U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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U.S. Patent Classification System - Classification Definitions
as of June 30, 2000
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Class 171
UNEARTHING PLANTS OR BURIED OBJECTS
Class Definition:
GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER.
The basic subject matter of this class is limited to machines
and methods for removing an object from a position
immediately below the surface of the earth or from a position
in which it extends partially through the earth's crust by
either (1) selectively engaging and the picking or pulling
said object in such manner that it is removed from the earth
(either with or without any substantial disturbance of the
soil) or (2) by excavating said object and portions of the
surrounding earth in such manner that said object is
separated from said earth portions either during the
excavation or subsequent thereto, or, in the case of shallow
rooted plants or small stones projecting through the earth's
surface, by directly engaging and thrusting, impelling or
pushing against said plants or small stones to force them out
of the ground. The object must be completely recovered at
some instant substantially free of earth, but otherwise in
its original condition except that, in the case of plants,
portions thereof may have been previously severed from the
root. For example, machines which dig root plants are
included if the root is recovered substantially intact
regardless of whether the plant foliage or tap root is
removed or whether the foliage and/or root are retained,
subsequently destroyed, or returned to the earth.
Included in this class are railroad ballast cleaners which
remove or excavate the ballast from the railroad bed,
separate the fine foreign matter from the coarse stone
aggregates and which may return the latter to the railroad
bed.
The scope of this class also includes (1) combinations of the
basic subject matter with other features where said
combination is not provided for elsewhere such as (a) an
additional treatment of the object as, e.g., sorting,
cleaning or severing said object into parts, and (b)
combinations of said basic subject matter with an
accompanying soil treating operation, and (2) subcombinations
of said basic subject matter not provided for elsewhere.
(1) Note. The unearthed object is normally (1) a weed or
plant root with the vine, stem, or top portion of said plant
either connected to the root or severed therefrom, (2) a
stone or small rock capable of being handled in a manner
consistent with the basic subject matter of this class as set
forth in definition A supra, or (3) a foreign object
recovered from sand removed from a beach.
(2) Note. Subject matter relating to merely turning a furrow
or digging a ditch to invert the earth in such fashion that
some or all of a series of earth embedded objects are placed
on top of the removed earth is excluded and forms subject
matter for the appropriate soil handling Classes 37 or 172.
(3) Note. Implements which are hand supported and have no
driven digging or earth separation parts are excluded and are
to be found in the appropriate implement classes noted
below.
(4) Note. Stump and boulder extractors are excluded. See
Lines With Other Classes, below.
(5) Note. Subject matter relating to pulling up plant by
grasping the stalk or foliage is included (1) where there is
a disclosure that the plant root is removed from the ground
even where it is not clear from the disclosure whether the
plant stalk or foliage is severed or whether the stalk or
foliage is capable of pulling the plant root from the
ground.
(6) Note. Subject matter relating to partial unearthing of
plants or buried objects in the manner provided for by this
class has been included because of its similarity to
corresponding means which completes the unearthing.
(7) Note. Included in this class are structures and methods
disclosed as adapted for the purpose of moving small stones
along the surface of the ground to gather or windrow the
stones. See (4) Note to subclass 63.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
Stump and boulder extractors are classified in appropriate
subclasses in Class 254 and Class 37 as noted below.
Subject matter relating to recovering objects buried in soil
located beneath a body of water has been excluded and will be
found in appropriate subclasses of Class 37 or in Class 299,
subclasses 8 and 9 if objects are separated from the soil
subsequent to excavation.
Subject matter relating to recovering objects buried in the
surfaces of tunnels, shafts or vertical soil faces or
recovering a valuable mineral constituent has been excluded
and will be found in appropriate subclasses of Class 299.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
37, Excavating, subclass 302 and 303 for boulder or tree
stump-type excavators, subclasses 304+ for self-loading
vehicles which excavate snow or earth material, elevate it,
and dump it into the vehicle, subclasses 307+ for devices
excavating beneath a body of water and which may excavate
bottom material containing desired objects, and subclass 316
for fork- or rake-type scoops.
47, Plant Husbandry, subclasses 73+ for devices adapted to
transplant live trees or plants.
56, Harvesters, appropriate subclasses, for machines for
severing portions of plants while the plant is connected to
an earth embedded root, and subclass 328.1 for machines
which harvest fruit or nuts which may be lying upon the
ground.
83, Cutting, for a cutter of that class (83) type which may
cut a vegetable.
99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus, for apparatus for cutting
food wherein distinguishable portions of the food are
removed.
172, Earth Working, appropriate subclasses for earth working
implements which merely form a furrow or disturb the earth
without separating an object from the surrounding earth. Such
earth working implements may indiscriminately cut roots or
other plant material as they proceed along the ground and
turn a furrow but they do not act to separate the object from
the surrounding turned earth. Class 172 may take that
subcombination of a Class 171 apparatus which merely cuts and
lifts earth to direct it towards a separating device which
separates the desired objects from the earth. Many of the
Class 172 devices disclose teeth, blades or other means which
are inherently useful to selectively dig buried objects from
the ground while allowing the soil to fall back in place.
Where the disclosure of this type of device relates solely to
earth working, the patent is placed in Class 172, where the
invention is disclosed as useful both to work the earth and
to unearth plants or buried objects the patent is placed in
Class 171, since unearthing is always accompanied by soil
disturbance.
173, Tool Driving or Impacting, appropriate subclass for
subject matter directed to driving or impacting a tool, when
such subject matter includes features peculiar to tool
driving, but which does not include features limiting the
subject matter to a specific tool art, such as specific shape
of the work contacting portion of a tool, related tools, or
an opposed work support, and see particularly subclasses 184+
for driving or impacting means mounted on a wheeled
vehicle. Class 171 has not been cleared as to subject matter
in conflict with this line.
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, subclasses 300+ and 506+ for
portable conveyors having means to feed material from a stock
or pile onto the conveyor, and see the notes thereto.
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
subclasses 233+ for apparatus for separating objects from
finer or coarser accompanying material, and subclasses 509+
for apparatus for separating different objects in accordance
with their particle size or other physical characteristics.
Class 209 takes the claimed subcombination of a specific
sorting and/or separation means, whether or not combined with
a feeding or discharge conveyor means even when disclosed in
a plant or buried object unearthing organization.
241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, for a
comminutor of that class (241) type which may cut a
vegetable.
254, Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling
Force, subclasses 131+ for lever-like implements adapted to
lift a plant or other object from the ground.
294, Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements, appropriate
subclasses, especially subclass 50.6 and 86.4+ for hand or
hoist-line implements which may be used to lift a plant or
other object from the ground.
299, Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material,
appropriate subclass for a process or apparatus for
recovering valuable mineral material from the earth and
breaking up hard, solid material in situ, and particularly
subclasses 7+ for mining or excavating combined with
separation of the material into constituent parts.
414, Material or Article Handling, subclass 439 and 440 for
draft motion responsive handlers and transporters adapted to
pick up surface objects such as bales, shock or golf balls
which are not normally disposed below the ground.
460, Crop Threshing or Separating, appropriate subclasses,
for apparatus for removing portions of a harvested plant by
threshing.
GLOSSARY:
DIGGERS
Devices which are forced into a mass of earth and are then
raised to lift an object disposed in said earth and/or to
lift portions of the earth itself with objects embedded
therein.
EXTRACTORS
Devices which comprise means to engage a portion of a buried
or partially buried object and to temporarily fasten itself
to said object in order to hold onto the object while it is
lifted out of the ground.
IMPALING OR SNAGGING
The act of removing or unearthing an object at least
partially imbedded in the ground by an extractor which
penetrates through the surface of the object or which passes
through or around a reentrant or restricted portion of the
object to form a temporary connection between said object and
the extractor.
OPEN SEPARATOR
A device which is provided with spaced portions having
openings therebetween in which the spaced portions are
adapted to retain all objects above a predetermined particle
size while finer material passes through the openings.
RECOVERED OBJECTS
Articles or plants which were formerly at least partially
surrounded by a mass of earth and which have been separated
from said mass of earth as distinct objects, substantially
free from said earth and available at some identifiable time
for any desired purpose which may involve either use or
destruction thereof.
SEPARATING DIGGERS
Diggers as defined above which comb through the earth and
which are provided with interstices through which the earth
sifts while the desired objects rest on the digger and are
thus moved through the earth and separated from said earth.
SEPARATOR ELEMENTS
Spaced portions of a separator which support objects larger
than a certain size while smaller particles or objects pass
through the spaces therebetween.
STONE GATHERING
Moving of small stones and rocks resting on the surface of
the earth into piles, rows or collection receptacles.
UNDESIRED OBJECTS
Trash, previously cut tops or foliage or other nonearth
material accompanying the objects disclosed as intended to be
removed from the earth and recovered.
UNEARTHING
This is the generic term for any of the various organizations
for removing an object imbedded in the earth, at or near the
ground surface as by digging or picking the object and
separating it free from any substantial accumulation of
earth, the separation being accomplished either
simultaneously with or subsequent to the removal of the
object from its position in situ in the ground.
UNEARTHING UNIT
An entity which includes all of the apparatus necessary to
completely unearth a buried or partially buried object in its
path regardless of the presence or absence of additional,
similar entities in the same organization.
SUBCLASSES
Subclass:
1
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Method
or process steps included.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
299, Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material,
subclasses 7+ for a process of excavating or breaking up
hard material in situ and separating valuable constituents
thereof.
Subclass:
2
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which includes a plurality of unearthing units,
each of which is capable of operating in the manner
contemplated by the class definition as a complete entity and
in which any one of the units may be used alone and then
replaced by another in response to a manual control or in
response to the occurrence of a given condition.
(1) Note. Mere plural exhuming units which are capable of
separate vertical or lateral adjustment so that either or
both may be in operation at one time, and plural successive
units which, in turn, each pass over the same area to be
harvested have been excluded and have been classified
elsewhere in this schedule on the basis of pertinent details
of the individual unit.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 136 for diverse earth working
tools useable alternately only, and subclasses 204+ for earth
working tools alternately useable for right or left hand
operation.
Subclass:
3
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which the unearthing apparatus is provided with
a ground penetrating means of substantially flat shape lying
generally in or parallel to a vertical plane extending in the
direction of draft for the disclosed function of constraining
the movement of the apparatus over the earth to a desired
path.
(1) Note. This subclass includes those stabilizing fins or
colters which are inclined relative to the direction of draft
at such an angle with respect to an associated angularly
disposed unearthing apparatus as to thereby counteract the
side draft caused by such angularly disposed apparatus and
thus maintain the same in a straight line in the direction of
draft.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 144 for an earth-working
implement comprising a colter, jointer and plow, subclasses
165+ for diverse earth working tools including a colter, and
subclasses 190+ for diverse earth working tools including a
vertical longitudinal blade (e.g., a stabilizer).
Subclass:
4
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which includes a means for recovering a plant or
buried object and a generally cylindrical member or axially
elongated surface of revolution engaging the ground and
adapted to (1) press against the ground to break up clods
and/or to flatten the earth's surface or (2) to engage a
plant to press a part thereof against or into the ground.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
116 for rollers disposed over a separator or excavator to
disintegrate clods.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 133+ for diverse
earth-working tools including a rolling tool.
Subclass:
5
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which a severing means is disposed in a plane
perpendicular to the earth's surface in order to sever
portions of a standing or growing plant.
(1) Note. The usual purpose of such vertical cutters is to
sever laterally extending vine or top portions which would
otherwise wrap around parts of the apparatus.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclasses 229+ for vertical plant cutters,
including vertical vine cutters.
172, Earth Working, subclasses 27+ for an earth-working
implement combined with a means for cutting or shredding
plants without soil disturbance.
Subclass:
6
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which includes, in addition to a means to unearth a
desired buried object, either (1) a means to scratch a
reference line on the earth's surface; or (2) means trailing
an unearthing implement to prepare the surface of the earth
for the reception of the desired unearthed object, or to
otherwise work the earth.
(1) Note. The additional earth disturbance is usually for
the purpose of (1) removing undesired weeds (2) scratching,
plowing or cultivating the earth or otherwise breaking it up
to prepare for a subsequent crop (3) scraping the surface of
the earth with a blade to provide a smooth surface after
recovery of the desired object or (4) plowing a strip of
earth adjacent the strip from which buried objects are to be
recovered.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4 for ground-engaging rollers which crush clods and/or
flatten the ground.
5 for vertically disposed vegetation cutters which may
incidently cut into the soil.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
111, Planting, subclasses 25+ for depositing and marking
means and subclass 33 for an intermittent earth marking
means.
172, Earth Working, subclasses 126+ for an earth-working
device combined with an earth-marking means and subclasses
133+ for apparatus comprising diverse earth working tools.
Subclass:
7
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which includes a means to recover a plant or buried
object from the ground and a collector which receives the
recovered object or portions thereof from said means, said
collector being emptied in response to (1) a predetermined
travel of the apparatus, or (2) a predetermined weight or
quantity of collected objects.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclasses 346+ and 361 for intermittent
discharge raking and loading devices and subclasses 474+ for
sheaf or bundle discharging carriers.
Subclass:
8
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus having a means to unearth a plant or buried object
and including a sensing means actuated by said plant or
object either before or after it is unearthed and a means
which is responsive to actuation of said plant or object
sensing means to drive a portion of said apparatus.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 5+ for earth-working
apparatus comprising automatic power-control means and means
sensing an obstruction such as a plant.
Subclass:
9
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which means is provided (1) which includes a
frangible, frictional or resilient member or connection in
the mounting of the recovery device, or a portion thereof,
said member normally holding the recovery device, or a
portion thereof in its normal working position until an
abnormal condition arises, which overloads the device or said
portion thereof and breaks the frangible element or overcomes
the frictional or resilient force, thereby permitting the
device or said portion thereof to move to a nonoverloaded
position and there remain until manually reset, (2) in the
power transmission for the device, or portions thereof,
including a resilient, frictional or frangible member or
connection adapted to yield or break when the device, or a
portion thereof, is subjected to an abnormal operating
condition whereby the drive to the recovering device is
momentarily interrupted or positively disengaged; or (3) to
sense a condition which may or not may occur and respond to
such condition by causing an operation of the recovery device
to occur only when said condition exists.
(1) Note. Automatic devices are those which will, for
example, set the recovery device, or a portion thereof, in
operation when a desired plant or object is encountered, and
cause such operation to cease when the plant or object has
been worked upon.
(2) Note. Overload-relief means are those means interposed
in the drive or support for the unit, or a part thereof,
which will, for example, permit the drive of the recovery
device, or a portion thereof, to cease upon encountering an
obstruction; or to move to a position where it will pass an
obstruction or an unyielding object.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
7 for collection receptacles which are dumped in response to
a predetermined weight of recovered articles or to a
predetermined travel of the apparatus.
8 for drive means which are operated or controlled by
sensing the presence of a plant or buried object either
before or after it is unearthed.
subclasses 143+ for recovery devices or parts thereof which
are resiliently mounted on a supporting frame to move from a
normal position to an abnormal position and to be returned to
said normal position by a resilient means.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclass 10.2, for a harvester having
condition-responsive operation, and particularly 10.3, for
relief of drive overload.
172, Earth Working, subclasses 2+ for earth-working
apparatus with automatic power controlled means, subclasses
103+ for a driven earth-working tool or cleaner with an
overload-relief means or clutch in the drive train, and
subclasses 261+ for an earth-working tool with an overload
shifting means.
Subclass:
10
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus having an unearthing unit adapted to traverse an
area including a zone of earth which has desired plants or
buried objects embedded therein in order to remove and
separate said plants or objects from the earth and including
a ground- working means outside (but adjacent) said zone and
adapted to move undesired material in a direction away from
said zone in order to decrease the amount of undesired
material handled by said unearthing unit without
substantially decreasing the quantity of unearthed product.
(1) Note. The ground-working means may be a plow or scraper
disposed either laterally of or above the desired object
containing zone to either scrape or cut off the undesired
earth or vegetation above said zone and/or laterally
thereof.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 133+ for diverse
earth-working tools and subclass 382 for multiple level
earth- working tools.
Subclass:
11
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which means are provided (1) to divert recovered
objects from one receptacle to another when said one is full,
or (2) to removably suspend or clamp a receptacle for
recovered objects in such fashion that it may be replaced.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
23 for selective delivery to alternate locations.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
248, Supports, subclasses 99+ for supports used in filling
bags.
Subclass:
12
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which means is provided to remove accumulated
dirt, recovered objects, or portions of said recovered
objects from parts of said apparatus which means is located
outside the normal path of flow of dirt and/or objects
through said apparatus.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
89 90, 101, and 114+, for strippers which are interposed in
the path of objects moving through the apparatus and which
constitute the normal means to intercept and divert said
objects from one portion of the device and onto another
portion thereof.
Subclass:
13
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which includes a pronged member whose position is
continually changing and which is disclosed as being
specifically adapted to selectively snag or comb vines, tops,
weeds trash or other material accompanying desired unearthed
objects and to move said material away from the normal path
of the desired objects through the apparatus to separate said
material from the desired objects.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 114+ for moving strippers which engage a
separating conveyor and removed buried objects or plants such
as quack grass which it is desired to separate from the
soil.
Subclass:
14
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus having a means to remove and/or separate from the
earth a plant or buried object which is desired to be
retained and which includes, in addition, an apertured,
interstitial or perforated barrier adapted to permit said
desired plant or object to pass therethrough but which will
retain larger objects and thus segregate said desired objects
from the larger objects.
(1) Note. The larger objects may consist of (1) trash, vines
or rocks or (2) larger objects of the same kind as the
smaller object and are ordinarily delivered to a different
location than the smaller objects.
(2) Note. The barrier usually comprises an apertured surface
disposed along the path of the recovered objects to be
separated.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
13 for apertured surfaces in the form of a moving comb which
rakes off vines and similar material while allowing desired
objects to pass between the tines or teeth of the comb.
Subclass:
15
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Apparatus which
includes means to segregate like objects which differ only in
their dimensions into different groups according to size
subsequent to the separation of the object from the earth.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
subclasses 659+ for separating devices including means for
assorting recovered objects by size.
Subclass:
16
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which a means is provided for excavating or
picking up the aggregate-type ballast of a railroad bed and
(1) classifying said aggregate into different groups
according to size, shape, weight or other physical
characteristics, and/or (2) dividing from said aggregate
undesirable matter such as weeds, dirt, trash or like
debris.
(1) Note. Included are devices which may or may not return
the ballast to the road bed.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
37, Excavating, appropriate subclasses, especially subclass
104, for similar devices wherein the claims are limited to
ballast excavating or road grading means, per se.
104, Railways, appropriate subclasses, especially subclasses
2+, for ballast cleaners combined with means for handling
railroad track or ties.
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
subclasses 233+ and 509+ for assorting and sifting devices,
respectively, of general utility.
299, Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material,
subclasses 7+ for subject matter relating to excavating or
breaking up hard material in situ and separating valuable
constituents thereof.
Subclass:
17
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which object or portions thereof are (1)
separated into different groups according to their different
densities or shapes, or (2) oriented into a desired position
because of the difference in shape or density between parts
of said objects by means of (a) a stream of liquid or gas, or
(b) a body of liquid or fluent material into which the
objects or portion thereof are introduced.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
subclasses 132+ for devices which separate recovered
objects by fluid suspension.
Subclass:
18
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus having means to remove buried objects from the
earth and including means to separate desired objects from
accompanying material or objects by means of any device not
provided for above which acts in response to the difference
between the physical properties or attributes of (a) the
desired objects and (b) the accompanying object or materials
to be separated therefrom.
(1) Note. Apparatus which separates objects from other
objects or material in response to a mere difference in size
is excluded.
(2) Note. For example, the objects may be separated in
response to differences in their weight, shape, density,
coefficient of friction, elasticity, electroconductivity or
magnetic properties.
(3) Note. Included, for example, are yieldable means which
are selectively deformable by either one of (a) the desired
objects or (b) the accompanying material or objects in order
to separate the two.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 14+ 84+ and 111+, for apparatus which separates
desired objects from undesired objects or material in
response to mere difference in size.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, subclass
599 and 699 for apparatus for separating objects in
accordance with the degree of compressibility, and subclasses
598 and 941 for apparatus for separating objects in
accordance with the shape or contour of the objects
regardless of the relative sizes thereof.
Subclass:
19
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which include, subsequent to a means for unearthing
plants or buried objects which leaves said plants or objects
on the surface of the earth, a member which extends from a
point spaced above the ground to a point on or near the
ground, said member being disposed either (1) transversely to
the line of draft in such fashion that it piles up said
objects, plants, or parts of said plants ahead of it on the
ground to collect them in piles, or (2) at an inclination to
the line of draft such that said objects, plants or parts of
said plants are biased laterally along the ground to a
delivery point along a line parallel to said line of draft.
(1) Note. Rake-like devices which penetrate the ground and
thus dig up objects are excluded.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
6 for similar earth scraping devices.
subclasses 67+ for devices which shift surface material
laterally prior to unearthing of the recovered objects.
84 and 102, for rake-like separating diggers.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclasses 375+ for hay rakes, per se.
172, Earth Working, subclasses 29+ for earth-working
apparatus combined with a rake.
Subclass:
20
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which there is provision to support or
accommodate a human operator who is necessary (1) to the
handling of the recovered object to carry it through a
portion of its travel through the apparatus or (2) to perform
some manipulative step on said recovered object such as
inspecting the object or severing a portion thereof.
(1) Note. Mere stepping platforms which an operator uses
from time to time to gain access to a portion of the
apparatus or which support the operator near a portion of the
device which requires adjusting or unloading are excluded and
have been considered frame features.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 431+ for earth-working
apparatus with a seat or attendant's station.
280, Land Vehicles, subclass 32.5 for a land vehicle with a
worker's support or shade.
Subclass:
21
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which includes a means mounted for motion relative
to a supporting frame to engage an above-ground portion of a
plant whose roots are disposed in situ in the ground and hold
said portion in a desired location and attitude relative to
the earth's surface while said portion is severed from the
plant root.
(1) Note. These devices usually consist of cooperating
moving holding members which move rearwardly at the same
velocity as the forward speed of traverse of the apparatus to
hold the plant in a desired position while it is severed from
the plant root.
Subclass:
22
This subclass is indented under subclass 21. Apparatus in
which separate, vertically spaced means are provided to sever
portions of a plant while it is held in a fixed position.
(1) Note. Usually one of the severing means is disposed at a
position spaced above ground to top the plant while another
severing means is located at or below the ground level to
sever roots.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclass 121.43 for plant toppers providing
plural cuts at successive heights.
Subclass:
23
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which means is provided anywhere in the
apparatus to shift at the will of an operator the flow of
recovered objects or portions thereof from one continuous
course through said apparatus to another.
(1) Note. The usual purpose of such shifting is (1) to
select one of a plurality of locations for a windrow of
recovered objects or cut toppings, (2) to discharge to a
common windrow from different, adjacent plant rows, for
example, by employing a shiftable or reversible outlet
conveyor or (3) to switch the flow or recovered objects or
portions thereof from one path to another through the
apparatus in order to use different sections of said
apparatus alternately or selectively or to selectively bypass
certain of said sections.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
11 for selective delivery of recovered objects to either of
plural receptacles.
Subclass:
24
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which an object or some portion thereof which
has been previously unearthed is pulverized into discrete
particles or reduced to a series of pieces as by severing at
a number of spaced points.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
22 for organizations in which means is provided to hold a
standing plant while vertically spaced cutters cut the plant
into several portions.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclasses 53+ for devices which comminute
standing stalks.
172, Earth Working, subclasses 39+ for a driven earth
working tool or cleaner comprising a cleaner or comminutor
spaced from the ground surface, and subclasses 63+ for a
nondriven earth working tool combined with a driven
comminuting means. In these devices the earth and any objects
contained therein are comminuted without separating the
objects and the earth.
241, Solid Material Comminutions or Disintegration, for a
comminutor of that class (241) type which may comminute of
chop vegetable material.
Subclass:
25
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which include in addition to a means to unearth a
plant or buried object from the soil, a member having a soft
or flexible portion or portions adapted to contact the plant
or object after it has been freed from any substantial
accumulation of accompaning earth inorder to frictionally
engage or impinge upon the surface of said plant or object
for the disclosed purpose of removing adhering surface dirt
or other foreign matter.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
12 for means to clean some portion of the unearthing
apparatus outside of the normal path of the unearthed
articles.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning, especially
subclass 3.1 for vegetable brushing, wiping or cleaning
apparatus.
Subclass:
26
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which the object recovered or extracted from the
ground is a plant and portions of said plant are removed
therefrom by means located at a point above the earth's
surface before, after or during unearthing of said plant.
(1) Note. Included herein are devices which remove foilage
from a useful root portion or which separate the stalks or
vine from a goober, tuber, fruit, berry or vegetable.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
5 for cutters which are disposed in a vertical plane to
sever above-ground portions of standing or growing plants.
17 for removal of cut plants or positioning of plant tops
for cutting by floatation or fluid flow (e.g., air blast or
suction).
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, appropriate subclasses, for cutting devices
for standing or growing plants, especially subclass 121.4
for plant topping means, per se, with gauges wherein the
topped plants are permitted to remain in the ground.
99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus, subclasses 635+ for
cutting the end of a food item previously extracted from the
ground.
172, Earth Working, especially subclasses 699+ for
earth-working apparatus which cuts through the earth and may
be used to sever, by a means located below ground, a root
portion from the remainder of the plant.
Subclass:
27
This subclass is indented under subclass 26. Apparatus in
which the plant parts are separated by (1) means which
engages different portions of the plant and moves said
portions in different lineal or torsional directions, (2)
means which impacts or violently agitates the plant to jar
portions therefrom, or (3) means to compress the plants in
such fashion that sections connecting said portions are
distorted until broken to allow said part to separate.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclasses 126+ for apparatus for stripping
seeds from standing or growing plants.
460, Crop Threshing or Separating, appropriate subclass, for
apparatus for severing parts of harvested plants by
threshing.
Subclass:
28
This subclass is indented under subclass 27. Apparatus
including at least a pair of adjacent oppositely rotating
members between which certain portions of a plant are engaged
and fed until such portions are pinched or pulled apart from
other portions of said plant.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
58 for opposed roller-type plant extractors.
Subclass:
29
This subclass is indented under subclass 26. Apparatus in
which the part of a plant which is normally disposed above
the ground is progressively severed at different positions
spaced along the path traversed by the plant recovering
means.
(1) Note. The plant may be either in its natural position in
the earth or it may have been removed from the earth when
either or both of the severing positions are reached.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
5 for cutters disposed in a generally vertical plane which
may trim the edges from plant vegetation prior to the removal
thereof by a separate cutter.
Subclass:
30
This subclass is indented under subclass 26. Apparatus in
which portions are severed from the plant by a sharpened
member which is mounted to be freely rotatable by contact
with the ground or the plant.
(1) Note. The plant parts may be severed either before,
during or after recovery of the plant from the earth.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
5 for rolling disk disposed in a vertical plane for severing
vegetation from plants.
Subclass:
31
This subclass is indented under subclass 26. Apparatus in
which a means is provided to remove and separate a plant from
the earth and then sever a portion therefrom at a particular
position which apparatus includes a means to move the plant
either to said position or away from said position.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
83, Cutting, appropriate subclasses for cutting solid
material in sheet, web, bar, or strand form.
99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus, subclasses 635+ for
cutting the end of a food item previously extracted from the
ground.
Subclass:
32
This subclass is indented under subclass 31. Apparatus in
which the sharpened cutting instrument disposed in the path
of recovered plants is shiftable by contacting the plant by a
sensing device operatively secured to the instrument in order
to sever the plant portions at a desired location.
(1) Note. The gage may move the cutter in a manner to remove
a plant top at a constant location regardless of the position
of the plant, or the location of the cut may be varied in
accordance with the size or shape of the plant.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclass 121.4, for topping cutter and gauge
subcombinations.
Subclass:
33
This subclass is indented under subclass 31. Apparatus having
means to carry unearthed plants into engagement with a
sharpened cutting implement and including positively driven
abutment or feed means, said apparatus being adapted to move
said plant in the direction of its length until an enlarged
portion of the plant engages said abutment or feed means in
order to locate said plant relative to said cutting
implement.
Subclass:
34
This subclass is indented under subclass 31. Apparatus in
which plants which have been recovered from the ground engage
a locating device to shift said plants relative to a
sharpened cutting instrument in order to remove a portion of
each plant at a desired location.
(1) Note. The locating device may be either a fixed guide or
a moving positioning member.
(2) Note. The locating device may shift the recovered
article relative to a conveyor means carrying said article to
the cutting instrument and this shifting may occur either
before or after the article is engaged by the conveyor
means.
Subclass:
35
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Apparatus which
includes means to turn an unearthed plant laterally relative
to the direction of draft into a generally recumbent position
in which a portion of said plant is severed.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, subclasses 373+, for apparatus
for arranging and orienting articles on conveyors.
Subclass:
36
This subclass is indented under subclass 31. Apparatus in
which the means to move the plant to or from a position where
a portion thereof is severed, is adapted to grip the plant
during the cutting operation.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 21+ for apparatus in which a conveyor-like
device holds a plant stationary while a portion thereof is
severed.
Subclass:
37
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Apparatus in
which means is provided to move the material detached from
the plant from the area where cutting occurs to one side of
the device in order to form a windrow or to load said
material into a separate carrier at the side of the device.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
40 for lateral shifting devices such as conveyors for
carrying foilage cut from standing plants to the side of the
device and see the notes thereto.
Subclass:
38
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Apparatus in
which the means to hold the plant during the cutting
operation and to move it to and/or from the cutting area
includes a pair of confronting endless members having
contiguous runs which cooperate to hold the plant
therebetween.
Subclass:
39
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Apparatus in
which the means to hold the plant during the cutting
operation and to move it to and/or from the cutting area
includes a rotary element which turns about a single axis.
Subclass:
40
This subclass is indented under subclass 26. Apparatus in
which means is arranged and disposed to cooperate with a
plant part severing means, for discharging the severed plant
parts to a point away from the standing plants.
(1) Note. The deflector may merely push the cuttings aside
or may lift and convey said cuttings to a windrow or
collection receptacle.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
19 for rake-like deflectors for surface material such as cut
tops.
37 for deflectors or conveyors for tops removed from plants
subsequent to the unearthing of the plant.
subclasses 67+ for deflectors for surface material,
disposed in advance of an unearthing unit.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclass 121.44 and 121.45 for toppers
having means for disposing of the cut tops.
Subclass:
41
This subclass is indented under subclass 26. Apparatus
wherein the above-ground portion of the plant is separated
from the remainder by means of a device having a sharpened
portion and having a motion in addition to that due to the
translating motion of the apparatus.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
5 for vertical cutters for vegetation.
Subclass:
42
This subclass is indented under subclass 41. Apparatus
wherein the moving topping cutter is mounted to move in an
orbital path.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
30 for rolling cutters which may sever portions of a plant
either before or after they are unearthed.
Subclass:
43
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article
unearthing means (1) claimed in combination with features
other than particle-size responsive-separating means,
soil-comminuting means, conveying or handling means or means
to support, transport, actuate or control any of the
preceding means and not provided for in other classes or in
preceding subclasses of this class, or (2) having means or
parts disclosed as capable of rearrangement or modification
by addition thereto or subtraction therefrom to selectively
provide, on the one hand, a device for recovering buried
objects in a certain manner and, on the other hand, either a
device for recovering such objects in an entirely different
manner, or else a structure to perform a completely different
function.
(1) Note. Examples of treating operations provided herein
are drying, burying, or burning of the recovered object.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclasses 2+ for convertible harvesters.
Subclass:
44
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which a means which is driven by either a motor
or a ground-engaging traction member is provided to position
a portion of said apparatus relative to its supporting frame,
said means being selectively actuated in response to an
operator actuated control to move said portion from one
position of adjustment to another.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 663+ and the subclasses
there noted for an earth-working apparatus with a power means
to shift a part.
Subclass:
45
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which the buried object-recovering device is
related to an automotive chassis in such fashion that it is
mounted on a separate frame having ground- engaging support
means therefore and adapted to be towed by said automotive
chassis, said recovering device being actuated by a power
take-off driven from a motor mounted on said chassis.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 79 for an earth working tool
located on a trailer and driven by a motor on a tractor
pulling said trailer.
180, Motor Vehicles, subclass 14.1 for a vehicle train with
a power transmitting connection between a tractor and trailer
in addition to the articulated connection.
Subclass:
46
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which the buried-object recovering device is
supported, in its operative position, from a mobile
ground-supported frame in such manner that the entire device
can be detached as a unit from said frame.
(1) Note. The unearthing unit disposed on a carrying frame
which is towed by an automotive frame through a separable
draft connection (which connection may or may not support
part of said carrying frame) has been excluded unless said
unit is also detachable as a unit from said carrying frame.
(2) Note. The unearthing unit may be detachably supported on
either an automotive frame or a towed frame.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 272+ for a means to
facilitate the mounting of an implement on a motor vehicle.
Subclass:
47
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which an entire unearthing unit for a buried
object is mounted on a frame or chassis in such fashion that
it may be moved by means of either (1) an operator controlled
or actuated device or (2) a surface object or ground
contour-engaging guide means which shifts the unearthing unit
bodily with respect to said frame in a generally horizontal
plane, either pivotally or transversely to the direction of
motion of said chassis across a field.
(1) Note. The usual purpose of the laterally shiftable
mounting is to permit continuous alignment of the
object-recovering means with a series of plants in a row.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 143+ for unearthing units which include a
ground-supported chassis provided with means to steer or
laterally change the course of the chassis.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 26 for an earth-working means
guided from a surface track or previously formed furrow, and
subclass 667 and the subclasses there noted for an actuator
for laterally adjusting an earth-working means.
Subclass:
48
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which a means for recovering buried objects is
supported from a ground supported frame or chassis said
chassis having a connection to a draft means and an
additional independent draft device is connected to said
recovering means in order to pull said recovering means
independently of horizontal forces applied through said
frame.
Subclass:
49
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which a means is provided (1) to return earth
only into the space formerly occupied by the recovered
object, or (2) to engage the earth adjacent the location of
the object being recovered to retain said earth in place as
the object is withdrawn from the soil.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4 for apparatus used for rolling the earth or plants which
apparatus may incidently fill up voids left after a plant is
unearthed.
6 for earth-moving means which follow an unearthing means
for buried objects and which may incidently fill in a void in
the earth formerly occupied by said buried object.
Subclass:
50
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which comprise means for individually holding
either (1) an underground portion of a growing plant or
buried object, or (2) an above ground portion of a plant
extending through the earth's surface and lifting it without
any substantial disturbance of the soil and without any
substantial relative motion between the holding means and the
plant or object.
(1) Note. Those devices which dig plants by merely
supporting them and not grasping or holding them are
excluded. For example devices having spaced tines to dig and
separate objects from the soil are excluded and classified
herebelow as diggers if the objects merely rest on the
tines.
(2) Note. This and the indented subclasses provide for the
holding and lifting (i.e. extractor) subcombinations, per se,
and also for combinations of said subcombinations with a plow
or other preliminary digging means.
(3) Note. Included in this and the indented subclasses are
means to remove plants from the earth by pulling on the
foliage or stalks. See also (5) Note of the class
definition.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
254, Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling
Force, subclasses 199+ for implements or apparatus for
extracting stumps or poles.
294, Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements, for manually
supported grappling implements for pulling out objects
embedded in the soil.
Subclass:
51
This subclass is indented under subclass 50. Apparatus in
which means is provided to shake, rap, strike, jiggle or
otherwise jar or vibrate an extractor such as an object
impaler, snagger or grasping device or a plant or object
carried thereby a number of tines in succession in order to
assist in removing surface dirt or incrustations from said
plant or object.
(1) Note. Strippers which remove the object from the
extractor and which may incidently jar the object are
excluded and have been classified on the basis of the details
of the extractor.
Subclass:
52
This subclass is indented under subclass 50. Apparatus in
which an extractor is mounted on a support which is movable
relative to a frame and an unloader is provided which has a
different motion relative to said frame in such fashion that
said unloader engages an extractor carried object with a
pushing, pulling, wiping or combing action to remove said
object or portion of an object from said extractor.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
87 for separating diggers provided with ejectors for
stripping recovered objects from said diggers.
Subclass:
53
This subclass is indented under subclass 50. Apparatus
including (1) a sharpened means to penetrate the surface of
an object being recovered, or (2) means disclosed as being
specially adapted to hook or catch into or around a reentrant
or elongated above ground portion of said object in order to
hold on to said object and remove it from the ground.
(1) Note. The snagging means is usually employed to hook or
catch into vines which fold or drape over said means or
tangle therewith in order to pull out the vines.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
70 and 84+, for devices which penetrate into the ground and
entangle only with the roots of plants.
Subclass:
54
This subclass is indented under subclass 53. Apparatus
wherein the impaling or snagging extractor means is carried
by a moving support and is moved relative to said support
after the object has been extracted, to discharge such
object.
Subclass:
55
This subclass is indented under subclass 50. Apparatus in
which the extractor includes spaced members which are adapted
to engage and hold a buried object therebetween and lift it
from its position in the earth.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
254, Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling
Force, subclasses 131+, for special object engaging levers
which may be used to lift plants from the ground.
294, Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements, subclass 50.6,
for hand implements having fork- or shovel- type jaws which
may be used to lift plants from the ground.
Subclass:
56
This subclass is indented under subclass 55. Apparatus in
which the extractor includes carrier means provided with
grasping means which have a relative motion toward and away
from each other which is over and above the motion imparted
to said grasping means by the movement of the carrier means,
for the purpose of grasping or releasing the plant or buried
object.
(1) Note. Organizations employing grasping elements mounted
on plural carriers in which the only relative motion of the
elements is that due to relative motion of the carriers are
excluded and have been classified in other pertinent
subclasses of this schedule on the basis of the carrier
structure.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
60 for successive, adjacent members rigidly fixed on an
endless flexible carrier, which members move relatively to
each other as the carrier passes around a pulley.
Subclass:
57
This subclass is indented under subclass 55. Apparatus in
which the extractor includes spaced members, at least one of
which is in the form of a rotatable support having a
helically arranged member thereon adapted to confront or
engage the other of said members to cooperate therewith in
feeding a buried object longitudinally of said support.
(1) Note. These helical screw extractors are usually
employed to engage the foliage of a plant and lift it from
the earth either with or without the help of an
object-digging device.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
89 and 95+, for rotary diggers which may be provided with
helical means cooperating therewith to feed the articles
unearthed by the digger.
Subclass:
58
This subclass is indented under subclass 55. Apparatus in
which the extractor includes spaced members between which an
object being unearthed in grasped at least one of said
members being in the form of a rotatably mounted (1) wheel or
narrow circular device having a lateral, peripheral, article-
engaging face or (2) an elongated device having a generally
cylindrical or conical article-accommodating periphery.
(1) Note. The spaced members may in either case be provided
with either continuous peripheral surfaces or with spaced
elements lying along the periphery of a cylinder or cone.
(2) Note. The disk-type extractors are generally disposed in
nonparallel planes to provide zones where they approach and
recede in order to grasp and release an article while the
cylindrical extractors are generally but not necessarily,
disposed with their axes diverging in order to feed the
unearthed object longitudinally of the cylinder.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
28 for opposed roller-type plant part detachment means for
removing desired portions from a plant.
57 for roller-type extractors which include a screw shaped
member.
Subclass:
59
This subclass is indented under subclass 55. Apparatus
wherein the opposed plant engagers comprise opposed diverging
members which are fixedly mounted on an upwardly moving
carrier; the diverging sides generally engage an intermediate
portion of the sides of the plant with a wedging action to
hold it during upward movement.
(1) Note. Devices in which converging members dig under a
buried object and lift and guide said object out of the earth
as the object rolls or slides up the inclined surface thereof
are excluded since they do not grasp said object.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
103 and 104+, for inclined diverging plow shares which dig
objects out of the earth.
Subclass:
60
This subclass is indented under subclass 55. Apparatus in
which the extractor includes spaced members between which an
object being unearthed is grasped, at least one of said
members being in the form of a moving endless element such as
a belt, chain, strand or the like (1) adapted to engage said
object directly or (2) provided with object- engaging devices
supported on said endless element to engage said object and
hold it against the other of said members.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 53+ and 56, for endless carriers for extractor
elements of the type there provided.
118 for opposed endless surfaces, one of which is a
separator.
Subclass:
61
This subclass is indented under subclass 60. Apparatus in
which both of the spaced extractor members are endless
elements or are attached to or supported by endless elements
and which elements or members cooperate to engage an object
therebetween to unearth it.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
38 for the endless extractor members as described above
which include a cutter to remove the foliage from a plant
while it is held by the belts.
Subclass:
62
This subclass is indented under subclass 50. Apparatus
including a means to (1) agitate, plow or otherwise disturb
the soil or (2) sever underground plant parts and/or to lift
an underground plant part into a position where it is more
readily accessible to the extractor.
(1) Note. Patents classified herein as originals usually
recite (1) details of the soil disturber or plant lifter or
else (2) particular relations of said soil disturber or plant
lifter to an extractor associated therewith. Where details of
the extractor are claimed the patent is cross-referenced
here, if appropriate, on the basis of claimed or novel
disclosed soil disturber or plant lifter structure.
Subclass:
63
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which a member, disposed entirely above ground
is moved above and adjacent the earth's surface into contact
with the sides of plants or partially buried objects to
impinge or thrust against said plants or objects in order to
dislodge them from the soil.
(1) Note. An underground cutter may or may not be provided
to sever plant roots.
(2) Note. The beater or impeller may be inclined at an angle
to the line of draft in order that the unearthed objects
(usually bean vines) may slide along the beater or impeller
into a windrow.
(3) Note. The beater or impeller may be rigidly supported on
a frame or may be movable with respect to said frame.
(4) Note. Included herein are those structures disclosed as
adapted for the purpose of moving small stones along the
surface of the ground in order to gather or windrow said
stones because of the similarity of said structures to the
apparatus provided for by this subclass definition and the
likehood of said structures engaging and unearthing stones
which are partially embedded in the ground.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
19 for unearthing apparatus which includes a member disposed
above ground and extending to a point above and immediately
adjacent the earth's surface, said member being generally
transverse or inclined relative to the line of draft in order
to engage and impell unearthed objects on the ground and push
them either forwardly into piles or laterally into windrows.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
37, Excavating, subclass 302 and 303 for boulder or tree
stump-type excavators.
56, Harvesters, subclass 327.1 and 328.1+ for apparatus for
gathering or collecting vegetables, fruit or nuts.
172, Earth Working, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclasses 781+ and 811+ for an earth-engaging scraper
which could be used to dislodge and/or collect embedded or
loose surface stones.
414, Material or Article Handling, subclass 439 and 440 for
draft motion responsive devices adapted to pick up objects
normally found on the surface of the ground, such as golf
balls or the like.
Subclass:
64
This subclass is indented under subclass 63. Apparatus which
includes a means which extends under the earth's surface to
cut, tear or break the root portions of a plant.
(1) Note. The root cutter or breaker may be a portion of the
above-ground impeller or beater.
Subclass:
65
This subclass is indented under subclass 63. Apparatus in
which the member which impinges or thrusts against plants,
surface stones, or partially buried objects is disposed at an
angle to the direction in which the apparatus is traveling in
order to windrow, i.e. to deposit the uprooted objects in a
row.
Subclass:
66
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which the unearthing apparatus includes a
disassociating means which, in operating position, is
generally horizontal and planar and which is adapted to be
dragged through or along the ground and formed of a plurality
of interconnected links joined for horizontal and vertical
movement relative to each other whereby said disassociating
means will agitate and set apart the desired objects from the
earth.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
78 for other planar separators which are pivoted to a
leading plow or blades and which trail on the ground.
133 for earth excavating plows or blades having a separator
consisting of a plurality of relatively moving elements.
Subclass:
67
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus including a device disposed entirely above the
earth's surface for the disclosed purpose of engaging
material lying upon or extending through the earth's surface
to lift, depress or shift said material into or away from the
path of the apparatus for recovering buried objects prior to
the unearthing of said objects.
(1) Note. These devices may constitute above ground guards
or fenders which (1) deflect standing plant parts away from
parts of said device which might tangle therewith or (2)
engage loose trash lying in the path of said apparatus to
shift it out of said path.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
40 50+, 63+, for similar deflector-like members.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclass 121.42 for preliminary
foliage-arranging means on a crop topper.
Subclass:
68
This subclass is indented under subclass 67. Apparatus in
which the preliminary deflector is movably mounted on a
support means and an additional means is provided for
positively imparting a cyclic movement to said deflector.
Subclass:
69
This subclass is indented under subclass 67. Apparatus
including a surface material-engaging device which is either
shiftably or turnably mounted in order to (1) lift, throw or
convey loose surface material into or out of the path of the
apparatus, (2) to engage standing plant parts to re-arrange
the foliage or stalks, or (3) to press plants further into
the earth.
(1) Note. A mere altering or changing the position of
adjustment of the deflector relative to the ground has not
been considered moving for this subclass.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
4 for rotating members which roll over clods or standing
plant parts.
Subclass:
70
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus including a frame or chassis and a supporting means
adapted to move a digging means transversely of the line of
draft, said digging means consisting solely of a single
series of peripherally-spaced earth-engaging elements, the
said elements moving relative to said frame or chassis in a
closed path defining a surface of revolution, a cross section
of which surface conforms to the shape of a single element of
said series, said elements being adapted to work through the
soil to push or impact plants or buried objects either in
situ through the earth or through soil lifted from its
natural position to remove them from said earth or soil.
(1) Note. Bifurcated- or forked-earth- engaging elements
have been excluded and have been classified in pertinent
subclasses herebelow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
97 for bifurcated- or forked-separating diggers which move
transversely across the line of draft.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclasses 376+ for rakes having a
transversely moving single tine row.
Subclass:
71
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which includes an interstitial separating member
adjoining a nondriven soil cutting or lifting element and
mounted for to-and-fro and/or up-and-down motion in its
entirety or as a unit, relative to said element, said
separating member (1) having a portion thereof, or means
mounted on a portion thereof engaging the ground in order to
follow the undulations in the soil to vibrate the separating
member or (2) said separating member being provided with a
means to move said member thru a small amplitude in order, in
each case, to shake soil and entrained desired objects
deposited on or against the separating member.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
132 for a separator which may vibrate relative to a plow
means which is spaced therefrom.
134 for similar organizations in which the plow or scoop is
movably mounted relative to a separator.
Subclass:
72
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus in
which the separating surface is either (1) carried, at least
in part, by an elastic member or (2) is moved in at least one
direction by or through an elastically distortable member.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
9 for other types of drives to unearthing units which are
provided with yielding overload relief means.
Subclass:
73
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus in
which the movable separating surface is so formed that the
intersection of said surface and a reference plane disposed
perpendicularly to the direction of draft of the apparatus
forms a line which is disposed at different heights above the
ground at different portions along the length of said line.
(1) Note. The usual purpose of the transverse curve or
inclination is to bias the recovered objects to roll
laterally to a desired discharge point.
Subclass:
74
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus which
includes confining means disposed along a lateral edge of the
moving separating surface to prevent the recovered objects
from falling off said edge.
Subclass:
75
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus which
include, in addition to a first movably-supported separating
surface, either (1) an additional and discontinuous
separating surface, or (2) an additional separating surface
or individual bars or similar separating elements which are
hinged to the first separating surface.
(1) Note. The discontinuous separator surfaces may be moved
relative to each other or may be merely spaced apart or
hinged together.
Subclass:
76
This subclass is indented under subclass 75. Apparatus which
include plural separating surfaces, at least one of which is
movably mounted for a motion which is not imparted to another
one of said surfaces, said surfaces being provided with
elements which interfit so that alternate elements are part
of one separator while the intermediate elements are part of
the other separator.
Subclass:
77
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus which
includes in addition to a separator having an intersitial
separating surface movably mounted in a position adjoining a
plow member, a separator supporting member of irregular or
eccentric shape interposed between the separator and the
ground in such fashion that the supporting member is turned
about an axis by contact with the ground and imparts a motion
to the separator in response to such turning.
(1) Note. The noncircular rolling member may be supported on
the separator itself, on a supporting frame carrying the
separator, or on a separate frame or subframe provided
especially for the rolling member.
Subclass:
78
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus which
includes a separator having a front end movably supported on
a ground-traversing frame and the rear end pulled behind said
frame in which the rear end is supported either by (1) direct
contact with the earth or (2) by resting on a member which
rolls or slides along the earth and which member is provided
solely to carry the weight of said trailing end.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
77 for trailing separators which are partially supported by
a noncircular member which rolls on the ground to vibrate the
separator.
Subclass:
79
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus which
includes a separator which is movably mounted by swinging
members which are pivoted to the separator at points which
are spaced apart along the line of draft.
Subclass:
80
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus which
includes a separating surface which is mounted to move about
an axis which is (1) disposed along the line of draft or (2)
which is disposed at an angle to a plane perpendicular to the
line of draft.
(1) Note. The axis need not be disposed in a horizontal
plane but may extend at an angle relative to said horizontal
plane.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
73 for transversely-inclined separators regardless of the
axis about which they are vibrated.
Subclass:
81
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus which
include a separating surface which has a portion continuously
moving horizontally along a line or direction which is
generally perpendicular to the line of draft.
Subclass:
82
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which a buried object-recovering device is
fixedly mounted on a support which is adapted to rest on the
ground in such fashion that said support may oscillate back
and forth while remaining in contact with the ground.
(1) Note. Included herein are diggers supported by a rocking
chair-like support.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
254, Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling
Force, subclasses 131+ for special object-engaging levers
which may be used to lift plants from the ground.
Subclass:
83
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which includes an earth cutting or lifting member
and an interstitial separator fixedly adjoining or integral
with a rear portion of said cutting or lifting member and
extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom at an angle from
a horizontal plane in order to separate from the soil desired
objects dislodged by said cutting or lifting member.
(1) Note. The separator may either comb through soil to
selectively remove only desired objects or the soil
containing the desired objects may be deposited on or against
the upper side of the separator so that only the soil falls
thru the separator.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 71+ and 124+, for moving separators which may be
upwardly inclined from the back portion of a plow.
136 for diggers having a contiguous separator interconnected
therewith.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 756 for a plow with a skeleton
moldboard.
Subclass:
84
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus which includes a member which is adapted to extend
into a mass of earth containing plants or buried objects to
be forced through said earth and engage said plants or
objects, with a minimum of soil disturbance, said member
consisting of a plurality of spaced elements or portions
having an earth passage therebetween which are (1) spaced
apart a distance such that said plants or objects cannot pass
therebetween but will be propelled through said earth and
thus separated therefrom; or (2) so disposed with respect to
the forward motion of said apparatus that said elements
successively engage said plant or object in a manner to
propel it step by step, transversely relative to said forward
motion and thus remove it from the earth.
(1) Note. The separating digger must impart a motion to the
buried objects and separators which merely support excavated
objects as they move with the surrounding earth and which
allow the earth to fall therethrough are excluded and are
classified on the basis of the excavation and subsequent
separation.
(2) Note. The digger may operate on plants or buried objects
contained in a mass of earth which is either in situ or which
has been lifted from its original position provided that
means is employed to constrain the earth to flow to the
digger in substantially the same manner as if it were still
in situ.
(3) Note. Included herein are separating diggers which
comprise vertically-disposed digger elements arranged in a
generally rake-like formation which comb through the soil to
remove buried objects.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclasses 375+ for rakes which comprise
vertical tines.
172, Earth Working, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclasses 685+ for plural earth working tools.
299, Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material,
subclass 36.1 for floor working machines that could
inherently function for unearthing buried objects.
Subclass:
85
This subclass is indented under subclass 84. Apparatus which
includes a first member shaped like a sector of a circle and
a second member having a portion moving through a
corresponding path adjacent said first member in such fashion
as to provide an article confining space, at least one of
said members being provided with digging elements adapted to
comb through the soil to unearth objects imbedded therein and
to deliver said objects between said members.
(1) Note. The moving member may be a separating digger or a
mere impeller wheel or belt which shifts the objects confined
between the members.
(2) Note. The said first member is usually fixed on a frame
and may be a separating digger, a separator or a mere guide
to confine the said objects.
Subclass:
86
This subclass is indented under subclass 84. Apparatus in
which the separating digger is provided with a mounted member
having a bearing surface to hold the digger from movement
with respect to said mounting member to provide (1) a motion
which directly causes the separation of an object from the
earth and/or (2) a movement which causes a discharge or
unloading of objects already collected on or by the
separating digger.
(1) Note. Mere adjustably supported separating diggers have
been excluded and classified on the basis of other pertinent
details of the digger.
(2) Note. The separating digger may be manually actuated,
power operated by a motor or traction drive or mounted so
that it is freely movable.
(3) Note. Pivotally-supported separating diggers are
included where the digger is adapted to swing up and
discharge recovered objects collected on the digger to thus
complete the digging operation.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
44 for power means to optionally shift a separating digger
to dig, discharge or adjust the digger.
subclasses 71+ for vibrating separating surfaces which are
disposed rearwardly of and adjoining or contiguous to a
leading plow or earth cutting blade.
141 for lifting or tilting means for adjusting unearthing
apparatus.
Subclass:
87
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus
including a moving separating digger and means adapted to
remove or transfer objects resting on the digger, which means
is supported (1) on the digger or (2) on a digger carrier
which is movably mounted on a traveling support.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
52 for strippers which have a motion relative to an
extractor in order to remove recovered objects from the
extractor.
Subclass:
88
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus in
which a moving-digger means includes several separate
elements each of which is adapted to propel a buried object
towards the other element so that the object may pass in
between them.
(1) Note. The several diggers usually intermesh to form a
temporarily interdigitated grate-like support for the object
which allows loose dirt to fall through in order to separate
said dirt from the object while it is lifted from the
ground.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 55+ for plural cooperating moving elements which
may or may not penetrate the earth's surface, which elements
are disposed in opposed relation for holding and lifting a
plant or buried object from the earth.
Subclass:
89
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus in
which a moving digger is mounted on a frame and a feeding or
discharge means is provided which is interposed in the path
of objects on the digger and which has a motion relative to
both the digger and said frame to clean said digger, to
pulverize clods, or to remove recovered objects from said
digger.
(1) Note. The discharge means may be a moving stripper or a
conveyor arranged to remove the flow of recovered objects
from the digger.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
13 for toothed strippers which move adjacent a conveyor or
separator to pick up vines or other undesired objects
therefrom.
87 for discharge devices or ejectors which are mounted on a
separating digger or digger carrier.
subclasses 114+ for similar discharging devices for
separators or which cooperate with a means for excavating
earth and objects buried therein to remove earth and/or
objects therefrom.
Subclass:
90
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus in
which a moving digger is provided with a discharge device
interposed in the path of objects on the digger to remove
said objects from the digger.
(1) Note. The discharge means is usually a comb or trough.
(2) Note. The discharge device must actually remove the
objects or strip them from the digger and conveyors or chutes
which are merely disposed in the path of objects which fall
from the digger are excluded and will be found in an
appropriate subclass in Classes 198 or 193, respectively.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
92 for separating diggers moving in an annular path in which
a chute is disposed within the annulus to receive objects
therefrom.
Subclass:
91
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus which
includes a moving supporting member which rolls or is driven
with respect to a frame, digging means being mounted on said
supporting member in such fashion that it necessarily moves
with respect to said supporting member when the latter moves,
said digging means being provided with spaced elements which
dig through the soil and engage plants or buried objects
therein to move them through the soil while allowing the soil
to sift through as the digging means moves.
(1) Note. The digger is often carried by a crank or wheel,
additional means being provided to change the relation of the
digger to the crank or wheel as the latter moves.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
54 for impaling- or snagging-type extractors which move
relative to a moving-carrier means for the purpose of
stripping recovered plants from the teeth of the extractor.
56 for extractors which include jaw means movably mounted on
a moving carrier.
87 for similar structures wherein the moving digger also
moves relative to an ejector means which means is adapted to
remove or transfer objects from said digger.
Subclass:
92
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus which
includes a digger having digging elements disposed about the
periphery of a rotary or belt-like member (1) in which a
receptacle is disposed within said periphery to receive
recovered objects in order to retain them or to guide them
away from the digger, or (2) in which said member has a
surface provided with interstices adapted to support
recovered objects but which permit smaller objects or
material to pass to or through the interior of the
periphery.
Subclass:
93
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus in
which (1) the digger is continuously moved through a closed
path by contact with the earth as the apparatus traverses a
field, or (2) the digger is mounted on a supporting frame and
has at least one axis which is coaxial with a
ground-contacting driving wheel.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
112 and 125, for rolling separators and elevators,
respectively.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 518+ for rolling earth
working tools.
Subclass:
94
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus in
which the spaced elements which remove the buried object from
the earth are supported by a continuous belt, web or strand.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
61 for endless members which cooperate to grasp buried
objects and lift them from the earth.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 100 for a driven earth working
tool comprising a blade mounted on an endless driven belt or
chain.
Subclass:
95
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus
including a member which is journalled for movement about an
axis and is disclosed as turning continuously in the same
direction about said axis, said member being provided with
spaced elements which dig through the soil and engage plants
or buried objects therein to move them through the soil but
which allow the soil to sift through as the member moves.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
85 for rotary separating diggers cooperating with contiguous
guide means for unearthed material.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 35+ for driven earth working
tools.
Subclass:
96
This subclass is indented under subclass 95. Apparatus in
which the rotating digger is (1) arranged with certain
digging elements extending radially further from the axis of
rotation than others in such fashion that they terminate
adjacent a conical surface, or (2) arranged in such fashion
that the digging elements or portions thereof define a
substantially conical surface.
Subclass:
97
This subclass is indented under subclass 95. Apparatus in
which the axis of rotation of the rotary digger lies
generally in a horizontal plane.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
115 for rotary members adapted to move transversely across a
moving separator or excavator.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 107+ for an earth working
tool driven about a horizontal longitudinal axis.
Subclass:
98
This subclass is indented under subclass 97. Apparatus in
which the generally horizontal axis of rotation of the rotary
digger is generally perpendicular to the line of draft of the
apparatus.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 118+ for an earth working
tool driven about a horizontal transverse axis.
Subclass:
99
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus in
which a separating digger is supported and guided for motion
in a rectilinear or curvilinear path not provided for above,
means being provided to impart such motion to the digger.
(1) Note. Included herein are separating diggers which have
a spading, hoeing or pawing motion.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
44 for separating diggers having power- operated means to
selectively move the diggers when desired.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 84+ for a reciprocating and
oscillating driven earth working blade having an elongated
shank.
Subclass:
100
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Apparatus in
which a separating digger is pivotally supported for rocking
or oscillating motion about the axis of a rolling,
ground-engaging member.
(1) Note. The digger may be slidable relative to the
ground-engaging member so that said digger may be projected
into the ground.
Subclass:
101
This subclass is indented under subclass 84. Apparatus in
which a separating digger is mounted on a frame and a means
is provided which is interposed in the path of objects on the
digger and which has a motion relative to the digger to clean
said digger, to remove recovered objects from the digger, or
to assist in moving the recovered objects along said digger.
(1) Note. The means may be a moving stripper or a conveyor
arranged to remove the flow of buried objects from the
digger.
(2) Note. The separating digger is usually fixed to the
frame.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 75+ for separating diggers intercepted by
contiguous vibrating separator sets.
85 for impellers which cooperate with an arcuate separating
digger in such fashion that an unearthed article is moved
between the impeller and the digger.
89 for similar moving discharge means or strippers for
moving material from separating diggers.
Subclass:
102
This subclass is indented under subclass 84. Apparatus which
include a separating digger having at least a portion having
digging elements disposed generally in a plane which is
inclined at an acute angle with respect to a vertical plane
extending longitudinally along the path traversed by said
portion in such manner as to deliver recovered objects at the
edge of said path.
(1) Note. Included herein are diggers or portions of diggers
arranged in pairs which diverge either forwardly or
rearwardly with respect to the direction of traverse to
deliver the separated objects centrally or laterally,
respectively, or the pair.
(2) Note. Included herein are patents which claim a series
of separate, laterally staggered diggers which shift
recovered objects laterally in a succession of steps.
(3) Note. Driven or rolling diggers which meet the above
definition are cross- referenced here when claimed details of
the moving digger require classification higher in the
schedule.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
19 for similar rakes or lateral deflectors which operate
adjacent and above the surface of the ground to laterally
shift surface material.
83 for laterally-deflecting separator surfaces adapted to
comb through the earth to unearth objects and which are
provided with plows or earth cutting blades at their leading
ends.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Haversters, subclasses 376+, for laterally deflecting
rakes.
Subclass:
103
This subclass is indented under subclass 84. Apparatus in
which the separating digger includes two mutually cooperating
digger surfaces which extend, side by side, downwardly in the
direction of draft and which are spaced apart at a distance
such that said surfaces are adapted to contact opposite sides
of each object being recovered to lift said object and guide
it along said surfaces.
(1) Note. The cooperating surfaces may be formed as part of
an integral unit provided that there is an adequate opening
or clear space below and between said surfaces to allow soil
to pass through freely as the object is lifted therefrom.
(2) Note. The surfaces are usualy flat and disposed in
upwardly and laterally diverging planes but they may be
surfaces of rods or bars.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
57 and 58, for spaced, downwardly inclined, rotating members
which engage opposite sides of a plant to extract it from the
ground and which may enter the earth at their forward ends to
form spaced digging means.
62 for plant- or buried-object extractors combined with
diggers or root cutters which may be formed as pairs of
inclined shares or guides.
subclasses 104+ for devices which are disclosed as having
closely spaced digger elements which form an interstitial
supporting surface upon which the objects being recovered
rest but in which spaced elements do not contact opposite
sides of said objects.
Subclass:
104
This subclass is indented under subclass 84. Apparatus in
which the separating digger includes an interstitial or
grid-like surface disposed in a plane which slants downwardly
towards the direction in which the apparatus travels in order
to dig under buried objects and urge them up said plane to or
above the surface of the earth.
(1) Note. The surface need not be continuous but may
comprise a number of bars, rollers, tines or similar work
supporting, digging members.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 71+ and 83, for separating surfaces which may be
forwardly and downwardly inclined separating diggers which
adjoin a plow or earth cutting blade.
Subclass:
105
This subclass is indented under subclass 104. Apparatus in
which the inclined separating digger includes a fork-like
member having a plurality of separate, closely spaced tines,
or teeth to dig under buried objects and form an interstitial
surface to urge said objects along said surface to or above
the surface of the earth.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
103 for spaced shares constituting a pair of digging
elements adapted to contact and lift opposite sides of a
buried object and which may form a fork-like unit.
Subclass:
106
This subclass is indented under subclass 104. Apparatus in
which the inclined separating digger includes a series of
closely spaced, transversely arranged members which are
disposed at progressively higher levels away from the
direction of draft in order to dig under buried objects and
roll them up the ladder rung-like transverse elements.
Subclass:
107
This subclass is indented under subclass 84. Apparatus in
which the invention relates to details such as size and shape
or relative position of the earth engaging digging elements
or tips.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 540+ for an earth working
tool with circumferentially spaced teeth, tines, blades or
the like.
Subclass:
108
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus having claimed specific details of a power
transmission between a supporting wheel of a chassis and
moving parts of a means mounted on said chassis for
recovering buried object.
(1) Note. A mere recitation that a digger or picker is
driven from a supporting wheel axle has been excluded.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
44 for traction-wheel-driven means to optionally and
selectively position a part of an unearthing device.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 105+ for an earth working
tool driven from a rolling or driven ground wheel.
Subclass:
109
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus including an unearthing apparatus and a wheel- or
runner-supported frame which frame is interconnected by a
transverse horizontal pivot to an additional wheel- or
runner-supported frame, the unearthing apparatus being
mounted on one or both of said frames and there being
provided a means for varying the included angle between the
two frames by simultaneously swinging each said frame about
the horizontal pivot to thereby selectively alter the
vertical position or attitude of said unearthing apparatus or
portions thereof.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
111, Planting, subclass 56 for planters with break joint
frames.
172, Earth Working, subclass 323, 326+ and 395+ for earth
working apparatus which may include a break frame.
Subclass:
110
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which the unearthing apparatus includes an
excavating means interconnected with a moving-conveyor means,
which means are mounted on a vehicular frame for simultaneous
movement relative to said frame, there being provided a means
for securing the unit in variable positions of adjustment in
order, generally, to vary the working depth or attitude of
the excavating means.
(1) Note. The conveyor means may, in addition, be a
separating means for segregating the desired objects from
undesired objects or earth.
Subclass:
111
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which means are provided to excavate a mass of
earth having plant roots or other objects imbedded therein;
means being provided to receive said mass and to remove the
earth from said objects and/or to lift said objects from the
mass of earth to thereby separate and recover said objects.
(1) Note. Patents which disclose a separating digger but
claim it only as a digger broadly in combination with an
additional separator are classified herein as originals and
are crossed here if any significant details of the separating
digger are recited which would require classification of the
original higher in the schedule.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 14+ for unearthing apparatus including a screen
or the like adapted to allow desired objects to pass
therethrough in order to separate said objects from larger
particles or objects.
subclasses 71+ for plows or soil cutters having trailing,
vibrating separating members disposed adjacent thereto.
83 for plows or soil cutters having associated therewith
members having separating surfaces which extend upwardly and
rearwardly therefrom, away from the direction of draft.
110 for organization including a digging member and a moving
conveyor adjustable therewith as a unit relative to a
supporting chassis in which the conveyor may either be a
separator or may conduct earth and/or buried objects to a
separator.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 32 for an earth working
apparatus with means for separating earth portions after
earth working, and subclasses 681+ for earth working tools
which are adapted to raise or turn a mass of earth having
buried objects therein or adapted to move below the ground
surface and sever plant roots.
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
appropriate subclasses, for the subcombination of separating
means, per se.
Subclass:
112
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Apparatus
including a reticulate surface which is moved by contact with
the earth as the apparatus progresses across a field and
which is adapted to receive a mass of excavated earth and
entrained buried objects to retain the latter but to allow
the earth to sift or fall through.
(1) Note. The reticulated surface is usually a rolling wheel
or endless belt.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
93 and 125, for rolling separating diggers and elevating
conveyors, respectively.
108 for screens or sieves which are driven by a wheel or the
like rolling on the ground.
Subclass:
113
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Apparatus in
which a helical- or auger-like feeding means is disposed in
contiguous relation to an excavating or separating means for
moving unearthed material through or along the surfaces of
said excavating or separating means.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
57 for extractors which employ at least one screw-type
feeding member.
Subclass:
114
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Apparatus
including a means which (1) impacts unearthed material to
hurl it through a desired trajectory, (2) cooperates with an
excavating or disassociating surface to assist in moving
unearthed material along or from said surface, or (3)
disintegrates unearthed material moving along or carried by a
surface of the excavator or separator by comminuting said
material between said surface and said means.
(1) Note. The supporting surface may be a digging surface or
a separating surface and the motion imparted to the excavated
material may be for the purpose of (1) merely moving the
material through the apparatus, (2) assisting the flow of
part of the material through a separator surface, or (3)
comminution of conglomerated portions of the material.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 86+ for moving separating diggers disposed
adjacent a plow or earth guide in position to receive a slice
of earth in its original condition as it was in situ and to
comb through said slice to remove desired objects buried
therein.
101 for fixed separating diggers provided with moving
impellers or clod breakers.
Subclass:
115
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Apparatus in
which the impeller or breaker means is journalled for
movement in a circular path about a fixed axis lying in or
extending generally parallel to a vertical plane extending in
the direction of draft.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
70 for transversely moving rotary diggers which may or may
not be combined with excavating or separating means.
97 for transversely rotating separating diggers mounted for
rotation about horizontal, longitudinal axes.
Subclass:
116
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Apparatus in
which the impeller or breaker means is journalled for
movement in a closed circular path.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
85 and 101, for rotary impellers arranged to move material
along a separating surface consisting of a portion of a
separating digger.
113 for rotary impellers which have spirally arranged
longitudinally conveying screw means.
115 for transversely moving rotary impellers or clod
breakers.
Subclass:
117
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Apparatus in
which the impeller or breaker means is mounted for movement
in a closed orbital path, there being at least two spaced
parallel axes about which said means traverses during a
single cycle of its operation.
(1) Note. The endless impellers are not conveyors because
they do not carry the earth and/or entrained objects but
merely push it relative to a second fixed or moving surface
which supports it.
Subclass:
118
This subclass is indented under subclass 117. Apparatus which
includes a pair of endless belt members each of which has a
run disposed adjacent to and in cooperation with a run of the
other in such fashion that a recovered object or plant may be
confined and transported between said runs or an earth clod
may be crushed between said runs.
Subclass:
119
This subclass is indented under subclass 117. Apparatus in
which the impeller or breaker means travels in an endless
path about the excavating or disassociating means.
Subclass:
120
This subclass is indented under subclass 117. Apparatus in
which the impeller or clod breaker means is disposed over and
adjacent the excavator or separator surface.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
119 for endless impeller or clod breaker belts having an
upper run disposed above an excavator or separator.
Subclass:
121
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Apparatus in
which the impeller or breaker means is journalled on a frame
structure and adapted to be moved through a closed orbital
path or through a rectilinear reciprocatory path.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
91 and 99, for separating diggers which are driven through a
cyclic path and which may or may not be combined with an
excavating or separating surface.
Subclass:
122
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Apparatus
including a means to strike, squeeze or comminute
conglomerated portions of the earth, without unduly injuring
objects entrained therein in which the means is disposed
subsequent to the excavating means and either prior to or
subsequent to the separating means.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
114 for similar structure which either intentionally or
incidently pulverizes earth clods in a separating zone.
Subclass:
123
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Apparatus in
which a carrier is disposed below an interstitial separating
area to remove the material which falls through the
interstices.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 14+ for conveyors disposed below a separator
which separator is adapted to pass a recovered object but
exclude trash, vines, etc.
Subclass:
124
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Apparatus
including a means to excavate a mass of earth with buried
objects entrained therein and a separating means to remove
the earth from said objects in which either (1) the
excavating means moves, (2) the separating means moves, or
(3) a transporting device, interposed between the excavating
means and separating means, moves.
(1) Note. Excavating means, separating means and
transporting devices which are movable only for adjustment
purposes are excluded and classified elsewhere in this
schedule on the basis of claimed details of the various means
or the manner in which they are adjustably supported.
Subclass:
125
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Apparatus
including an earth lifting or transporting device interposed
between an excavator and a separator which device is moved by
contact with the earth as the apparatus moves across a
field.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
93 112, for rolling separate diggers and nondigging
separators, respectively.
Subclass:
126
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Apparatus
including an interstitial or reticulated surface which
receives excavated earth with buried objects therein and
which surface is movably supported in order to assist in
separating the objects from the earth and/or to transport
said objects during the separating operation.
(1) Note. Included herein are those reticulated separating
surfaces formed of a continuous endless belt, band or
conveyor flight and not provided for below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
110 for excavating means having a belt-type separating
conveyor intimately associated therewith, where the
excavating means and conveyor are adjustable together
relative to a supporting chassis.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
appropriate subclasses, for details of the moving reticulated
separating surface, per se.
Subclass:
127
This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Apparatus in
which the reticulated separating surface is provided with a
driving means which imparts thereto a motion in a different
direction from the direction of the normal flow of the
recovered objects across said separating surface in order to
assist in the separating function thereof.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
51 for extractors which grasp an object to remove it from
the earth and which are jiggled to facilitate separation from
the earth.
Subclass:
128
This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Apparatus which
includes a rotary, cylindrical member having an axially
extending reticulated or interstitial separating surface
projecting outwardly and generally radially from the
peripheral surface thereof, said separating surface being
adapted to receive a mass of excavated earth having buried
objects entrained therein in such fashion as to support said
objects while allowing said earth to sift through said
separating surface and thus separate from said objects.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
92 93, 95+, for similar separating diggers.
129 for rotary drum-type separators.
Subclass:
129
This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Apparatus in
which the reticulated separating surface is formed as a
member defining a surface of revolution and journalled for
rotation in such fashion that a mass of excavated earth
having buried objects entrained therein is applied to either
the exterior or interior of said member in order to retain
the objects while the earth passes therethrough.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
92 for separators which may be cylindrical and which are
disposed within the confines of a surrounding endless
separating digger.
112 for rotary drum separators which roll along the ground.
113 for open drum-type separators having spiral conveyors or
impellers to move excavated material therethrough.
128 for separating cylinders or drums which have separating
tines or interstitial surfaces extending radially therefrom.
Subclass:
130
This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Apparatus in
which a number of reticulated separating surfaces formed of
continuous endless belts, bands or flights are disposed in
such relative positions that objects carried by one belt,
band or flight are deposited on the next belt, band or flight
in sequence.
(1) Note. The successive belts are usually inclined with the
outlet area of one belt disposed above the inlet area of the
next so that the fall of the object from one to the other is
utilized to assist in the separation.
Subclass:
131
This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Apparatus
including a number of separate separators, one of which is an
endless separating belt band or conveyor in which objects,
carried on one separator are deposited on the next separator
in sequence.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
130 for successive separators which consist of sequentially
arranged endless belt separators.
Subclass:
132
This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Apparatus
including a separating surface formed with interstices or
apertures, said surface being mounted for a unitary movement
to assist in passing earth therethrough or to carry or feed
separated objects along said surface.
(1) Note. Included herein are sifting shakers which have no
other motion than a jiggling movement to enhance sifting of
earth therethrough.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 71+ for vibrating separating screens or grates
which are disposed in contiguous relation to a plow or earth
cutting blade.
Subclass:
133
This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Apparatus in
which the interstitial separating surface includes a
plurality of individual members mounted on a support, said
members having (1) different motions with respect to said
support, (2) motions about different axes, or (3) any motion
relative to each other, and said members being closely spaced
in order to support recovered objects while dirt passes
through the space between adjacent members.
(1) Note. The relatively moving members may be rotating
rollers or cranked shafts.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
66 for ground-engaging horizontal planar separating members
consisting of chain-like links.
76 for relatively moving-interdigitating separator elements
adjoining a nondriven plow or earth working blade.
Subclass:
134
Apparatus under suclass 124 in which an excavating member is
movably supported on a frame for digging or loosening earth
and/or buried objects entrained therein, and a separating
means is supported on the frame separately from the
excavating member.
(1) Note. The moving digger may be the means which lifts the
soil and entrained buried objects from the ground or said
digger may be supplementary to said means.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 55+ especially subclasses 57 and 58, for
rotating extractors which may extend into the ground and
either contact a plant below ground or else disturb the
earth.
84 for moving diggers which separate earth from buried
objects simultaneously with the digging operation.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
37, Excavating, appropriate subclasses, for details of the
moving excavating device, per se.
Subclass:
135
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Apparatus in
which the means to separate earth from recovered buried
objects includes a portion of a receiving and collecting
chamber for said recovered objects.
(1) Note. The separator normally consists of a screen or
grill in a lower surface of the article collecting chamber.
(2) Note. The separating collector may or may not be
preceded by an additional separating means.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
7 for plant or buried object unearthing units which dump
periodically in response to either the weight of collected
objects or distance traveled by the unit in order to leave
the unearthed objects in piles.
Subclass:
136
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Apparatus in
which the excavating means and the separating means (1) are
formed integral one with the other, or (2) are immovably and
rigidly adjoined one to the other.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
subclasses 71+ for vibrating separators which adjoin
leading plow or earth cutting blades.
83 for inclined separator surfaces fixedly adjoined in
trailing relation to leading plows or earth cutting blades.
110 for separating means which adjoin earth cutting plows or
blades and which are adjustable therewith as a unit.
Subclass:
137
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus wherein a baffle or hood means is so disposed
relative to the unearthing apparatus, parts thereof or drive
means therefor, that (1) such apparatus, parts, or drive
means are shielded from foreign matter, dirt or recovered
objects, or (2) an operator or attendant is protected from
foreign matter, dirt or recovered objects which might
otherwise strike or injure him.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
85 for a moving impeller member having a cooperating arcuate
guide member, one of which members is a separating digger.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 112+ for a driven earth
working tool with a deflector or shield for thrown material,
and subclasses 508+ for an earth working implement with a
guard, shield or plant diverter.
Subclass:
138
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus wherein the unearthing device is provided with an
intercepting means disposed in the normal path of flow of the
material through said device for receiving and transporting
or guiding said material in a direction which when measured
in a horizontal plane is angularly disposed with respect to
said normal path of flow of material in order, generally, to
deliver material or portions thereof to a predetermined
position within the device or on the ground.
Subclass:
139
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which the unearthing apparatus includes the
frame of a vehicle, said frame having an excavating and/or
separating means rigidly connected thereto, and which frame
is provided with a means for varying its vertical position
relative to the ground whereby the working depth of said
excavating and/or separating means may be selectively changed
from one position to another.
(1) Note. The frame is generally provided with a crank axle,
gage wheel or runner means which is movable relative to the
frame in order to position said frame at different heights
above the ground.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
109 and 141, for other types of devices for adjusting an
unearthing unit either with or relative to a vehicle frame.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 395+ for an earth working
implement with a ground support vertically adjustable
relative to the supporting frame.
280, Land Vehicles, subclass 6.15 for a land vehicle of
general utility including means, interposed between the
vehicle body, chassis, or frame and running gear thereof, for
altering height or levelness of the vehicle body, chassis, or
frame; or subclasses 43+ for a land vehicle of general
utility having vertically adjustable wheels for altering a
dimension of the vehicle or a part thereof.
Subclass:
140
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus including a buried object recovering device
floatingly supported on a vehicle frame and a ground-
engaging supporting member operatively connected to said
recovering device to continuously shift said recovering
device relative to said frame in response to changes in
contour of the ground.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 387+ and subclasses 669+,
and see the subclasses there noted for earth working
implements with ground wheels or runners.
Subclass:
141
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus including a selectively operable mechanism
connected to a part of a means for recovering buried objects
mounted on a chassis in order to (1) raise or lower said part
to adjustably position it with respect to said frame or (2)
to adjustably vary the inclination or attitude of said part
with respect to the earth's surface.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
44 for power-operated means to adjust a part of an
unearthing apparatus.
109 for articulated vehicle frames whose sections relatively
pivot to change the position of an unearthing means.
110 for diggers and conveyors which are adjustable as a unit
relative to a supporting chassis.
139 for unearthing units which are fixed or vertically
shiftable vehicle frames.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 452+ and the subclasses
there noted, for an actuator adapted to lift an earth working
implement for transport on a wheeled frame, and subclass 668
for an actuator adapted to move an earth working implement
vertically with respect to a wheeled frame.
Subclass:
142
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus including a specific means forming a part of a
power supply system to move a portion of a device which
removes and separates buried objects from the earth.
(1) Note. Included here are devices having means to effect a
declutching of a drive to an unearthing apparatus in response
to a vertical or lateral shifting of such apparatus.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
9 for power-driven means for an unearthing unit part which
are adapted to yield or slip when overloaded.
44 for power-driven means to adjust or selectively position
a digger unit part.
108 for details of a drive from a traction wheel to a digger
unit part.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclass 125 for details of a drive for
a driven earth working tool.
Subclass:
143
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus including claimed features relating to movable
supporting members or platforms for mounting a device or
portion of a device for removing and separating buried
objects from the earth.
(1) Note. The supporting member or frame may or may not have
supporting wheels and may or may not be provided with means
to steer said frame as it is propelled.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
46 for unearthing unit frames which are detachable as a unit
from the chassis of a tractor or the like.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
172, Earth Working, subclasses 669+ and the subclasses
there noted for implements mounted on a wheeled frame, and
subclass 776 for frames for earth working implements.
Subclass:
144
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus for recovering buried objects embedded in the earth
either immediately below the surface thereof or extending
through the earth's surface and not provided for above.
(1) Note. Included herein are devices under the class
definition which include article-receiving means to retain
unearthed objects until a desired accumulation thereof has
been achieved, after which, generally, the means is cleared,
dumped or otherwise readied for the reception and retention
of more objects.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
7 for collecting chambers for recovered articles, which
chambers dump the articles periodically in piles in response
to weight of the load of articles or distance traveled by the
apparatus.
11 for removable or alternately employed receiving chambers
for recovered buried objects.
135 for recovered article collecting chambers having
reticulated separating surfaces therein.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
56, Harvesters, subclass 473.5, for similar collecting
hoppers or receptacles for harvested crops.
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