ATTACHMENT FOR A POWER TILLER
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention disclosed herein relates, in general, to devices for planting seeds, more
particularly the invention relates to an attachment for a power tiller that enables efficient planting
of seeds.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are many apparatuses present currently that can be attached to ends of a power
tiller or a two wheel tractor for performing various agricultural operations. For example tilling
apparatus may be attached to an end of the power tiller for tilling of land. After the tilling
process is complete. various other operations need to be carried upon the land, for example
dispensing of fertilizers is one of such processes, and for this a fertilizer dispensing attachment
can be attached to the power tiller.
100031 Similarly sowing of seeds is yet another operation that has to be carried out. This
operation can be done using broadcasting technique as well drill seeding. For each of these
operations we have various attachment apparatus available.
[0004] Since almost all of these operations are indispensable for a farmer, it is quite capital
intensive for a farmer to have a separate attachment apparatus for all these operations. Moreover
possessing large number of equipment's causes logistic difficulties for the farmer. Also
maintenance of the attachments is expensive, resource consuming and time consuming.
[0005] Therefore, to overcome the above shortcomings a variety of attachment apparatus
have been developed that can combine the functions of the different attachments. For example,
combined attachment apparatus that are capable of tilling land as well as fertilizing it at the same
time have been developed.
[0006] Similarly, combined attachment apparatus that are capable of drill seeding and
fertilization of the seeds at the same time have been developed. Also, attachment apparatus for
seed broadcasting and fertilization are present. In addition to these attachment apparatus, there
are many other apparatus, capable of performing a plurality of functions.
[0007] However an attachment apparatus that could be used for sowing seeds, both via seed
broadcasting and drill seeding is not prevalent. Therefore the fanner has to use two separate
apparatus for these two operations, as the seeding technique employed varies from crop to crop.
In many cases, the two separate attachment apparatus being too costly, forces the farmer to resort
to manual broadcasting. Thus an attachment apparatus, capable of performing both these
operations would be quite useful. Its use would lead to a lower capital investment and effective
utilization of time, thus improving the farmers overall efficiency.
[0008] In light of the above discussion, there is a need for an improvement in apparatus that
enable efficient sowing of seeds and also to eliminate one or more drawbacks of the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0009] The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth
with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may best be understood by reference to
the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These
drawings and the associated description are provided to illustrate some embodiments of the
invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a three dimensional model of an attachment apparatus, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view of the attachment apparatus, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the attachment apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
(00131 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the seed broadcasting mechanism of the attachment
apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tine and seed discharge pipe assembly of the
attachment apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an hopper jack assembly of the attachment apparatus,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an hopper assembly of the attachment apparatus, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wheel assembly of the attachment apparatus, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
(00181 FIG. 9 is a three dimensional model of an attachment apparatus, in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention;
(00191 FIG. 10 is a three dimensional model of an attachment apparatus, in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a front view of the attachment apparatus, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a top view of the attachment apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 13 is a side view of the attachment apparatus, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are
illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the
dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other
elements, in order to improve the understanding of the present invention.
[0024] There may be additional structures described in the foregoing application that are not
depicted on one of the described drawings. In the event such a structure is described, but not
depicted in a drawing, the absence of such a drawing should not be considered as an omission of
such design from the specification.
SUMMARY
(00251 The instant exemplary embodiments provide an attachment apparatus for being
attached to a power tiller, such that the attachment apparatus includes at-least a seed drilling
mechanism and a seed broadcasting mechanism.
[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment apparatus for use
with a power tiller, the attachment apparatus being capable of performing a plurality of
operations, including but not limited to tilling, varying depth of tines, fertilizer dispensing and
sowing of seeds.
[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment apparatus for use
with a power tiller, the attachment apparatus being capable of varying the distance between the
seeds planted in a single row and also an inter-row distance.
[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment apparatus which
facilitates inter-cropping.
100291 A further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment apparatus for use
with a power tiller, the attachment apparatus being capable of dispensing fertilizer at the time of
sowing seeds.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the
present invention utilizes a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to an
attachment apparatus for use with a power tiller. Accordingly the apparatus components and the
method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings,
showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so
as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary
skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
[0031] While the specification concludes with the claims defining the features of the
invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood
from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which like
reference numerals are carried forward.
[0032] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein;
however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the
invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims
and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used
herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the
invention.
[0033] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term
"another", as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including" andlor
"having" as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e. open transition). The term "coupled" or
"operatively coupled" as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly,
and not necessarily n~echanically.
(00341 The invention provided here is that of an attachment apparatus 100 that can be
mounted directly on to a power tiller or a two wheeled tractor.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a three dimensional model of the attachment apparatus 100. The
attachment apparatus 100 is shown to include a mechanical linkage 102, arms 104a and 104b,
beams 108a and 108b, two horizontally running beams 1 10, a plurality of tines 1 12, fasteners
114, seed discharge pipe 116, a plurality of hoppers 120, a wheel assembly 124, a seed discharge
means 1 30, and a plurality of hopper jacks 132.
[0036] The attachment apparatus is so arranged that at a front end there is provided the
mechanical linkage 102 for fastening the attachment apparatus 100 to the power tiller. In an
embodiment the mechanical linkage 102 being used for fastening can be bolts or other similarly
known fasteners in the art. In a further embodiment, more than one mechanical linkage may be
used for fastening the attachment apparatus 100 to the power tiller.
[0037] Moving on, the arms 104a and 104b emerge from the mechanical linkage 102 and are
connected to the first front end beam 108a for force transmission. The two beams 108a and 108b
located towards the bottom part of the rear end, along with the two horizontally running beams
110 joining them, provide a basic support frame for the attachment apparatus 100. The four
beams together determine the attachment apparatus dimensions.
[0038] In an embodiment the attachment apparatus dimensions can range between [l*b*h]
700-800 mm X 350-450 mm X 40-60 mm. In a preferred embodiment the attachment apparatus
dimensions is 760inm X 405mm X 50mm.
100391 The hoppers 120 are located at the top rear end of the attachment apparatus 100 and
function to hold the plurality of seeds. The hoppers 120 are attached to the attachment apparatus
100 by means of a hopper jack assembly 132 as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 6. The hopper
jack assembly 132 allows for the varying of height of the hopper 120 with respect to the hopper
mounting frame. The height can be adjusted by means of a hopper jack handle 136. Each hopper
120 has a plurality of seed discharge openings 122 as can be seen with reference to FIG. 7.
(00401 In an embodiment, the hoppers 120 can contains seeds of different types. In another
embodiment, the hoppers 120 can have multiple boxes each containing a different object like
fertilizers, seeds etc.
100411 In another embodiment the hoppers 120 can be used for holding different seeds or
fertilizers. The arrangement thus performs dual operations of seeding as well as fertilizer
dispensing. In an embodiment, where a first hopper contains seeds and a second hopper contains
fertilizer, the attachment apparatus 100 can be used to dispense seeds and fertilizer at the same
time.
[0042] In another embodiment, the attachment apparatus 100 can have a single hopper 120
as can be seen in conjunction with FIG. 10.
10043) The plurality of tines 112 are located at the bottom of the attachment apparatus 100
and can be used to sow seeds while the power tiller is moving. The plurality of tines 112 have a
vertical motion that enable the seeds being dispersed to be drilled into the ground. In one
embodiment, the tines 1 12a, 1 12b are connected to the beam 108a and the tines 1 12c, 1 12d, 1 12e
are connected to the rear beam 108b as can be seen in conjunction with FIG. 10. The height of
the tines 1 12 is adjusted using the nut and bolt assemblies 1 18, and is understood in more details
with reference to FIG. 5. By changing the height of tines 112, the depth of drilling is varied. The
change in drilling depth thus allows for sowing seeds at various depths. In an embodiment, the
height of the tines can be varied up to 100 mm.
[0044] The plurality of tines 112 are attached to the beam 108a by means of the fasteners
114 that can be in the form of bolts or other suitable mechanisms. It should be appreciated that
the fasteners 114 are removable, and as such are used to change the spacing between the tines
1 12. In an embodiment, the inter-tine distance is in the range of 1 10-140 mm. In a particular
embodiment, the inter-tine distance is 127mm. In a further embodiment, the fasteners 114 can be
used to remove the tines 1 12 altogether.
I00451 Moving on, towards the rear side of the plurality of tines 112 are attached the seed
discharge pipes 1 16. The seed discharge pipes 1 16 are connected to seed discharge openings 122
and enable discharging of seeds into the ground as the tines 112 move ahead. There are a
plurality of seed discharge openings 122 in the hopper 120 as can be seen with reference to FIG.
7.
[0046] The seed broadcasting mechanism 130 is located at the bottom end of the apparatus
and is attached to the rear beam 108 b. The seed broadcasting mechanism consists of a board
138, on the rear end of which are connected seed discharge pipes 116, as can be understood in
conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG.4.
(00471 In an embodiment the seed discharge pipes from the first hopper are connected to the
tines and the seed discharge pipes from the second hopper are connected to the seed broadcasting
n~echanisn~.
[0048] Furthermore, the seed transfer rate from the seed discharge openings 122 is
controlled by a controlling mechanism. The controlling mechanism consists of a wheel assembly
124, connected by means of a chain and sprocket assembly 126 to a shaft 128. The wheel
assembly 124 is shown in more detail in FIG. 8. The shaft 128 helps in controlling the seed
discharge rate and the combined assembly determines the rate of seed discharge. The controlling
mechanism thus also allows varying the seed to seed distance.
(00491 FIG. 2 shows the front view of the invention in accordance with an embodiment. The
shaft 128 draws power from the wheel assembly 124 via the chain and sprocket assembly 126
and the rotation of the shaft 128 determines the seed discharge rates from the hoppers 120.
[0050] FIG. 10 shows a three dimensional view of the invention in accordance with an
embodiment. The embodiment comprises only one hopper 120 and the seed broadcasting
mechanism 130 is absent. The rod 106 emerging from the mechanical linkage 102 is connected
to the rear beam 108 b for force transmission.
[0051] In an embodin~ent,th e attachment apparatus 100 can be used for inter-cropping. In
this case the outlets of these two hoppers are connected via the seed discharge pipes 116 to two
sets of tines spaced apart longitudinally.
[0052] Other similar variations are also possible, and will be evident to those skilled in the
art.
[0053] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum
dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention to include variations in size, materials,
shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use are deemed readily apparent
and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the
drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present
invention.
[0053] Therefore the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled
in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown
and described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
I00551 While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred
embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon
will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the
present invention is not to be Iimited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the
broadest sense allowable by law.
[0056] All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
An attachment apparatus for a power tiller, the attachment apparatus comprising;
a. a front end comprising
I, an attachment means for enabling attachment with the power tiller;
b. a rear end comprising
I. a plurality of tines, the plurality of tines being used for drilling seeds and
having a height adjusting mechanism for varying seed drilling depth;
11, a seed broadcasting mechanism, the seed broadcasting mechanism being used
to broadcast seeds onto the ground;
111. at least one hopper, the at least one hopper comprising a plurality of openings,
the hopper containing seeds and a seed transfer mechanism for transferring the
seeds from the hopper openings to the tines and the seed broadcasting
mechanism.
2. The attachment apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the distance between the
plurality of tines is variable.
3. The attachment apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the row to row distance between
the seeds being planted is variable.
4. The attachment apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one hopper is
adapted to contain fertilizer for dispensing along with the seeds.
5. The attachment apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one hopper is
adapted to planting a variety of seeds as required for inter-cropping.
6. The attachment apparatus according to Claim 1 adapted to be used for planting seeds of
different sizes.
7. The attachment apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the seed to seed planting
distance is variable.
8. The attachinent apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the seed transfer rate controlling
means comprises a wheel, connected by means of a chain and sprocket arrangement to a
shaft that controls the seed discharge rate.
9. The attachment apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the plurality of tines are
removable.
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