Title: Drive mechanism and support arrangement for agitator of axial flow threshing cylinder

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Claims: The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a combine the combination comprising: a frame, a horizontally disposed threshing cylinder mounted on said frame for rotation about a horizontal axis, a cylindrical cage secured to said frame in surrounding relation to said threshing cylinder and having radial openings circumferentially thereabout permitting egress of threshed material, means causing axial flow of material from one axial end of said cage to the other as said threshing cylinder is rotated, an agitator including mechanical scraper fingers forming part of and movable with said agitator, said fingers being positioned in contiguous overlying relation to the upper outer peripheral surface of said cage; and a drive mechanism for reciprocating said agitator and said fingers thereof in a direction axially of said cage whereby said fingers are effective to agitate and loosen material such as straw or the like on said upper outer peripheral surface of said cage, said drive mechanism comprising an endless drive chain trained around axially spaced sprocket members, a drive link pivotally connected contiguous one end thereof to said agitator and contiguous an opposite end thereof to said chain, said pivotal connection of said drive link to said chain following the path of movement of said chain, whereby said drive link is effective to cause reciprocating axial movement of said agitator and of the scraper fingers forming part of said agitator when said chain is moving.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 including guide rail means extending in a direction parallel to the axis of said cylindrical cage, and means engaging said agitator in slidable engagement with said guide rail means whereby said agitator is guided and supported during its reciprocating axial movement.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said agitator includes a carriage and a main beam secured to said carriage and axially movable therewith, said main beam extending in a direction axially of said cylindrical cage and in overlying relation to said cylindrical cage, said scraper fingers being mounted on and axially movable with said main beam and said carriage, guide rail means extending in a direction parallel to the axis of said cylindrical cage, and means engaging said carriage in slidable engagement with said guide rail means whereby said carriage is guided and supported during its reciprocating axial movement.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said scraper fingers are spaced from each other axially in a direction parallel to said horizontal axis.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said fingers are arcuate.

6. The combination of claim 3 wherein said main beam lies in substantially the same vertical plane as the horizontal axis of said cylindrical cage.

7. The combination of claim 3 wherein said fingers extend arcuately in opposite directions from said main beam.

Other info:

Inventors: Stuber, Michael R. (Raytown, MO, US)

Application Number: 883225
Filing Date: 1978-03-03
Publication_date: 1979-05-15
Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation (Milwaukee, WI)
Primary Class(es): 460/104 56/14.6
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2811158	Oct, 1957	Rietmann	130/27.
3306302	Feb, 1961	Mark et al.	130/27.
3430633	Mar, 1969	Mark et al.	130/27.
4103691	Aug, 1978	Shaver	130/24.
4108150	Aug, 1978	Shaver	130/27.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Kinsey, Russell R.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Sullivan; Robert C.