Concave cover plate system and methods

A cover plate assembly comprising:

• an elongated body having a plurality of holes formed therethrough, said elongated body dimensioned to fit between two parallel arcuate side rails on the exterior of a concave grate of a combine harvester;
• said elongated body having two opposing ends, each end having a clasp element formed therein for grasping onto separate axial bars spanning the parallel arcuate rails and locking said body in a supinated position against the exterior of said concave grate;
• and
• a latching mechanism for maintaining the position of said elongated body relative to said concave grate so that each of said clasp elements maintain its grasp on its respective axial bar, wherein said latching mechanism comprises an anchor bracket attached to an exterior-facing side of said elongated body, an anchor device secured one of said side rails of said concave grate, and a mechanism for inducing a tension force between the anchor bracket and the anchor device.