Pivoting conveyor including a holding mechanism configurable for holding the conveyor in multiple positions

A conveyor, comprising:

• a tubular conveyor housing having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, the first end portion being pivotally connected to a frame by a pivot joint for generally upward and downward pivotal movement of the conveyor housing about a pivotal axis relative to the frame;
• a holding mechanism connected between the conveyor housing and the frame, the holding mechanism comprising a first link having a first end portion pivotally connected to the frame at a first pivotal connection, and a second link having a first end portion pivotally connected to the conveyor housing by a second pivotal connection, the first link having a second end portion pivotally connected to a second end portion of the second link at a third pivotal connection, and the first end portion of the conveyor housing including a stop element disposed at a predetermined location along a path of pivotal movement of the second link about the second pivotal connection, the mechanism being configured such that:
• when the conveyor housing is pivoted downwardly to a predetermined lowered position, the holding mechanism will automatically pivot in a first pivotal direction into contact with the stop element, and the first link will pivot into a first holding position to hold the conveyor housing in the lowered position, and the second link will be pivotable in a second pivotal direction opposite the first pivotal direction to release the conveyor housing from the lowered position;
• and
• when the conveyor housing is pivoted upwardly to a predetermined raised position angularly related to the lowered position, the second link will be automatically pivoted in the second pivotal direction into overlapping relation by the first link such that the engaged links will hold the conveyor housing in the raised position, and the second link will be pivotable in the first pivotal direction out of the engagement with the first link, to release the conveyor housing from the raised position.

A grain delivery conveyor for a grain tank of an agricultural combine, comprising:

• a tubular conveyor housing containing a helical auger, the housing having an inlet end portion and an opposite discharge end portion, the inlet end portion being pivotally connected by a pivot joint to structure adjacent to a side of the tank so as to be pivotable generally upwardly and downwardly relative thereto about a pivotal axis;
• a holding mechanism connected between the lower end portion of the conveyor housing and the structure, the holding mechanism comprising a first link having a first end portion pivotally connected to the structure at a first pivotal connection, and a second link having a first end portion pivotally connected to the conveyor housing by a second pivotal connection, the first link having a second end portion pivotally connected to a second end portion of the second link at a third pivotal connection, and the lower end portion of the conveyor housing including a stop element disposed at a predetermined location, the mechanism being configured such that:
• when the conveyor housing is pivoted downwardly to a predetermined lowered position, the second link will automatically pivot in a first pivotal direction to position a portion of the mechanism in contact with the stop element, and the first link will pivot into a first holding position to hold the conveyor housing in the lowered position, and the second link will be pivotable in a second pivotal direction opposite the first pivotal direction to release the conveyor housing from the lowered position;
• and
• when the conveyor housing is pivoted upwardly to a predetermined raised position angularly related to the lowered position, the second link will be automatically pivoted in the second pivotal direction into engagement with the first link such that the engaged links will hold the conveyor housing in the raised position, and the second link will be pivotable in the first pivotal direction out of the engagement with the first link, to release the conveyor housing from the raised position.