WO2015016721A2

WO2015016721A2 - A counter for a rising platemeter

Info

Publication number: WO2015016721A2
Application number: PCT/NZ2014/000153
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shanon Matthew Martin
Original assignee: Nz Agriworks Limited
Priority date: 2013-07-29
Filing date: 2014-07-28
Publication date: 2015-02-05
Also published as: WO2015016721A3

Abstract

A counter (7) for a rising plate meter (1), the counter (7) comprising a counter body integrally formed with a tubular upstand (3) adapted to, in use, slideably receive a ground engageable probe rod (2) of a rising platemeter (1), the counter (7) including actuation means (9a, 9b) to, in use, generates measurement of the position of the ground engaging end (5) of the said probe rod (2) relative to the underside of a plate (4) of the said platemeter (1), and a display means (8), the counter (7) being characterised in that the display means (8) is oriented at an angle of between 90° and 30° from the longitudinal axis of the tubular upstand (3).

Description

A COUNTER FOR A RISING PLATEMETER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in pasture measuring equipment and, more particularly, to improvements in rising platemeters.

BACKGROUND ART

A known manual rising platemctcr typically consists of a plate with a tubular upstand perpendicularly extending from the centre of one side of the plate. A probe rod is slidingly captured within the tubular upstand. The probe rod has a first, ground engaging, end which extends beyond the plate mounted end of tubular upstand, and on and through an aperture in the plate. The opposite end of the probe rod typically terminates in a handle which extends beyond the free end of the tubular upstand.

When the platemeter is used it is held so that the probe rod is substantially vertical. The plate, with gravity applying a downwards force, is maintained above the absolute ground level by the canopy of the grass directly between the underside of the plate and the ground. The first end of the probe rod, however, is able to pass through the mass of grass and rest on the ground. The distance between the ground engaging end of the probe rod and the plate is measured by a mechanical counter mounted on the tubular upstand, or a ruler on the handle end of the probe rod and a measurement guide at the free end of the tubular upstand. This distance provides an indication of the pasture cover (ie the slightly compressed grass height) at the location of measurement, and from taking a series of such measurements it is possible to estimate, with reasonable accuracy, the available grass feed cover within a paddock, and thus to make decisions and undertake informed planning about animal feeding and paddock stock rotation. The length of the probe rod Is typically such that a person can readily move about a pasture and take readings of pasture height by resting the plate flat on the canopy of the grass and push down on the prqbe rod to move its first end into contact with the ground surface.

Variops Improvements and developments ph the more widely known features of rising platemeters are discussed and disclosed in New Zealand Patent specifications 272324 and 314070, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference,

Determining actual pasture cover within a typically sized paddock with any degree of confidence requires 30 to 50 readings, ensuring that samples from all areas of the paddock are taken. Those readings are then averaged, and from there the figure Is Input into a conversion algorithm to determine feed availability.

There are numerous problems and issues with Manual platemeters. For example, each reading involves viewing and manual recording both the grass height reading at each location, and the reading number so as to make sure that sufficient readings are taken to establish a reliable representation of the pasture cover in a paddock. As 30 to 50 individual readings have to be taken the process of establishing the available pasture cover in a paddock is both time consuming, and laborious. It is also prone to errors being made through incorrect manual transcription of a reading from the platemeter into a notebook and/or from the notebook Into the spreadsheet used to calculate average grass height.

Platemeters with electronic counters go some v/ay towards resolving the above problems, in so far as they typically generate a digital output of the pasture height measurement, and store the various individual readings for subsequent download. Some such electronic counters also perform an averaainq Which can then be used in the pasture cover calculation. Still other electronic counters have the capacity to perform the averaging calculation on demand, and tb store multiple averages, so that the average pasture height in multiple paddocks can be taken in one session.

In all known examples the electronic counter is mounted on the tubular upstand, and utilises a potentiometer to generate the height measurement. The potentiometer is driven by a cog which engages teeth cut into the probe rod. As probe rod slides through the tubular upstand to make contact with the ground while the plat is held substantially stationary by the canopy of grass the cog is driven around by the teeth on the probe rod, and a height reading is generated.

The counter is typically mounted to the side of the tubular upstand, and has a small LCD screen on the side, facing diroctly laterally, or vertically, outwards.

While addressing in part some of the issues with manual platemeters, electronic counter platemeters introduce a further set of problems. In that regard, a correct reading relies on correct calibration of the potentiometer to both the cog and the counter. Any change in that calibration, whether as between the cog and the potentiometer, or the potentiometer and the counter, will result in erroneous readings. Moreover, because an operator does not need to physically check each reading as it is taken errors can creep in un-noticed. Such errors can include that no reading has been taken at all. This can then mean that the output of the paddock readings is not accurate because of calibration errors, or is not accurate because insufficient accurate readings have been taken so that a true representation of average of the paddock pasture cover is not obtained.

An object of the present invention is to go at least some way towards overcoming the above noted issues with both manual and known electronic counter platemeters, or otherwise to provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first broad aspect the invention comprises a counter for a platerneter, the counter comprising a counter body integrally formed with a tubular upstand adapted to, in use, slideably receive a ground engageable probe rod of a platerneter, the counter including actuation means to. In use, generate a measurement of the position of the ground engaging end of the probe rod relative to the underside of the plate of the said platerneter, and a display means, the counter being characterised in that the display means is oriented at an angle of between 90° and 30° from the longitudinal axis of the tubular upstand.

Orientation of the display means at an angle of between 90* and 30° from vertical provides a significant advantage over the prior art in that it enables, in use, an operator of the platerneter, whilst standing upright and holding the platerneter in a ground engaged pasture height measurement position, to readily confirm, by simply glancing down at the display means, that an acceptable data reading has occurred as each measurement is taken, rather than necessitating that they stop, lift the platerneter up, and check the counter after each reading.

';.

Preferably the counter includes a processor means to record and store measurements generated by the actuation means.

Preferably the actuation means comprises a cog mounted within the tubular upstand driving a potentiometer also mounted within the tubular upstand, and driven by a series of teeth located along the length of a probe rod of a platerneter.

Preferably the display means comprises an LCD screen, and most optimally the LCD screen is orientod at an angle of between 85° and 60° from the longitudinal axis of tho tubular upstand. Preferably the counter further Including means to electronically transfer captured pasture height data to removeable electronic storage media.

Preferably the means to transfer captured pasture height data can, is use, transfer said height data wirelessly in either real time or on demand.

Preferably the tubular upstand is formed from a moulded plastics material and provides a weather-proof housing for all electronic parts of the counter. Preferably the counter further Includes GPS location means such that, in use, the GPS location of each pasture height measurement Is captured contemporaneously with the height measurement.

Preferably the electronic counter is battery powered.

Broadly in a second aspect of the invention there is provided a platemeter including a counter according to the first broad aspect above and further comprising a plate having an aperture through its centre, the tubular upstand haying a first, free, end and a second, fixed, end, the tubular upstand being mounted at its fixed end to perpendicularly extend from the centre of one side of the said plate, and a probe rod that is slidingly captured within the tubular upstand and able to freely slide through the said aperture in the plate, wherein the probe rod has a first, ground engaging, end which extends beyond the plate mounted end of tubular upstand, and on and through the aperture in the plate, the second, handle end of the probe rod terminating in a handle which extends beyond the free end of the tubular upstand.

Preferably the probe rod is of circular cross section matching a correspondingly shaped elongate tubular aperture in the tubular upstand, and having a plurality of grooved circumferential notches equispaced along its length engageable by the cog of the actuation means. Alternatively the probe rod is of non-circular cross section having at least one substantially planar face, and has a plurality of equispaced parallel grooved notches in the face running perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the said rod, said notches corresponding in shape and Configuration to the teeth of the cog, said notches along a section of the length of the said rod.

Preferably the plate is detachably mounted to the tubular upstand.

In a third broad aspect the invention provides a pasture reading device comprising a platemeter according to tho second broad aspect together with a portable data processing device wherein the platemeter includes means to transfer captured pasture height data wirelessly in real time to the portable processing device.

Preferably the portable processing device is adapted to calculate pasture caver and feed availability.

Preferably the portable processing device Includes GPS location means so that the GPS location of each pasture height measurement is captured contemporaneously with the pasture height measurement.

An advantage of this feature is that the pasture height readings can later be location mapped against the paddock layout to establish whether or not the final reading obtained for pasture cover is an accurate reflection of the overall paddock by reference to tho spread within the paddock of the plot points.

Preferably the portable processing device is a smart phone or tablet, and more preferably a smart phone running the Android operating system.

Preferably the smart phone or tablet Includes an application to display araDhicallv the oaddock lavout and Pasture helqht measurement points, as well example, setting temporary break fencing in real time or to direct stock movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 : is an Isometric view of on embodiment of a platemeter according to the second broad aspect of the invention incorporating one embodiment of an electronic counter according to the first broad aspect,

Figure 2: is an exploded Isometric view of the platemeter of figure 1 ; and Figure 3: is a side elevation of the platemetor of figure 1 in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A platemeter according to the present Invention is generally indicated at 1 in the drawings. An electronic counter according to the invention is illustrated and identified at 7.

The platemeter 1 includes a plate 4 from which a tubular upstand 3 perpendicularly extends from the centre of one side. A probe rod 2 Is slidingly captured within the tubular upstand 3. The electronic counter 7 is integrally formed with the tubular upstand 3. Preferably the tubular upstand 3 is formed from a moulded plastics material and provides a weather-proof housing for all parts of the electronic counter 7. The probo rod 2 has a first, ground engaging, end 5 which extends beyond the plate mounted end of tubular upstand 3, and on and through an aperture in the plate 4. The opposite end of the probe rod 2 terminates in a handle 6 which extends beyond the free end of the tubular upstand 3. The electronic counter 7 includes an actuation means to generate a measurement of the Dbsition of the around enqaqlnq end 5 of the probe rod 2 actuation means comprises a cog 9a mounted within the tubular upstand 3 driving a potentiometer 9b also mounted within the tubula upstand 3, and is itself driven by a series of teeth 9 on the probe rod 2. The counter 7 further includes an LCD screen 8 oriented at an angle to, in use, be readily readable by an operator of the platemeter 1 so as be able to view data relating to each pasture measurement reading as it is taken.

In use an operator places the platemeter 1 at the desired measurement location within a paddock. Holding the probe rod 2 substantially vertically they then press the rod 2 downwardly so as to allow the ground engaging end 5 to contact the ground 10 through the grass canopy 11. In so doing the plate 4 is held up from the ground 10 by the grass canopy 11 , and as a result movement between the probe rod 2 and the tubular upstand 3 causes the grooves 6 to move driving the cog 9a which in turn drives the potentiometer 9b, thereby generating a pasture height reading.

By glancing downwardly at the time of measurement the operator is able to look directly at the LCD screen and confirm that a reading has been taken. To facilitate that the LCD screen 8 would typically, and as shown in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, extend outward ly from the main body of the tubular upstand 3 at an angle of between 5 and 45 degrees down from the horizontal. For convenience of use in the field the electronic counter 7 is battery powered using a battery mounted in the body of the tubular upstand 3. Equally, however, other battery mounting and meter powering options are envisaged.

Because the counter 7 is integrally formed with the tubular upstand 3 there is no scope for the counter 7 to be knocked out of alignment, or for the cog 9a and/or potentiometer 9b to become misaligned.

In the drawings the probe rod 2 is shown as of circular cross section matching a of grooved circumferential notches 6 equispaced along its length engageable by the cog 9a. However it is envisaged that an alternative configuration could Involve the probe rod 2 being of non-circular cross section, and having a plurality of equispaced grooved notches corresponding to the teeth of the cog 9a on a face thereof,

For storage and transport the plate 4 is desirabl detachable from the tubular upstand 3, This can be achieved most conveniently by mounting the plate 4 via a screw thread.

In one form the electronic counter 7 includes means to electronically transfer captured pasture height data to removeable electronic storage media. However in more preferred form the electronic counter 7 includes means to transfer captured pasture height data wirelessly in either real time, or on demand, to a processing device for calculating pasture cover and feed availability.

It is within the contemplation of the invention that a platemeter 1 incorporating a an electronic meter 7 with wireless data transfer capability be used in conjunction with a portable data processing device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer which includes a built in GPS chip so that as the captured pasture height data is wirelessly transferred in real time the GPS location of each pasture height measurement is Captured at the same time.

Preferably the smart phone includes an application to display graphically the paddock layout and pasture height measurement points, as well as to calculate in the field pasture cover so as to assist in, for example, setting temporary break fencing or to direct stock movement. The pasture meter and/or counter are open to modification within the scope of the following claims as will be appreciated by those skilled In the art.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A counter(7) for a platemeter(1 ), the counter(7) comprising a counter body integrally formed with a tubular upstand(3) adapted to, in use, s!ideably receive a ground engageable probe rod (2) of a platemeter(l), the counter(7) including actuation means(9a,9b) to, in use, generate a measurement of the position of the ground engaging end(5) of the said probe rod

(2) relative to the underside of a plate(4) of the said platemeter(l), and a display means(8), the counter(7) being characterised in that the display means(8) is oriented at an angle of between 90° and 30° from the longitudinal axis of the tubular upstand(3).

The coiinter(7) of claim 1 herein the counter(7) includes a processor means to record and store measurements generated by the actuation means(9a,9b).

3. The counter(7) of claim 1 wherein the actuation means(9a,9h) comprises a cog (9a) mounted within the tubular upstand(3) driving a potentiometer(9b) also mounted Within the tubular upstand(3), and driven by a series of teeth(9) located along the length of a probe rod(2) of a platemeter(1 ),

4. The counter of claim 2 wherein the display rheans(8) comprises an LCD screen(8).

5. The counter(7) of claim 4 wherein the LCD screen (8) is oriented at an angle of between 85° and 60° from the longitudinal axis of the tubular upstand(3).

6. The counter(7) of claim 2 further including means to electronically transfer captured pasture height data to removable electronic storage media.

7. The counter(7) of claim 6 wherein the means to transfer captured pasture height data can, is use, transfer said height data wirelessly in either real time or on demand.

8. The counter(7) of claim 5 wherein the tubular upstand(3) is formed from a moulded plastics material and provides a wealher-proof housing for all electronic parts of the counter(7).

9. The counter(7) of claim 5 further including GPS location means such that the GPS location of each pasture height measurement is captured contemporaneously with the height measurement.

10. A platemeter(i) including a counter(7) according to claim 3 and further comprising a plate(4) having an aperture through its centre, the tubular upstand(3) having a first, free, end and a second, fixed, end, the tubular upstand(3) being mounted at its fixed end to perpendicularly extend from the centre of one side of the said plate(4), and a probe rod(2) that is slidingly captured within the tubular upstand(3) and able to freely slide through the said aperture In the plate(4), wherein the probe rod(2) has a first, ground engaging, end(5) which extends beyond the plate mounted end of tubular upstand(3), and on and through the aperture in the plate(4), the second, handle end of the probe rod(2) terminating in a handle(6) which extends beyond the free end of the tubular upstand(3).

11. The platemeter(1) o† claim 10 wherein tho probe rod (2) is of circular cross section matching a correspondingly shaped elongate tubular aperture in the tubular upstand(3), and having a plurality of grooved circumferential notches(9) equispaced along its length engageable by the cog(9a) of the actuation means.

12. The platemeter(l) of claim 10 wherein the probe rod(2) is of non-circular cross section having at least one substantially planar face, and has a plurality of equispaced parallel grooved notches(9) in the face running perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the said rod(2), said notches(9) corresponding in shape and configuration to the teeth of the cog (9a), said notches(9) along a section of the length of the said rod (2).

13. The platemeter of claim 10 wherein the plate(4) is detachably mounted to the tubular upstand(3).

14. A platemeter(l) including a counter(7) according to claim 8 and further comprising a plate(4) having an aperture through its centre, the tubular upstand(3) having a first, free, end and a second, fixed, end, the tubular upstand(3) being mounted at its fixed end to perpendicularly extend from the centre of one side of the said plate(4), and a probe rod(2) that is slidingly captured within the tubular upstand(3) and able to freely slide through the said aperture In the plate(4), wherein the probe rod(2) has a first, ground engaging, end(5) which extends beyond the plate mounted end of tubular upstand(3), and on and through the aperture in the plate(4), the second, handle end of the probe rod(2) terminating in a handle(6) which extends beyond the free end of the tubular upstand(3).

15. A pasture measuring device comprising a platemeter(l ) according to claim 14 together with a portable data processing device, wherein the platemeter(1 ) further includes means to transfer captured pasture height data wirelessly in real time to the portable processing device.

16. The pasture measuring device of claim 15 wherein the portable processing device is adapted to calculate pasture cover and feed availability.

17. The pasture measuring device of claim 16 wherein the portable processing device Includes GPS location means so that the GPS location of each pastur height measurement is captured contemporaneously with the pasture height measurement. The pasture measuring device of claim 17 wherein the portable processing device is adapted to display graphically paddock layout arid the location of pasture height measurement points, as well as to calculate in the field feed availability, and to display a fence break placement recommendation.