Patent US3850286A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3850286A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seed selector
Assignee: Union Carbide Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-14
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1993-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A seed selector comprising a vertical cylinder blocked at both its upper and lower ends with a central opening on its lower end which flares outwardly in the downward direction. A piston in the cylinder has secured to its lower end three spring wire fingers that extend out through the central opening and spread apart therebelow, each finger having an inwardly hooked end. When fluid pressure is applied, typically as a vacuum to the upper end of the piston, the piston is raised upwardly and the fingers are moved upwardly while the hooked ends move inwardly so that they can seize between them a seed and lift the seed. Generally speaking, the device is then moved to another position and the seed is dropped by bleeding the vacuum to atmosphere so that the piston drops to its lowest position and the fingers open.
Inventors
- 👤 C Tobin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:06
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C7/00; A01C7/04; A01C1/00; A01C1/04; A01C1/046; B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
In a seed-tape manufacturing device having a rotating device with a series of seed selectors arranged in a series around the circumference of a circle on individual arms, which move down into a seed storage device to pick up a seed and then move up and later release said seed on to a seed tape, the combination therewith wherein said seed selector for lifting up a single seed from said seed storage device and for later lowering and releasing the seed, includes in combination a vertical cylinder having a lower end provided with a lower radial wall having a central opening that flares outwardly in the downward direction, and an upper radial wall, and having a port at its upper end, a piston in said cylinder actuable by fluid flow through said port, and three spring wire fingers anchored to the lower end of said piston and extending out through said central opening and spreading apart therebelow, each said finger having an inwardly hooked end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a seed-tape manufacturing device having a rotating device with a series of seed selectors arranged in a series around the circumference of a circle on individual arms, which move down into a seed storage device to pick up a seed and then move up and later release said seed on to a seed tape, the combination therewith wherein said seed selector for lifting up a single seed from said seed storage device and for later lowering and releasing the seed, includes in combination a vertical cylinder having a lower end provided with a lower radial wall having a central opening that flares outwardly in the downward direction, and an upper radial wall, and having a port at its upper end, a piston in said cylinder actuable by fluid flow through said port, and three spring wire fingers anchored to the lower end of said piston and extending out through said central opening and spreading apart therebelow, each said finger having an inwardly hooked end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 having spring means urging said piston normally down against said lower radial wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
191 words
A seed-tape manufacturing device comprising a seed storage device, a seed-tape translation device spaced from said seed tape storage device, and a rotating device with a series of seed selectors arranged in a series around the circumference of a circle on individual arms, said arms moving down into said seed storage device to pick up a seed, then moving it up, and later after further rotating of said rotating device release said seed on to a seed tape carried by said translation device, said seed selector, which serves for lifting up a single seed from said seed storage device and for later lowering and releasing the seed, including in combination a vertical cylinder having a lower end provided with a lower radial wall having a central opening that flares outwardly in the downward direction, and an upper radial wall, and having a port at its upper end, a piston in said cylinder actuable by fluid flow through said port, and three spring wire fingers anchored to the lower end of said piston and extending out through said central opening and spreading apart therebelow, each said finger having an inwardly hooked end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
191 words
A seed-tape manufacturing device comprising a seed storage device, a seed-tape translation device spaced from said seed tape storage device, and a rotating device with a series of seed selectors arranged in a series around the circumference of a circle on individual arms, said arms moving down into said seed storage device to pick up a seed, then moving it up, and later after further rotating of said rotating device release said seed on to a seed tape carried by said translation device, said seed selector, which serves for lifting up a single seed from said seed storage device and for later lowering and releasing the seed, including in combination a vertical cylinder having a lower end provided with a lower radial wall having a central opening that flares outwardly in the downward direction, and an upper radial wall, and having a port at its upper end, a piston in said cylinder actuable by fluid flow through said port, and three spring wire fingers anchored to the lower end of said piston and extending out through said central opening and spreading apart therebelow, each said finger having an inwardly hooked end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 3 having spring means urging said piston normally down against said lower radial wall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |