HIGH STRENGTH SIEVE

Abstract

A high strength sieve which is lightweight and durable without having to add springs, and without requiring a high level of force to effect adjustment of the louvers. The high strength sieve utilizes hollow tubes to support the louvers. Providing hollow tubes (i.e., rather than solid wires) allows for larger diameter holes to be used in the frame. This provides for increased bearing surfaces, as well as provides for better tolerances. This reduces the movement of the tubes within the holes. Preferably, the tubes are mounted in the frame through holes which are extruded, thereby providing for increased bearing surfaces and a tighter fit. The extruded holes also provide a natural lead-in for the insertion of the tubes (i.e., during assembly of the sieve). Alternatively, solid wires can be provided extending through the extruded holes instead of hollow tubes.

Claims

1. A sieve for use in a combine harvester, said sieve comprising: a frame; louvers; and hollow tubes which support the louvers.

2. A sieve as recited in claim 1, wherein the sieve is configured such that an angular position of the louvers is adjustable.

3. A sieve as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handle, wherein the sieve is configured such that movement of the handle causes an angular position of the louvers to adjust.

4. A sieve as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises at least one channel having apertures, wherein the hollow tubes which support the louvers extend through the apertures in the at least one channel.

5. A sieve as recited in claim 4, wherein the apertures comprise extruded holes as opposed to being straight cut.

6. A sieve as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a first side channel and a second side channel, wherein the hollow tubes extend through apertures in the first and second side channels.

7. A sieve as recited in claim 6, wherein the apertures comprise extruded holes as opposed to being straight cut.

8. A sieve as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises ends, and wherein at least one divider is connected to the ends of the frame, wherein the hollow tubes which support the louvers extend through apertures in the divider.

9. A sieve as recited in claim 8, wherein the apertures comprise extruded holes as opposed to being straight cut.

10. A sieve as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises side channels, wherein the hollow tubes which support the louvers extend through apertures provided in the side channels.

11. A sieve as recited in claim 10, wherein the apertures comprise extruded holes as opposed to being straight cut.

12. A sieve as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises side channels and at least one divider, wherein the hollow tubes which support the louvers extend through apertures provided in the side channels and the at least one divider.

13. A sieve as recited in claim 12, wherein the apertures comprise extruded holes as opposed to being straight cut.

14. A sieve as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises ends, side channels, and at least one divider, wherein the at least one divider is connected to the ends of the frame, wherein the hollow tubes which support the louvers extend through apertures provided in the side channels and the at least one divider.

15. A sieve as recited in claim 14, wherein the apertures comprise extruded holes as opposed to being straight cut.

16. A sieve for use in a combine harvester, said sieve comprising: a frame; louvers; extruded holes; and solid wires which extend through the extruded holes and which support the louvers.

17. A sieve as recited in claim 16, wherein the sieve is configured such that an angular position of the louvers is adjustable.

18. A sieve as recited in claim 16, further comprising a handle, wherein the sieve is configured such that movement of the handle causes an angular position of the louvers to adjust.

19. A sieve as recited in claim 16, wherein the frame comprises at least one channel having said extruded holes, wherein the solid wires which support the louvers extend through the extruded holes in the at least one channel.

20. A sieve as recited in claim 16, wherein the frame comprises a first side channel and a second side channel, wherein the extruded holes are provided in the first and second channels, wherein the solid wires extend through the extruded holes in the first and second side channels, wherein the frame comprises ends, and wherein at least one divider is connected to the ends of the frame, wherein the solid wires which support the louvers extend through extruded holes in the divider.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of a standard sieve construction;

[0017] FIG. 2 provides a close up view of one of the corners of the sieve shown in FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 3 provides a close up view of a portion of FIG. 2, showing a solid wire extending through a straight cut hole;

[0019] FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, but illustrate a construction that is in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0020] FIG. 6 is similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, but illustrate a construction that is in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] While this invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated.

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention provides a sieve 50 which is as shown in FIG. 1, but instead of utilizing solid wires 18, hollow tubes 52 are used. As shown in FIG. 4, the hollow tubes 52 (much like the solid metal wires 18 of the sieve 10 shown in FIG. 1) support slats or louvers 14, and the hollow tubes 52 extend from one side channel 20 of the frame 12 to another side channel 20, and one or more dividers 16 can be also provided, connected to the ends 21 of the frame 12.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates, in more detail, the louvers 14 and the hollow tubes 52 which support the louvers 14 and which extend through apertures or holes 56 provided in the side channel members 20 and the dividers 16. By providing hollow tubes 52 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (i.e., rather than solid wires 18 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), larger diameter holes 56 can be used in the side channel members 20 and dividers 16. This provides for increased bearing surfaces, as well as provides for tighter tolerances between the diameter of the hollow tubes 52 versus the diameter of the apertures 56 in the side channels members 20 and dividers 16. This results in decreased movement (i.e., during operation) of the hollow tubes 52 within these apertures 56.

[0024] Preferably, the apertures 56 in the side channels members 20 and dividers 16 (i.e., through which the hollow tubes 52 extend) are extruded as opposed to being straight cut. The extruded holes 56 also provide for increased bearing surfaces, as well as promote better tolerances between the hollow tubes 52 and the side channel members 20 and dividers 16. The fact that the holes 56 are extruded also functions to make assembly of the sieve easier by providing a natural lead-in for the insertion of the tubes 52.

[0025] The construction disclosed herein, i.e., the use of hollow tubes 52 and extruded holes 56 provide for reduced wear without having to employ springs. The fact that the tubes 52 are hollow does not require an increase in force needed to move the handle 24 and adjust the angular position of the louvers 14. Furthermore, the fact that the tubes 52 are hollow improves the stiffness of the louvers 14, as well as reduces the amount of twisting that takes place during operation.

[0026] The fact that the tubes 52 which support the louvers 14 are hollow provides for an increased life of the sieve 50 because of reduced wear at the mounting holes 56. Additionally, the tubes 52 provide added stiffness to the louvers 14 due to the increased sectional properties of the hollow tubes 52, as compared to the solid wires 18. This improves the precision of the louvers 14. The fact that the holes 56 through which the hollow tubes 52 extend are extruded provides a larger surface for engagement by the tubes 52. This increases the life of the sieve 50 because of reduced wear at the mounting holes 56.

[0027] FIG. 6 is similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, but illustrate a construction that is in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a sieve is provided which is very much like those sieves described previously, with the only difference being that extruded holes 56 are provided to support solid wires 18 (i.e., instead of hollow tubes 52). The fact that the holes 56 through which the solid wires 18 extend are extruded, rather than straight cut, provides a larger surface for engagement by the wires 18. This increases the life of the sieve because of reduced wear at the mounting holes 56.

[0028] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.