Patent Publication Number: US-2023148468-A1

Title: Reversible seed trench appurtenance assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 63/026,957, filed 19 May 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Seed trench appurtenances, such as seed firmers, seed rebounders, seed deflectors, and the like, are well known in the art. Seed rebounders or seed deflectors are intended to prevent or minimize seed roll or seed bounce as the seeds are deposited in the seed trench. Seed firmers are configured to engage the seeds to press or “firm” the seeds into the bottom of the seed trench to ensure good seed-to-soil contact and promoting better seed germination. Such seed trench appurtenances are typically mounted by a bracket attached to the shank of the planter or to the seed tube with the distal end of the firmer positioned in the bottom of the seed trench rearward of the seed tube so as to pass over the seeds after the seeds are deposited in the seed trench. 
     During planting operations, it is sometimes necessary to reverse the planter. Usually, the operator will raise the row units out of the ground before reversing, but an operator may occasionally forget to do so resulting in the seed trench appurtenance digging into the soil as the planter is reversed and causing the appurtenance or the brackets holding the appurtenance to bend or break. An example of a reversible seed trench appurtenance can be found in PCT Publication No. WO2020049467. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for seed firmers and other seed trench appurtenances to be mounted or otherwise adapted so that if the planter is reversed without first raising the row units above the soil, the seed trench appurtenance or the bracket holding the seed trench appurtenance will not be damaged. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a side elevation view of a planter row unit showing a prior art seed firmer and mounting bracket that is not reversible and may be damaged if the planter is reversed without fully raising the row units above the soil. 
         FIG.  2    is a rear perspective view of the prior art mounting bracket shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  2 A  is an exploded view of the prior art mounting bracket of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  3 A  is a side elevation view of a planter row unit showing the reversible seed trench appurtenance. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a side elevation view of the planter row unit of  FIG.  3 A  with the opening discs removed for viewing. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the reversible seed trench appurtenance with the mounting bracket and support bracket. 
         FIG.  5    is a right side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the mounting bracket and mounting frame. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the support bracket of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  8    is a bottom plan view of the support bracket of  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  9    is a top plan view of the support bracket of  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  10    is a bottom perspective view of the support bracket of  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  11    is a bottom perspective view of the support bracket of  FIG.  7    with the mounting frame. 
         FIG.  12    is a left side elevation view of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  13    is a right side elevation view of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  15    is a bottom plan view of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  16    is a top plan view of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  17    is a rear elevation view of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  18    is a front elevation view of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  19    is a perspective view of the mounting frame of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  20    is a left side elevation view of the mounting frame of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  21    is a right side elevation view of the mounting frame of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  22    is a bottom plan view of the mounting frame of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  23    is a top plan view of the mounting frame of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  24    is a front elevation view of the mounting frame of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  25    is a rear elevation view of the mounting frame of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  26    is a bottom perspective view of the mounting frame of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  27    is a perspective view of the frame of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  28    is a perspective view of the second plate of the frame of  FIG.  27   . 
         FIG.  29    is a right side elevation view of the second plate of  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  30    is a left side elevation view of the first plate of the frame of  FIG.  27   . 
         FIG.  31    is perspective view of the neck body of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  32    is a right side elevation view of the neck body of  FIG.  31   . 
         FIG.  33    is a left side elevation view of the neck body of  FIG.  31   . 
         FIG.  34    is a bottom perspective view of the neck body of  FIG.  31   . 
         FIG.  35    is a front elevation view of the neck body of  FIG.  31   . 
         FIG.  36    is a rear elevation view of the neck body of  FIG.  31   . 
         FIG.  37    is a top plan view of the neck body of  FIG.  31   . 
         FIG.  38    is a bottom plan view of the neck body of  FIG.  31   . 
         FIG.  39    is a perspective view of a lower tail of the reversible seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  40    is a top plan view of the lower tail of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  41    is a left side elevation view of the lower tail of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  42    is a right side elevation view of the lower tail of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  43    is a top plan view of the cover of the lower tail of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  44    is a bottom plan view of the cover of the lower tail of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  45    is a perspective view of the cover of the lower tail of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  46    is a perspective view of the tail body with electronic components of the tail of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  47    is a left side elevation view of the tail body with electronic components of  FIG.  46   . 
         FIG.  48    is a right side elevation view of the tail body with electronic components of  FIG.  46   . 
         FIG.  49    is a perspective view of the tail body of  FIG.  46   . 
         FIG.  50    is a left side elevation view of the tail body of  FIG.  49   . 
         FIG.  51    is a right side elevation view of the window housing of the tail body of  FIG.  46   . 
         FIG.  52    is a bottom perspective view of the window housing of  FIG.  51   . 
         FIG.  53    is a right side elevation view of the electronics housing of the tail of  FIG.  39   . 
         FIG.  54    is a perspective view of another seed trench appurtenance with a mounting bracket and a support bracket. 
         FIG.  55    is a right side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  54   . 
         FIG.  56    is a left side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  54   . 
         FIG.  57    is a top plan view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  54   . 
         FIG.  58    is a bottom plan view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  54   . 
         FIG.  59    is a rear elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  54   . 
         FIG.  60    is a front elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  54   . 
         FIG.  61    is a perspective view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  54    with the mounting bracket and support bracket removed for viewing. 
         FIG.  62    is right side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  61   . 
         FIG.  63    is a left side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  61   . 
         FIG.  64    is a bottom perspective view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  61    with the tail removed. 
         FIG.  65    is right side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  64   . 
         FIG.  66    is left side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  64   . 
         FIG.  67    is a perspective view of the frame of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  54   . 
         FIG.  68    is perspective view of the neck body of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  54   . 
         FIG.  69    is a right side elevation view of the neck body of  FIG.  68   . 
         FIG.  70    is a left side elevation view of the neck body of  FIG.  68   . 
         FIG.  71    is a right side elevation view of the neck body of  FIG.  69    engaged with a sidewall of the mounting bracket. 
         FIG.  72    is a left side elevation view of a CNH  2100  Series row unit with another seed trench appurtenance. 
         FIG.  73    is a left side elevation view of the row unit of  FIG.  72    with the gauge wheel removed for viewing. 
         FIG.  74    is a perspective view of a mounting bracket for the row unit of  FIG.  72   . 
         FIG.  75    is a left side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  72    with the mounting bracket. 
         FIG.  76    is a left side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  75    with the mounting bracket row unit connector removed. 
         FIG.  77    is a left side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  76    with a side of the mounting bracket connector removed for viewing engagement of the seed trench appurtenance with the mounting bracket connector. 
         FIG.  78    is a perspective view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  72   . 
         FIG.  79    is a front elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  78   . 
         FIG.  80    is a rear elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  78   . 
         FIG.  81    is a left side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  78   . 
         FIG.  82    is a right side elevation view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  78   . 
         FIG.  83    is a bottom plan view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  78   . 
         FIG.  84    is a top plan view of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  78   . 
         FIG.  85    is a right side elevation view of the neck body of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  72   . 
         FIG.  86    is a left side elevation view of the neck body of  FIG.  72   . 
         FIG.  87    is a perspective view of the neck body of  FIG.  72   . 
         FIG.  88    is a perspective view of the frame of the seed trench appurtenance of  FIG.  72   . 
         FIG.  89    is a perspective view of the frame of  FIG.  88   . 
         FIG.  90    is a top plan view of the frame of  FIG.  88   . 
         FIG.  91    is a bottom plan view of the frame of  FIG.  88   . 
         FIG.  92    is a right side elevation view of the left side of the frame of  FIG.  88   . 
         FIG.  93    is a left side elevation view of the right side of the frame of  FIG.  88   . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     All references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entireties. If there is a conflict between a definition herein and in an incorporated reference, the definition herein shall control. 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG.  1    illustrates a row unit  10  of a conventional row planter. The row unit  10  includes a frame  12  supporting an opening disc assembly  20 . The opening disc assembly  20  may include a pair of angled opening discs  22  (one of the opening discs  22  has been removed for clarity). The opening discs  22  are rollingly mounted to a downwardly extending shank  14  of the frame  12  and disposed to open a v-shaped seed trench  30  in a soil surface  32  as the row unit advances in a forward direction of travel through a field as indicated by arrow  34 . A frog, or shank extension,  15  may be connected to shank  14 . The row unit  10  may include a gauge wheel assembly  40  comprising a pair of gauge wheels  42  each pivotally mounted to one side of the frame  12  by a respective gauge wheel arm  44  (one of the pair of gauge wheels  42  and its gauge wheel arm  44  is removed for clarity). As is conventional, a depth adjustment assembly (not shown) may be provided to contact the gauge wheel arms  44  to limit the upward travel of the gauge wheel arms  44  with respect to the opening discs  22 , thus limiting the depth of the seed trench  30  opened by the opening disc assembly  20 . Also as is convention, the row unit  10  may support a seed meter (not shown) and a seed hopper (not shown). In operation, seeds  50  are communicated from the seed hopper to the seed meter. The seed meter singulates the seeds  50  and discharges the singulated seeds into a seed tube  52  supported by the frame  14 . Rather than a seed tube, a seed conveyor (not shown) may receive the seeds discharged by the seed meter. The seed meter may be a vacuum-type meter such as that disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO2012/129442. The seed tube  52  (or seed conveyor) directs the seeds  50  downwardly and rearwardly toward the seed trench  30 . The seeds  50  are released the discharge end of the seed tube  52  (or seed conveyor) and are deposited in the open seed trench  30 . A closing assembly  60  may be pivotally coupled to the frame  14  and configured to “close” the seed trench  30  by move soil back into the open seed trench  30  over the deposited seeds. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG.  1   , the row unit  10  includes a mounting bracket  100  which supports a seed firmer  70 . An example of a mounting bracket  100  is Part No. 150111 available from Precision Planting LLC, 23207 Townline Road, Tremont, Ill. 61568. Examples of a seed firmers include the Keeton® seed firmer and the SmartFirmer™, also available from Precision Planting LLC. 
       FIG.  2    is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting bracket  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . The mounting bracket  100  includes left and right mating halves  102 ,  104  as best seen in the exploded view of  FIG.  2 A . Each half  102 ,  104  includes a respective sidewall  106 ,  108  which extends forwardly. The forward end of each sidewall  106 ,  108  includes a mounting ear  110  and a hook member  112 . The mounting ear  110  is sized to receive a pin  16  ( FIG.  1   ) extending from each side of the shank  14  of the frame  12 . The hook member  112  also engages with a pin  18  ( FIG.  1   ) on the shank  18 . It should be appreciated that the engagement of the mounting ear  110  and hook member  112  with the respective pins  16 ,  18  on the shank  14  rigidly secure the mounting bracket  100  with respect to the shank  14 . The rearward ends of each half  102 ,  104  are secured together by pegs  114  received within matingly aligned apertures  116 . As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  2 A , each half  102 ,  104  also includes inwardly projecting, longitudinally spaced forward and rearward flanges  118 ,  120  which matingly align, such that when assembled, the mating flanges  118 ,  120  define a through-opening  122  ( FIG.  2   ) for receiving the upper portion of the firmer  70  as best illustrated in  FIG.  3   . Each of the rearward flanges  120  includes a slotted portion  124 , which together define a transverse slot  126  when the halves  102 ,  104  are assembled. As discussed later, the transverse slot  126  receives the rearwardly projecting tab  80  of the resilient arm  78  of the seed firmer  70  while the bottom end of the forward flange  118  engages with the forwardly extending lip  82  on the firmer  70 . The inwardly projecting flanges  118 ,  120  also serve as spacers between the sidewalls  106 ,  108  for receiving the seed tube  52  (or seed conveyor) therebetween as shown in  FIG.  1   . Thus the sidewalls  106 ,  108  surround the seed tube  52  (or seed conveyor) permitting independent movement of the seed tube  52  (or seed conveyor) with respect to the mounting bracket  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , reversible seed trench appurtenance is shown mounted to row unit  10  using mounting bracket  100  and support bracket  201 . Support bracket  201  is the FurrowJet support bracket from Precision Planting LLC and available as Part No. 141130, 141150, 141131, 141137, 141133, 141134, 141135, or 141214 depending on the type of row unit. An example of a support bracket is rearward bracket 7310 illustrated in  FIG.  44    of PCT Publication No. WO2016205424. Support bracket  201  for a John Deere ME2, ME Plus, ME XP, or ME5 row unit is illustrated in  FIGS.  7  to  10   . Support bracket  201  connects reversible seed trench appurtenance  1000  to row unit  10  proximate closing assembly  60 .  FIGS.  4  and  5    show the reversible seed trench appurtenance  1000  connected to mounting bracket  100  and support bracket  201 .  FIG.  6    is a perspective view of mounting frame  1010  engaged with mounting bracket  100  via notch  1018  on arm  1011  on mounting frame  1010  and flange  118  on mounting bracket  100 .  FIG.  11    is a bottom perspective view of mounting frame  1010  connected to support bracket  201  at connection  202  via connection  1012 . The connection be by a pin (not shown here but described below). 
     Reversible seed trench appurtenance  1000  has a mounting frame  1010  connected to frame  1020 . Frame  1020  has first and second sides  1021  and  1022 . Frame  1020  is illustrated in  FIGS.  27 - 30   . Mounting frame  1010  has connections  1013  and  1014  for connecting to connections  1023  and  1024 , respectively, on frame  1020 . Frame  1020  has a post  1025  formed by first post portion  1025 - 1  on first side  1021  and second post portion  1025 - 2  on second side  1022 . Frame  1020  has connection  1026  formed from first connection portion  1026 - 1  and second connection portion  1026 - 2  on first side  1021  and second side  1022 , respectively. Optionally, second connection  1027  can be formed from first connection portion  1027 - 1  and second connection portion  1027 - 2  on first side  1021  and second side  1022 , respectively. 
     Reversible seed trench appurtenance  1000  has a neck body  1030 . Neck body  1030  is fixedly attached to frame  1020  at connection  1026  via connection  1036 . Optionally, neck body  1030  is additionally fixedly attached at connection  1027  via connection  1037 . Neck body  1030  has a neck  1031  connected to connection  1036  that extends downwardly from connection  1036  and provides for a resilient engagement of the reversible seed trench appurtenance  1000  with seed trench  30 . Connected to neck  1031  is body  1032  and extends rearwardly from neck  1031 . Connected to body  1032  is hook  1035  which extends rearwardly from body  1032 . Hook  1035  will engage with post  1025 . As seen in  FIG.  12   , as reversible seed trench appurtenance  1000  is rotated clockwise as reversible seed trench appurtenance engages with the seed trench  30 , hook  1035  engages with post  1025 . Hook  1035  provides increased rigid strength to reversible seed trench appurtenance  1000  than just having  1031  alone. When operated in the forward direction of travel  34 , neck  1031  is flexible and provides resilient engagement of the seed trench  30 , and hook  1035  is free to lift above post  1025  to provide a typical seed firmer response. 
     Connected to neck  1031  and extending downwardly is tail  1040 . Tail  1040  can provide firming to seeds in seed trench  30  or provide deflection for rebounding seeds to direct seeds back into seed trench  30 . Tail  1040  can be an entirely separate part, or a portion of tail  1040  can be part of neck body  1030 . As shown, a portion of tail  1040  is part of neck body  1030 . Tail  1040  can be a Keeton® seed firmer tail, or tail  1040  can be a SmartFirmer® tail. SmartFirmer tail with electronic components is described in PCT Publication Nos. WO2014153157, WO2015171908, and WO2019/070617, and U.S. Publication No. 2018/0168094. As illustrated, tail  1040  is a SmartFirmer® tail. 
     Upper tail portion  1041  is connected to body  1032  and hook  1035 . Upper tail portion  1041  can have an optional conduit  1042  for a fluid conduit (not shown) to pass through to optional nozzle  1060 . Optionally, insert  1039  extends downwardly from neck  1031  for insertion into lower tail portion  1045 . 
     Disposed adjacent to upper tail portion  1041  are first wall  1043 - 1  and second wall  1043 - 2 . First wall  1043 - 1  and second wall  1043 - 2  can be made from a wear resistant, low coefficient of friction material. One non-limiting example of suitable material for the first wall  1043 - 1  and second wall  1043 - 2  that is wear resistant and has a low coefficient of friction is ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene. A suitably low coefficient of friction for the first wall  1043 - 1  and second wall  1043 - 2  is in the range of less than or equal to 0.3 static and less than or equal to 0.15 dynamic as measured by ASTM D1894. 
     Lower tail portion  1045  has a housing  1050 , which can be made from cobalt and can be the same cobalt housing from the SmartFirmer® sensor. Housing  1050  can connect to insert  1039 . A window housing  1055  with window  1056  mates with housing  1050 . Disposed in housing  1050  is electronics board  1056  having reflectivity sensors  350 . 
       FIGS.  54 - 71    illustrate seed trench appurtenance  1000 ′. The location of the hook  1035  and post  1025  from seed trench appurtenance  1000  are switched. The frame  1020 ′ will have hooks  2035 - 1 ,  2035 - 2 , and the neck body  1030 ′ will have the post  2025 . 
     In this embodiment, mounting frame  1010 ′ with arm  1011 ′ is integral with neck body  1030 ′, which is illustrated in  FIGS.  68 - 71   . Arm  1011 ′ has tab  2018  for engagement with mounting bracket  100 , which is illustrated in  FIG.  71   . Neck body  1030 ′ has neck  1031 ′. Post  2025  is disposed on neck body  1030 ′, which can engage with hooks  2035 - 1 ,  2035 - 2 . Tail  1040  is connected to neck body  1030 ′. Tail  1040  is described above. 
     Frame  1020 ′ is connected to mounting frame  1010 ′, which has first and second sides  1021 ′ and  1022 ′. First side  1021 ′ has a first hook  2035 - 1 , and second side  1022 ′ has a second hook  2035 - 2 . Together, first and second sides  1021 ′ and  1022 ′ form connection  2012 , which can engage with support bracket  201 . The engagement can be by pin  2013 . 
       FIGS.  72 - 93    illustrate seed trench appurtenance  1000 ″. Seed trench appurtenance  1000 ″ is similar to seed trench appurtenance  1000 ′, but seed trench appurtenance  1000 ″ connects to mounting bracket  100 ′, which attaches to a CNH  2100  series row unit. 
     Row unit  10 ′ has frame  12 ′ and opener  22  and opening discs  22 . Mounting bracket  100 ′ is attached to frame  12 ′. Mounting bracket  100 ′ is illustrated in  FIG.  74    and has mounting bracket connector  320  having first side  321  and second side  322  and mounting bracket row unit connector  310  having first side  311  and second side  312 . Mounting bracket  100 ′ is available as part number  141214  from Precision Planting LLC. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS.  85 - 87   , neck body  1030 ″ is similar to neck body  1030 ′. Mounting frame  1010 ″ with arm  1011 ″ is integral with neck body  1030 ″. Arm  1011 ″ has tab  2018  for engagement with mounting bracket connector  320 , which is illustrated in  FIG.  77   . Neck body  1030 ″ has neck  1031 ″. Post  2025  is disposed on neck body  1030 ″, which can engage with hooks  2035 ′- 1 ,  2035 ′- 2 . Tail  1040  is connected to neck body  1030 ″. Tail  1040  is described above. 
     Frame  1020 ″ is illustrated in  FIGS.  88 - 93   . Frame  1020 ″ is connected to mounting frame  1010 ″, which has first and second sides  1021 ″ and  1022 ″. First side  1021 ″ has a first hook  2035 ′- 1 , and second side  1022 ″ has a second hook  2035 ′- 2 . Together, first and second sides  1021 ″ and  1022 ″ form connection  2012 ′, which can engage with mounting bracket connector  320 . The engagement can be by pin  2013 . 
     The following are nonlimiting examples. 
     Example 1—A reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ,  1000 ′,  1000 ″) comprising: a mounting frame ( 1010 ,  1010 ′,  1010 ″) operably connectable to an optional mounting bracket ( 100 ,  100 ′); a frame ( 1020 ,  1020 ′,  1020 ″) connected to the mounting frame ( 1010 ,  1010 ′,  1010 ″), the frame ( 1020 ,  1020 ′,  1020 ″) having a first side ( 1021 ,  1021 ′,  1021 ″) and a second side ( 1022 ,  1022 ′,  1022 ″); a neck body comprising a neck, wherein the neck body is fixedly connected to the frame ( 1020 ,  1020 ′,  1020 ″) or the neck body ( 1030 ,  1030 ′,  1030 ″) is connected to the mounting frame ( 1010 ,  1010 ′,  1010 ″); a tail ( 1040 ) connected to the neck body ( 1030 ,  1030 ′,  1030 ″); a post ( 1025 ,  2025 ); and a hook ( 1035 ,  2035 - 1 ,  2035 - 2 ,  2035 ′- 1 ,  2035 ′- 2 ); wherein the hook ( 1035 ,  2035 - 1 ,  2035 - 2 ,  2035 ′- 1 ,  2035 ′- 2 ) is engageable with the post ( 1025 ,  2025 ); and wherein one of: (i) the post ( 1025 ) is disposed between the first side ( 1021 ) and the second side ( 1022 ), and the neck body ( 1030 ) further comprises the hook ( 1035 ); or (ii) the hook ( 2035 - 1 ,  2035 - 2 ,  2035 ′- 1 ,  2035 ′- 2 ) comprises a first hook ( 2035 - 1 ,  2035 ′- 1 ) and a second hook ( 2035 - 2 ,  2035 ′- 2 ), the first side ( 1021 ′,  1021 ″) comprises the first hook ( 2035 - 1 ,  2035 ′- 1 ), the second side ( 1022 ′,  1022 ″) comprises the second hook ( 2035 - 2 ,  2035 ′- 2 ), and the neck body ( 1030 ′,  1030 ″) further comprises the post ( 2025 ). 
     Example 2—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ,  1000 ′) of Example 1 further comprising the mounting bracket ( 100 ) and a support frame ( 201 ). 
     Example 3—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ,  1000 ′) of Example 2 further comprising a row unit ( 10 ), the row unit ( 10 ) having an opening assembly ( 20 ) configured to open a seed trench in a soil surface as the row unit advances in a forward direction of travel, wherein the mounting bracket ( 100 ) is attached to a shank ( 14 ) of the row unit ( 10 ), and the support frame ( 201 ) is connected to a frame ( 12 ) of the row unit ( 10 ). 
     Example 4—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ″) of Example 1 further comprising the mounting bracket ( 100 ′), a row unit ( 10 ′), the row unit ( 10 ′) having an opening assembly ( 20 ) configured to open a seed trench in a soil surface as the row unit ( 10 ′) advances in a forward direction of travel, wherein the mounting bracket ( 100 ′) comprises a mounting bracket connector ( 320 ) and a mounting bracket row unit connector ( 310 ), wherein the mounting bracket row unit connector ( 310 ) is connected to a frame ( 12 ′) of the row unit ( 10 ′), and wherein the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ″) is connected to the mounting bracket connector ( 320 ). 
     Example 5—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ,  1000 ′,  1000 ″) of Example 3 or 4, wherein when the row unit ( 10 ,  10 ′) is reversed in a direction opposite the forward direction of travel, the seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ,  1000 ′,  1000 ″) moves from a normal operating position to a reversing position thereby avoiding damage to the seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ,  1000 ′,  1000 ″), and the hook ( 1035 ,  2035 - 1 ,  2035 - 2 ,  2035 ′- 1 ,  2035 ′- 2 ) engages with the post ( 1025 ,  2025 ). 
     Example 6—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ,  1000 ′) of any of Examples 1, 2, 3 or 5, wherein the post ( 1025 ) is disposed between the first side ( 1021 ) and the second side ( 1022 ), and the neck body ( 1030 ) further comprises the hook ( 1035 ). 
     Example 7—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ) of any of Examples 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6, wherein the neck body ( 1030 ) is fixedly connected to the frame ( 1020 ). 
     Example 8—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ) of any of Examples 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7, wherein the mounting frame ( 1010 ) has a notch ( 2018 ) that engages with a flange ( 108 ) of the mounting bracket ( 100 ) to secure the mounting frame ( 1010 ) to the mounting bracket ( 100 ). 
     Example 9—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ,  1000 ′) of any of Examples 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein the mounting frame ( 1010 ,  1010 ′) is connected to the support frame ( 201 ). 
     Example 10—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ′,  1000 ″) of any of Example 1 to 5, wherein the hook ( 2035 - 1 ,  2035 - 2 ,  2035 ′- 1 ,  2035 ′- 2 ) comprises the first hook ( 2035 - 1 ,  2035 ′- 1 ) and the second hook ( 2035 - 2 ,  2035 ′- 2 ), the first side ( 1021 ′,  1021 ″) comprises the first hook ( 2035 - 1 ,  2035 ′- 1 ), the second side ( 1022 ′,  1022 ″) comprises the second hook ( 2035 - 2 ,  2035 ′- 2 ), and the neck body ( 1030 ′,  1030 ″) further comprises the post ( 2025 ). 
     Example 11—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ′,  1000 ″) of Example 10, wherein the neck body ( 1030 ′,  1030 ″) is integral with the mounting frame ( 1010 ′,  1010 ″). 
     Example 12—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ′,  1000 ″) of any of Examples 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, or 11, wherein the mounting frame ( 1010 ′,  1010 ″) has a tab ( 2018 ) that engages with the mounting bracket ( 100 ,  100 ′) to secure the mounting frame ( 1010 ′,  1010 ″) to the mounting bracket ( 100 ,  100 ′). 
     Example 13—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ′,  1000 ″) of any of Examples 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, or 12, wherein the frame ( 1020 ′,  1020 ″) has a connection ( 1012 ,  1012 ′) for connecting with the support bracket ( 201 ). 
     Example 14—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ″) of any of Examples 4, 10, 11, or 12, wherein the frame ( 1020 ″) has a connection ( 1012 ″) for connecting with the mounting bracket connector ( 320 ). 
     Example 15—the reversible seed trench appurtenance ( 1000 ,  1000 ′,  1000 ″) of any preceding Example, wherein the tail ( 1040 ) has an upper portion ( 1041 ) that is part of the neck body ( 1030 ,  1030 ′,  1030 ″) and a lower portion ( 1045 ) that is separate from the upper portion ( 1041 ). 
     The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments of the apparatus, and the general principles and features of the system and methods described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, system and methods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.