ADVANCED SINGLE NODE SPRING-LOADED SEED DIBBLER

Abstract

The invention introduces an advanced spring-loaded seed dibbler designed to automate the precise placement of seeds in nursery trays and soil surfaces. Featuring a peg-like structure with two concentric tubes, the inner tube facilitates controlled reciprocation for consistent hole creation, while the outer tube stabilizes the inner tube's motion. A pointed metal end ensures effective penetration into various growing media, and a spring-loaded ratchet mechanism allows for precise adjustments in planting depth and spacing. This innovative tool significantly reduces labor and time associated with manual seed placement, enhances planting accuracy, and minimizes seed wastage, making it an essential solution for home gardeners, professional farmers, and nurseries seeking efficient planting practices.

Specification

Description:The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner it
is to be performed.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The invention pertains to agricultural engineering, specifically focusing on seed planting technologies. It involves the design and development of a spring-loaded seed dibbler that automates the process of creating precise planting holes and accurately placing seeds in nursery trays and soil. This innovation aims to enhance efficiency and reduce labor in seedling production, addressing challenges faced in traditional manual planting methods. The device is applicable across various types of growing media, making it versatile for both home gardening and professional agricultural use.
BACKGROUND
[002] The manual placement of seeds in nursery trays and soil is a labor-intensive process that requires significant effort to ensure proper depth and spacing. This task can be especially challenging in confined spaces, leading to inconsistent seed placement that negatively impacts germination rates and plant health. As a result, researchers and growers often seek more efficient methods to streamline this critical phase of seedling production.
[003] Existing technologies, such as the spring return-type handheld semi-automatic fertilization dibbler (US3696873A), have attempted to address these challenges. However, this device relies on a duckbill mechanism for seed placement, which can be prone to clogging or damage, ultimately reducing its effectiveness. The performance of this dibbler is heavily dependent on the duckbill, which may not consistently ensure proper seed drop in varied conditions.
[004] CN2770297Y, describes a simple dibbling machine designed for single-person operation. While this device offers some convenience, it lacks precise control over seed distribution, potentially leading to uneven placement and seed wastage. Its basic design does not adequately accommodate diverse soil types, limiting its functionality in different agricultural contexts.
[005] The limitations of these existing solutions highlight the need for a more advanced seed dibbler that can automate the seed placement process while ensuring accuracy and reliability. Traditional manual methods often result in a high labor demand, making it essential to explore innovative designs that enhance efficiency and consistency in planting.
[006] The proposed seed dibbler features a spring-loaded mechanism that allows for precise and uniform seed placement in nursery trays and soil surfaces. By utilizing an inner tube with a pointed end, this design facilitates effective penetration into various growing media, significantly reducing the risk of clogging and enhancing operational efficiency compared to existing devices.
[007] The inclusion of a spiral surface within the outer tube of the dibbler provides added stability to the inner tube during operation. This design element ensures smooth reciprocation and consistent performance, distinguishing the invention from prior art by enhancing its reliability in different planting conditions and environments.
[008] The invention is adaptable to various soil types and moisture levels, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including home gardeners, professional farmers, and nurseries. By addressing their specific needs for efficient and accurate seed planting tools, this dibbler stands to revolutionize seedling production methodologies.
[009] With its potential for commercialization, the advanced spring-loaded seed dibbler not only streamlines the seed placement process but also minimizes seed wastage and labor costs. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of planting operations, this invention contributes to more sustainable agricultural practices and supports the increasing demand for effective gardening solutions.
SUMMARY
[010] The invention introduces an advanced spring-loaded seed dibbler designed to automate seed placement in nursery trays and soil, addressing the labor-intensive challenges of manual planting. This innovative tool significantly reduces time and effort while improving planting accuracy.
[011] Featuring a unique peg-like structure, the dibbler includes an inner tube that moves in a controlled, reciprocating motion. This mechanism ensures the creation of consistent planting holes and precise seed positioning, enhancing the efficiency of the seed placement process.
[012] The dibbler's pointed metal end allows for effective penetration into various growing media, minimizing the risk of clogging. This design enhances operational efficiency compared to existing devices, which often rely on less reliable mechanisms.
[013] Its outer tube incorporates a spiral surface that stabilizes the inner tube during operation, facilitating smooth and reliable functioning. This feature sets the invention apart from traditional dibblers, improving performance across different planting conditions.
[014] Versatile in application, the dibbler is suitable for various soil types and moisture levels, making it an ideal tool for home gardeners, professional farmers, and nurseries. With significant potential for commercialization, this invention promotes efficient agricultural practices and contributes to sustainable seedling production.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[015] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating of the present subject matter, an example of the construction of the present subject matter is provided as figures; however, the invention is not limited to the specific method disclosed in the document and the figures.
[016] The present subject matter is described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to various features of the present subject matter.
[017] Figure 1 provides the working prototype of the invention.
[018] The given figures depict an embodiment of the present disclosure for illustration and better understanding only.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[019] Some of the embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[020] The invention features an advanced seed dibbler designed to automate the process of seed placement in nursery trays and soil surfaces. Its design focuses on alleviating the labor-intensive nature of manual planting by providing a tool that ensures precise seed positioning with minimal effort. This innovation is particularly beneficial for researchers, professional farmers, and home gardeners.
[021] The dibbler consists of two concentric cylindrical tubes: an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube, with a diameter of 1 cm, acts as the primary planting shaft, while the outer tube, measuring 4 cm in diameter, encases the inner tube and guides its motion. This design allows for controlled reciprocation, ensuring accurate hole creation in various growing media.
[022] A spring-loaded ratchet mechanism powers the inner tube's reciprocating motion. The mechanism, with a diameter of 3 to 5 cm and a length of up to 20 cm, enables precise adjustments in force, allowing the user to control the depth and spacing of the planting holes. This feature enhances the dibbler's usability across different planting conditions.
[023] In one embodiment it is provided that, the pointed metal end of the dibbler is specifically engineered to penetrate various growing media, including soil and seedling trays. This pointed design reduces the risk of clogging and ensures efficient operation, distinguishing it from existing devices that may encounter blockages during use.
[024] The outer tube includes a spiral surface on its inner side, which serves multiple functions. It stabilizes the inner tube during reciprocation, aiding in smooth operation, and helps guide seeds as they are released. This innovative feature enhances the accuracy of seed placement, ensuring that seeds are dropped at uniform depths.
[025] The device is adaptable to different soil types and moisture levels, making it suitable for a wide range of planting applications. This versatility allows users to utilize the dibbler in various agricultural settings, from home gardens to commercial nurseries, without compromising performance.
[026] In one embodiment it is provided, that in terms of methodology, users can operate the dibbler by pressing it into the growing media to create a hole and then releasing a seed from the inner tube. The ratchet mechanism allows for controlled release, enabling precise placement of seeds one by one. This method significantly reduces seed wastage compared to traditional planting techniques.
[027] The seed dibbler enhances planting efficiency by reducing the manual labor involved in seed placement. By streamlining the process, it allows users to plant more seeds in less time, ultimately leading to increased productivity in seedling production.
[028] Results from initial tests indicate that the dibbler successfully maintains consistent planting depth and spacing across various media. This reliability contributes to higher germination rates and healthier plants, providing tangible benefits for users in agricultural practices.
[029] In one embodiment it is provided, that the advantages of this invention include improved operational efficiency, reduced seed wastage, and increased planting accuracy. By addressing the challenges of traditional planting methods, the dibbler offers a practical solution that enhances the overall quality of seedling production.
[030] Discussions around the invention highlight its potential to revolutionize seed planting practices. With growing interest in sustainable agriculture, the dibbler provides an eco-friendly alternative to labor-intensive manual methods, aligning with modern farming trends focused on efficiency and productivity.
[031] The advanced spring-loaded seed dibbler not only streamlines the seed placement process but also contributes to more sustainable agricultural practices. Its commercialization presents a significant opportunity to improve gardening and farming efficiency, making it an essential tool for anyone involved in seedling production.
[032] Referring to figure 1, depicts the advanced spring-loaded seed dibbler, showcasing its streamlined design and functional components. At the forefront, the dibbler features a peg-like structure comprising two concentric cylindrical tubes: the inner tube, with a diameter of 1 cm, extends outward from the outer tube, which measures 4 cm in diameter. The pointed metal end of the inner tube is designed for effective penetration into soil and seedling trays, facilitating precise hole creation for seed placement. Surrounding the inner tube, the outer tube has a spiral surface on its inner side, aiding in stabilization during operation. A spring-loaded ratchet mechanism, visibly integrated into the dibbler's design, controls the reciprocating motion of the inner tube, allowing for accurate adjustments in planting depth and spacing. The overall aesthetic is practical and user-friendly, reflecting its purpose as an efficient tool for automating seed placement while minimizing labor and time in the planting process. The combination of these elements highlights the dibbler's innovative approach to enhancing seedling production across various agricultural applications.
, Claims:1. An advanced spring-loaded seed dibbler for automating seed placement in nursery trays and soil surfaces, comprising:
A. an inner tube with a diameter of 1 cm, designed for reciprocating motion to create planting holes;
B. an outer tube with a diameter of 4 cm, encasing the inner tube and featuring a spiral surface on its inner side for stabilization;
C. a pointed metal end on the inner tube for effective penetration into growing media;
D. a spring-loaded ratchet mechanism that enables controlled adjustments of the inner tube's reciprocating motion for precise seed placement.
2. The seed dibbler of claim 1, wherein the inner tube is constructed from a durable metal or high-strength plastic to enhance its longevity and penetration efficiency in various growing media.
3. The seed dibbler of claim 1, wherein the outer tube is designed with a textured grip surface to improve user handling and comfort during operation.
4. The seed dibbler of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable depth control mechanism to allow users to set the desired depth of planting holes.
5. The seed dibbler of claim 1, wherein the spiral surface of the outer tube aids in guiding seeds released from the inner tube, ensuring accurate and uniform seed placement.
6. The seed dibbler of claim 1, further including a seed chamber located within the inner tube that accommodates various seed sizes for compatibility with different planting applications.
7. The seed dibbler of claim 1, wherein the spring-loaded ratchet mechanism is adjustable to provide varying levels of tension, accommodating different soil types and moisture conditions.
8. The seed dibbler of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to secure the inner tube in a stationary position when not in use, preventing accidental deployment of the pointed end.
9. The seed dibbler of claim 1, wherein the pointed metal end is replaceable, allowing users to select different shapes or sizes based on specific planting requirements or soil conditions.
10. The seed dibbler of claim 1, further comprising a built-in measuring guide along the outer tube to assist users in maintaining consistent spacing between planted seeds during operation.

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