Harvesters – Cornstalk type – Cutters
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-04
2001-05-29
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Harvesters
Cornstalk type
Cutters
C056S119000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237312
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 an actuation lever coupled to the adjustable stripper plate.
Coupling arrangement in use today vary but, typically, a tradeoff is made between part cost and robust, i.e., rugged design characteristics. Rugged designs normally make for premium part costs but, of course, service life is increased. An example of a rugged actuation lever coupling arrangement presently in use is found in a corn harvesting header assembly produced by Deere & Company. In the Deere construction, a longitudinally extending rod is welded to the underside of the adjustable stripper plate. A forked end on the actuation lever cooperates with the rod in a lost motion relationship while maintaining line contact to smoothly move the adjustable stripper plate transversely and, accordingly, vary the gap between opposed stripping edges of the stripper plates.
Whether insufficiently rugged or too expensive, actuation lever adjusting mechanism and coupling arrangements in use today do not completely satisfy the customer—the farm operator. The mechanism of the present invention was developed to provide the farm operator with a rugged, yet simple and inexpensive solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved adjusting mechanism for the stripper plate in a cornhead row unit.
It is another object to provide an adjusting mechanism including a new and improved coupling arrangement that is both rugged and inexpensive.
It is still another object to provide a rugged coupling arrangement which does not require the use of components other than the stripper plate and actuator arm or arms.
The foregoing and other objects are realized in accord with the present invention by providing an adjustable stripper plate which is formed of steel plate. Two transversely extending slots are pierced through it, with one end of each adjacent the longitudinal outer edge of the plate. Each slot is separated by a narrow plate segment from the outer edge. An arcuate surface is formed on the outer longitudinal edge of the plate segment and an inner arcuate surface is formed on the inner longitudinal edge of the plate segment, i.e., in one end of the slot.
An adjusting lever is pivotally mounted in the row unit frame below the stripper plate in alignment with each slot. Each lever has two spaced fingers at its upper end. The space between those fingers is slightly greater than the width of each narrow plate segment (between the inner and outer arcuate surfaces) in the stripper plate above it. The fingers of each lever bracket a narrow plate segment. When the levers are manipulated from below, the captive, narrow plate segments and, thus, the stripper plate are moved transversely on the frame to vary the gap between the stripping edges of the stripper plates. One or the other of the fingers in each lever engages a corresponding arcuate surface, depending upon whether the gap is being narrowed or widened. The operative finger makes line contact on the radius of the corresponding arcuate surface, resulting in a smooth adjustment of the stripper plate gap.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5060464 (1991-10-01), Caron
patent: 5680750 (1997-10-01), Stefl
patent: 5704202 (1998-01-01), Calmer
patent: 5881541 (1999-03-01), Silver et al.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Case Corporation
Lione Richard G.
Pezzuto Robert E.
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