Thomas A Heimbuch

US Patent:

61736643, Jan 16, 2001

Filed:

Jul 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/361708

Inventors:

Thomas A. Heimbuch - Cogswell ND

International Classification:

G01L 704

US Classification:

111178

Abstract:

An equidistant planting system for accurately placing seeds in a furrow thereby providing increased crop yields. The inventive device includes a seed singulator device, a delivery tube extending from the singulator device, and a placement device connected to the delivery tube for dispersing the seed uniformly within the furrow. The placement device comprises a ring member, an opening within the lower portion of the ring member, a disk member rotatably positioned within the ring member, a mechanical drive for rotating the disk member, a cover attached to the ring member, a plurality of inner members attached to the disk member, and a corresponding plurality of guide members attached to the disk member adjacent the corresponding inner members. The guide members form a tapering passageway for guiding the seed into a narrow retaining passage for delivering the seed through the opening at approximately zero velocity from a finite vertical distance for reducing movement of the seed after placement within the furrow.

US Patent:

57787719, Jul 14, 1998

Filed:

Sep 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/711262

Inventors:

Thomas A. Heimbuch - Cogswell ND

International Classification:

A23N 700
A23N 1502
A23N 1504

US Classification:

99637

Abstract:

A vegetable topper is disclosed. In one embodiment, the topper includes a plurality of spaced rollers which are mounted on a pair of laterally spaced roller chain loops such that the rollers are able to freely spin relative to the roller chains. The rollers define a bed on which vegetables may be positioned and the flow of vegetables along the bed is generally perpendicular to the rotational axes of the rollers. A pair of laterally spaced traction members engage the lower surface of the rollers on the "upper" portion of the roller chain loops which define the bed such that the rollers of the bed are spun by relative movement between the roller chain loops and these belts. At least two cutter blades are disposed below the bed and cut vegetable tops which extend below a pair of adjacent rollers to provide a self-cleaning feature. A paddle wheel is disposed between these two cutter blades. Adjustment of the position of vegetables on the bed by the paddle wheel, particularly those vegetables which were not topped by the first cutter blade, increases the potential for these vegetables being topped by the second cutter blade which thereby increases the topping efficiency.

US Patent:

62474170, Jun 19, 2001

Filed:

May 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/580619

Inventors:

Thomas A. Heimbuch - Cogswell ND

International Classification:

A01C 718

US Classification:

111178

Abstract:

An equidistant planting system for accurately placing seeds in a furrow thereby providing increased crop yields. The inventive device includes a rim member having a lower opening, a main disk rotatably positioned within the rim member, a plurality of feeder tubes attached to the main disk, a center disk secured to the main disk having a plurality of receiving channels that correspond with each of the feeder tubes, a plurality of first apertures extending through the center disk and the main disk adjacent each of the receiving channels, and a manifold having an end cutout rotatably positioned about the center disk. The manifold is fluidly connected to a seed tube and an air tube wherein the air tube provides pressurized air to the manifold which escapes through the first apertures creating a vertex within the distal portion of the receiving channels which retains the seeds in the proper position. As the center disk and main disk rotate within the rim member, one of the receiving channels and the corresponding feeder tube is aligned with the end cutout within the manifold forcing the retained seed through the feeder tube to the distal portion of the feeder tube. As the distal end of the feeder tube passes over the lower opening within the rim member, the seed is released at approximately zero velocity with respect to the ground surface thereby reducing seed movement after placement.