U.S. patent application number 09/731146 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-06 for adjustable support for transport.
Invention is credited to Kuhns, Abe B..
Application Number | 20020067969 09/731146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24938252 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020067969 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuhns, Abe B. |
June 6, 2002 |
ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR TRANSPORT
Abstract
A combine header transport may be rapidly and easily adjusted to
support a wide variety of kinds and shapes of headers for
transport. The transport includes an inclined bracket having a
slotted sloped surface. A rail having a plate affixed thereto
overlies the sloped surface and a second plate underlies the sloped
surface. The underlying plate has an offset at one end which
receives a first coupling to the overlying plate, and a second
hooked coupling couples the other ends of the plates together. When
the second coupling is relaxed, the rail may be readily slid along
the sloped surface to effect rapid and simultaneous adjustment of
the rail in both the transverse horizontal direction and in
vertical elevation, and the adjustment may be accomplished without
a wrench or other tool.
Inventors: |
Kuhns, Abe B.; (Arthur,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Cook, Alex, McFarron, Manzo,
Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
Suite 2850
200 West Adams Street
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
24938252 |
Appl. No.: |
09/731146 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
410/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D 75/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/2 |
International
Class: |
B60P 007/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A transport for transporting a large bulky object, the transport
having a chassis on wheels for rollably supporting the chassis, the
chassis being formed of rails including at least a pair of rails
spaced longitudinally from each other and extending transversely of
the chassis, a surface associated with at least one of the chassis
rails and having an elongate slot extending substantially parallel
to the surface; a support element adapted to support the object; an
adjustable mounting which mounts the support element for movement
along the slot in a direction substantially parallel to the surface
to effect movement of the support element to permit adjustment of
the support element to support one of the spaced portions of the
object, and wherein the adjustable mounting comprises first and
second plates respectively overlying and underlying said surface
and its said slot, the first plate overlying the slot being fixed
to the support element, and first and second couplings spaced from
each other and extending between the first and second plates and
through the slot to releaseably clamp the plates in the slot to
prevent movement of the plates along the slot; wherein the
improvement comprises: an offset on at least one of said plates
from which said first coupling extends to the other plate.
2. The transport of claim 1, wherein said offset is located
adjacent an end of said one plate.
3. The transport of claim 1, wherein said offset is on said second
plate underlying said slot.
4. The transport of claim 1, wherein said second coupling may be
relaxed to permit moveable adjustment of said support element
without relaxation of said first coupling.
5. The transport of claim 4, wherein said second coupling comprises
a fastener one end of which is adapted to engage said second
underlying plate, and an opposite end which is adapted to
releaseably tighten the fastener to the first overlying plate.
6. The transport of claim 5, wherein said fastener has a hook
adjacent said one end for engaging said second underlying
plate.
7. The transport of claim 6, wherein said opposite end of said
fastener is threaded, and a handle nut is positioned on said
threaded opposite end.
8. The transport of claim 5, wherein said opposite end of said
fastener is threaded, and a handle nut is positioned on said
threaded opposite end.
9. The transport of claim 5, wherein said offset and second
coupling are located adjacent opposite ends of said one plate.
10. The transport of claim 5, wherein said offset is on the plate
underlying the slot.
11. The transport of claim 1, wherein said offset is located
adjacent an end of said one plate and is on said second plate
underlying said slot; said second coupling may be relaxed to permit
moveable adjustment of said support element without relaxation of
said first coupling, and said second coupling comprises a fastener
one end of which has a hook which is adapted to engage said second
underlying plate, and an opposite end of said fastener is threaded
to releaseably tighten the fastener to the first overlying plate,
and a handle nut is positioned on said threaded opposite end.
12. The transport of claim 11, wherein said offset and second
coupling are located adjacent opposite ends of said one plate.
13. The transport of claim 1, comprising at least one bracket on
one of the chassis rails, said bracket having a sloped surface and
said slot extending substantially parallel to said surface.
14. The transport of claim 13, wherein said slot is in said sloped
surface.
15. The transport of claim 13, including at least a pair of said
brackets spaced from each other longitudinally of said chassis.
16. The transport of claim 13, including an adjustable mounting
means which mounts said inclined bracket for transverse movement on
the chassis.
17. The transport of claim 13, wherein said first and second plates
are selectably slidable along said sloped surface to adjust the
position of said support element and clamp said support element to
said sloped surface when the desired position has been
achieved.
18. The transport of claim 13, wherein said transport is
constructed and arranged to transport a combine header.
19. The transport of claim 1, wherein said transport is constructed
and arranged to transport a combine header.
20. The transport of claim 5, wherein said transport is constructed
and arranged to transport a combine header.
21. The transport of claim 11, a pair of brackets spaced from each
other longitudinally of said chassis on one of the chassis rails,
said bracket having a sloped surface and said slot is in said
surface, and said first and second plates are selectably slidable
along said sloped surface to adjust the position of said support
element and clamp said support element to said sloped surface when
the desired position has been achieved.
22. The transport of claim 21, wherein said transport is
constructed and arranged to transport a combine header.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a transport for
transporting combine headers such as corn, bean and grain headers
or tables, and to an adjustable support therefor.
[0002] It is desireable to be able to detach the headers from
combines to permit safe transit of the combine on public roadways.
If the header is not detached from the combine, the overall combine
assembly with its header typically would be too large to permit
such safe transit. Accordingly, various transports have been known
in the past to support the detached combine header and permit its
transport separately from the combine. Such headers are of widely
varying sizes and shapes depending upon their use, e.g. corn, bean
or grain headers, and the identity of their manufacturer. Thus, the
prior header transports have included adjustable mechanisms to
permit the transport to be adjusted to accept the various shapes
and sizes of headers which may need to be transported at different
times.
[0003] These adjustable transport mechanisms have taken many
structural forms and shapes from the very simple to the quite
complex. In their simpler structural form, adjustability is
achieved by a multiplicity of brackets, bolts and holes which
permit adjustment of header support rails or brackets on the
chassis of the transport in both the horizontal transverse
direction relative to the chassis and in vertical elevation to
accommodate the various sizes and shapes of the headers. However,
these simpler adjustment assemblies are usually capable of
adjustment in only one direction at a time, i.e. either in the
horizontal or vertical direction. Thus, although these adjustment
mechanisms are structurally simple, in practice they are difficult
and time consuming to adjust to fit the particular shape of the
combine header to be transported due to the multiple individual and
incremental adjustments which are needed in order to accommodate
the transport support rails or brackets to fit the size and shape
of the particular header. Moreover, because of the multiple
adjustments required, adjustment becomes complex and two people are
usually required to perform the necessary adjustments.
[0004] More structurally complex scissors-type assemblies have also
been employed in the past for adjustment of the header support
rails or brackets. However, these scissors-type assemblies also
usually require the loosening, moving and tightening of a number of
bolts and the performance of multiple steps in order to accomplish
adjustment in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Again
usually more than one person is needed to perform the complex
adjustments. Moreover, the scissors-type assemblies, because of
their scissoring action, can also be dangerous to the personnel
making the adjustments, and these assemblies are frequently
excessively high off the roadway resulting in instability during
transport.
[0005] A combine header transport which is both simple in
construction and use and overcomes the several disadvantages
experienced in the prior art header transports is described in my
U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,825, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference. The header transport of my patent includes an
adjustment assembly in which the support for the header may be
rapidly and easily simultaneously, rather than incrementally,
adjusted in both the transverse horizontal direction and in
vertical elevation simply by the loosening and tightening of only a
few bolts. That adjustment assembly is so simple in construction
and use that adjustment may be accomplished easily by a single
person and without the hazards attendant in the scissors-type
assemblies. Moreover, that header support structure has a low
profile and supports the header low to the roadway thus
substantially improving stability during transport.
[0006] The adjustable support of the present invention is an
improvement of the assembly disclosed in my prior patent. The
adjustable support of the present invention not only enjoys all of
the advantages which are enjoyed by my prior adjustment assembly,
but further enjoys additional advantages. One such additional
advantage is that it is only necessary to loosen one bolt rather
than two when it is desired to adjust the support. Another
advantage is that a wrench is not needed to effect adjustment, and
adjustment is faster and easier. Still another advantage of the
adjustment assembly of the present invention is that the
possibility of lost parts, such as nuts, bolts, plates, etc., is
substantially reduced because all of the parts of the assembly
continue to be maintained collectively together during the
adjustment procedure.
[0007] In one principal aspect of the present invention, a
transport for transporting a large bulky object has a chassis on
wheels for rollably supporting the chassis, and the chassis is
formed of rails including at least a pair of rails spaced
longitudinally from each other and extending transversely of the
chassis. A surface is associated with at least one of the chassis
rails which has an elongate slot extending substantially parallel
to the surface. A support element adapted to support the object is
provided and an adjustable mounting mounts the support element for
movement along the slot in a direction substantially parallel to
the surface to effect movement of the support element to permit
adjustment of the support element to support one of the spaced
portions of the object. The adjustable mounting comprises first and
second plates respectively overlying and underlying the surface and
its slot, and the first plate overlying the slot is fixed to the
support element. First and second couplings spaced from each other
extend between the first and second plates and through the slot to
releaseably clamp the plates in the slot to prevent movement of the
plates along the slot. An offset is located on at least one of the
plates from which the first coupling extends to the other
plate.
[0008] In another principal aspect of the present invention, the
offset is located adjacent an end of the one plate.
[0009] In still another principal aspect of the present invention,
the offset is on the second plate underlying the slot.
[0010] In still another principal aspect of the present invention,
the second coupling may be relaxed to permit moveable adjustment of
the support element without relaxation of the first coupling.
[0011] In still another principal aspect of the present invention,
the second coupling comprises a fastener one end of which is
adapted to engage the second underlying plate, and an opposite end
which is adapted to releaseably tighten the fastener to the first
overlying plate.
[0012] In still another principal aspect of the present invention,
the fastener has a hook adjacent the one end of the fastener for
engaging the second underlying plate.
[0013] In still another principal aspect of the present invention,
the opposite end of the fastener is threaded, and a handle nut is
positioned on the threaded opposite end.
[0014] In still another principal aspect of the present invention,
at least one bracket is positioned on one of the chassis rails, the
bracket has a sloped surface and the slot extends substantially
parallel to the surface.
[0015] In still another principal aspect of the present invention,
the transport is constructed and arranged to transport a combine
header.
[0016] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more clearly understood through a
consideration of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the course of this description, reference will frequently
be made to the attached drawings in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combine header transport
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention, and showing the placement thereon of a typical combine
header;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a partially broken, cross-sectioned end
elevational view of a preferred embodiment of adjustable mounting
assembly for the header support constructed in accordance with
principles of the present invention, and as viewed substantially
along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; and
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting
assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] A preferred embodiment of combine header transport
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1. The transport comprises a chassis,
generally 10, having a pair of rails 12 and 14 which are
longitudinally spaced from each other along the chassis and which
extend transversely thereof. Wheels 16 are mounted at the ends of
the rails 12 and 14 at the four corners of the chassis by suitable
and conventional mountings, including bearings and the like (not
shown) to rollably support the chassis. The rails 12 and 14 are
firmly coupled to each other by a center beam 18 to form the
chassis frame for the transport. Although only a single center beam
18 is shown, it will be understood that more than one beam may be
provided if desired. In the single beam construction shown,
diagonal struts 19 are also preferably provided which extend
between the center beam 18 and the front and rear rails 12 and 14
to strengthen the transport chassis frame.
[0022] A tongue 20 is also coupled to the front rail 12 by a
conventional tongue coupling 22 which permits the tongue to both
pivot and swivel relative to the rail 12. The tongue 20 may either
be of fixed or adjustable length. The tongue may be attached either
to the combine itself during transit or to a separate tractor to
transport the header.
[0023] A rail 24 is also preferably positioned to extend
longitudinally of the chassis 10 between the front rail 12 and the
rear rail 14. One or more header support rest brackets 26 for
supporting a portion of the underside of the header H are
adjustably mounted on the rail 24 by bolts 28 which may be
selectively positioned in a plurality of holes 30, as shown in FIG.
1. Accordingly, the support brackets 26 may be adjustably located
along the length of the rail 24. The rail 24 is also preferably
adjustably mounted to the rails 12 and 14 by bolts 32 which extend
through one or more holes 34 in the rails 12 and 14, as best shown
in FIG. 1. Accordingly, not only may the support brackets 26 be
adjustably positioned longitudinally along the rail 24, but also
the rail 24 itself may be adjustably positioned transversely of the
chassis.
[0024] The adjustable support assembly 35 of the invention includes
a second header rest support, generally 36, which is also mounted
on the chassis. This header support 36 is spaced transversely from
the rail 24 to support another portion of the underside of the
header H as shown in FIG. 1. The header support 36 is adapted to be
adjusted in both the transverse horizontal direction and in
vertical elevation as will be more fully described to follow.
[0025] The header rest support 36 preferably comprises a rail 38
also extending longitudinally of the chassis. This rail 38 is
mounted on an inclined bracket 40 which, in turn, is mounted by a
pair of bolts 42 which extend through holes in the rails 12 and 14
and nuts 43. The bolts 42 preferably extend all of the way through
the rails 12 and 14 to permit ready removal and selective
positioning in a few of the several selected holes 44 in the
inclined bracket 40. Due to the ability to select between the
plurality of holes 44, the inclined bracket 40 is also capable of
selective adjustment transversely along the rails 12 and 14.
[0026] The inclined bracket 40 comprises a pair of generally
trapazoidally shaped sides 46 which extend downwardly and are
spaced from each other so as to straddle the thickness of the rails
12 and 14. An upper sloped surface 50 extends between the inclined
bracket sides 46 and slopes downwardly in the direction of rail 24.
The sloped surface 50 is preferably defined by bending over the
upper edges of the sides 46 so as to define a sliding surface
having a slot 52 preferably extending along the length of the
sloped surface. The sides 46 and 48 are preferably held in rigid
spaced relationship to each other and in straddling relationship to
the rails 12 and 14 by end walls 54 and 56, as best seen in FIG.
2.
[0027] The rail 38 is adjustably mounted to the sloped surface 50
of the inclined bracket 40 by a pair of plates 58 and 60 as best
seen in FIG. 2. Plate 58 overlies the sloped surface 50 and the
slot 52, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is fixedly attached to
the underside of the rail 38, such as by welding (not shown). Plate
60 underlies the sloped surface 50 and the slot 52.
[0028] The transport chassis and adjustable support assembly thus
far described are as disclosed in my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No.
5,040,825. In that adjustable bracket assembly, a wrench or other
appropriate tool is needed to adjust the header support 36 along
the sloped surface 50 and several nuts or bolts must be manipulated
to perform and complete that function.
[0029] In the adjustable support assembly 35 of the present
invention, the lower plate 60 includes an offset portion 62 which
is at a different elevation than the remaining main portion 64 of
the plate 60. A threaded stud 66 is preferably fixed to the upper
surface of the offset 62, such as by welding, and the stud extends
upwardly through a hole 68 in the upper plate 58 to threadedly
receive a nut 70.
[0030] The other ends of the plates 58 and 60 each include a
slotted opening 71 and 72. A member 74 is also provided which
includes a plate 76 and an inclined bushing 78 fixed to the plate
76 and extending upwardly therefrom. The bushing 78 includes a
passage 80 therethrough which opens to an opening 82 in the plate
76 as best seen in FIG. 2. Although the bushing 78 is shown as
having a square cross section, it will be appreciated that it may
have other cross sectional shapes including round.
[0031] A hooked fastener 84 is provided to secure the adjustable
support assembly of the invention in its desired adjusted position.
The hooked fastener 84 includes a longitudinally extending leg 85
which has a hooked portion 86 at one end, and is threaded at 87 at
the other end. The longitudinal leg 85 is passed from beneath plate
60 through its slotted opening 72, through the slot 52 in the
sloped surface 50, through the slotted opening 71 in plate 58,
through the opening 82 in the plate 76 of the member 74, and
through the passage 80 so that its threaded end 87 extends from the
top of the bushing 78, as shown in FIG. 2, and so that its hooked
end 86 engages the bottom side of the plate 60. A washer 88 is then
preferably installed over the threaded end 87 of the hooked
fastener 84, and a handle nut 90 is threaded down upon the threaded
end against the washer 88 to pull the entire adjustment assembly
together as best seen in FIG. 2.
[0032] If it is desired to adjust the header support 36 up or down
the sloped surface 50 of the inclined bracket 40, all that need be
done is to unscrew the handle nut 90 only to the extent necessary
to loosen the hooked fastener 84. Loosening of the assembly for
adjustment is simplified in the present invention because nothing
need be done with the nut 70 on the stud 66 due to the provision of
the offset 62 on the plate 60. Moreover, the handle nut 90 need not
be removed from the threaded end 87, but only loosened to the
extent necessary to permit the header support 36 and the plates 58
and 60 to be slid up or down the sloped surface 50. Once the header
support 36 has been positioned in its desired position on the
sloped surface 50, the handle nut 90 is simply tightened to secure
the header support in its desired position.
[0033] From the forgoing description, it will be appreciated that
adjustment of the header support 36 may be accomplished easily and
quickly without the need for wrenches or other tools. As previously
discussed, nothing even need be done to the nut 70 to accomplish
the adjustment because the offset 62 is not clamped to or
frictionally engage the underside of the inclined bracket 40.
Moreover, because none of the components of the assembly need to or
should be separated from each other, the possibility of lost parts
is substantially reduced.
[0034] It will also be appreciated that during adjustment, the rail
38 is capable of simultaneous adjustment in both the transverse
direction relative to the chassis as well as in vertical elevation,
and that the adjustment steps of the assembly of the present
invention are so simple that they may be readily performed in the
field by a single person. Moreover, the adjustment support assembly
of the present invention avoids the hazards to personnel which
existed in some of the prior scissor-type adjustment assemblies and
is capable of an exceptionally low profile and excellent stability
during the transport.
[0035] It will be understood that the embodiment of the present
invention which has been described is merely illustrative of one of
the applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous
modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *