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US 12,402,561 B2Granted
Automated lockout system for header
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsShreyas P. Modak, Alex A. Brimeyer, Michael L. Vandeven
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for automatically configuring a cutterbar between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration in response to actuation of a gauge wheel are disclosed. The cutterbar is coupled to the gauge wheel such that extension of the gauge wheel causes the cutterbar to move into the rigid configuration and retraction of the gauge wheel causes the cutterbar to move into the flexible configuration.
Claims20
A system for automatically configuring a cutterbar of an agricultural implement comprising:
- a frame;
- a cutterbar;
- a float arm engaged with the cutterbar, the float arm movably mounted with respect to the frame;
- an actuation system that connects the float arm and a gauge wheel, the float arm movable with respect to the frame, via the actuation system, in response to retraction or extension of the gauge wheel to move the cutterbar between a rigid configuration and a flexible configuration;
- and
- a gauge wheel assembly, wherein the gauge wheel assembly includes an arm moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and the gauge wheel rotatably coupled to the arm;
- wherein the actuation system includes:
- a lever coupled to the arm of the gauge wheel assembly and rotatable in response to movement of the arm;
- a pivotably mounted rocker arm comprising a first pin;
- and
- a pivotably mounted retainer comprising a first recess that removably receives the first pin.
8 more elements
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a frame;
- a gauge wheel assembly coupled to the frame and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, the gauge wheel assembly including a gauge wheel and a gauge wheel arm;
- a float arm pivotably coupled to the frame;
- a cutterbar engaged with the float arm, the cutterbar moveable between a rigid configuration and a flexible configuration in response to rotation of the float arm;
- and
- an actuation system connecting the float arm and the gauge wheel assembly, the float arm rotatable, via the actuation system, in response to movement of the gauge wheel assembly, the float arm pivotable in a first direction in response to extension of the gauge wheel assembly to place the cutterbar in the rigid configuration and the float arm pivotable in a second direction in response to retraction of the gauge wheel assembly to place the cutterbar in the flexible configuration, wherein the actuation system further includes:
- a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis;
- a first linkage including at least two interconnected links connecting the gauge wheel arm to the shaft so that the shaft is rotated by rotational movement of the gauge wheel arm;
- and
- a second linkage including at least two interconnected links connecting the shaft to the float arm so that the float arm is rotated by rotational movement of the shaft.
7 more elements
An agricultural implement comprising:
- a frame;
- a gauge wheel assembly coupled to the frame and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position;
- a float arm pivotably coupled to the frame;
- a cutterbar engaged with the float arm, the cutterbar moveable between a rigid configuration and a flexible configuration in response to rotation of the float arm;
- and
- an actuation system connecting the float arm and the gauge wheel assembly, the float arm rotatable, via the actuation system, in response to movement of the gauge wheel assembly, the float arm pivotable in a first direction in response to extension of the gauge wheel assembly to place the cutterbar in the rigid configuration and the float arm pivotable in a second direction in response to retraction of the gauge wheel assembly to place the cutterbar in the flexible configuration;
- wherein the gauge wheel assembly comprises:
- an arm pivotably coupled to the frame;
- and
- a gauge wheel rotatably mounted to the arm, and wherein the actuation system comprises:
- a lever coupled to the arm of the gauge wheel assembly and rotatable therewith;
- a pivotably mounted rocker arm comprising a first pin, the rocker arm coupled to the float arm;
- and
- a pivotably mounted retainer comprising a first recess that removably receives the first pin.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.