Patent Abstract:
A paddle sealer used for planting having closing wheels that are drawn by a motive power source such as a tractor and used to close seed trenches to prevent the seed trench from reopening and provide the proper soil conditioning to promote uniform germination and emergence. The paddle sealer with closing wheels includes an adjustable frame structure including a tensioned arm assembly and an attachment mechanism for attaching the paddle sealer to seeding equipment, and a paddle closing wheel assembly carried by the arm assembly.

Full Description:
This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/727,155 filed Dec. 26, 2012, which claims priority to provisional application No. 61/580,584 filed Dec. 27, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of agricultural implements drawn by motive power sources such as tractors and used for planting. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a paddle sealer having closing wheels for closing seed trenches in a manner to promote uniform germination and emergence. 
     In damp soil conditions, conventional closing wheels commonly found on seeding equipment can compact the soil used to close the seed trench. This can result in undesirable effects. Excessive soil compaction impedes root growth and therefore limits the amount of soil explored by roots. This, in turn, can decrease the plant&#39;s ability to take up nutrients and water. From the standpoint of crop production, the adverse effect of soil compaction on water flow and storage may be more serious than the direct effect of soil compaction on root growth. 
     In dry years, soil compaction can lead to stunted, drought stressed plants due to decreased root growth. Without timely rains and well-placed fertilizers, yield reductions will occur. Soil compaction in wet years decreases soil aeration. This results in increased denitrification (loss of nitrate-nitrogen to the atmosphere). There can also be a soil compaction induced nitrogen and potassium deficiency. Plants need to spend energy to take up potassium. Reduced soil aeration affects root metabolism. There can also be increased risk of crop disease. All of these factors result in added stress to the crop and, ultimately, yield loss. 
     In the farming practice of strip till, a berm of soil is created by a specially designed fertilizer knife injecting soil additive and a pair of angled sealing discs. The most common used soil additive is anhydrous ammonia (NH3), a nitrogen fertilizer. NH3 rapidly turns from a liquid state to a gas during the application process and must be sealed before it reaches the soil surface. The conventional method used to seal NH3 is by relocating soil on top of the berm using a pair of concave sealing discs. This method does not adequately seal in the NH3 and escape of the NH3 occurs. In addition, soil clods are commonly relocated to the top of the berm. The drawback to this method is that an inconsistent berm height is created by the clods, which traps air and impedes settling of the soil in the berm. Strip till is normally practiced in the fall, giving the soil time to settle before seeds are planted into the berm the following spring. Any trapped air in the berm during planting can impact seed germination, as well as seed depth. If soil settling occurs after planting, the depth of the seeds will vary, which could have a negative effect on emergence. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, a paddle sealer having closing wheels is provided to be drawn by a motive power source such as a tractor and used to close seed trenches to prevent the seed trench from reopening and provide the proper soil conditioning to promote uniform germination and emergence. 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, a paddle sealer is intended to finely chop and churn soil such that loose soil will trap and seal in applied fertilizer, such as anhydrous ammonia, and/or to reduce soil clods and air pockets. The finely churned soil rapidly settles back into a soil trench created by a fertilizer applicator knife (that runs in front of the paddle sealer or is utilized preceding the paddle sealer). The paddle sealer of the present disclosure paddles and churns the soil on the sides and top of the berm into finer particles. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the paddle sealer with closing wheels includes an adjustable frame structure including a tensioned arm assembly and an attachment mechanism for attaching the paddle sealer to seeding equipment, and a paddle closing wheel assembly carried by the arm assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the paddle closing wheel includes a planar body portion provided with a series of radially extending fingers about its periphery. The closing wheels also include a series of paddles attached to the fingers of the closing wheel, which are used to churn the soil into a finer texture. The finer soil particles better close the seed trench and prevent air pockets in the seed trench. Air pockets in the seed trench negatively effect germination which reduces the yield potential of the emerging crop. Also, the need to run drag chains to help close the trench is reduced. The closing wheels also minimize soil compaction, which reduces crop issues. 
     Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a seed trench that was not properly closed over a seed, creating poor seed to soil contact; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a seed trench that cracked open to expose a seed, which dries out and does not germinate; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a seed trench with a gap above the seed, which causes the seed to leaf out, preventing the plant from penetrating the soil; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a pair of paddle closing wheels rotatably mounted to an adjustable frame structure of a planting unit, showing the paddle closure wheels having a toe-in orientation (at an angle to a vertical axis) and having a positive camber orientation (at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis); 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the adjustable frame structure of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view showing the paddle closing wheels and how they are attached to a central block of the adjustable frame structure of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a paddle closing wheel having a body portion, a series of radially extending fingers disposed about the perimeter of the body portion, and a series of paddles coupled to the fingers, wherein the paddle closing wheel includes a hub assembly for rotatably attaching the paddle closing wheel to the central block of the adjustable frame structure of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Good soil  20  contact with the seed  22  is one of the most important aspects of obtaining uniform emergence. If the sides  24  of a seed trench  26  do not close in over the seed  22 , there is poor seed  22  to soil contact as shown in  FIG. 1 . If the seed trench  26  cracks open and exposes the seed  22 , the seed  22  dries out and does not germinate as shown in  FIG. 2 . If the seed trench  26  closes at the top without soil directly above the seed  22 , the seed  22  may germinate, leaf out, and then be unable to penetrate the crust as shown in  FIG. 3 . The present disclosure causes the reduction or elimination of air pockets and promotes higher yields by creating an ideal seedbed condition in unfavorable soil/planting conditions 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4-7 , wherein like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements, there is illustrated a paddle sealer  38 . The paddle sealer  38  generally includes an adjustable frame structure  39  including an arm assembly  40  and an attachment mechanism  42  for attaching the paddle sealer  38  to seeding equipment pulled by a motive source, such as a tractor (not shown), and a paddle closing wheel assembly  44  carried by the adjustable frame structure  39 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the arm assembly  40  includes first and second generally parallel arms  46 ,  48  having a first end  50  and a second end  52 . The arm assembly is generally parallel to a soil surface. The first ends  50  of the parallel arms  46 ,  48  are secured to the attachment mechanism  42 . 
     In particular, the attachment mechanism in the form of a bracket assembly  42  includes first and second walls  54 ,  56  that are generally parallel to the parallel arms  46 ,  48  and a third wall  58  that is transverse to and extends between the first and second walls  54 ,  56 . Each of the first and second walls  54 ,  56  includes a bushing or bearing  60 . A bolt  70  extends through the bushing  60 , through an aperture  72  disposed in the arm  46 , through the bearing  62 , and through an aperture  74  disposed in the arm  48 . A locknut  76  is secured to the bolt  70  to retain the bolt within the bushings  60  and apertures  72 ,  74 . The bushings  60 , bolt  70 , and locknut  76  act to attach the arm assembly  40  and the bracket assembly  42 . The bushings  60 , allow movement of the arm assembly  40  with respect to the bracket assembly  42  about an axis formed by the bolt  70 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 5 , apertures  80  are disposed through the first and second walls  54 ,  56  and a bolt  82  extends through the apertures and is axially retained by a locknut  84 . The bolt  82  functions to attach a tension assembly  86  to the arm assembly  40 . Specifically, a generally cylindrical opening  88  is disposed at a lower end  90  of a generally cylindrical rod  92 . The rod is attached to the bolt  82  with the bolt extending through the opening  88  of the rod  92 . The rod  92  extends upwardly through an aperture  93  extending through a retention plate  94 , wherein the retention plate  94  is attached to upper edges  96  of the parallel arms  46 ,  48 . The retention plate  94  rests on parallel arms  46 ,  48 . A spring  100  is disposed around a central portion  102  of the rod  92  and a washer  104  and a bolt  106  are retained on an upper end  108  of the rod  92  to further retain the spring  100  between the upper end  108  of the rod  92  and the retention plate  94 . Bolt  106  can be rotated to adjust down force applied to paddle wheel closing assemblies  44 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , L-shaped projections  120  extend outwardly from the first and second walls  54 ,  56  of the bracket assembly  42 . The projections  120  include first and second segments  122 ,  124 , wherein each of the arms  46 ,  48  rests on a first segment  122  of a respective projection  120 . The projections  120  generally function to prevent too much downward movement of the arm assembly  40 , which will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     The bracket assembly  42  further includes connecting walls  130 ,  132 , as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , that are attached to or integral with the third wall  138  and which extend in a direction opposite the first and second walls  54 ,  56 . The connecting walls  130 ,  132 , together with bolts  134  (that extend through apertures  135 ) and locknuts  136  attach the paddle sealer  40  to the seeding equipment. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a generally square-shaped tube  140  is disposed at the second end  52  of the parallel arms  46 ,  48  of the arm assembly  40 . The square-shaped tube  140  includes a hollow, square-shaped cavity  142  and is attached to the parallel arms  46 ,  48 . The arms  46 ,  48  and tube  140  may be formed as a single, integral piece or otherwise formed separately and attached by means known in the art, such as by welding. The paddle closing wheel assembly  44  includes a generally square-shaped stem  146  held within the cavity  142  of the square-shaped tube  140 . In particular, an upper end  147  of the stem  146  includes multiple sets of opposing apertures  148  that are aligned with a single set of apertures  150  in the square-shaped tube  140  to permit vertical adjustability of paddle closing wheels  200 . A hitch pin  152  is inserted through the aligned apertures  148  and  150  to retain the stem  146  within the tube  140  and a cotter pin  151  is inserted through a channel in the pin  152  to retain the pin  152  within the apertures  148  and  150 . Optionally, a clip or other retaining mechanism may be utilized to prevent removal of the hitch pin  152 . 
     The stem  146  is adjustable in that the hitch pin  152  may be removed and the stem  146  may be moved up and down to align any set of apertures  148  in the stem  146  with the apertures  150  in the tube  140 . The adjustment allows the paddle closing wheel assembly  44  to be moved toward and away from the ground/soil, depending on a height of the soil, dampness/dryness of the soil, and/or other soil or surrounding conditions. The stem  146  may also be entirely removed from the square-shaped tube  140  when the paddle closing wheel assembly  44  is not necessary. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, any number of sets of apertures  148  may be utilized to allow for further adjustability and/or a single set of apertures  148  may be utilized in the stem  146  and multiple sets of apertures  150  may be utilized in the tube  140 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the paddle closing wheel assembly  44  further includes a central block or wheel hub  160  attached to or integral with a second, lower end  162  of the tube  140 . The central block  160  is adapted to allow for attachment of paddle closing wheels  200 . The central block  160  includes first and second opposing walls  164  that are generally parallel to a lateral axis  168  of the block. The central block  160  further includes third and fourth opposite walls  170 , wherein the walls  170  are arranged in a positive camber orientation and a toe-in orientation. Specifically, with regard to the positive camber orientation, the walls  170  angle inwardly from upper ends  172  to lower ends  174  of the walls  170 . The positive camber creates an angle A with respect to a vertical axis  176  of the central block  160 . In addition, the toe-in orientation creates an angling of the walls  170  inwardly between a first longitudinal end  178  and a second longitudinal end  180  of the walls  170 . The toe-in therefore creates an angle B with respect to a longitudinal axis  182  of the block  160 . The angle A is about 13 degrees and the angle B is about 9 degrees. Each of the walls  170  includes an opening  184 , which will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     Paddle closing wheels  200 , as best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , are rotatably attached to the third and fourth walls  170  of the central block  160 , as will be described in detail below. Each of the paddle closing wheels  200  includes a body portion  202  that is provided with a central opening  204  for connection to a hub assembly  206 . The central opening  204  includes a series of radially extending slots  208  that allow for use of bolts  210  and nuts  212  for coupling the paddle closing wheels  200  to the hub assemblies  206 . While only one bolt  210  and one nut  212  are shown in  FIG. 7 , any number of bolts and nuts may be utilized, as can better be seen in  FIG. 6 . 
     The hub assembly  206  attaches to the center of the paddle closing wheel  200  and permits the paddle closing wheel  200  to rotate. The hub assembly  206  includes an inner hub  218  and an outer hub  220  that is configured to be secured to the inner hub  218 . The inner hub  218  is positioned on one side of the paddle closing wheel  200 , the outer hub  220  is positioned on an opposite side of the paddle closing wheel  200 , and the bolts  210  extend through the inner and outer hubs  218 ,  220  to secure the inner and outer hubs  218 ,  220  to the paddle closing wheel  200 . The paddle closing wheel  200  also includes a number of fingers  230  (only some of which are labeled) that radially extend from the body portion  202  of the paddle closing wheel  200 . The fingers  230  include first side edges  232  and second side edges  234  connected by a crown portion  235 , wherein generally rectangular paddles  236  are mounted to the first side edges  234  (only some of the first and second side edges  232 ,  234 , crown portions  235 , and paddles  236  are labeled for clarity of the drawings). 
     While the paddles  236  are shown as being rectangular in shape, the paddles may be circular, oval-shaped, square-shaped, or any other shape that allow for churning of soil. Between each of the fingers  230  is a recessed area  238  (again, only some recessed areas  238  are labeled) that is configured to reduce soil buildup between the fingers  230  during operation. The fingers  230  are equally spaced around a periphery of the wheel  200  so that the paddles  236  can make contact with the soil in a constant manner. The paddles  236  churn the soil to break up dirt and clods and push soil toward the seed trench. The paddles  236  can be cast with the fingers  230  or welded or otherwise attached in position. 
     The paddle closing wheels  200  can be fabricated from metal stock, poured as a casting, or laser cut with the paddles  236  formed on the end of each finger  230 . The paddles  236  chop and churn the soil without soil buildup between the fingers  230 . The angle of attack of the paddles  236  moves soil towards the seed trench to thoroughly cover the seed. 
     The preferred paddle closing wheels  200  have a diameter from about 14″ in diameter to about 16″ in diameter and preferably are 15″ in diameter. The paddle closing wheels  200  preferably include approximately sixteen fingers  230  to achieve maximum soil churning (to create finer soil particles). In addition, the paddles  236  are about 4.5 inches wide. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the inner hub  218  includes a bearing  226  to allow the paddle closing wheels  200  to be rotated. In particular, a bolt  250  is inserted through a washer  252 , through the bearing  226 , and into the opening  184  formed in the central block  160 . A nut  254  is thereafter secured to the bolt  250  (within a hollow interior of the central block  160 ) to rotatably secure each paddle closing wheel  200  to the central block  160 . Because the paddle closing wheels  200  are individually attached to the central block  160 , the paddle closing wheels  200  rotate independently of one another. 
     Due to the positive camber and toe-in orientations of the central block  160 , the paddle closing wheels  200 , when looking from a top view (viewing a plane formed by the lateral and longitudinal axes  168 ,  182 ) form a V-shape with the paddle wheels  200  closer together at a leading end  260  ( FIG. 4 ) of the paddle sealer  38  and, when looking from a front view (viewing a plane formed by the lateral and vertical axes  168 ,  182 ) form a V-shape at a soil end  262  ( FIG. 4 ) of the paddle sealer  38 . This orientation of the paddle closing wheels  200  allows the wheels to, once a seed trench is cut into the soil and a seed and/or fertilizer is deposited, move the soil to cover up the seed and/or fertilizer. 
     All components of the paddle sealer  38  may be manufactured of steel or other similar material. Optionally, one or more components of the paddle closing wheels  200  may be made of plastic or other similar material. 
     During use of the paddle sealer  38 , as noted above, the paddle closing wheels  200  ride along the soil. The ground and soil are not always level. Therefore, to prevent disturbance to one or more seeds due to uneven ground or soil and/or the creation of uneven ground, the spring-loaded rod  92  allows up and down movement of the arm assembly  40 . In particular, when uneven ground is encountered, rather than transferring all of the force into the ground, the force is transferred into the arm assembly  40 , which, due to the spring-loaded rod  92  moves up and down, as necessary. As noted above, the L-shaped projections  120  prevent too much downward movement and force of the paddle closing wheels  200  to prevent damage to the soil and further provide an even and consistent seedbed. 
     Although directional terminology, such as front, back, upper, lower, etc. may be used throughout the present specification, it should be understood that such terms are not limiting and are only utilized herein to convey the orientation of different elements with respect to one another. 
     Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0