US3827504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rod weeder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-03-21
•
Granted: 1974-08-06
•
Expires: 1993-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A rod weeder for setting a moisture level slightly below ground level and for controlling weeds prior to seeding. The weeder is comprised of a plurality of rectangular rod or helical coil members loosely encircling a wire rope or cable. The cable is held under tension between at least two furrow opening elements of a seed drill or other implement. The rod or coil members are free to rotate on the cable. As the weeder is moved along through the ground, the rod or coil members rotate in a direction corresponding with the direction of travel to compact the soil below and to tear through weed roots.
Inventors
- 👤 C Zimmerman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:12
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B39/00; A01B39/12; A01B39/18; A01B39/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
In a farm implement of the type having: a supporting framework adapted to be towed by a draft vehicle; a plurality of earth engaging elements mounted in pairs to said framework and transversely spaced across the path of said draft vehicle for selectively penetrating the ground at a desired depth, thereby forming elongated furrows in the soil as the draft vehicle moves along; and a transverse rod mechanism extending between each pair of sAid earth engaging elements at an operative sub-soil elevation as determined by said earth engaging elements; an improvement in the rod mechanism between each pair of earth engaging elements comprising: a flexible cable affixed to and held taut between said earth engaging elements along a transverse axis; and a plurality of elongated longitudinally hollow rod members freely rotatably mounted to said cable between said earth engaging elements and having rotational axes coaxial with said transverse axis, thereby allowing the cable to flex between said earth engaging elements also allowing free rotation of the individual hollow members thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a farm implement of the type having: a supporting framework adapted to be towed by a draft vehicle; a plurality of earth engaging elements mounted in pairs to said framework and transversely spaced across the path of said draft vehicle for selectively penetrating the ground at a desired depth, thereby forming elongated furrows in the soil as the draft vehicle moves along; and a transverse rod mechanism extending between each pair of sAid earth engaging elements at an operative sub-soil elevation as determined by said earth engaging elements; an improvement in the rod mechanism between each pair of earth engaging elements comprising: a flexible cable affixed to and held taut between said earth engaging elements along a transverse axis; and a plurality of elongated longitudinally hollow rod members freely rotatably mounted to said cable between said earth engaging elements and having rotational axes coaxial with said transverse axis, thereby allowing the cable to flex between said earth engaging elements also allowing free rotation of the individual hollow members thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implement defined in claim 1 further comprising a bearing means within each of said members for allowing free rotational movement of the members about said transverse axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implement defined in claim 2 wherein said cable is formed of a twisted wire rope extending along said transverse axis between said earth engaging elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The implement defined in claim 1 wherein the outer surfaces of said rod members have a constant polygonal cross-sectional configuration throughout their respective lengths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implement defined in claim 4 wherein the cross-sectional outer surface configuration of each member is square.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The implement defined in claim 3 wherein the members are circular in cross sectional outer surface configuration and are comprised of helical coils expanded along the axis of the circular cross-section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The implement defined in claim 6 wherein two coils are oriented end to end on the wire rope between successive earth engaging elements with the helical coils of each oppositely spiraling away from an adjacent earth engaging element to facilitate movement of material engaged thereby away from the adjacent elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
A rod weeder for use in combination with transversely spaced sub-soil farm implement tooks, comprising: a length of flexible wire rope adapted to be fixed in a taut condition between the tools along a transverse axis; and a plurality of hollow rod members of polygonal cross-section adapted to be mounted about the wire rope between adjacent tools for free rotation relative to the wire rope about said transverse axis, and for flexing with the wire rope upon engagement with solid objects, such as rocks, as the tools are moved through the earth; wherein the rod members include coaxial interior circular bearing surfaces adapted to engage the wire rope to facilitate free coaxial rotation of the individual rod members relative to one another about said transverse axis; and wherein said rod members include a total length spanning the distance between adjacent tools when mounted coaxially end to end along the wire rope.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
A rod weeder for use in combination with transversely spaced sub-soil farm implement tooks, comprising: a length of flexible wire rope adapted to be fixed in a taut condition between the tools along a transverse axis; and a plurality of hollow rod members of polygonal cross-section adapted to be mounted about the wire rope between adjacent tools for free rotation relative to the wire rope about said transverse axis, and for flexing with the wire rope upon engagement with solid objects, such as rocks, as the tools are moved through the earth; wherein the rod members include coaxial interior circular bearing surfaces adapted to engage the wire rope to facilitate free coaxial rotation of the individual rod members relative to one another about said transverse axis; and wherein said rod members include a total length spanning the distance between adjacent tools when mounted coaxially end to end along the wire rope.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |