Seed planter apparatus and method

US6564730B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Case GmbH · US

Inventors

• Richard J. Crabb · Naperville, US
• Guntis Ozers · Woodridge, US
• David N. Slowinski · Naperville, US
• Chad M. Johnson · Arlington Heights, US
• Donald Johnson · Lockport, US
• Lisle J. Dunham · Downers Grove, US
• John F. Stufflebeam · Romeoville, US
• Thomas A. Olson · Maryville, US
• Stephen D. Berry · Plainfield, US
• Thomas Brown · Romeoville, US
• Gerald J. Tiedt · Hickory Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 17, 2001
• Grant date: May 20, 2003
• Expiry date: Dec 17, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S111/90
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A planter apparatus includes a seed meter including a housing assembly with a cover releasably connected to a shell. The housing assembly includes at least one opening formed therein adjacent a seed discharge area to promote the release of seeds from a disc rotatably attached to the housing assembly. The disc divides an interior of the housing assembly to include a vacuum chamber and a seed chamber. The disc including a plurality of openings formed adjacent a periphery of the disc. The planter apparatus may also include a singulator assembly having rotatably spools, a rotatable chute door, a disc having clusters of openings for simultaneous release, and a one-piece baffle.