Patent Publication Number: US-2022232758-A1

Title: Multi-unit bulk seed-box seed tender

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/145,527, filed on Jan. 11, 2021, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 16/694,178, now abandoned, filed on Nov. 25, 2019, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates generally to farm implements, and more particular, to seed tenders for handling multi-unit bulk seed-boxes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Seed and grain is sold and transported in bulk. Seed and grain can be pre-packaged or loaded in bulk onto a wagon or trailer. One way that is commonly used to pre-package seed and grain is to use a bulk seed-box, such as a Pro-Box seed-box. Such bulk seed-boxes are loaded with material by the manufacturer or vendor and are purchased fully loaded by the consumer. 
     Over time, the seed industry has progressed from using small 50-pound bags to deliver seed, to using bulk seed-boxes for more of its needs. These bulk seed-boxes are uniform in shape and size throughout the industry, and hold approximately 50 seed units each (one seed unit may be specified by weight or number of seeds and may vary depending on crop). Various methods are used to transfer the seed from these bulk seed-boxes to a planter or other farm implement. One such method is to have a seed tender that allows multiple boxes to be set on top of a bed with a conveying system underneath the bed. The seed then drops out of the bulk seed-box into the conveying system, which transfers it into the planter. 
     Various methods are currently being used in the industry to secure the bulk seed-boxes. Improvements in such methods are needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Existing methods of securing bulk seed-boxes require multiple latches to be manually engaged in order to secure the bulk seed-boxes to the bed of a seed tender. As the number of bulk seed-boxes used increases, the corresponding number of latches required for securing the bulk seed-boxes grows quickly, and access to all the latches becomes difficult and time-consuming. That is, the existing methods of securing bulk seed-boxes effectively limit the number of bulk-seed boxes that may be used, and current designs are typically for only two or four bulk seed-boxes. As the number of bulk-seed boxes used increases, such methods become more and more burdensome. 
     Embodiments provide for a latch system to secure multiple bulk seed-boxes with a single point activation. That is, the latch system allows multiple bulk seed-boxes (e.g., six bulk seed-boxes, eight bulk seed-boxes, or more) to be secured at the same time. Accordingly, embodiments provide for an easy-to-use system which can readily expand to accommodate an increasing number of bulk seed-boxes, without a corresponding increase in complexity or burden to a user. 
     According to a first aspect, a farm implement is provided. The farm implement includes a frame having a bed, a first conveyor mounted to the frame having an intake end to receive agricultural material from four or more bulk seed-boxes mounted on the plurality of bulk seed-box locations and a discharge end to discharge the agricultural material; and a latch mechanism for securing the four or more bulk seed-boxes mounted on the plurality of bulk seed-box locations. The bed comprises a plurality of bulk seed-box locations. The latch mechanism includes a first handle to activate the latch mechanism and four or more latches located adjacent to four or more of the bulk seed-box locations. Two of the four or more bulk seed-box locations are spaced apart in a lateral direction and two of the four or more bulk seed-box locations are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction. The first handle is configured to move the latch mechanism between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the four or more latches are configured to engage with the four or more bulk seed-boxes mounted on the plurality of bulk seed-box locations to secure the four or more bulk seed-boxes to the bed, and in the unlatched position, the four or more latches are configured to disengage from the four or more bulk seed-boxes mounted on the plurality of bulk seed-box locations to allow for the bulk seed-boxes to be unloaded from or loaded onto the bed. 
     In some embodiments, the farm implement is a seed tender. In some embodiments, the plurality of bulk seed-box locations are arranged in two or more rows and include at least six bulk seed-box locations. In some embodiments, the latches are configured to engage a lower flange of the four or more bulk seed-boxes mounted on the plurality of bulk seed-box locations. In some embodiments, the latches are configured to engage an indentation in the four or more bulk seed-boxes mounted on the plurality of bulk seed-box locations. In some embodiments, the latch mechanism further includes a first push rod coupled to a first set of the four or more latches, and the first handle is configured to move the latch mechanism between a latched position and an unlatched position by moving the first push rod, and movement of the first push rod engages or disengages the first set of four or more latches. 
     In some embodiments, the four or more bulk seed-box locations are arranged in rows and columns, and for each bulk seed-box location in a given column, the latches corresponding to those bulk seed-box locations are coupled by a rod that extends transversely from the first push rod. In some embodiments, the latch mechanism further includes a second handle to activate the latch mechanism and a second push rod coupled to a second set of the four or more latches, and wherein the second handle is configured to move the latch mechanism between a latched position and an unlatched position by moving the second push rod, and wherein movement of the second push rod engages or disengages the second set of four or more latches. 
     In some embodiments, the farm implement further includes a rail mechanism, wherein the first conveyor is configured to move in a fore-and-aft direction with respect to the bed along the rail mechanism, thereby allowing the first conveyor to be positioned such that the intake end is underneath a dispensing region of a bulk seed-box from among the four or more bulk seed-boxes mounted on the plurality of bulk seed-box locations. In some embodiments, the farm implement further includes a hopper mounted to the frame and positioned underneath the bed to receive agricultural material from the four or more bulk seed-boxes mounted on the plurality of bulk seed-box locations and to provide the agricultural material to the intake end of the first conveyor. In some embodiments, the first conveyor is mounted to the frame by a support arm, and is pivotable such that the discharge end of the first conveyor can be positioned over a planter in order to discharge agricultural material into the planter. In some embodiments, the farm implement further includes a second conveyor for transferring agricultural material from the four or more bulk seed-boxes mounted on the plurality of bulk seed-box locations to the intake end of the first conveyor. In some embodiments, the second conveyor is generally parallel to the frame bed. 
     Other features and characteristics of the subject matter of this disclosure, as well as the methods of operation, functions of related elements of structure and the combination of parts, and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the subject matter of this disclosure. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
         FIGS. 1 and 1A-1D  illustrate an exemplary bulk seed-box. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a farm implement according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a farm implement according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 4 and 4A  illustrate a bed of a farm implement in a latched position according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 5 and 5A  illustrate a bed of a farm implement in an unlatched position according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 6, 6A, and 6B  illustrate a bed of a farm implement according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E  illustrate a bed of a farm implement in a latched position according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 8, 8A, and 8B  illustrate a bed of a farm implement in an unlatched position according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, and 9E  illustrates bed of a farm implement in a latched position according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 10, 10A, 10B, and 10C  illustrate a bed of a farm implement in an unlatched position according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be embodied in a variety of forms, the following description and accompanying drawings are merely intended to disclose some of these forms as specific examples of the subject matter. Accordingly, the subject matter of this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the forms or embodiments so described and illustrated. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and other technical terms or terminology used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, applications, published applications, and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this section prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Unless otherwise indicated or the context suggests otherwise, as used herein, “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.” 
     This description may use relative spatial and/or orientation terms in describing the position and/or orientation of a component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof. Unless specifically stated, or otherwise dictated by the context of the description, such terms, including, without limitation, top, bottom, above, below, under, on top of, upper, lower, left of, right of, in front of, behind, next to, adjacent, between, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, longitudinal, transverse, radial, axial, etc., are used for convenience in referring to such component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof in the drawings and are not intended to be limiting. 
     Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, any specific dimensions mentioned in this description are merely representative of an exemplary implementation of a device embodying aspects of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting. 
     As used herein, the term “adjacent” refers to being near or adjoining. Adjacent objects can be spaced apart from one another or can be in actual or direct contact with one another. In some instances, adjacent objects can be coupled to one another or can be formed integrally with one another. 
     As used herein, the terms “substantially” and “substantial” refer to a considerable degree or extent. When used in conjunction with, for example, an event, circumstance, characteristic, or property, the terms can refer to instances in which the event, circumstance, characteristic, or property occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event, circumstance, characteristic, or property occurs to a close approximation, such as accounting for typical tolerance levels or variability of the embodiments described herein. 
     As used herein, the term “mount” or “mounted” refers to a state where a first component is securely attached to a second component, such that the first component is supported by the second component and is substantially restricted of movement with respect to the second component. 
       FIGS. 1 and 1A-1D  illustrate an exemplary bulk seed-box. As shown, bulk seed-box  100  may include an upper portion  102  and lower portion  104 . For instance, the width and/or length of the upper portion  102  may generally be greater than the width and/or length of the lower portion  104 , and the lower portion  104  may be tapered. This may allow the bulk seed-box to be collapsible for easy transport when it is empty for instance. In some embodiments, the lower portion  104  may include a flange  108  that surrounds the outside of the lower portion  104  and extends outward therefrom. As shown, the top and bottom profiles are generally square (see  FIGS. 1B, 1C ), and the side profile is generally rectangular (see  FIG. 1D ). The bulk seed-box  100  is generally taller than it is wide. The bulk seed-box is configured to contain seed and, when full, may weigh a considerable amount depending on the nature of seed that it is filled with (e.g., about  2001   bs - 25001   bs , or more or less). In order to facilitate moving the bulk seed-boxes  100  when they are full of seed and potentially too heavy to be moved manually, indentations  106  extend through the lower portion  104  such that the forks of a fork lift (or other implement) may be inserted into indentations  106  and can load the bulk seed-box  100  onto a seed tender. Indentations  106  may be present on each side of the bulk seed-box  100  such that a fork lift (or other implement) may be able to handle the bulk seed-box  100  from any direction. 
     The bulk seed-box  100  is able to dispense seed contained within the bulk seed-box  100 . For example, a mechanism (e.g., a slide gate) may enable flow control to control the flow at which seed exits from the bulk seed-box  100 . This mechanism may be mechanical and/or electronic, and it may be operated manually and/or through digital controls. To facilitate the unloading of seed, the interior of the bulk seed-box  100  may be angled (e.g., like a funnel). The bulk seed-box  100  may contain a dispensing region (not shown), which is the region where seed is dispensed from the bulk seed-box  100 . The dispensing region may be located on a bottom of the bulk seed-box  100  (e.g., on lower portion  104 ), and may be located offset from center. For example, the dispensing region may be located in a corner area. In this way, for instance, four bulk seed-boxes  100  may be positioned adjacent to one another in a two-by-two pattern, such that their respective dispensing regions are located next to each other. 
     In general, embodiments disclosed in the present application are applicable with any bulk seed-box that is capable of holding and dispensing grain or another type of seed or agricultural material. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a farm implement  200  according to some embodiments. As shown, six bulk seed-boxes  100  are positioned on a bed  204  of frame  202 . The frame  202  could be configured to allow less than six boxes or more than six boxes. For example, frame  202  supports, in some embodiments, up to eight bulk seed-boxes  100 , and may support anywhere from two to sixteen bulk seed-boxes  100 , or more than sixteen bulk seed-boxes  100 . The bulk seed-boxes  100  may be arranged in a single row or in multiple rows. For example, as shown, the six bulk seed-boxes  100  are arranged in two rows of three bulk seed-boxes  100  each. In some embodiments, more than two rows may be employed. For example, a farm implement supporting eight bulk seed-boxes  100  could have two rows each having four bulk seed-boxes  100 , or three rows where two of the three rows have three bulk seed-boxes  100  and the third row has two bulk seed-boxes  100 , or four rows each having two bulk seed-boxes  100 . In practice, the dimensions of the bulk seed-boxes together with other considerations (such as whether the farm implement  200  is designed to travel on roadways such as highways or interstates) may constrain the number of rows that are used. 
     The bulk seed-boxes  100  are sitting on bed  204  with a hopper  206  below the bed  204 . The hopper  206  collects the seed which is diverted from the bulk seed-boxes  100  and eventually passed into a seed planter or otherwise unloaded by operation of conveyor  208 . As noted above, the bulk seed-boxes  100  may be configured with dispensing regions such that four bulk seed-boxes  100  in a two-by-two arrangement may have dispensing regions next to each other. In such an arrangement, a hopper  206  may be positioned in the area of the dispensing regions of each of the bulk seed-boxes  100 . For more than four bulk-seed boxes  400 , or where there is not a two-by-two arrangement of such boxes, the hopper  206  needs to either be of sufficient dimension (such as in an elongated trough shape) in order to collect seed from each of the bulk seed-boxes  100 , or the hopper  206  needs to be movable. As shown in  FIG. 2 , conveyor  208  may be attached to a lower portion of frame  202  such that it is moveably connected to rail assembly  214 . The conveyor  208  may move along the rail assembly  214  in a lengthwise, or fore-and-aft, direction with respect to the farm implement  200 . By such movement, the hopper  206  may be positioned below the dispensing regions of each of the bulk seed-boxes as needed. 
     Conveyor  208  may also be supported by a supporting arm  212 , which may be allowed to pivot such that the conveyor  208  can be moved to allow the discharge spout  210  to be positioned over a planter in which seed is being transferred. Alternatively, conveyor  208  and/or supporting arm  212  may be attached to a rotating base on frame  202 , which similarly allows the discharge spout  210  to be positioned over a planter in which seed is being transferred. 
     In some embodiments, frame  202  may be moveable. For example, there may be a set of axles affixed to a lower portion of frame  202 , which allow for wheels  216  to be mounted thereto so as to permit the frame to move. Frame  202  may also support moveable track (e.g. a track propulsion system), or any other type of movement suitable to farm implement  200 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a farm implement  200  according to some embodiments. As shown, farm implement  200  includes eight bulk seed-boxes  100 . In this configuration, the frame  202  is mounted on a commercially available trailer  300 . As shown, there may be a second conveyor  302  for transferring the seed along the length of the trailer to the upright conveyor  208  which ultimately transfers the seed to the planter. Alternatively, or in addition, rail assembly  214  may allow conveyor  208  to be positioned where grain is being dispensed from any of the bulk seed-boxes  100 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a bed  204  of a farm implement  200  according to some embodiments. As shown, bed  204  in  FIG. 4  is for an eight-box configuration. There are four bulk seed-boxes  100  positioned on bed  204  and four locations for bulk seed-boxes  100  that do not currently have a bulk seed-box  100  positioned at those locations.  FIG. 4  includes a circle labeled “A” which is shown in more detail in  FIG. 4A . The latch system of bed  204  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 4A . 
     Bed  204  may include outer perimeter flanges  411  that hold the bulk seed-boxes  100  in place, and prevent side-to-side and for-to-aft movement of the boxes  100 . For example, there may be a flange  411  positioned at or about the corners of each of the boxes  100 . Bed  204  may also include funnel areas  402 , one for each bulk seed-box  100  that the bed  204  is configured to carry. Such funnel areas  402 , in some embodiments, may be positioned in approximately the center of a bulk seed-box location, though they may be offset from center in other embodiments. The funnel areas  402  can help to receive seed contained in the bulk seed-boxes  100 , funneling the seed into the hopper  206  and ultimately the conveyor  208 . 
     Latches  404  may be used to secure the bulk seed-box  100  to the bed  204 . As shown, for each row of bulk seed-boxes  100 , there is a central latch  404  positioned between pairs of bulk seed-boxes  100 . At the ends of bed  204 , there are end panels  406 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a latched position. This can be seen, for example, in the detailed view  FIG. 4A , where latches  404  extend beyond a latch housing  404   a  and engage a lower flange  410  of the bulk seed-box  100 . Alternatively, or in addition, a latch could engage indentations  106 . As shown, latches  404  include a round rod that pivots over top of the flange  410 . Each latch housing  404   a  houses two latches  404  (one on each side) in order to secure bulk seed-boxes  100  on either side of housing  404   a . The two latches  404  within housing  404   a  may be controlled together or may be controlled independently from each other. Latches  404  are affixed to the bed  204 , and therefore hold the bulk seed-boxes  100  in place, e.g., in the event that an upward force is applied to the bulk seed-boxes  100  that would otherwise tend to move the bulk seed-boxes upward. 
     The forward and rear end panels  406  are shown in an upright position, indicating that the mechanism is latched. As shown, there is a push rod  408  coupled to end panel  406 , which operates the latch mechanism to be further described herein. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a bed  204  of a farm implement  200  according to some embodiments. As shown, bed  204  in  FIG. 5  corresponds to the bed  204  shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , however, the latch mechanism is unlatched. This can be seen, for example, in the detailed view  FIG. 5A , where latches  404  are within the latch housing  404   a  and do not engage the lower flange  410  of the bulk seed-box  100 . The forward and rear end panels  406  are shown in a downward position, indicating that the mechanism is unlatched. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a bed  204  of a farm implement  200  according to some embodiments.  FIG. 6  includes a circle labeled “B” which is shown in more detail in  FIG. 6A  (corresponding to a latched position) and  FIG. 6B  (corresponding to an unlatched position). The end panels  406  each have an engagement mechanism  602  (e.g., a long round bar) to engage the flange on the bulk seed-box  100 . The engagement mechanism  602  of the end panels  406  works similarly compared to the latches  404 , in that the engagement mechanisms  602  of the end panels  406  hold the bulk seed-boxes  100  in place, e.g., in the event that an upward force is applied to the bulk seed-boxes  100  that would otherwise tend to move the bulk seed-boxes upward. That is, the end panels  406  may pivot to engage the bulk seed-boxes located on the ends of the bed  204 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a bed  204  of a farm implement  200  according to some embodiments.  FIG. 7  shows a perspective view;  FIG. 7A  shows a top view of  FIG. 7 ; and  FIG. 7B  shows a cross-section of line D-D shown in  FIG. 7A .  FIG. 7  shows two circles, labeled C and D, and  FIG. 7B  shows a circle labeled E. Detailed views of those regions are shown in  FIGS. 7C, 7D, and 7E . As shown, the latch mechanism is latched in these figures. End panels  406  are shown in a vertical position, and center latches  404  are in a position to engage the flange  410  of bulk seed-box  100 . Handle mechanism  702  is attached to each end panel  406 . To move the latches between a latched position and an unlatched position, a user may engage the handle mechanism  702 . In some embodiments, this may include a removable keeper (e.g., keeper  721  shown in  FIG. 7D ) which locks the handle mechanism while it is inserted. The keeper may be included in some embodiments in order to prevent accidental operation of the handle mechanism, such as during movement of the farm implement. Upon removal of the keeper, a user can raise a handle that is part of the handle mechanism  702 . This, in turn, raises a pin, allowing the end panel  406  to pivot outward about pivot point  704 . When the end panel pivots outward about pivot point  704  (moving from a latched position to an unlatched position), the movement pulls on the push rod  408 . The movement of push rod  408 , in turn, pulls on the latches  404  that are connected to the push rod. For example, the latch indicated by  710   a  (see  FIG. 7B ) is pivoted about pivot point  706  because push rod  408  is connected to a bottom portion  712  of latch  710   a . Additionally, latches  710   a  and  710   b  are connected by an extension  708 , which causes latches  710   a  and  710   b  to be controlled together, i.e., when push rod  408  pulls on latch  710   a  it also pulls on latch  710   b . As shown in  FIG. 7B , the movement of the push rod  408  on the right side of the figure also causes latch  714  to pivot. However, there is no connection  708  provided between latches  714  and  716 , and therefore these latches are controlled independently, i.e., when push rod  408  pulls on latch  714  it does not also pull on latch  716 . Instead, latch  716  is connected to the push rod  408  on the left side of the figure which is coupled to the other end panel  406 . 
     When an individual latch  404  is activated by the push rod  408 , each latch in the same column is also activated because the latches  404  in the same column are connected by a coupling  720 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , coupling  720  may be a rod that couples each latch  404  in the column to the push rod  408 . 
     As shown, the front end panel  406  activates the latches  404  for the front four bulk seed-boxes  100 , and the rear end panel  406  activates the latches  404  on the rear four bulk seed-boxes  100 . Other configurations are possible. For instance, by connecting the latches  404  within a latch housing  404   a  using an extension  708 , or by not connecting the latches  404  within a latch housing  404   a , the latches can be made to operate together or independently, respectively. Accordingly, the front end panel  406  could be made to activate the latches  404  for more than or less than the front four bulk seed-boxes  100 . For example, the front end panel  406  could be made to activate the latches  404  for all of the bulk seed-boxes  100 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the front end panel  406  could be made to activate the latches  404  for all the bulk seed-boxes  100  in a set number of rows (e.g., the first row), and the rear end panel  406  could be made to activate the latches  404  for all the bulk seed-boxes  100  in the remaining rows (e.g., the second row). In such an embodiment, the couplings  720  may be modified so that the appropriate latches  404  are coupled to the appropriate push rods  408  in order to be activated when the respective end panels  406  are pivoted. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a bed  204  of a farm implement  200  according to some embodiments.  FIG. 8  shows a perspective view;  FIG. 8A  shows a top view of  FIG. 8 ; and  FIG. 8B  shows a cross-section of line D-D shown in  FIG. 8A .  FIGS. 8, 8A, and 8B  show the same configuration as in  FIGS. 7, 7A, and 7B , except where  FIGS. 7, 7A, and 7B  illustrate a latched position,  FIGS. 8, 8A, and 8B  illustrate an unlatched position. This can be seen, for example, because the end panels  406  are in their downward position, or pivoted outward, and the center latches  404  are confined within their respective housings  404   a . Because the latches do not engage with the lower flange of the bulk seed-boxes  100  when in the unlatched position, the bulk seed-boxes  100  may be loaded onto or unloaded from the bed  204  when it is in the unlatched position. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a bed  204  of a farm implement  200  according to some embodiments.  FIG. 9  shows a perspective view;  FIG. 9A  shows a top view of  FIG. 9 ;  FIG. 9B  shows a cross-section of line D-D shown in  FIG. 9A ; and  FIG. 9C  shows a perspective view with bulk seed-boxes  100  partially loaded onto bed  204 .  FIG. 9B  shows a circle labeled D and  FIG. 9  shows a circle labeled E. Detailed views of those regions are shown in  FIGS. 9D and 9E . In the embodiment shown in these figures, which is similar to that shown in  FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B, 8, 8A, and 8B , the end panels  406  are fixed and do not move. Instead, the handle mechanism  902  rotates to activate the latches  404  by moving the push rod  408 , without the end panels  406  moving. The engagement mechanism  602  of the end panels  406  that are shown in  FIG. 6  may, in some embodiments, be replaced by additional latches  404  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 9 ). The activation of the latches by the push rod  408  is similar to what is described above. There may be a handle mechanism  902  on each of the bed  204 , such that each handle mechanism is responsible for controlling the latches  404  for different sets of bulk seed-boxes  100 , or there may be a single handle mechanism  902  that is responsible for controlling all of the latches  404  for the bulk seed-boxes  100 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a bed  204  of a farm implement  200  according to some embodiments.  FIG. 10  shows a perspective view;  FIG. 10A  shows a top view of  FIG. 10 ;  FIG. 10B  shows a cross-section of line D-D shown in  FIG. 10A ; and  FIG. 10C  shows a perspective view with bulk seed-boxes  100  partially loaded onto bed  204 .  FIGS. 10, 10A, 10B, and 10C  show the same configuration as in  FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B, and 9C , except where  FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B, and 9C  illustrate a latched position,  FIGS. 10, 10A, 10B, and 10C  illustrate an unlatched position. This can be seen, for example, because the latches  404  are confined within their respective housings  404   a . Because the latches do not engage with the lower flange of the bulk seed-boxes  100  when in the unlatched position, the bulk seed-boxes  100  may be loaded onto or unloaded from the bed  204  when it is in the unlatched position. 
     Various modifications to the designs shown here are possible and within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. For example, push rods  408  may include a turn buckle (e.g., on the ends of the bed  204 ) in order to allow for adjusting the tension in the latch mechanism. Likewise, while the push rods  408  have been shown as elongated round rods, other shapes or configurations could similarly be used, and other ways to couple the latches  404  together are also possible. For instance, the push rods could be replaced by a set of cables to activate the latches, or a chain-and-sprocket assembly that would allow the latches to move in unison. As another example, the handle mechanism and/or end panels of the embodiments of  FIGS. 7-8  and  FIGS. 9-10  may be combined in various manners. For instance, in one embodiment, a front end panel may rotate (similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 7-8 ) while the rear end panel may be fixed (similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 9-10 ). 
     While the subject matter of this disclosure has been described and shown in considerable detail with reference to certain illustrative embodiments, including various combinations and sub-combinations of features, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments and variations and modifications thereof as encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the descriptions of such embodiments, combinations, and sub-combinations is not intended to convey that the claimed subject matter requires features or combinations of features other than those expressly recited in the claims. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure is intended to include all modifications and variations encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following appended claims.