Attachable Lug For Corn Gathering Belts

Abstract

A crop gathering belt includes a gathering belt carcass and a plurality of attachable lugs for connecting to the gathering belt carcass on a first side of the gathering belt carcass, and a system for securely attaching the lugs of the plurality of lugs, to the gathering belt carcass. The gathering belt carcass further includes a plurality of drive lugs disposed on a side opposite the first side of the gathering belt carcass. The crop gathering belt may be useful as a corn gathering belt. In some cases, the gathering belt carcass and the plurality of attachable lugs are formed of like rubber materials, while in some other cases, the gathering belt carcass and the plurality of attachable lugs are formed of dissimilar rubber materials. In yet other cases, the gathering belt carcass is formed of a rubber material, and the plurality of attachable lugs formed of a polyurethane material.

Claims

1. A crop gathering belt comprising a gathering belt carcass and a plurality of attachable lugs for connecting to the gathering belt carcass on a first side of the gathering belt carcass, and a system for securely attaching lugs comprised in the plurality of lugs, to the gathering belt carcass, wherein the gathering belt carcass further comprises a plurality of drive lugs disposed on a side opposite the first side of the gathering belt carcass.

2. The crop gathering belt according to claim 1 which is a corn gathering belt.

3. The crop gathering belt according to claim 1, wherein the gathering belt carcass and the plurality of attachable lugs both comprise like rubber materials.

4. The crop gathering belt according to claim 1, wherein the gathering belt carcass and the plurality of attachable lugs comprise dissimilar rubber materials.

5. The crop gathering belt according to claim 1, wherein the gathering belt carcass comprises a rubber material and the plurality of attachable lugs comprise a polyurethane materials.

6. The crop gathering belt according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lugs is formed from a different material than other lugs comprised in the plurality of attachable lugs.

7. The crop gathering belt according to claim 1, wherein the system for securely attaching the lugs comprises a plurality of threaded bolts extending from and secured within each attachable lug, wherein each of the plurality of threaded bolts is passed through the gathering belt carcass, and wherein nuts are threaded onto a distal end of each of the threaded bolts to secure the attachable lug onto the gathering belt carcass.

8. The crop gathering belt according to claim 1, wherein the system for securely attaching the lugs comprises a plurality of female threaded inserts contained within each attachable lug, wherein a plurality of threaded bolts is passed through the gathering belt carcass from a first side, and wherein the plurality of threaded bolts are each screwed into corresponding female threaded inserts comprised in the plurality of female threaded inserts, to secure the attachable lug onto gathering belt carcass.

9. The crop gathering belt according to claim 1, wherein the system for securely attaching the lugs comprises a tongue extending from each attachable lug comprised in the plurality of attachable lugs, wherein the gathering belt carcass comprises a plurality of grooves, and wherein each groove comprised in the plurality of grooves receives a tongue extending from each attachable lug to secure the attachable lug onto gathering belt carcass.

10. The crop gathering belt according to claim 1, wherein the system for securely attaching the lugs comprises a groove formed within each attachable lug comprised in the plurality of attachable lugs, wherein the gathering belt carcass comprises a plurality of tongues extending therefrom, and wherein the groove receives a tongue comprised in the plurality of tongues to secure the attachable lug onto gathering belt carcass.

11. A corn head useful to harvest multiple rows of corn at a time, the corn head comprising a plurality of pairs of crop gathering belts, a plurality of pairs of knife rolls, crop gathering belt drive systems mechanically connected to the plurality of pairs of crop gathering belts, knife roll drive systems mechanically connected to the plurality of pairs of knife rolls, a pair of sprockets for engaging each crop gathering belt comprised in the plurality of pairs of crop gathering belts; wherein, each crop gathering belt comprised in the plurality of pairs of crop gathering belts comprises a gathering belt carcass and a plurality of attachable lugs for connecting to the gathering belt carcass on a first side of the gathering belt carcass, and a system for securely attaching lugs comprised in the plurality of lugs, to the gathering belt carcass, and wherein the gathering belt carcass further comprises a plurality of drive lugs disposed on a side opposite the first side of the gathering belt carcass.

12. The corn head according to claim 11, wherein the gathering belt carcass and the plurality of attachable lugs both comprise like rubber materials.

13. The corn head according to claim 11, wherein the gathering belt carcass and the plurality of attachable lugs comprise dissimilar rubber materials.

14. The corn head according to claim 11, wherein the gathering belt carcass comprises a rubber material and the plurality of attachable lugs comprise a polyurethane materials.

15. The corn head according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the lugs is formed from a different material than other lugs comprised in the plurality of attachable lugs.

16. The corn head according to claim 11, wherein the system for securely attaching the lugs comprises a plurality of threaded bolts extending from and secured within each attachable lug, wherein each of the plurality of threaded bolts is passed through gathering belt carcass, and wherein nuts are threaded onto a distal end of each of the threaded bolts to secure the attachable lug onto the gathering belt carcass.

17. The corn head according to claim 11, wherein the system for securely attaching the lugs comprises a plurality of female threaded inserts contained within each attachable lug, wherein a plurality of threaded bolts is passed through the gathering belt carcass from a first side, and wherein the plurality of threaded bolts are each screwed into corresponding female threaded inserts comprised in the plurality of female threaded inserts, to secure the attachable lug onto gathering belt carcass.

18. The corn head according to claim 11, wherein the system for securely attaching the lugs comprises a tongue extending from each attachable lug comprised in the plurality of attachable lugs, wherein the gathering belt carcass comprises a plurality of grooves, and wherein each groove comprised in the plurality of grooves receives a tongue extending from each attachable lug to secure the attachable lug onto gathering belt carcass.

19. The corn head according to claim 11, wherein the system for securely attaching the lugs comprises a groove formed within each attachable lug comprised in the plurality of attachable lugs, wherein the gathering belt carcass comprises a plurality of tongues extending therefrom, and wherein the groove receives a tongue comprised in the plurality of tongues to secure the attachable lug onto gathering belt carcass.

20. A corn gathering belt comprising a gathering belt carcass and a plurality of attachable lugs for connecting to the gathering belt carcass on a first side of the gathering belt carcass, and a system for securely attaching lugs comprised in the plurality of lugs, to the gathering belt carcass, wherein the gathering belt carcass further comprises a plurality of drive lugs disposed on a side opposite the first side of the gathering belt carcass, and wherein the system for securely attaching lugs comprises a mating tongue and groove mechanism, and a plurality of threaded bolts with corresponding female threaded nuts or inserts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a crop harvester;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of a corn head used in conjunction with a harvester, such as that shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a gathering belt assembly in accordance with the disclosure; and,

[0017] FIG. 4a through FIG. 4d illustrated retention components/systems for securing an attachable lug to a gathering belt carcass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, its application, or uses. The description is presented herein solely for the purpose of illustrating the various embodiments of the disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation to the scope and applicability of the disclosure. In the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, each numerical value should be read once as modified by the term about (unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Also, in the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, it should be understood that a value range listed or described as being useful, suitable, or the like, is intended that any and every value within the range, including the end points, is to be considered as having been stated. For example, a range of from 1 to 10 is to be read as indicating each and every possible number along the continuum between about 1 and about 10. Thus, even if specific data points within the range, or even no data points within the range, are explicitly identified or refer to only a few specific, it is to be understood that inventors appreciate and understand that any and all data points within the range are to be considered to have been specified, and that inventors had possession of the entire range and all points within the range.

[0019] Unless expressly stated to the contrary, or refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0020] In addition, use of the a or an are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of concepts according to the disclosure. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

[0021] The terminology and phraseology used herein is for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as including, comprising, having, containing, or involving, and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited.

[0022] Also, as used herein any references to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase in one embodiment in various places in the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

[0023] Typical crop gathering belts have from 5 to 14 lugs, in some cases, approximately 50 mm high on the back side of the belt that are cured as one integral part of the belt. Embodiments according to the disclosure use a mechanical means to attach lugs to a molded gathering belt carcass to form the gathering belt assembly, in contrast to conventional crop gathering belts where the lugs to a gathering belt carcass typically molded as a single continuous belt unit, in a so called molded on lug design. In contrast, in accordance with this disclosure, coupling the lugs to an already molded gathering belt carcass could be accomplished by any suitable technique, such as, but not limited to, fasteners, interlocking tabs, interlocking tongue and groove, and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0024] Having lugs which are attachable, in some aspects, allows for base of the lug to be connected to the belt in one area, which in turn, allows the lug to move around a small diameter pulley with less flexing. Also, in the event of lug wear or damage just the damaged lug could be replaced instead of the entire belt, thus saving cost and down time.

[0025] In yet another aspect, embodiments of the disclosure also give rise for the use of interchangeable lugs to be used for different corn types, or other crop types. For example, a more flexible and less aggressive attachable lug could be used for sweet corn, while a more rigid attachable lug could be used for field corn, with the same gathering belt carcass.

[0026] Gathering belt embodiments are useful in conjunction with corn, or other crop, harvesters. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one type of harvester 10, which includes a chassis 11 supported on wheels 12, where the chassis 11 supports a corn head 13 for harvesting corn through a feeder house 14 with a corn head angle adjuster 15 connected between the corn head 13 and the feeder house 14. FIG. 2 is a cut away plan view of the corn head 13.

[0027] With reference to FIG. 2, the corn head 13, which is used to harvest multiple rows at a time, includes a first pair of gathering belts 17, a first pair of knife rolls 18, a first gathering belt drive system 19 mechanically connected to the first pair of gathering belts 17, a first knife roll drive system 20 mechanically connected to the first pair of knife rolls 18, a gathering belt speed switch 22 (FIG. 1) connected to a gathering belt speed controller 50, and a knife roll speed switch 23 (FIG. 1) connected to a knife roll speed controller 52.

[0028] A first pair of sprockets 33 are mounted on the first gathering belt output shafts 26. The first pair of gathering belts 17 are mounted on and driven by the first pair of sprockets 33. The first pair of knife rolls 18 are directly connected to the first knife roll output shafts 29.

[0029] In the embodiment depicted, the corn head 13, further includes a second pair of gathering belts 37, a second pair of knife rolls 38, a second gathering belt drive system 39 mechanically connected to the second pair of gathering belts 37 and the first gathering belt system 19, a second knife roll drive system 40 mechanically connected to the second pair of knife rolls 38 and the first knife roll drive system 20. An input shaft of the second gathering belt drive system 39 is mechanically connected to a first gathering belt input shaft 25. Second gathering belt output shafts are mechanically connected to the second pair of gathering belts 37. An input shaft of the second knife roll drive system 40 is mechanically connected to a first knife roll input shaft 28. The output shafts of the second knife roll drive system 40 are mechanically connected to the second pair of knife rolls 38.

[0030] A third pair of gathering belts 44, a third pair of knife rolls 45, a third gathering belt drive system 46, a third knife roll drive system 47, are also shown in this embodiment. The input shaft of the third gathering belt drive system 46 is mechanically connected to the second gathering belt drive system 39. The input shaft of the third knife roll drive system 47 is mechanically connected to the second knife roll drive system 40.

[0031] A fourth pair of gathering belts 54, a fourth pair of knife rolls 55, a fourth gathering belt drive system 56, a fourth knife roll drive system 57, are also shown in this embodiment. The input shaft of the fourth gathering belt drive system 56 is mechanically connected to the third gathering belt drive system 46. The input shaft of the fourth knife roll drive system 57 is mechanically connected to the third knife roll drive system 47.

[0032] A separator covering 60 is shown to cover a right gathering belt of the fourth pair of gathering belts 54 and a left gathering belt of the third pair of gathering belts 44. Other separator coverings are also provided to similarly cover gathering belts of adjacent pairs of gathering belts. An auger 61 is located at the rear of the gathering belts.

[0033] A ground speed sensor 49, FIG. 1, is mounted to the chassis and detects the ground speed of the harvester 10. Both the ground speed sensor 49 and the gathering belt speed switch 23 are connected either electrically or hydraulically to a gathering belt speed controller 50, FIG. 2.

[0034] Gathering belts of juxtaposed pairs such as 17, 37, 44 or 54, shown in FIG. 3, are similar in construction, and may be of either equal or unequal lengths. Generally, each gathering belt includes gathering belt carcass having parallel layers of polymeric flexible, resilient material. For example, polymeric materials which include the moldable natural or synthetic rubbers, or castable rubbers or urethanes may be used. Materials used to form the gathering belt carcass and attachable lug may be like materials in some cases, while in some other cases, dissimilar materials. For example, in one aspect, the gathering belt carcass may be based upon a conventional rubber, while the attachable lug may be based upon a resilient polyurethane material.

[0035] Any suitable rubbers or other materials may also be used for forming the gathering belt carcasses or attachable lugs, in accordance with the disclosure. Examples include, without limitation, synthetic polyisoprenes, polybutadienes, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, styrene acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber, isoprene-isobutylene copolymer rubber and its halogenated derivatives, ethylenepropylene-diene copolymer rubbers such as ethylene-propylene-cyclopentadiene terpolymer, ethylene-propylene ethylidene norbornene terpolymer, and ethylene-propylene-I, 4-hexadiene terpolymer, butadiene-propylene copolymer rubber, butadiene-ethylene copolymer rubber, butadiene-isoprene copolymer, polypentenamer, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, epoxidized natural rubber and their mixtures. In general, such compounds are characterized by repeating olefinic unsaturation in the backbone of the polymer, which generally arises from the presence of butadiene or isoprene monomers in the polymer structure. Urethane materials formed by reacting isocyanate materials with polyester polyols, polyether polyols, polyacrylic polyols, and the like, may be used in compounds forming gathering belt carcasses and/or attachable lugs

[0036] Now referencing FIG. 3, which depicts one embodiment of a gathering belt according to the disclosure. Gathering belt 300 generally includes gathering belt carcass 302 and a plurality of attachable lugs 304 (thirteen shown). Gathering belt carcass 302 is molded as a single continuous unit and includes raised drive lugs 306 (forty two shown) molded into the carcass 302. Drive lugs 306 engage with a pair of sprockets 308, when gathering belt 300 is installed in a harvester. While FIG. 3 shows gathering belt 300 with specific numbers of attachable lugs 304 and raised drive lugs 306, such numbers are not limiting, and any suitable number of attachable lugs 304 and raised drive lugs is within the scope of the disclosure. Attachable lugs 304 are attached to gathering belt carcass 302 thus providing gathering belt 300. Attachable lugs 304 may be mechanically attached but any suitable technique, only some of which are illustrated in FIG. 4a through FIG. 4d, below.

[0037] Now referencing FIG. 4a through FIG. 4d, as described above gathering belt assemblies include retention components/systems for securing the attachable lug 304 to the gathering belt carcass 302. FIG. 4a shows one type of attachment technique which includes a plurality of threaded bolts 412 (one shown) extending from and secured within attachable lug 304. Each bolt is passed through gathering belt carcass 302, and a nut 414 is threaded onto the distal end of bolt 412 to thereby secure attachable lug 304 onto the opposing side of gathering belt carcass 302, as shown. Suitable hardware components may also be used for securing, and/or protecting the components, such as washers, lock washers, collars, flanges, female threaded insert within the attachable lugs, and the like.

[0038] With reference to FIG. 4b, another type retention componentry for securing the attachable lug 304 to the gathering belt carcass 302, is depicted. FIG. 4b shows a type of attachment technique which includes a plurality of threaded bolts 422 (one shown) passed through gathering belt carcass 302 from a first side, and secured into attachable lug 304 via female threaded inserts 424 contained within the attachable lugs, to thereby secure attachable lug 304 onto the opposing side of gathering belt carcass 302, as depicted. Again, any suitable hardware components may also be used for securing, and/or protecting the components, such as washers, lock washers, collars, flanges, and the like.

[0039] While the retention systems shown in FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are depicted as connecting between drive lugs, in some aspects of the disclosure, the retention systems may be incorporated as a part of the drive lugs. Also, in some other aspects of the disclosure, the threaded bolts may be connected on the drive lug side of the gathering belt carcass with a cross bar to prevent pull out.

[0040] FIG. 4c illustrates another type retention system for securing the attachable lug 304 to the gathering belt carcass 302. Attachable lug 304 has a tongue 432 formed thereupon, and extending therefrom, which is matingly received in a groove 434 correspondingly formed in gathering belt carcass 302, as shown. Any suitable hardware components may also be used in conjunction with this system, for further securing, and/or protecting the components, such as the componentry shown in FIG. 4b, washers, lock washers, collars, flanges, end caps, and the like.

[0041] FIG. 4d shows yet another type retention system for securing the attachable lug 304 to the gathering belt carcass 302. In contrast with that illustrated in FIG. 4c, attachable lug 304 has a groove 442 formed therein which matingly receives a tongue 444 correspondingly formed upon, and extending from, gathering belt carcass 302, as shown. Again, any suitable hardware components may also be used in conjunction with this system, for further securing, and/or protecting the components, such as the componentry shown in FIG. 4b, screws, washers, lock washers, collars, flanges, end caps, and the like.

[0042] While general geometries for the tongue and groove retention systems are shown in FIG. 4c and FIG. 4d, any suitable tongue and groove geometry may be used in accordance with the disclosure. For example, the tongue and groove may be formed at any suitable angle relative the surface of the gathering belt, such as from about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees.

[0043] While the forgoing disclosure has be described in the context of corn and crop gathering belts, it is within the scope of the disclosure to apply the concepts presented for any belt application with large lugs or teeth on one side of the belt.

[0044] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be sufficiently thorough, and will convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure, but are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. It will be appreciated that it is within the scope of the disclosure that individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0045] Also, in some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Further, it will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that in the design, manufacture, and operation of apparatus to achieve that described in the disclosure, variations in apparatus design, construction, condition, erosion of components, and gaps between components may present, for example.

[0046] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0047] Spatially relative terms, such as inner, outer, beneath, below, lower, above, upper, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the example term below can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0048] Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.