US1066601A - Corn-planter. - Google Patents

Description

W. S. GRAHAM.

CORN PLANTER.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 9, 1912.

rammed July 8, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

M. MM /www COLUMNA PLANOGRAPN co..w^smNc'roN. D. C.

W. S. GRAHAM.

CORN PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, 1912.

1,066,601 Patented July 8, 1913.

3 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

INI/ENOR;

' W. S. GRAHAM.

CORN PLANTBR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, 19'12.

1,066,601. Patented July 8,1913.

I 4 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3. GJ @9.5 62 I f 55 A/ 5554/1745 6 k 155 l 4/41 49 MTA/5885s: l -i a,

"UNITED @TATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM S. GRAHAM, 0F CANTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PARLIN AND ORENDORFF COMPANY, OF CANTON, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CORN-PLANTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8,1913.

Application led November 9, 1912. Serial No. 730,349.

To all 'who/n may concern Be it known that I, IVILLIAM S. GRAHAM, a citizen oit the YUnited States, residing at Canton, in the county of Fulton and State oi' Illinois, have invented certain new and useit'ul In'lprovements in Corn-Planters, of which the following is a specification, referw ence being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to corn planters and particularly to that type of machine in which a single kernel is dropped at a time into the runner, the seed-plate being driven from the carrying wheels through the medium ot a clutch thrown into operation by the usual tappet wire.

It has for its object the provision of new and improved means for driving the seedplate so that either two, three or four grains oit corn may be dropped in each hill as desired, means being provided iter changing at the proper time from one driving gear to another without stopping the machine.

I-Ieretoiore ett'orts have been made to provide a seed-plate with three gears on its under t'ace, through any one of which gears the seed-plate n'iight be driven tor dropping either two, three or Yt'our grains inthe hill. In some instances the Vthree gears have been crowded inside et the periphery of the seedplate,that is to say, the diameter of the largest gear has been smaller than the diameter of the seed-plate,-so that the seed were adapted to fall beyond the periph` ery oit the gears into the seedtube below. This has been objectionable, however, for the reason that in such eases it is necessary to provide a seed-plate ot' such extreme size as to be impracticable. In other instances the three gears have been placed outside ot the periphery oit the seed-plate,-that is to say, the diameter ot the smallest gear has been greater than the diameter ot the seedplate,-so that the seed were adapted to fall inside oi' the smallest gear into the seed-tube below. In this ease diilieulty has been encountered in various ways, such as being compelled to use a gear-plate oi' abnormal size, ditiiculty in getting the teeth in the difterent sets ot a practical size and ot the right multiples, and ditiiculty in providing shittn ing means for the pinions so that they could be moved from one set of teeth to another without getting the arrangement out of time.

I have provided a construction in which both the seed-plate and all of the gears are of a practical workable size, in which the teeth of the gears are all of proper proportions relative to the diameter oit the gears, in which the proper multiples are readily arrived at for attaining the dropping of two, three or four grains, and in which provision is made insuring a proper timing of the parts.

The means by which I have accomplished my object are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter specifically de scribed. 'Ihat which I believe to be new is set l'orth in the claims.

In the drawi11gs,-l`igurc 1 is a top view, partly broken a ay, of the :trent trame ol the planter embotflying my improvements, showing the connection to the rear frame ol. the planter and showing the check-rower head on the front trame; Fig. 2 is a tcp View, also partly broken away, showing the connections between the seed-shaft and the seed-plates at both sides of the machine; Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the gearplate by which the seed-plate is driven; Fig. 4l is substantially a cross-section taken on line 1in-i ot' Fig. l; Fig. 5 is substantially a cross-section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2' F G is substantially a cross-section taken on line G-G oi' Fig. l; Fig. T is an enlarged detail, being a perspective view ot' the collar mounted upon the seed-shaft by means of which said seed-shatt is shi'tted; Fig. S is a view of said collar as seen 'from the left in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a central vertical section through the seed-plate and its operating devices; Fig. l() is a bottom view oi the seed plate; and Fig. 11 is a top View o the bottom-plate.

Heter-ring to the several Figures ot the drawings in which corresponding parts are limlicated by the same reference cha meters,- 2O indicates the main shaflt ot the machine having carrying wheels Q1 keyed or other wise non-rotatably mounted on said shaft at its ends. 22 indicates the main trame ol`: the planter in which said sha'lt Q0 is journaled in any suitable manner, the forward end ol' the shattQQ having pivotally mounted upon it the runner frame 23 of any suitable construction. 2i indicates the seed-shatt o't' the machine suitably journaled in a bracket 25 carried by the :trame 2? and by bearings ybracket. 25 A and .otherwise suitably supported `in theI tront.frame23. Said. shaft 32i-has .mounted upon each end atappet lever ,33 by which said shaft isv rocked in the ordinary vwell .known manner byzatappetowire .workingin the check-rower yhead* 34, aswill bek read-ily understood. L

35 indicates a runner or furrow-opener, part-lyl broken away.y in; Fig. 9, where; it is best shown, said urrow-openerbeing of any approved type.

3G=indicates a bracket mounted upon .the rock-shaft 32, havingan upwardly extending arm 37 and la .downwardly extending ar1n.38,. to either arm ofwhicha spring l39 is` adapted tol be connectedat its.` irontI end, the rear endl otsaid springy .being connected toz the front framef23. .Thespring {S9-serves to.i hold therock-shaft 32 in positionwith the tappet lever in its foremost position,..as

-shown tin-Fig. l, when the spring is connecteditothe downwardly. extending arm V38, or tohOldt-he rock-shaft 32.in position with the. tappetA lever v33 in its. rearmost position whenever itis desired to use. the machine as .a dri-ll instead of asa'checli-rower.

All .of the parts; heretofore describedare .of-.wellaknown construction ;and operation .and `it is believed to .be .unnecessary .to fur- .thery describe vthem herein.

Coming now. to the `seed-hoppers and the mechanism: for 7driving the seed-platesA from the Iseed-.shaft 24, :40 indicates a: base-plate secured upony the! upper vend of the furrowopener 35nin any. approved manner, one of the bolts by whichl they -plate 40 .is secured in position 1 in. the present construction being shown in Fig. 9 and designated 40a. .The bearings 126-27 for theseed-shaft 24are, in the construction shown, Vformed .integral with the base-plates-40. Said. base-plate 40 isaprovided about its centralpointwith a boss or ring 4l circular in-shape forming the .bearing for the gear-plate 42.which is held in .position .thereon-by aplate 43 which is secured to the ring 41 and overlaps the inner edges of the gear-plate42.

44 indicatesv a plate, usuallytermed the bottom-plate, vwhich is pivotaflly .mounted vupon the base-plate 40 by meanszof a pin 45.

44G indicates a seed-plate. restingnpon the bottom-plate 44 and .held thereby in. position after described.

.against the cut-oti= plate 47 upon which a hopper of any ordinary construction is secured in any suitable way, as will be readily understood. The saidcut-oii plate 47 is pivotally mounted by means or' arms 47a `upon the pin 45, one of said arms 47 being shown in Fig. 9.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 9, the gear-plate 42 is provided with three sets of gear teeth 48, 49 and A50, spaced thereabout at equal intervals from each other. In the const-ruction shown, there .are -eighteen ofthe teeth 48,. twenty-four. of the teeth.49,vand thirty- .six of the teeth 50.

:.51 indicates openings throughthe gearplate.42,.onev of said openings being, .as shown-finFig. 9, direct-ly. in almement with the.opening.52 through the base-plate 44 and directly `in line with one of the seed-cells 53 of the seed-plate 46. As shown in Fig...3,

the gear-plate 42 is; providedwith twelve of' ysuch openings 51 spaced about said plate 42 between. theieteeth 49 and. the' teeth 50. As lshown in. Fig.; 10, the seed-platev also. vis pro- -vided with twelve seed-cells 53 spaced equally about its periphery. rlhus one of the openings 5l in the gear-plate42 is found directly beneath each ot the seed-cells 53 as said two Vplates rotate..together, asiherein- As .shown in.-.Fig. 9, the base-plate 40,;is provided withan opening 54 therethrough directly inline with the opening-52 throughthe base-plate 44.

Theseed-plate 46 is caused to rotate with the gear-plate.42 byA reason of .lugs 55 extending from the-lower face of said seedplate, vwhich lugs are engaged by lugs 56 extending from the upper 'face ofthe. gearpla-te. 42.

, Asbest shown` in Fig. 9, the bottom-plate 44rests at its rear edge .upon lugs 57 rising from the rear4 face of the base-plate 40. iT-he cut-oii2 plate 47 is-provided witha pivoted pin 58.at its rear edge the lower end of which iseadapted to be turned down into' engage- .mentwith a slot 59 in. the rear edgeof the base-plate 40, a thumb .nut G0 screw-thread ed on the vlower end of the pivotedv pin 58 being :adapted to be tightened. thereon. to hold the bottom-plate47 rigidly in position.

As best shown in.Fig..2,theseed-shaft. 24

.is providedat one endwith two pinions `61--62 and at itsother end with twoA ipinions (S3-64 .keyed in position Vthereon .and yrotatable therewith. As shown in saidl*`ig..2, the pinion 62 is in engagement with the teeth 49 of one of thegear-plates 42 and the pinion (34 is; in engagement with the teeth 49 of the other gear-plate 42. The ,pinions 61-62-63-64 have six teeth each, wherefore, at each complete rotation of the-seedshaft 24.with thepinions 62 and -64 inA engagement with thegear-plates 42,;.as vshown in Figs. land 2, saidgear-plates 42 are given one-fourth of a complete rotation.

As will be readily understood, then, for each complete rotation of the seed-shaft 24 with the pinions 62-64 in operative position, three seed-cells of the seed-plate 46 are carried over the openings 52-54 of the plates 44-40, three kernels of corn being accord ingly dropped by such operation. lV hen the seed-shaft 24 has been shifted laterally of the machine by the means hereinafter described so that the pinions 61-63 engage the teeth 50 of the gear-plate 42, for each complete rotation of the seed-shaft 24 the gear-plate 42 is given a sixth of a rotation, thus carrying two of the cells 53 of the seedplate 46 past the openings 52-54 and dropping two kernels into the seed-tube. lVhen the seed-shaft 24 has been shifted farther to the right in Fig. 2, bringing the pinions 62-64 into engagement with the teeth 48 of the gear-plate 42, for each complete rotation of the seed-shaft 24 the gear-plate 42 will be given a third of a rotation thus carrying four cells 53 of the seed-plate 46 past openings 52-54 and causing four kernels to be dropped into the seed-tube.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the parts are in the position they assume when the gearplate 42 is at rest with the clutch by which the seed-shaft 24 is driven thrown out of operation. As is seen from an inspection of Fig. 3, the teeth 48-49 close to the pinion 62 are directly in line longitudinally of the shaft 24 so that the gear 62 may at this phase be readily slid into engagement with either the teeth 49 or with the teeth 48. It will be understood, however, that if the seedshaft 24 were shifted longitudinally of itself bringing the pinion 62 into mesh with the teeth 49 and if said seedshaft 24 were given then a complete rotation rotating the gear plate 42 onefourth of a complete rotation, thereupon the tooth 4Sn would be directly in line longitudinally of the shaft 24 with one of the teeth of the pinion 62. In that case it would be impossible then to shift the seed-shaft 24 farther to the left in Fig. 3, but when the seed-shaft 24 had been given one more complete rotation giving the gearplate another quarter rotation, then the teeth marked 48b would be in position over the central longitudinal line of the seedshaft 24, whereupon the pinion 62 would again be in position to be shifted to the left in Fig. 3. That is to say, the pinion 62 can be shifted from the teeth 49 to the teeth 4S only upon each alternate rotation of the seed-shaft 24.

Coming now to the means for shifting the seed-shaft 24 longitudinally of itself in the front frame 23 of the planter for the purpose of shifting the pinions by which the gear-plate is driven as above described, 65 indicates a short sleeve keyed or otherwise fixed upon the shaft 24, said sleeve being provided with two collars 66-67 spaced apart thereon. As best shown in Fig. 7, the collars 66 and 67 are cut away at one side of the sleeve 65, the ends of said mutilated collars (B6-67 being beveled.

68 indicates a bracket mounted on the front cross-bar of the front frame 23 and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. As shown in Fig. 2, the bracket 68 is provided at its upper end with an opening in which the sleeve 65 on the seed-shaft 24 is located and in which it is capable of movement laterally of the machine. 69470 indicate lugs extending upward from the lower face of the opening in the upper end of said bracket 68. These lugs 69-70 extend into such close proximity to the seedshaft 24 that the sleeve 65 is incapable of being moved laterally except when the seedshaft is in the position shown in Fig. 6 with the lugs 69-70 opposite the point where the collars 66-67 are cut away. The sleeve 65 is so adjusted upon the shaft 24 that the collars (i6-67 are in the position shown in Fig. 6 when the clutch hereinafter described is in the position shown in Fig. 4,-that is to say, when the said shaft 24 is not operatively connected through the clutch to the drive-shaft 20 of the machine. As best shown in Fig. 2, the upper edges of the lugs (39-70 are beveled to correspond to the beveling of the ends of the mutilated collars (i6-(i7.

7l indicates a pin passing through a suitable opening in the bracket GS, mounted upon the upper end of which is a lever 72 yieldingly pressed downward against the bracket 68 by a spring 73 also mounted upon the upper end of said pin 7l. The upper end of the bracket 68 is provided with three notches 74-75w76, with any one of which the lever 72 is adapted to engage, the lever 72 being free to be shifted .from one to another of the notches 74--7 5-7 6 when it is raised against the action of the spring 73. As shown in Fig. 6, an arm 77 carried by the lever 72 works between the collars 66--67 whereby a movement of the lever' 72 from one to another of said notches serves to shift the seed-shaft 24 longitudinally of itself. As will be readily understood, when the lever 72 is in engagement with the notch 76 the pinions 6l and 63 will be engagement with the teeth 50 of the gear-plates 42. Then the lever 72 is in engagement with the notch 75 the pinions 62 and 64 are in engagement with the teeth 49 of the gearplates 42, and when the lever 72 is in engagement with the notch 74 the pinions (l2-64 are in engagement with the teeth 4S of said gear-plates 42.

As will be understood from an inspection of the drawings in connection with the above description, the lever 72 is capable of being shifted only when the clutch is out of operative engagement with the shaft 24 and when the collars 66-67 are lin thev position 'shown in F ig. G. That-is to say,-after the 'clutch has vbeen thrown into operative engagement with the shaft `.24 as hereinafter described, the seed-shaft 24 cannot be shifted through the medium of the lever 72 until 'the seed-shaft has completed onel fulll rotation and the clutchfhas been again disenl 'gaged from the shaft 24. As will be further understood from the labove description, if

the lever 72 `is carelessly thrown from one notch to another and left standing at an 'intermediate point without complete engagement with any one off the notches, the

beveled end of one of the collars 66-67 will engage the beveled end of one of the lugs 69-70'and throw the sleeve 65 and the seedshaft 24 in one direction or the other into operativeposition permitting the lever 72 to assume complete engagement with one of said notches.

Coming now to the clutch mechanism by;

which the gear 29 and the sleeve 30 are:

4adaptedv to be brought into engagement with the' shaft 24, 78 indicates a drum revoluble upon the shaft 24v and fixed upon\` the sleeve 30.I 79 indicates a bracket feathered cr otherwisenon-rot-atably mounted uponV the seed- 'shaft `24.

80 indicates a 'dog pivotally mounted upon `the bracket| 79 eccentrically `of the drum 78.

81 indicates a coiled spring tending to hold said dog 80 in its outermostxposition.

y82 indicates a stud or roller mounted upon the free end of the dog`80 'adapted to engage any onefof the grooves 83 on the inner pe- 'riphery of the drum 78. As will be understood, when the roller 82 is in contact with Yone of the grooves 83 of the drum 78 the rotation of said `drum inthe direction indicated bythe yarrow in 4 will serve to ldrive the seed-shaft 24 in the same direction, such rotation of the seed-shaft 24 subsisting until the roller 82 is withdrawn from the groove 83.

. 'Them-cans by which the roller 82 is thrown out of engagement with one of the grooves 83 and at the proper interval permitte'd to assume engagement again with another of said grooves 83 comprises an arm 84 revolubly mounted upon the shaft 32 by .means of a hub- 85.

- 86 indicates a bracket iXed upon the shaft "32, 21 4Spring v87 being interposed between said bracket and the Jarm 84 tending to hold said arm 84 turned to the limit of its motion in counter-clockwise direction relative to the shaft32, as shown in Fig. 4. As indicated in'Fig. 5, the arm 84 is forked at its outer end, between the arms vof which fork there is revolubly mounted a roller 88.

-With the clutch mechanism inthe position shown in Fig. 4 with the roller 88 rest- .ing between the end of the bracket79 and the dog 80 and' thus holdingthe roller' 82 igoeaeoi `out of' engagementswith the grooves "83 of `the drum78, the operation of the device is as follows: Vhen-a knot on the usual tappet wirev engages the tappet'lever 33'mov1ng said lever* backward"androtating the shaft 32 in-clockwise direction int'Fig. 4, the arm 84-and the `roller 88 are rotated out of engagement with the bracket 79 vand dog 80, thus permitting the spring 81 to move the roller 82 into engagement with one of the grooves 83 ofthe ldrum 78 Vwhereby the drum 78, which is being rotated through the'medium of 'the sprocket chain 31,r0- tates the shaft24, rotating the seed-plate as above described. Vhen the knot of'the tappet wire has passed out of engagement withv the lever 33, the spring 39 rotates' the shaft 32 in a counter-clockwise direction in 'Figz 4 as above describedfbringfing fthe roller 88 to substantially the position shown in Fig.4. lhen the bracket 79 lhas almost completed one complete revolution .about the shaft 24, the forward edge of said bracket 79 in 'the direction of itsl rotation is brought into contact with' the roller 88, moving the arm 84 in la counter-clockwise direction `against'the action of the spring 87 ,the .roller `88 lfinally passing over the end of lthe bracket 79. The spring 87^thereupon turns the arm 84 in a counter-clockwise directionforcmg the dog`80 1n va clockwise most position and holding the arm 84 out of the path of rotation of 'the bracket 78 and the 'dog 80. In such case, thedog 80 has continuous engagement with' the drum 7 8,

` whereby the seed-shaft '.24 is 'continuously 4-driven while the machine'is beingdrawn along,fthe 'kernelsfdropping oneat a time for:y planting a'- single kernel at a pointinst-ead of plantingl the .kernels in hills. As will ybe readily understood, the distance' at 'which' the"kernels. are planted fro-m each other in drilling `depends 'upon the rate of rotation of the gear-plate 42 relative to the 'rate of rotation ofthe 'seed-shaft' 24. This of course is variable in drilling by the Luse of the lever`72 just as inthe use of themachine as a check-rower. l

y'So far as I am aware1 am ther first in the art toprovidea Vplurality of rows of gear-teeth for A'driving a seedeplate,'be tween two rows of which gear teeth is positioned the row of seed-cells which deliver the kernels to'the seed-tube, .and this construction is accordingly claimed broadly,

inasmuch asv it enables me to attain av thoroughly practical workable construction overcoming completely the difficulties encountered in the many efforts heretofore made to provide a practical construction in which the seed-plate is driven by gears rotating with the seed-plate. Se far as I am aware, I am the first in the art to provide a gear-plate, formed separately from the seed-plate and adapted to rotate therewith, with a plurality of openings one directly in line with each of the seed-cells of the seedplate, by which expedient I am enabled to accomplish my object in the construction shown, and this feature also is claimed broadly.

That which I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-

l. In a corn planter, the combination of a front frame, a seed-shaft adapted to be shifted longitudinally of itself therein, a seed-plate, connections between said seedplate and said seed-shaft whereby said seedplate may be driven from said seed-shaft at a 'ate variable relative to said seed-shaft, means for intermittently driving said seed-- shaft, a collar fixed on said shaft, means cooperating with said collar for holding said shaft against shifting, said collar being out away at one side whereby when said shaft in a predetermined position said collar is freed from said holding means permitting said shaft to be shifted, and means adapted to operate upon said collar for shifting said shaft.

2. In a corn planter, the combination of a front frame, a seed-shaft adapted to be shifted longitudinally of itself therein, a seed-plate, connections between said seedplate and said seed-shaft whereby said seedplate may be driven from said seed-shaft at a rate variable relative to said seed-shaft, means for intermittently driving said seedshaft, a collar fixed on said shaft, a lug on said frame adjacent to which said collar rotates whereby said shaft is held against longitudinal mo-vement relative to said frame, said collar being eut away at one side whereby when said shaft is in a certain predetermined position said sliaft may be shifted, and means adapted to operate upon said collar for shifting said shaft.

3. In a corn planter, the combination of a front frame, a seed-shaft adapted to be shifted longitudinally of itself therein, a seed-plate, connections between said seedplate and said seed-shaft whereby said seedplate may be driven from said seed-shaft at a rate variable relative to said seed-shaft, means for intermittently driving said seedshaft, two collars fixed on said shaft at a distance from each other, and a lug on said frame adapted to work between said two collars whereby said shaft is held against longitudinal movement relative to said frame, said collars being eut away at one side whereby when said shaft is in a certain predetermined position said shaft may be shifted.

4. In a corn planter, the combination of a front frame, a seed-shaft adapted t0 be shifted longitudinally of itself therein, a serai-plate, connections bet\\'een said seedplate and said seed-shaft whereby said seedplate may be driven from said seed shaft: at a rate variable relative to said seed-shaft, two colla rs fixed on said shaft at a distarn'e from each other, and two lugs 011 said frame between which either one of said collars is adapted to work whereby said shaft is held against longitudinal movement relative to said frame, said collars being cut away at one side whereby when said shaft is in a certain predetermined position said shaft may be shifted.

5. In a corn planter, the combination of a front frame, a seed-shaft adapted to be shifted longitudinally of itself therein, a seed-plate, connections between said seedplate and said seed-shaft whereby said seedplate may be driven from said seed-shaft at a rate variable relative to said seed-shaft, two collars fixed on said shaft at a distance from each other, and two lugs on said frame between which either one of said collars is adapted to work whereby said shaft is held against longitudinal movement relative to said frame, said collars being cut away at one side whereby when said shaft is in a certain predetermined position said shaft may be shifted, the ends of said collars where they are cut away and the engaging ends of said lugs being beveled whereby if rotation of the seed-shaft is attempted with the seedshaft out of normal position for rotation the shaft will be forced by said lugs into normal position.

G. In a corn planter, the combination of a front frame, a seed-shaft adapted to be shifted longitudinally of itself therein, a seed-plate, connections between said seedplate and said seed-shaft whereby said seedplate may be driven from said seed-shaft at a rate variable relative to said seed-shaft, means for intermittently driving said seedshaft, two collars fixed on said shaft at a distance from each other, a lug on said frame adapted t0 work between said two collars whereby said shaft is held against longitudinal movement relative to said frame` said collars being cut away atl one side whereby when said shaft is in a certain predetermined position said shaft may be shifted, and means adapted to work between said two collars for shifting said shaft at the proper mo-ment and for locking the shaft in such adjusted position.

7.' In a corn planter, the combination of a front frame, a seed-shaft adapted to be shifted longitudinally of itself therein, a seed-plate, connections between said seedplate and said seed-shaft wherebysaid 'seedplate may be driven from said seed-shattfat a rate variable relative to said seed-shaft,.

means for intermittently driving-said seedshaft, two collars fixed onv said shaft at a distance from each other,` a lug onsaid frame adapted to work between said two `collars whereby said shaft is held against longitudinal movement relative tov-said frame,

`said collars being 'cut' away atI one side whereby when said shaft is in acer-tain pre-4 determined position said shaft may ybe-shi-t- 'ed7 a lever adaptedto work betweenasaid.

two collars for shifting'- sai-d shaft, andf .means for locking said lever-y in adj-usted position.

8. Thefcombination; of a seed-plate having a plurality of seed cellsv arranged thereabout, and means for rotating said seedplate, said -rotatingimeans*comprising `a row of gear teeth arranged outside offsaid seed-i cells, another row of gear teeth arranged: inside of said yseed-cells,andgears adaptedto mesh alternativelywith. -said rows of gearv teeth.`

9. The combination of a seed-plate having f a plurality of seed-cells arranged y concentrically about its axis of rotation, and means for rotatingfsaid seed-plate,- said rotating. Ameans comprising., ai .rowv of gear teethvarranged concentricallyabout thefaxis of `ro.-M tationot said-seed-plate atagreaterdis-- tancefroin the axis than arewthe'seed-cells,` another row of gearteeth arranged concenktricalzly about the axisofirotation otsaid seedplateat. asmaller distance from: thef axis than I arev said i seed.- cellsfand gearsl adapted to mesh--` alternatively.- with: said rows of -gear teeth.

10. The combination ofaifseed-plate'liaving a plurality of seed-cells arranged concentrically about its axisof rotation-,and

means `for rotating-said seed-plate,K said zro-z tating means comprising a row ot .gear teeth arranged concentricallyabout the axis of rotation ofl said. fseed-platef at raf'greater distance from the: axis than vare-the-seed-cells.- another row yof4v gear teetharranged concentrically aboutE the: axisl of.I rotation yof` isaid seed-plate at asmaller distance .from the f' axis than are said seed-cells, a--seed-shatt,'

means for driving said yseed-shaft,- a pinionl mounted on said shaft adapted tobe brought into .engagement v withf the -teethi arranged outside otsaid seecl-cells,-and another pinion mounted on said. shaft adapted-.f to be brought into engagement `.with the 'teeth ar ranged inside of said seed-cells.A

11. The combination .of-a seed-plate havving -a plurality of seed-cellsv arranged Vconcentrically about its-axishof`rotation,l and-.f

means 'for rotating sa-id .seed-plate, said ro'- tating means comprising y afrow ofgear teeth arrangedI concentrically5 about the axis :ot

rotation of :said seed-plate #at greater f distance -from ythe axis than arethe seed-cells, another row'fof gear teetharranged -concentrically about `the axis-of rotation of said seed-plate at*` asmaller distance from the-- axis than are said seed-cells, a seed-shaft,

means for driving said shaft7` two-pinions mounted on said shait and spaced apart thereon, and means for shiftingsaid shaft` longitudinally of itself for bringing said` pinions alternatively into mesh with 4sai-d two sets of gear teeth. f

12. The combination of a seed-'plate having. a plurality of seed-cells arranged concentrically aboutits axis o-rotation, and:

means for rotating said seed-plate, saidrotating; means comprising a1 row of gear fteeth arrangedconcentrically about the axis ot rotationofsaid plate at a 4greater distance from vtheaxis `than-are the seed-cells, an,- otherrowt of gear teethiarranged at equal distances apart concentrically about thefaxis ofrotation of said seed-plate at'a smaller;

distancefrom theaxis than vare said 'seedcells, a seed-shaft,-v means forv driving said seed-shaft, two-pinions of equal size mounted onthe'seed-shaft' and spaced apart thereon; and means for shifting said -shai't 'longitudinally of yitself i'or bringingy said pinions aofik alternatively into mesh'vwith said two sets l of gear teeth.'

13.'. They combination of a seed-platey having f a 'plurality of seed-cells arranged. concentricalfly about'its.+axis of rotationf, andv means for rotating said seed-plate, said :rotating means comprising-a row of gear teeth arranged atequal distances apart. concentricallyl aboutf'the axis'ofvrotation ot-saidy seed-:plate at l a' greater distance from-'the' axisthan are the seed-cells, two vother rowsranged outside o said row-y of seed-cells ori for bringing thefother-of said pinions into meshy withffeither-of the rows of gear teeth arrangedinside of said row of seed-cells:

14:.; In -avariable seed-plateV drive,` the combination offa rotatable-gear Vplate having a plurality .of openings vtherein arranged f in: seriesabout its-.axis of? rotation',4 and means for driving said gear-plateysaid drivingmean's-comprising a set ot'- gear teeth arrangedsoutside of the rowof openingsin said-geanpiate,I another set of gear'teeth;

arranged inside of said row of openings,

and gears adapted to mesh alternatively.

withy said rows 'of lgear teeth.

15. In avariable seed-plate drive, the

CIK

combination of a rotatable gear plate havof said row o'l openings, and gears adapted lng a plurality oi openlngs therein arranged to mesh alternatlvely with said rows of gear ooncentreally about its axis of rotation, and teeth. means for driving said gear plate, said driv- WILLAM S. GRAHAM. ing means comprising a set of gear teeth ar- Vtnesses:

ranged outside of the roW of openings there- A. D. GALLAGHER, 1n, two sets of gear teeth arranged inside WV. J. CoUL'rAs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

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