Patent Publication Number: US-RE43197-E

Title: Expandable stinger planter

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to planting and more particularly to apparatus for performing planting operations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Planting of vegetation in rough terrain has long been a difficult and tedious process. In fact, most planting done on steep embankments or rocky terrain has been accomplished by hand, because mechanized planters are often not capable of negotiating the terrain. Further, bulky planting machinery can damage the surrounding area and seriously compromise the surrounding habitat. 
     Hand planting in steep, rocky, or otherwise rough terrain is often not successful because the conditions do not permit the planter to dig deep enough to secure the plants. Also riparian areas are typically difficult to plant because the plant stock cannot be secured deeply in the embankment to prevent high water from washing the plants away. 
     Re-planting vegetation along riparian ways that have been denuded by flooding is ecologically desirable, not only to bolster the shorelines against erosion, but also to re-establish fish and wildlife habitat. Still, it is difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible to successfully plant such areas. Shallow rooted whips of willow, cottonwood and the like are easily washed away at high water, or become easy forage for beaver and deer, so strenuous hand planting operations in such areas do not often result in an acceptable percentage of surviving plants. 
     Even flat fertile areas can be difficult to re-plant. For example, closely spaced stumps in clear cut areas will often prevent the use of mechanized planting, so expensive hand planting is often the only process available. Further, the ground may be bound with roots, rocks, or hard soil, frustrating hand planting processes. 
     Another problem faced in mechanized and hand planting operations, is that planting dibbles, shovels, picks and the like will often leave a hole with a packed wall caused by the tool wedging into the soil. This “shear wall” will hamper proper dispersal of roots and often results in poor or unsuccessful growth. 
     A present and growing need is therefor realized for a mechanized planter that will reduce, if not eliminate, the need for hand planting in difficult areas. There is also a need for a mechanized planter that will function to plant at a much greater depth than has yet been feasible in hand or mechanized planting operations, without creating the “shear wall” effect. 
     As a solution to the above problems, the present invention has for a first objective to provide a mechanized stinger planter that can be attached to a boom for remote operation, so difficult terrain can be planted from adjacent accessible areas. 
     A further objective is to provide such a planter that may be used for deep planting operations for planting whips and root crop to avoid wash out and damage from animals. 
     A still further objective is to provide such a planter that will operate to minimize or eliminate “shear wall” packing in planting holes and that will allow loose soil backfill to fill the openings produced by the probes and thereby promote healthy plant growth. 
     The above and still further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description which, taken with the accompanying drawings, disclose the best presently known mode of carrying out the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an excavator mounting a first preferred form of the present stinger planter; 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  only showing the stinger planter positioned above the soil; 
         FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  only showing the stinger planter driven into the soil; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged side elevation view of the preferred stinger planter in a closed position; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  only showing the preferred stinger in an open position; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevational view as seen from the right in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged fragmented view showing a preferred actuator assembly and pivot member; and 
         FIGS. 10-13  are fragmented operational views illustrating a planting operation using the present stinger planter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8). 
     A preferred embodiment of the present expandable stinger planter is designated generally in the drawings by the reference numeral  10 . The preferred planter  10  is produced as an attachment that may be mounted to an earth working device such as the excavator  12  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . It is advantageous that the planter  10  be adapted for mounting to the end of an excavator type boom  14  to facilitate planting operations at locations remote from the excavator chassis. 
     The present planter  10  may be mounted to an excavator bucket  16 , without requiring modification of the bucket other than possibly holes drilled for mounting bolts. The planter  10  is simply secured to the bucket end and can thereby be positioned through use of the existing bucket positioning controls provided in the excavator. Further, the drive components provided within the planter may be connected to appropriate existing power sources supplied by the excavator. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present planter  10  includes a base frame  20  that is configured to be secured to an excavator type boom. It is noted that the base frame may be provided in alternate forms to facilitate mounting to various forms of booms, buckets, or other boom end hardware on an excavator or related machine. The base frame  20  may be releasably attached using conventional fasteners such as bolts, clamps, or other fasteners well known in the fastening art as will be readily realized by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     In one preferred form, a pivot member  24  is mounted to the base frame. It is advantageous that the pivot member  24  be a form of ball joint, universal joint, or other pivot link arrangement that will permit relatively free pivotal movement of the planter  10  below the base frame  20 . It is most preferable that the pivot member  24  allow the planter  10  to pivot about a point (at intersecting vertical and horizontal pivot axes) just below the base frame to allow the operator a wide selection of penetration angles for the planter  10 . This capability may be understood by comparing  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     A stinger mounting frame  28  is operatively mounted to the base frame  20 , most preferably by way of the pivot member  24  as exemplified in  FIG. 9 . The exemplified stinger mounting frame  28  is formed of rigid metal such as steel with a top plate secured to the pivot member  24  and side plates depending downwardly to form a channel for receiving and suspending upper ends of a stinger which is generally identified at  34 . The side plates also function to protect internal drive components which will be described in greater detail below. 
     A preferred stinger  34  is comprised of a pair of elongated probes  36  that are preferably fabricated of rigid material of a type commonly used in ground working tools. The probes extend from top ends  38  that are mounted to the stinger mounting frame  28  to bottom ends  40  that are configured for ground penetration. In a preferred form, the probes  36  include a length dimension between the top and bottom ends  38 ,  40  of approximately eight feet. Probes  36  of this length have been successfully used to plant both rooted stock and long plant whips (cuttings). 
     Bottom ends  40  of the probes, which are normally held in a closed ground penetrating condition, are separable to form a plant discharge opening  42 . The bottom probe ends  40  are held in the closed position during ground penetration, then may be selectively spread to allow discharge of a plant through the discharge opening  42 . 
     The probes  36  also define an upwardly open internal plant receiving receptacle  44  (see  FIG. 6 ). The receptacle  44  is centrally located between the probes above the bottom ends  40 . Plants may be manually inserted into the receptacle  44  and are protected by the probes during ground penetration. However, the receptacle  44  will open through the plant discharge opening  42  once the probes are shifted to the open position. At this point the plant may be discharged through the plant discharge opening  42  as the open probes are lifted. 
     The probes  36  each include ground penetrating portions  46  with facing surfaces  48 ,  50  that are in substantial flush engagement with one another at the closed position. In preferred forms, the surfaces  48 ,  50  include formed edge surfaces  52 ,  54  ( FIG. 7 ) that are configured to nest together in a partial overlapping relationship at the closed position. This is done to reinforce the probes during ground penetration and prevent bending or misalignment. 
     Longitudinal reinforcing ribs  55  are welded or otherwise formed along preferred configurations of the probes  36  and that project outwardly therefrom. The ribs  55  preferably extend the full stinger length and add structural rigidity to the probes. The ribs  55  also serve to prevent “shear” or hard packed surfaces of the ground opening that might otherwise be formed as the probes are inserted and then withdrawn from the ground. It is advantageous that the ribs  55  be tapered to downward points at the bottom probe ends  40  to facilitate ground penetration. 
     The probes are substantially mirror images of one another with the exception of the different edge surfaces  52 ,  54 ; and overlapping hinge members  56 ,  58 . The hinge members join the probes for pivotal movement, thereby providing a preferred mechanism by which the probes may be shifted between the open and closed positions. The hinge members  56 ,  58  interfit and define a probe pivot axis that is located approximately mid-way along the probe length dimension. The probe pivot axis is preferably transverse to the probe length and positioned so that when the top probe ends  38  are moved together, the bottom ends  40  will move apart (to form the discharge opening  42 ). 
     It is noted that the hinge members are substantially flush with the outside surfaces of the probes so they do not interfere as the probes are inserted into the ground surface. Also the hinge members  56  are situated on opposite sides of the probes, as shown in  FIG. 6 , leaving the receptacle  44  open and unobstructed for reception and discharge of plant whips or root stock. 
       FIG. 9  exemplifies a preferred actuator assembly  60  that is mounted between the stinger mounting frame  28  and at least one of the elongated probes  36 . The actuator assembly  60  is provided to selectively pivot said at least one of the probes about the probe pivot axis between the open and closed positions. Most preferably, the actuator assembly is functional to forcibly shift both probes  36  about the probe pivot axis. 
     The preferred actuator assembly is comprised of ram cylinders  62  that are mounted between the probe top ends  38  and the stinger mounting frame  28 . The ram cylinders  62  may be connected to appropriate hydraulic pressure sources and controls provided in the excavator for selective operation to extend and retract, thereby causing corresponding movement of the bottom probe ends  40  between the open and closed positions. 
     As shown in the  FIG. 9  embodiment, the probe top ends  38  are slidably mounted to the stinger mounting frame  28 . Horizontal slots  64  are formed in the frame  26  for this purpose, guiding rollers  66  that are mounted to the probe top ends  38 . The slots permit lateral motion of the rollers  66  and probe top ends as effected by the ram cylinders  62 . 
     It is understood that a single cylinder could be mounted between the upper probe ends to effect the desired probe movement between the open and closed positions. Other actuators might also be used that are not shown in the present drawings, but that fall within the scope of the appended claims. For example toggle links could be connected to the top probe ends, operated by an electric or hydraulic jack screw, linear actuator, or ram cylinder to force selective pivotal motion of the probes. However it is presently preferred that the two cylinders exemplified herein be used to enable independent movement of the probes about their common pivot axis. 
     Preferred forms of the probes also include upper leg portions  68  that extend between the probe pivot axis and the top ends  38 . The upper leg portions are spaced apart when the probes are in the closed positions to form at least one and preferably two opposed access openings  70  communicating with the upwardly open internal plant receiving receptacle  44 . The openings  70  allow for manual insertion of plants or whips into the receptacle. 
     Operation of the present invention may now be understood with reference to  FIGS. 10-13 , and assuming the planter  10  has previously been attached to an excavator  12  at a remote boom end. It is also assumed that the planter actuator assembly has been connected to the associated excavator power supply and controls. 
     The excavator operator may elect to move the excavator using the conventional controls and drive mechanisms, to an area to be planted. The boom is then shifted to a position for easy access by an individual who then places a plant (seedling or whip) into the receptacle  44 . This is accomplished by simply inserting the plant through one of the access openings, and allowing the plant to drop into place within the recess. The closed bottom ends of the probes will prevent the plant from dropping, and the rigid lower parts of the probes will protect the plant. 
     Now the operator may use the conventional controls in the excavator to swing the boom and planter to a selected planting location. The boom is then lowered under power, driving the probes deep into the ground ( FIG. 11 ). 
     If rocks are encountered, the user may shift the boom to angle the probe off vertical, while continuing downward pressure.  FIG. 1  exemplifies a condition where rocks were encountered and the boom was shifted to gain penetration. This function is enabled by provision of the pivot member  24 , which will allow the planter to be shifted angularly while downward pressure is applied. 
     Once the probe reaches the desired depth, appropriate controls may be operated to activate the actuator assembly  60 , causing the probes to open ( FIG. 12 ). The bottom probe ends will separate, forming the discharge opening  42  and allowing the plant to drop. 
     The operator may now use appropriate controls in the excavator  12  to raise the boom  14  and thereby lift the probe upwardly. This step is accomplished with the probes in the open condition. The plant will remain elevationally stationary as the probes are raised ( FIG. 13 ). 
     It is noted that the ground at the bottom probe ends is pushed laterally away, enlarging the ground opening. Then, as the probes are lifted (while being held in the open position) the longitudinal ribs  55  function to break up the compressed earth and allow the now loosened soil to fill the hole. Thus “shear” or compaction of the soil about walls of the opening is avoided and the plant will have a better chance for successful starting in the surrounding loosened soil. 
     Once the probes have been pulled upwardly free of the ground and the top end of the plant has cleared the probe bottom ends  40 , the operator may operate the actuator assembly  60  to close the probes in preparation for receiving the next plant. 
     The above planting process may be repeated as often as desired with the excavator basically remaining in one position. When an adequate number of plants have been placed, the user may elect to move the excavator to another location where the above steps may be repeated. 
     It may be understood from the above, that the present invention provides a mechanized stinger planter that can be attached to a boom for remote operation, so difficult terrain can be planted from adjacent accessible areas. In fact,  FIG. 1  shows such operation; where the probes are used to plant along a rocky riparian hillside. 
     It may be further understood that the present planter may be used for deep planting operations for planting whips and root crop to avoid wash out and damage from animals. The depth is selected by the operator, and may be such that only a small part of the overall plant length is exposed above the ground surface. The plant is thus protected against wash out. Further, even if foraging animals eat the tops of the plants, the bulk of the plant will remain below grade and will stand a good chance to take root and survive. 
     It may also be understood that the present planter will operate to minimize or eliminate “shear wall” packing in planting holes and will allow loose soil to backfill the opening produced by the probes to promote healthy plant growth. This is an advantage, as described above, provided by the ribs  55  which break up the compacted soil as the probes are lifted. 
     In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.