GB2390520A

GB2390520A - Planter

Info

Publication number: GB2390520A
Application number: GB0215530A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Winlo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-05
Filing date: 2002-07-05
Publication date: 2004-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-05
Also published as: GB0215530D0; GB2390520B; GB0315668D0; GB2390287B; GB2390287A

Abstract

A planter for items that are planted or sown in a growing medium in order to grow a plant, and includes; seeds, bulbs, corms, seedlings, plug plants and so forth (being referred to generally as "seeds"). The planter comprises a seed dispenser 12 into which a user can introduce a seed, release means 50, 52 for depositing a seed from the seed dispenser, drill means,50, 52 for making a hole in soil within which the seed can be deposited, and depth gauge means 100 that allow a user to control the depth of the hole made by the drill means. The drill means may be formed by opening jaws that serve as the release means. Embodiments of the invention may be adaptable for planting more than one type of item. The entire planter may be made of plastic mouldings, or some or all components may be of metal. There may be a well 22 for storing seeds prior to dispersing. The depth gauge 100 may be adjustable.

Description

Planter This invention relates to a planter for planting growing articles

such as seeds. In 5 the context of this specification and claims, the term "seed" is used to refer to any

item that is planted or sewn in a growing medium in order to grow a plant, and includes, but is not limited to, seeds, bulbs, corms, seedlings, plug plants and so forth. It is well known that seed planting can be a backbreaking job, requiring a person 10 to bend over to ground level. It may take a person many hours to complete a large planting operation, resulting in fatigue, discomfort and potential injury.

There have been many proposals to provide seed planting apparatus that allows a user to carry out a planting operation while standing upright. One example is disclosed in US-A-909 289, and there are many others. However, known planters 15 have all had disadvantages, making them difficult to use and inflexible in use. In particular, known planters do not allow a user to achieve sufficient control over the depth to which seeds are planted and the spacing between them both of these being of great importance to ensure successful growth. Typically, such planters are also heavy and cumbersome. Also known planters do not allow inter 20 changeability of a container for seeds to a support for a tray of plug plants or a container for bulbs or corms or so forth.

An aim of this invention is to provide a seed planter that ameliorates the disadvantages of known seed planters.

Therefore, from a first aspect, this invention provides a seed planter comprising a 25 seed dispenser into which a user can introduce a seed, release means for depositing a seed from the seed dispenser, drill means for making a hole in soil within which the seed can be deposited, and an optional depth gauge means that

allow a user to control the depth of the hole made by the drill means, (the term "seed" being defined above).

Such a seed planter can be used to plant seeds to a required planting depth quickly and automatically.

5 Most typically, the depth gauge means limits the distance to which the drill means can be inserted into the soil. This may be more effective than the alternative of simply providing the user with an indication of the intended depth.

Most advantageously, the depth gauge means is adjustable whereby a user can vary the depth of the hole made by the drill means. This enhances the versatility 10 of the apparatus. For example, the depth gauge means may be movable in relation to the drill means in a direction that is approximately vertical when the planter is in use. In preferred embodiments, the depth gauge is adjustable to one of a plurality of discrete depth settings. (Alternatively, it may be infinitely adjustable between limits.) In alternative embodiments, the depth gauge can be connected to 15 the apparatus (for example, by snap-fit formations) at one of a plurality of spaced positions. Additionally, the depth gauge can provide a user with an indication of a distance between successive positions at which a planting operation is to be performed. For example, it may have a part that is at a known distance from the location at which a seed is deposited.

20 The drill means may operate by being pushed into growing medium (e.g. soil) in which a planting operation is to be performed. This is a simple but effective arrangement. In such cases, the drill means normally has a pointed formation to ease its passage into the soil.

The release means may include a plurality of jaws, separable under the control of a 25 user to effect release of a seed. One or both of the jaws may constitute a component of the drill means. (For instance, part of the jaws may have a pointed outer shape that can be pushed into the growing medium.) In simpler embodiments, one of the jaws can be considered to be a fixed jaw and another is

movable with respect to it. Alternatively, both jaws may be movable to provide a larger opening for planting larger articles.

For example, the release means may be operated by a user effecting manual pressure on an operating lever. Alternatively, the release means may be operated 5 by a user manually twisting an operating handle. Many other arrangements are also possible.

The planter may further comprise a seed container which may be a one piece moulding including other features such as the handle, or in another embodiment, a moulding means interchangeable with and independent of other features.

10 A tension element may be provided to transmit an opening force to the release means. For example, the elongate element may include an elongate rod.

Alternatively, it may include a cable. The tension element may be disposed within a protective enclosure to reduce its vulnerability.

An automatic dispenser may be provided for supplying seeds to the means for 15 dispensing the seed. This removes the need for a user to do this manually.

Most advantageously, the apparatus may be formed entirely, or almost entirely, from moulded plastic components. If required, some components may be of metal if additional strength or rigidity is required for particular applications.

From a second aspect, the invention provides a seed planting system comprising a 20 seed planter according to any preceding claim together with one or more additional depth gauge means of different sizes and/or configurations. A depth gauge of appropriate size, shape or configuration can be selected by a user for use on the planter prior to the start of a planting operation.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a seed planting system comprising a 25 seed planter according to any preceding claim together with one or more additional container means of different sizes and configurations. A container means can be selected by a user for use on the planter prior to the start of a

planting operation. This provides a planter that is exceptionally versatile in the range of articles that it can be used to plant.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 5 Figures 1a, 1b and 1c are general arrangement drawings of a seed planter being a first embodiment of the invention; Figures 2a and 2b show a hopper and handle component of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figures 3a and 3b show a first component of seed dispensing jaws of the 10 embodiment of Figure 1; Figures 4a and 4b show a second component of seed dispensing jaws of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a depth control component of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figures 6a and 6b are general arrangement drawings of a seed planter being a 15 second embodiment of the invention; Figures 7a and 7b are general arrangement drawings of a seed planter being a third embodiment of the invention; and Figures 8a and 8b are general arrangement drawings of a seed planter being a fourth embodiment of the invention; 20 In this description, use of terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "up" and down"

and related terms refer to the apparatus in its position for normal use, as shown in Figure 1a.

With reference first to Figures 1a and lb, a seed planter embodying the invention has three main component groups: a handle assembly 10, a planting head 12, and 25 a interconnecting stem 14.

The handle assembly performs two functions. It allows the user to hold and operate the planter and it provides a reservoir for seeds to be sown. The handle assembly is constructed around a handle moulding 20, in this embodiment formed of ABS. This is shown most clearly in Figures 2a and 2b.

5 In the first embodiment, the handle moulding 20 has a well portion 22 within which seeds can be stored, the well 22, having an opening that faces upwards.

The well portion 22 is formed adjacent to a cylindrical boss 24. A passage extends through the boss 24 along an axis that is generally vertical. A handle portion 26 projects horizontally from the boss 24 opposite the well portion 22.

10 An upper part of the passage of the boss 24 has a countersunk portion 28. A sloping sidewall 30 of the well intersects with the countersunk portion 28 at a curved, downwardly formed lip 32.

The handle portion 26 has a generally cylindrical shape, and may have formations to enhance a user's grip of it. A slot 36 is formed in the handle portion, passing upwardly into it from below and extending from adjacent to the boss 24 most of the way to an outer end surface of the handle portion 26. A hole 38 is formed horizontally though the handle portion 26 to intersect with the slot 36.

An operating lever 40 is located within the slot 36. The operating lever is formed as a generally flat plastic moulding, with a lower face shaped to provide a user 20 with a comfortable surface to grip. A pivot pin 42 passes through the hole 38 to retain the operating lever within the handle portion 26 and allow the operating lever 40 to pivot within the handle portion 26. A hole is formed horizontally through the operating lever remote from the pivoting axis, close to the boss 24.

The planting head comprises a fixed jaw 50 shown in Figures 3a and 3b, upon 25 which is carried a movable jaw 52, shown in Figures 4a and 4b. Both are formed as one-piece mouldings of plastic material, nylon in this embodiment.

Alternatively, they may be formed of metal, such as aluminium or stainless steel, which may be more durable for extensive use in hard ground.

The fixed jaw has a cylindrical boss 54 through which is formed a vertical passage.

From the boss, a pointed portion 56 of the jaw extends downwardly in the general shape of a hollow cone that is cut away by a hypothetical pane that coincides with its axis. Two solid cylindrical spigots 58 project from diametrically opposite 5 locations on the boss 54. The axes of the spigots 58 ile within the hypothetical plane described above. These may be formed integrally within the moulding, or they may be metal inserts to increase their strength and durability.

The movable jaw 52 has a pointed portion 60 that is a mirror-image of the pointed portion 56 of the fixed jaw 50. Above the pointed portion 60 is a pair of spaced 10 flat lugs 62. A slot is formed in each lug 62 that has an inner circular portion from which a narrower portion extends to an edge of the lug 62. The inner circular portion is of diameter slightly greater than that of the spigots 58 of the fixed jaw I while the narrower portion is of width less than the diameter of the spigots 58.

Thus, the movable jaw 52 can be snapped into place on the fixed jaw 50 such that 15 each spigot 58 is located within the circular portion of a respective one of the tugs 62, thus allowing the movable jaw to pivot around the spigots 58. The elasticity of the plastic material allows the lugs to deflect sufficiently to allow the spigots 58 to pass through the narrower portions of the slots. The lugs and spigots are configured such that the pointed portions of the jaws can be brought to lie i 20 adjacent to one another, in what will be called the closed position, thereby forming a hollow conical enclosure with a closed pointed lower end. I A web 66 extends from the pointed portion of the movable jaw 52 in a direction opposite to the lugs 62. The web carries an upwardly directed cylindrical spring locating projection 68 and hole 70 extends horizontally through the web 66, the 25 function of both of which will be described in due course.

A projecting lug 72 extends from the boss 54 of the fixed jaw 50. The projecting lug 72 carries a downwardly directed cylindrical spring locating projection 74 that points towards the corresponding formation on the movable jaw 52. A helical

spring 76 is trapped in compression between the two spring locating projections 68, 74 that serves to urge the movable jaw 52 to the closed position.

The interconnecting system includes two principle components; a connecting tube 80 and an operating rod 82. The connecting tube 80 is a hollow cylindrical 5 plastic tube. Its external diameter is selected such that the tube 80 is a close fit within the respective bosses24, 54 of the handle moulding20 and the fixed jaw 52. Each of these bosses 24, 54 has a locking formation 86, 88 that interacts with a hole in the tube 80 to secure the tube within the bosses. Alternatively, the tube 80 may be formed of metal such as aluminium. This can be stronger than a 10 plastic equivalent. It will also add weight to the device, which can provide an impression of greater durability, and help the device penetrate the soil.

The operating rod 82 is a solid moulding of plastic material. End regions 84 of the I rod are formed as connecting formations, each having a circular hole extending through it. A pin passes through the hole 70 of the movable jaw 52 and the hole 15 in one of the end regions of the connecting rod 82 thereby providing a pivoting connection between the rod 82 and the movable jaw 52. Likewise, a pivoting connection between the rod 82 and the operating lever 40 through a hole in the operating lever. The operating rod 82 may, instead, be made of metal for increased strength and durability. In such embodiments, each end portions of the; 20 operating rod may be bent at an angle of approximately 90 to the length of the rod to form a hook portion to pass through the respective holes in the operating I lever 40 and the movable jaw 52. These end portions may be secured by a suitable fastening, such as a clip or a star washer.

Opposite the projecting lug 72, the fixed jaw 50 has a vertically extended locating 25 formation 90 formed on the boss 54. The locating formation 90 is formed by a vertically extending projection that has a C- shaped section in plan. There is therefore formed a vertical channel within the projection that has a vertically extending opening directed outwardly from the boss 54. A base of that channel,

formed by a wall of the boss 54, has several vertically spaced holes 92 that extend from the channel into the passage within the boss 54.

A positioning component 100, as shown in Figure 5, is carried on the fixed jaw 50.

The positioning component, formed as a one-piece nylon moulding, has a foot 5 portion 102 and a mounting stem 104. The foot portion 102 is formed as a horizontal plate having an approximately triangular peripheral shape. One side of the triangular periphery has a concave curve. The mounting stem 104 extends vertically form the foot portion 102 from a position approximately centrally of the concave side. The mounting stem 104 is of hollow rectangular section with a pair 10 of ribs 106 that from opposite edges of one face and extend along the length of the mounting stem 104. A horizontal bore 110 is formed through the mounting stem 104 in a direction normal to the ribs 106. The bore is of stepped diameter, with I the larger diameter towards the side that carries the ribs 106. A plunger 112 is located within the bore 110, a portion of the plunger projecting from the narrower 15 end of the bore. A helical spring 114 is located within the bore 110 to bias the plunger towards the larger diameter portion. Deflectable barbs are provided on the plunger that serve to retain it within the hole.

The mounting stem 104 of the positioning component 100 is slid into the locating formation 90 of the fixed jaw 50, the ribs 106 interengaging with the C-shaped 20 section of the mounting formation 90. In this position, the pointed lower portion of the planting head lies within the convex curve of the foot portion 102. An end portion of the plunger 112 can enter any of the holes 92 on the mounting formation, and be retained there under the force of the spring 114, to prevent sliding movement of the positioning component with respect to the fixed jaw 50.

25 The plunger 112 can be withdrawn by grasping and pulling upon its projecting part against the spring force.

Operation of the apparatus will now be described.

In order to plant seeds, the user places a stock of seeds in the well portion 22 of the handle moulding 20. When the user identifies a place at which a seed to be

sown, he/she scoops a seed from the well portion 22, sliding it up the sloping surface 30 through the guide recess 32 and drops it into the vertical passage within the handle moulding. The seed then falls down through the handle portion through the connecting tube 80, to be caught between the fixed and movable jaws 5 50, 52. The user then pushes the pointed lower end of the planting head into the soil at a position at which a seed is to be deposited, thereby making a planting hole in the soil, until the foot portion 102 of the positioning component comes into contact with the soil. The user then pulls the operating lever 40 into the slot 36 in the handle portion 26. This pulls the operating rod 82 upwards, and this, in 10 turn, pulls the lug 66 of the movable jaw 52, causing it to pivot away from the fixed jaw 50, such that the seed can fall into the planting hole. The apparatus is then withdrawn from the hole, the operating lever 40 is then released to close the jaws under the action of the springs; ready for use again. (If the jaw is released I before withdrawal it may retrieve the seed.) 15 It will be noted that the positioning component 100 acts as a depth control, ensuring that the depth of the hole made as the apparatus is pushed into the ground remains constant. The actual depth of the hole made is controlled by the vertical position of the positioning component 100 on the fixed jaw, each one of the holes 92 of the fixed jaw representing a specific depth. The positioning 20 component is also of a known length, so it can be used as a measure of the i distance between planting locations along a row of planting. In this case, the point of the foot 102 is 1 OOmm (4N) from the point at which the seed is deposited. The I apparatus may be provided with several interchangeable positioning components of various lengths, the most appropriate one of which can be selected by a user for 25 a particular planting operation.

The second embodiment of the invention, which is shown in Figures 6a and 6b, shares many features with the first. These are given numbers in the drawings that correspond to the like features of the first embodiment, and these will not be described further.

In this embodiment, an upper end portion of the operating rod 82 is formed with a rack gear. This enters a vertical bore 120 in the handle moulding 20. A plastic moulded operating handle 122 is carried on the handle moulding 20. An end portion of the operating handle 122 is contained within a horizontal socket in the 5 handle moulding 20, the operating handle having retention formations to retain it there, such that it can rotate about a horizontal axis, but cannot be withdrawn from the bore without application of significant force. The end portion of the operating handle 122 is formed as a pinion gear that engages with the rack on the operating rod 82. Preferably, the socket extends through the handle moulding so that the 10 operating handle can be inserted into it from either end. This allows the apparatus to be configured for left- handed or right-handed use.

Thus, a user can cause the jaws to open to deposit a seed by rotating the operating handle 122 to pull the operating rod 82 upwards. This has the same effect as the user pulling on the operating lever 40. When the user releases the operating 15 handle 122, the jaws return to the closed position under the action of the spring.

It will be seen that both of the jaws 50, 52 in these embodiments have cut-away sections 124, 126 on the surfaces that come into contact with each other.

(Optionally, the cut-away is present on just one jaw.) This forms a gap 128 between adjacent parts of the jaws when they are closed. This reduces the 20 likelihood that soil will become trapped between the jaws; this might prevent the movable jaw 52 from closing.

As will be appreciated, these embodiments are all constructed from several plastic mouldings, in this case, of ABS or nylon, and these are interconnected by way of snap fits. The only metal component is the spring. This provides for rapid 25 assembly of robust, corrosionresistant, lightweight apparatus. If a snap-fit is insufficiently strong for use in some embodiments, pins of plastic or metal may be provided to strengthen the joint. Some components may also be formed from natural materials, such as wood.

1 1 An alternative arrangement for providing a stepped adjustment to the depth gage may be provided. A number of horizontal T-shaped slots are provided on the fixed jaw SO and a tang is provided on the mounting stem 104 of the positioning component. The slots and the tang are shaped and dimensioned such that the tang 5 can 'snap' into the slot. The tang and slot are configured such that a sharp tap in the reverse direction releases it for repositioning (doing away with the plunger and continuing the theme of snap fit).

Further embodiments may use a lever and Bowden cable mounted on the handle moulding to replace the lever or twist-grip mechanism described in the above 1 0 embodiments.

A further embodiment uses a crank handle instead of a twist grip to give more comfortable action, particularly for users who have wrist problems.

In further embodiments, some components may be made of metal. For example, a the connecting tube 80 may be of metal to increase its rigidity, and one or both 15 jaws may be of metal to increase their durability.

It may be further desirable to enclose the operating rod to reduce the likelihood of its being damaged.

As a further enhancement, a seed metering unit may be incorporated into the handle moulding.

20 The third and fouth embodiments of the invention, which is shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 8a and fib, shares many features with the first or second. These are given numbers in the drawings that correspond to the like features of the first or second embodiments, and these will not be described further.

In this embodiment the one-piece handle/hopper moulding is replaced with a 25 handle moulding, a hopper or container support arm and interchangeable means for containing seeds, for containing bulbs/corms or for supporting trays of plug

plants. (Such a tray could be formed integrally and non-interchangably, as with the seed repository of the embodiment of the first embodiment.) The support arm can be adjusted to suit right or left-handed use and the means of securing the components in this case is a dovetail slide or it can be a thread on the 5 end of the support arm together with a corresponding thread in the base of the container, or a bayonet fitting or any other quick means of fastening. The handle can be a moulding round the tubular stem as shown or, if wide diameter tube is used to allow larger bulbs, corms or plug-plants to be planted, the handle would be too large to be comfortably gripped so it could be moved away from the stem 10 by moulding it as a 'D' shape. In this guise the vertical part of the D would become a narrower grip for the user to hold and the opposite side of the D could be moulded large enough to encompass the tube.

The operating lever could be let into the handle as shown or it could be mounted anywhere convenient on the handle moulding with the tie rod shape adjusted to 15 suit.

With reference to Figure 7a and 7b, an embodiment is shown that includes a hopper 140 for containing articles such as seeds, bulbs or corms prior to planting.

The hopper 140 is carried on an arm 142 that can be connected to a collar 144 carried on the tube 80. An end potion of the arm 142 has a formation that can be 20 slide into a cooperating formation on the collar 142 to provide a releasable interconnection between them.

The hopper 140 can be exchanged for an alternative support 144, having a similar arm for connection with the collar, for other articles, such as a tray of plug plants 146 in the example shown in Figure 7b.

25 In the embodiment of Figures 8a and fib, a hopper 150 has a formation that can be releasably connected with a cooperating formation on a handle moulding. As with the preceding embodiment, this can be replaced with an alternative support 152 appropriate for use with other types of articles for planting.

Alternative configurations of the handle and operating lever 40 are shown in the embodiment of Figures 8a and fib.

In embodiments that are intended for use with plug plants or other larger items, it may be advantageous to provide two movable jaws, each of which pivots away 5 from a central axis of the planter when the operating lever is used. This ensures that the item can fall freely out of the planter so that it does not become caught when the jaws are subsequently closed.

In any of the above embodiments, to protect seeds against spillage if the planter is accidentally dropped it may be fitted with a self-closing lid 160 (see Fig 8a) that is 10 held shut by a suitable spring. Such a lid 160 may be hinged on the edge of the hopper 140 furthest from the user when the planter is in normal use. The lid 160 can optionally be operatively inter-connected to the operating lever 40 and its associated jaw opening mechanism previously described, for example by a pin-

jointed link 162. Such a lid 160 is opened when the lever is squeezed to open the 15 jaw. It automatically shuts when the lever 40 is released. By being hinged as described, the widest opening is presented towards the user for ease of access to the contents of the hopper 140. The lid may be fitted with a simple latching device that would lock it shut as the lever is released and automatically unlock it as the lever is squeezed. This would prevent it from being jolted open in the event 20 of falling onto the ground.

Claims

1. A seed planter comprising a seed dispenser into which a user can 5 introduce a seed, release means for depositing a seed from the seed dispenser, drill means for making a hole in soil within which the seed can be deposited, and depth gauge means that allow a user to control the depth of the hole made by the drill means.

2. A seed planter according to claim 1 in which the depth gauge means 10 limits the distance to which the drill means can be inserted into the soil

3. A seed planter according to claim l or claim 2 in which the depth gauge means is adjustable whereby a user can vary the depth of the hole made by the drill means.

4. A seed planter according to claim 3 in which the depth gauge means is 15 movable in relation to the drill means in a direction that is approximately vertical when the planter is in use.

5. A seed planter according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the depth gauge is adjustable to one of a plurality of discrete depth settings.

6. A seed planter according to any preceding claim in which the depth 20 gauge can be connected to the apparatus at one of a plurality of spaced positions.

7. A seed planter according to any preceding claim in which the depth gauge can provide a user with an indication of a distance between successive positions at which a planting operation is to be performed.

8. A seed planter according to any preceding claim in which the drill means operates by being pushed into growing medium in which a planting operation is to be performed.

9. A seed planter according to claim 8 in which the drill means has a 5 pointed formation to ease its passage into the soil.

10. A seed planter according to any preceding claim in which the release means includes a plurality of jaws, separable under the control of a user to effect release of a seed.

11. A seed planter according to claim 10 in which one or both of the jaws 10 constitutes a component of the drill means.

12. A seed planter according to claim 10 or claim 11 in which one of the jaws is fixed with respect to other components of the planter while another of the jaws is movable with respect to it.

A seed planter according to claim 10 or claim 11 in which none of the 15 jaws is fixed with respect to other components of the planter.

14. A seed planter according to any preceding claim in which the release means is operated by a user effecting manual pressure on an operating lever.

15. A seed planter according to any one of claims 1 to 13 in which the 20 release means is operated by a user manually twisting an operating handle.

16. A seed planter according to any one of claims 1 to 13 in which the release means is operated by a user operating a crank.

17. A seed planter according to any preceding claim comprising a tension 25 element that transmits an opening force to the release means.

18. A seed planter according to claim 17 in which the tension element is an elongate rod.

19. A seed planter according to claim 17 in which the tension element is a cable. 5

20. A seed planter according to any one of claims 17 to 19 in which the tension element is disposed within a protective enclosure.

21. A seed planter according to any preceding claim further including an automatic dispenser for supplying seeds to the means for dispensing the seed. 10

22. A seed planter according to any preceding claim formed substantially entirely from components formed as plastic mouldings.

23. A seed planting system comprising a seed planter according to any preceding claim together with one or more additional depth gauge means of different sizes and/or configurations.

24. A seed planter according to any preceding claim in which the seed container is an integral part of the handle/hopper moulding

25. A seed planter according to any preceding claim in which the seed container is a separate and independent moulding from the handle and is replaceable with a bulb/corm container or a support means for 20 holding a tray of plug plants or a container for any other objects suitable for use with this planter.

26. A seed planter according to any preceding claim in which the operating lever is sited above or below the handle or to one side of the handle in order to allow a better mechanical advantage to be gained for opening 25 the jaw(s).

27. A seed planter substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.