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US 11,963,490 B2Granted
Implements, systems, and methods for applying stress to early stage agricultural plants of agricultural fields
AssigneePrecision Planting LLC
InventorsJason Stoller, Todd Swanson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described herein are implements, systems, and methods for applying stress to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, an agricultural implement comprises a frame transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement and a stress mechanism disposed on the frame in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to the row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field.
Claims32
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement through a field;
- a stress mechanism coupled to the bar through a downwardly extending frame and configured to be above a ground surface in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to a row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field wherein the stress mechanism comprises a roller to rotate over the row of plants;
- and
- a sensor configured to measure a distance from the implement to a ground surface or a plant.
1 more element
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a first bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement through a field:
- a second bar coupled to the first bar through a downwardly extending frame and extending across a plurality of rows of plants, the second bar configured to be above a ground surface in operation such that the second bar contacts the row of plants and applies a force to a row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field;
- and
- a sensor configured to measure a distance from the implement to a ground surface or a plant.
1 more element
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement through a field;
- and
- a stress mechanism coupled to the bar in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to a row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field, wherein the stress mechanism comprises a support frame connected to the bar, a first crimper and a second crimper disposed on the support frame, and a first actuator to slide the first crimper towards and away from the second crimper.
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement through a field;
- and
- a stress mechanism coupled to the bar in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to a row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field, wherein the stress mechanism is coupled to the bar through a downwardly extending frame, an axle is connected to the downwardly extending frame, and a first roller and a second roller are disposed on the axle, and the first roller is positioned to roll over a first row of plants, and the second roller is positioned to roll over a second row of plants.
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement through a field;
- and
- a stress mechanism coupled to the bar in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to a row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field, wherein the stress mechanism comprises a sickle, the sickle comprising a first member and a crimping member.
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement through a field;
- and
- a stress mechanism coupled to the bar in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to a row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field, wherein the stress mechanism comprises a rotating member having at least one rotating arm and a stationary bar disposed below the rotating arm.
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement through a field;
- and
- a stress mechanism coupled to the bar in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to a row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field, wherein the stress mechanism comprises a lower member at a first height above a ground surface and an upper member at a second height above the ground surface, wherein the stress mechanism is configured such that a soybean stalk of a soybean plant reacts against the lower member and becomes crimped by the upper member such that the stress mechanism provides a stress to the soybean stalk above cotyledon leaves and below trifoliolate leaves.
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement through a field;
- and
- a stress mechanism coupled to the bar in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to a row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field, wherein the stress mechanism comprises:
- a first connecter disposed on the bar and extending downward;
- a first angled member rotatably mounted to the first connector, the first angled member having a first raised ring;
- a second connecter disposed on the bar and extending downward;
- and
- a second angled member rotatably mounted to the second connector, the second angled member having a second raised ring;
- wherein the first angled member and the second angled member are spaced apart and configured to rotate in opposite directions in order to accept each plant of the row of plants and apply a sufficient stress to crimp a stalk with the first raised ring and the second raised ring above cotyledon leaves and below trifoliolate leaves.
6 more elements
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement through a field;
- and
- a stress mechanism coupled to the bar in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to a row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field, wherein the stress mechanism comprises:
- a first connecter disposed on the bar and extending downward;
- an angled male member rotatably mounted to the first connector;
- a second connecter disposed on the bar and extending downward;
- and
- an angled female member rotatably mounted to the second connector;
- wherein the angled male member and angled female member are spaced a certain distance apart and rotating in opposite directions in order to accept each soybean plant of the row of plants and apply a sufficient stress to crimp a stalk above cotyledon leaves and below trifoliolate leaves.
6 more elements
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement through a field;
- a stress mechanism coupled to the bar through a downwardly extending frame and configured to be above a ground surface in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to a row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field, the stress mechanism comprising:
- a first rotating member to be positioned in operation in proximity to the row of plants;
- and
- a second rotating member in proximity to the first acting member in operation, the first and second rotating members form a stress mechanism to apply a force to the row of plants to promote growth of the row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field;
- and
- wherein the row of plants comprises a row of soybean plants having a trifoliolate soybean stage with trifoliolate leaves, wherein the first and second rotating members are actuated based on contacting a ground surface while the agricultural implement moves through the field;
- and
- a sensor configured to measure a distance from the implement to a ground surface or a plant.
6 more elements
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a bar transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement;
- a stress mechanism disposed on the bar in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to the row of plants;
- and
- at least one drive configured to rotate the stress mechanism;
- wherein the stress mechanism is coupled to the at least one drive in operation such that the drive causes the stress mechanism to apply the force to the row of plants in the field as the agricultural implement moves through the field.
2 more elements
A method of crimping soybeans, the method comprising:
- moving a stress mechanism on a bar of an agricultural implement through a field of early-stage soybeans;
- applying, with the stress mechanism, a force to cause crimping of at least one row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field;
- initiating a stress application prescription that relates georeferenced positions in the field to stress rates or down forces;
- and
- positioning the agricultural implement including the bar to be positioned transversely with respect to the at least one row of plants.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.