CLOSING WHEEL OF A PLANTER USING A SET OF INTERLOCKING ARCHES TO ENSURE OPTIMUM SOIL-TO-SEED CONTACT

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and/or a system of forming a closing wheel of a planter using a set of interlocking arches to ensure optimum soil-to-seed contact for consistent germination and emergence of a crop. A closing wheel assembly for a planter includes a spiked wheel frame and shoulder frame configured to securely mount onto a closing wheel hub. The spiked wheel frame includes a series of outwardly projected radial teeth configured to penetrate soil to form a seed trench. The spiked wheel frame is formed using a set of arch-shaped interlocking segments having a puzzle element and puzzle slot at its ends. Each puzzle element is configured to fit into the puzzle slot of the adjacent arch-shaped segment to form a circular loop. The shoulder frame evenly closes the seed trench formed by the spiked wheel frame as the closing wheel assembly rotates in the soil optimally covering the seed.

Claims

1. A closing wheel assembly for an agricultural planter, comprising: a spiked wheel frame having a series of outwardly projected radial teeth configured to penetrate soil to form a seed trench, wherein the spiked wheel frame is formed using a set of arch-shaped interlocking segments, wherein each of the arch-shaped interlocking segment to include a puzzle element and a puzzle slot at its ends, and wherein the puzzle element of each of the arch-shaped interlocking segment is configured to precisely fit into the puzzle slot of the adjacent arch-shaped interlocking segment to form a circular loop; and a shoulder frame situated adjacent to the spiked wheel frame configured to securely mount onto a closing wheel hub, wherein the shoulder frame to evenly close the seed trench formed by the spiked wheel frame as the closing wheel assembly rotates in the soil to optimally cover the seed for germination, and wherein the shoulder frame is radially welded adjacent to the spiked wheel frame to securely mount onto the closing wheel hub to form the closing wheel assembly.

2. The closing wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the shoulder frame is configured: using the set of arch-shaped interlocking segments to form the circular loop, to displace the soil towards the seed trench to sufficiently cover the seed to enable optimum seed-to-soil contact, and to ensure a better sidewall compaction, eliminate air pockets, and close the seed trench with inner rim shoulder firming.

3. The closing wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the spiked wheel frame is configured to have at least one of a varying width, a varying shape, and a varying length of the outward projections of the radial teeth depending on at least one of a soil condition and crop requirement.

4. The closing wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the spiked wheel frame and the shoulder frame is fabricated by at least one of a cut steel, a molded steel, a molded plastic, a forged steel, and a forged metal.

5. The closing wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the shoulder frame is formed by at least one of a varying width and a varying depth depending on at least one of the soil conditions and crop requirement.

6. The closing wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein an outermost edge of the shoulder frame to at least one of align and not align with a base/valley of the radial teeth of the spiked wheel frame.

7. The closing wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the outermost edge of the shoulder frame is at least one of equal and less than the base/valley of the radial teeth of the spiked wheel frame to enable sufficient penetration of the soil.

8. The closing wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein: the arch-shaped interlocking segments to have at least one of a jig element, an artifice, and an evenly defined end to hold the segments together to form the spiked wheel frame and the shoulder frame, and the puzzle element, the jig element, the artifice, and evenly defined ends are configured to precisely interlock with the corresponding segments to ensure a sturdy circular formation so as to not slip out of its position.

9. The closing wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the outward projections of the radial teeth is configured to have a width sufficient to displace an optimum amount of soil to enable an improved seedling emergence.

10. The closing wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the width of the teething is half inch and the width of the shoulder is ⅜th of an inch to optimally displace the soil.

11. A closing wheel assembly for an agricultural planter, comprising: a set of arch-shaped interlocking segments forming a spiked wheel frame having a series of outwardly projected radial teeth configured to penetrate soil; a shoulder frame situated adjacent to the spiked wheel frame configured to securely mount onto a closing wheel hub and to evenly close the seed trench formed by the spiked wheel frame when the closing wheel assembly rotates in the soil to optimally cover the seed for germination.

12. The closing wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein the closing wheel assembly is configured to promote consistent germination and seedling emergence.

13. The closing wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein a solid construction of the closing wheel assembly reduces the down pressure needs in heavy solid and no till conditions of soil.

14. The closing wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein the closing wheels are mounted at a distance of 1.4 to 1.5 inches between the shoulder frames for optimal functioning of the closing wheels assembly.

15. A method of a closing wheel assembly for an agricultural planter, comprising: forming a spiked wheel frame having a series of outwardly projected radial teeth configured to penetrate soil to form a seed trench using a set of arch-shaped interlocking segments, wherein each of the arch-shaped interlocking segment to include a puzzle element and a puzzle slot at its ends, and wherein the puzzle element of each of the arch-shaped interlocking segment is configured to precisely fit into the puzzle slot of the adjacent arch-shaped interlocking segment to form a circular loop; and securely mounting a shoulder frame situated adjacent to the spiked wheel frame onto a closing wheel hub, wherein the shoulder frame to evenly close the seed trench formed by the spiked wheel frame as the closing wheel assembly rotates in the soil to optimally cover the seed for germination, and wherein the shoulder frame is radially welded adjacent to the spiked wheel frame to securely mount onto the closing wheel hub to form the closing wheel assembly.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: configuring the shoulder frame to displace the soil towards the seed trench to sufficiently cover the seed to enable optimum seed-to-soil contact, and ensure a better sidewall compaction, eliminate air pockets, and close the seed trench with inner rim shoulder firming.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: forming the shoulder frame to evenly close the seed trench in a variable soil condition with inner rim shoulder firming, wherein the variable soil conditions include at least one of a normal condition, wet soil, and soil crusting due to frequent rain.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: forming the shoulder frame to aid as a depth gauge by allowing depth control in the light sandy soil by preventing deep running of the closing wheel assembly.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: fabricating the outwardly projected radial teeth angularly to prevent clogging in wet soil.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: forming the spiked wheel frame to have at least one of a varying width, a varying shape, and a varying length of the outward projections of the radial teeth depending on at least one of a soil condition and crop requirement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a closing wheel assembly of a planter fabricated using a set of interlocking arches and a shoulder frame to optimally displace the soil to cover the seed while planting, according to one embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the closing wheel assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the constituting components of the closing wheel assembly, according to one embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the closing wheel of the closing wheel assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the interlinking of the arch-shaped interlocking segments to precisely secure with the adjacent segment to form the closing wheel, according to one embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a conceptual view illustrating the functioning of the closing wheel assembly of FIG. 1 to optimally cover the seed while planting, according to one embodiment.

[0037] Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Example embodiments, as described below, may be used to provide a method, and/or a system of forming a closing wheel of a planter using a set of interlocking arches to ensure optimum soil-to-seed contact for consistent germination and emergence of a crop.

[0039] In one embodiment, a closing wheel assembly 102 for an agricultural planter includes a spiked wheel frame 104 and a shoulder frame 106. The spiked wheel frame 104 includes a series of outwardly projected radial teeth 110 configured to penetrate soil to form a seed trench. The spiked wheel frame 104 is formed using a set of arch-shaped interlocking segments 108. Each of the arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 includes a puzzle element 302 and a puzzle slot 304 at its ends. The puzzle element 302 of each of the arch-shaped interlocking segment 108 is configured to precisely fit into the puzzle slot 304 of the adjacent arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 to form a circular loop.

[0040] The shoulder frame 106 is situated adjacent to the spiked wheel frame 104 and is configured to securely mount onto a closing wheel hub 114. The shoulder frame 106 evenly closes the seed trench formed by the spiked wheel frame 104 as the closing wheel assembly 102 rotates in the soil to optimally cover the seed for germination. The shoulder frame 106 is radially welded adjacent to the spiked wheel frame 104 to securely mount onto the closing wheel hub 114 to form the closing wheel assembly 102.

[0041] The shoulder frame 106 may be configured using the set of arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 to form the circular loop. The shoulder frame 106 may further be configured to displace the soil towards the seed trench to sufficiently cover the seed to enable optimum seed-to-soil contact. The shoulder frame 106 may ensure a better sidewall compaction, eliminate air pockets, and/or close the seed trench with inner rim shoulder firming.

[0042] The spiked wheel frame 104 may be configured to have a varying width, a varying shape, and/or a varying length of the outward projections of the radial teeth depending on a soil condition and/or crop requirement. The spiked wheel frame 104 and/or the shoulder frame 106 may be fabricated by cut steel, molded steel, a molded plastic, a forged steel, and/or a forged metal.

[0043] The shoulder frame 106 may be formed by a varying width and/or a varying depth depending on the soil conditions and/or crop requirement. An outermost edge of the shoulder frame 106 may align and/or not align with a base/valley of the radial teeth of the spiked wheel frame 104. The outermost edge of the shoulder frame 106 may be equal and/or less than the base/valley of the radial teeth of the spiked wheel frame 104 to enable sufficient penetration of the soil.

[0044] The arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 may be a jig element, an artifice, and/or an evenly defined end to hold the segments together forming the spiked wheel frame 104 and/or the shoulder frame 106. The puzzle element 302, the jig element, the artifice, and/or the evenly defined ends may be configured to precisely interlock with the corresponding segments to ensure a sturdy circular formation so as to not slip out of its position.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic view 150 of a closing wheel assembly 102 of a planter 404 fabricated using a spiked wheel frame 104 and a shoulder frame 106 to optimally displace the soil 408 to cover the seed 406 while planting, according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 1 illustrates a closing wheel assembly 102, a spiked wheel frame 104, a shoulder frame 106, an arch-shaped interlocking segment 108, a radial teeth 110, an interlocking joint 112, and closing wheel hub 114, according to one embodiment.

[0046] The closing wheel assembly 102 may be an assemblage of wheel components having outwardly directed circumferential teething projections and is rotatably mounted at the rear of a planter 404 to displace the soil 408 at the sides of a furrow 402 to gently close the furrow 402 to cover the seed 406 with soil 408 while planting. The closing wheel 210 may include six arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 forming the spiked wheel frame 104 and shoulder frame 106, that are welded together and fitted onto a standard closing wheel rim and bearing sets (e.g., closing wheel hub 114). In addition, the closing wheel assembly 102 may include a shoulder frame 106 fitted onto the inner rim 204 of the closing wheel assembly 102. The closing wheel assembly 102 may be designed to close the seed trench with inner rim shoulder firming using its shoulder frame 106, according to one embodiment.

[0047] In another embodiment, the closing wheel assembly 102 may include four and/or more arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 forming the closing wheel 210 welded together and fitted onto a standard closing wheel rim 208 and bearing sets (e.g., closing wheel hub 114). The closing wheel hub 114 may include a rim 208, a hub 202, an inner rim 204, and a disc 206.

[0048] The spiked wheel frame 104 and the shoulder frame 106 may be a set of two circular metal loops welded together to form the closing wheel assembly 102. The closing wheel 210 may be configured to easily fit onto the standard closing wheel rim and bearing sets. The outer periphery of the closing wheel 210 may come in contact with the soil while planting. The closing wheel 210 may include angular radial teeth 110 designed to penetrate the soil 408 to form the seed trench (e.g., furrow 402), according to one embodiment.

[0049] The closing wheel hub 114 may be a circular metal component configured to fit onto the inner rim 204 of the closing wheel assembly 102. The shoulder frame 106 of the closing wheel assembly 102 may be configured to put an appropriate amount of pressure onto the seed 406 and cover the soil 408 around the seed 406 to get the best seed-to-soil contact.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 may be a set of three interconnecting metal bow-shaped sections that may be joined to form the closing wheel 210. In another embodiment, the arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 may be a set of two and/or more interconnecting metal bow-shaped sections that may be joined to form the closing wheel 210. The arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 may have a puzzle element 302 and a puzzle slot 304 at either of its ends that may precisely engage to the adjacent member to form a circular loop, without welding.

[0051] The larger circular loop forming the inner band of the spiked wheel frame 104 having radial teeth 110 of the closing wheel 210 may be configured using three larger pieces of arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 having radial teeth 110. The smaller outer band of shoulder frame 106 of the closing wheel 210 may be formed using three smaller pieces of arch-shaped interlocking segments 108. The three larger pieces of arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 forming the spiked wheel frame 104 having radial teeth 110 may be of half inch thick steel and the three smaller pieces of arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 forming the shoulder frame 106 on the side may be of three eights inch steel, according to one embodiment.

[0052] In another embodiment, the larger circular loop forming the inner band of the closing wheel 210 may be configured using two and/or more larger pieces of arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 having radial teeth 110. The smaller outer band of shoulder frame 106 of the closing wheel 210 may be formed using two and/or more smaller pieces of arch-shaped interlocking segments 108.

[0053] The radial teeth 110 may be a series of annular projections provided at the outer periphery of one of closing wheel 210 designed to penetrate the soil 408. The angular tooth design of the radial teeth 110 may help prevent clogging and promote consistent plant emergence. The spiked closing wheel assembly 102 may enable a unique combination of sidewall crumbling and soil firming, according to one embodiment.

[0054] The interlocking joint 112 may be an interconnection between two adjacent arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 forming a metal hoop. Each of the closing wheel 210 may be formed by three interlocking joints 112 between three arch-shaped interlocking segments 108, according to one embodiment.

[0055] In an additional embodiment, each of the closing wheel 210 may be formed by two and/or more interlocking joints 112 between two and/or more arch-shaped interlocking segments 108.

[0056] FIG. 2 is an exploded view 250 of the closing wheel assembly 102 of FIG. 1 illustrating the constituting elements of the closing wheel 102, according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 2 builds on FIG. 1, and further adds, a hub 202, an inner rim 204, a disc 206, a rim 208, and a closing wheel 210. The hub 202 may be the central part of the closing wheel assembly 102, rotating on or with the axle. The hub 202 may enable the closing wheel assembly 102 to be attached to the planter 404 and allows the closing wheels assembly 102 to freely turn during planting. The inner rim 204 may be an interior periphery of the hub assembly on which the closing wheel 210 are mounted to form the closing wheel assembly 102. The disc 206 may be an outer shield used to fit and cover the closing wheel 210 onto the inner rim 204 of the closing wheel assembly 102.

[0057] FIG. 3 is an exploded view 350 of the closing wheel 210 of the closing wheel assembly 102 of FIG. 1 illustrating the interlinking of the arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 to form the closing wheel 210, according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 3 builds on FIGS. 1 and 2, and further adds, a puzzle element 302 and a puzzle slot 304.

[0058] The puzzle element 302 may be a particular riddle-like shape provided at one of the ends of the arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 configured to precisely fit into the puzzle slot 304 provided at another end of the adjacent arch-shaped interlocking segments 108. The puzzle element 302 and the puzzle slot 304 provided at either ends of the arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 may help to interlink the two arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 accurately without requiring welding to form the joints. The two spiked wheel frame 104 and shoulder frame 106 formed using the puzzle element 302 and the puzzle slot 304 may make the perfect circular loop that does not slip out of its position while handling the closing wheel 210.

[0059] In one embodiment, the arc created by the radial teeth 110 of the arch-shaped interlocking segments 108 may not be a pure circle. The arc of the closing wheel assembly 102 may continue to be slightly open when mounted on the planter 404 and then as it approaches the tips; it may open faster to ensure that it becomes more difficult for rocks and/or similar debris to become caught between the radial teeth 110. Additionally, the radial teeth 110 may not be extended out to form a narrower point, hence, it may not create a weak spot to result in breakage if the closing wheel assembly 102 hits a rock in the field.

[0060] FIG. 4 is a conceptual view 450 illustrating the functioning of the closing wheel assembly 102 of FIG. 1 to optimally cover the seed 408 while planting, according to one embodiment. As displayed in the figure, a set of closing wheels assembly 102 may be mounted at the rear of a planter 404. The planter 404 may open a furrow 402 and place a seed 406 in it. The closing wheel assembly 102 mounted at the rear of the planter 404 may move along the sidewalls of the furrow 402. The radial teeth 110 of the disclosed closing wheel assembly 102 may go into the ground and fracture off the dirt and/or soil 408 into the furrow 402. The shoulder frame 106 of the closing wheel assembly 102 may put just the right amount of soil at the surface to bring pressure down on to the seed 406 and form the soil 408 layer around the seed 406 to get the best seed-to-soil contact. This may further enable an increased seedling emergence since the seedling may easily push itself through a thin layer of soil. In addition, the roots of seedling may be able to penetrate through the sidewalls resulting in an improved root formation and yield.

[0061] The disclosed closing wheel assembly 102 may be configured to have wider teeth to displace sufficient amount of dirt and/or soil 408 into the furrow 402. The shoulder frame 106 of the closing wheel assembly 102 may turn this displaced soil towards the furrow 402 to sufficiently cover the seed 406 for optimum seed-to-soil contact.

[0062] In another embodiment, the radial teeth 110 and/or the shoulder frame 106 may have variable thickness based on soil condition and/or crop requirement. In one more embodiment, the closing wheels may be mounted at a distance of 1.4 to 1.5 inches between the shoulder frame 106 for optimal functioning of the closing wheels assembly 102 to ensure an improved germination and emergence of a crop for higher yield.

[0063] Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments.

[0064] A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.