Plant transfer mechanism
US4869637A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01C11/025
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved transfer mechanism for extracting and transporting plants from a high density incubating tray to a singulated constant velocity conveyed path in which each plant is gripped by planting fingers is disclosed. The planter is moved across a field at relatively constant velocity and has the planting fingers conventionally depositing the plant upright and stationary with respect to the passing ground where they are covered by conventional furrowing and packing apparatus. The conveying planting fingers are serially mounted on an endless conveyor and hence pass the vicinity of the incubating tray from which extraction and transfer of the plants must occur at a relatively constant velocity. A tray extraction mechanism is provided which includes a tray conveyor, plant extractor plugs and a tray extraction reciprocation apparatus. The tray extraction reciprocation apparatus functions to oscillate the tray conveyor and plant extractors parallel to the path of the planting fingers. When the oscillation is in the same direction as the conveyed planting fingers, the speed of the planting conveyor is synchronized to the speed of the planting fingers. After this synchronization has occu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.