Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A rice transplanting apparatus (100) comprising:
a lower base (102) and an upper base (104) to provide a rigid support to the rice transplanting apparatus (100);
a handle (106) attached to the lower base (102), to enable a user to pull the rice transplanting apparatus (100) in a backward direction;
a wheel shaft (108) attached to the upper base (104), wherein the wheel shaft (108) is attached to ground wheels (110a-110b), to generate a rotary motion in an anti-clockwise direction;
a first sprocket (114) mounted on the wheel shaft (108), to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction based on the rotary motion generated by the ground wheels (110a-110b);
a second sprocket (116) mounted on a first shaft (120), to receive the rotary motion from the first sprocket (114) through a chain drive (118);
a first gear (122) mounted on the first shaft, to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction based on the rotary motion received from the second sprocket (116);
a second gear (124) mounted on a second shaft (126), to rotate in a clockwise direction, when the first gear (122) is meshed up with the second gear (124); and
mechanical arms (134a-134b) attached to the second shaft (126), to grasp rice seedlings from a paddy support plate (128) for placing on a field in response to a reciprocating motion generated by a four-linkage mechanism through the rotary motion of the second gear (124).
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddy support plate (128) is provided to hold the rice seedlings such that the rice seedlings do not fall off during a transplantation process.
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ground wheels (110a-110b) are provided with guide rods (112a-112n) to make holes in the field to transplant the rice seedlings, when the grounds wheels (110a-110b) are rotating in the anti-clockwise direction.
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising support members (130a-130d) provided to attach the lower base (102) to the upper base (104).
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ground wheels (110a-110b) are disc wheels.
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a diameter of the ground wheels (110-110b) is 400 Millimeters (mm).
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shaft (120) is attached to the upper base (104), to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction based on the rotary motion generated by the second sprocket (116).
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second shaft (126) is attached parallel to the first shaft (120), to rotate in the clockwise direction based on the rotary motion generated by the second gear (124).
9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a round rod (146) attached to the upper base (104), to provide a support to the mechanical arms (134a-134b).
10. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first gear (122) and the second gear (124) are spur gears.
Date: 03 February, 2021
Place: Noida
Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)

, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

RICE TRANSPLANTING APPARATUS

APPLICANT(S)
NAME: CH. VINAY KUMAR REDDY
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: S R ENGINEERING COLLEGE, ANANTHASAGAR (V), HASANPARTHY (M), WARANGAL, TELANGANA 506371

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an agricultural apparatus and particularly to a rice transplanting apparatus.
Description of Related Art
[002] Agriculture plays a vital role in Indian economy. Almost 70% population of India is engaged in the agriculture for an employment. Rice is a primary and a major crop cultivated in India. A large number of farmers are involved in cultivating and production of rice. Traditionally, a manual transplanting is done which requires a lot of man power. However, a high demand labor during peak periods adversely affects timeliness of operations, thereby reducing a crop yield. Moreover, the rice transplanting requires a lot of time by using hands. Further, skilled farmers are required to transplant the rice properly which in turn increases a labor cost.
[003] Conventionally, a six row manually operated rice transplanter has been used by an operator. Such rice transplanter are small enough to operate manually. However, the operator has to move with the rice transplanter and power the rice transplanter by the hands as the rice transplanter comes up with no wheels (as shown in FIG. 1A). Moreover, the manually operated transplanter involves a very high initial cost and a high maintenance cost which is not affordable and feasible for the farmers. Moreover, the transplanter is too heavy which in turn creates difficulty for the farmers to move the rice transplanter on wet lands. Such transplanter possesses very complex mechanism which could not be repaired and/or serviced easily at any ordinary workshop.
[004] There is thus a need for an advanced and more-effective rice transplanting apparatus that can administer the drawbacks faced by the conventional approaches.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a rice transplanting apparatus comprising: a lower base and an upper base to provide a rigid support to the rice transplanting apparatus. The rice transplanting apparatus further comprises: a handle attached to the lower base, to enable a user to pull the rice transplanting apparatus in a backward direction. The rice transplanting apparatus further comprises: a wheel shaft attached to the upper base. The wheel shaft is attached to ground wheels, to generate a rotary motion in an anti-clockwise direction. The rice transplanting apparatus further comprises: a first sprocket mounted on the wheel shaft, to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction based on the rotary motion generated by the ground wheels. The rice transplanting apparatus further comprises: a second sprocket mounted on a first shaft, to receive the rotary motion from the first sprocket through a chain drive. The rice transplanting apparatus further comprises: a first gear mounted on the first shaft, to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction based on the rotary motion received from the second sprocket. The rice transplanting apparatus further comprises: a second gear mounted on a second shaft, to rotate in a clockwise direction, when the first gear is meshed up with the second gear. The rice transplanting apparatus further comprises mechanical arms attached to the second shaft, to grasp rice seedlings from a paddy support plate for placing on a field in response to a reciprocating motion generated by a four-linkage mechanism through the rotary motion of the second gear.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application provide a semi-automated rice transplanting apparatus that is inexpensive and light weight. Next, embodiments of the present application provide a rice transplanting apparatus that eliminates a need of labors by making the rice transplanting apparatus semi-automated, which in turn reduces a labor cost. Further, embodiments of the present application provide a rice transplanting apparatus that reduces a time taken to transplant seedlings, thereby allows more time for harvesting. Next, embodiments of the present application provide the rice transplanting apparatus that acquires a higher yield and an improved quality of the rice. Next, embodiments of the present application provide a rice transplanting apparatus for small-scale farmers who are mostly affected by unwanted situations or conditions by helping the farmers to cultivate the rice effectively and efficiently with less health-related issues.
[007] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[008] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1A illustrates a rice transplanting apparatus, according to a prior art;
[0011] FIG. 1B illustrates a three-dimensional view of a rice transplanting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 1C illustrates an isometric view of the rice transplanting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 1D illustrates a top view of the rice transplanting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1E illustrates a mechanical arm of the rice transplanting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1F illustrates a side view of the rice transplanting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1G illustrates a three-dimensional side view of the rice transplanting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a prototype of the rice transplanting apparatus, in an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method to operate the rice transplanting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0021] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.
[0022] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0023] FIG. 1B illustrates a three-dimensional view of a rice transplanting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rice transplanting apparatus 100 may be a low-cost apparatus that may be designed to transplant rice seedlings in a field. Further, the rice transplanting apparatus 100 may be designed to reduce a time taken to transplant the rice seedlings, thereby allowing more time for harvesting. Furthermore, the rice transplanting apparatus 100 may be designed to reduce dependencies of farmers on labors for transplanting the rice seedlings. Also, the rice transplanting apparatus 100 may be designed to acquire a higher yield and an improved quality of rice.
[0024] The rice transplanting apparatus 100 may include a lower base 102 and an upper base 104, to provide a rigid support to components of the rice transplanting apparatus 100. The components may be, but not limited to, a handle 106, a wheel shaft 108, wheels 110a-110b (hereinafter referred to as the wheels 110), guide rods 112a-112n (hereinafter referred to as the guide rods 112), a first sprocket 114, a second sprocket 116, a chain drive 118, a first shaft 120, a first gear 122, a second gear 124, a second shaft 126 and a paddy support plate 128.
[0025] The lower base 102 and the upper base 104 may be made up of square shaped pipes, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the lower base 102 and the upper base 104 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a mild steel, an aluminum, a wood, an iron, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the lower base 102 and the upper base 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower base 102 may have a length of 82 Centimeters (cm), a width of 56 cm and a width of the square shaped pipes may be 5 cm. Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper base 104 may have a length of 102 cm and a width of 56 cm.
[0026] The handle 106 may be fixedly attached to the lower base 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the handle 106 may be removably attached to the lower base 102. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle 106 may have a length of 120 cm, a width of 50 cm and a width of square pipes used to make the handle 106 may be 5 cm. Further, the handle 106 may be designed to enable a user to pull the rice transplanting apparatus 100 in a backward direction, according to embodiments of the present invention. “Backward direction” refers to a direction to which the user is standing. According to embodiments of the present invention, the user may be, but not limited to, a farmer, a land owner, a technician, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user for operating the rice transplanting apparatus 100. The handle 106 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, the steel, the aluminum, a hardened plastic, the wood, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the handle 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, the handle 106 may be structured in a shape such as, but not limited to, a U-shaped handle, a C-shaped handle, a Y-shaped handle, and alike. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle 106 may be structured in a rectangular shape. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the shape for the handle 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] Further, the wheel shaft 108 may be connected to the upper base 104 through joints. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wheel shaft 108 may be a rotatable shaft having a length of 73 cm and a diameter of 20 mm. The joints may be, but not limited to, a Constant Velocity (CV) joint, a cross and a roller joint, a pin joint, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the joints, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The wheel shaft 108 may be provided to transmit a power to the components of the rice transplanting apparatus 100, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] According to embodiments of the present invention, the ground wheels 110 may be fixedly attached at ends of the wheel shaft 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the ground wheels 110 may be removably attached at the ends of the wheel shaft 108. The ground wheels 110 may start rotating in an anti-clockwise direction to generate the power when the user pulls the rice transplanting apparatus 100 using the handle 106. The ground wheels 110 may be, but not limited to, chrome wheels, forged wheels, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ground wheels 110 may be disc wheels that may be made up of a mild steel. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the ground wheels 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the ground wheels 110 may have a diameter of 400 Millimeters (mm). In an embodiment of the present invention, the ground wheels 110 may be provided with the angled guide rods 112 that may enable the ground wheels 110 to easily rotate in wet lands. Further, the guide rods 112 may be provided along a perimeter of the ground wheels 110 to make holes in the field to transplant the rice seedlings, when the grounds wheels 110 are rotating in the anti-clockwise direction.
[0029] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first sprocket (z1) 114 may be mounted on the wheel shaft 108. The first sprocket (z1) 114 may be provided to rotate at a same speed in the anti-clockwise direction based on a rotation of the ground wheels 110. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first sprocket (z1) 114 may have 44 teeth and have a diameter of 20 mm. The first sprocket (z1) 114 may be in engagement with the second sprocket (z2) 116 through the chain drive 118. The chain drive 118 may be provided to transfer the power generated by the ground wheels 110 from the first sprocket (z1) 114 to the second sprocket (z2) 116. Further, the second sprocket (z2) 116 may be mounted on the first shaft 120. The second sprocket (z2) 116 may be provided to rotate at the same speed in the anti-clockwise direction based on the rotation of the first sprocket (z1) 114. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second sprocket (z2) 116 may have 18 teeth and have a diameter of 20 mm. The first sprocket (z2) 114 may be larger in size as compared to the second sprocket (z1) 116.
[0030] Further, the second sprocket 116 may enable the first shaft 120 to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first shaft 120 may be fixedly attached to the upper base 104 from a front side of the rice transplanting apparatus 100. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first shaft 120 may be removably attached to the upper base 104 from the front side of the rice transplanting apparatus 100. The first shaft 120 may have a length of 66 cm and a diameter of 20 mm. According to embodiments of the present invention, the first gear 122 may be mounted on the first shaft 120. The first gear 122 may be, but not limited to, a helical gear, a worm gear, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first gear 122 may be a spur gear. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the first gear 122, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first gear 122 may have 33 teeth and have a diameter of 20 mm. The first shaft 120 may enable the first gear 122 to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction based on the rotation of the second sprocket 116. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first gear 122 may be meshed with the second gear 124 while the first gear 122 is rotating in the anti-clockwise direction. The second gear 124 may reverse a rotational direction from the anti-clockwise direction to a clockwise direction. The second gear 124 may be, but not limited to, the helical gear, the worm gear, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second gear 124 may be the spur gear. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the second gear 124, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second gear 124 may have 27 teeth and have a diameter of 20 mm. The second gear 124 may be mounted on the second shaft 126 that may be affixed parallel to the first shaft 120 by using the joints. The second gear 124 may enable the second shaft 126 to rotate in the clockwise direction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second shaft 126 may have a length of 66 cm and a diameter of 20 mm. In an embodiment of the present invention, a length of the first shaft 120 and the second shaft 126 may indicate a space required between the rice seedlings.
[0033] Further, the paddy support plate 128 may be provided to place the rice seedlings. The paddy support plate 128 may be having a length of 74 cm, a width of 61 cm and a thickness of 0.15 mm. The paddy support plate 128 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, the mild steel, the aluminum, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the paddy support plate 128, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, a distance between two paddy seedlings in a same column may be 300 mm. Further, a ratio of the first sprocket (z1) 114 and the second sprocket (z2) 116 may depend on a number of teeth of the first sprocket (z1) 114 and a number of teeth of the second sprocket (z2) 116. The ratio of first sprocket (z1) 114 and the second sprocket (z2) 116 may be calculated by using a below defined equation:
Ratio of the first sprocket 114 and the second sprocket 116 = z1/z2 --- (1)
= 44/18 = 2.44
[0035] Table 1 represents number of cycles and displacement of the first sprocket (z1) 114 and the second sprocket (z2) 116.
Number of cycles Displacement of First Sprocket (z1) (in degrees) Displacement of Gear Sprocket (z2) (in degrees)
Initial Position 0° 0°
1 148° 360°
2 296° 2(360) = 720°
3 442° 3(360) = 1080°
4 590° 4(360) = 1440°
5 738° 5(360) = 1800°
6 886° 6(360) = 2160°
7 1032° 7(360) = 2520°
8 1180° 8(360) = 2880°
9 1328° 9(360) = 3240°
10 1476° 10(360) = 3600°
Table 1
[0036] Further, the ratio of first sprocket (z1) 114 and the second sprocket (z2) 116 may determine a rotation angle of the first sprocket (z1) 114, when the second sprocket (z2) 116 rotates at a pre-defined angle. In an exemplary scenario, Table 1 indicates that when the second sprocket (z2) 116 rotates at an angle of 360 degree, then the rotation angle of the first sprocket (z1) 114 may be up to 162 degree, due to 2.44 ratio of the first sprocket (z1) 114 and the gear sprocket (z2) 116.
[0037] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, a length of the chain drive 118 may be calculated using below defined equation:
Length of chain drive (L) = Lp*Pd ------------ (2)
where Lp represents a length of a continuous chain in multiples of pitches and Pd represents a pitch diameter. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the pitch diameter (Pd) may be calculated by using a below defined equation:
a = (30-50) Pd ----------------------- (3)
where “a” is a center distance and assume a value of “a” may be 55cm
55 = 50Pd
Pd =1.1
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the length (Lp) may be calculated by using a below defined equation:
Lp =2ap + (z1 + z2)/2 + (((z1-z2)/ (2*3.14)2 *ap) ------- (4)
where ap is an approximate center distance in multiple of pitches, where ap may be calculated by using a below defined equation:
ap= a/Pd -------------------------- (5)
ap= 60/1.1 = 54.54 cm
[0039] Further, put the value of ap in the equation (4) to get the value of Lp
Lp = 2(50) + (44+18/2) + (((44-18) / (2*3.14)2 *50)
Lp =131.08 cm
[0040] Further, put the value of Lp and Pd in the equation (2) to get the length of the chain drive 118.
Length of the chain drive 118 = 131.08*1.2
Length of the chain drive 118 = =144.19 cm
[0041] According to embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the ground wheels 110 may be calculated by using the number of guide rods 112. A Highest Common Factor (H.C.F) of the above-mentioned displacement may be 20°. The number of guide rods 112 may be calculated by using a below defined equation:
The number of guide rods 112 = the displacement of the second sprocket 116 / H.C.F ------------- (6)
The number of guide rods 112 = 360°/ 20 =18, wherein the number of guide rods 112 are in a range of 10 to 18. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of guide rods 112 may be 12.
[0042] In an exemplary scenario, the number of guide rods 112 = 12, therefore
= Number of guide rods 112 / the ratio of the first sprocket 114 and the second sprocket 116
= 18/2.44 = 7.38 = 8
which represents that after every 8th hole the rice seedling may be transplanted.
[0043] Further, the distance between the rice seedlings in the same column = 350 mm, Therefore, 350/ (5-1) = 87.5 mm = 88 mm. Further, by cross multiplication, 18° = 88mm, 360° = 2640 mm and (360*50)/20 = 1584 mm. Further, a circumference of the ground wheels 110 = 1584 mm and the diameter of ground wheels 110 = 1584/4 = 396 mm that may be approximately 400 mm.
[0044] FIG. 1C illustrates an isometric view of the rice transplanting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower base 102 and the upper base 104 may be attached by support members 130a-130d (hereinafter referred to as the support members 130). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support members 130 may have a height of 13.5 cm and a width of 5 cm. The support members 130 may be made up of the material such as, but not limited to, the mild steel, the aluminum, the wood, the iron, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the support members 130, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, according to embodiments of the present invention, the first shaft 120 and the second shaft 126 may be supported by a first pair of bearings 132a-132b and a second pair of bearings 132c-132d respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pair of bearings 132a-132b and the second pair of bearings 132c-132d may have a diameter of 20 mm. The first pair of bearings 132a-132b and the second pair of bearings 132c-132d may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic, a ceramic, a steel, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the first pair of bearings 132a-132b and the second pair of bearings 132c-132d, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0045] FIG. 1D illustrates a top view of the rice transplanting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wheel shaft 108 may be supported by a third pair of bearings 132e-132f that may be the set of steel balls. The third pair of bearings 132e-132f may also enable the ground wheels 110 (as shown in Fig. 1A) to rotate smoothly with a minimum friction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third pair of bearings 132e-132f may have a diameter of 20 mm. The third pair of bearings 132e-132f may be made up of the material such as, but not limited to, the plastic, the ceramic, the steel, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the third pair of bearings 132e-132f, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, both ends of the second shaft 126 may be affixed with mechanical arms 134a-134b (hereinafter referred to as the mechanical arms 134) that may use a four-bar linkage mechanism to grasp the rice seedlings from the paddy support plate 128. The mechanical arms 134 may be placed parallel to the ground wheels 110 to enable the mechanical arms 134 to place the rice seedlings in the holes made by the guide rods 112 (as shown in the FIG. 1B). The four-bar linkage mechanism may be provided to convert the rotational motion into a reciprocating motion. As used herein, the term “reciprocating motion” refers to a repetitive up and down or back and forth linear motion.
[0046] FIG. 1E illustrates the mechanical arm 134 of the rice transplanting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mechanical arm 134 may be attached to a left side and a right side of the second shaft 126 (as shown in FIG. 1F). The mechanical arms 134 may comprise a first bar 136 of a first pre-defined length, second bar 138 of a second pre-defined length, third bar 140 of a third pre-defined length and fourth bar 142 of a fourth pre-defined length. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pre-defined length may be 28 cm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second pre-defined length may be 11 cm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third pre-defined length may be 9 cm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fourth pre-defined length may be 23 cm.
[0047] The first bar 136 may be having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first bar 136 may be attached to ends of a round rod 146 (as shown in the FIG. 1F) through the joints. Further, the second bar 138 may be having a first end and a second end. The first end of the second bar 138 may be attached to the second end of the first bar 136 through the joints. Further, the third bar 140 may be having a first end and a second end. The first end of the third bar 140 may be attached to the ends of the second shaft 126 (as shown in the FIG. 1A) through the joints and the second end of the third bar 140 may be attached to the second end of the second bar 138 through the joints. The fourth bar 142 may be having a first end and a second end. The first end of the fourth bar 142 may be attached to the second end of the third bar 140 and the second end of the fourth bar 142 may have a fork 144 to grasp the rice seedlings from the paddy support plate 128 (as shown in the FIG. 1A) and plant the paddy seedlings on the field.
[0048] FIG. 1F illustrates a side view of the rice transplanting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The round rod 146 may be attached to the upper base 104 through the joints, to provide support to the mechanical arms 134 (as shown in FIG. 1C). The round rod 146 may have a diameter of 10 mm. The round rod 146 may be made up of the material such as, but not limited to, the aluminum, the iron, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the round rod 146 may be made up of the mild steel. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the round rod 146, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0049] According to embodiments of the present invention, the second shaft 126 may enable the third bars 140 to rotate in the clockwise direction based on the rotation of the second gear 124 (as shown in the FIG. 1A). Further, the four-bar linkage between the first bar 136, the second bar 138, the third bar 140 and the fourth bar 142 may convert the rotational motion that may be in the clockwise direction into the reciprocating motion to enable the mechanical arms 134 to grasp the rice seedlings from the paddy support plate 128.
[0050] FIG. 1G illustrates a three-dimensional side view of the rice transplanting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The paddy support plate 128 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a square shape, a rectangular shape, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the shape of the paddy support plate 128, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates a prototype of the rice transplanting apparatus 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rice transplanting apparatus 200 may comprise a frame 202. The frame 202 may be made up of the material such as, but not limited to, the mild steel, the aluminum, the wood, the iron, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the frame 202 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The frame 202 may comprise supporting members 204a-204f (hereinafter referred to as the supporting members 204) that may be designed to provide support to the components of the rice transplanting apparatus 200. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the supporting members 204 may have a height of 13.5 cm and a width of 5 cm. The supporting members 204 may be made up of the material such as, but not limited to, the mild steel, the aluminum, the wood, the iron, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the supporting members 204, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0052] Further, the frame 202 may comprises supporting rods 206a-206b (hereinafter referred to as the supporting rods 206) that may be removably attached to the wheel shaft 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the supporting rods 206 may be fixedly attached to the wheel shaft 108. The supporting rods 206 may be designed to provide a support to a handle 208. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the supporting rods 206 may have a height of 12 cm. The supporting rods 206 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, the steel, the aluminum, a hardened plastic, the wood, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the supporting rods 206, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, the handle 208 may be fixedly attached within the supporting rods 206 of the frame 202, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the handle 208 may be removably attached within the supporting rods 206 of the frame 202. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle 208 may have a length of 120 cm.
[0053] FIG. 3 represents a flow chart of a method 300 for operating the rice transplanting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0054] At step 302, the rice transplanting apparatus 100 may be held by the user through the handle 106 to move the rice transplanting apparatus 100 in the backward direction to generate a rotary motion in the anti-clockwise direction by the ground wheels 110.
[0055] At step 304, the rice transplanting apparatus 100 may transmit the rotary motion from the first sprocket 114 to the second sprocket 116 through the chain drive 118.
[0056] At step 306, the rice transplanting apparatus 100 may reverse the rotational motion from the anti-clockwise direction to the clockwise direction, when the first gear 122 may be meshed up with the second gear 124.
[0057] At step 308, the rice transplanting apparatus 100 may convert the rotary motion that may be in the clockwise direction into the reciprocating motion using the four-linkage mechanism to enable the mechanical arms 134 to grasp the rice seedlings from the paddy support plate 128.
[0058] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0059] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.