US5088561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensing apparatus for a guidance system
Assignee: Sukup Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1990-11-02
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Granted: 1992-02-18
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Expires: 2010-11-02
Abstract
Abstract An agricultural implement guidance system having a sensing apparatus and sensing apparatus brackets. The sensing apparatus brackets have an offset configuration so that the brackets form a V-shape when the brackets are attached to the support rod. The sensing apparatus is attached to the lower portion of the brackets and is a flexible material which will follow the valley between the ridges or a furrow created by a row marker on a planter.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry F. Jurgena
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:18
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B69/00; A01B69/003; A01B69/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A guidance system for a ground traversing implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes sensor means for mounting in a fixed position on said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia, means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor means for generating a correction signal, said tracking element having a first portion for contacting the ground for tracking purposes and a second portion extending upward from the lead end of said first portion to said position sensor mechanism, said first portion comprising the entire ground contacting and tracking portion of said tracking element and consisting entirely of an elongate member which is freely flexible to conform to the ground reference indicia and uniformly weighted throughout its length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A guidance system for a ground traversing implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes sensor means for mounting in a fixed position on said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia, means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor means for generating a correction signal, said tracking element having a first portion for contacting the ground for tracking purposes and a second portion extending upward from the lead end of said first portion to said position sensor mechanism, said first portion comprising the entire ground contacting and tracking portion of said tracking element and consisting entirely of an elongate member which is freely flexible to conform to the ground reference indicia and uniformly weighted throughout its length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein said tracking element is a chain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein said tracking element is a link chain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein said element is attached directly to said sensor means and is of uniform construction throughout its length from said attachment to said sensor means to and throughout its ground-contacting length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as in claim 4 wherein said tracking element is a chain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a guidance system for a ground traversing implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes sensor means for mounting in a fixed position on said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia, means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor means for generating a correction signal, the improvement wherein said tracking element having a first portion for contacting the ground for tracking purposes and a second portion extending upward from the lead end of said first portion to said position sensor mechanism, said first portion comprising the entire ground contacting and tracking portion of said tracking element and consisting entirely of an elongate member which is freely flexible to conform to the ground reference indicia and uniformly weighted throughout its length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a guidance system for a ground traversing implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes sensor means for mounting in a fixed position on said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia, means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor means for generating a correction signal, the improvement wherein said tracking element having a first portion for contacting the ground for tracking purposes and a second portion extending upward from the lead end of said first portion to said position sensor mechanism, said first portion comprising the entire ground contacting and tracking portion of said tracking element and consisting entirely of an elongate member which is freely flexible to conform to the ground reference indicia and uniformly weighted throughout its length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as in claim 6 wherein said tracking element is a chain.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as in claim 6 wherein said tracking element is a link chain.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as in claim 6 wherein said element is attached directly to said sensor means and is of uniform construction throughout its length from said attachment to said sensor means to and throughout its ground contacting length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as in claim 9 wherein said tracking element is a chain.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes means for mounting said sensor mechanism to said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor mechanism for generating a correction signal, said tracking element having a first portion for contacting the ground for tracking purposes and a second portion extending upward from the lead end of said first portion to said position sensor mechanism, said first portion comprising the entire ground contacting and tracking portion of said tracking element and consisting entirely of an elongate member which is freely flexible to conform to the ground reference indicia and uniformly weighted throughout its length.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes means for mounting said sensor mechanism to said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor mechanism for generating a correction signal, said tracking element having a first portion for contacting the ground for tracking purposes and a second portion extending upward from the lead end of said first portion to said position sensor mechanism, said first portion comprising the entire ground contacting and tracking portion of said tracking element and consisting entirely of an elongate member which is freely flexible to conform to the ground reference indicia and uniformly weighted throughout its length.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as in claim 11 wherein said position sensor mechanism includes a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal movement between said tracking element and portions of said sensor mechanism which are mounted to said implement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as in claim 11 wherein said tracking element is a chain.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as in claim 11 wherein said tracking element is a link chain.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as in claim 11 wherein said element is attached directly to said sensor mechanism and is of uniform construction throughout its length from said attachment to said sensor mechanism to and throughout its ground-contacting length.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as in claim 15 wherein said tracking element is a chain.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
102 words
A guidance system for a ground traversing implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes sensor means for mounting in a fixed position on said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia and which has a portion for contacting the ground, means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor means for generating a correction signal, said tracking element is a chain which is attached directly to said sensor means and is of uniform construction throughout its length from said attachment to said sensor means to and throughout the portion which contacts the ground.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
102 words
A guidance system for a ground traversing implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes sensor means for mounting in a fixed position on said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia and which has a portion for contacting the ground, means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor means for generating a correction signal, said tracking element is a chain which is attached directly to said sensor means and is of uniform construction throughout its length from said attachment to said sensor means to and throughout the portion which contacts the ground.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a guidance system for a ground traversing implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes sensor means for mounting in a fixed position on said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia and which has a portion for contacting the ground, means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor means for generating a correction signal, the improvement wherein said tracking element is a chain which is attached directly to said sensor means and is of uniform construction throughout its length from said attachment to said sensor means to and throughout the portion which contacts the ground.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a guidance system for a ground traversing implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes sensor means for mounting in a fixed position on said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia and which has a portion for contacting the ground, means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor means for generating a correction signal, the improvement wherein said tracking element is a chain which is attached directly to said sensor means and is of uniform construction throughout its length from said attachment to said sensor means to and throughout the portion which contacts the ground.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
98 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes means for mounting said sensor mechanism to said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia which has a portion for contacting the ground, means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor mechanism for generating a correction signal, said tracking element is a chain which is attached directly to said sensor means and is of uniform construction throughout its length from said attachment to said sensor means to and throughout the portion which contacts the ground.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
98 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a position sensor mechanism which includes means for mounting said sensor mechanism to said implement, an element for tracking ground reference indicia which has a portion for contacting the ground, means responsive to the lateral deviation in position of said tracking element relative to said sensor mechanism for generating a correction signal, said tracking element is a chain which is attached directly to said sensor means and is of uniform construction throughout its length from said attachment to said sensor means to and throughout the portion which contacts the ground.
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) | 1995-02-17 | 1995-08-19 | 1996-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-17 | 1999-08-19 | 2000-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-17 | 2003-08-19 | 2004-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |