Mechanical transplanter

US11350560B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventors

• Hoy Buell · Arroyo Grande, US
• Sandeep Patel · Madison, US
• Robert A Wilk · Livermore, US
• Glen Noel Ward · Grass Valley, US
• Gustave E Ferre · Grass Valley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 11, 2019
• Grant date: Jun 7, 2022
• Expiry date: Jan 13, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A01C11/025
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An independently automated mechanical transplanter assemblage for ejecting plants into the soil is shown and described. The mechanical transplanter includes a plurality of mechanical transplanter units mounted to a frame. Each mechanical transplanter unit will include a plant tray indexing vertically and horizontally for presenting plants to a grabber having a plurality of forks. The grabber and forks thereon will be able to swing into a horizontal position for advancing in a linear motion to grip and retract plants from cells in a tray. The grabber will also be configured to swing the forks into an approximate vertical plane for ejecting each independently held plant down a funnel into a planting shoe for delivery into an open row in the soil. Other embodiments of the device are also disclosed.