Bush Hog Cutting and Threshing Blade for Seed Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bush hog cutting blades do not effectively separate seeds and grains from their growth carriers, making the crop less palatable for game birds, particularly doves, and may violate hunting regulations if seeds are intentionally scattered or manipulated.
Innovation Solution
A bush hog fitted with cutting and threshing blades, featuring a rotating knife edge and a steel elongate threshing block, which strikes growth carriers with enough force to release seeds and grains, transforming the cutting process into a threshing process, allowing seeds and grains to be loosened and made more accessible to birds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cutting blades are used, then the crop is efficiently cut, but the seeds and grains remain attached to growth carriers making them less palatable for game birds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate functions (cutting and threshing) into a single blade assembly. The cutting blade and threshing block are integrated such that one component performs both the cutting of stalks and the threshing of seeds from carriers, eliminating the need for separate equipment and operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: cutting through stalks with the knife edge and simultaneously threshing seeds from carriers with the threshing block. This multi-functional design allows a single device to achieve what previously required multiple separate operations.
2Productivity
If seeds are intentionally scattered or manipulated to attract birds, then more game birds will be present, but this may violate hunting regulations regarding baiting
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows nature to do the work of seed distribution. By threshing the crops in place, the seeds are naturally scattered by the mechanical action of the blade assembly itself, rather than requiring human intervention to manually scatter or plant seeds. This self-service approach achieves seed distribution as a byproduct of the cutting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting and threshing operation is performed in advance of hunting, allowing seeds to naturally distribute themselves across the field before hunters arrive. This preliminary action of threshing creates the seed distribution effect that attracts birds, but occurs as part of a legitimate agricultural operation rather than as intentional baiting.
3Productivity
If a threshing block is added to the blade, then seeds are effectively separated from growth carriers, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate functions (cutting and threshing) into a single blade assembly. The cutting blade and threshing block are integrated such that one component performs both the cutting of stalks and the threshing of seeds from carriers, eliminating the need for separate equipment and operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly has different parts with specialized functions: a knife edge for cutting stalks and a threshing block for separating seeds. Each part is optimized for its specific local function, with the knife edge being sharp and thin for cutting, while the threshing block is more massive and rugged for impacting and separating seeds from carriers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively loosens seeds and grains from their growth carriers, making the crop more attractive to game birds while adhering to hunting regulations by ensuring that seeds are not intentionally scattered or manipulated, thus enhancing hunting conditions and compliance with migratory bird laws.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating knife edge and a steel elongate threshing block, which strikes growth carriers with enough force to release seeds and grains
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting and threshing blade for a bush hog, wherein the blade has a trailing edge and a leading edge. At least a third of the leading edge of the upper-side of an elongate distal portion of the blade has a knife edge with a knife length that thickens toward the trailing edge. The trailing edge can have an upward air deflector. The bottom-side of the elongate distal portion has a threshing element, which includes a threshing block, which is a steel block having a block length that is comparable to the knife length and projects downward and substantially parallel to the knife edge. The rotating blades pummel growth carriers (i.e.; cob, husk) bearing seeds, grains, and kernels with enough force that they are released. The synergistic rotating knife edge and threshing block transform the bush hogging process from a cutting process to a cutting and threshing process.