US3661213A — Agricultural apparatus for shaped beds

Claim 1

Independent Claim 349 words

In an agricultural apparatus for shaped beds formed in the ground in a field, a framework, means supporting the framework to permit movement of the framework through the field, bed shaping means carried by the framework and extending longitudinally of the framework, said bed shaping means including spaced parallel downwardly extending and outwardly inclined side walls, a shaft rotatably mounted on the framework extending laterally of the framework, a mulcher assembly mounted on said shaft for engaging the top surface of the bed between the side walls of the bed shaping means, means mounted on the framework for rotating the shaft and the mulcher assembly carried thereby, a housing mounted on said framework and on the bed shaping means between the ends of the bed shaping means and substantially enclosing the upper extremity of the mulcher assembly, said housing having spaced parallel side walls extending downwardly and adjoining the side walls of the bed shaping means, said housing being provided with an opening to the rear extending upwardly from the bottom of the housing across the width of the housing, the portion of the housing defining the upper extremity of the opening being spaced a distance above the bed and the shaft, said housing including gate means, means pivotally mounting said gate means on the housing for swinging movement to and from a closed position with respect to said opening about a horizontal axis above said shaft, said gate means having a width so that it extends across the width of the entire top surface of the bed and having a length such that its lower extremity engages the top surface of the bed and is spaced a substantial distance above the lower extremities of the side walls of the bed shaping means, and means carried by the framework and engaging the gate means for yieldably urging said gate means toward said closed posItion to retain clods over a certain size in the housing until they are broken up by the mulcher assembly to form soil of a size which can escape from the housing under said gate means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 349 words

In an agricultural apparatus for shaped beds formed in the ground in a field, a framework, means supporting the framework to permit movement of the framework through the field, bed shaping means carried by the framework and extending longitudinally of the framework, said bed shaping means including spaced parallel downwardly extending and outwardly inclined side walls, a shaft rotatably mounted on the framework extending laterally of the framework, a mulcher assembly mounted on said shaft for engaging the top surface of the bed between the side walls of the bed shaping means, means mounted on the framework for rotating the shaft and the mulcher assembly carried thereby, a housing mounted on said framework and on the bed shaping means between the ends of the bed shaping means and substantially enclosing the upper extremity of the mulcher assembly, said housing having spaced parallel side walls extending downwardly and adjoining the side walls of the bed shaping means, said housing being provided with an opening to the rear extending upwardly from the bottom of the housing across the width of the housing, the portion of the housing defining the upper extremity of the opening being spaced a distance above the bed and the shaft, said housing including gate means, means pivotally mounting said gate means on the housing for swinging movement to and from a closed position with respect to said opening about a horizontal axis above said shaft, said gate means having a width so that it extends across the width of the entire top surface of the bed and having a length such that its lower extremity engages the top surface of the bed and is spaced a substantial distance above the lower extremities of the side walls of the bed shaping means, and means carried by the framework and engaging the gate means for yieldably urging said gate means toward said closed posItion to retain clods over a certain size in the housing until they are broken up by the mulcher assembly to form soil of a size which can escape from the housing under said gate means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 together with a bed shaper mounted on said framework and extending forwardly of said housing and below said housing.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 57 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said mulching assemblies consist of a pair of hub-like members removably secured to said shaft, and a plurality of tines mounted on said members, said tines having portions extending laterally of the framework and being spaced so as to cover laterally the surface of the bed over which the framework travels.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for holding said gate in a closed position consists of spring means yieldably holding said gate in a closed position.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said bed shapers are provided with extensions which extend to the rear of the mulching assembly.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 48 words

Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said members have substantially semi-circular portions spaced laterally from each other at diametral positions in the shaft and wherein said tines are substantially L-shaped, two of said tines being mounted on each of said hub-like members and being spaced approximately 90* apart.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-05-09	1975-11-08	1976-05-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-05-09	1979-11-08	1980-05-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-05-09	1983-11-08	1984-05-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Agricultural apparatus for shaped beds

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