Abstract:
The present invention is a planter which embeds planted seeds into the ground and then dispenses liquid in the vicinity of the embedded seeds. The planter includes a flexible arm which drags upon the ground and presses the deposited seeds into the ground and liquid dispensing passage disposed on the flexible arm. The liquid dispensing passage may be integrally with the arm or may be separate from the arm. A flexible hose may be disposed within the passage and connected to a liquid supply tank for communicating the liquid from the supply tank to the embedded seeds. The resulting planted seeds are thereby embedded and substantially free of surrounding air pockets, and provided with liquid after being embedded to provide proper germination and growth.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/935,404 filed Sep. 23, 1997 U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,982, which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 08/661,401 filed Jun. 7, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,074. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to seed planters, and more particularly relates to seed planters having mechanisms for dispensing liquid to the planted seeds. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A seed planter is a common agricultural tool which is used to quickly and effectively dispense seeds in a field for germination and growth. A seed planter is typically drawn by a vehicle such as a tractor, and provided with means for creating a furrow in the field, depositing the seeds, and backfilling the furrow such that the seeds are underground. In order to promote proper germination and growth of the seeds, it is desirable for the seeds to be packed into the ground, without surrounding air pockets, and for the seeds to be provided with appropriate amounts of nutrients and other substances. Such substances typically include fertilizer, water, and insecticide in liquid form. 
     One prior seed planter device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,340 (Benzel) and discloses a seed planter having a furrow or groove making and seed delivery device that is used in conjunction with a second groove making device that delivers soil-treating materials to one side of and somewhat spatially removed from the seed row. Once the seeds and the soil-treatment materials are in place, a press wheel in a conventional manner packs soil into the seed and soil-treatment grooves. One component lacking from this design is a seed firmer device which firmly embeds the seeds into the ground during the planting process prior to packing the furrow or groove with soil. This design results in air pockets that form around seeds that are not firmly embedded in the soil when packing the soil in a conventional manner. Another shortcoming of this design is that fertilizer and/or other seed growth enhancing substances are not delivered directly to the seed, but rather spatially removed from the seed. 
     Other prior art devices have attempted various ways to remove air pockets from around the seeds, and to provide proper amounts of liquid, growth enhancing substances. For example, one known device is a planter which first digs a furrow, then deposits fertilizer, then partially backfills the furrow, then plants the seed, and then supplies additional fertilizer directly on the seed before backfilling the remaining portion of the furrow. However, such a device, much like the Benzel device, does not embed the seed before supplying fertilizer or other substances. Moreover, the shoe which partially backfills the furrow before depositing the seed may push the fertilizer rather than bury the fertilizer underground and therefore not provide the seeds with adequate fertilization. 
     Another similar device includes a resilient seed finning attachment, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,318 (Keeton), which is attached to a planting machine and which drags on the ground after the seed is planted to press the seed into the soil. In this manner, substantially all air pockets are removed from around the seed and proper germination is promoted. However, such a device does not provide fertilizer or other liquid to the embedded seeds. 
     An additional known apparatus employs a fertilizer tube attached to a fertilizer knife which digs a trench and deposits fertilizer before the seeds are planted. Drawbacks to such an arrangement are that fertilizer is deposited before the seeds are planted and the seeds are not firmly embedded into the ground to prevent air pockets. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a seed planter which includes both a mechanism for firmly embedding the seed into the soil, and for providing liquid substances directly to the embedded seed. The present invention therefore serves the dual functions of removing air pockets from the planted seed, and thereby promoting proper germination, and also supplying appropriate amounts of liquid substances such as fertilizer, water, and insecticide to the embedded seed for effective and enhanced growth. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a seed planter which includes a supply of seeds, and a mechanism for depositing the seeds into the soil. A seed embedding mechanism is attached to the planter and arranged to follow the planted seeds and firmly embed the seeds into the soil. A liquid dispenser is attached to the seed planter effectively after the embedding mechanism to communicate liquid from a liquid supply to the vicinity of the embedded seeds. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that liquid is supplied to the seeds after the seeds are embedded. The liquid is therefore not pulled or pushed away from the embedded seed by the embedding device and undesirable “balling up” of dirt, fertilizer, etc. is avoided. In this manner, liquid growth enhancing substances are most effectively utilized by the embedded seed. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the seed is first embedded into the soil so that air pockets do not exist in the area surrounding the planted seed. 
     The present invention provides, in one form thereof, a seed planter comprising a chute for depositing seeds into the ground, a firmer for embedding the seeds into the ground, and a liquid dispenser to communicate liquid to the embedded seeds. The chute for depositing seeds into the ground is in communication with a supply of seeds, and the firmer for embedding the seeds is attached to the planter and arranged to follow the planted seeds and press the planted seeds into the ground. The liquid dispenser is also attached to the planter and is in communication with a supply of liquid for communicating the liquid from the supply to the vicinity of the embedded seeds. 
     The present invention, in another form thereof, provides a seed embedding and liquid dispensing device for attachment to a seed planter comprising an elastically deformable arm, and a conduit attached to the deformable arm arranged to deposit liquid in the vicinity of the embedded seed. The elastically deformable arm is arranged to drag on the ground after a seed is planted and press the planted seed into the ground. In the alternative, a relatively rigid arm could be used in conjunction with a spring, or other deflectable structure, to provide a force sufficient to embed seeds into the ground during planting operation. The particular nature of the firmer arm is not critical, it is merely a device to which the liquid dispensing apparatus is attached, or in which it is formed, so as to position the liquid dispensing outlet adjacent planted seeds for direct delivery of various liquids. The conduit or passage includes an inlet and an outlet through which a flexible hose extends, the hose having an inlet in fluid communication with the liquid supply and an outlet arranged to deposit liquid in the vicinity of the embedded seed. 
     The present invention, in another form thereof, provides a liquid dispensing device for use in connection with a seed firmer, wherein the seed firmer includes an elastically deformable arm attached to a seed planter. The seed firmer drags on the ground and embeds the seeds after the seeds are deposited into the ground. The liquid dispensing device comprises a conduit attached to the seed firmer and through which a flexible hose having an inlet and an outlet extends, the hose inlet in fluid communication with a supply of liquid and the hose outlet arranged to dispense the liquid in the vicinity of the embedded seeds. The conduit may be integral to the firmer or attached thereto by the use of fasteners and brackets or weld studs, adhesives or by other conventional means. Further, the firmer may be provided with multiple conduits for the dispensing of different liquids or a single liquid supplied from different sources. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side diagrammatical view of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a first embodiment of the liquid dispensing device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of the liquid dispensing device of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a third embodiment of the liquid dispensing device of the present invention. 
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one embodiment of the invention and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown planter  20  having firmer  22  and liquid dispenser  24  attached thereto comprising flexible hose  40  having inlet end  56  and outlet end  58  and conduit or passage  42  having inlet end  46  and outlet end  48 . The term “conduit” is understood to refer to any passage, channel, funnel, hose, line, passageway, drain, or pipe that conducts the flow of a liquid from a first point, such as a source, tank, etc., to a second point, or multiple points. Conduit or passage  42  of the present invention may be separate from or provided integrally in firmer  22  and may conduct the flow of liquid directly or via a separate hose or pipe disposed therein. The conduit outlet end is positioned at the trailing end of firmer  22  such that liquid  38  is dispensed in the vicinity of embedded seeds  28 . By locating the outlet at the trailing end of the firmer, “balling up” of dirt, pushing of fertilizer, etc. about the furrow is prevented and liquid product is most effectively delivered to the seed. Referring to FIG. 2, hose  40  is telescopically received by and extends through surrounding conduit  42  such that hose outlet end  58  projects a short distance, an inch, for example, from conduit outlet end  48 . Hose  40  may be secured to firmer  22  by clamp  60 , which may be a nylon tie wrap, adjacent conduit inlet end  46 . Alternatively, hose  40  may be attached to firmer  22  via its association with conduit  42  alone. A further alternative embodiment (not shown) involves hose  40  terminating with a coupling device fluidly connecting the hose end to conduit or passage  42 . As shown in FIG. 1, hose inlet end  56  is connected to liquid supply tank  44 , which is adapted to contain any suitable liquid such as fertilizer, water, or insecticide. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, rigid conduit  42  is secured to firmer  22  by bracket  50  and stud  52 . Bracket  50  is a U-shaped metal coupling, which is fastened about rigid conduit  42  at its outlet end  48  and secured to firmer  22  with bolt  54 . The inlet end  46  of rigid conduit  42  is attached to firmer  22  via stud  52  which is welded to rigid conduit  42 . As can best be seen in FIG. 2, stud  52  is inserted through firmer  22  and spot welded to the exterior of rigid conduit  42 . Although rigid conduit  42  is fastened to firmer  22  via bracket  50  and stud  52  in the exemplary embodiment, it is to be understood that conduit  42  may be fastened to firmer  22  by any means sufficiently strong to withstand the forces exerted on firmer  22  when being pulled through soil  30 . Such forces often result from plant life, soil, or rocks which become caught between the conduit and firmer and tend to pry the conduit away from the firmer. 
     Although not depicted in FIG. 1, planter  20  is adapted to be connected to a primary mover such as a tractor to traverse the soil of a field for planting. Planter  20  also includes a seed supply hopper  26  from which seeds  28  are drawn for implantation into soil  30 . Planter  20  also includes cutting discs  32  arranged in a “V” formation which precede planter  20  to create furrow  34 . Seeds  28  proceed from hopper  26 , through chute  36  and are individually deposited into furrow  34 , as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     After seeds  28  are deposited in furrow  34 , firmer  22 , which is positioned and biased to drag along soil  30 , presses seeds  28  into soil  30  such that substantially no air pockets exist around seed  28 . This promotes proper germination and growth of seed  28 . Firmer  22  is a resilient deformable arm attached to planter  20  and positioned to follow planted seeds  28  and force seeds  28  into soil  30 . In the exemplary embodiments, firmer  22  is manufactured from plastic, but other materials having similar elasticity characteristics are possible. The degree of vertical bias of firmer  22  can be adjusted by screw  29 . Alternatively, firmer  22  may include a rigid arm which is resiliently biased into the soil. 
     After firmer  22  has pressed seeds  28  into soil  30 , liquid  38  is dispensed onto embedded seeds  28  as also shown in FIG.  1 . In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, liquid  38  is communicated to seeds  28  through flexible hose  40  and rigid conduit  42 , which is manufactured from stainless steel although other materials which are sufficiently corrosion-resistant and durable could be used. 
     A second embodiment of the liquid dispensing device of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, incorporates conduit portion  42   a  into firmer  22   a , which may be plastic. In this embodiment, conduit portion  42   a  is integrally formed into firmer  22   a , such as by molding, drilling, etc., and receives flexible hose  40  therethrough. Hose  40  may be attached to firmer  22   a  by clamp  60  in the manner described above or via its association with conduit  42   a  alone. In the alternative, liquid source hose  40  may terminate at and be connected to inlet end  46   a , whereby liquid from source(s)  44  flows through passage or conduit  42   a  independently of a separate hose or tube to outlet end  48   a.    
     A third embodiment of the liquid dispensing device of the present invention, shown in FIG. 4, incorporates a plurality of conduit portions  42   a ,  42   b  into firmer  22   b . In this embodiment, conduit portion  42   a  telescopically receives flexible hose  40  which extends therethrough, and conduit portion  42   b  telescopically receives flexible hose  41  which extends therethrough. Hoses  40  and  41  have inlet ends connected to sources (not shown) of different or common liquids to be dispensed on the embedded seeds from hose outlet ends,  58 ,  59 , respectively. Hoses  40 ,  41  may be attached to firmer  22   b  by clamp  60   b  adjacent inlet ends  46   a ,  46   b  of the conduits. As shown in FIG. 4, such a plurality of conduits may be formed integrally with the firmer. Alternatively, such a plurality of conduits may be attached to the firmer through the use of brackets and/or studs in the general manner shown in FIG.  2 . Hoses  40 ,  41  may be attached to firmer  22   b  by clamp  60   b  in the manner described above or via their respective associations with conduits  42   a ,  42   b  alone. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention (not shown in the Figures), firmer  22  or  22   a  may be provided with a liquid dispenser having single conduit of sufficient cross sectional size to accommodate a plurality of hoses telescopically extending therethrough, the inlet end of each hose connected to a source of different or common liquids to be dispensed on the embedded seeds A further alternative embodiment of the present invention (not shown in the Figures) may provide a firmer  22  or  22   a  with a liquid dispenser having a conduit through with a single hose telescopically extends, the hose containing a plurality of passages, each passage having an inlet end connected to a source of different or common liquids to be dispensed on the embedded seeds. 
     In operation, planter  20  is connected to a tractor (not shown) and driven through a field of soil  30 . As the tractor and planter  20  move, seeds  28  are drawn from seed hopper  26 , through chute  36 , and deposited into furrow  34 . Firmer  22  follows deposited seeds  28  and presses seeds  28  into soil  30  as best shown in FIG.  1 . After seeds  28  are pressed into soil  30 , liquid  38  is communicated from tank  44  through flexible hose  40  via conduit  42  and dispensed in the vicinity of the embedded seed. After liquid  38  is dispensed from hose outlet end  58  onto the embedded seed, discs  54  following planter  20  backfill furrow  34 . 
     While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains, and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.