Granted Patent B2

US 12,745,694 · App. 18/101,394 · Granted Sep 29, 2026

Inventor: Alex Hartogh (Huxley, IA)

Assignee: Ag Leader Technology

A01C7/201

Abstract

Claims (21)

1 . A seed meter assembly comprising:

(a) a main body assembly comprising:

(i) a pivot mounting point and

(ii) two snap-in attachments,

(b) a meter cover assembly, wherein the meter cover assembly and the main body assembly are configured to be releasably engaged; and

(c) a support structure configured to be attached to the two snap-in attachments to support the weight of the seed meter assembly and maintain access to the seed meter assembly, wherein the support structure comprises:

(i) a first arm;

(ii) a second arm;

(iii) a first snap-in feature at the distal end of the first arm; and

(iv) a second snap-in feature at the distal end of the second arm,

wherein the first snap-in feature is configured to engage a first of the two snap-in attachments and wherein the second snap-in feature is configured to engage a second of the two snap-in attachments.

2 . The seed meter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support structure further comprises a center portion connecting the first arm and the second arm, the center portion comprising a latch groove.

3 . The seed meter assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a latch disposed on a row unit, wherein a hook of the latch engages the latch groove.

4 . The seed meter assembly of claim 3 , wherein the latch is an under-center latch.

5 . The seed meter assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a peg disposed on a row unit side of the center portion of the support structure, wherein the peg is configured to prevent lateral movement of the support structure when installed.

6 . The seed meter assembly of claim 5 , wherein the peg is tapered.

7 . The seed meter assembly of claim 5 , wherein the peg is configured to fit within a receiving feature on the row unit.

8 . The seed meter assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a bracket comprising the receiving feature and the under-center latch.

9 . The seed meter assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a third snap-in feature at the distal end of the first arm and a fourth snap-in feature at the distal end of the second arm, wherein the third snap-in feature is configured to engage the first of the two snap-in attachments and wherein the fourth snap-in feature is configured to engage the second of the two snap-in attachments.

10 . The seed meter assembly of claim 2 , wherein at least of portion of the first arm is received within the first of the two snap-in attachments and at least of portion of the second arm is received within the second of the two snap-in attachments.

11 . The seed meter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is substantially U-shaped.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (338)