The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 09, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 04, 1998
George B Kinkead, St. Paul, MN (US);
Vernon J Worrel, Mahtomedi, MN (US);
Scott Bjorge, Owatonna, MN (US);
Matthew A Donner, St. Anthony, MN (US);
Turfco Manufacturing Incorporated, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
The seeder apparatus includes a first hopper for dispensing seeds onto a conveyor mechanism to be moved thereby to an entry nip between a rotary brush and the conveyor mechanism for propelling the seed downwardly at the discharge end of the frame on which the hopper is mounted. A shield assembly is mounted to the frame discharge end portion to minimize the effects of wind on the trajectory of seed or other material being propelled to the ground by a brush and conveyor mechanism. In one embodiment, a metering gate extends vertically in its closed position relative to the conveyor mechanism, the metering gate controlling the rate of dispensation of seed being moved to the entry nip. In a second embodiment, the seed hopper is mounted to a top dresser hopper whereby either seed from the seed hopper and/or dressing material from the top dresser hopper may be moved by the conveyor mechanism to the entry nip, with a top dressing metering gate being provided for controlling the rate of dispersion of material from the top dresser hopper to the entry nip.