Joints and connections – Interconnected flanges or shoulders – Axially bolted or riveted
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-27
2001-05-29
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Interconnected flanges or shoulders
Axially bolted or riveted
C024S037000, C474S257000, C198S844200, C056S181000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238131
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to harvesting machines that have a draper belt for conveying crop material, and in particular to a connector assembly for coupling the ends of the draper belt together.
2. Description of Related Art
Draper platforms for harvesting equipment have one or more flat, wide belts, preferred to as a draper or draper belt, to convey crop material. The arrangement and the number of belts vary among platforms. One style of platform has two side belts that convey crop material laterally to the center of the platform where a feed belt moves the crop material longitudinally into the harvesting machine. The draper belts have two ends that are joined together to form a continuous belt. At each end of the belt, an upstanding flange is provided. These belt end flanges are joined together by a connector assembly to form a continuous belt. The connector assembly serves as a transverse cleat which, together with other cleats formed along the belt length, functions to convey crop material in the direction of belt travel.
A typical belt end connector assembly includes a pair of hollow square tubes placed on each side of the upstanding belt end flanges. The tubes have a plurality of apertures that align with mating apertures in the upstanding belt end flanges. Bolts are inserted through the connecting bars and the belt end flanges. A nut and one or more lock washers are placed on each bolt to hold the connecting bars in place. When removing a belt for service of the platform or replacing a worn belt, a large number of nuts and bolts must be removed. Two wrenches are required to remove or install each bolt, one for the nut and the other for the bolt head. This results in a time consuming process to remove and reconnect a draper belt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector assembly for the ends of a draper belt that requires less time to assemble and disassemble.
It is another object of the invention to provide a connector assembly for a draper belt that utilizes fewer fastener components and requires fewer tools to assemble and disassemble.
The present invention provides a connector assembly with two solid connecting bars. The first bar has a plurality of through bores. The second bar has a plurality of studs affixed thereto. The studs extend through the aligned apertures in the belt end flanges and the bores in the first connecting bar. Lock nuts are threaded onto the distal ends of the studs to hold the assembly together without the need for lock washers. By providing studs that are fixed to the connecting bar, only one wrench is needed for tightening each nut onto a stud.
A further feature of the invention is that the corner of the connecting bars that engages the belt at the base of the belt end flange is rounded to provide relief as the belt travels around the rollers. This avoids excessive belt wear.
REFERENCES:
patent: 390233 (1888-10-01), Jackson
patent: 453019 (1891-05-01), McCombs
patent: 1235656 (1917-08-01), Cobb
patent: 1570801 (1926-01-01), Vollrath
patent: 1803354 (1931-05-01), Purple
patent: 1818297 (1931-08-01), Bowlus
patent: 4419856 (1983-12-01), Taylor
patent: 4489827 (1984-12-01), Anderson
patent: 4540389 (1985-09-01), Ramsey
patent: 4757576 (1988-07-01), Jaubert
patent: 4906226 (1990-03-01), Hecker et al.
patent: 5005343 (1991-04-01), Patterson
patent: 5136832 (1992-08-01), Sund
patent: 5884980 (1999-03-01), Visser et al.
patent: 340 20 179 (1985-12-01), None
patent: 15671 (1885-01-01), None
patent: 16856 (1887-01-01), None
patent: 322536 (1929-12-01), None
Kmoch David Walter
Teller Thomas G.
Watts Bradley James
Deere & Company
Kim Harry C.
LandOfFree
Draper belt connector assembly for a harvesting machine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Draper belt connector assembly for a harvesting machine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Draper belt connector assembly for a harvesting machine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2478597