Corn head roller snout assembly set

Abstract

A corn head roller assembly set having a snout fixed to an end bearing that allows the roller to maintain its rotating condition with respect to its own shaft The end bearing is fixed to a support arm for its arrangement linked to a chassis of a machine. A shaft projects outwards to be associated with a ball joint that is housed in a cavity that is defined between said support arm and an internal face of an end cap that is fixed by threading to the support arm. The support arm includes a transverse conduit that extends to an internal threaded section through which the threaded cap runs. A grub screw in the transverse conduit pushes a locking block.

Claims

1. A corn head roller assembly set, wherein a snout is fixed to an end bearing that allows a roller to maintain a rotating condition with respect to a shaft, wherein the end bearing is fixed to a support arm linked to a chassis of a machine; characterized in that from an inner ring of the end bearing, a shaft is projected outwardly to be associated with a ball joint that is housed in a cavity that is defined between the support arm and an internal face of an end cap that is fixed by threading on the support arm; the support arm includes a transverse conduit that extends to an internal threaded section through which the end cap runs, and where a grub screw in the transverse conduit pushes a locking block.

2. The corn head roller snout assembly set, according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft that projects outward from the inner ring is smooth.

3. The corn head roller snout assembly set, according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft that projects outward from the inner ring is splined.

4. The corn head roller snout assembly set, according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft that projects outward from the inner ring is rough.

5. The corn head roller snout assembly set, according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft that projects outward from the inner ring is cylindrical.

6. The corn head roller snout assembly set, according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing is selected from the group consisting of deep groove ball bearings, self-aligning ball bearings, spherical roller bearings, angular contact bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, needle roller bearings, and spherical roller bearings.

Description

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) To specify the advantages briefly discussed, to which users and experts in the specialty can add many more, and to facilitate the understanding of the constructive, constitutive and functional features of the invented shielded bearing, a preferred embodiment example is described below, which is illustrated, schematically and without a specific scale, in the attached sheets, with the express clarification that, precisely because it is an example, it is not appropriate to assign to it a limiting or exclusive nature of the scope of protection of the present invention, but simply has a merely explanatory and illustrative intention of the basic conception on which it is based.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view that shows the row of a corn header, highlighting a pair of rollers, one of which has its snout section partially cut.

(3) FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view that schematically represents a corn head roller with its snout mounted on a support arm.

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail in longitudinal section where the assembly set of this invention stands out, arranged on the snout of a corn head roller, in a preferred embodiment.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shielded bearing that makes up the assembly set of this invention arranged on the snout support arm.

(6) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of the same set of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment.

(7) FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view, according to the vertical section plane A-A indicated in FIG. 7. Showing a simpler linking system, which is another option, but just as efficient for linking the parts. Where the same support acts as a clamp with a screw that links both parts.

(8) FIG. 7 is a side view that represents the same assembly of the previous figures, representing another construction option.

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the same assembly set as the previous figure.

(10) FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view, according to the vertical section plane A-A indicated in FIG. 10.

(11) FIG. 10 is a side view that represents the same set as the previous figure.

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the same assembly set as the previous figure.

(13) FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section view, according to the vertical section plane A-A indicated in FIG. 13.

(14) FIG. 13 is a side view that represents the same set as the previous figure.

(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the same assembly set as the previous figure.

(16) It is clarified that, in all figures, the same reference numbers and letters correspond to the same or equivalent parts or elements constituting the set, according to the example chosen for the present explanation of the invented shielded bearing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXAMPLE

(17) As is known, a conventional corn header includes a frame or header row that is basically made up of a pair of lifting chains arranged on an upper plane, carrying the pusher buckets, which are arranged on an upper plane to that of a pair of rotating feeder rollers that extend between both chains, on a lower plane.

(18) FIG. 1 represents only one of the lifting chains, indicated with the reference (1), with its buckets (2). It can be seen that said lifting chain extends between a control gear (4) arranged at the proximal end, the control box (5), and a tensioning gear (3) arranged at a distal end with respect to the same control box (5).

(19) By means of the rotation of the control gears in the opposite direction to the movement of the material being transferred, linear movement is generated, longitudinally to the row, for which each lifting chain must be properly tensioned by the action of the aforementioned tensioning gear (3).

(20) The same FIG. 1 shows the presence of a pair of rotating rollers (6) and (7) that project parallel, on the same plane and with a slight mutual separation. They project from the aforementioned control box (5), and include a snout section (9) with annular ribs in relief, which is mounted on the support arm (10).

(21) This FIG. 1 shows that the snout (9) of the roller (6) is represented partially cut, making it possible to observe the presence of the shielded bearing (R) that makes up the assembly set of this invention, through which the assembly of the snout (9) of the roller (6) on the support arm (10) is established, maintaining the rotating condition.

(22) It can be seen that said assembly of the snout (9) of each roller is closed with a threaded cap (12) arranged at the free end of the set.

(23) Looking now at FIGS. 2 and 3, it is possible to see how the assembly set referred to in the present invention is constituted.

(24) Especially in FIG. 3 it can be seen that the snout (9) of the roller (6) is fixed to the outer ring (13) of the bearing (R), so that it rotates with respect to the shaft (14) that is projected from the inner ring of the same bearing (R).

(25) According to this invention, said shaft (14) is associated with the ball joint (15) which is arranged in a cavity substantially defined in the body of the support arm (10).

(26) It is highlighted that the aforementioned shaft (14) may be smooth, grooved or with another surface conformation, for its assembly or coupling with the internal surface of the ball joint (15). These FIGS. 2 and 3 represent the case where the same shaft (14) has its surface with longitudinal grooves.

(27) The set is completed with the aforementioned threaded cap (12) that rests on the aforementioned ball joint (15) so that, with its threaded adjustment on the internal wall of the support arm (10), it can put pressure thereon until preventing its movement.

(28) By means of the invented assembly set constituted in this way, the advantage of constituting a self-aligning assembly clearly arises, since the presence of the ball joint (15) allows the shaft (14) to be aligned during assembly, before adjusting the threaded cap (12). Once the operator establishes the alignment, the operator proceeds to adjust the cap that presses the ball joint until its immobilization.

(29) Looking at FIGS. 3 and 5, it can be seen that the incorporation of a grub screw (16) housed in a transverse hole made on the body of the support arm (10) is contemplated, through which it is possible to move a block lock (17) that has a pre-machined face with the thread of the cap (12), whose function is to prevent the ball joint from moving after being adjusted, from rotating improperly and from becoming loose from its fixation, during the operation of the machine.

(30) FIGS. 4 and 5 make it possible to observe more clearly the combination of means that make up the assembly set referred to in this invention, being it possible to see that, to produce the aforementioned self-alignment of the bearing (R), between the internal face of the threaded cap (12) and the cavity defined in the support arm, the seat cavity of the ball joint (15) associated with the shaft (14) is formed.

(31) Looking now at FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, it is possible to see that, within the same constructive conception, the invented assembly set contemplates the option that the aforementioned shaft (14) is a smooth shaft, which is supported and fixed on the internal cylindrical surface of the ball joint (15).

(32) Likewise, FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 represent the same assembly set where the aforementioned shaft (14) is a splined shaft, which is coupled to the internal surface of the ball joint (15), while the support arm (10) acts as a mounting clamp and adjusts by means of a set screw.

(33) Finally, FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show that, as the cylindrical surface of the aforementioned shaft (14) is grooved, the final adjustment and alignment occurs through the aforementioned threaded cap (12).

(34) Obviously the invented set can also use bearings with any type of rolling element, restraints, and/or construction features.