Rotary Implement for Harvester Combine Dispersal of Straw Cuttings

Abstract

A rotary implement for harvester combine dispersal of plant cuttings, the implement incorporating a base plate; a drive shaft connected to the base plate; a first plurality of channel and passage port combinations extending from the base plate to an elevation, the first combinations including channels underlying passage port lower ends; a second plurality of channel passage port combinations extending radially outwardly from a radially outer end of one of combinations among the first plurality of channel and passage port combinations, the second combinations having a channel upper walls sloping upwardly from passage port lower ends to the elevation; and a plurality of radially outer channels extending radially outwardly from second combinations.

Claims

1. A rotary implement for harvester combine dispersal of plant cuttings, said implement comprising: (a) a base plate; (b) a drive shaft connected operatively to the base plate; (c) a first plurality of channel and passage port combinations, each combination among the first plurality of channel and passage port combinations extending from the base plate to an elevation, said each combination comprising a channel underlying a passage port lower end; (d) a second plurality of channel passage port combinations, each combination among the second plurality of channel and passage port combinations extending radially outwardly from a radially outer end of one of combinations among the first plurality of channel and passage port combinations, said each combination among the second plurality of channel and passage port combinations having a channel upper wall sloping upwardly from a passage port lower end to the elevation; and (e) a plurality of radially outer channels, each channel among the plurality of radially outer channels extending radially outwardly from one of the combinations among the second plurality of channel and passage port combinations.

2. The rotary implement of claim 1 wherein said each channel among the plurality of radially outer channels comprises an upwardly sloping upper wall.

3. The rotary implement of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of mounting flanges, each flange among the plurality of mounting flanges being fixedly attached to the base plate.

4. The rotary implement of claim 3 wherein each channel among the plurality of radially outer channels comprises a lower wall, said lower wall comprising one of the mounting flanges.

5. The rotary implement of claim 4 wherein said each channel among the plurality of radially outer channels comprises an upwardly sloping upper wall.

6. The rotary implement of claim 5 wherein each combination among the second plurality of channel and passage port combinations comprises a channel having a trapezoidally shaped web.

7. The rotary implement of claim 6 wherein each combination among the second plurality of channel and passage port combinations comprises a triangularly shaped passage port.

8. The rotary implement of claim 1 wherein the upward slope from the passage port's lower end to the elevation is between 38° and 52°.

9.

9. The rotary implement of claim 5 wherein the upwardly sloping upper wall has a slope between 38° and 52°.

10. The rotary implement of claim 7 each combination among the first plurality of channel and passage port combinations comprises a rectangularly shaped passage port.

11. The rotary implement of claim 10 wherein the triangularly shaped passage port extends radially outwardly from the rectangularly shaped passage port.

12. The rotary implement of claim 1 wherein the drive shaft extends upwardly from the base plate.

13. The rotary implement of claim 12 wherein the first plurality of channel and passage port combinations comprises a quadruple of such combinations.

14. The rotary implement of claim 13 wherein the combinations among the first plurality of channel and passage port combinations are arrayed at 90° angular increments.

15. The rotary implement of claim 1 wherein each combination among the first and second pluralities of channel and passage port combinations has an upper end, wherein each channel among the radially outer channels has an upper end, and wherein all of said upper ends reside at the elevation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suitable embodiment of the instant inventive rotary implement for harvester combine dispersal of straw cuttings.

[0023] FIG. 2 is an alternative perspective view of a portion of the structure depicted in FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 3 redepicts the structure of FIG. 2, the view of FIG. 3 alternatively incorporating an upwardly extending drive axle.

[0025] FIG. 4 redepicts the structure of FIG. 3, the view of FIG. 4 showing the FIG. 3 structure mounted upon the rear of a harvester combine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Referring now to the drawings and in particular simultaneously to Drawing FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the instant inventive rotary implement for harvester combine dispersal of straw cuttings is referring to generally by Reference Arrow 1. The implement 1 has a circular base plate 2 and has an axially and centrally aligned rotary drive shaft 4. In the alternative configuration depicted in FIG. 3, drive shaft 42 may alternatively mount to base plate 2A, and may extend upwardly therefrom. The base plate 2 and axle 4 of the FIG. 2 configuration rotates about vertical axis 3.

[0027] First structural components of the instant inventive implement 1 comprise a plurality of channel passage port combinations which are referred to by Reference Arrows 6, 6a, 6b, and 6c. Hereinafter, such channel and passage port combinations are referred to as “first combinations”. The first combinations 6, 6a, 6b, and 6c are preferably substantially identically configured.

[0028] The channel component of the channel and passage port combination 6 has a vertical web or wall 8, and has upper and lower walls 10 and 12. Suitably, the lower wall may comprise a portion of the upper surface of the base plate 2, and preferably, as depicted, the lower wall of such channel component is configured as a mounting flange. Bolts 28 may be used to secure such flange 12 to the plate 2. In the preferred embodiment, such channel's upper wall 10 extends perpendicularly from both the web 8 and the axis 3.

[0029] The passage port 14 component of the combination 6 preferably is downwardly bounded by wall 10, such port extending upwardly to an upper elevation 9. Radially outer boundaries of passage port 14 are indicated by a vertically drawn dashed line 15.

[0030] As is shown in FIG. 2, upper wall or flange 10 resides at an elevation above the base plate 2 which is between ⅓ and 1/12 of the vertical distance between base plate 2 and upper elevation 9.

[0031] A plurality of second channel and passage port combinations is referred generally by Reference Arrows 19, 19a, 19b, and 19c. Hereinafter, such combinations are referred to as “second combinations”. Each second combination's channel, for example the channel of combination 19, preferably comprises a vertically extending web 24, a mounting flange configured lower wall 22, and an upwardly sloping upper wall 20. The radially inner end of such channel 20,22,24 preferably is matchingly sized for abutting contact with the radially outer end of channel 8,10,12, those two channels preferably meeting at a wholly formed joint located at a drawn dashed line 13. In the preferred embodiment, the slope of such second channel's upper wall 20 extends upwardly at approximately 45°, such angle suitably being as shallow as 38° or as steep as 52°. In the preferred embodiment, the open space defined by the second channel's walls 20,22,24 is right trapezoidally shaped.

[0032] The passage port component 23 of such second combination 19 is preferably triangular, such port extending upwardly from upper wall 20 to the upper elevation 9. Second combinations 19a, 19b, and 19c are preferably configured substantially identically with second combination 19.

[0033] A plurality of radially outer channels are referred to generally by Reference Arrows 27, 27a, 27b, and 27c, each such channel having a radially inner end abutting and preferably wholly or integrally connecting to the radially outer end of one of the second channels. Each radially outer channel, channel 27 for the sake of example, has a lower mounting flange configured wall 25, a vertically extending web wall 24, and an angled upper wall 26. In a preferred embodiment, the angled upper wall 26 extends approximately 45° upwardly from horizontal. Suitably, the radially outer channels' upper wall angles may alternatively be as shallow 38° above horizontal or as steep as 52°. Each radially outer channel 27, 27a, 27b, and 27c has a vertical height substantially matching elevation 9. Flexible flaps 30, 30a, 30b, and 30c are preferably attached to the extreme radially outer ends of the radially outer channels by bolts 32, such flaps assisting in cut straw dispersion.

[0034] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-3, each structure of Drawing FIG. 3 which is identified by a reference numeral having a suffix “A” is configured substantially identically to similarly numbered structures appearing in Drawing FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 3, implement 40 has an upwardly extending axle 42 which rotatably drives plate 2A, such axle 42 being an alternative to the downwardly extending axle 4 of the FIG. 1 configuration. FIG. 3's alternate implement 40 enhances structural rigidity by providing an upper circular plate 44 which is mounted to upper channel wall surfaces by mounting bolts 46.

[0035] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 3 and 4, the alternative rotary implement 40 may be advantageously mounted to the rear of a harvester combine 50, such combine having a rear cut straw ejection port 52. As shown in FIG. 4, the implement 40 rotates in the direction indicated by arrows drawn about drive shaft 42. Cut straw emitting from port 52 falls downwardly and rearwardly toward axle 42, toward plate 40, and toward other structures described above which are mounted for rotation upon the plate 2 or 2A, as the case may be.

[0036] Referring in particular to Drawing FIG. 2, such downwardly and forwardly falling cut straw may pass rearwardly (toward the viewer of FIG. 2) through passage ports 14 and 23. Thereafter, such straw lands upon the upper surface of plate 2 immediately to the rear of channels 8,10,12, and 20,22,24. As a result of the continuously rotating motion of the implement 1, portions of such cut straw which are ejected onto the plate 2 initially collect within the channel space which is defined by web 8 and walls 10 and 12. Such cut straw compresses therein due to the implement's rotary motion and centrifugal force. Substantially simultaneously such straw is thrown radially outwardly along the channel by the centrifugal force.

[0037] Such radially outward motion of the cut straw causes the straw to enter the right trapezoidal shaped channel space of combination 19, such space being defined by walls 20 and 22, and by web 24. Due to the increased interior volume of channel 20,22,24 in relation to its radially inwardly adjacent channel 8,10,12, the compression initially applied to the cut straw therein is partially released upon passage into channel 20,22,24. Such compression release advantageously results in upward expansion and upward motions of portions of such cut straw. The upwardly angled orientation of wall 20 further advantageously directs portions of such expanding straw mass along a substantially 45° upward trajectory.

[0038] Thereafter, the centrifugal force continues to drive the cut straw radially outwardly into the radially outer channel 27. The preferably 45° angled upper wall 26 then continues to angularly direct the cut straw upwardly for further inducing a straw throwing trajectory which enhances cut straw dispersion.

[0039] It may be seen that the angled upper wall 20 of the second channel and passage port combination 19 advantageously perform dual functions of downwardly defining passage port 23, and configuring the interior space of channel 20,22,24 as a right trapezoidal expansion space. Additionally, the angled undersurface 21 of wall 20 advantageously functions as a cut straw trajectory guiding element.

[0040] In rotary operation, the instant inventive implement 1 or 40, as the case may be, advantageously throws cut straw evenly and over a wide dispersion area to the rear of a harvester combine.

[0041] While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications to the structure, arrangement, portions and components of the invention without departing from those principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with the appended claims.