Seed firming wheel for grain drills and the like
US5676429A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01C5/068
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A seed firming wheel attachment is disposed behind the paired discs of an opener to gently press deposited seeds down into the bottom of a V-shaped trench formed by the discs. An improved bearing assembly couples the wheel of the attachment to its support arm in such a manner that one side face of the upright wheel is left completely smooth and flat without projecting nuts or other structures that would tend to accumulate mud and trash. The solid, unbroken expanse of the smooth side face also serves to shield the bearing assembly against exposure to the elements from that side of the wheel. A specially configured inner race of the bearing assembly has a shaft portion that extends from the opposite side of the wheel to serve as a spacer between the wheel and its support arm, a receiver for the threaded fastening bolt of the assembly, and a sealing surface for a second, resilient, annular seal of the assembly against the elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.