Granted Patent B2

US 12,426,533 · App. 17/756,762 · Granted Sep 30, 2025

Inventors: Chad E. Plattner (Tremont, IL); David Colson (Peoria, IL)

Assignee: Precision Planting LLC

A01C7/20

Abstract

Claims (37)

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.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (33)