Harvesters – Cornstalk type – Cutters
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-05
2001-05-08
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Harvesters
Cornstalk type
Cutters
C056S098000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226969
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates in general to agricultural combines. It relates particularly to a corn harvesting header assembly for an agricultural combine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A corn harvesting header assembly or cornhead for an agricultural combine typically comprises a series of row units which are identical to each other. Each row unit includes a pair of snapping rolls having a snapping slot formed between them. Gathering chains having gathering fingers guide corn stalks into the snapping slot. The snapping rolls pull the corn stalks through the snapping slot and the ears are removed from the stalks as they come into engagement with opposed edges of stripper plates which bracket the slot between the gathering chains and the snapping rolls.
It is conventional for at least one of the two stripper plates to be mounted on the row unit frame for movement toward and away from the other plate. This permits the gap between the opposed stripping edges to be varied to accommodate different corn crops and crop conditions. Adjustment of the gap is typically accomplished by an adjusting mechanism including actuation levers coupled to the adjustable stripper plate. The adjusting levers are mounted on an actuation shaft extending along one side or each row unit frame and supported in brackets extending outwardly of the frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cornhead row unit and adjusting mechanism for stripper plates.
It is another object to provide an improved adjusting mechanism for stripper plates which is simple and less expensive than existing constructions.
It is still another object to provide a simple and inexpensive adjusting mechanism in a cornhead row unit which permits narrower row unit spacing and, accordingly, use in a corn crop field planted with narrow row spacing.
The foregoing and other objects are realized in accord with the present invention by providing a row unit frame wherein an adjusting mechanism for stripper plates is contained substantially entirely inside the frame. The adjusting mechanism includes an actuation shaft which is journaled at its rear end in the back wall plate of the row unit frame. The shaft extends forwardly from the back wall plate, inside one of the two side frame sections in the row unit, longitudinally of that side frame section. It is journaled at its front end in a bracket mounted inside that side frame section.
The actuation shaft has two stripper plate adjusting arms rigidly connected to it in longitudinally spaced, radially extending relationship. Each of the two arms is operatively connected to the adjustable stripper plate through a corresponding aperture in the top plate of the side frame section.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3520112 (1970-07-01), Ashton et al.
patent: 4084396 (1978-04-01), Fritz et al.
patent: 4086749 (1978-05-01), Greiner et al.
patent: 4106271 (1978-08-01), Carey et al.
patent: 4326590 (1982-04-01), Yancey
patent: 4538404 (1985-09-01), Heimark, Jr. et al.
patent: 4598535 (1986-07-01), Sousek
patent: 5060464 (1991-10-01), Caron
patent: 5117618 (1992-06-01), Bich
patent: 5680750 (1997-10-01), Stefl
patent: 5704202 (1998-01-01), Calmer
patent: 5878561 (1999-03-01), Gunn
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Case Corporation
Kováacs ÁArpáad Fáabiáan
Lione Richard G.
Pezzuto Robert E.
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