Reversible seed trench appurtenance assembly

Abstract

A reversible seed trench appurtenance (1000) including: a mounting frame (1010) operably connectable to an optional mounting bracket (100); a frame (1020) connected to the mounting frame, the frame having a first side (1021) and a second side (1022); a neck body (1030) comprising a neck (1031), wherein the neck body is fixedly connected to the frame or the neck body is connected to the mounting frame; a tail (1040) connected to the neck body; a post (1025, 2025); and a hook (1035, 2035); wherein the hook is engageable with the post; and wherein one of: (i) the post (1025) is disposed between the first side and the second side, and the neck body further comprises the hook (1035); or (ii) the hook (2035) comprises a first hook (2035-1) and a second hook (2035-2), the first side comprises the first hook, the second side comprises the second hook, and the neck body further comprises the post (2025).

Description

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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 2021275615   13 Aug 2026 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.

[0102] 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, IL 61568. Examples of a seed firmers include the Keeton® seed firmer and the SmartFirmer™ , also available from Precision Planting LLC.

[0103] 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. 2A. 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 2A, 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.

[0104] Referring to FIGs. 3A and 3B, reversible seed trench appurtenance is shown mounted to row unit 10 using mounting bracket 100 and support bracket 201. Support bracket 201 is the 2021275615   13 Aug 2026 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).

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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 2021275615   13 Aug 2026 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] 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.

[0109] Disposed adjacent to upper tail portion 1041 are first wall 1043-1 and second wall 10432. 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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. 2021275615   13 Aug 2026

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] The following are nonlimiting examples. 2021275615   13 Aug 2026

[0119] 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).

[0120] Example 2 - the reversible seed trench appurtenance (1000, 1000’) of Example 1 further comprising the mounting bracket (100) and a support frame (201).

[0121] 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).

[0122] 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). 2021275615   13 Aug 2026

[0123] 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).

[0124] 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).

[0125] 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).

[0126] 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).

[0127] 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).

[0128] 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).

[0129] 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’’).

[0130] 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’). 2021275615   13 Aug 2026

[0131] 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).

[0132] 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).

[0133] 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).

[0134] 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.

[0135] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0136] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. A reversible seed trench appurtenance comprising:a row unit, the row unit having an opening assembly configured to open a seed trench in a soil surface as the row unit advances in a forward direction of travel;a mounting frame operably connectable to a mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket is attached to a shank of the row unit;a support frame connected to a frame of the row unit;a frame connected to the mounting frame, the frame having a first side and a second side;a neck body comprising a neck, wherein the neck body is fixedly connected to the frame or the neck body is connected to the mounting frame;a tail connected to the neck body;a post; anda hook;wherein the hook is engageable with the post; andwherein one of:(i) the post is disposed between the first side and the second side, and the neck body further comprises the hook; or(ii) the hook comprises a first hook and a second hook, the first side comprises the first hook, the second side comprises the second hook, and the neck body further comprises the post.

2. The reversible seed trench appurtenance of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a mounting bracket connector and a mounting bracket row unit connector, wherein the mounting bracket row unit connector is connected to the frame of the row unit, and wherein the reversible seed trench appurtenance is connected to the mounting bracket connector.

3. The reversible seed trench appurtenance of claim 1 or 2, wherein when the row unit is reversed in a direction opposite the forward direction of travel, the seed trench appurtenance2021275615   13 Aug 2026moves from a normal operating position to a reversing position thereby avoiding damage to the seed trench appurtenance, and the hook engages with the post.

4. The reversible seed trench appurtenance of any of claims 1 or 3, wherein the post is disposed between the first side and the second side, and the neck body further comprises the hook.

5. The reversible seed trench appurtenance of any of claims 1, 3, or 4, wherein the neck body is fixedly connected to the frame.

6. The reversible seed trench appurtenance of any of claims 1, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the mounting frame has a notch that engages with a flange of the mounting bracket to secure the mounting frame to the mounting bracket.

7. The reversible seed trench appurtenance of any of claims 1, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the mounting frame is connected to the support frame.

8. The reversible seed trench appurtenance of any of claim 1 to 3, wherein the hook comprises the first hook and the second hook, the first side comprises the first hook, the second side comprises the second hook, and the neck body further comprises the post.

9. The reversible seed trench appurtenance of claim 8, wherein the neck body is integral with the mounting frame.

10. A reversible seed trench appurtenance comprising:a mounting frame operably connectable to a mounting bracket;a frame connected to the mounting frame, the frame having a first side and a second side;2021275615   13 Aug 2026a neck body comprising a neck, wherein the neck body is fixedly connected to the frame or the neck body is connected to the mounting frame;a tail connected to the neck body;a post; anda hook;wherein the hook is engageable with the post;wherein one of:(i) the post is disposed between the first side and the second side, and the neck body further comprises the hook; or(ii) the hook comprises a first hook and a second hook, the first side comprises the first hook, the second side comprises the second hook, and the neck body further comprises the post; andwherein the mounting frame has a tab that engages with the mounting bracket to secure the mounting frame to the mounting bracket.

11. The reversible seed trench appurtenance of any of claims 2, 8, 9, or 10, wherein the frame has a connection for connecting with the mounting bracket connector.

12. The reversible seed trench appurtenance of any preceding claim, wherein the tail has an upper portion that is part of the neck body and a lower portion that is separate from the upper portion.

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