Patent Publication Number: US-2016219782-A1

Title: Furrow tool for seed placement

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), of U.S. provisional application No. 61/439,254, entitled “Furrow Tool for Seed Placement” and filed on Feb. 3, 2011. The entire contents of this application are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field relates generally to agricultural planting equipment, and more specifically to seed placement tools. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Mechanical seed planting devices are used to plant seeds accurately in furrows formed in a field. Planting devices are often pulled by a tractor and include multiple planting units. Each planting unit may hold seeds and may include a device to create a furrow in the ground as the tractor moves forward, and a device for closing the furrow around the seeds. 
     The seed placement in the furrow can affect the growth and characteristics of the plant. Often times as the seed drops from the planter into the furrow, via the seed tube, the seed may bounce. This bouncing may impact the direction and location of the seed distribution within the furrow. Additionally, as the seed may be traveling quickly through the seed tube, the seed may even bounce off of the ground at the bottom of the furrow, altering its location. The bouncing down the seed tube, or off the ground, may place the seeds on the side of the furrow or even outside the furrow. After the seed is placed within the furrow the furrow may be closed by the furrow closers. If the seeds are placed improperly (e.g., on the side of the furrow or outside the furrow completely), the seeds may not be adequately covered by soil. 
     Also, as seeds are deposited within the furrows even if they do not bounce out of place, they may still not be deposited at the correct depth. Often times there may be residual soil that may cause air pockets underneath the seed. Therefore, it may be desired to push or press the seed into place to better ensure that the planting depth may be accurate. 
     The plant depth and location affects the growth aspects of the plants. For example, improper seed placement may result in uneven plant emergence, poor strands, increase in weed population, uneven plant maturity, longer insect lift, higher susceptibility to chemical damage and lower yields. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of a furrow tool may take the form of a furrow tool configured to attach to a planting device. The furrow tool may include a compressor or tool. The compressor may include a neck portion and a body extending from the neck portion. A deflector may be connected to the compressor. The deflector may include a top portion connected to the neck portion and an extension portion. The extension portion may be located beneath a bottom side of the body and may be configured to deflect seeds into a proper location in the furrow. The furrow tool may also include an attachment mechanism connected to the neck portion and configured to attach to the planting device. 
     Other embodiments include a planting tool configured to be attached to a planter row unit including a furrow creating device and a seed tube. The planting tool may include an attachment bracket configured to attach the planting tool to the seed tube. The planting tool may also include a compressor and a deflector connected to the attachment bracket. The compressor may include a neck portion connected to the attachment bracket and a body extending from the neck portion. The body may have a greater height than the neck portion. The deflector may be located beneath a bottom face of the compressor. The deflector may have a shorter length than the compressor, and the compressor may extend beyond a back end of the deflector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures described and shown herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. The use of the same reference numerals in different drawings indicates similar or identical items. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tractor pulling a planter having a multiple row units. 
         FIG. 2  is a section taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 , and illustrates a row unit including the furrow tool. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the furrow tool of  FIG. 1  attached to the seed tube. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the furrow tool of  FIG. 3  removed from the seed tube. 
         FIG. 5  is side elevation view of the furrow tool illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of the furrow tool illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top isometric view of one embodiment of the furrow tool illustrated in  FIG. 4  with the furrow tool including a nutrient tube. 
         FIG. 8  is a top isometric view of another embodiment of the furrow tool illustrated in  FIG. 4  with the furrow tool including a splitter for the nutrient tube. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although one or more of the embodiments of a seed planting tool may be described in detail with reference to a particular seed planting tool, the embodiments should not be interpreted or otherwise used as limiting the scope of the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application. For example, while embodiments of the seed planting tool described herein may focus on seed location and depth, the concepts described herein equally apply to other planting and fertilization aspects. In addition, while the described embodiments may focus on a particular shaped furrow, the concepts set forth herein may equally apply to other furrow types and shapes, as well as to non-furrow planting. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the claims is limited to these embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, a fertilizer tool is described that may be used with a variety of drills and planters.  FIG. 1  illustrates an agricultural planter  10  that includes a number of planter row units  26  mounted on a main frame member  28 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a section view along line  2 - 2  of the planter  10  in  FIG. 1 , showing a single planter row unit  26 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the row units  26  may form a seed furrow  56  and may deposit seeds  50  within the furrow  56 . A furrow tool  52  may substantially prevent the seeds  50  from bouncing as they are deposited into the furrow  56  as well as press the seeds  50  into the furrow  56 . The furrow tool  52  furthermore helps position the seeds  50  at the correct lateral location and depth within the furrow  56 , which minimizes the risk that the seeds  50  will be incorrectly positioned or set atop air pockets within the soil. 
     The row unit  26  may include a seed hopper  14  that contains and dispenses the seeds  50 , and a seed metering unit  30  may be positioned below the seed hopper  14 . Additionally, the row unit  26  may include a fertilizer or watering tank (not shown) to provide nutrients to the seeds that are placed in the furrow  56 . The seed metering unit  30  may receive seeds from the seed hopper  14 . The seed metering unit  30  may facilitate depositing the correct number of seeds  50  in the furrow  56 . Below the seed metering unit  30  may be a seed tube  42 . The seed tube  42  may receive seeds from the seed hopper  14  (via the seed metering unit  30 ) and deposit the seeds  50  within the furrow  56 . The row unit  26  may additionally include a furrow opening apparatus  16  that penetrates the ground to open the furrow  56 . The furrow opening apparatus  16  may be placed beneath the seed hopper  14 . The furrow opening apparatus  16  may include a divider at the leading edge of the row unit  26  and a furrow opener  34 . The furrow opener  34  may be placed centrally underneath the seed hopper  14 . The furrow opener  34  may be partially encompassed by a pair of gage wheels  20  and a pair of furrow closer wheels  24 . The furrow close wheels  24  may trail behind the furrow opener  34  and gage wheels  20 . 
     The furrow  56  may be formed by the furrow opener  34  as the row unit  26  is pulled by the planter. There are many different types of furrow openers. A double disk furrow opener  38  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The double disk furrow opener  38  may include two circular blades that are rotatably mounted to the row unit  26 . The double disk furrow opener  38  may be configured to form a V-shaped furrow  56  at a predetermined depth within in the soil. However, other furrow openers  34  may be used to create a variety of furrow shapes and/or sizes. 
     The seed tube  42  may extend downward from the metering unit  30 . The seed tube  42  may be positioned between the disk blades of the furrow opener  34 . The seed tube  42  may include a bottom portion  40  that curves to generally define an acute angle between the ground and a longitudinal centerline of the seed tube  42 . An opening  48  of the seed tube  42  may partially face the furrow tool  52 . The seed tube  42  may be positioned over the furrow  56  to distribute seeds  50  received from the metering unit  30  into the furrow  56 . As the metering unit  30  regulates the number of seeds distributed from the seed hopper  14 , each seed  50  may be placed within the furrow  56  at a predetermined distance away from adjacent seeds  50 . The seed tube  42  may have a substantially hollow body  44 , and a bottom end of the seed tube  42  may be positioned to be directly over a centerline of the furrow  56 . The bottom end  40  of the seed tube  42  may include the opening  48  through which the seeds  50  may exit the seed tube  42 . The seed tube  50  may include a slightly arcuate shape along its length in a rearward direction. Such a shape may help to place the seeds  50  at the correct location within the furrow  56 . As the seeds  50  travel through the seed tube  50 , the seeds  50  may bounce as a result of the interaction with the walls of the seed tube  42  and the movement and velocity of the planter  10  over the ground. 
     The furrow tool  52  may be attached to the bottom portion  40  of the seed tube  42 . The furrow tool  52  facilitates placing the seeds  50  in the proper location in the furrow  56  even though the seeds  50  may bounce within the seed tube  42 . The furrow tool  52  may also press or compress the seeds  50  within the furrow  56  after they have been deposited therein. In these embodiments, the furrow tool  52  may help to position the seeds  50  at the correct depth and location within the furrow  56 , which may result help in better plant growth and development rates. The furrow tool  52 , in some embodiments, may include a deflector  62  or seed tube extension and a compressor  60 . The furrow tool  52  may contact the seeds  50  both before and after the seeds  50  are deposited within the furrow  56 . In these embodiments, the deflector  62  may contact the seeds  50  to facilitate placing the seeds  50  in a desired lateral location in the furrow  56 , and the compressor  60  may then contact the seeds  50  to facilitate placing them at the correct depth within the furrow  56 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , the seeds  50  may bounce off the seed tube  42  in a variety of directions as the planter  10  moves. However, as the seeds  50  exit the seed tube  42 , the seeds  50  hit the deflector  62 . Regardless of whether the seeds  50  bounce off of the seed tube  42  and hit the deflector  62  or bounce off of the ground and hit the deflector  62 , the seeds  50  generally end up placed in the desired location. Thus, in some embodiments, the deflector  62  may not act to substantially decrease the bouncing of the seeds  50  within the seed tube  42  but rather act to place the seeds  50  at the desired location in the furrow  56 , even if the seeds  50  bounce significantly. However, some seeds  50  may not contact the deflector  62 . This may occur if the seeds  50  do not bounce significantly inside the seed tube  42 . 
     Once the seeds  50  are placed into the furrow  56 , the compressor  60  passes over the seeds  50 . The compressor  60  helps to position the seeds  50  at the correct depth within the furrow  56 . In some embodiments, the compressor  60  may press the seeds  50  into the furrow bottom. In some embodiments, the compressor  60  may also compress soil/earth in the furrow to eliminate any air pockets. By eliminating the air pockets and compressing the soil, the seeds  50  can settle into the desired depth within the furrow  56 . Furthermore, by compressing the seeds  50  into the furrow  56 , the seeds  50  are more likely to be planted at a uniform planting depth. The compressor  60  may be configured to provide varying pressure to the seeds  50 . For example, altering the material, size or attachment location the compressor  60  may result in the application of more or less force to the seeds  50 , thus allowing the furrow tool  52  to be used with a variety of seeds  50 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a front top perspective view of the furrow tool  52  detached from the seed tube,  FIG. 5  illustrates a side elevation view of the furrow tool  52 , and  FIG. 6  illustrates a front elevation view of the furrow tool  52 . Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , the furrow tool  52  may be an integral construction, such that the compressor  60 , the deflector  62  and the attachment bracket  74  may be a singular piece. In other embodiments, the furrow tool  52  may include separate elements attached together, or a combination of integral elements with separately attached elements. For example, the compressor  60  may be integral with the attachment bracket  74 , such as shown in  FIG. 4 , and the deflector  62  may be a separate attachment. 
     The compressor  60 , the deflector  62 , and the attachment bracket  74  may be formed using the same or similar same materials, or they may be formed using different materials. In some embodiments, the compressor  60  and the deflector  62  may be made of plastic, metal, wood, or the like. 
     The deflector  62  may be attached or connected to a bottom portion of the compressor  60 , and the compressor  60  may extend past the end portion of the deflector  62 . In these embodiments, when a seed  50  is released from the seed tube  42  and the seed  50  bounces, it may hit the deflector  62 . After the seed  50  rests within the furrow  56 , the compressor  60  may be dragged over the seed  50  to compress the seed  50  into the furrow  56 . In these embodiments, the deflector  62  may initially contact the seeds  50  as they are dropped from the seed tube  42 , and then the compressor  60  may contact the seeds  50  after they are deposited in the furrow  56 . In some embodiments, the compressor  60  may have a longer total length than the deflector  62 . This configuration may allow the compressor  60  to contact the seeds  50  after the deflector  62 . Additionally, the deflector  62  may be configured so as to not contact the seeds  50  once they are deposited within the furrow  56 . In these embodiments, the deflector  62  may not touch the furrow  56 . This configuration may help to eliminate unnecessary pressure on the seeds  50 , which may damage them. 
     The compressor  60  may have a lower total height where it attaches to the deflector  62 , and may increase in height after the deflector  62 . In these embodiments, the distal end of the compressor  60  may be significantly larger than the front end. The bottom portion  64  of the compressor  62  may be configured to press the seeds  50  into the furrow  56 . As the bottom portion  64  of the compressor is dragged over the seeds  50  as the planter  10  pulls the furrow tool  52 , the weight of the compressor  60  presses the seeds  50  into the furrow  56 . 
     The compressor  60  also may include an outer protrusion  63  extending from the back or distal end of the compressor body  60 . The outer protrusion  63  may be used to hold a fertilizer tube. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a fertilizer tube assembly may be attached to a top face of the compressor  60 . In other embodiments, the outer protrusion  63  may be omitted. This may be done when a fertilizer tube is not added to the furrow tool. 
     The compressor  60  may include a compressor body. The compressor body may be generally oval shaped with a flat top face  61  and angled sides. The compressor body may expand in height from the front to the back end of the compressor body. In some embodiments, the compressor  60  may also include a step  66  at the transition point from the connection area to the back area of the compressor  60 . The step  66  may be included to reduce the weight and material required to create the compressor  60 . For example, the compressor  60  may be constructed to have a large height, which increases the weight of the compressor. This increased weight allows for a greater force to be applied to the seeds  50  by the compressor. However, the large height and/or weight may only be required for the portion of the compressor  60  that contacts the seeds  50 . Therefore, the step  66  may reduce the amount of material used for the entire compressor  60 , while still providing sufficient height and/or weight to press the seeds  50  into the furrow  56 . The step  66  may also be used to allow the furrow tool  52  to be easily connected to the seed tube  42  and to maintain a desired spacing between the row unit  26  (e.g., the discs, the wheels, etc.) and the furrow tool  52 . 
     The compressor  60  may also include various tabs, hooks, or protrusions  68 ,  70 ,  72  located on an upper portion of the compressor body. The protrusions  68 ,  70 ,  72  may be used to secure one or more components of a fertilizer tube assembly, such as a fertilizer tube, to the top face  61  of the compressor  60 . With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the fertilizer tube assembly may include a fertilizer tube. In these embodiments, the fertilizer tube may extend over the top face  61  of the compressor  60 . The protrusions  68 ,  70 ,  72  may partially wrap around the fertilizer tube or otherwise secure the tube in place along the compressor  60 . However, in other embodiments, the protrusions  68 ,  70 ,  72  may be omitted. These components may be omitted when a fertilizer tube is not attached to the compressor  60 . In some embodiments, the protrusions  68 ,  70 ,  72  may be partially curved at their top end, so as to be partially hooked shaped. In other embodiments, the protrusions  68 ,  70 ,  72  may be partial walls that are spaced so as to allow a fertilizer tube to extend there between and be substantially secured between each protrusion  68 ,  70 ,  72  by a friction fit connection or the like. 
     The compressor  60  may be connected to an attachment bracket  74  at a neck portion  86  of the compressor body. The neck portion  86  may be slightly bent or rounded towards the ground. In these embodiments, the compressor  60  may be angled generally downwards towards the ground to press the seeds  50  downward in the furrow  56 . The angle of the compressor  60  may be increased or decreased to alter the force exerted onto the seeds  50  by the compressor  60 . 
     In some embodiments, the bottom portion  64  of the compressor  60  may be shaped to generally conform to the shape of the furrow  56 . For instance, if the furrow  56  has a v-shape, the bottom portion  64  may be shaped to have a relatively small width. The walls from the bottom portion  64  to the top of the compressor  62  may be angled to be substantially the same angle as the walls of the furrow  56 . In these embodiments, the compressor  60  may be better able to track the shape of the furrow  56 , and thus most efficiently press the seeds  50  into the furrow  56 . Additionally, the shape and size of the compressor  60  may be adjusted to accommodate the types of crops being grown and the soil conditions. For instance, some seeds  50  may require significant pressure, whereas other seeds  50  may be easily damaged and thus lighter pressing is required. In these embodiments, the shape of compressor  60  may be changed as well as the material. For example, a lighter material may be used for easily damaged seeds, whereas a heavier material may be used for seeds that can withstand more force. Also, the shape of the compressor  60  may be altered such that the bottom portion  64  may not fit/reach to the bottom of the furrow  56 , thus the amount of force applied by compressor  60  to the seeds  50  may be reduced. 
     The deflector  62  may be secured to the compressor  60  and may extend beyond the width of the compressor  60 . In these embodiments, the deflector  62  may be wider than the compressor  60 , and the compressor  60  may extend past the deflector  62  and be longer than the deflector  62 . In these embodiments, the deflector  62  can direct seeds  50  bouncing in a variety of directions from the seed tube  42 . The deflector  62  may curve downwards at a bend point  88 . In these embodiments, the deflector  62  may be generally rounded and follow the shape of the compressor  60 . The deflector  62  may also be configured to receive fertilizer tubes as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     The fertilizer tubes may be attached by fasteners connected at apertures  92  located on a front or top face of the deflector  62 . The apertures  92  may be raised above the body of the deflector  62  and be spaced apart from one another. In other embodiments, the apertures  92  may be omitted (for instance if no fertilizing is desired), or the apertures  92  may be located in other areas of the deflector  62 . The deflector  62  may be shaped to generally follow the width of the furrow  56  and therefore be better able to deflect the seeds  50  regardless of how the seeds  50  bounce. In some embodiments, the deflector  62  may have rounded sides and a flat front face. However, in other embodiments the deflector  62  may be shaped to accommodate other planter and/or types of furrows  56 . For example, if the furrow  56  is shaped wider or formed in a shape other than a V, the deflector  62  may be shaped to mimic that additional width or different shape to provide bounce coverage for the seeds  50 . 
     The attachment bracket  74  may be attached to the compressor  60  and the deflector  62  via the neck portion  86  of the compressor. The neck portion  86  may be integral with the attachment bracket  74 , or may be attached via glue, welding, or the like. The attachment bracket  74  secures the furrow tool  52  to the seed tube  42  or other location on the row unit  26 . In some embodiments, the furrow tool  52  may be attached to the seed tube  42  via fasteners. The fasteners (not shown) may be attached via fastener apertures  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 . In some embodiments, the fasteners may wrap around the seed tube  42  (e.g. wire, string, plastic connectors, or the like), and in other embodiments, the fasteners may be screws, nails, or the like that attach to a bracket or at another attachment area on the seed tube  42 . 
     The attachment bracket  74  may also include projections  84 . The projections  84  may assist in attaching the bracket but are not required. The attachment bracket  74  illustrates one embodiment for attaching the furrow tool  52  to the row unit  26 . In other embodiments, the furrow tool  52  may be attached in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the furrow tool  52  may be integrated with the seed tube  42 . However, the attachment bracket  74  allows the furrow tool  52  to be used with a variety of planters  10 , including different row units  26  and seed tubes  42  since the furrow tool  52  may be attached to a variety of already existing planting devices. The attachment bracket  74  also allows the height of the furrow tool  52  to be readily adjusted so that the compression pressure applied by the compressor  60  and the height of the compressor  60  or the deflector  62  above the bottom of the furrow  56  may be adjusted. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the furrow tool  52  with fertilizer tubes installed on the furrow tool  52 . The furrow tool  52  may include a nutrient tube  100  (as show in  FIG. 7 ) or may include a splitter (as shown in  FIG. 8 ). Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the nutrient tube  100  may be attached to the deflector  62  via fasteners  93  that attach a securing bar  102  to the deflector  62 . The deflector  62  may include an additional securing tab  101 . The securing tab  101  may receive the nutrient tube  100  and may be configured to deposit the water, fertilizer, etc. at a desired location in the furrow  56 . The nutrient tube  100  may be use to deposit fertilizer, water, nutrient, or the like. The nutrient tube  100  may be connected to a storage tank or other type of container located on the planter  10  or the row unit  26 . In some embodiments, the nutrient tube  100  may be configured to be placed between the deflector  62  and the compressor  60 . In these embodiments, the nutrient tube  100  may deposit the fertilizer, water, or the like to the seeds  50  before the compressor  60  passes over the seeds  50 . However, in other embodiments, the nutrient tube  100  may be longer so that the fertilizer, water, or the like may be delivered to the furrow  56  after the seeds  50  are pressed into the soil. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a splitter  106  may be used to allow the nutrient tube  100  to deposit elements on either side of the seeds  50  within the furrow  56 . In these embodiments, the securing tab  101  may not be used to secure the nutrient tube  100  to the furrow tool  52 . 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the furrow tool  52  may be secured to the row unit  26  via a bracket  41 . The bracket  41  may be used in place of the attachment bracket  74 , or used in conjunction with the attachment bracket  74 . The seed tube  42  may be inserted into the bracket  41  and secured via a fastener or other mechanism (not shown). The opening  48  of the seed tube  42  may then be angled so as to dispense the seeds  50  into the furrow  56 . 
     In still other embodiments, the nutrient tube  100  may be secured to a top portion of the compressor  60 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the nutrient tube  100  may be secured to the top face  61  of the compressor  60  via the protrusions  68 ,  70 ,  72 . The deflector  62  then may be directly adjacent to the bottom  64  of the deflector  62 . The nutrient tube  100  may then extend away from the outer protrusion  63  to provide fertilizer and/or nutrients to the seed after it is pressed into the furrow  56 . The compressor  60  may further include a splitter  106 . The splitter  106  may be configured to provide nutrients to either side of the seeds  50 . 
     All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. 
     In some instances, components are described with reference to “ends” having a particular characteristic and/or being connected with another part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to components which terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term “end” should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particular element, link, component, part, member or the like. In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.