U.S. patent application number 16/229549 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-18 for corn harvester with tall corn attachment and auger and associated methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is CNH Industrial America LLC. Invention is credited to Michael Lee Berggren, James Michael Gessel, Andrew Lauwers, Zachary Long, Vijayashankar Rajalingam.
Application Number | 20190110400 16/229549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59699620 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190110400 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berggren; Michael Lee ; et
al. |
April 18, 2019 |
Corn Harvester with Tall Corn Attachment and Auger and Associated
Methods
Abstract
An example corn harvester and associated systems and methods are
provided. The corn harvester includes a corn head including a
plurality of dividers. Each divider includes a hood with a top
surface, and first and second side surfaces, one of the first or
second side surfaces including a recessed area formed therein. The
corn harvester includes an auger mounted to the hood. The auger is
configured to be powered to rotate about an auger central axis. The
corn harvester includes a tall corn attachment mounted to the hood
and configured to be positioned in a stored position or a working
position. In the stored position, the tall corn attachment is
received within the recessed area of the hood. In the working
position, the tall corn attachment extends from the top surface of
the hood and at least partially covers a radial section of the
auger.
Inventors: |
Berggren; Michael Lee;
(Davenport, IA) ; Gessel; James Michael; (Geneseo,
IL) ; Long; Zachary; (Harleysville, PA) ;
Lauwers; Andrew; (Sandusky, OH) ; Rajalingam;
Vijayashankar; (Pune, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CNH Industrial America LLC |
Burlington |
IA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59699620 |
Appl. No.: |
16/229549 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15249334 |
Aug 26, 2016 |
10159186 |
|
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16229549 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D 63/02 20130101;
A01D 45/021 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01D 45/02 20060101
A01D045/02; A01D 63/02 20060101 A01D063/02 |
Claims
1. A corn harvester, comprising: a corn head including a plurality
of dividers, each divider including a hood with a top surface,
first and second side surfaces, a proximal end and a distal end,
one of the first or second side surfaces including a recessed area
formed therein; an auger mounted to the hood, the auger configured
to be powered to rotate about an auger central axis; and a tall
corn attachment mounted to the hood and rotatable about the auger
central axis to be positioned in a stored position or a working
position, wherein in the stored position the tall corn attachment
is received within the recessed area of the hood, and wherein in
the working position the tall corn attachment extends from the top
surface of the hood and at least partially covers a radial section
of the auger; wherein the tall corn attachment includes a latching
mechanism for locking the tall corn attachment in the stored
position or the working position.
2. The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein the recessed area of the
hood is complementary to the configuration of the tall corn
attachment.
3. The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein the recessed area of the
hood includes a planar side wall offset from a central longitudinal
axis of the hood and extending between the proximal and distal ends
of the hood, and a front planar wall located near the distal end of
the hood.
4. The corn harvester of claim 3, wherein a distal end of the auger
is mounted to the front planar wall of the recessed area of the
hood and a proximal end of the auger is mounted to the top surface
of the hood.
5. The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein in the working position,
a pivot axis of the tall corn attachment is aligned with the auger
central axis and a bottom surface of the tall corn attachment is
disposed over the auger and the tall corn attachment lies on a
plane which is substantially parallel to the auger central
axis.
6. The corn harvester of claim 5, wherein in the stored position, a
bottom surface of the tall corn attachment is disposed below the
auger and the tall corn attachment lies on a plane which is
substantially parallel to the auger central axis.
7. The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein the auger comprises a
powering mechanism configured to automatically stop rotating when
the tall corn attachment is positioned in the working position.
8. The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism
comprises a pin extending from a proximal end of the tall corn
attachment, the pin configured to be received in an aperture formed
in a mounting bracket secured to the top surface of the hood to
define a proximal pivot point, the proximal pivot point being
located along a pivot axis of the tall corn attachment.
9. The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein the tall corn attachment
is detachably mounted to the hood.
10. The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein the auger comprises a
shaft extending along the auger central axis, and the tall corn
attachment comprises a distal mounting flange extending from a
bottom surface of the tall corn attachment and a proximal mounting
flange extending from the bottom surface of the tall corn
attachment.
11. The corn harvester of claim 10, wherein the tall corn
attachment is rotatably and non-detachably mounted to the shaft of
the auger by the distal and proximal mounting flanges such that the
auger extends between the distal and proximal mounting flanges.
12. The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein the tall corn attachment
includes a leading edge extending between a proximal end and a
distal end of the tall corn attachment, a base, and first and
second side surfaces.
13. The corn harvester of claim 12, wherein the leading edge
defines a curved surface tapering from a first width at the distal
end to a second width at the proximal end, the first width being
dimensioned greater than the second width.
14. The corn harvester of claim 12, wherein each of the first and
second side surfaces tapers outwardly from the leading edge to the
base.
15. The corn harvester of claim 12, wherein each of the first and
second side surfaces includes one or more indented louvers formed
therein.
16. The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein the tall corn attachment
includes a pivot axis extending parallel and offset from a bottom
surface of the tall corn attachment, the tall corn attachment
further comprising a proximal leading edge portion and a distal
leading edge portion connected by a rounded leading edge top
portion.
17. The corn harvester of claim 16, wherein the proximal leading
edge portion and the distal leading edge portion extend at angles
relative to the pivot axis, the angle of the proximal leading edge
portion being greater than the angle of the distal leading edge
portion.
18. The corn harvester of claim 16, wherein the tall corn
attachment includes a groove formed offset from and extending
parallel to the proximal leading edge, the groove being configured
and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a hand of a
user.
19. A corn harvester divider, comprising: a hood with a top
surface, first and second side surfaces, a proximal end and a
distal end, one of the first or second side surfaces including a
recessed area formed therein; an auger mounted to the hood, the
auger configured to be powered to rotate about an auger central
axis; and a tall corn attachment mounted to the hood and rotatable
about the auger central axis to be positioned in a stored position
or a working position, wherein in the stored position the tall corn
attachment is received within the recessed area of the hood, and
wherein in the working position the tall corn attachment extends
from the top surface of the hood and at least partially covers a
radial section of the auger; wherein the tall corn attachment
includes a latching mechanism for locking the tall corn attachment
in the stored position or the working position.
20. A method of operating a corn harvester, comprising: providing a
corn head including a plurality of dividers, each divider including
a hood with a top surface, first and second side surfaces, a
proximal end and a distal end, one of the first or second side
surfaces including a recessed area formed therein; mounting an
auger to the hood, the auger configured to be powered to rotate
about an auger central axis; mounting a tall corn attachment to the
hood; rotating the tall corn attachment about the auger central
axis to position positioning the tall corn attachment in a stored
position, wherein in the stored position the tall corn attachment
is received within the recessed area of the hood; and rotating the
tall corn attachment about the auger central axis to position
positioning the tall corn attachment in a working position, wherein
in the working position the tall corn attachment extends from the
top surface of the hood and at least partially covers a radial
section of the auger; wherein the tall corn attachment includes a
latching mechanism for locking the tall corn attachment in the
stored position or the working position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to
U.S. application Ser. No. 15/249,334, filed Aug. 26, 2016, and
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Harvesters are used in the agricultural industry to harvest
a variety of crops, including corn. Corn harvesters generally
include a corn head with dividers and collection mechanisms
configured to collect corn from the field. For example, FIG. 1
shows a traditional corn harvester 10 including a corn head 12 with
a plurality of dividers 14. The corn harvester 10 can include a
transverse auger 16 disposed behind the dividers 14. Attachments
can be mounted to the divider to assist in guiding tall corn stalks
into the collection mechanism. For corn stalks that have fallen or
are located near the ground, powered augers are mounted to the
divider to assist in collection. For example, FIG. 2 shows a
traditional corn head 50 including a plurality of dividers 52 with
augers 54 mounted to the end dividers 52.
[0003] Mounting an attachment or a powered auger can be
time-consuming due to the necessity of bolting multiple components
to the divider. Further, powered augers cannot be mounted to the
divider simultaneously with mounting of the attachment, thereby
necessitating a significant amount of labor to interchange the
components when harvesting corn stalks of different heights and at
different locations relative to the ground.
SUMMARY
[0004] Exemplary embodiments are directed to corn harvesters
including a tall corn attachment and an auger simultaneously
mounted to a divider of a corn head. The auger is mounted to the
divider for harvesting fallen or low corn stalks, while the tall
corn attachment is rotatably mounted to the divider. In particular,
the tall corn attachment can be rotated between a stored position
(e.g., when the auger is being used) and a working position (e.g.,
when the tall corn attachment is being used) without the necessity
of interchanging and mounting various components. Thus, the tall
corn attachment can be conveniently and efficiently positioned
between a working and non-working position depending on the needs
of the user.
[0005] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an
exemplary corn harvester is provided. The corn harvester includes a
corn head including a plurality of dividers. Each divider includes
a hood with a top surface, first and second side surfaces, a
proximal end and a distal end. One of the first or second side
surfaces includes a recessed area formed therein. The corn
harvester includes an auger mounted to the hood. The auger is
configured to be powered to rotate about an auger central axis. The
corn harvester includes a tall corn attachment mounted to the hood
and configured to be positioned in a stored position or a working
position. In the stored position, the tall corn attachment is
received within the recessed area of the hood. In the working
position, the tall corn attachment extends from the top surface of
the hood and at least partially covers a radial section of the
auger. The tall corn attachment includes a latching mechanism for
locking the tall corn attachment in the stored position or the
working position.
[0006] The recessed area of the hood can be substantially
complementary to the configuration of the tall corn attachment. The
recessed area of the hood includes a planar side wall offset from a
central longitudinal axis of the hood and extending between the
proximal and distal ends of the hood. The recessed area further
includes a front planar wall located near the distal end of the
hood. A distal end of the auger can be mounted to the front planar
wall of the recessed area of the hood and a proximal end of the
auger can be mounted to the top surface of the hood.
[0007] In the working position, a pivot axis of the tall corn
attachment can be substantially aligned with the auger central axis
and a bottom surface of the tall corn attachment can be disposed
over the auger. In the stored position, the pivot axis of the tall
corn attachment can be substantially aligned with the auger central
axis and a bottom surface of the tall corn attachment can be
disposed below the auger. In some embodiments, the auger can be
configured to automatically stop rotating when the tall corn
attachment is positioned in the working position.
[0008] The latching mechanism can include a pin (e.g., a
spring-loaded pin or a manually actuated pin) extending from a
proximal end of the tall corn attachment. The pin configured to be
received in an aperture formed in a mounting bracket secured to the
top surface of the hood to define a proximal pivot point. The
proximal pivot point being located along a pivot axis of the tall
corn attachment. In some embodiments, the tall corn attachment can
be detachably mounted to the hood.
[0009] In some embodiments, the auger can include a shaft extending
along the auger central axis. The tall corn attachment can include
a distal mounting flange extending from a bottom surface of the
tall corn attachment and a proximal mounting flange extending from
the bottom surface of the tall corn attachment. The tall corn
attachment can be rotatably and non-detachably mounted to the shaft
of the auger by the distal and proximal mounting flanges such that
the auger extends between the distal and proximal mounting
flanges.
[0010] In some embodiments the tall corn attachment can include a
leading edge extending between a proximal end and a distal end of
the tall corn attachment, a base, and first and second side
surfaces. The leading edge can define a curved surface tapering
from a first width at the distal end to a second width at the
proximal end, the first width being dimensioned greater than the
second width. In some embodiments, each of the first and second
side surfaces can taper outwardly from the leading edge to the
base. In some embodiments, each of the first and second side
surfaces can include one or more indented louvers formed
therein.
[0011] In some embodiments, the tall corn attachment can include a
pivot axis extending parallel and offset from a bottom surface of
the tall corn attachment. The tall corn attachment can include a
proximal leading edge portion and a distal leading edge portion
connected by a rounded leading edge top portion. The proximal
leading edge portion and the distal leading edge portion can extend
at angles relative to the pivot axis, the angle of the proximal
leading edge portion being greater than the angle of the distal
leading edge portion. In some embodiments, the tall corn attachment
can include a groove formed offset from and extending parallel to
the proximal leading edge. The groove being configured and
dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a hand of a user.
[0012] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an
exemplary corn harvester is provided that can function without an
auger. The corn harvester includes a corn head including a
plurality of dividers. Each divider includes a hood with a top
surface, first and second side surfaces, a proximal end and a
distal end. One of the first or second side surfaces includes a
recessed area formed therein. The corn harvester includes a tall
corn attachment mounted to the hood and configured to be positioned
in a stored position or a working position. In the stored position,
the tall corn attachment is received within the recessed area of
the hood. In the working position, the tall corn attachment extends
from the top surface of the hood. The tall corn attachment includes
a latching mechanism for locking the tall corn attachment in the
stored position or the working position.
[0013] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an
exemplary corn harvester divider is provided. The divider includes
a hood with a top surface, first and second side surfaces, a
proximal end and a distal end. One of the first or second side
surfaces includes a recessed area formed therein. The divider
includes an auger mounted to the hood. The auger can be configured
to be powered to rotate about an auger central axis. The divider
includes a tall corn attachment mounted to the hood and configured
to be positioned in a stored position or a working position.
[0014] In the stored position, the tall corn attachment is received
or substantially received within the recessed area of the hood. In
the working position, the tall corn attachment extends from the top
surface of the hood and at least partially covers a radial section
of the auger. The tall corn attachment can include a latching
mechanism for locking the tall corn attachment in the stored
position or the working position.
[0015] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an
exemplary corn harvester divider is provided that can function
without an auger. The divider includes a hood with a top surface,
first and second side surfaces, a proximal end and a distal end.
One of the first or second side surfaces includes a recessed area
formed therein. The divider includes a tall corn attachment mounted
to the hood and configured to be positioned in a stored position or
a working position. In the stored position, the tall corn
attachment is received or substantially received within the
recessed area of the hood. In the working position, the tall corn
attachment extends from the top surface of the hood. The tall corn
attachment can include a latching mechanism for locking the tall
corn attachment in the stored position or the working position.
[0016] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an
exemplary method of operating a corn harvester is provided. The
method includes providing a corn head including a plurality of
dividers. Each divider includes a hood with a top surface, first
and second side surfaces, a proximal end and a distal end, one of
the first or second side surfaces including a recessed area formed
therein. The method includes mounting an auger to the hood. The
auger can be configured to be powered to rotate about an auger
central axis. The method includes mounting a tall corn attachment
to the hood.
[0017] The method also includes positioning the tall corn
attachment in a stored position. In the stored position, the tall
corn attachment is received within the recessed area of the hood.
The method further includes positioning the tall corn attachment in
a working position. In the working position, the tall corn
attachment extends from the top surface of the hood and at least
partially covers a radial section of the auger. The tall corn
attachment can include a latching mechanism for locking the tall
corn attachment in the stored position or the working position.
[0018] Any combination and/or permutation of embodiments is
envisioned. Other objects and features will become apparent from
the following detailed description considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that
the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a
definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the
disclosed corn harvesters and associated system and methods,
reference is made to the accompanying figures, wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traditional corn
harvester;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of a traditional corn head of a corn
harvester;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary divider of the present
disclosure including an auger and a detachable tall corn
attachment, the tall corn attachment being in a stored
position;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary divider
of FIG. 3 including a detachable tall corn attachment in a stored
position;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 3
including a detachable tall corn attachment in a stored
position;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 3
including a detachable tall corn attachment in a working
position;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary divider
of FIG. 3 including a detachable tall corn attachment in a working
position;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 3
including a detachable tall corn attachment in a working
position;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a side view of an exemplary divider of the present
disclosure including an auger and a non-detachable tall corn
attachment, the tall corn attachment being in a stored
position;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary divider
of FIG. 9 including a non-detachable tall corn attachment in a
stored position;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 9
including a non-detachable tall corn attachment in a stored
position;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary divider
of FIG. 9 including a non-detachable tall corn attachment in a
working position;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary divider
of FIG. 9 including a non-detachable tall corn attachment in a
working position;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 9
including a non-detachable tall corn attachment in a working
position;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a side view of an exemplary divider of the
present disclosure including an auger and a non-detachable tall
corn attachment, the tall corn attachment being in a stored
position;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a side view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 15
including a non-detachable tall corn attachment in a working
position;
[0036] FIG. 17 is a left side view of an exemplary divider of the
present disclosure including an auger and a detachable tall corn
attachment, the tall corn attachment being in a working
position;
[0037] FIG. 18 is a right side view of an exemplary divider of FIG.
17 including a detachable tall corn attachment in a working
position;
[0038] FIG. 19 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17
including a detachable tall corn attachment in a working position,
the divider being mounted to a corn head;
[0039] FIG. 20 is a right side, exploded view of an exemplary
detachable tall corn attachment of FIG. 17;
[0040] FIG. 21 is a top view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17
including an auger and a detachable tall corn attachment in a
disassembled arrangement;
[0041] FIG. 22 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17
including an auger and a detachable tall corn attachment in a
disassembled arrangement;
[0042] FIG. 23 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17
including an auger and a detachable tall corn attachment in a
disassembled arrangement;
[0043] FIG. 24 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17
including an auger and a detachable tall corn attachment in an
assembled arrangement;
[0044] FIG. 25 is a detailed, rear view of an exemplary divider of
FIG. 17 including a latching mechanism for mounting a detachable
tall corn attachment to the divider;
[0045] FIG. 26 is a front view of an exemplary divider of the
present disclosure including an auger and a detachable tall corn
attachment, the tall corn attachment being in a stored
position;
[0046] FIG. 27 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 26
including a detachable tall corn attachment in a working
position;
[0047] FIG. 28 is a detailed view of an exemplary latching
mechanism of the divider of FIG. 26;
[0048] FIG. 29 is a detailed view of an exemplary latching
mechanism of the divider of FIG. 26; and
[0049] FIG. 30 is a side view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 26
including a detachable tall corn attachment in a working
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] It should be understood that the relative terminology used
herein, such as "front", "rear", "left", "top", "bottom",
"vertical", "horizontal", "up" and "down" is solely for the
purposes of clarity and designation and is not intended to limit
embodiments to a particular position and/or orientation.
Accordingly, such relative terminology should not be construed to
limit the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it should
be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not
limited to embodiments having specific dimensions. Thus, any
dimensions provided herein are merely for an exemplary purpose and
are not intended to limit the invention to embodiments having
particular dimensions.
[0051] FIGS. 3-8 show perspective, side and front views of an
exemplary divider 100 including an auger 102 and a detachable tall
corn attachment 104. In particular, FIGS. 3-8 show the tall corn
attachment 104 positioned in a stored position and a working
position. It should be understood that the exemplary divider 100
can be incorporated into a traditional corn head (e.g., the corn
head 10 shown in FIG. 1) to improve the corn harvesting process. In
addition, the divider 100 can be incorporated into any traditional
corn heads, such as corn heads that include a fender or hood
extension for guiding ears of corn that can bounce over the
divider, or corn heads that include a fender or hood configured to
tilt upwards to provide access to the collection mechanism to
repair blockages in the collection mechanism, such as the corn
heads disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,775,076 and 7,681,387, which
are incorporated herein by reference.
[0052] The divider 100 generally includes a hood 106 that includes
a distal top surface 108, a first side surface 110, a second side
surface 112, a proximal end 114, a distal end 116, and a proximal
top surface 118. The distal top surface 108 can define a rounded or
curved configuration, while the proximal top surface 118 can define
a substantially flat or planar configuration. In some embodiments,
the first side surface 110 can be angled relative to a vertical
plane, while the second side surface 112 can be substantially
parallel to a vertical plane. The walls or surfaces of the divider
100 can define one or more hollow cavities 120 therebetween (e.g.,
on an inner, bottom surface) that includes features for mounting
the divider 100 on the corn head.
[0053] The hood 106 includes a recessed area 122 formed in one of
the first or second side surfaces 110, 112 (e.g., the first side
surface 110 as shown in FIGS. 3-8). In particular, the recessed
area 122 can extend between the distal and proximal top surfaces
108, 118. The configuration and dimensions of the recessed area 122
can be such that the recessed area 122 is substantially
complementary to the tall corn attachment 104 and can at least
partially receive the tall corn attachment 104 in the stored
position. The recessed area 122 includes a planar inner side wall
124 that is offset from a central longitudinal axis A.sub.1 (e.g.,
the recessed area 122 is not symmetrically formed in the hood 106).
The planar inner side wall 124 can define a triangular
configuration tapering from the proximal end 114 to the distal end
116.
[0054] The recessed area 122 further includes an angled lower
surface 126 extending from the planar inner side wall 124, a rear
planar wall 128 and a front planar wall 130. The rear planar wall
128, the lower surface 126 and the front planar wall 130 form a
substantially U-shaped cavity with the rear planar wall 128 and the
front planar wall 130 extending outwardly from the lower surface
126. The rear planar wall 128 transitions into the proximal top
surface 118. In some embodiments, the lower surface 126 can include
one or more louvers 132 formed therein. The louvers 132 are formed
as indentations within the lower surface 126, and assist in guiding
loose corn kernels into the collection mechanism of the harvester
as the harvester moves along a field.
[0055] The auger 102 generally includes a central shaft 136 that
tapers from a proximal end 138 of the auger 102 to a distal end 140
of the auger 102, the diameter of the central shaft 136 being
dimensioned greater at the proximal end 138 than the distal end
140. The auger 102 includes a helical blade 142 radially extending
from the central shaft 136. The auger 102 further includes a
powering mechanism 144 (e.g., electric, hydraulic, or the like)
configured to power the auger 102 to rotate about an auger central
axis A.sub.2. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the auger central axis
A.sub.2 can be offset from and substantially parallel to the
central longitudinal axis A.sub.1 of the hood 106 such that the
auger 102 is not centrally positioned on the hood 106. In some
embodiments, the auger central axis A.sub.2 can be angled in the
direction of the central longitudinal axis A.sub.1. The distal end
140 of the auger 102 can be mounted to the front planar wall 130 of
the recessed area 122, and the proximal end 138 of the auger 102
can be mounted to the proximal top surface 118 of the hood 106.
[0056] The tall corn attachment 104 generally includes a leading
edge 146 defining a top, curved edge of the tall corn attachment
104. The leading edge 146 extends between a proximal end 148 and a
distal end 150 of the tall corn attachment 104. The tall corn
attachment 104 includes first and second side surfaces 152, 154 and
a base 156 defining the bottom of the tall corn attachment 104. The
leading edge 146 defines a curved surface that tapers from a first
width 158 at the distal end 150 to a second width 160 at the
proximal end 148.
[0057] In some embodiments, the first width 158 can be dimensioned
greater than the second width 160. In some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, the second width 160 can be dimensioned greater than
the first width 158. In some embodiments, the distal end 150 of the
tall corn attachment 104 (including the leading edge 146 and the
first and second side surfaces 152, 154) can be dimensioned wider
than the proximal end 148 of the tall corn attachment 104, the
overall width tapering or narrowing in the direction of the
proximal end 148. The wider configuration at the distal end 150
(e.g., a front end) of the tall corn attachment 104 provides a
larger and stronger surface for engagement and taking down of large
corn stalks.
[0058] The first and second side surfaces 152, 154 can taper
outwardly from the leading edge 146 to the base 156 such that the
base 156 defines a greater width than the leading edge 146. In some
embodiments, the leading edge 146, first and second side surfaces
152, 154 and the base 156 can define a hollow inner chamber
therebetween and the tapered configuration of the first and second
side surfaces 152, 154 provides the structural stability for
guiding corn stalks. In some embodiments, the first and second side
surfaces 152, 154 can include louvers 162, 164 formed therein. The
louvers 162, 164 can be formed as recessed sections in the first
and second side surfaces 152, 154. Similar to the louvers 132, the
louvers 162, 164 can be angled or curved in the direction of the
proximal end 114 and assist in directing loose corn kernels into
the collection mechanism of the harvester.
[0059] The tall corn attachment 104 includes a pivot axis expending
substantially parallel to and offset from the bottom surface or
base 156. The tall corn attachment 104 can pivot along the pivot
axis between the stored position shown in FIGS. 3-5 and the working
position shown in FIGS. 6-8. In particular, the distal end 150 of
the tall corn attachment 104 can be mounted to the front planar
wall 130 of the hood 106 via a latching mechanism (e.g., a
spring-loaded pin) such that the tall corn attachment 104 can be
interlocked with the front planar wall 130 when in the working
position, and disengaged from the front planar wall 130 when in the
stored position. Specifically, the tall corn attachment 104 can be
disengaged from the front planar wall 130 and detached from the
hood 106 prior to placing the tall corn attachment 102 in the
stored position. In the stored position, the tall corn attachment
104 can be received within the recessed area 122 of the hood 106.
In the working position, the tall corn attachment 104 can extend
from the top surface of the hood 106 to at least partially cover a
radial section of the auger 102. In some embodiments, the auger 102
can be configured to automatically stop rotating when the tall corn
attachment 104 is positioned in the working position. In some
embodiments, the auger 102 can continue to rotate when the tall
corn attachment 104 is positioned in the working position.
[0060] The leading edge 146 can be separated into a proximal
leading edge portion 166, a distal leading edge portion 168, and a
rounded, central leading edge top portion 170. The leading edge top
portion 170 connects the proximal and distal leading edge portions
166, 168. The proximal and distal leading edge portions 166, 168
extend at angles relative to the pivot axis and the base 156. The
angle of the proximal leading edge portion 166 can be greater than
the angle of the distal leading edge portion 168, thereby defining
a substantially triangular configuration with a rounded top portion
170.
[0061] In some embodiments, the tall corn attachment 104 can
include a slot 172, 174 formed offset from and extending
substantially parallel to the proximal leading edge portion 166.
The slot 172, 174 can extend between the first and second side
surfaces 152, 154, and can be configured and dimensioned to receive
at least a portion of a hand of a user for manipulating the tall
corn attachment 104 between the stored position and the working
position. In some embodiments, the slot 172, 174 can be formed as a
groove that partially extends into the respective first and second
side surfaces 152, 154.
[0062] FIGS. 9-14 show side, perspective and front views of an
alternative embodiment of a divider 200 according to the present
disclosure. The divider 200 can be substantially similar in
structure and function to the divider 100, except for the
distinctions noted herein. Therefore, like reference numbers are
used to represent like structures. In particular, rather than
including a detachable tall corn attachment 104, the divider 200
includes a non-detachable tall corn attachment 204 configured to be
mounted around the shaft 136 of the auger 202 and positionable
between a stored position shown in FIGS. 9-11 and a working
position shown in FIGS. 12-14. It is noted that the auger central
axis A.sub.2 and the pivot axis of the tall corn attachment 204 are
substantially the same.
[0063] The divider 200 includes an L-shaped bracket 206 mounted to
the proximal top surface 118 of the hood 106. The bracket 206
includes an aperture that receives therethrough the shaft 136 of
the auger 202. The auger 202 includes a radial stop member 208
spaced from the mounting of the bracket 206 and adjacent to the
helical blade 142. The distal end 140 of the auger 202 includes a
radially narrowed portion 210 for mounting of the tall corn
attachment 204. Thus, the distal end 140 of the auger 202 can be
mounted into an aperture formed in the front planar wall 130 and
the proximal end 138 of the auger 202 can be mounted to the
proximal top surface 118 of the hood 106 via the bracket 206.
[0064] Rather than including a substantially linear bottom surface
or base 156, the tall corn attachment 204 includes proximal and
distal mounting flanges 212, 214 extending from the base 156. The
mounting flanges 212, 214 can extend substantially perpendicularly
from the base 156 and include an aperture configured and
dimensioned to receive therethrough the shaft 136 of the auger 202.
In particular, the proximal mounting flange 212 includes an
aperture dimensioned to fit around the proximal end 138 of the
shaft 136 disposed between the bracket 206 and the stop member 208,
and the distal mounting flange 214 includes an aperture dimensioned
to fit around the narrowed portion 210 of the distal end 140 of the
shaft 136. With the tall corn attachment 204 mounted to the shaft
136, the helical blade 142 is disposed between the proximal and
distal mounting flanges 212, 214.
[0065] A latching mechanism (e.g., a spring-loaded pin, a manually
actuated pin, or the like) can be used to engage the proximal and
distal mounting flanges 212, 214 with the bracket 206 and the front
planar wall 130, respectively, in the working and stored position
of the tall corn attachment 204. The tall corn attachment 204 can
therefore be rotated into the working position to cover at least a
radial portion of the auger 202 while allowing the auger 202 to
continue operating or rotating. In some embodiments, upon placement
of the tall corn attachment 204 in the working position, the auger
202 can automatically stop operating or rotating.
[0066] FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative embodiment of an
exemplary divider 300 of the present disclosure. The divider 300
can be substantially similar in structure and function to the
divider 100, 200, except for the distinctions noted herein.
Therefore, like reference numbers are used to represent like
structures. In particular, rather than including louvers 162, 164
formed in the first and second side surfaces 152, 154 of the tall
corn attachment 204, the first and second side surfaces 152, 154
can define substantially planar surfaces. In addition, rather than
including a slot 172, 174 extending through the entire tall corn
attachment 204, a groove 302 can be formed in one or both of the
first and second side surfaces 152, 154 that only partially extends
into the surface of the tall corn attachment 204.
[0067] FIGS. 17-25 show an alternative embodiment of an exemplary
divider 400 of the present disclosure. The divider 400 can be
substantially similar in structure and function to the divider 100,
200, 300 except for the distinctions noted herein. Therefore, like
reference numbers are used to represent like structures. As shown
in FIG. 19, the divider 400 can be operatively mounted to a corn
head 404 including a transverse auger 406 and one or more
collection mechanisms 408.
[0068] The leading edge 146 of the tall corn attachment 402 can be
formed as a unitary structure with the first and second side walls
410, 412 or can be formed as a separate structure that is mounted
over the top edge of the first and second side walls 410, 412. The
first and second side walls 410, 412 can define smooth, curving
surfaces that gradually transition from a narrow width at the
leading edge 146 to a wide base 414. The distal width 158 of the
leading edge 146 is dimensioned greater than the proximal width 160
and tapers or narrows in the direction of the proximal end 148. The
wide leading edge 146 at the distal end 150 of the tall corn
attachment 402 and the wide base 414 (relative to the leading edge
146) provides structural strength to the tall corn attachment 402
for guiding corn stalks engaged during harvesting. The bottom edges
of the first and second side walls 410, 412 at the base 414 can be
separated from each other to define an opening leading to a hollow
interior 418. When assembled with the hood 106, a central
longitudinal axis of the tall corn attachment 402 can be
substantially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the
hood 106.
[0069] The tall corn attachment 402 includes a distal mounting
bracket 420 and a proximal mounting bracket 422. The distal
mounting bracket 420 can be bolted to the distal end 150 of the
tall corn attachment 402, and the proximal mounting bracket 422 can
be bolted to the proximal end 148 of the tall corn attachment 402
(e.g., a bottom edge of the proximal end 148). The distal mounting
bracket 420 includes a substantially U-shaped configuration
including first and second side walls 424, 426 connected at a
rounded top wall 428. The first and second side walls 424, 426
include one or more apertures 430, 432 formed therein, and the top
wall 428 includes one or more apertures 434, each aperture 430,
432, 434 configured for passage of a fastener for securing the
distal mounting bracket 420 to the tall corn attachment 402. The
distal mounting bracket 420 includes a front wall 436 with a
vertical slot 438 extending from the bottom surface. The vertical
slot 438 can be configured and dimensioned to fit over the narrowed
portion 210 of the shaft 136 of the auger 102 when the tall corn
attachment 402 is assembled with the hood 106.
[0070] The proximal mounting bracket 422 defines a substantially
U-shaped configuration with a central portion 440 and side walls
442, 444. The side walls 442, 444 can define a triangular or
tapering configuration. Each of the side walls 442, 444 includes an
aperture 446, 448 formed therein for passage of a pin 450 (e.g., a
spring-loaded pin, a manually actuated pin, or the like). The
proximal mounting bracket 422 can be secured to the proximal end
148 of the tall corn attachment 402, and the pin 450 can detachably
interlock the proximal mounting bracket 422 to a complementary
bracket 452 disposed on the hood 106. The tall corn attachment 402
can thereby be detachably mounted to the hood 106 to cover the
entire top radial portion of the auger 102. Upon removal of the pin
450 from the proximal mounting bracket 422, the tall corn
attachment 402 can be pivoted in an upward direction along the
distal mounting bracket 420, and the distal mounting bracket 420
can be disengaged from the shaft 136 to detach the tall corn
attachment 402 from the hood 106.
[0071] FIGS. 26-30 show front, detailed and side views of an
alternative embodiment of an exemplary divider 500 of the present
disclosure. The divider 500 can be substantially similar in
structure and function to the divider 100, 200, 300, 400, except
for the distinctions noted herein. Therefore, like reference
numbers are used to represent like structures. In particular, the
divider 500 includes a tall corn attachment 502 with first and
second side walls 504, 506 that are substantially planar and extend
define a substantially uniform width 508 from the leading edge 146
to the base 156.
[0072] In addition, the proximal and distal ends 148, 150 of the
tall corn attachment 502 include a latching mechanism for
detachably securing the tall corn attachment 502 to a proximal
mounting bracket 510 and the front planar wall 130. The front
planar wall 130 includes first and second apertures 512, 514 formed
therein. The distal end 150 of the tall corn attachment includes a
front wall 516 including two pins 518, 520 protruding therefrom.
During assembly, the pins 518, 520 can be introduced into the
apertures 512, 514 to create two pivot points that maintain the
tall corn attachment 502 in the working position.
[0073] The proximal mounting bracket 510 includes two apertures
522, 524. The proximal end 148 includes a latching mechanism 526
including a first longitudinal passage 528 housing a first pin 530
extending therefrom. It should be understood that the latching
mechanism 526 can be used in the alternative embodiments of the
tall corn attachment described herein. The pin 530 protrudes from
the rear surface 532 of the tall corn attachment 502. The latching
mechanism 526 further includes a second longitudinal passage 534
formed in the rear surface 532 and extending parallel to the first
longitudinal passage 528. The second longitudinal passage 534
communicates with a lateral passage 536 (e.g., an elongated slot)
extending through the second side surface 506 to form a
substantially right angle. The second longitudinal passage 534
includes a first portion 538 and a second portion 540. The first
portion 538 defines a diameter dimensioned smaller than the second
portion 540, and connects with the lateral passage 536.
[0074] The second longitudinal passage 534 receives therein an
elongated pin 542 and a spring 544. The spring 544 is disposed
within the second portion 540 of the second longitudinal passage
534 and maintains the pin 542 biased partially out of the rear
surface 532 (e.g., the proximal end 546 extends out of the rear
surface 532). The distal end 548 of the pin 542 is coupled to a
lateral pin 550 that extends out of the lateral passage 536. The
lateral pin 550 can travel within the elongated lateral passage 536
while simultaneously biasing the spring 544. In particular, sliding
the lateral pin 550 in the distal direction biases the spring 544
to retract the proximal end 546 of the pin 542 into the second
longitudinal passage 534. Releasing the lateral pin 550 allows the
biasing force of the spring 544 to extend the proximal end 546 of
the pin 542 out of the second longitudinal passage 534.
[0075] During assembly, after the pins 518, 520 at the distal end
150 have been engaged with the apertures 512, 514 of the front
planar wall 130, the pin 530 can be inserted into the aperture 524
on the mounting bracket 510. Next, the spring-loaded pin 542 can be
retracted, aligned with the aperture 522 of the mounting bracket
510, and released to engage the aperture 522. Thus, the tall corn
attachment 502 can be detachably secured in the working position.
To detach to tall corn attachment 502 from the hood 106, the pin
542 can be retracted into the second longitudinal passage 534, the
proximal end 148 can be disengaged from the mounting bracket 510,
and the distal end 150 can be disengaged from the front planar wall
130. The tall corn attachment 502 can further be received within
the recessed area 122 in the stored position.
[0076] While exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it
is expressly noted that these embodiments should not be construed
as limiting, but rather that additions and modifications to what is
expressly described herein also are included within the scope of
the present disclosure. Moreover, it is to be understood that the
features of the various embodiments described herein are not
mutually exclusive and can exist in various combinations and
permutations, even if such combinations or permutations are not
made express herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present disclosure.
* * * * *