Title: Crop combine with a resiliently mounted crop separator

Do you think this is a good invention? Vote now:

Votes so far: For:(0) Against:(0)
Claims: The invention claimed is:

1. In a combine including a main frame, power means mounted on said main frame operable to propel said combine, gathering means mounted on said frame operable to gather crops from land, conveying means mounted on said frame and positioned adjacent said gathering means operable to convey said crop from said gathering means, a separator including a cylinder rotatably mounted on said frame adjacent said conveying means, said separator further including means operable to rotate said cylinder, said separator further including a concave frame mounted on said main frame and extending at least partially around said cylinder being spaced apart a first distance from said cylinder to receive said crop therebetween from said conveying means,

mounting means connected to said concave frame and resiliently connected to said main frame being operable to allow said concave frame to resiliently move to and from said cylinder, said concave frame moves away from said cylinder as a foreign object having a thickness greater than said first distance moves between said cylinder and said concave frame; wherein the improvement comprises:

said concave frame includes a rear edge portion and a front edge portion, said mounting means includes first means resiliently connected to said main frame and connected to said rear edge portion of said concave frame operable to allow said rear edge portion of said concave frame to resiliently move to and from said cylinder;

said mounting means includes second means resiliently connected to said main frame and connected to said front edge portion of said concave frame operable to allow said front edge portion of said main frame to resiliently move to and from said cylinder;

said combine includes a control arm connected to said second means to allow manual movement of said front end portion of said concave frame;

said second means includes a crank arm mounted to said main frame and connected to said front edge portion of said concave frame, said second means includes a threaded rod connected to said control arm, said second means further includes a coiled spring through which said threaded rod extends, said spring extending between and urging apart said crank arm and said control arm, said second means further includes an offset rod with a main rod portion mounted to said front edge portion of said concave frame, said offset rod has opposite ends offset from said main rod portion with said ends pivotally mounted on said main frame with one of said ends connected to said crank arm providing eccentric movement of said main rod portion and said front edge portion as said crank arm pivots.

2. In the combine of claim 1 wherein:

said first means includes a first rod mounted to said concave frame and to said main frame and further including first spring means biased against said first rod normally urging said first rod and said concave frame to a first position but being yieldable to allow said first rod and said concave frame to move to a second position.

3. In the combine of claim 1 wherein:

said second means includes a housing to which said crank arm is connected with said threaded rod projecting freely into said housing locating said spring within said housing, said housing limiting movement of said spring therefrom.

Other info:

Inventors: Applegate, Paul A.

Application Number: 554735
Filing Date: 1975-03-03
Publication_date: 1976-08-17
Assignee:
Primary Class(es): 460/105 460/107
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

509490	Nov, 1893	Richter	130/27.
740215	Sep, 1903	Bartholow	130/27.
1857265	May, 1932	Stephens	130/27.
2484228	Oct, 1949	Isay	130/27.
3547129	Dec, 1970	Hirsch	130/27.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Kinsey, Russell R.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Woodard, Weikart Emhardt & Naughton