Seed tabs for planters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12426533-B2
Application number	US-202017756762-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2020
Priority date	Dec 3, 2019
Publication date	Sep 30, 2025
Grant date	Sep 30, 2025

Abstract

A seed tab for a planter has an elongate body configured for attachment to a seed boot of a seed meter. The elongate body has a curved surface defining a first arc having an axis of curvature in a first direction. The curved surface exhibits a concave cross-section defining a second arc having an axis of curvature in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. The elongate body has a first portion having an approximately constant width adjacent the first end. The elongate body has a second portion having a tapered width adjacent the second end. A maximum width of the second portion is greater than the constant width of the first portion. Seeding machines have seeder row units with such seed tabs.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seed tab for a planter, the seed tab comprising: an elongate body configured for attachment to a seed boot of a seed meter, wherein:
the elongate body comprises a curved surface defining a first arc having an axis of curvature in a first direction;
the curved surface exhibits a concave cross-section defining a second arc having an axis of curvature in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction;
the elongate body has a first portion having an approximately constant width adjacent a first end;
the elongate body has a second portion having a tapered width adjacent a second end; and
a maximum width of the second portion is greater than the constant width of the first portion;
wherein the first portion of the elongate body comprises a first material and the second portion of the elongate body comprises a second material different from the first material.

2. The seed tab of claim 1 , wherein the second material exhibits a higher wear resistance than the first material.

3. The seed tab of claim 1 , wherein the curved surface exhibits a saddle point.

4. The seed tab of claim 1 , wherein the first end comprises a generally planar surface.

5. The seed tab of claim 4 , wherein the generally planar surface is discontinuous from the curved surface.

6. The seed tab of claim 4 , wherein the generally planar surface is offset from the curved surface.

7. The seed tab of claim 4 , wherein a hole is defined through the generally planar surface.

8. The seed tab of claim 1 , wherein the axis of curvature of the first arc is between about 6 inches (15.24 cm) and about 9 inches (22.86 cm).

9. The seed tab of claim 1 , wherein the axis of curvature of the second arc is between about 1 inch (2.54 cm) and about 6 inches (15.24 cm).

10. The seed tab of claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is asymmetrical.

11. A seeding machine, comprising:
a frame;
a first seeder row unit coupled to the frame, the first seeder row unit comprising:
a first furrow opener;
a first seed boot configured to deliver seed from the first seeder row unit to a first furrow formed by the first furrow opener; and
a first seed tab comprising a first elongate body configured for attachment to the first seed boot; and

a second seeder row unit coupled to the frame, the second seeder row unit comprising:
a second furrow opener;
a second seed boot configured to deliver seed from the second seeder row unit to a second furrow formed by the second furrow opener; and
a second seed tab comprising a second elongate body configured for attachment to the second seed boot;
wherein the first and second elongate bodies each comprise a curved surface defining a first arc having an axis of curvature in a first direction and a concave cross-section defining a second arc having an axis of curvature in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the first elongate body is a mirror image of the second elongate body;
wherein the first elongate body and the second elongate body each have a first portion having an approximately constant width adjacent first ends thereof and a second portion having a tapered width adjacent a second end thereof, wherein a maximum width of the second portion is greater than the constant width of the first portion; and
wherein the first portion of each elongate body comprises a first material and the second portion of the elongate body comprises a second material different from the first material.

12. The seeding machine of claim 11 , wherein the second material exhibits a higher wear resistance than the first material.

13. The seeding machine of claim 11 , wherein the curved surfaces each exhibit a saddle point.

14. The seeding machine of claim 11 , wherein each elongate body comprises a generally planar surface.

15. The seeding machine of claim 14 , wherein the generally planar surface is discontinuous from the curved surface.

16. The seeding machine of claim 14 , wherein the generally planar surface is offset from the curved surface.

17. The seeding machine of claim 14 , wherein a hole is defined through each generally planar surface, and wherein each seed tab is secured to a corresponding seed boot by a fastener extending through the hole.

18. The seeding machine of claim 11 , wherein the axis of curvature of the first arc is between about 6 inches (15.24 cm) and about 9 inches (22.86 cm).

19. The seeding machine of claim 11 , wherein each of the first elongate body and the second elongate body is asymmetrical.

Assignees

• Prec Planting Llc

Inventors

• Plattner Chad E
• Colson David

Classifications

• A01C5/068

  Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels · CPC title

• A01C5/064

  with rotating tools · CPC title

• A01C7/20 Primary

  Parts of seeders for conducting and depositing seed · CPC title

• A01C7/206 Primary

  Seed pipes · CPC title