Harvesters – Gang
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-14
2001-11-06
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Harvesters
Gang
C056S013600, C056S255000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311463
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to relates to cutter discs for rotary mowers and more specifically relates to replaceable knife mount shields for such cutter discs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The cutter units of a rotary cutterbar operate very close to the ground and include discs that rotate at a high rate of speed so that the knives carried by the discs are able to impact-cut the crop. This combination of low location and high speed results in a high wear rate for the knives. In addition, the knives are also damaged by contact with rocks and other obstacles. It is accepted practice to replace the knives on a regular basis due to wear. So that the nut of the knife mounting bolt does not become damaged, it is known to provide a shield forming a cup or well which surrounds the nut. U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,468, issued on Dec. 8, 1998 to Richardson et al. discloses such a shield. This prior art shield has the drawbacks of being relatively complicated and requiring the disc to be specially designed with a notch to receive the shield. Further, the well of the shield which surrounds the head of the mounting bolt has a tendency to collect crop material which must be cleaned out to permit a socket to engage the nut of the knife mounting bolt whenever it is desired to replace the knife. Also, it is known to equip cutter discs with crop guide vanes or paddles located in the vicinity of the shield which necessitates that the vanes be designed for providing clearance for the shield, an example of such vanes being disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,330, issued on Dec. 1, 1998 to Richardson et al.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided an improved knife mount shield for a rotary mower cutter disc.
An object of the invention is to provide a rotary mower cutter disc assembly including a knife mount shield which is self-cleaning.
A more specific object of the invention is to provide a knife mount shield as set forth in the previous object which includes a well for receiving a knife mounting bolt, the well being open on a radially outer side so that centrifugal force acts to eject crop material from the well.
A further object of the invention is to provide a knife mount shield, as set forth in the previous objects, wherein trailing and leading surfaces of the well are angled such that the leading surface serves to guide cut crop as well as increase the wear life of the shield.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a knife mount shield which is integral with a crop deflector that has a radially outer end that leads the shield.
Another specific object of the invention is to provide a knife mount shield having a lug arranged next to and in radial alignment with a mounting hole, and to provide the disc with an elongate opening for receiving the lug so that the shield is properly located and prevented from rotating during installation and removal of the knife mounting bolt.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the ensuing description together with the appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5784866 (1998-07-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 5842330 (1998-12-01), Richardson et al.
patent: 5845468 (1998-12-01), Richardson et al.
Mellin Michael James
Petersen John Gregory
Verhulst Michael Joseph
Deere & Company
Pezzuto Robert E.
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