AU2006201595B2 - Parallel link trailing arm for seeders - Google Patents

Description

18-APR-2006 17:39 A J PARK 64 4 4723358 P.06/47 1- (followed by page la) Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: BOURGAULT INDUSTRIES LTD.

Glenn HANTKE Address for service in A J PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia: Australia Invention Title: PARALLEL LINK TRAILING ARM FOR SEEDERS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.

625723-1 COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 y 4 4~

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Ag x&l WrMsedn6e sdapnse and tiie o r amth and tow plan c Ithe 9.il cct mat. A aGOd -furw into whiCh (ho aced is deposited. Typicolly the fwtow operner pushes. soil to one or both sides aid seed is dosite close behind t furrow Ova=e so that the Puuhdidlsl con fmnal bakiotop ofthesed. A packerwirelis typically provided following the seed furrw opener and oriented to roll over the seed furro to pack the soil that has follen back ovar she saged a meurage seed gemination.

The desired sed depth is typianfy relatively shallow, from less than eras inch with smen seeds and soil conditions up to thre iches or more in others. Since agricultural seeder arm commonly 50 or am fet wide and can incude 60 or more individual seed furrw COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 IB-PR-2006 17:40 A J PAIRK 64 4 4723350 P.08/47 Va opertms, omsiofttly moaimiing 9=ed dcpdi fop cad fimw opeur kn a ramr- Of 00 00 lionLao 0(84 mcIr pofts aannIcnbIQ cbailicug.

In order to maintain consistent seed depth, it is known to pivotahty attc the tront end of o a lmflhig nrm to fln wArT inrh rhhr 11rW cb t uul ratll ai*&-.v3 zud duwuward o fwintroh f e and cmapivot up and don with epectohe seeder frame. A packer Ci wheel is then ratably attached to support the rar end of the trailing an=. A seed furrow opew is atu he toa thoting an ahead of tho pcclsc whel 3uh that evCn ical position of the bottom of the seed furrw operser with respect to the bottom of the packer wheel cabe fixed at a. desired locati o st the depth of the sed furrow. Abias Clement is providcd to pUIn o jwdi d00 u wad un Lz auds I=1L Lu c zgo te s121 furrow opener in the sail and firce the packer wheel aginsc the £run&. The furmw oper, assemblies are spaced larally alone the width of the implement by mounting the front and of the uailing armns to lateral &cnie menhern of the iapervni The packer wheel pushes down the soil over the seed in the seed furrow and the bottom of the packer wheel corresponds to the soil surface. The depth of the seed furrow is substantially determined by the vetical distUrwe that th w bom em4 of the avcd fuaow opener etunuc below tho boaom of te parker wheel. Such [I tailing ain eed frrow OPenr asseMbly is disclosd fox example in United States Patent Number 5.609,114 to Barton, particularly in Pig. 4B dicreof.

~u r~uu luL~LLr~-u~ lr~a-~,rY- ru*~llll. rulr COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 19-PR-206 17:41 A7 J PARK 64 4 4723358 P.09/47 Va o page 3 00 Seeders m well known tht deposit seed and fertilizer in the soil at the same ime. Such seeders can be configured to deposit the seed and fertilizer in the same location or kurow when the amount of fertilizer being deposited b relatively law, Wit higher frtilizer raes it is reqirud to separate the seed fbrww from the fertilizer furrow to avoid damage INo to eseed that is cooJly ]own to be caused by pmxiity to larger mouo of Ci (sit~ilizer, The seeder must then also be configured to maintain the seed and fertilizer at corlisbm locations with yespect to each ocher as well as with respect to the soil surface although the depth of frtilizer placemet in the soil is generally considered to not be as ofIieI as ucad depds, since thc. plant loots will readh t ftailize A. a1 i it i6 generally dose to the seed.

The Barn parent 5,609,114 thus also discloses the addition of a fertilizer fu=w opener on dhe trailing a A forwiiirlisv furow opener forms a frrilrt ftrow. and a rar disc fiow apeo=B Dait to b packer wheL forms a seed furrow above and to one side of the fertilizer furrow to proviP sepatrahon Wtweyn the seed mud feztilizer.

Similarly United States Pazaut Junter .396851 to Beaujot discloses a furrow opener assembly like that of Buxton with a. trriig urm s sppocted by a packer wheal ad a hoetype rear se furrow oper snached to te trailing am near the pcker wihec and also including a hoe-eye front frtilisr frrow opener atecd to the trailiur arm. Thc ~LLI ~ll**IYCCI I I COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 19-PPR-2006 j7:4j PK6 4238P 04 A J PARK 64 4 472335e P.10/47 DhauJot apparatusim dcpomirA wRd in a w4a furrow geneally above Rod to one- tide of 00 te fertilize furrow.

A problem aorn with uailing arm furrow aver assemblies mucb as that of Banton and S Beaujot, iL uneven trraina wher the distnce bcbwecn the fram and the, ound valies.

INOAs the vwical dtmamc of the fnme above the grrnd vaiics the wailing uni moves up o and down abot its pivotal antacbmnt to the seeder and fte angle of the traiing arm' changes and thed acta depth of the seed frrow Varict This VaijtiUU i ba rinbnizd by locating the geed furro open=r as close as possible to the packet whurl. [C in fWt (ht aced furrw opeum could be moved back to coincide with die bottrn of the psckcr wited th, problem would not oriac ex oil.

Some seeders, such as that disclosed in linke States Pamet Number 4.760.80W to Bigbe do provide a depth conwouling gauge wheel mountred to a bracket holding the seed furrow opener and directly beside the seed furrow opener such that the'depth control whel direcly determines the depth of the seed furrow. A separate; packer wheel or lie pauking Lutau U wut in be provided since the gauge wheel is beside The seed furrow.

Placing the rea Seed fuzrw opener close to the packer whycl reduces the time available for soil to fall back- into tie seed furrow on tap of the seed before being packed by te packer whcel. Thu oprnting apeda Must be kept fairly low to Allw time fot (6e soil tu COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 19-APR-2006 17:41 A J PARK 18-PR-00617:1 PJ PPI<64 4 4723358 P.11/4? fall back into the seal fuzrow boforc toe puker whtel auves. Thuts OWiam; 1w Ac#3 00 furrow opener close to the packer wheel improves the consistency of the seed farrow depth, but reduces operatinz speed While variations in seed furrow depth arc minimized, C \the depth of the fettilize furrow made by the fertilizer furrow opener located well ini front 5 of the seed farrow opener vanes signilany in rollin terraiu- While fertitizer depth ii VO niot as critica as seeding depth, excessive depth is not required. or desirable, and also o greatly in cre the force'required to pull ths fertilizer furrow opener through the soil, wasting fuel. In som= uneven terrAn the separation distance between the seed and rfertlizer furrows will be: reduced at s=i locations, such that fertilizer damage to :the seed can occur. in those locaions.

Parallel libk mechanisms are used in seeder to maintain various furrow opener asembl=e or portions thereof In a parllel relationhip as they move up and down. For example United States Patient Numnbers 5,161,472 to Handy and 5,562,054 to Ryan show fulrrow opener assemblies with fron and rwa fiurow openart- The rear furrow opener is intched* by a parallel link uiechanism to a downward extending shank -to which the. front Amw gpmg1*aggb, TII Msr tiau gner inl fiNcd rylwi.'o toanck~wiw.un forced down toewd the ground by i spring bias eLent Tbug the dupth of penetration of the front furrow opene varie as &he front furow opener shank mnoves wit the fram up and down wit respect to the round suffice in ta~ing tentai, hoiwever the rear furrow opener and packer wheel mzove up and down wogether with the packer wheel maintaining S~ COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 19-APR-2006 17:42 A J PARK 19-lPR200 1742 J PF<64 4 4723352 P. 12/47 0 Page 6 coob~ct with the ground majmnainiog a conaient depth foF tbo furrow fonumi by the mow 00 furrow oemr.

Thbe parallel link rnebmim maintains the bottom of the packer wheel awl the bottom of the rear furrow opener substatially at t aue relative level, such that there is little VaO variation In the depth of' the seed furrw as the vertical pos ition of the walE Lirk o mcchan~im varica. The gauige whocl docYint control the, wrriel pnOsinoln of Ilt ffiit lbirrow opener and shank which typically is pivotally attached to the seeder such that same can move with respect to the see-der.

UuutcJ SLatc Patczit Nwtubc 6,4093772 to Lgsupricrc disdluveg a blade mounted on a paralle link me-chanism. Conduits ware4fr4 inside the blade to scpaatly d.ttncw seed. fertilizer, water, and the like throuh different locations from front to rear and laterally along the bottom of the blade, Although gp ppckor witeel issbaowt in the Lcrnpnre patent in production model it is knwn. to mount a par wheel on* t Parallel Link mechis'm behind the blae to pack arnd control depth as diacuuc~ed above.

-nce UMe blade is a snpe muDtq meU aspic ajusuneni provned n~y mes paccr wee LS inc R21RC for all prrodA diaptrn~ed by the blasde.

Parallel link mechanisms are also known for mounting row crop and cufrivuting units &r rigs on an implement frame, for example as diaclscd, in Uniicd Slates PAteW Numbers 4*jA -1 COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 le-APR-2006 17:42 A J PARK 19-PR-006 ±7:2 f J PRK64 4 4723358 P.1±3/4? C325,156 to Burry, 5,520,12S to Thouipwan, mid 5,333,559 tu FHudp Li al. Tine units 00 comprise generally a from gauge wheel or wheels and a following ground enaging tool such as a firw opene or Mwap. A bias element forces the parallel link mechaism donward.

VaO ITnirfd Stwm Parwr Number U.51,636 to Huicuko discloses a support frame znowted to ci a seeder frame by a parallel link mechanism anld supported by a front wheel and two rear packer wheels. A bias element forces thr, support firamne down toward the ground. A ftmw opener shank- is pivom ly attachad to the support fimreso as to be able to move up and down independent of rear packer wheels and a firther bia eammn mins 3 force on the shazik urgin it downward.

&UM4AM OF TIM NETO It is an object of at least preferred emnbodimnents of the present invention to provide a furrow opener apparatus that overcomes problems iii the prior art. An additional or jF alternative object is to provide the public with a useful choice.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 19-APR-2006 1?:43 A J PARK 19-PR-00617:3 f J PRK64 4 4723359 P. 14/47 membera rer 11zlk4 and upper and lower parafel aim =mebr pivotaly 4aahed to the 00 front and rear Uake such that t ron ink is maintained substuntishy hoiizmW aS th Upper ad 1Ow: arm wambern move up and down. Front and rear fitrw opener brackat aem atached to the rea link, and front and r=a furrow openes are auacb-d to ~5 coapoudinj lower pontionN of-the. front anid rar A2rJ'Aw oltmnhr bi'Adlrs, Hie fronr nad VaO rear furrw open operative to flim corrsponding front and rea furrows when bottom 0 ~ends therof are engaged in te ground. A packer wheel arm is attached to -the rea link and extends nnarud and downward iron the rear lik, and a rAcke whcct is wtatably mouted to a rea portion of the packer wheel arm such that the pacer wheel is subsitanialy aligned with onec Of the font furrow opener and the rear furrow opener. A bias devte. is operadve to exer a downwwd bias force on the taln arm, tont and rear furrow ape=r brackets. ad! packer wheel. The font and rear furrw open, the packer wheel, and the rar link ara. maintained in substantially rigid oiewain witi respect to ea&h otw when'in a wiorkting mode, and a vertical operating position. of at least one of the front fUrrOW opene and the roa fulrrow opene with. respect to the packer wheel is adustable to vary a depth of a corresponding furrw.

In a second embodiment the invention provides a seeding and fertilizng apparaus.

comprising in implemnt frame mountSd on wheels for tavel over the gound in an operatig travel direcion mnd comprising a lateral framec member, A parallcl link trailing UM comprites a frt link atached substaluly rigidly to the lateral fkame mnember, a COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 ie-APR-2006 17:43 A J PARK 19-PR-006 17:3 PJ PRI<64 4 4723358 P. 15/4? o Page 9 rear link, and upper and lower parallel umt members pivotally attached4 to the fum and 00 rear linki such that the rear link is mainained substantially horizontal -as the upper and low aim nim~b move up and d-OWm1 A front furrw Upencr bracke in azUehad to the ON rear link, cud a front furrow opener is attahe to a lower pardion of the front furrow 5 opener bracket and is operative to form a fart furrow when a botto end theref is INOengaged in the ground. A rea furrow opene bracket is attached to the rear link and a rear furrow opener is attached to a lower portion of t rea furrow opener bracket and is operative to EtmT a seconid furrow when a bottom end thereof is engaged in the pround.

A packer wheel arm is atmahed tw the rear link and extzneti reaward and downward fom the rear fink. and a packer wheel is rotatably mounted toea roar portion of the packer wheel arm such that toe packer wheel is substantially aligned with one of the front and rear furrow openers. A bias device is operative to exert a downward bias force on the riing arm, front Wn tmar furrow opener brackets, and packer wheel. Vie fronm and rear furrow openers, the packsr wheel, and the rear link ame maintained in substantially rigid orientation wi4th respet to each ocher when in a working mact and a vetical operatng position of at least one of t front aaid rear furrow openrs with respect to t packer wheel is adjusrableto va a det o n aidone ftefirsteandeofurrows.

The Parallel linik trailing aim mintans the furrow opene= inn aconsistent orilentation wit wuspeet to a dapth eantroliag pae "tel ouch that when the angleof ho Mriling arm changes as the iwp)emenz moves Throug uneven terrain the depth of furows made COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 ie-APR-2006 17:43 A J PARK 18-PR-206 2:4 flJ PRK4 4 4723356 2. IG/4? 0 by thr. furrow openers remnains substantially constant. fn addition to mnaintaining'a 00 constant fuirrow depth. the furrw openers ca= be moved farther ahead of the packer wheel to allow more time for soil to fall back into the fu~rrow before the packer wheel packs the furow am to allow inceased operating speeds- While the invention is Claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodimnents anc provided in the accompanying dctalad desi prion which may 15c best rmdcncoot in cojuncion with the accompanying diagramns where Like pans in each of -the several diagram are labeled with like numbeis, and where- Fig. 1 -is a sehmiAtic side view of =n embodiment of the present invention in a first working position with the implemnt frame a distance H above the ground, and wherein the re'ar fuirow opener make& a shallower fuwow and is aligned with the packer wheel; Fig 2 is a schematic side view of the =anbdimnt of Fig. I in a socond working position with the implemn tune a incrased distanc H, above the around: Fig. 3 i s a schenmt side view of the embodiment of Fig, I in a transport position;, 4c44a.ias..aina.in.~wuaMin.-~-'- COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 19-APR-2006 17:44 R P3RK 64 4 4?23359 P.1?7/4? 0 InO ci -Pagell- Fig. 4 is a schematic side virw of the ernodimt of Fig. t wherein the front furrow opener makes a shallower furw and is slgncd with the pacer wheel; 5 Pit. 5 iia ti ;htinvarih IniO Ytw iC In Irnhjmiraia ;Fir 4: Fig. 6 is a schmaic side view ofa trailing i furrow op r of the prior art showing how the furrow depth vades a the frame moves up and down; Fig. 7 is a penpativc view of an altewne embodiment of the present inveuiioa in a Workin Position; Fig. 8 4 a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 7 in a working poition; Fi 9 isa sidc viw o f die emdiM t of Fig 7in a trs port posoc; Fig. 10 is a Rcfiematic, sirln view nf a fiihcw alternate embodiment of the present invention in a working position.

DETAILD ON OF TiEL E Drr, uu~rruuu~ ~ur_ I -Uy~i~l- -I I COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 18-PPR-2006 j7:44 A J PRRK 64 4 4723358 P. 1/47

INO

-Page 12- 0 o Figs.1 3 shanatically illuite a furrow opener appartus 1 of the present inventiomi adapted for ttacliment to a lateral (am member 3 of an implment fram monted on Wheels or the like for tavel over the gound in an operating tavel direction T. The apparatus I comprisci a parallel link ailing ann s compiising a front link 7 adapted for O substntially fintd zuaducmt to the lateral fame member 3 and a rear [ink 9. Upper and o lower parallel arm members 11, 13 are pivomally atahed to ie frtmL aed rear links 7, 9 such tar the rear link 9 is maintained subst~auinlly hoi2ontal a the upper and lowe arm members 11, 13 move up and down with respect to the frame 3 as iflusured in Figs. 1 and 2.

rlmf and rear furrow opener bfacts 15F. 1SR uc a~aluadj Lu dih rcur linjk 9, aid cospcudir; fiRNww epeuuu 1r, OR ama attaelgd to enor poWtku of the taukuw opener bradccts ISP, ISR and are operWiva to form creponding tuows 16F, 16R when bottom ends thereof are engagd in the grund 19.

A packer wAel arm 21 is atdahed to the rear link 9 a exeods rearward and downward Frm the rear link 9. A packe: wlwl 2 imr nnhly rnnntrji tIn a rear portion of the pacer wheel arm 21 such tat the paeksr wheel 23 is substantially aligned with one of the fiow opers 17, I1 A bias device, illustrated as a hydraulic cyinder 25, is tjj'-' -,IYIII lI 11~1 'I.T~h COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 19-APR-2006 17:44 A J PARK 18-PR-096 17:4 f 3 PRK64 4 4723350 P. 19/47 opcndvc ro exert a downward bias N=v BF on the triling arm 5. furaw opener bractets 00 1 P, I1SR, and packerwhal 23.

The hydruh cylinder 2:5 in t eMbodimn or FIgS. 1- 3 is connected to an active hydraulic source at a first port, 41 thereof when in workin mod. The aive hydraulic INCsource is Operative to maintain a substantilly costant prtsurc in dhe hydraulic cylinder.

o 25 to exert a substantially constanit downward bias force BE on the trailing arm S. furrow apace. bmackeb 1SF. IS&, and packe wheel 23 while allowing the hydraulic cylinder to extend and refract in response, to forme exerted on the Waiing arm 5. The hydraulic eylider is contnected to the active hydraulic source at a&=coad pon 43 Uicrcof when in trnspor tuc such that the active hydrauli source is opeativo !a tuport nniic to aimtaiLing arm. rw opmner back 1S, I SR, and packer wheelz3 to a tranporz position as illustrated in ig. 3., Thus the furrow opener apparmnam 1 can be munted to an implement having a fine moulntedl on fixed wheals since the hydraulic cylinder 25 is operative to raise the fxrrw openers for trauporL. The apparatus I could also be rnounwod to an imnplerucru where the wheel, move up and down with mpea to the frame to raise and lowar the bunt and.

furrow openers between die working and transport position. The bias ieement of the furrow opener apparatus 1 of tho hwwacia could when be provided by a spring or the like, im.msamaan- COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by P1 Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 19-AM-20060 17:44 Al J PA~RK 64 4 4723358 P.20/47 Va S ~page 14- SkmC it WpQld R,09 LvQ~imkW to QiM un upwud forcre on the traffing urm 5 to aise the 00 furrow opes for rponrt, The fuzmw openers 171, LR the pacr wheel 23, and the mar link 9 ar majatained in Subsmti.u y rigid oricnzahm. with respect to eaeh oter wbai in a working mode dudnig Ci oevntrioua in a field. n the simple embodiment of Figs. I and 2. this is acciphjshed by rigidly attaching such as by Welding or bolting, the packer wheel arm 21 to the rear link 9. The furrow opener bracets 1SF, 15R are then rigidly nuached to the packer wheel aim 21 by bols 27. The pace wheel 23 coatal, the depth of the furrows 16, IGR uad the vertical operating position of the firrow openen 17?, 1lR with respect to the packer wheel 23 is made adjustable to vary a depth of the furw by providing a plurality of ales 29 through whk1i tli bohia 27 emun im&iW t IA.UV uf or M iliu3r4LAW buLb u the fo opener bral cU ISF. 15R to the packer wheel a= 21. Whec=both of the furrow opener brack e ISF. 15R ire so attached, the depth of each furrow 16F, 16R can be individully varied.

Thpau NI hk& 7 aitint upper and lower frmn pivot axes 31,13ad nhen rrar link 9 dricam ppcr and luww nar pivot uma 35, 37, and the aaaemn to the neral frame membser 3 i5 uch that the uppcr and lower frait and mua pivot axcs 31, 33, 35. 37 aic orienrt RlzhwntalWIy horiwnrAi and pnqendicuilar to the oprtiug tavel direcion T.

The upper am member 11 is pivotally attachd to the front link 7 about the upper front COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 19-APR-2006 1?:45 A J PARK IB-PR-20S 7:4 P PPI<4 4 4723358 P.21/47 page ispivot axis 31 and pivotaly ached to the xcai lnk 9 about 'he upper rear pivot axis 00 TheC lower amn member 13 is pivoaly acbd to the front link 7 about the lower front Pivot axis 33. and is pivotally attached to the rear link 9 about to lower rear pivot axis 37 ON ~such tha the upper and lower 2tm mer 11, 13 are oriented subutantially parallel to eza other.

0Thus wbandp Icml arrmonrnhonV 11, 13 move up and dnhccm, link 9ij maiatainc4 in the iaanrially the same hwijzornel oriewuiion thrugh the. vertical rugs Of m~oo w~ithou tilting forward or rearwd. For example pig. I ilast the aaatua 1 in a firmt working poiiou whMr t frame mamber 3 iN a diqwie 11 aboe the round 19 wbilc Fig. 2 HlUSrates &Ce appartus 1 in a second working pnition Where the- fram member 3 is an ingnasgd distancem W' unve thr, grnuinr 19. By Maintaining the rear link 9 in the somne horizonta oriention in all working Positions, t packemr wheel 23 Md tAow openqr; Am al10 m21WAitn in diame horizonAW griggwuo such that fho verial distane betwee the bottom of the funow openers 17W, 17R and the bottom edge of the packerwheel 23 stays substmanculy constant &hrough the. range of vertical motio, and the depth 01i and D)2 of the tfzrrws WEF, 16R1 rmmans Constaft L 1Furrow opener appaatues having, frot ad rear funow Openers with dept h control provided by a single packer wheel rc krown in the art for deposi ting seed and fettilizer sepnvc furrows-.' cuCotat tIo the operAtIon of the emibodiment of the jweseur COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: lime 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 19-IPR-2006 17:45 A~ J PAIRK 44 4 4723358 P.22/47 Va -Page 16- 0 C- invention illusared in Fg. 1 3. Fig. 6 illustrates th opemion of a conventional prior 00 ar h-iling arm furrow opener assembly where the packer wheel 123 is attached to the end of the trailIng arm 121 that is pivarally attached at the front end thereof to the lateral ftn member 103 at pivotal connetion point PC. The front and rear furrow opener brackets 11SF, iisR arm attached to the craling arm 121 between the packer wheel 123 i rwiling along the ground 119 and h pivotal connection point PC. In rolling terrain the lateal frame metmber 103 and thu the pivotal connecio point PC move up and down with respect to ft pmound 119 while the packer wheel substantialy slayi at ground surface, As ilusrratcd the firrow opener hrr.kjrs11 IP i, SHR alno move 1p and dawn 1D wad hus die depth of the firnowz made by the furrow openers on the furow opeer brackets 115F. 11SR varies, As the lateral fran member 103 moves down a distane DH with respect to the gruod 119, the depth of the fimow made by the fra furrow opcMm moeewses by amount DPI and tx depth Of the hirrmw made by rho rar mufrow Tpener inCreases by a lesser amount DF2. Thus the variation decreases as the furrow i Cqener moves closer to the packer wheel 123. It can thus be seen that covenrionally it is desirable to piz the wore depth wsentive seed furrw opener nearest to the packer wheel Where varijons are reUcd, and the Irms depth soniivt fertilizr firrow opener ahead of ho seed furow opener.

The illustatd ntbdijent f F 4 i. 1 3 aLuwb dic fwzuw M1 6R wnak by ti rear furrow opener 17R a peiastidA leA fc iuto te suuud thux 01c umuw 6F made by the front COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 1B-PR-206 17:45 A J PAIRK 64 4 4723358 P.23/47 Va -Pagel?- 0 furrow opener 17. This is the conventional mm gsin where the shallower seed Siniw is closest to ta pacder wheel 23 which is aligned with the seed furrow opener. it 00 is not gerarlly required to pack a frrow into which only tnriizer is placed. With the ftiirw opener appratus I ot tha invention however the rcsr urrow opcncr 17R can be moved *tbther ahead of the packer wheel 23 since proximity to the packer wheel is nom Cl inqired in nrdmr to mredw Y a ri CitN in frrow depth. Incesine ta apnrtinn hnwnm the seed furrw opr and te packer whel increases the time between (maine and packing the furrow, and provides added time for soil moved aside when forming the furow to fall back into the furvow n top of the seed prior to pack4ing, Thusoperating speeds can be increased as the distance between e sed furow opener and packer wheel inceases.

Airernarively, in the embodiment of ig. 4 the front urrow opener 17F forms a shallow front furow 16F with depth f iiKo which seed is placed to be paked by the packer wheel 23. Ino pacKer wheel 23 is ahgnel wun the font turrow opener 17F'., as shown in Fig. 5, instead of with the rear furow opener 17P as in the embodimnt of Fig. 3. The rear tirrow openr 17R' fnms a deeper furrow 16R' with depth DR' ito which fertilizer is deposited and which requires no pcing. Vliws die separation distane btween the ncd funuw Upcur andlIw paktr wbcld pmking dil ne-d in dip oe= furrow can It* increased csiderably without inceasing die overagl lenph of the apparanns.

COMS ID No: SSMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 18-APR-2006 17:46 A J PARK 64 4 4723356 P.24/47

NO

o -hee~l- This azngement may be desirable in some applitions or soil condition, as it'allow; the frvt rrw Mpeuy 17' w0 frm rW so0d ftMnw in undisturbed soil by yWtriug rhe soil 00 before the following rear frrow opener 17R, and thus increaming the probability that the Velld will b placed iha 16 desired lmution. The ieed =ud fuitiligex furrow oponora pro S typically kvcarnd quits ckeley tngerhr Wewal ly, And itis xmicnn diffleu1t? to caut the ci shallower seed furrow in tulditurbed soil lose beside the deep fertilizer furrow already prest For example dry soil will somedmes fracture and form lumps when disturbed by th-e fl-0sx ur w uptuer. By catdazg t6 sLluwwr teed rurruw in undisturbed ground ahead of tbe ?erfilizer furrow opener, ad then cutng the deeper ferfli=zr fwrow beside the airtady formed seed furrow, this problem can be reduced, An aharat embodiment of the furrow openr apparatus 201 is illusrated in Fig. 7 9 lW .WallIC link inL antiA 20Sw ctii20 ydsca pi a Caa ilLk 207 oliacablc I u a lateral (nune member 203, and hw rear link 209 includes an adjustnt bracket 251 extending IS rearward. The fronm Aurrow opener bucker 215F is pivotally acached to the rear link 209 about a norw opener pivot axis 253 which coincides with the lower rear pivot axis 237 of the prallel link tUiling arm 205. Thus the bolt 255 serves to mowa bodt the lower inn member 213 and the furow opener bracket 215 to the rear lin 209. Rear furrow opener brackt 215R is afladed to the roar link 209 rewward of the front furrow opener bracker 215? and slightly offset terfrom such the from and rear furrow openers 217?, 21,K make Laterally Spacca nrrows.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 18-APR-2006 17:46 A J PARK 64 4 4723358 P.25/47 o -Pagl9 0The bias device. hydrauli; ;yinder 225, is pivcally attached to the front frow opener bracket 215F. A working stop 257 is provided on the rear link 209 and the frant furrow ir owcncr brack 21 IF movM down in y against the wnrking stop 257 in rrpn to rh bias force BF exerted by the hydraulic cylinder 225 when in the working mode. The bias 0 force BF is transferred by the worktig stop 257 to the rear link -209 and thus to the rear

NO

o furrow opener bracket 215R, ailing arm 205, and to the packer wheel 223 to force the packer wheel 223 against the ground 219 as illustraed in Fig. 8, Thus in the working mode the furrow openers 217F, 217R, the packer wheel 223, and the tear link 209 are maintained in substantialy rigid orientation with respect to each other by the bias force BF exerted by the hydraulic cylinder 225.

A RanSprt stop 259 is provided oc vh. rear link 209 and the hydramli cylinder 225 ert a transport force TF when in the transport mode to move the front furrow opener bracket 21SF upward to bear against the transponrt stop 259 and the transport force TF is.

transfrred by dthe transport stop 259 to1 the rear link 209 to raise the rear furrow opener bracket 215R, trailing arm 205, and packer wheel 223 to the transport position above the ground 219 as illustrated in Fig. 9. The packer wheel arm 221 is pivotally attached to the rear link 209 about a packer wheel arm axis 261, which coincides wit the lower rear pivot axis 237 of the paralel link COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 18-APR-2006 17:46 AF J PARK 64 4 4723358 P.26/47

O

o--Page mallag arm 205 and the fliAroi opener pivot axis 253. The bolt 255 thus convenlendy c serves also to nmounr the packer wheel ann 221 to the rear link 209. As can be best seen in Fig. 7, the packer wheel arm 221 is mounted on the ourside of the rear link 209 such tf that the arm 221 extends roarwards and down along side the furrow opener brackets 215F, 215R. The padwc r wheel 223 is then mounted on the inside of the packer wteel 0 C arm 221 and is aliged with th furnow apener 217R so as to follow and pack the furrow.

NO

An adjustable depth brace 263 is attached between the packer wheel arm 221 and the adjusmunent bracket 251 on the rear lik 209 such that a position of the packer wheel arm 221 with rcspect to the rear link 209 can be adjusted to vary the depth of the furrows.

A fbaher $eate embodiment of the fuow opener apparatus 301 is illutraed in Fig.

that includes front and rear furow opener brackets 315F, 315R. The parallel link railing arm 305 comprises a fant link 307 attachable to a lateral frame member 303, and IS a rear link 309. The rar furrow opener bracket 3151 is rigidly attached to the rear link by welding, bolts, or the like, or the roar link 309 and rear furrow opener bracket 315R can be formed from a single piee.

The front furrow opener brackt 315F is pivotally attached to the rear link 309 about a furrow opener pivot axis 353 which, coincides with the lower rear pivot axis 337 of the.

parallel link trailing arm 305. The bias devicc, hydraulic cylinder 325, is located under COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 18-RPR-2006 17:47 A J PARK 64 4 4723358 P.27/47

NO

o Page21 the parallel link trailing arm 305 and is pivotally atached to the front furrow opener 00 bracket 315SF. The working stop 357 is provided by chain 365 connecting the front and rear fwrow opener brackets 315$, 315R. fle front furrow opener bracket 315F moves down in repose to the bias force BF exerated by the hydraulic cylinder 325 when in the o 5 working mode and pulls the chain 365 tight, The bias force BF is transferred by the chain 365 to the rear furrow opener bracket 315R and thus to the rear link 309. trailing arm 305 and the packer wheel 323 co force the packer wheel 323 against the ground. The appiratus 301 moves into transport position in a manner similar. to that of the embodiment of Figs. 7 Q.

The packer whoeel arm 321 is rigidly uttached to the rear link 300 by rigid attachment to te rear furrow opener bracker 315R and the packer wheel 323 is rotaably attached to the pwvkcr whl ac 321 in a8lizkhtat with a dasircd onate of the frt ad tu ftwrow openers 317F, 317R o as to follow and pack the'desired furrow. The vertical position of the packer wheel 323 on the packer heal am 321 can be adjusted to vary the depth of the furows.

In the embodiments of Figs. 7 10 the pivotal attachment of the furrow opcoer brackets 215F and 315F to the respective rear links, and the downward and rearward angle of tbe bii 1 lhysiaulic vylsides 225, 325. is such that the furrow opcenc badeu are biased forwad as well as downward such that when the fwrw-eoncrS 217F, 317F strike an COMS ID No: SBMI-03333257 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:54 Date 2006-04-18 22-DEC-2008 14:21 FROM 22-EC-00814:1 OMT 0061262837999 P.09x09 00 U. Page 22 (1) ci obstruction, they can move rearward and upward against the bias force B3F to clear the obstruction.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.

Cl 5 Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in o the ant, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.

Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising". means the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but does not necessarily mean the exclusion of any other element integer or step or group of elements, integers or steps.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically staed otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

TOTRL P.09 COMS ID No: ARCS-21 8000 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-fm) 13:14 Date 2008-12-22

Claims (22)

1. 2. The apparatus of Claim I wherein the front link defines upper and lower front pivot axes and the rear link defines upper and lower rear pivot axes, and wherein the attachment to the frame member is such that the upper and lower front and rear pivot axes are oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction, and wherein the upper arm member is pivotally COMS ID No: SBMI-03549502 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:00 Date 2006-05-10 10/05 2006 WED 17:02 FAX +64 4 4723358 A J PARK WELLINGTON Q027/043 cO Page 25 attached to the front link about the upper front pivot axis and pivotally attached to the rear link about the upper rear pivot axis, and wherein the lower arm member is ON pivotally attached to the front link about the lower front pivot axis and is pivotally o attached to the rear link about the lower rear pivot axis such that the upper and sNO lower arm members are oriented substantially parallel to each other. 0 0
2. 3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein the bias device comprises a hydraulic cylinder.
3. 4. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein the hydraulic cylinder is connectable to an active hydraulic source at a first port thereof when in working mode and the active hydraulic source is operative in the working mode to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the hydraulic cylinder to exert a substantially constant downward bias force on the trailing arm, furrow opener bracket, and packer wheel while allowing the hydraulic cylinder to extend and retract in response to forces exerted on the trailing arm. The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein the hydraulic cylinder is connectable to the active hydraulic source at a second port thereof when in transport mode and the active hydraulic source is operative in transport mode to raise the trailing arm, front and rear furrow opener brackets, and packer wheel to a transport position. COMS ID No: SBMI-03549502 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:00 Date 2006-05-10 10/05 2006 WED 17:03 FAX +64 4 4723358 A J PARK WELLINGTON Q028/043 0 0 Page 26 0
4. 6. The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein a selected one of the front and rear furrow opener brackets is pivotally attached to the rear link about a furrow opener pivot axis, and wherein the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the selected Sfurrow opener bracket. "1 7. The apparatus of Claim 6 comprising a working stop connected to the rear link and wherein the selected furrow opener bracket moves down to bear against the working stop in response to the bias force exerted by the hydraulic cylinder when in the working mode, and wherein the bias force is transferred by the working stop to the rear link.
5. 8. The apparatus of Claim 7 comprising a transport stop connected to the rear link and wherein the hydraulic cylinder exerts a transport force when in the transport mode to move the selected furrow opener bracket upward to bear against the transport stop and wherein the transport force is transferred by the transport stop to the rear link to raise the other furrow opener bracket, trailing arm and packer wheel to the transport position.
6. 9. The apparatus of Claim 8 wherein the selected furrow opener bracket is the front furrow opener bracket. COMS ID No: SBMI-03549502 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:00 Date 2006-05-10 10/05 2006 WED 17:03 FAX +64 4 4723358 A J PARK WELLINGTON R029/043 0 cN Page 27 The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein the furrow opener pivot axis coincides with one of the upper rear pivot axis and the lower rear pivot axis. In
7. 011. The apparatus of Claim I wherein the packer wheel arm is pivotally attached to \O the rear link about a packer wheel arm axis, and comprising an adjustable depth 0\ brace attached between the packer wheel arm and the rear link such that a position of the packer wheel annrm with respect to the rear link can be adjusted to vary the depth of the furrows.
8. 12. The apparatus of Claim 11 wherein the packer wheel arm axis coincides with one of the upper rear pivot axis and the lower rear pivot axis.
9. 13. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein at least one of the front and rear furrow openers is adjustably mounted with respect to the packer wheel arm such that a position of the at least one furrow opener with respect to the packer wheel can be adjusted to vary the depth of a corresponding furrow
10. 14. A seeding and fertilizing apparatus comprising: an implement frame mounted on wheels for travel over the ground in an operating travel direction and comprising a lateral frame member; COMS ID No: SBMI-03549502 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:00 Date 2006-05-10 10/05 2006 WED 17:03 FAX +64 4 4723358 A J PARK WELLINGTON R030/043 VO 0 cN Page 28 0 a parallel link trailing arm comprising a front link attached substantially rigidly to Sthe lateral frame member, a rear link, and upper and lower parallel arm members o pivotally attached to the front and rear links such that the rear link is maintained INC substantially horizontal as the upper and lower arm members move up and down; a front furrow opener bracket attached to the rear link, and a front furrow opener attached to a lower portion of the front furrow opener bracket and operative to form a first furrow when a bottom end thereof is engaged in the ground; a rear furrow opener bracket attached to the rear link, and a rear furrow opener attached to a lower portion of the rear furrow opener bracket and operative to form a second furrow when a bottom end thereof is engaged in the ground; a packer wheel arm attached to the rear link and extending rearward and downward from the rear link, and a packer wheel rotatably mounted to a rear portion of the packer wheel arm such that the packer wheel is substantially aligned with one of the front and rear furrow openers; a bias device operative to exert a downward bias force on the trailing arm, front and rear furrow opener brackets, and packer wheel; COMS ID No: SBMI-03549502 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:00 Date 2006-05-10 10/05 2006 WED 17:04 FAX +64 4 4723358 A J PARK WELLINGTON l031/043 NO Page 29 wherein the front and rear furrow openers, the packer wheel, and the rear link are maintained in substantially rigid orientation with respect to each other when in a II Sworking mode; and N "i wherein a vertical operating position of at least one of the front and rear furrow openers with respect to the packer wheel is adjustable to vary a depth of an aligned one of the first and second furrows. The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein the front link defines upper and lower front pivot axis locations and the rear link defines upper and lower rear pivot axis locations, and wherein the upper and lower front and rear pivot axes are oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction, and wherein the upper arm member is pivotally attached to the front link about the upper front pivot axis and pivotally attached to the rear link about the upper rear pivot axis, and wherein the lower arm member is pivotally attached to the front link about the lower front pivot axis and is pivotally attached to the rear link about the lower rear pivot axis such that the upper and lower arm members are oriented substantially parallel to each other. COMS ID No: SBMI-03549502 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:00 Date 2006-05-10 10/05 2006 WED 17:04 FAX +64 4 4723358 A J PARK WELLINGTON j032/043 ON S-Page 30
11. 16. The apparatus of Claim 15 wherein the bias device comprises a hydraulic cylinder. S17. The apparatus of Claim 16 wherein the hydraulic cylinder is connected to an IO active hydraulic source at a first port thereof when in working mode and the 0 active hydraulic source in working mode is operative to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the hydraulic cylinder to exert a substantially constant downward bias force on the trailing arm, front and rear furrow opener brackets, and packer wheel while allowing the hydraulic cylinder to extend and retract in response to forces exerted on the trailing amn.
12. 18. The apparatus of Claim 17 wherein the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the active hydraulic source at a second port thereof when in transport mode and the active hydraulic source in transport mode is operative in transport mode to raise the trailing arm, furrow opener bracket, and packer wheel to a transport position.
13. 19. The apparatus of Claim 18 wherein the front furrow opener bracket is pivotally attached to the rear link about a furrow opener pivot axis, and wherein the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the front furrow opener bracket. COMS ID No: SBMI-03549502 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:00 Date 2006-05-10 10/05 2006 WED 17:04 FAX +64 4 4723358 A J PARK WELLINGTON Q033/043 O 0 Page 31 0 The apparatus of Claim 19 comprising a working stop connected to the rear link and wherein the front furrow opener bracket moves down to bear against the Sworking stop in response to the bias force exerted by the hydraulic cylinder when o in the working mode, and wherein the bias force is transferred by the working \0 stop to the rear link.
14. 21. The apparatus of Claim 20 comprising a transport stop connected to the rear link and wherein the hydraulic cylinder exerts a transport force when in the transport mode to move the front furrow opener bracket upward to bear against the transport stop and wherein the transport force is transferred by the transport stop to the rear link to raise the trailing arm, rear furrow opener bracket, and packer wheel to the transport position.
15. 22. The apparatus of Claim 19 wherein the furrow opener pivot axis coincides with one of the upper rear pivot axis and the lower rear pivot axis.
16. 23. The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein the packer wheel arm is pivotally attached to the rear link about a packer wheel arm axis, and comprising an adjustable depth brace attached between the packer wheel arm and the rear link such that a position of the packer wheel arm with respect to the rear link can be adjusted to vary the depth of at least the furrow formed by the aligned furrow opener. COMS ID No: SBMI-03549502 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:00 Date 2006-05-10 10/05 2006 WED 17:05 FAX +64 4 4723358 A J PARK WELLINGTON Q034/043 0 0 -Page 32 0
17. 24. The apparatus of Claim 23 wherein the packer wheel arm axis coincides with one O of the upper rear pivot axis and the lower rear pivot axis. I
18. 25. The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein an aligned one of the front and rear furrow 0^ openers is adjustably mounted with respect to the packer wheel arm such that a position of the aligned furrow opener with respect to the packer wheel can be adjusted to vary the depth of the furrow formed by the aligned furrow opener.
19. 26. The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein the packer wheel is aligned with the front furrow opener, and wherein during operation seed is deposited in the first furrow, and fertilizer is deposited in the second furrow.
20. 27. The apparatus of claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed.
21. 28. A furrow opener apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. COMS ID No: SBMI-03549502 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:00 Date 2006-05-10 10/05 2006 WED 17:05 FAX +64 4 4723358 A J PARK WELLINGTON R035/043 O O NC -Page 33 O
22. 29. The apparatus of claim 14 and substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed. In A seeding and fertilizing apparatus substantially as herein described with (C IN reference to any embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. 0 BOURGAULT INDUSTRIES LTD. Dated this 18 April 2006 By their Patent Attorneys A J PARK On behalf of the Applicant Per: COMS ID No: SBMI-03549502 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:00 Date 2006-05-10