Abstract:
A seed tank arrangement is provided with improved access to seed tanks of an agricultural planter and the contents thereof, while simplifying the manufacturing of such tanks. The seed tank has a fill opening formed in the upper surface of the tank for loading and accessing seeds in the interior of the tank. Features of the tank are mirror images about a diagonal plane of the tank, which enables the same tank to be used for both the left and right sides of the planter. This is achieved by rotating the left tank 90 degrees with respect to the right tank. The design provides improved access to the interior of the tanks for filling and servicing the seed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements, and more particularly to a planter or similar implement designed to be towed behind a work vehicle, and that is equipped with seed tanks to assist with seed distribution. 
         [0002]    A wide range of agricultural implements are known and are presently in use, particularly designed for towing behind a work vehicle, such as a tractor. In one family of such implements, including tillers, planters, and so forth, a wide swath of ground can be tilled, planted, or otherwise worked in each pass of the implement in a tilled or untilled field. Planters, for example, often include frames supported by series of wheels and a tool bar extending transversely with respect to a line of movement of the implement across the field. Attached to the tool bar are a series of row units for dispensing seeds in parallel rows either in tilled or untilled soil. A pair of seed tanks are typically supported on the implement support structure, such as just forward of or over the tool bar. Large amounts of seed may be poured into these tanks and, as the implement is advanced across the field, seeds are transferred from the tanks by a distribution system connected to the row units. 
         [0003]    Difficulties may arise in servicing such implements owing to the need to access the upper portions of the equipment, such as seed tanks in planters. The seed tanks may, for example, have fill openings or lids that can be removed to pour the desired seeds into the tanks prior to deploying the implement in a field. Such seeds may be inserted automatically, semi-automatically or manually into the tanks. Both before and after hauling the implement to and from the field, and while the implement is in a field, operator access to the seed tanks may be needed, such as for filling, inspection, removal of debris, and so forth. In traditional planter designs, however, the fill openings may be placed toward the center of the seed tanks, making access to the fill opening difficult, especially in the case of larger tanks. While this, in certain situations, may not pose particular problems, it renders many operations difficult, such as loading heavy sacks of seed into the tanks or removing debris from the tanks. 
         [0004]    Difficulties may also occur in manufacturing seed tanks that have accessible fill openings. Tank designs may require separate manufacturing processes and parts for each left and right tank due to the need for off center tank fill openings. This requirement results in additional manufacturing costs as well as inconvenience for service or replacement. 
         [0005]    There is a need, therefore, for improved arrangements in towed implements that permit operators to more easily access seed tanks in planters. There is a particular need for arrangements that permit an operator access to fill openings of the seed tanks for tasks such as filling and inspection. There is also a particular need for improved access seed tanks which have a low manufacturing cost. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a novel configuration for accessing planter seed tanks by virtue of the tank design and layout. This configuration of the seed tank provides improved access to seed tanks of an agricultural planter and the contents thereof, while simplifying the manufacturing of such tanks. In an exemplary embodiment, the seed tank has a fill opening formed in the upper surface of the tank for loading and accessing seeds in the interior of the tank. The opening is off center of the shell and is centered on a diagonal plane that bisects opposing corners of the tank. Features of the tank are mirror images about this diagonal plane of the tank, which enables the same tank to be used for both the left and right sides of the planter. This is achieved by rotating the left tank 90 degrees with respect to the right tank. The design provides improved access to the interior of the tanks for filling and servicing the seed. This tank configuration reduces manufacturing costs by utilizing one part for two elements of the implement. Alternative embodiments may utilize different shapes for the tanks, which remain symmetrical about a diagonally bisecting centerline. The design may be implemented for agricultural planters as well as other implements or applications requiring access to large tanks. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a planter in accordance with aspects of the invention, including seed tanks, a fixed platform or walkway, a retractable ladder for accessing a region near the upper components of the planter, particularly seed tanks; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a more detailed view of the arrangement of  FIG. 1 , showing the platform or walkway and a presently contemplated arrangement for the seed tanks and the seed tank fill openings; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a seed tank from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating a diagonal plane that bisects the tank as well as a recess near the fill opening. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a detailed front view of the tanks and the frame that supports the tanks in accordance with aspects of the invention, including components of the seed distribution system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the seed tanks, showing induction boxes and inlet openings; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the seed tanks, illustrating recesses in the seed tanks. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0015]    When introducing elements of various embodiments, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” “said,” and the like mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover, the use of “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” and variations of these terms does not require any particular orientation of the components relative to some extrinsic reference, e.g., gravity. As used herein, the term “coupled” refers to the condition of being directly or indirectly connected or in contact. Additionally, the phrase “in fluid communication” or “fluidly coupled” indicates that fluid or fluid pressure may be transmitted from one object to another. As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “an example” and not necessarily a preferred embodiment. 
         [0016]    Turning now to the drawings, and referring first to  FIG. 1 , seed tanks  10  are illustrated on an implement  12 , illustrated in the form of a planter. The seed tanks  10  may be formed of steel or a moldable plastic material, such as polypropylene, by a plastic injection molding process, a rotomolding process, or any other suitable material. The implement  12  consists of a frame  14  and a tow bar  16  designed to be connected to a towing work vehicle, such as a tractor (not shown). The frame  14  and tow bar  16  may be made of any suitable material, such as structural steel. Seed tanks  10  are supported by frame  14  and the attached structures. Draft tubes  18  extend rearwardly from a forward end of tow bar  16  to aid in drawing the implement  12 . A tool bar  20  is coupled to the tow bar  16  and draft tubes  18  and supports row units designed to distribute seeds, as described below. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the tool bar  20  may define a central section  22  and outwardly extending wings  24  that can be folded forwardly to reduce the overall width of the implement for road transport. Row units, not shown for the sake of clarity, may be mounted along the tool bar  20  to facilitate seed distribution. Wheeled supports  26  are attached to support frame  14  to allow the row units to be raised out of contact with road surfaces during transport of the implement. 
         [0017]    In the illustrated embodiment, seed tanks  10  are mounted on tank support structures  28  and frame  14 . These support structures typically include structural steel and truss members. Left tank  30  and right tank  32  sit atop the support structures  28 . Platform  34  enables user access to fill and service seed tanks  10 . Access ladder  36  and folding portion  38  provide operator entry to platform  34 . Hand rails  40  allow greater stability to the operator when climbing access ladder  36  and servicing the tanks. 
         [0018]    In the illustrated embodiment, rear sides  42  and  44  along with center-oriented sides  46  and  48  compose generally vertical sides of seed tanks  10 . Centerline  50  runs along the center of the planter  12  where left tank  30  and its features are generally a mirror image of the right tank  32 . Outwardly oriented sides  52  compose the outer generally vertical sides of seed tanks  10 . The upper surface  54  of seed tanks  10  completes the enclosure and provides access to contents through a fill opening  56 . Cover assemblies  58  close the openings in the seed tanks, and levers  60  cooperate with the cover assemblies to maintain the assemblies closed and thereby to secure the contents of seed tanks  10 . Cover assemblies  58  may be removed for loading of seeds in automated, semi-automated or manual operations. The covers also permit inspection of the seeds, removal of debris, and so forth. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , vertical planes  62  bisect left tank  30  and right tank  32 . The upper surfaces of the tanks have fill openings centered at distances  64  from rear sides  42  and  44  and distances  66  from center oriented sides  46  and  48 . Distances  64  and  66  are generally equal, making each of the seed tanks  10  and their features symmetrical about vertical planes  62 . Arrow  68  depicts the generally 90 degree angle between vertical planes  62 . Arrow  68  further shows that left tank  30  and right tank  32  are mirror images of one another. That is, the tanks are identical, and are simply oriented at right angles or at a 90 degree rotation with respect to one another. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates the top view of seed tank  30  or  32 . As noted above, fill openings  56  are located at equal distances  64  and  66  from rear sides  42  and  44  as well as center-oriented sides  46  and  48 . Tank center  70  and fill opening center  72  are generally centered along vertical planes  62  which bisect each tank, as discussed above. In an alternative embodiment, additional operator access to fill opening  56  may be provided by recess  74 . Recess  74  may be configured to be symmetrical about vertical plane  62 , and located near fill opening  56 . It should be noted that recess  74  creates an additional side, generally angled at 45 degrees with respect to adjacent sides  44  and  48  or adjacent sides  46  and  48 . 
         [0021]    As shown in greater detail in  FIG. 4 , chutes  76  are located on the lower portion of left tank  30  and right tank  32 . Flanges  78  connect chutes  76  to induction boxes  80 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these components channel seed from tanks  30  and  32  through box outlets (not shown) to row units (not shown) located on the tool bar. Inlet openings  82  are supplied air pressure from blower  84  through conduit  86  and tubes (not shown) forcing seeds from induction boxes  80  through the box outlets (not shown) to row units (not shown). 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of left tank  30  and right tank  32  in somewhat greater detail. The arrangement of  FIG. 5  demonstrates the concept that features of seed tanks  30  and  32 , as well as inlet openings  82  and inductor boxes  80  are all symmetrical with respect to vertical planes  62 . As discussed above, the components are oriented such that left tank  30  and right tank  32  are mirror images. Again, arrow  68  shows that the right tank  32  is identical to and rotated 90 degrees with respect to left tank  30 . 
         [0023]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , angled left tank  88  and angled right tank  90  are shown in a top view. Each tank features recesses  74  which allow for a platform  92 . This platform  92  provides improved access to fill openings  56  by allowing an operator to stand in recess  94  while filling or servicing the tanks. 
         [0024]    While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.