IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,986,680
Granted Patent B2
US 9,986,680 · App. 14/635,487 · Granted Jun 5, 2018

Mounting arrangement of a doubles eliminator in a seed meter

Inventors: Elijah B. Garner (Bettendorf, IA); Kamalakannan Natarajan (Vellore, IN); Beth A. Wolfs (Tiffin, IA)
Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
A01C7/046A01C7/128
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,986,680
App. No.
14/635,487
Granted
Jun 5, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A seed meter is provided having a doubles eliminator mounted to a common spindle with a rotating seed singulating element. The doubles eliminator is axially biased against the seed face of the singulating element to axially position the doubles eliminator relative to the singulating element.

Claims (13)

1. A seed meter for singulating seed from pool of seed comprising:

a singulating element rotatable about a rotation axis defined by a spindle, the singulating element having a circular array of apertures to which seeds are adhered; and

a doubles eliminator mounted to the same spindle as the singulating element and having features engaging the singulating element adjacent the apertures to engage and remove excess seed from the apertures as the apertures move past the features to reduce the occurrence of multiple particles adhered to the apertures, wherein the doubles eliminator includes a support frame having portions contacting a seed face of the singulating element and further comprising at least one biasing element urging the portions of the doubles eliminator contacting the seed face of the seed singulating element axially into engagement with the seed face of the seed singulating element.

2. The seed meter of claim 1 wherein the features engaging the singulating element adjacent the apertures to remove excess particles from the apertures are flexible members.

3. The seed meter of claim 1 further comprising two biasing elements urging the doubles eliminator engaging features against the seed face of the seed singulating element.

4. The seed meter of claim 3 wherein the two biasing elements are circumferentially spaced apart from one another.

5. The seed meter of claim 1 wherein the at least one biasing element includes a spring biased plunger.

6. The seed meter of claim 1 wherein the at least one biasing element is mounted to a meter housing.

7. The seed meter of claim 1 further comprising a rotation stop preventing the doubles eliminator from rotation about the axis.

8. The seed meter of claim 1 further comprising a bearing between the doubles eliminator and the spindle.

9. The seed meter of claim 1 wherein the spindle is driven for rotation.

10. The seed meter of claim 1 wherein the engaging features of the doubles eliminator include at least one lobe positioned radially inwardly of the apertures in the seed singulating element and at least one lobe positioned radially outwardly of the apertures in the seed singulating element.

11. The seed meter of claim 1 wherein the engaging features of the doubles eliminator are rigid.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2015
From: GARNER, ELIJAH B.; NATARAJAN, KAMALAKANNAN; WOLFS, BETH A.
To: DEERE & COMPANY
Reel/Frame 035564/0454 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160255768A1 · Sep 8, 2016