Abstract A seed dispenser including a seed reservoir with its lower portion connected to a seed hopper, a fixed annular seed guide having a seed discharge opening and a plurality of seed selector elements mounted on a rotatable mounting plate. The seed selector elements select seeds from the lower portion of the seed reservoir and slide the seeds along the seed guide to the discharge opening where they are ejected. The fixed annular seed guide includes a frusto-conical surface and a cylindrical surface. The seed selector elements have seed-engaging surfaces which cooperate with the frusto-conical surface to push and guide seed along the frusto-conical surface. A cam is provided to rotate the seed selector elements relative to the rotatable mounting plate to allow seed to enter the space between the seedengaging surfaces and the annular seed guide. The annular seed guide may include a recessed portion to dislodge excess seeds carried by the selector elements. The axis of rotation of the rotatable mounting plate may be slightly offset from the axis of the annular seed guide to assist in dislodging excess seeds.
A seed dispenser characterized by an a relatively stationary annular seed guide with a discharge aperture, a rotatable mounting plate rotatable about an axis, at least one seed selector pivotally mounted on the rotatable mounting plate for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the mounting plate, at least one surface on the seed selector that engages seed to hold seed against said annular seed guide and conveys the seed along the annular seed guide, cam means to pivot the seed selector relative to the mounting plate, a seed supply means and drive means to rotate the rotatable mounting plate with the seed selector to remove seed from the seed supply, slide the seed along the surface of the annular seed guide and to discharge seed through the discharge aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A seed dispenser characterized by an a relatively stationary annular seed guide with a discharge aperture, a rotatable mounting plate rotatable about an axis, at least one seed selector pivotally mounted on the rotatable mounting plate for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the mounting plate, at least one surface on the seed selector that engages seed to hold seed against said annular seed guide and conveys the seed along the annular seed guide, cam means to pivot the seed selector relative to the mounting plate, a seed supply means and drive means to rotate the rotatable mounting plate with the seed selector to remove seed from the seed supply, slide the seed along the surface of the annular seed guide and to discharge seed through the discharge aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The seed dispenser of claim 1 characterized by the annular seed guide including a frusto-conical surface along which seed is slid by the seed selector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The seed dispenser of claim 1 characterized by the rotatable mounting plate including a stop surface, the seed selector including a first stop surface which contacts the stop surface on the rotatable mounting plate to limit pivotal movement of the seed selector relative to the rotatable mounting plate in one direction and resilient means to bias the first stop surface on the seed selector toward the stop surface on the mounting plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The seed dispenser of claim 3 characterized by the cam means, for pivoting the seed selector, contacting the seed selector to pivot the seed selector relative to the rotatable mounting plate against the resilient means to open a space between the seed selector and the annular seed guide for receiving seed from the seed supply.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The seed dispenser of claim 1 characterized by the annular seed Guide including a recessed portion for dislodging excess seeds carried between the seed selector and the annular seed guide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The seed dispenser of claim 1 characterized by an annular discharge channel with a discharge opening surrounding the seed guide and at least one paddle member in the discharge channel operatively connected to rotate with the rotatable mounting plate.