Implement frame mounted variable rate singulating meters

Abstract

A seeding apparatus has a frame and a plurality of furrow openers spaced laterally along the implement frame. A like plurality of singulating meters is provided, each mounted on the frame close to a corresponding furrow opener, and seed tubes are configured to receive singulated seeds from a corresponding singulating meter and deposit the seeds in the furrow created by the corresponding furrow opener. A pressurized air stream conveys seeds through each seed tube and a seed supply supplies seeds to each singulating meter. A meter control operates each singulating meter to provide a variable seeding rate that is independent of the seeding rates of the other singulating meters. A seed catching member follows each furrow opener and catches the seeds exiting the seed tubes to maintain a consistent seed spacing in the furrow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seeding apparatus comprising:
 an implement frame mounted on implement wheels for travel in an operating travel direction;   a plurality of furrow opener assemblies mounted on the implement frame and spaced laterally along the implement frame at a row spacing, each furrow opener assembly comprising a furrow opener operative to create a furrow when engaged in a ground surface;   a like plurality of singulating meters, each singulating meter mounted on the implement frame in proximity to a corresponding furrow opener assembly;   a like plurality of seed tubes, each seed tube configured at an input end thereof to receive singulated seeds from a corresponding singulating meter and configured at an output end thereof to deposit the seeds in the furrow created by the furrow opener on the corresponding furrow opener assembly;   a pressurized air source configured to provide a seed air stream flowing through each seed tube to convey seeds through each seed tube to the output end thereof;   a seed supply operative to supply seeds to each singulating meter;   a meter control configured to operate each singulating meter to provide a seeding rate that is independent of the seeding rates of the other singulating meters.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each seed tube is configured to discharge seeds in a downward and rearward direction, and each furrow opener assembly comprises a seed catching member configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow and contact the seeds as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the seed catching member comprises one of a seed wheel and a seed finger. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the seed catching member is movable only vertically up and down with respect to the output end of the seed tube, and the seed catching member is biased in a downward direction with respect to the output end of the seed tube. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the seed catching member comprises a seed finger with a front end thereof pivotally mounted to the furrow opener assembly about a substantially horizontal finger pivot axis located above and in close proximity to the output end of the seed tube, the seed finger configured such that a bottom surface thereof stays at a location above and in proximity to a seed path of seeds exiting the output end of the seed tube as a rear portion of the bottom surface of the seed finger moves along the bottom of the corresponding furrow and the seed finger pivots up and down in response to variations in terrain. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the seed tube is oriented upright and curves rearward near the output end thereof such that seeds exit the output end of the seed tube along a seed path oriented about 10 to 40 degrees up from horizontal, and wherein the bottom surface of the seed finger curves downward from the finger pivot axis toward the seed path. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a bias element operative to exert a downward bias force on the seed finger. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein on each furrow opener assembly the seed catching member and seed tube are mounted to a common bracket, and wherein a position of the common bracket is adjustable with respect to the furrow opener of the furrow opener assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the output end of the seed tube is fixed with respect to the common bracket and the seed catching member is mounted to the common bracket such that the seed catching member can move only vertically up and down with respect to the common bracket, and comprising a bias element operative to exert a downward bias force on the seed catching member with respect to the common bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the seed catching member comprises a seed wheel rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal rotational axis to a vertical shaft that is movable only up and down in a channel of the common bracket, and wherein the bias element comprises a spring configured to exert the downward bias force on the vertical shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein a forward edge of the seed wheel is forward of the output end of the seed tube, and wherein the seed wheel, the output end of the seed tube, and the furrow are configured such that seeds exiting the seed tube contacts the bottom of the furrow adjacent to the bottom edge of the seed wheel or contacts the seed wheel adjacent to the bottom of the furrow. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the seed catching member comprises a seed finger with a front end thereof located above and in proximity to the output end of the seed tube and a rear portion thereof located at the bottom of the furrow. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the seed finger is attached to a vertical shaft that is movable only up and down in a channel of the common bracket, and wherein the bias element comprises a spring configured to exert the downward bias force on the vertical shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein on each furrow opener assembly the seed catching member and seed tube are mounted in fixed positions to a follower bracket, and wherein the follower bracket is movable only vertically with respect to the furrow opener assembly, and comprising a bias element operative to exert a downward bias force on the follower bracket with respect to the furrow opener assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the seed catching member comprises a seed wheel rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal rotational axis to the follower bracket such that the rotational axis is fixed with respect to the output end of the seed tube, and wherein the follower bracket is attached to a vertical shaft that is movable only up and down in a channel of the furrow opener assembly, and wherein the bias element comprises a spring configured to exert the downward bias force on the vertical shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the seed catching member comprises a seed finger mounted to the follower bracket in a fixed position with respect to the output end of the seed tube, and wherein the follower bracket is attached to a vertical shaft that is movable only up and down in a channel of the furrow opener assembly, and wherein the bias element comprises a spring configured to exert the downward bias force on the vertical shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each seed catching member is oriented with respect to the output end of the corresponding seed tube such that seeds exiting the output end of the seed tube contact the seed catching member before contacting the ground. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the furrow openers are provided by one of a disc and a knife. 
     
     
         19 . A seeding apparatus comprising:
 an implement frame mounted on implement wheels for travel in an operating travel direction;   a furrow opener assembly mounted on the implement frame and comprising a furrow opener operative to create a furrow when engaged in a ground surface;   a singulating meter operative to dispense singulated seeds into an input end of a seed tube, and a pressurized air source configured to provide a seed air stream flowing through the seed tube to convey the seeds through the seed tube to an output end thereof configured to discharge the seeds in a downward and rearward direction into the furrow;   a seed catching member configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow and contact the seeds as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow;   wherein the seed catching member and seed tube are mounted in fixed positions to a follower bracket, and wherein the follower bracket is movable only vertically with respect to the furrow opener assembly, and comprising a bias element operative to exert a downward bias force on the follower bracket with respect to the furrow opener assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the seed catching member comprises a seed wheel rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal rotational axis to the follower bracket such that the rotational axis is fixed with respect to the output end of the seed tube, and wherein the follower bracket is attached to a vertical shaft that is movable only up and down in a channel of the furrow opener assembly, and wherein the bias element comprises a spring configured to exert the downward bias force on the vertical shaft. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the seed catching member comprises a seed finger mounted to the follower bracket in a fixed position with respect to the output end of the seed tube, and wherein the follower bracket is attached to a vertical shaft that is movable only up and down in a channel of the furrow opener assembly, and wherein the bias element comprises a spring configured to exert the downward bias force on the vertical shaft.