U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division |
U.S. Patent Classification System - Classification Definitions
as of June 30, 2000
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Class 111
PLANTING
Class Definition:
Processes and instruments for inserting in the ground seed,
fertilizer, poison, plants, or other material or objects
handled in a similar manner. Instruments for planting
therefore include means for conveying, dropping, or directing
material or objects to or upon the ground, combined with
means for preparing the ground, as by furrowing, dribbling,
or otherwise loosening or forming cavities therein for the
reception of said material or objects, or with means for
ridging, hilling, or other wise placing earth over said
material or objects, or with both said means.
(1) Note. This class includes, in addition to means for
planting or burying certain specificallynamed materials or
objects (1) broadcast-planting, comprising means for
depositing and spreading material in general uniformly over
the surface, together with means operating on the surface (as
plows, rollers, harrows) to prepare the surface to receive
such uniformly spread material or to cover it or mix it with
earth; (2) drilling and dribbling, comprising means having
earth-working tools or elements, (as furrow-opener,
furrow-closer, hill-marker, cavity-former, etc.), together
with means for depositing the material and in most instances
means for separating the material from bulk.
(2) Note. The terms "pipe or strand" and "liquid or gas" are
used in the titles of subclasses herein as typical of a class
of materials rather than as limitations. The term "planter
element" as used herein includes devices peculiar or
necessary to a complete planting operation, the usual
elements being an earth-worker, a seed-depositor, and a
covering device.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
Mechanisms per se for dispensing or retailing material from
bulk are classified in appropriate dispensing or material or
article handling classes, as for example, Class 221, Article
Dispensing, or Class 222, Dispensing; but mechanisms
comprising a valved chute to accumulate charges or otherwise
peculiarly adapted to insure depositing at intervals, when
specialized for use in a planter, are deemed to be planting
devices and are classified in this class.
SUBCLASSES
Subclass:
7.1
This subclass is indented under subclass 118. Devices where
the earth working means are hand operated.
Subclass:
7.2
This subclass is indented under subclass 7.1. Devices having
material supply means integral with the implement or directly
supported by and carried with the implement.
Subclass:
7.3
This subclass is indented under subclass 7.2. Devices having
a fluid control valve operated solely by contact of the
implement with the ground.
Subclass:
7.4
This subclass is indented under subclass 7.2. Devices
wherein the fluid is ejected by means of a force pump or
other discharge assistant.
Subclass:
8
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Processes of planting comprising both drilling and
broadcasting operations or implements which by an interchange
or shift of parts may be used at will to plant in drill or to
broadcast or implements which by a combination of parts drill
material and broadcast other material simultaneously.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
14 and 130, and see the notes thereto.
Subclass:
9
This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Instruments
embodying a main supporting-frame-section and an auxiliary
frame-section, the latter usually composed of or carrying the
earth-working tools and other elements and movable relative
to the main frame-section.
Subclass:
11
This subclass is indented under subclass 130. Broadcasting
implements having a device, such as a spreader,
deflecting-board, blower, centrifugal blade, or the like,
adapted to distribute the material over a more extended area
than the normal discharge of the apparatus would otherwise
effect.
Subclass:
12
This subclass is indented under subclass 11. Implements
embodying also a main supporting-frame section and an
auxiliary frame section, the latter usually composed of or
carrying the earth-working elements and movably relatively to
the main frame-section.
Subclass:
13
This subclass is indented under subclass 130. Implements
embodying a main supporting-frame and an auxiliary frame, the
latter carrying or unitary with the earth-working elements.
Subclass:
14
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Processes or instruments for placing material in the ground,
accompanied by the forming of a furrow to receive the
material or the closing of a furrow containing such material
or by the forming of a ridge over the deposited material.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
173, Tool Driving or Impacting, appropriate subclass for a
means to drive or impact a tool or the like, and particularly
184 for such means mounted on a supporting vehicle.
175, Boring or Penetrating the Earth, appropriate subclass
for subject matter including steps or means to bore or
penetrate the earth.
405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering, 174 for a process or
apparatus for laying pipe or cable into a submerged or
subterranean location, and including a device for laying a
cable which is nominally recited as a seed tape.
Subclass:
15
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Drilling
machines embodying means for accumulating charges of material
for deposit at spaced points or means to insure the
depositing of material at spaced points or to aline the
points of material deposit in a plurality or substantially
parallel lines.
Subclass:
16
This subclass is indented under subclass 15. Devices
embodying instrumentalities for effecting a change in the
relationship of machine parts for the purpose of starting or
maintaining the transverse alinement of points of material
deposit in successively-drilled lines.
Subclass:
17
This subclass is indented under subclass 16. Devices
comprising an alinement-maintaining means responding to
movements of the planter over uneven portions of traversed
ground.
Subclass:
18
This subclass is indented under subclass 15. The general
organization of hill-planting machines, comprising the
construction and arrangement of the supporting and operating
frames and the relations of the hill-planting elements
thereto and to each other.
Subclass:
19
This subclass is indented under subclass 18. Devices
comprising and endless belt actuated by contact with the
ground traversed for effecting the operation of the means for
controlling or causing the delivery of the seed or other
material from the hopper or other container.
Subclass:
20
This subclass is indented under subclass 18. The frame being
in a plurality of sections adjoining in the supporting of the
total load placed upon the machine.
Subclass:
21
This subclass is indented under subclass 20. Devices
comprising forward and rearward sections connected by a
transverse pivot and capable of a buckling action to lift
certain parts of the planter from contact with the ground.
(1) Note. In the usual type the forward frame carries the
seed-dispensing elements and furrow-opener, which are lifted
from the ground by a buckling or breaking of the joint
between the frame sections through means generally located
upon the rearward frame-section and comprising a lever
mechanism.
Subclass:
22
This subclass is indented under subclass 18. Devices
embodying a main supporting section and an auxiliary section
having movement with relation to each other, the main frame
being designed to support or carry the auxiliary frame.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
19
Subclass:
23
This subclass is indented under subclass 22. The auxiliary
section consisting of or carrying a rotary spot-marking
device from which power is taken to actuate the means for
causing or controlling the delivery of seed or other material
from the hopper or other container.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
19
Subclass:
24
This subclass is indented under subclass 22. The auxiliary
section carrying the hopper and dispensing devices.
Subclass:
25
This subclass is indented under subclass 15. Dropping
mechanism and mechanism for making a mark to locate the
dropped material, the actuation of which mechanisms has a
fixed time relationship.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
16 comprising devices for and aids in producing a change in
the timing of operation of the depositing and marking
mechanisms.
18 for organizations comprising depositing and marking
mechanisms in combination with special planter-frame
construction.
Subclass:
26
This subclass is indented under subclass 25. Marking devices
wherein accomplished by dropping upon the ground traversed a
distinctively colored powder.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, subclass 656
for a device comprising plural containers for nonfluid
materials and a scattering or strewing means, one of which
materials may be a colored indicating powder.
Subclass:
27
This subclass is indented under subclass 25. Depositing
mechanism driven from the marking mechanism, the driving
power being produced by the engagement of the marking device
with the ground during the travel of the planter.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
19 and 23.
Subclass:
28
This subclass is indented under subclass 27. Wherein the
marking device is a revolving member having a wheel-like
form.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
21 and 23.
Subclass:
29
This subclass is indented under subclass 25. Marking device
is driven directly or indirectly from the main axle of the
planter.
(1) Note. Excludes machines in which marking arms, lugs or
the like are mounted directly upon or formed integral with
the supporting wheels or axle.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
25 for machines in which marking arms, lugs or the like are
mounted directly upon or formed integral with the supporting
wheels or axle.
Subclass:
30
This subclass is indented under subclass 29. Wherein the
marking device is a tool which is plunged into the ground at
intervals by a movement other than that of rotation, as by
reciprocating or vibrating to and from the ground.
Subclass:
31
This subclass is indented under subclass 30. Plunging marker
is so timed and located as to act as a cover for the
deposited material.
Subclass:
32
This subclass is indented under subclass 29. Marking device
is a revolving member of wheel-like form.
Subclass:
33
This subclass is indented under subclass 15. Device
comprising means for intermittently impressing upon the
ground traversed guide marks or impressions to indicate the
points where the material should be planted to make aligned
hills or combinations of such means with means for marking an
unbroken line across a field as distinguished from a
succession of spots.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 126 for an apparatus including a means
for making a continuous mark in the earth. Patents in which a
planter is defined by name only are classifiable in Class
172, subclasses 126+ if the mark made is continuous.
Subclass:
34
This subclass is indented under subclass 15. Dispensing or
dropping devices particularly adapted for use in
hill-planting and characterized by means insuring discharge
at intervals, such as a line-wire actuating or controlling
means or a valved chute for checking or accumulating charges
of material.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for article
dispensing devices, per se, and particularly subclass 185
for ambulant article dispensing devices.
Subclass:
35
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Depositing
mechanism adapted to be actuated through its cycle by any one
of a plurality of means.
(1) Note. The alternate operations of the mechanism may
result in a change in the operation of the machine from
hill-planting to simple drilling.
Subclass:
36
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Mechanism
wherein there is a primary and a secondary operating train,
the source of power for the primary train being always from
the axle of the traction wheels.
(1) Note. In this type of machine the operation of the
primary train may be modified or supplemented by the
secondary, as when the primary serves to deliver seed from
the hopper to the discharge chute and the secondary actuates
a valve to release the seed from the chute. The secondary
train may be actuated from the axle or other source of
power.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
25
Subclass:
37
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. The mechanism
in whole or in part subject to a periodic control.
(1) Note. The word "control" as herein used includes the
initiation of the actuation, as by effecting a connection or
disconnection of a driving-train, rather than the actuation
itself for the dispensing elements.
Subclass:
38
This subclass is indented under subclass 37. Devices wherein
intermittent control is effected by a wire having knots or
equivalent, which engage suitable devices on the machine.
Subclass:
39
This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Devices wherein
the intermittent control extends to means for the actuation
of both the main dispensing device and an accumulating
device.
Subclass:
40
This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Devices wherein
the check-wire controls the actuation of the main dispensing
means and also actuates the accumulator.
Subclass:
41
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Devices wherein
the dispensing element is actuated from the axle, while the
check-wire actuates only the accumulator.
Subclass:
42
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Devices wherein
an endless belt having trip members engages a tappet, fork,
or equivalent upon a rock-shaft or the like connected with
the depositing devices.
Subclass:
43
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Devices wherein
actuation is effected solely by a wire or cable, which is
anchored at a point outside of the machine and engages some
relatively movable element of the machine.
Subclass:
44
This subclass is indented under subclass 43. Devices wherein
the wire is wound upon a reel on the machine and actuates the
depositing mechanism by reason of the winding or unwinding
due to the draft of the wire during the traverse of the
machine.
Subclass:
45
This subclass is indented under subclass 43. Devices wherein
the line-wire carries knots and actuates the depositing
mechanism by tripping a forked device connected thereto.
Subclass:
46
This subclass is indented under subclass 43. Devices wherein
the tripped fork actuates both the main dispensing element
and the accumulator.
Subclass:
47
This subclass is indented under subclass 43. Devices
comprising a forked element or the like combined with guiding
devices for directing the knot into contact with the forked
element; also modifications of structure and means to
accomplish the attachment or detachment of the wire and the
fork.
Subclass:
48.1
Guide:
Device for guiding the line-wire to and from, across, or
through the planting machine.
Subclass:
49
This subclass is indented under subclass 43. Devices for
staking the ends of a line-wire, characterized generally by
the presence of means for shifting the attached end laterally
or providing additional length or wire, etc., as the planter
approaches that end of the line-wire.
(1) Note. Compare Classes 104, Railways, subclass 124; 114,
Ships, subclasses 204+; 119, Animal Husbandry, subclasses 120
and 121; and 135, Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, or Cane, subclass
118.
Subclass:
50
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Devices wherein
the depositing devices are operated at will by the hand or
foot of the operative.
Subclass:
51
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Devices having
combinations of a main dispensing element and a valved
chute.
Subclass:
52
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Devices having
general organization of the supporting and operating frame of
a drilling-machine other than hill-planters and the relation
of the planting elements thereto and to each other.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
18
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
280, Land Vehicles, 6.154 for a land vehicle of general
utility including means, interposed between the vehicle body,
chassis, or frame and running gear thereof, for appropriately
predisposing a load, load carrier, or receptacle portion to
accommodate sustained travel upon an expansive inclined
surface; subclasses 43+ for a land vehicle of general utility
having vertically adjustable wheels for altering a dimension
of the vehicle or a part thereof; or subclasses 400+ for
either (a) an articulated land vehicle of general utility or
(b) a plurality of interconnected land vehicles (i.e.,
vehicle train).
Subclass:
53
This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Devices wherein
the frame being in a plurality of sections joining in the
support of the total load placed upon the machine.
Subclass:
54
This subclass is indented under subclass 53. Devices wherein
sections of the frame hingedly connected to permit relative
movement of the sections.
Subclass:
55
This subclass is indented under subclass 54. Devices
comprising also a frame designed to be supported or carried
by the hinged sections of the main frame.
Subclass:
56
This subclass is indented under subclass 54. Devices
comprising forward and rearward sections connected by a
transverse pivot and capable of a buckling action to lift
certain parts of the planter from contact with the ground.
(1) Note. In the usual type the forward frame carries the
seed-dispensing elements and furrow-opener, which are lifted
from the ground by a buckling or breaking of the joint
between the frame sections through means generally located
upon the rearward frame section and comprising a lever
mechanism.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 325 for a break joint frame in
which earth-working tools are carried on a tongue means
vertically pivoted to a wheel frame.
Subclass:
57
This subclass is indented under subclass 53. Devices wherein
the sections of the main frame having capacity of movement to
each other resulting in an enlargement of frame to cover
increased area of ground.
Subclass:
58
This subclass is indented under subclass 57. Devices wherein
the sections of the extensible frame mounted to move upon
vertical pivots and movable toward and from each other at one
end only of the frame.
Subclass:
59
This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Devices
embodying a main supporting section and a secondary section
having movement with relation to each other, the main
frame-section being designed to support or carry the
secondary frame.
Subclass:
60
This subclass is indented under subclass 59. Devices wherein
a plurality of secondary frames are associated with a main
frame.
(1) Note. Where the several auxiliaries are identical in
structure and function, and therefore constitute a mere
duplication of a single auxiliary of that type, they are
classified as if only a single auxiliary were present.
Subclass:
61
This subclass is indented under subclass 60. Devices wherein
movement of the auxiliaries is controlled by a single means,
usually such as a lever mechanism, for elevating or
depressing the earth-working elements from or toward the
ground.
Subclass:
62
This subclass is indented under subclass 59. Devices in
operative position the auxiliary being free to trail or move
with relation to the main frame to accommodate itself to the
unevenness or inequalities of the ground traversed.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
23
Subclass:
63
This subclass is indented under subclass 62. Devices wherein
the floating auxiliary frame carries the hopper and
dispensing devices.
Subclass:
64
This subclass is indented under subclass 63. Devices wherein
the hopper-carrying auxiliary having the general form of
planter or distributer attachable and detachable with respect
to an otherwise complete machine, as a wagon, cultivator, or
the like.
Subclass:
65
This subclass is indented under subclass 64. The machine and
its attached planter or distributer constituting a complete
planting instrumentality of the single row or drill type.
Subclass:
66
This subclass is indented under subclass 62. Device wherein
the floating or trailing auxiliary frame comprising one or
more drags or push-bars by which the earth-working elements
or tools are carried.
Subclass:
67
This subclass is indented under subclass 66. Devices
provided with means for lifting the tool-bars from contact
with the ground and at the same time disconnecting the
driving devices of the depositing mechanism.
Subclass:
68
This subclass is indented under subclass 59. Devices wherein
the auxiliary frame elevated and depressed by means of a
cranked ground-wheel axle forming part of or mounted upon the
main or supporting frame of the planter.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 395 for earth-working apparatus having
ground wheels mounted on crank axles which are vertically
adjustable relative to the frame of the apparatus.
Subclass:
69
This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Devices having
provision in the construction of the frame for the adjustment
of planter elements individually thereon, vertically, as to
elevate or depress them; laterally, as to vary the distance
between drilled rows, or longitudinally, as to change the
relative spacing of elements acting in a single row.
Subclass:
70
This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Devices wherein
the frame is of general rigid structure or has no hinged or
articulated parts.
Subclass:
71
This subclass is indented under subclass 70. Devices
carrying planter elements for drilling one row during one
traverse, as distinguished from those implements that drill a
plurality of rows during one traverse.
Subclass:
72
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Devices
comprising a depositing mechanism operable by the muscular
power of the operative.
Subclass:
73
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Devices
comprising means for depositing a plurality of different
materials in the same drill or trench.
Subclass:
74
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Devices wherein
the material is dispensed from a hopper that has a movement
of rotation always in the same direction when the planter is
moving in one direction.
Subclass:
75
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Devices wherein
the material is dispensed from a hopper that has a
back-and-forth movement, either oscillating or
reciprocating.
Subclass:
76
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Devices wherein
the material is dropped upon a vibrating chute, from which it
is discharged to the ground.
Subclass:
77
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Devices wherein
the material is dispensed from a hopper by means of an
element revolving in such manner as to intermittingly
discharge or control the discharge from a nonrotatable and
nonvibrating hopper.
Subclass:
78
This subclass is indented under subclass 77. Devices wherein
the rotating dispenser is mounted directly upon the
driving-axle.
Subclass:
79
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Devices wherein
organized planting implements are peculiarly adapted to
single-row drilling not involving specified relation to frame
arrangement.
Subclass:
80
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Devices adapted
to deposit a plurality of materials.
Subclass:
81
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Devices wherein
the invention alleged lies in the arrangement of material
depositing and earth-working elements with relation to each
other only.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
52 for arrangements for planting elements associated with
and effected by peculiarities of the supporting frame.
Subclass:
82
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Implements
constructed or adapted to be propelled by the muscular power
of a man.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 351 for hand propelled earth-working
devices.
Subclass:
83
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Planting
elements comprising a plow for forming a wide trench and
means for drilling material in a relatively narrow drill in
the bottom thereof.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
61
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 721 for lister plows.
Subclass:
84
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Devices wherein
bars are with planting elements thereon designed to be
dragged over the earth.
(1) Note. The drag-bar unit may be considered as a special
type of auxiliary frame carrying a furrow-opening and other
planter elements of the single-row planter.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
66
Subclass:
89
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Processes of and instruments for placing material in general
in the ground, comprising the forming of a cavity other than
a furrow therein to receive the material and the depositing
of the material in said cavity.
(1) Note. The cavity may be formed by removing earth or by
displacing it, as by a piercing-tool.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
166, Wells, appropriate subclasses for wells for receiving
fluids from the earth or inserting fluid into the pores of an
earth formation.
Subclass:
90
This subclass is indented under subclass 89. Devices
comprising a rotating material-dispensing receptacle, which
usually also carries the tools for forming the cavity.
Subclass:
91
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Devices
comprising a rotating member carrying the cavity-forming
tools.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
90
Subclass:
92
This subclass is indented under subclass 89. Hand devices
for forming a depression in the earth and depositing material
therein.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
106 and 118+.
99 for hand devices which merely form a depression.
Subclass:
93
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Implements
designed to be attached to some vehicle, traveling
agricultural implement, or the like and operable at will by
the operative.
(1) Note. Typified by the "replanting" attachments for
cultivators.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
50 and 82.
Subclass:
94
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices
comprising means, such as a plurality of chutes or material-
guideways, for insuring a deposit of material in spaced
relationship within the "hill".
Subclass:
95
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices
comprising a material-depositing mechanism with means to
control or regulate the discharge of material at will.
Subclass:
96
This subclass is indented under subclass 95. Devices
including a sliding member designed to be plunged into the
ground to form a cavity, the dropping of material being under
the control of said member.
Subclass:
97
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices
including a plurality of pivoted staves adapted to cooperate
in forming a cavity in the ground, the dropping of material
being under the control of said staves.
Subclass:
98
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices
including a foot- plate, which is brought into contact with
the ground in forming the cavity, the dropping of material
being under the control of said foot-plate.
Subclass:
99
This subclass is indented under subclass 89. Hand implements
for forming a cavity other than a furrow in the ground to
receive material.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
106 and 92+, for manually operated implements for holding
material, making a cavity in the ground and depositing the
material therein.
118 for tools for forming similar cavities in the earth and
introducing liquid vapor, or gas into contact with or beneath
the surface of the soil.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 21 for an earth-perforating means which
makes a plurality of holes in the ground by means which enter
and leave the ground at the same angle and see subclasses
540+ for rolling implements with tines which may perforate
the ground.
175, Boring or Penetrating the Earth, for devices for boring
or perforating the earth to form a hole therein, particularly
327 for an earth-boring bit or bit element.
294, Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements, subclasses
50.5-50.9 for manually operated implements for digging a
hole and gripping and removing material therefrom.
Subclass:
100
PLANT SETTING:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Process or apparatus for placing plants or primordial plant
material such as cuttings, slips, tubers, clones, or the like
into the soil or a soil confining receptacle at an attitude
which permits and for the purpose of facilitating subsequent
growth thereof.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
199 for seed tape planters which may contain seedlings.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
47, Plant Husbandry, 73 for transplanting containers, per
se; and subclasses 85 and 86 for modular containers, per se.
Subclass:
101
Excavating transplanter:
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Apparatus in
which a means such as a blade, scoop, shovel or the like is
impressed into the soil to surround the bulk of a plant's
root system and which can be manipulated so that a
substantially undisturbed root ball is removed from the soil
to facilitate moving of the plant to a new growing location.
(1) Note. Apparatus of this subclass are disclosed as being
used for plants to be transplanted or saved as opposed to
apparatus found in the SEARCH CLASS notes below, which are
"stump removers" that merely remove or destroy plants.
Apparatus which places the excavated plant into a container
will be found here.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
37, Excavating, subclass 302 and 303 for stump removers and
see (1) Note above.
47, Plant Husbandry, subclass 76 for receptacles, per se,
for the root balls of trees.
171, Unearthing Plants or Buried Objects, subclass 1 for
methods of recovering buried objects; and subclass 50 for
extractors, per se.
Subclass:
102
Through mulch:
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Process or
apparatus where the plant material is implaced through a
natural or synthetic layer which breaks up the capillarity of
a mineral soil layer therebeneath.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
47, Plant Husbandry, subclass 9 for mulching, per se.
Subclass:
103
Laterally shifted to final position:
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Process or
apparatus which includes a provision or special structural
feature which causes the plant material to be moved into its
final growth position from a direction which is parallel to
the soil surface.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
62 and 191+, for rolling packers whcih may express pressure
laterally against planted material.
Subclass:
104
Plant dispensing (i.e., singulation from a bulk source):
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Process or
apparatus which includes a supply of living plant material
and which further includes means to select a single element
from the supply for spaced or timed delivery to the soil.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for the
subcombination of a dispenser.
Subclass:
105
Supply in organized array:
This subclass is indented under subclass 104. Process or
apparatus wherein the bulk supply of plant material includes
an organizer for the material such as a tape, chain, tray,
string, band or the like.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
414, Material or Article Handling, subclass 331.01 for a
moveable rack having superposed charge supporting elements
and external means for discharging the elements; and
subclasses 403+ for a device for emptying portable
receptacles.
Subclass:
106
Manually operated implement:
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Apparatus
manipulated and directly controlled by the exertion of muscle
power by the operator to perform the needful planting
operation.
(1) Note. This subclass does not include hand propelled
machines wherein the cycle of operations is performed without
hand control other than the propulsion of the machine.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
82 for hand propelled, single row seed planting implements
and see (1) Note above.
92 for similar devices for forming a depression and
depositing material in the earth.
99 for hand devices which merely form a depression in the
soil.
101 for manually-operated excavating transplanters.
Subclass:
107
With furrow opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 106. Apparatus
further including a device adapted to be drawn through the
soil to open a long shallow narrow trench therein into which
plants or plant materials are set.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
14 for drilling machines for seed planters.
109 for machine powered, plant setting drilling machines.
120 for drilling machines including liquid or gas soil
treatment.
Subclass:
108
With irrigator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 106. Apparatus
further including a reservoir for containing a plant watering
liquid and a manually operated release means for dispensing a
portion of such liquid into the general area of the set
plant.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
7.1 for hand-manipulated devices which direct liquid, gas or
vapor into contact with or beneath the top surface of the
soil.
110 for plant setting drilling machines with irrigators.
Subclass:
109
Drilling machines (i.e., furrow opener):
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Apparatus
including a device adapted to be drawn through the soil to
open a long, shallow, narrow trench therein and further
including a depositing device which sets plants in the
trench.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
14 for drilling machines for seed planters.
120 for drilling machines including liquid or gas soil
treatment, but not used for plant setting.
Subclass:
110
With irrigator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Apparatus
further including a reservoir for containing a plant watering
liquid and means for dispensing a portion of such liquid
within the formed furrow or into the general area of the set
plant.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
108 for manually-powered plant setting machines which
include an irrigator.
120 for drilling machines which treat the soil with a gas or
liquid.
Subclass:
111
Runner opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Apparatus
wherein the opening element is symmetrically arranged with
respect to the line of draft, has an earth- breaking portion
which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the top front
portion of the element, and has side portions extending
rearwardly and diverging outwardly from the earth- breaking
portion and which become generally planar and parallel to
each other towards the rear of the element so that the
element has an overall shape which resembles the bow portion
of a boat.
(1) Note. This definition comprehends flat-bottomed
structures or structures which have a bottom which is
V-shaped in cross-section.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
125 for runner-type openers used in con-junction with a
liquid or gas soil treat ment.
152 for runner-type openers used with seed depositors.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 721 runner-type openers, per se.
Subclass:
112
Rotating or orbiting opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Apparatus
wherein the opening element turns, spins, or revolves about
an axis.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
121 for a rotary opener associated with liquid or gas soil
treatment.
157 for a rotary opener associated with seed depositors
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 518 for a rotating or orbiting
earth-working tool, per se.
Subclass:
113
Power operated:
This subclass is indented under subclass 112. Apparatus
wherein the opening element derives its rotary or orbiting
motion from forces transmitted thereto by means other than or
in addition to, the opener's frictional contact with the
soil.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
122 for power-operated rotary furrowers associated with
liquid or gas soil treatment.
158 for power-operated rotary furrowers associated with seed
depositors.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 35 for power-operated earth working
tools, per se.
Subclass:
114
Plant containing receptacle impressed into soil:
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Process or
apparatus wherein the plants are situated within a
specialized container, and means are provided which act in
coordination with the specialized container for exerting a
force on such container to press the container into the soil
and wherein at least a portion of the container remains in
the soil with the root system of the plant.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
47, Plant Husbandry, 73 for receptacles, per se, used in
transplanting; and subclass 84 for shipment packaging of
plants.
Subclass:
115
Dibbler:
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Apparatus
including means to form a cavity, other than a furrow, in the
soil by a nub, stem, nipple, dagger, probe, protrusion, or
the like which is intermittently impressed and removed from
the soil.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
89 for a dibbler associated with a seed depositor and
particularly subclass 99 for a hand im-plement type of
dibbler.
Subclass:
116
Auger type:
This subclass is indented under subclass 115. Apparatus
wherein the dibbler forms a hole in the soil by means of at
least one element which is rotated as it is forced into the
soil, the element including a cutting edge and an upwardly
directed helical surface which feeds engaged soil upwardly
with rotation of the element to remove soil from the hole.
Subclass:
117
Angled:
This subclass is indented under subclass 115. Apparatus
wherein the dibbler is forced into the soil at an orientation
which is other than generally perpendicular to the soil
surface.
(1) Note. Apparatus of this subclass may include a ram or
motor causing the dibbler to enter the soil by a chopping
action or swinging motion about a pivot.
Subclass:
118
LIQUID OR GAS SOIL TREATMENT:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Process or apparatus for directing liquid, gas, or vapor into
contact with or beneath the top surface of the soil.
(1) Note. Included herein are patents claiming a means to
spray a liquid onto the surface of the soil and means to
scratch or disturb the soil where the spraying and soil
disturbance, as disclosed, are applied to the same area of
the soil to facilitate penetration of the liquid into the
soil. See the Notes to Class 47, subclass 1.1 for a statement
of the line
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
100 for implements having means to hold or guide plants into
the ground.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
47, Plant Husbandry, subclass 48.5 for soil-treating devices
of cartridge or container form to be buried in and to remain
in the ground, usually discharging their irrigating or
fertilizing contents over a period of time; and subclass 1.7
for similar combinations of liquid sprayers and
soil-disturbing means where the sprayer, as disclosed, is
adapted to spray a plant; and subclass 1.01 for this
combination where, as disclosed, the soil is disturbed at an
area other than that sprayed.
126, Stoves and Furnaces, 271.1 for means to apply hot gas
(e.g., steam or flame) to the earth or other surface for the
purpose of heating said surface.
166, Wells, appropriate subclasses for subject matter
relating to the treating of wells by directing fluid into the
well or the adjacent earth.
222, Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for fluid
dispensers.
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, appropriate
subclasses for means to spray a liquid onto the ground
surface where no means is provided to disturb the ground to
facilitate penetration of the soil by the liquid.
405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering, subclass 38 for
machines which inject a waterproof material into the soil for
creating a water barrier to retain irrigation water in arid
soil; subclasses 53+ for subject matter relating to the
storing of fluid underground for subsequent recovery; and
subclasses 12+ for irrigating systems involving the
conduction of liquids in channels or the like.
406, Conveyors: Fluid Current, 38 and 185 wherein the
claimed treatment fluid may contain entrained solid treatment
materials, and soil disturbance is not claimed.
504, Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions, subclasses
116-367 for processes of treating terrestrial or aquatic
plants or their habitat by applying a specific chemical
thereto.
Subclass:
119
Treating substance includes ammonia (e.g., flashing
control):
This subclass is indented under subclass 118. Apparatus
including a special provision for the problems inherent with
the storage, handling, or dispensing of ammonia into the soil
because of its low boiling point.
Subclass:
120
Drilling machine (i.e., furrow opener):
This subclass is indented under subclass 118. Apparatus
further including a device adapted to be drawn through the
soil to open a long, shallow, narrow trench therein into or
about which the liquid or gas treatment is applied.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
14 for drilling machines for seed planting.
109 for drilling machines for plant setting.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
47, Plant Husbandry, subclass 9 for vertical mulchers having
plow openers.
172, Earth Working, 681 for a specific type of earth-working
tool.
405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering, 154 for machines which
lay pipe, cable, or the like behind furrow openers.
Subclass:
121
Rotating or orbiting opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 120. Apparatus
wherein the opening element turns, spins, or revolves about
an axis.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
112 for a rotary opener associated with plant setting.
157 for a rotary opener associated with seed depositors.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 518 for a rotating or orbiting
earth-working tool, per se.
Subclass:
122
Power operated:
This subclass is indented under subclass 121. Apparatus
wherein the opening element derives its rotary or orbiting
motion from forces transmitted thereto by means other than,
or in addition to, the opener's frictional contact with the
soil.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
113 for power-operated rotary furrowers associated with
plant setting.
158 for power-operated rotary furrowers associated with seed
depositors.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 35 for powered rotating earth working
tools.
Subclass:
123
Chisel opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 120. Apparatus
wherein the opening element is specifically disclosed as
working deep in the soil and having such a configuration that
it merely lifts the soil and does not shift it laterally of
the line of the furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
156 for a chisel opener used with a seed planter.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 699 for chisel type openers, per se.
Subclass:
124
Shoe opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 120. Apparatus
wherein the opening element is symmetrically arranged with
respect to the line of draft, has an earth breaking portion,
has wing portions extending laterally beyond the sides
thereof which form a V-shape when viewed in plan or front
elevation, and has a portion extending upwardly from the
central portion of the V for attachment to a standard.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
152 for a shoe-type opener used with a seed depositor.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 724 and 730 for shoe-type
openers, per se.
Subclass:
125
Runner opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 120. Apparatus
wherein the opening element is symmetrically arranged with
respect to the line of draft, has an earth- breaking portion
which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the front
portion of the element and has side portions extending
rearwardly and diverging outwardly from the earth breaking
portion and which become generally planar and parallel to
each other towards the rear of the element so that the
element has an overall shape which resembles the bow portion
of a boat.
(1) Note. This definition comprehends flat bottomed
structures or structures which have a bottom which is
V-shaped in cross-section.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
111 for runner-type openers used for plant setting.
153 for runner-type openers used with seed depositors.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 721 for runner-type openers, per se.
Subclass:
126
Moldboard opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 120. Apparatus
wherein the opening element includes a landside which has a
member adapted to slide over the soil to receive the side
pressure caused by soilworking, a point for making an initial
cut in the earth, a share for making a substantially
horizontal cut beneath the surface to cut a slice of soil,
and a board to guide and completely invert the soil slice.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
37, Excavating, 366 for similar ditching-type excavation
plows.
172, Earth Working, subclass 754 for moldboard openers, per
se.
Subclass:
127
Injector nozzle situated above soil surface:
This subclass is indented under subclass 118. Process or
apparatus wherein the treating fluid is caused to enter the
soil or to disturb the soil by action of a pressurized fluid
issuing from a nozzle which is spaced at a selected distance
above the surface of the soil.
Subclass:
128
Rotating dibble injector:
This subclass is indented under subclass 118. Process or
apparatus including a revolving, cavity forming tool and
timing means which causes introduction of the treating fluid
into the soil in timed relationship with the penetration of
the soil by the tool.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
91 for a rotating dibble carrying tool used with a seed
depositor.
Subclass:
129
Multiple fluid treatment:
This subclass is indented under subclass 118. Process or
apparatus wherein the treating fluid is at least two
disparate substances delivered to the soil in a fluid state
or dissolved or entrained in a carrying fluid.
Subclass:
130
BROADCASTING:
Process or apparatus which is adapted to strew seed,
fertilizer, or particulate matter with substantial
uniformity, but with no specific pattern, upon and to mix the
same with the soil.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, 650 for
apparatus adapted to strew or scatter nonfluid material,
without mixing or covering with soil.
Subclass:
131
Including powered tiller:
This subclass is indented under subclass 130. Apparatus
including a device which turns over or mixes the soil and
which derives its motion from forces transmitted thereto by
means other than, or in addition to, frictional contact with
the soil.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
161 for material deposited into a tiller operating zone
wherein the tiller forms furrows.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, appropriate subclasses for specific types
of powered tillers.
Subclass:
132
Material dispensed ahead of tiller:
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Apparatus
wherein the strewn material is first deposited on the soil
and thereafter mixed with the soil by the powered tiller.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
160 for a powered rotary furrow opener wherein material is
deposited ahead of the furrow opener.
Subclass:
133
Material dispensed behind tiller:
This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Apparatus
wherein the soil is first turned over and mixed by the
powered tiller and thereafter the material is strewn upon the
turned over or mixed soil.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
162 for a power-rotary furrow opener wherein the material is
deposited behind the opener.
Subclass:
134
Gauge means for auxiliary frame:
This subclass is indented under subclass 62. Apparatus which
includes a means to effectively control the cutting depth of
a furrow opener mounted on a floating auxiliary frame.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 738 for an adjustable gauge
runner and subclass 764 for runner or shoe gauges, per se.
Subclass:
135
Rotating gauge means:
This subclass is indented under subclass 134. Apparatus
wherein the means to control the cutting depth of the
furrower opener turns, spins, or revolves about an axis.
(1) Note. Included herein are gauge wheels that precede an
opener acting in conjunction with packer wheels that follow
openers, which together effectively gauge the cutting depth
of an opener mounted on an auxiliary frame.
Subclass:
136
Packing means gauges opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 135. Apparatus
wherein the rotating gauging means serves the auxiliary
function of moving or compressing soil back into the furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
191 for rotating-packing means which does not gauge a
floating auxiliary frame.
Subclass:
137
Adjustable gauge wheels separate from packer:
This subclass is indented under subclass 135. Apparatus
wherein the rotating-gauge means selectively supports the
opener so as to operate at any of a variety of set depths.
Subclass:
138
Sled frame:
This subclass is indented under subclass 134. Apparatus in
which the gauging means comprises a pair of spaced parallel
runners which slide over the surface of the soil, and an
opening element is positioned between and supported by both
runners.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 393 for sled frames limited to
working the earth.
Subclass:
139
Including trash control accessory:
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Apparatus
including a specific device which cuts, breaks up, moves, or
removes living vegetation, fallow, stones, clods, residue or
the like from the path of the opener.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 29 for a means for shifting
surface material without soil disturbance.
Subclass:
140
Coulter:
This subclass is indented under subclass 139. Apparatus
wherein the trash control accessory includes a device which
cuts a vertical slit in the trash or soil to clear and
predefine a path for an opener which follows thereafter and
which has a vertically extending portion operating in the
slit.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 165 for the combination of a
coulter and an earth-working tool.
Subclass:
141
Dozer (e.g., deflector):
This subclass is indented under subclass 139. Apparatus
wherein the trash control accessory includes at least one
primary blade set at a predetermined height above the soil
and positioned ahead of the opener to grade or deflect
laterally obstructive material from the path of the opener.
Subclass:
142
With tine:
This subclass is indented under subclass 141. Apparatus
wherein the primary dozing blade has attached thereto a
secondary blade which serves to scratch, sweep, or rake at
least a portion of the path of the opener.
Subclass:
143
Having holddown:
This subclass is indented under subclass 139. Apparatus
wherein the trash control accessory includes means for
positioning or holding trash or plants (e.g., weeds) so that
they may be covered or cut by the operation of the opener.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 29 and 514 for holddowns for
earth-working machinery.
Subclass:
144
Including mulching accessory:
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Apparatus
including a specific means to change the compaction or
arrangement of, and thereby the capillarity of soil areas
down to a preselected depth along a path which includes and
is wider than the width of the furrow formed by the opening
means.
(1) Note. Included herein are devices which break up soil
(i.e., crust) which lies in and to the side of the path of
the opener and also devices which form a mulched surface
wider than the furrow and which follow the depositing
device.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
47, Plant Husbandry, subclass 9 for mulching devices, per
se.
Subclass:
145
Harrow:
This subclass is indented under subclass 144. Apparatus in
which the mulching accessory comprises a framework which
includes a plurality of spikes or sharpened disks which are
drawn through the soil.
Subclass:
146
Spring tooth:
This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Apparatus
wherein the harrow includes resilient spikes which are drawn
through the soil.
Subclass:
147
Including subsoiler (i.e., deep soil tiller):
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Apparatus
including a specific soil-penetrating device preceding the
material-depositing means which enters and disturbs soil to a
depth which exceeds the depth at which seeds are to be
deposited.
(1) Note. The subsoiler may act as the primary furrow opener
in combination with and ahead of such an opener.
Subclass:
148
With furrow smoother:
This subclass is indented under subclass 147. Apparatus
which further include a device which follows the subsoiler
and function to fill, cover or even out the soil disruption
caused by the subsoiler.
(1) Note. These devices generally operate between the
subsoiler and the furrow opener and may take the form of a
rolling or nonrolling member.
Subclass:
149
Furrow opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Apparatus
wherein significance is attributed to a device adapted to be
drawn through the soil to open a long, shallow, narrow trench
therein.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
107 for manually-operated furrow openers used with plant
setting machines.
109 for furrow openers used with plant setting machines.
120 for drilling machines including liquid or gas soil
treatment.
Subclass:
150
Including dispensed material deflector:
This subclass is indented under subclass 149. Apparatus
further including a device mounted on or a surface associated
with the opener to cause a change in the direction of the
material being deposited to generate a preferred pattern of
material placement within the opened soil.
Subclass:
151
Including trip mechanism:
This subclass is indented under subclass 149. Apparatus
including means permitting the furrow opening element to
shift with respect to the soil or with respect to its
supporting or propelling means when it meets an obstacle
while being drawn over the field, said means (1) having a
high initial resistance to said shifting of the element,
which resistance decreases after the element starts to shift,
or (2) requiring manual resetting by an attendant (e.g.,
shear pin).
(1) Note. This definition comprehends flat bottomed
structures or structures which have a bottom which is
V-shaped in cross-section.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 260.5, 261+, and 705 for trip
mechanisms for earth-working elements used without material
depositors.
Subclass:
152
Shoe opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 149. Apparatus
wherein the opening element is symmetrically arranged with
respect to the line of draft, has an earth- breaking portion,
has wing portions extending laterally beyond the sides
thereof which form a V-shape when viewed in plan or front
elevation, and has a portion extending upwardly from the
central portion of the V for attachment to a standard.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
124 for a shoe-type opener used with a seed depositor.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 724 and 730 for shoe-type
openers, per se.
Subclass:
153
Runner opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 149. Apparatus
wherein the opening element is symmetrically arranged with
respect to the line of draft, has an earth- breaking portion
which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the top front
portion of the element, and has side portions extending
rearwardly and diverging outwardly from the earth-breaking
portion and which become generally planar and parallel to
each other towards the rear of the element, so that the
element has an overall shape which resembles the bow portion
of a boat.
(1) Note. This definition comprehends flat-bottomed
structures or structures which have a bottom which is
V-shaped in cross-section.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
111 for runner-type openers used with a plant setting
drilling machine.
125 for runner-type openers used in conjunction with a
liquid or gas soil treatment.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 707 for resilient tine-type furrow
openers, per se.
Subclass:
154
Boot opener (e.g., tooth or tine):
This subclass is indented under subclass 149. Apparatus
having a generally elongated-furrow-opening element having a
soil-working portion and a standard to support it in furrow
opening position in which the soil working portion is no
longer in lateral and longitudinal extent than the standard.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 713 for boot-type furrow
openers, per se.
Subclass:
155
Spring formed tool or standard:
This subclass is indented under subclass 154. Apparatus in
which the furrow-opening element or its intermediate
supporting means is formed of resilient material.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 707 for resilient tine-type furrow
openers, per se.
Subclass:
156
Chisel opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 149. Apparatus
wherein the opening element is specifically disclosed as
working deep in the soil and having such a configuration that
it merely lifts the soil and does not shift it laterally of
the line of the furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
123 for a chisel-type opener used with a liquid or gas soil
treatment.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 699 for chisel-type openers, per
se.
Subclass:
157
Rotary opener:
This subclass is indented under subclass 149. Apparatus
wherein the opening element turns, spins, or revolves about
an axis.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
112 for a rotary opener associated with plant setting.
121 for a rotary opener associated with a liquid or gas soil
treatment.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 518 for a rotating earth-working tool,
per se.
Subclass:
158
Power rotated:
This subclass is indented under subclass 157. Apparatus
wherein the opening element derives its rotary motion from
forces transmitted thereto by means other than, or in
addition to, the opener's frictional contact with the soil.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
113 for power-operated rotary furrowers associated with
plant setting.
122 for power-operated rotary furrowers associated with a
liquid or gas soil treatment.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 35 for powered-rotating earth working
tools.
Subclass:
159
With tine:
This subclass is indented under subclass 158. Apparatus in
which the rotating opener has teeth, projections, blades, or
other configurations spaced circumferentially and projecting
generally at right angles to the axis of rotation to engage
the soil intermittently or with a varying effect as the
opener turns.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 540 for a tined earth-working
implement, per se.
Subclass:
160
Rotatable about vertical axis:
This subclass is indented under subclass 159. Apparatus
wherein the tines rotate about an axis which is generally
perpendicular to the surface of the soil.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 495 for plural driven,
contiguous, cooperating, or intermeshing rotary
ground-engaging tools which rotate about a vertical axis; and
subclass 111 for a single tool which rotates about a vertical
axis.
Subclass:
161
Material deposited into tiller operated zone:
This subclass is indented under subclass 159. Apparatus
wherein a depositing means introduces material simultaneously
with and into the same area where the opener is creating a
furrow to thereby incorporate the dispensed material into the
soil which is formed into a furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
131 for a machine having a powered tiller and material
broadcaster which operates simultaneously and in the same
location but where the furrows are not formed.
Subclass:
162
Material deposited behind tiller:
This subclass is indented under subclass 159. Apparatus
wherein a furrow is formed by the powered tiller and
thereafter material is deposited into the formed furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
133 for material broadcasting behind a tiller which does not
form a furrow.
Subclass:
163
Disk:
This subclass is indented under subclass 157. Apparatus
wherein the rotary opener is a generally circular, plate-like
member.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
135 for rotating openers with gauge means mounted on an
auxiliary frame.
Subclass:
164
Plural cooperating disk openers:
This subclass is indented under subclass 163. Apparatus
including at least two coacting disk elements which operate
to open a furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, 574 for openers of this general type but
which lack a depositing means.
Subclass:
165
Staggered arrangement:
This subclass is indented under subclass 164. Apparatus
wherein at least one of the disks is not aligned in a
transverse direction with the other disk or disks in the
assembly.
Subclass:
166
Scalloped or fluted:
This subclass is indented under subclass 164. Apparatus
wherein at least one of the disks has undulations,
indentations or the like at the outer periphery thereof.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
169 for a dish-shaped disk which is scalloped or fluted.
Subclass:
167
Flat:
This subclass is indented under subclass 163. Apparatus
wherein the sides of the disk are substantially planar.
Subclass:
168
Dished:
This subclass is indented under subclass 163. Apparatus
wherein the disk is concave on one side and convex on the
other side.
Subclass:
169
Scalloped or fluted:
This subclass is indented under subclass 168. Apparatus
wherein the disk has undulations, indentations or the like at
the outer periphery thereof.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
166 for a plural disk opener with at least one scalloped or
fluted disk.
Subclass:
170
Having depositor feature:
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Apparatus
having a specific device which causes spaced or timed
delivery of material into a furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
34 for hill drop planters.
Subclass:
171
Endless conveyor with traps:
This subclass is indented under subclass 170. Apparatus
including a driven endless element moveable along a path of
circulation and which includes traps which are loaded and
unloaded at different points along said path to deliver
material towards the open furrow as the machine advances.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
198, Conveyors: Power Driven, 804 for endless conveyors, per
se.
Subclass:
172
Chain:
This subclass is indented under subclass 171. Apparatus
wherein the endless element is a series of interconnected
links.
Subclass:
173
Screw conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 170. Apparatus
including a material supporting surface which traverses a
spiraling path to deliver material towards the open furrow as
the machine advances.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, subclass 788 for spiral
conveyors, per se.
Subclass:
174
Fluid current conveyor:
This subclass is indented under subclass 170. Apparatus
wherein material to be deposited is carried toward the open
furrow by means of, or with the assistance of a flowing gas
stream.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
406, Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for
fluid current conveying, per se.
Subclass:
175
Flow divider head:
This subclass is indented under subclass 174. Apparatus
wherein at least one primary fluid conveying current conveys
material from an inlet to the fluid conveyer to a structure
which substantially evenly divides the fluid conveying
current into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to
the opened furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
406, Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for
fluid current conveying, per se.
Subclass:
176
Material speed reducing means:
This subclass is indented under subclass 174. Apparatus
including means near the outlet of the fluid current conveyor
which is effective to reduce the pressure of the entraining
fluid to near atmospheric so that the deposited materials
will not be blown or bounced out of the furrow.
Subclass:
177
Rotating dispensing element:
This subclass is indented under subclass 170. Apparatus
including at least one member which turns, spins, or revolves
about an axis to receive a charge of material from a bulk
supply and deliver that charge for deposit into the furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, subclass 277 for rotary discharge
assistants.
Subclass:
178
Roll or drum:
This subclass is indented under subclass 177. Apparatus
wherein the rotating dispenser is at least one cylinder which
extends across an outlet of the source of supply.
Subclass:
179
Air pressure differential drum:
This subclass is indented under subclass 178. Apparatus
wherein the rotating dispensing element is a hollow cylinder
and wherein the charge of material is held on the surface of
the drum by an air pressure differential caused by (a) the
creation of a subatmospheric pressure within the hollow
interior of the drum and expressed through holes in the drum
surface or (b) by a superatmospheric pressure which traps
material against the surface of the drum.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, subclass 211 for suction-type
discharge assistants, per se.
Subclass:
180
Vacuum blocker rotates:
This subclass is indented under subclass 179. Apparatus
including a member which turns, spins, or revolves about an
axis and rolls along the interior of the drum's surface to
selectively cover the holes in the drum's surface thereby
cutting off the relative vacuum so as to allow the charge of
material to be released from the drum.
Subclass:
181
Excess material remover:
This subclass is indented under subclass 179. Apparatus
which further includes means such as a brush, air nozzle,
scraper, or the like to remove extra material which may
adhere to the surface of the drum before that extra material
is released into the furrow.
Subclass:
182
Protrusions on drum periphery:
This subclass is indented under subclass 179. Apparatus
further including members which extend radially outwardly
from the drum periphery and through which the air pressure
differential is expressed.
Subclass:
183
Plate type trap:
This subclass is indented under subclass 177. Apparatus
wherein the rotating dispensing element is a disk which
contains holes, grooves, depressions or the like which
capture a charge of material from the supply and deliver that
charge for deposit into the furrow.
Subclass:
184
Vertical:
This subclass is indented under subclass 183. Apparatus
wherein the plate assumes a substantially vertical attitude
and rotates about a substantially horizontal axis.
Subclass:
185
Air pressure differential:
This subclass is indented under subclass 184. Apparatus
wherein the charge of material is held on the surface of the
disk by an air pressure differential caused by (1) the
creation of a subatmospheric pressure on one side of the disk
which is expressed through holes in the disk surface or (2)
by a superatmospheric pressure which traps material against
the surface.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
221, Article Dispensing, subclass 211 for suction type
discharge assistants, per se.
Subclass:
186
Plural depositors for disparate material:
This subclass is indented under subclass 170. Apparatus
including at least two depositing mechanisms which deposit at
least two materially different materials into the soil.
(1) Note. At least one of the materials must be dispensed
directly into the furrow.
(2) Note. The multiple depositors may deposit different
types of seed or seed and an agricultural amendment such as
fertilizer, insecticide, or the like.
Subclass:
187
To various depths:
This subclass is indented under subclass 186. Apparatus
including means to deposit one material at a level in or upon
the soil which is different than the level at which the other
material is deposited.
Subclass:
188
At least one solid, one liquid:
This subclass is indented under subclass 186. Apparatus
wherein one of the disparate materials dispensed is a
particulate solid, and another of the disparate materials
dispensed is a flowable liquid.
Subclass:
189
Including seed tamper in furrow:
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Apparatus
including a specific element such as a wheel, roller, blade,
or the like which exerts pressure on seed dispensed within
the open furrow to press the seed into the soil at the bottom
of the furrow.
Subclass:
190
Furrow closer:
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Apparatus
including a specific device which moves soil back into the
furrow to cover the deposited material.
Subclass:
191
Rotating furrow closer:
This subclass is indented under subclass 190. Apparatus
wherein the furrow-closing element turns, spins, or moves
about an axis as it moves soil back into the furrow.
Subclass:
192
Disk:
This subclass is indented under subclass 191. Apparatus
wherein the rotating furrow-closing element is a generally
circular plate-like member which pushes soil laterally into
the furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
194 for a wheel-type closing means which exerts a downwardly
directed compo-nent of force on the soil which closes the
furrow.
Subclass:
193
Plural:
This subclass is indented under subclass 192. Apparatus
including at least two furrow-closing disks.
Subclass:
194
Packer wheel:
This subclass is indented under subclass 191. Apparatus
wherein a rotating furrow-closing element has a circular
periphery which exerts a component of force downwardly on the
soil as it moves the soil into the furrow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
192 for disk-type furrow closers which resemble a wheel in
shape, but only apply a laterally directed force to the
soil.
Subclass:
195
Plural:
This subclass is indented under subclass 194. Apparatus
including at least two furrow-closing wheels.
Subclass:
196
Pinch adjustment:
This subclass is indented under subclass 195. Apparatus in
which wheels are mounted in angular relationship to each
other so as to form a ridge of soil when moved over the
furrow, the angular relationship being resettable to
selectively vary the height or compaction of the ridge.
Subclass:
197
Drag:
This subclass is indented under subclass 190. Apparatus in
which soil is moved back into the furrow by a member which
slides along the soil surface and is pulled behind the
drilling machine.
Subclass:
198
Chain:
This subclass is indented under subclass 197. Apparatus
wherein the furrow-closing member is a series of
interconnected links.
Subclass:
199
SEED TAPE PLANTERS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Process or apparatus wherein a narrow, flexible strip,
ribbon, or band which has seeds secured thereto in spaced
relation is placed into the soil.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
47, Plant Husbandry, subclass 56 for seed tapes, per se.
405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering, subclass 176 for
apparatus for laying a tape or strip within the ground.
Subclass:
200
MISCELLANEOUS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Process or apparatus not provided for in any of the above
subclasses.
CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS
Subclass:
900
METHODS OF PLANTING SEEDS AND MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSITIONS:
Collection or art relating to processes for placing seeds in
soil or to the chemical make up of various soil or seed
treating materials.
Subclass:
901
LAWN OR TURF:
Collection of art relating to the treating, maintaining, or
installing of grassy areas.
Subclass:
902
Pasture renovation:
Collection of art under 901 specifically relating to the
reconditioning or replanting of lawn or turf used for the
feeding of grazing animals.
Subclass:
903
MONITOR:
Collection of art relating to devices which keep track of,
regulate, or control the operation of a planting machine.
Subclass:
904
Population control function:
Collection of art under 903 specifically relating to control
elements which change the rate of dispensing in a planting
machine responsive to a sensed undesired rate.
Subclass:
905
SEED TREATING SEED PLANTER:
Collection or art relating to a planting device including an
agent which acts upon seed either before or during the
planting operation to improve or alter the seed itself or the
planting operation.
Subclass:
906
SPECIALIZED COMMODITY:
Collection of art relating to the planting of a particularly
named type of agricultural product.
Subclass:
907
Cane:
Collection of art under 906 specifically relating to the
planting of tall, woody grasses or reeds (e.g., sugar cane).
Subclass:
908
Potato:
Collection of art under 906 specifically relating to the
planting of plant or tuber parts which develop sturdy edible
tubers (e.g., sweet potato, white potato).
Subclass:
909
Bulb:
Collection of art under 906 specifically relating to the
planting of an underground stem, usually surrounded by
scalelike modified leaves and containing stored food for the
undeveloped shoots of the new plant stored within it (e.g.,
tulip).
Subclass:
910
Onion:
Collection of art under 909 specifically relating to the
planting of an edible bulb having a pungent odor and taste
and commonly known as an onion.
Subclass:
911
Rice:
Collection of art under 906 specifically relating to the
planting of a cereal grass with a starchy edible seed and
commonly known as rice.
Subclass:
912
Pineapple:
Collection of art under 906 specifically relating to the
planting of a tropical plant having large swordlike leaves
and a large, fleshy edible fruit consisting of the flowers
fused into a compound whole with a terminal tuft of leaves
and which is commonly known as a pineapple.
Subclass:
913
Vegetable (i.e., small seed):
Collection of art under 906 specifically related to the
planting of a specialized small, seeded, named edible plant
(e.g., beet, spinach, etc.).
Subclass:
914
Lettuce:
Collection of art under 913 specifically related to the
planting of a vegetable having edible leaves and commonly
known as lettuce.
Subclass:
915
SPECIAL CONDITION:
Collection of art relating to machines designed to handle or
treat seeds which are in a peculiar state.
Subclass:
916
Seed pellet:
Collection of art under 915 specifically related to the
planting of single, small seeds which are placed into solid
or densely packed balls of nonseed material in units of
uniform size which may in turn be singulated by a
conventional planting machine.
Subclass:
917
Gel:
Collection of art under 915 specifically related to the
planting of seeds which are encased in a semisolid colloid.
Subclass:
918
Sprout:
Collection of art under 915 specifically related to the
planting of chitted (i.e., soaked, presprouted, germinating,
or dormancy broken) seeds.
Subclass:
919
SPECIAL TRANSPLANT RELATED FEATURE:
Collection of art related to the preparation of a living
plant for moving it from one location in the soil to
another.
Subclass:
920
AIRPLANE:
Collection of art relating to transplanting or planting from
an aeronautical device.
Subclass:
921
UNIQUE MOTOR DRIVE:
Collection or art relating to unconventional means by which
power is derived from or transmitted to a planting machine.
Subclass:
922
VARIABLE DRIVE MECHANISM:
Collection of art relating to speed adjustable power transfer
devices used or usable in planting machines.
Subclass:
923
INTERROW, INTERCROP PLANTER:
Collection of art relating to the planting of a second crop
between rows or within a population of a growing crop before
the harvesting of that growing crop.
Subclass:
924
MINIMUM AND NO TILL PLANTER:
Collection of art relating to machines which are designed to
plant crops with the savings of at least one tillage step
(e.g., plowing, harrowing, fertilizing, etc.).
Subclass:
925
TANK AND HOPPER TRAILERS:
Collection of art relating to vehicles which deliver material
to and are towed by, hitched to, or otherwise associated with
a planter so as to supply the planter.
Subclass:
926
SPECIAL SUSPENSION OR GAUGING FEATURE:
Collection of art related to a planting machine which has a
particular provision to adjust or maintain weight or pressure
onto an opener assembly, subframe, or the like, to maintain
or enhance planting depth.
Subclass:
927
PARALLELOGRAM MOUNTING:
Collection of art relating to the use of links connected in
parallel (parallelogram linkage) for the mounting of
assemblies, subassemblies, tools or the like on planting
machines.
Information Products Division -- Contacts
Questions regarding this report should be directed to:
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Information Products Division
PK3- Suite 441
Washington, DC 20231
tel: (703) 306-2600
FAX: (703) 306-2737
email: oeip@uspto.gov
Last Modified: 6 October 2000