# US 11,441,666 B2 · Sprocket for agricultural vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,666 B2 - Document ID: US11441666B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/750,480 - Filed: 2020-01-23 - Published: 2021-07-29 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-23 - Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC - Applicants: CNH Industrial America LLC - Inventors: Cale N. Boriack; Michael Minnich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441666B2 ## CPC - F16H 55/30: Chain-wheels - A01D 61/008: {for longitudinal conveying, especially for combines} - A01D 61/04: Chains - B65G 23/06: with projections engaging abutments on belts or chains, e.g. sprocket wheels - F16H 55/0806: {Involute profile} - B65G 17/063: {the load carrying surface being formed by profiles, rods, bars, rollers or the like attached to more than one traction element (B65G17/24 takes precedence)} - B65G 2201/0202: Agricultural and processed food products - F16H: GEARING - A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract A conveyor for a combine harvester includes a chain and a sprocket. The sprocket includes an annular body defining an axis of rotation, two opposing sides, an outer perimeter extending between the two opposing sides, and gear teeth disposed on the outer perimeter. A bottom land extends between valleys of adjacent gear teeth. A single continuous edge is defined between two gear teeth at one of the adjacent sides. The bottom land includes (i) a central plateau portion, (ii) a first sloping surface extending from one edge of the central plateau portion to the single continuous edge at one of the two opposing sides, and (iii) a second sloping surface extending from the opposite edge of the central plateau portion to the single continuous edge at the other of the two opposing sides. The sloping surfaces either limit or prevent the accumulation of material thereon. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conveyor for a combine harvester comprising a chain and a sprocket that is configured to drive the chain, the sprocket including: an annular body defining an axis of rotation, two opposing sides, an outer perimeter extending between the two opposing sides, and a plurality of gear teeth disposed on the outer perimeter, wherein a bottom land extends between valleys of adjacent gear teeth, wherein a single continuous edge is defined between two gear teeth at one of the adjacent sides, wherein the bottom land includes (i) a central plateau portion, (ii) a first sloping surface extending from one edge of the central plateau portion to the single continuous edge at one of the two opposing sides, and (iii) a second sloping surface extending from the opposite edge of the central plateau portion to the single continuous edge at the other of the two opposing sides, wherein an acute angle is defined between transition surfaces of adjacent gear teeth that face one another, and one of the sloping surfaces interconnects the transition surfaces of the adjacent gear teeth, wherein the sloping surfaces are configured to either prevent or limit the accumulation of material thereon. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The conveyor of claim 1, wherein a width (F1) of the central plateau portion measured between the two opposing sides is less than a total width (F) of the sprocket measured between the two opposing sides. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The conveyor of claim 2, wherein the central plateau portion is centered along the width (F) of the sprocket in an axial direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the central plateau portion is curved in a circumferential direction about the axis of rotation, whereas the central plateau portion does not curve in an axial direction along the axis of rotation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the central plateau portion is either a cylindrical surface or a flat surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The conveyor of claim 1, wherein each sloping surface is either beveled or rounded. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the single continuous edge is disposed closer to the axis of rotation than the bottom land. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The conveyor of claim 1, wherein said transition surfaces are non-parallel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the single continuous edge is concave. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the single continuous edge is neither convex nor partially convex. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The conveyor of claim 1 further comprising a material removal device mounted adjacent to the sprocket for removing material accumulated on the sprocket. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A combine harvester comprising the conveyor of claim 1. ### Claim 13 A sprocket for a conveyor, the sprocket comprising: an annular body defining an axis of rotation, two opposing sides, an outer perimeter extending between the two opposing sides, and a plurality of gear teeth disposed on the outer perimeter, wherein a bottom land extends between valleys of adjacent gear teeth, wherein a single continuous edge is defined between two gear teeth at one of the adjacent sides, wherein the bottom land includes (i) a central plateau portion, (ii) a first sloping surface extending from one edge of the central plateau portion to the single continuous edge at one of the two opposing sides, and (iii) a second sloping surface extending from the opposite edge of the central plateau portion to the single continuous edge at the other of the two opposing sides, wherein an acute angle is defined between transition surfaces of adjacent gear teeth that face one another, and one of the sloping surfaces interconnects the transition surfaces of the adjacent gear teeth, wherein the sloping surfaces are configured to either prevent or limit the accumulation of material thereon. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The sprocket of claim 13, wherein a width (F1) of the central plateau portion measured between the two opposing sides is less than a total width (F) of the sprocket measured between the two opposing sides. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The sprocket of claim 14, wherein the central plateau portion is centered along the width (F) of the sprocket in an axial direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The sprocket of claim 13, wherein the central plateau portion is curved in a circumferential direction about the axis of rotation, whereas the central plateau portion does not curve in an axial direction along the axis of rotation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The sprocket of claim 13, wherein the central plateau portion is either a cylindrical surface or a flat surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The sprocket of claim 13, wherein each sloping surface is either beveled or rounded. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The sprocket of claim 13, wherein the single continuous edge is disposed closer to the axis of rotation than the bottom land. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The sprocket of claim 13, wherein said transition surfaces are non-parallel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) A combine harvester comprising the conveyor and sprocket of claim 13.