Title: Tuber planter monitor

Abstract: A tuber planter employing a conveyor with feed cups to discharge seed tubers into a furrow and having an electromagnetic monitor thereon to signal the continuous operation of the conveyor is disclosed. The monitor comprises a permanent magnet protectively encased in a cover attached to a sprocket of the continuous conveyor which it monitors. A reed switch activated by a permanent magnet is protectively located adjacent to said sprocket. A housing preferably encloses at least a portion of the sprocket. The permanent magnet triggers the reed switch once each revolution of the sprocket so that an electrical signal sent from the reed switch to a remote location is interrupted or an electric signal can be intermittently generated by closing of the switch so that the operation of the continuous conveyor may be monitored, e.g., by a flashing light from a remote location. The device is especially useful for tuber planters and the like wherein a planter is trailed behind a tractor and the display device for the monitor is mounted on the tractor so that the tractor operator will know that the planter is operating.

Do you think this is a good invention? Vote now:

Votes so far: For:(0) Against:(0)
Other info:

Inventors: Curl, Robert B.
Foss, Fred (Twin Falls, ID, US)

Application Number: 011571
Filing Date: 1979-02-12
Publication_date: 1980-06-24
Assignee:
Primary Class(es): 221/7 111/903, 111/908, 116/204, 335/205
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2141044	Dec, 1938	Rassmann	111/34.
3011036	Nov, 1961	La Rocca	335/205.
3185118	May, 1965	Greene	222/23.
3249713	May, 1966	Briggs	335/205.
3355102	Nov, 1967	Gregor, Jr.	221/7.
3445796	May, 1969	Spiroch et al.	335/205.
3648631	Mar, 1972	Fiedler et al.	111/1.
4011959	Mar, 1977	Papasideris	335/205.

Other Refs: 962714

Jan, 1964	GB

Primary Examiner: Yasich, Daniel M.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Trask & Britt