US 12,213,393 B2
Agricultural weed removal system
Donald H. Sandbrook, Palmerston North (NZ)
Assigned to Greentech Robotics Limited, Palmerston North (NZ)
Filed by Greentech Robotics Limited, Palmerston North (NZ)
Filed on Aug. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/393,591.
Prior Publication US 2023/0043631 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. A01B 63/00 (2006.01); A01M 7/00 (2006.01); A01M 21/02 (2006.01); B25J 5/00 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01)
CPC A01B 63/002 (2013.01) [A01M 7/0042 (2013.01); A01M 21/02 (2013.01); B25J 5/00 (2013.01); B25J 9/1679 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A weed removal apparatus, comprising:
a robotic arm coupled to a frame of a vehicle that has a plurality of ground engaging members that move the vehicle over a surface, wherein the robotic arm includes:
an upper member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first length;
a lower member positioned in parallel with the upper member, the lower member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second length that is longer than the first length;
a member oriented at a non-vertical angle relative to the surface to which the distal end of the upper member and the distal end of the lower member are pivotally coupled; and
an actuator to which the proximal end of the upper member and the proximal end of the lower member are pivotally coupled; and
a weed-removal implement connected to the member and having a beveled cutting edge;
wherein the weed-removal implement is raised above the surface and lowered below the surface by the actuator of the robotic arm enabling the beveled cutting edge of the weed-removal implement to cut a root of the weed as the vehicle moves over the surface.