Abstract
A crop lifter assembly has an adjustment block, and upper leaf affixed to the adjustment block, a lower leaf affixed to the upper leaf, and a lifter having an end affixed to a distal end of the lower leaf The lower leaf has a distal end positioned away from the upper leaf. The lifter extends angularly upwardly from the distal end of the lower leaf. Each of the lower leaf and the upper leaf can have variable thicknesses and lengths so as to allow for adjustability and tenability for the lower leaf and the lifter. The upper leaf has a channel formed on an upper surface thereof. The adjustment block is received within this channel.
Claims
1. A crop lifter assembly comprising: an adjustment block; an upper leaf affixed to said adjustment block, said upper leaf having a support surface at a bottom thereof; a lower leaf affixed to said support surface of said upper leaf, said lower leaf having a distal end positioned away from said upper leaf; a lifter having an end affixed to said distal end of said lower leaf, said lifter extending angularly upwardly from said distal end of said lower leaf.
2. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, said lower leaf having a length greater than a length of said upper leaf
3. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, said lower leaf having a curved configuration.
4. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, said upper leaf having a thickness equal to a thickness of said lower leaf
5. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, said upper leaf having a channel formed at an upper surface thereof, said channel receiving said adjustment block therein.
6. The crop lifter assembly of claim 5, said channel defined by first wing extending in transverse relation to said upper leaf and a second wing extending in transverse relation to said upper leaf and in parallel spaced relation to said first wing.
7. The crop lifter assembly of claim 6, said first and second wings being integrally formed with said upper leaf.
8. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, said upper leaf having a thickness that is different than a thickness of said lower leaf.
9. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a support leaf positioned below said lower leaf and having a length less than said lower leaf
10. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, further comprising: an intermediate leaf interposed between said upper leaf and said lower leaf
11. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a fastener affixing said lower leaf and said upper leaf to said adjustment block.
12. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a sickle guard docketing for payment adjacent to said adjustment block; and a spacer interposed between said sickle guard and at least one of said upper and lower leafs.
13. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, said spacer having a flat lower surface bearing against the leaf and a crowned upper surface bearing against said sickle guard.
14. The crop lifter assembly of claim 1, said adjustment block being vertically adjustable so as to raise or to lower said lower leaf and said lifter.
15. A crop lifter assembly comprising: an adjustment block; an upper leaf affixed to said adjustment block, said upper leaf having a channel formed at an upper surface thereof, said channel receiving said adjustment block therein, said upper leaf having a support surface at a bottom thereof; a lower leaf affixed to said support surface of said upper leaf, said lower leaf having a distal end away from said upper leaf; a lifter having an end affixed to said distal end of said lower leaf, said lifter extending angularly upwardly from said distal end of said lower leaf; and a spacer upon at least one of said upper leaf and said lower leaf.
16. The crop lifter assembly of claim 15, said channel defined by a first wing extending in transverse relation to said upper leaf and a second wing extending in transverse relation to said upper leaf and in parallel relation to said first wing.
17. The crop lifter assembly of claim 15, further comprising: a support leaf positioned at an underside of said lower leaf, said support leaf having a length less than a length of said lower leaf
18. The crop lifter assembly of claim 15, said lower leaf having a thickness equal to a thickness of said upper leaf.
19. The crop lifter assembly of claim 15, said lower leaf having a thickness that is different than a thickness of said upper leaf
20. The crop lifter assembly of claim 15, said upper leaf having a portion extending outwardly of a forward end of said channel.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a prior art crop lifter assembly.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing a first embodiment of the crop lifter assembly of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a side isolated side elevational view showing the upper leaf of the crop lifter assembly of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 4 is an isolated plan view of the upper leaf of the cross crop lifter assembly of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 5 is an end view of the upper leaf of the crop lifter assembly of the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view showing a second embodiment of the crop lifter assembly of the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the cross crop lifter assembly of the present invention.
[0052] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the crop lifter assembly of the present invention.
[0053] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the crop lifter assembly of the present invention.
[0054] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the crop lifter assembly of the present invention showing a support leaf as positioned below the lower leaf.
[0055] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the spacer of the crop lifter assembly of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0056] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a crop lifter assembly from the prior art. As can be seen, there is a mower cutter bar 1 with a mowing finger 2 in a projecting position. The mowing finger 2 is fixed by a bolt 3 to the mower bar 1. Several further mowing fingers 2 are associated with the mower bar 2. The fingers 2 are arranged in a distance from each other and project out of and respectively into the drawing plane. The mowing fingers 2 serve to guide a cutter bar and sickle guard 4 that includes mower blades for separating the material to be harvested. The first end 6 of a carrier rail 5 can be fixed to the mower bar 1 via the bolt 3. The carrier rail 5 is preferably produced from a flat material that has bending/elastic properties. The carrier rail 5 is supported on the mowing finger 2 via a fixing mechanism in the form of a holder. The holder is connected to the carrier rail 5 by rivets.
[0057] A crop lifter 8 is fixed to the carrier rail 5 at the second end 7 distal from the first end 6. The crop lifter 8 extends at an angle relative to the carrier rail 5 so as to rise towards the mower bar 1. The carrier rail 5 and the crop lifter 8 enclose an acute angle. The carrier rail 5 and the crop lifter 8 can be connected by a weld.
[0058] The crop lifter 8 includes a U-shaped profile part 11 and a tubular profile part 12. The crop lifter portion 9 that faces away from the portion fixed with the carrier rail 5 is formed with the tubular profile part 12. The stock portion 10 that faces and is fixed with the carrier rail 5 includes relatively wide arms 13 that are tapered toward the tubular profile part 12. The wide arm 16 at the fixing end provide an advantageous span to achieve a firm welded connection with the carrier rail 5. The U-shaped profile part 11 changes into the tubular part 12 in a transition region in the form of a kink 17. Thus, it encloses an angle that opens toward the carrier rail 5.
[0059] One of the problems of the prior art in FIG. 1 is that the carrier rail 5 has a fixed stiffness and spring rate. Since the carrier rail 5 is specifically formed for the purposes of the crop lifter assembly, it has a unique configuration extending from the holder to the lifting bar. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1, the carrier rail 5 has a greater thickness at the lifter 8 than at the holder. This varying thickness is particularly configured to provide the crop lifter with the desired amount of spring rate and stiffness.
[0060] Unfortunately, if the carrier rail 5 becomes damaged, it is necessary to find a replacement part. In other circumstances, if different types of crops are encountered, different obstacles are encountered, or other field conditions happen, it is not possible to vary the fixed spring rate and stiffness of the carrier bar 5.
[0061] FIG. 2 shows the crop lifter assembly 20 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The crop lifter assembly 20 is illustrated with the cutter bar and sickle guard and other associated processing mechanisms associated therewith removed. In all other respects, the crop lifting assembly 20 can be used in association with the various mechanisms of the prior art, such as that shown in FIG. 1.
[0062] The crop lifter assembly 20 has an adjustment block 22. An upper leaf 23 is affixed to the adjustment block 22. As will be described in the following FIGS. 3-5, the upper leaf 23 is integrally formed from a strip of material so as to have a wing 24 extending upwardly from an elongate surface 34. The adjustment block 22 is received within the channel defined by the wings 24. The elongate portion 34 can extend outwardly of the wings 24 or can terminate at the forward end of the wings. The elongate portion 34 of the upper leaf 23 has an end portion 25 that extends rearwardly of the wings 24.
[0063] In FIG. 2, it can be seen that a lower leaf 26 is affixed to the upper leaf 23. The lower leaf 26 has a proximal end 28 at the end of the elongate portion 25 of the upper leaf 23 and secured to the sickle guard. The lower leaf 26 has a distal end 30 away from the forward end 34 of the upper leaf 23. A lifter 32 has an end affixed to the distal end 30 of the lower leaf 26. The lifter 32 extends angularly upwardly from the distal end 30 of the lower leaf The upper leaf 23 extends along a top surface of the lower leaf 26 in the area between the sickle guard and the forward end 34 of the first leaf 23.
[0064] FIG. 2 shows that there is a spacer 29 that will be located between the sickle guard (shown in FIG. 1) and the upper leaf 23 and lower leaf 26. The spacer 29 is located at the mounting point of the crop lifter assembly 20 and provides clearance between the underside of the sickle guard and the lower leaf 26. The spacer 29 also allows the upper leaf 23, the lower leaf 26, and any other leaves to be flat in the mounting area. This enhances the ability to manufacture the assembly 20 and also provides increased rigidity to the assembly. The spacer 29 (as shown in FIG. 11) has a flat lower surface 29a and a crowned upper surface 29b. The crowned upper surface 29 will contact the underside of the sickle guard. This allows the crop lifter assembly 20 to have the ability to pivot. As a result, the tip height of the lower leaf 26 can be varied by engaging the sickle guard tip in the various mounting holes of the adjustment block 22. As such, the spacer 29 is a key to the universal fitment, adjustability, and manufacturability of the present invention.
[0065] In FIG. 2, there is an intermediate leaf 36 that is positioned between the upper leaf 23 and the lower leaf 26. Within the concept of the present invention, the intermediate leaf 36 may or may not be necessary. The intermediate leaf 36 can extend for a certain length outwardly beyond the forward end 34 of the upper leaf 23 so as to provide additional rigidity to the lower leaf 26. The intermediate leaf 36 will also terminate at the proximal end of the upper leaf 23 at the sickle guard 29.
[0066] The adjustment block 22 is affixed to the upper leaf 23, to the intermediate leaf 36 and to the lower leaf 26. As such, the upper leaf 23, the intermediate leaf 36 and the lower leaf 26 can be moved upwardly and downwardly so as to accommodate crop conditions. It can be seen that there is a bolt 38 that secures the lower leaf 26 to the upper leaf 34. Another bolt 40, which is rearward of the wings 24, secures the end portions of the upper leaf 23 and the lower leaf 26 together. Bolts 38 and 40 can also be used to secure the intermediate leaf 36 in a sandwiched condition between the upper leaf 23 and the lower leaf 26.
[0067] In FIG. 2, the lower leaf 26 has a substantially greater length than that of the intermediate leaf 36 or the upper leaf 34. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each of the lower leaf 26, the upper leaf 23 and the intermediate leaf 36 will have an approximately equal thickness. It should be noted that, within the concept of the present invention, the forward portion 34 of the upper leaf 23 can be omitted. Additionally, the intermediate leaf 36 can also be omitted if it is desired to have an additional springingness to the lifter bar 32 and the lower leaf 26.
[0068] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the use of the lower leaf 26 and the upper leaf 23 allows the operator of the crop lifter assembly 22 to vary the stiffness and/or spring rate of the crop lifter assembly 20. Each of the leaves 26, 36 and 23 can be formed from the same type of material. If greater stiffness is required, then add additional leaves can be utilized in association with the crop lifter assembly 20. If it is desired to add more stiffness, then the bolts 38 and 40 can be removed and an additional leaf or a thicker leaf placed thereon or therein. If it is desired to provide more springingness or less stiffness to the crop lifter assembly 20, then a leaf of lesser thickness can be provided by simply unscrewing the bolts that secures the leaves to the adjustment block 22, removing the leaf, and fastening the bolts back into the position shown in FIG. 2. Bolts or rivets 38 and 40 can be used to secure the leaves together in areas away from the adjustment block 22. All of this can be carried out in a quick, easy and efficient manner with conventional tools.
[0069] If the crop lifter assembly is to encounter obstacles or thicker stocks, it would be desirable to increase the stiffness of the crop lifter assembly. As such, the operator of the harvesting machine would add leaves to the assembly or provide thicker leaves in the assembly. The operator can also increase the length of the upper leaves. Specialized forming equipment for the leaves is not required.
[0070] FIG. 3 is an isolated view showing the upper leaf 23. As can be seen, the upper leaf 23 has a forward portion 34 and a rearward portion 25. The wing 24 is illustrated as extending upwardly from the upper leaf 23. The forward portion 34 extends outwardly beyond the wing 24. The rearward portion 25 extends rearwardly of the wing 24. The wing 24 is part of a channel, to be described hereinafter. Importantly, the wings 24 can be simply formed by a bending operation on a flat sheet of metal. One of the wings 24 can be bent upwardly so as to reside in transverse relationship with the remainder of the upper leaf 23. Similarly, the other wing can be bent upwardly so as to be in transverse relationship to the remainder of the leaf 23. The wings 24 will be an parallel spaced relation to each other.
[0071] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the upper leaf 23. It can be seen that wing 24 is particularly illustrated. Another wing 37 is illustrated as being in parallel spaced relationship to the wing 24. There is a central portion 39 which is located between the wings 24 and 37. Wings 24 and 37 define a channel 41 therebetween. A slot 43 is formed in the central portion 39. Slot 43 can accommodate the adjustment block therein. Similarly, screw holes 45 and 47 are formed through the thickness of the central portion 39 so as to allow for the fastening of the upper leaf 23 to the other leaves.
[0072] FIG. 5 is an end view of the upper leaf 23 showing, in particular, the parallel spaced relationship of the wings 24 and 37 and the transverse relationship of the wings 24 and 37 to the central portion 39 of the upper leaf 23. The channel 41 is defined by the wings 24 and 37, along with the central portion 39 serves to receive the adjustment block therein. This configuration provides additional structural integrity to the upper leaf 23 and generally avoids unnecessary flexing in the central area 39.
[0073] FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the crop lifter assembly 50 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the crop lifter assembly 50 includes an upper leaf 54 that as a configuration similar to the upper leaf described herein previously. The upper leaf 54 is affixed to a lower leaf 52. An intermediate leaf 60 is interposed between the upper leaf 54 and the lower leaf 52. The lower leaf 52 is illustrated as having a greater thickness than that of the upper leaf 54. The lower leaf 52 also has a greater thickness than the intermediate leaf 60. The greater thickness will impart greater rigidity to the lower leaf 52 in the area toward the distal end of the lower leaf 52. The relatively narrow thickness of the upper leaf 54 and the intermediate leaf 60 will impart comparatively less rigidity in the area of the channel 58. Bolts or rivets 62 and 64 are illustrated as securing the leaves 54, 52 and 60 together. However, the bolts or rivets may not be required
[0074] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the crop lifter assembly 70. The crop lifter assembly 70 includes an upper leaf 74, a lower leaf 72, and an intermediate leaf 78. The upper leaf 74 terminates at a location forward of the channel 75. The lower leaf 72 will extend outwardly so that the distal end thereof will be engaged with the lifter. The intermediate leaf 78 is interposed between the upper leaf 74 and the lower leaf 72. The intermediate leaf 78 will have an end that extends so as to have a length approximately equal to the length of the upper leaf 74. Each of the leaves 74, 72 and 78 will have an approximately equal thickness. This configuration is adapted to allow less rigidity at the distal end of the lower leaf 76 and providing greater rigidity in the area of the channel 75. Since the leaves 74, 72 and 78 have identical thicknesses, they can be formed from the same sheet of metal material.
[0075] FIG. 8 shows the crop lifter assembly 80 in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. The crop lifter assembly 80 includes the upper leaf 84, a lower leaf 82 and an intermediate leaf 90. The upper leaf 84 will have a substantially greater thickness than the intermediate leaf 90 or the lower leaf 82. Each of the leaves 84, 82 and 90 will have different lengths with the intermediate leaf 90 being longer than the upper leaf 84 and the lower leaf 82 being longer than the intermediate leaf 90. This configuration would enhance the stiffness of the lower leaf 82 and of the crop lifter assembly 100 in the area of the channel 88 and would provide less rigidity and greater springingness at the distal end of the lower leaf 82.
[0076] FIG. 9 shows the crop lifter assembly 100 in accordance with a further embodiment the present invention. The upper leaf 102 is affixed to a pair of intermediate leaves 108 and 110 and to a lower leaf 104. Each of the leaves 102, 108, 110, and 104 have approximately equal thicknesses so that they can be formed from the same sheet of material. In FIG. 9, each of the leaves 102, 108, 110, and 104 have different lengths.
[0077] FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the crop lifter assembly 130 of the present invention. The crop lifter assembly 130 includes the upper leaf 132, the lower leaf 134, an intermediate leaf 136, and a support leaf 138. The intermediate leaf 136 is interposed between the upper leaf 132 and the lower leaf 134. The intermediate leaf 136 has a length that is greater than the length of the upper leaf 132 and less than the length of the lower leaf 134. The support leaf 134 is secured to the underside of the lower leaf 134 in the area of the adjustment block 140. As such, the support leaf 138 will provide additional stiffness in the area of the mounting with the adjustment block 140. Fasteners 142 and 144 are shown as securing the leaves 132, 134, 136 and 138 together. However, such fasteners may not be required. A main mounting bolt can also be used so as to secure the leaves to the adjustment block 140. The lifter 146 is illustrated as extending upwardly from the outer tip of the lower leaf 134. The spacer 148 is located at the end of the leaves 132, 134, 136 and 138. Spacer 148 will have a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 11 and as described herein previously.
[0078] Within the concept of the present invention, the various leaves can have a variety of thicknesses and/or length depending on the needs for establishing a proper spring rate and stiffness to the crop lifter assembly. Other leaves of various lengths, widths, thicknesses, or cross-sections can be mounted between the upper leaf and the lower leaf so as to affect the spring rate (constant or variable) and the overall strength of the crop lifter assembly. Additionally, if desired, only the upper leaf and the lower leaf would be required. The leaves can be riveted, bolted, welded, or otherwise permanently affixed in place. However, it is believed that the use of the mounting bolts facilitates the ability to adapt the crop lifter assembly to proper field conditions. Additionally, the design parameters can be extended beyond bending stiffness to includes torsional stiffness of one or more of the leaves. This allows for adjustment to the unevenness of farmland terrain. As such, torsional stiffness can be addressed by making adjustments in the cross-section of the leaf by means of extrusion, forming, fabricating or heat treatment.
[0079] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
