, the seed hopper  16  shown in  FIG. 7  can be attached to an air seed delivery, in which seed is transported from one or more centralized hoppers on the frame of a planter to each of the hoppers of the planter. The cover  70  has substantially the same cross section as the flange  26  of the base hopper  21 . The cover  70  includes a lip  73  that surrounds the cover  70  and that fits over the flange  26 . The cover  70  is secured to the base hopper  21  via front and rear locking tabs  71  that extend from the lip  73  and engage the underside of the flange  26 . An inlet tube  72  is included with the cover inlet  70  such that the inlet tube  72  communicates seed from an external supply source, such as a hose of an air seed delivery mechanism, into the storage body  22  of the base hopper  21 . For example, the inlet tube  72  may be formed integrally with the cover  70 , or may be inserted into an aperture  74  through the cover  70 , and sealed or fixed thereto. Furthermore, the external supply source for this configuration may be a central supply hopper (not shown) on the toolbar of the planter such that the seed is directed from the central supply hopper and into the storage body  22  of the base hopper unit via the inlet tube  72 . The inlet tube  72  will be in communication with the supply of seed in the central supply hopper and will receive seed therefrom to pass to the seed meter for dispensement. 
         [0034]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the supply member  50 , which is a secondary hopper  80  for use in a manual periodic-supply system in which the operator fills the modular seed hopper  16  using an external seed supply, such as seed bags or a seed tender. The secondary hopper  80  comprises vertical upper sidewalls  81  forming a substantially rectangular cross section and defining an inlet end  88  and a secondary storage body  87 , and lower tapered sidewalls  82 . The lower tapered sidewalls  82  converge about an outlet  83  at the bottom of the secondary hopper  80 . A mounting base  84  borders the outlet  83 , having a cross-section substantially similar in shape to that of the flange  26  of the base hopper  21 . In operation, the mounting base  84  abuts the flange  26  and is fastened via mounting holes  27  and mounting holes  85 . As such, fasteners, such as screws, pins, locks, or the like may be used to connect the mounting base  84  of the secondary hopper  80  to the flange  26  of the base unit  21 . An alignment lip  86  extends substantially vertically downward from the outer edge of the mounting base  84  and surrounds the flange  26  to maintain alignment between the corresponding mounting holes. The alignment lip  86  also provided for quick and easy alignment of the secondary hopper  80  to the base unit  21 . 
         [0035]    While this is one embodiment of a supply source for a periodic-supply system, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that a secondary hopper could be constructed in an unlimited combination of shapes and sizes. For example, the size of the secondary hopper  80  can be varied according to seed type, size of field, and other factors related to planting. Furthermore, the size, orientation (including angle), and number of sidewalls  81 ,  82  can be varied according to seed type, planter make and model, as well as other size constraints related to planting. The Figures show but a few configurations of secondary hoppers  80  that are covered by the present invention. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate the combinations of the smaller secondary hopper  80  with the vacuum seed meter base hopper  60  and the mechanical seed meter base hopper  21 , respectively.  FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate the combinations of another supply member  50 , which is a larger secondary hopper  110  with the vacuum seed meter base hopper  60  and the mechanical seed meter base hopper  21 , respectively. 
         [0037]    Similar to the base hopper  21 , the secondary hoppers  80 ,  110  can also comprise injected HDPE. Therefore, the present invention provides a main advantage of not having to have a mold or tooling to create each separate configuration for the seed hopper. For example, the following hypothetical provides a planter that is offered with three options for hopper styles/sizes: (1) 1.9 bushel hoppers on each row unit; (2) 3.0 bushel hoppers on each row unit; or (3) mini-hoppers used with either a 40 or 55-bushel central toolbar hopper. Any of the sizes of hoppers can be used with either a mechanical or air seed meter, each with its own interface. Thus, in the past, at least six tools/molds were required to produce the different configurations. All six combinations would also need to be stocked. 
         [0038]    According to the embodiments of the present invention, the number or tools/molds can be reduced. One base hopper unit  21  can be provided for a mechanical seed meter  20 , and one can be provided for an air seed meter  20 . If 1.9 bushel or 3.0 bushel hoppers are required, these base hopper units  21  would be used as the base with a separate upper portion fastened thereto. Either a 1.9 or 3.0 bushel upper hopper can be attached to either of the mechanical or air seed meter base hopper units utilizing a common (modular) interface. This reduces the number of hopper molds from six large, very expensive molds to two large, slightly less expensive molds, and two very less expensive base hopper molds. Furthermore, lids can snap over base hopper units  21  when used with bulk fill. 
         [0039]    A modular hopper assembly for use with a seed meter of a row unit for an agricultural planter has thus been described. The present invention contemplates numerous variations, options, and alternatives, and is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described herein. For example, materials used to form the base hopper, lid, and secondary containers may be varied. Sizes and volume capacities of the containers and inlets/outlets may be varied. In addition, the secondary containers may include lids or other coverings to protect any seed stored within. The exact type of connections between the various components may also be varied according to size and availability. For example, pins, locks, screws, snaps, adhesives, buttons, hooks, or the like may be used to connect the various components to one another. The exact form of connection shown and described is not to be limiting to the present invention. Other changes are considered to be part of the present invention.