GB2191672A - Seed sowing or distribution service - Google Patents

Abstract

Actuation of trigger (45) brings about rearward movement of apertured central plate (20) so that seeds or the like located in reservoirs (12, 13) in upper plate (10) are caused to be deposited via apertures in lower plate (30). This is preferably accomplished by apertures (22) in the central plate (20) being moved from alignment with apertures (12) in the upper plate (10) to alignment with similarly configured but rearwardly positioned apertures (32) in the lower plate (30). Quick, efficient, evenly spaced and economical seed-sowing is achieved by this device without any subsequent pricking out procedure being required. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Seed Sowing or Distribution Device This invention relates to a device for sowing seeds or distributing other small particles.

Traditionally, the sowing of bedding plant seeds in nurseries has been accomplished simply by sprinkling seeds over the surface of a compost-orsoil-filled tray. This is a quick and simple method, but wasteful, Moreover, when the seedlings develop they are irregular and invariably closely arranged and it is necessary to transplant these one by one into regularly spaced apart rows in further trays or into separate pots or separate parts of a partially divided container. The latter operation, known as 'pricking-out', is tedious, time-consuming and, therefore, costly in terms of labour.

If quick and effective means were available for sowing the seeds at the outset in small spaced apart groups, the costly operation of pricking out would be avoided, in addition to a modest saving in the quantity of seed used.

A sowing device comprising a pair of apertured plates is known to be commercially available. The apertues in the respective plates are regularly arranged and initially they are out of alignment while seeds are swept or sprinkled into the apertures in the uppermost plate. The device is then held over the area where the seeds are to be sown and the lower plate, which is slidable relative to the upper plate, is pushed across until the apertures therein are in alignment with those in the upper plate and the seeds fall through. This device is quite awkward to operate and is neither quick nor effective since seeds have to be placed in the upper plate apertures each time and, the component parts of the device are not formed with great precision, the lower plate is liable to jam.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device, for sowing seeds or distributing other small items of comparable size, which is quick, efficient and simple to operate.

With this object in view, the present invention provides a seed sowing or distribution device comprising upper, central and lower co-extensive plates, each having aperturestherethrough, and a trigger mechanism operable to move the central plate, which is disposed between the upper and lower plates, so that seeds or other small particles located in the apertures in the upper plate fall through the apertures in the lower plate.

Preferably, the trigger mechanism is operable to move the central plate from a rest position in which its apertures are in alignment with the apertures in the upper plate to a sowing or distribution position in which its apertures are in alignment with the apertures in the lower plate.

The upper plate advantageously has chambers in the form of wells formed directly above and in communication with its apertures for reception of quantities of seeds or other small particles. In this way, the chambers can be filled with seeds and the device can be used for sowing several hundred boxes or trays before they need to be refilled. The chambers are advantageously provided with transparent lids or covers so that the seeds do not spill out and so that an operator can easily see when the chambers are almost empty and need re-filling.

The trigger preferably comprises a handle rigidly attached to the upper plate and to the lower plate, and a trigger which is arranged adjacent the handle, is connected to the central plate by a plurality of pivotal levers and is operable against the bias of a spring. The spring conveniently acts between the trigger and the upper plate. However, it may alternatively act between the trigger and the attachment means which secures the handle to the upper and lower plates.

The central plate and the lower plate are advantageously provided with additional openings in the vicinity of the apertures, which openings are partially in alignment when the central plate is in its rest position and are fully in alignment when the central plate has been moved to its maximum extent by operation of the trigger mechanism. These additional openings, which are preferably considerably larger than the apertures through which the seeds fall, allow dust particles and wayward seed particles to fall freely from between the plates of the device thereby preventing any clogging. They also minimize frictional and suction forces between the plates and thereby facilitate smooth sliding of the central plate to and fro between the upper and lower plates.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred practical embodiment of the device of the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section illustrating the relative positions of the holes in the respective plates of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in the sowing position; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the underside of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view of one corner region of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

With reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a seed sowing device in accordance with the invention comprises three substantially rectangular plates 10, 20, 30 disposed one on top of the other, namely an upper plate 10, a central plate 20 and a lower plate 30. The upper plate 10 and the lower plate 30 are firmly secured to each other by a plurality of evenly distributed countersunk screws 11 and countersunk nuts (not shown), while the central plate 20 is slidable therebetween by means of a trigger mechanism, designated generally by reference numeral 40, which is also firmly secured to the upper and lower plates 10, 30.

Both the upper and the lower plates 10,30 are formed of polypropylene, which is tough and durable and also lends itself to accurate machining.

The upper plate 10 is about five times thicker than the lower plate 30, the former being about 20 mm thick, whilst the latter is about 4 mm thick. Both plates 10,30 are formed with twenty four small circular apertures, 12,32, respectively, about 3 mm in diameter and these apertures 12,32 are arranged in four aligned longitudinal rows of six, equidistantly spaced. The greater thickness of the upper plate 10 allows for provision of an approximately conically shaped well 13 immediately above and in communication with each aperture 12 formed therein. These wells 13 are accurately formed by drilling and they serve, in effect, as miniature hoppers for the seeds. The wells 13 are each provided with a snugly fitting transparent lid or cover 14, only one of which is indicated in Fig. 1.These lids 14 prevent spillage of seeds from the wells 13, when the device is loaded therewith, and, as they a re are transparent, the operator can easily see when the wells need re-filling.

A mentioned above, the small apertures 32 in the lower plate 30 are arranged in the same manner as the apertures 12 in the upper plate 10, namely in four aligned rows of six. However, the lower plate apertures 32 are not themselves in alignment with the upper plate apertures 12, as is indicated quite clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. If the trigger mechanism 40 is considered as being connected to the plates 10,30 at the rear of the device, the lower plate apertures 32 are disposed a few mm rearward of the corresponding upper plate apertures 12. Moreover, the lower plate 30 is additionally provided with twenty larger diameter circular openings 34, one adjacent and rearward of each small aperture 32, excepting the rearmost aperture 32 in each of the four rows.The four longitudinal row of larger openings 34 are, in this case, exactly in line with the respective four rows of smaller apertures 34 in that the centres of the apertures 32 and the openings 34 lie in the same four imaginary parallel lines, as is best shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The central plate 20 is, as previously mentioned, slidably mounted between the upper and lower plates 10,30. It is precision made from stainless steel sheet and is provided with both small apertures 22 and larger openings 24 in exactly the same configuration as described above for the lower plate 30. This is clearly illustrated in Figs. 2,3, 4 and 5. The small apertures 22 in the central plate 20 are, however, somewhat smaller than the small apertures 12,32 in the other two plates 10,30.

In the normal or rest position of the device, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the small apertures 22 in the central plate 20 are exactly in register with the apertures 12 in the upper plate 10,whilethe large openings 24 in the central plate are in alignment with the small apertures 32 in the lower plate 30 whilst at the same time partly overlapping the large openings 34 in the lower plate 30. In contrast, when the trigger mechanism 40 is actuated (in a manner shortly to be described) to bring the central plate 20 to its operative or sowing position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the smaller apertures 22 and the larger openings 24 in the central plate 20 are brought exactly into alignment with, respectively, the apertures 32 and the openings 34 in the lower plate 30.

During its sliding motion, the central plate 20 is accurately guided between respective longitudinal edge strips 25 (see Fig. 5) which are secured between the longitudinal edge margins of the upper and lower plates 10, 30 and are the same thickness (between 1 and 2 mm) as the central plate 20. The correct alignment of the central plate 20 is further ensured by provision therein of a row of three elongate, lozenge-shaped slots 26, as shown in Fig.

5, between each adjacent pair of rows of apertures and openings 22, 24. These slots 26 slidingly engage but similarly shaped elongate spacer elements 36 which are integrally formed on the upper surface of the lower plate 30, as indicated in Fig. 4. The spacer elements 36 limit the movement of the central plate 20 in each direction by abutment of the respective ends of the slots 26 with the corresponding ends of the element 36. The spacer elements 36 are also of substantially equal thickness to the central plate 20.

Additional securement strips 50 are fixed beneath the edge margins of the lower plate 30, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 5.

The trigger mechanism 40 comprises a metal housing 41, which is secured to the upper surface of the upper plate 10 and to a rearward extension 37 of the lower plate 30 by means of nuts and bolts, the bolts extending through flanges at the edges of the housing 41. A handle 42, e.g. of wood, extends obliquely downwards between front and rear walls 43,44 of the housing 41 and an elongate trigger 45 is arranged directly beneath the handle 42. The trigger 45 is fixed to a transverse shaft 46 which is journalled in opposing side walls 47,48 of the housing 41, near the front thereof. The handle 42 is arranged approxiamtely midway between the housing side walls 47,48 and the trigger 45 is similarly fixed approximately centrally of the rotatable shaft 46.The trigger 45 is provided with a downwardly extending limb 49 and a coil spring is connected between the lower end of this limb 49 and a bracket 52 fixed to the upper surface of the upper plate 10, near the front edge thereof. The transverse shaft 46 near the front of the housing 41 is connected to a further transverse shaft 56 located at the rear of the housing 41 a short spacing above the lower plate extension 37, by way of three levers 53,54,55 at each side of the housing 41. In this particular embodiment, these levers 53, 54, 55 are disposed outside the housing 41 and connect the respective ends of the transverse shafts 46,56. The respective levers 55 are pivotally attached to the housing 41 at their upper ends and fixedly attached to the shaft 56, unlike the shaft 46, is not rotatable.

The shaft 56 is connected to the central plate 20 by link elements 57 and plastics blocks 58. The shaft 56 merely extends through holes in the link elements 57 and is not fixedly attached thereto, whilst the link elements 57 are similarly in slots in the respective blocks 58 by means of pins 59. Portions of the central plate 20 are embedded in the blocks 58, which fit snugly into corresponding square recesses in the rear of the upper and lower plates 10,30, again to faciiitate correct alignment during movement of the central plate 20. The levers 53,54, 55, the shafts 46, 56, and the link elements 58 are preferably made of stainless steel.

It will be appreciated that when the trigger 45 is drawn towards the handle 42 (against the action of the spring 51) it causes slight rotation of the shaft 46 which, by way of the levers 53, 54, 55 cause rearward movement of the shaft 56 in the plane of the central plate 20. By way of the link elements 57 and the blocks 58, the central plate 20 is thus moved rearward, as far as permitted by the spacer elements 36, as discussed above, until its apertures 22 are exactly in register with the lower plate apertures 32.

The larger openings 24 in the central plate 20 simultaneously being brought into register with the larger openings in the lower plate 30, as described above.

The use of the device will readily be deduced from the foregoing. Seeds are filled into all of the wells 13 and the lids 14 are pushed into position. The plates 10,20,30 are of an appropriate size, approximately 22x 17.5cm, as as will overlie a standard 'half-tray' size seed box. The device is then picked up by the handle 42 and held over or rested lightly on the rim of a such seed box containing an appropriate fill of soil or compost and the trigger mechanism 40 is actuated by drawing the trigger 45 upwards towards the handle. This pulls back the central plate 20 as described above so that a small group of, say, four to six seeds from each well 13, is deposited onto the soil or compost by way of the apertures 12,22,32 in the three plates.The trigger 45 is only pulled momentarily and as soon as it is released the central plate 20 slides back to its original position under the influence of the spring 51. In this way, it only takes a second or two to deposit twenty-four evenly spaced groups of seeds in the seed box and a whole succession of similar seed boxes can be dealt with in a very short space of time.

The most important thing is that the even spacing of the seeds and the eventual seedlings which develop obviates the need for a later timeconsuming pricking out procedure. Additionally, however, there is a saving in the quantity of seeds used compared to traditional sowing by random sprinkling of seeds. For example, with lobellia seeds 22 gms is sufficient for sowing in 2000 half-size seed boxes, the cost of seeds, per box being only 12ups All of the components of the device need to be precision made to avoid any likelihood of the trigger mechanism 40 or the central plate 20 hamming, e.g.

due to dust or seeds locating between moving parts or to misalignment of engaging parts. Moreover, the tension of the spring 51 should be chosen so that the trigger 45 is not liable to accidental actuation and the angle of the handle 42 relative to the plates 10,20,30 is preferably so chosen that an operator gripping the handle 42 has relaxed wrist muscles when holding the plates generally horizontally over a seed box. The edges of the plates 10, 20, 30 should also be sealed against moisture, since that could also lead to clogging.

The invention is not, of course, limited to the exact particulars of the above described embodiment, the dimensions of which particularly suit it for the sowing of lobellia seeds and other seeds of similar small size. For the sowing of larger seeds the diameter of the apertures in all three plates should be appropriately enlarged so that a similar number of seeds will fall through from each well 13 every time the trigger 45 is actuated. However, in some cases it will be desirable for fewer seeds or a larger number of seeds to be deposited from each well and the aperture side can be appropriately chosen for the desired dosing.

Over and above the foregoing, the plate thickness and sizes and the number and distribution of apertures may vary in further embodiments in accordance with the invention. For example, for sowing into linked assemblies of thimble-sized plugs upto about five hundred apertures may be provided, at appropriate spacings in the respective plates.

The particuiars of the trigger mechanism may also vary as the levers may be located inside the housing and the spring may be connected between the trigger and the housing instead of the upper plate.

More radical variations are also possible. For example, the housing need not be present and there may be some other connection means. Also, the handle may only be connected to the upper plate and not to the lower plate as in the illustrated example. Furthermore, it is simple to have the spacer elements separately provided and held in position by screws rather than integrally formed on the lower plate as described above.

It is estimated that about 60% of all bedding plant seeds could be effectively sown by means of a device in accordance with the invention. Such a device is not, however, suitable for sowing wettreated seeds as these would tend to clog the mechanism.

The device of the invention may also be useful for sowing other types of seeds or for accurately distributing other small items, such as granules, eg.

in mass-produced confectionary or Christmas decorations.

Claims (16)

1. A seed sowing or distribution device comprising upper, central and lower co-extensive plates, each having apertures therethrough, and a trigger mechanism operable to move the central plate, which is disposed between the upper and lower plates, so that seeds or other small particles located in the apertures in the upper plate fall through the apertures in the lower plate.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the trigger mechanism is operable to move the central plate from a rest position in which its apertures are in alignment with the apertures in the upper plate to a sowing or distribution position in which its apertures are in alignment with the apertures in the lower plates.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the upper plate has, in communication with its apertures, chambers for reception of quantities of seeds or other small particles.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the chambers are in the form of wells formed directly above the upper apertures.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the chambers are provided with transparent caps or covers.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a handle rigidly attached to the upper plate and to the lower plate, and a trigger which is arranged adjacent the handle, is connected to the central plate by a plurality of pivotal levers and is operable against the bias of a spring.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the spring acts between the trigger and the upper plate.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the central plate and the lower plate are provided with additional openings in the vicinity of the apertures, which openings are partially in alignment when the central plate is in its rest position and are fully in alignment when the central plate has been moved to its maximum extent by operation of the trigger mechanism.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the upper and the lower plates are formed of plastics material while the central plate is made of steel plate.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apertures in the plates are equidistantly spaced from each other.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apertures in the plates are regularly arranged in aligned rows.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are twenty four apertures in each plate arranged in four aligned rows of six.

13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the central plate is slidable between the upper and lower plates and is guided between respective edge strips secured between opposing side edge margins of the upper and lower plates.

14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the central plate is slidable between the upper and lower plate and is provided with elongate slots which slidingly engage but similarly shaped elongate spacer elements disposed between the upper and lower plates.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the spacer elements are integrally formed on the upper or lower plates.

16. A seed sowing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.