US3658136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Row crop thinning implement
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-02
•
Granted: 1972-04-25
•
Expires: 1990-03-02
Abstract
Abstract An improved apparatus for thinning growing plants planted in a row and growing less than a predetermined distance apart; the apparatus including an implement having a hoe swingable in a pendular arc to engage and remove undesired plants, the hoe connected to a shaft mounted on and extended coaxially to a wheeled frame pivotally connected to a self-propelled vehicle, a motor operably connected to the shaft and adapted to selectively adjust the speed of the swinging hoe independently of the speed of the vehicle, and a lift mechanism to raise and lower the implement frame relative to the ground for operating and transporting purposes. The lift mechanism includes a hydraulically operated piston and cylinder unit pivotally connected to the vehicle below the implement frame, a lift member connected to and embracing the unit, the member having a flanged lower end, and a sleeve member pivotally connected to the frame and slidably mounting the lift member thereto whereby extending the unit engages the lift member flange and the sleeve to raise the frame, the frame and sleeve member being free to pivot downwardly upon contraction of the unit. The vehicle is hydraulically powered and includes a frame and engine, a pair of drive wheels, a pair of steerable wheels, and a hydraulic mechanism including a hydraulic motor interconnecting the engine and drive wheels to propel the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Arnold E Ernst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:14
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B41/00; A01B41/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S172/00; Y10S172/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants planted in a row and growing less than a predetermined distance apart, the apparatus comprising: a self-propelled vehicle having a tool bar and adapted to move parallel one or more rows; an elongated frame having one end thereof pivotally connected to said tool bar, said frame extended forwardly of said vehicle and in the direction of movement thereof, said frame adapted to extend over a row; a shaft rotatably connected to said frame; means attached to said shaft to reciprocally rotate said shaft; hoe means connected to said shaft and swingable in a pendular arc by said shaft for engaging and removing the undesired plants; means attached to the extended end of said frame for supporting said frame above the ground; and means for raising and lowering said frame about its pivotal connection and including a hydraulic cylinder and piston unit connected at one end to said vehicle, a lift member substantially enclosing said cylinder and having a flanged lower end, said lift member connected to the other end of said unit, and a sleeve pivotally connected to said frame to receive and slidably mount said lift member from said flanged end engagable with said sleeve to raise said frame upon extension of said hydraulic unit and disengagable from said sleeve to lower said frame upon retraction of said unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
226 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants planted in a row and growing less than a predetermined distance apart, the apparatus comprising: a self-propelled vehicle having a tool bar and adapted to move parallel one or more rows; an elongated frame having one end thereof pivotally connected to said tool bar, said frame extended forwardly of said vehicle and in the direction of movement thereof, said frame adapted to extend over a row; a shaft rotatably connected to said frame; means attached to said shaft to reciprocally rotate said shaft; hoe means connected to said shaft and swingable in a pendular arc by said shaft for engaging and removing the undesired plants; means attached to the extended end of said frame for supporting said frame above the ground; and means for raising and lowering said frame about its pivotal connection and including a hydraulic cylinder and piston unit connected at one end to said vehicle, a lift member substantially enclosing said cylinder and having a flanged lower end, said lift member connected to the other end of said unit, and a sleeve pivotally connected to said frame to receive and slidably mount said lift member from said flanged end engagable with said sleeve to raise said frame upon extension of said hydraulic unit and disengagable from said sleeve to lower said frame upon retraction of said unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a mounting assembly pivotally connected to said tool bar and a tubular housing attached to said assembly and extended forwardly thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants as defined in claim 2 wherein said shaft is rotatably mounted within said housing and extends coaxially thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants as defined in claim 3 wherein said housing includes an aperture formed in the bottom portion thereof through which said hoe means extends from its connection with said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants as defined in claim 4 wherein said shaft includes a lever connected thereto and extended laterally thereof, and said rotating means includes a motor having a cam operably connected thereto, and a connecting rod operably connecting said cam and lever to reciprocally rotate said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants as defined in claim 5 wherein said motor is mounted on said vehicle and includes controls to selectively adjust the speed of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants as defined in claim 6 wherein said motor is hydraulically powered.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants as defined in claim 7 wherein said hoe means includes a hoe blade swingable through the pendular arc from one side of the row to the other in an oscillating manner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants as defined in claim 8 wherein said frame supporting means further includes a beam extending substantially normal to said housing and secured to its outer end, said beam including a pair of downwardly extending wheel mounting arms, each of said arms having a slot formed therein, and a pair of axles extending through said slots and connected to said arms to rotatably mount a pair of wheels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus for thinning growing plants as defined in claim 9 wherein said axles are slidably mounted in said slots to selectively adjust the height of said hoe blade relative to the axes of said wheels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
BE559865A
Cited
US2626553A
Cited
US2616348A
Cited
US2648269A
Cited
US2744459A
Cited
US3014537A
Cited
US2980190A
Cited
US3138210A
Cited
US3181618A
Cited
AT247060B
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |