US5327708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crop testing and evaluation system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-06-20
•
Granted: 1994-07-12
•
Expires: 2011-06-20
Abstract
Abstract The crop testing and evaluation system includes a plurality of measuring and testing devices that measure the weight, moisture content, and test weight of a crop. Other measuring devices that test the crop for characteristics such as protein content, sugar content, oil content and color may also be included. Mounting accessories are included in the system for attaching the measuring devices to the crop gathering compartment of a harvesting vehicle. As the crop is harvested and fed to the compartment, periodic readings of the measuring devices are taken by a microprocessor and supplied to a computer for analysis and evaluation. Preferably, the microprocessor and computer are positioned in the cab of the harvesting vehicle within reach of the harvest operator. The present invention also provides an efficient method of evaluating research products, such as plant hybrids and varieties.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven R. Gerrish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:31
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01F; A01F12/00; A01D; A01D41/00; A01D41/12; A01D41/1208; A01D41/127; A01D41/1271; A01D41/1272; A01D41/1277; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S56/00; Y10S56/02; Y10S56/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of harvesting and analyzing harvest data in a field of plant hybrids or varieties, which comprises: (a) harvesting the experimental plots of said plant hybrids or varieties with a combine having a testing and evaluating assembly removably attached thereto, and a computer on line with said assembly, (b) recording the harvest data obtained from said harvesting of experimental plots, (c) storing said harvest data in said computer, and (d) generating reports in said field, wherein said testing and evaluating assembly comprises: first crop collection means for collecting a first quantity of the crop; weighing means for determining a weight of the first quantity of crop collected by said first crop collection means and outputting a first signal corresponding to the weight; an attachment assembly comprising a support frame which is removably attached to the outer perimeter of a crop storage tank and at least two suspension members coupled to said frame, said weighing means and said first crop collection means, such that said first crop collection means is suspended in said crop storage tank; and processing means for receiving and processing said first signal and determining a quality of the crop based on said first signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of harvesting and analyzing harvest data in a field of plant hybrids or varieties, which comprises: (a) harvesting the experimental plots of said plant hybrids or varieties with a combine having a testing and evaluating assembly removably attached thereto, and a computer on line with said assembly, (b) recording the harvest data obtained from said harvesting of experimental plots, (c) storing said harvest data in said computer, and (d) generating reports in said field, wherein said testing and evaluating assembly comprises: first crop collection means for collecting a first quantity of the crop; weighing means for determining a weight of the first quantity of crop collected by said first crop collection means and outputting a first signal corresponding to the weight; an attachment assembly comprising a support frame which is removably attached to the outer perimeter of a crop storage tank and at least two suspension members coupled to said frame, said weighing means and said first crop collection means, such that said first crop collection means is suspended in said crop storage tank; and processing means for receiving and processing said first signal and determining a quality of the crop based on said first signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said testing and evaluating assembly is removably suspended from the top of said crop storage tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said testing and evaluating assembly has the capacity of holding in excess of 400 pounds of grain in said first crop collection means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said testing and evaluating assembly is removably attached to the inside of said crop storage tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the harvesting of two or more of said experimental plots is accomplished in one continuous process across the test, without pausing or stopping between said plots.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of harvesting and analyzing harvest data in a field of plant hybrids or varieties, which comprises: (a) harvesting said plant hybrids or varieties with a combine having a testing and evaluating assembly attached thereto, and a computer on line with said assembly, (b) recording the harvest data obtained from said harvest of said plant hybrids or varieties, (c) storing said harvest data in said computer, and (d) generating reports in said field, wherein said testing and evaluating assembly comprises: a vehicle having a crop storage tank therein; weighing means coupled to said crop storage tank for determining a weight of a first quantity of crop collected in said crop storage tank and outputting a first signal corresponding to the weight; first means for attaching said weighing means to said vehicle; and processing means, coupled to the weighing means, for receiving and processing said first signal and determining a quality of the crop based on said first signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of harvesting and analyzing harvest data in a field of plant hybrids or varieties, which comprises: (a) harvesting said plant hybrids or varieties with a combine having a testing and evaluating assembly attached thereto, and a computer on line with said assembly, (b) recording the harvest data obtained from said harvest of said plant hybrids or varieties, (c) storing said harvest data in said computer, and (d) generating reports in said field, wherein said testing and evaluating assembly comprises: a vehicle having a crop storage tank therein; weighing means coupled to said crop storage tank for determining a weight of a first quantity of crop collected in said crop storage tank and outputting a first signal corresponding to the weight; first means for attaching said weighing means to said vehicle; and processing means, coupled to the weighing means, for receiving and processing said first signal and determining a quality of the crop based on said first signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said reports are generated by a spread sheet or database software package.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said computer is located on said combine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said method of harvesting and analyzing harvest data is accomplished in one continuous process across said field, without pausing or stopping.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1203285A
Cited
US1870240A
Cited
US2756983A
Cited
US3073099A
Cited
US3065808A
Cited
US3606742A
Cited
US3961247A
Cited
US4403191A
Cited
US4852028A
Cited
US4621229A
Cited
US4487278A
Cited
US4722408A
Cited
US4766964A
Cited
US4951031A
Cited
US4919222A
Cited
US4929904A
Cited
US5092819A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-11 | 1998-01-10 | 1998-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-11 | 2002-01-10 | 2002-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-01-10 | 2006-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |