# US 2014/0150394 A1 · Narrow row head unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150394 A1 - Document ID: US20140150394A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/094,387 - Filed: 2013-12-02 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Inventors: Marion Calmer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150394A1 ## CPC - A01D 45/021: {Cornheaders} - A01D 45/023: {Gathering chains of belts} - A01D 45/025: {Snapping rolls} - A01D 57/22: for standing stalks - A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING ## Abstract One embodiment of a narrow row head unit may include a back plate secured to a left gearbox and a right gearbox, which gearboxes may be positioned adjacent one another. Each gearbox may provide rotational power to a pair of stalk rolls and a drive sprocket for a gathering chain. A right mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and the right gearbox, and a left mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and left gearbox. A right plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the right mounting tab and a left plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the left mounting tab. A narrow row head unit positioned left-of-center on a header may have the gathering chain positioned substantially over the right plate, and right-of-center substantially over the left plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A narrow row head unit comprising: a. a gearbox associated with a first side of said first narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from a harvester; b. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox transfers a first portion of said kinetic energy to said pair of stalk rolls; c. a frame secured to said first gearbox and extending outward therefrom; d. a drive sprocket positioned above said gearbox, wherein said gearbox transfers a second portion of said kinetic energy to said drive sprocket; e. an idler sprocket positioned above said frame, wherein said idler sprocket is pivotal with respect to said frame; f. a gathering chain intermeshed with said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket, wherein a distance from a first vertical plane positioned equidistant between said pair of stalk rolls of said narrow row head unit is less than thirteen inches from a second vertical plane positioned equidistant between a pair of stalk rolls associated with a second narrow row head unit that is positioned adjacent said narrow row head unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The narrow row head unit according to claim 1 further comprising a stripper plate engaged with said frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The narrow row head unit according to claim 2 further comprising an actuated stripper plate engaged with said frame, wherein said actuated stripper plate is moveable with respect to said frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The narrow row head unit according to claim 1 wherein said frame is further defined as a left and right leg and a left and right plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The narrow row head unit according to claim 4 wherein said frame further comprises a support arm, wherein said support arm comprises a leg connector for engagement with said frame and a lower beam connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The narrow row head unit according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of paddles engaged with said gathering chain. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The narrow row head unit according to claim 1 further comprising an ear guide engaged adjacent a top surface of said frame, wherein said ear guide is generally positioned on a side of said frame that is opposite said idler sprocket and said drive sprocket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The narrow row head unit according to claim 7 wherein said ear guide further comprises an ear guide channel and an ear guide external surface, wherein said ear guide channel is positioned on an interior surface, and wherein ear guide channel is configured to allow a portion of said gathering chain to be positioned therein. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The narrow row head unit according to claim 6 further comprising an ear guide engaged adjacent a top surface of said frame, wherein said ear guide is generally associated with a side of said frame that is opposite said idler sprocket and said drive sprocket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The narrow row head unit according to claim 9 wherein said ear guide further comprises an ear guide channel and an ear guide external surface, wherein said ear guide channel is positioned on an interior surface, and wherein ear guide channel is configured to allow a portion of said gathering chain and/or said plurality of paddles to be positioned therein. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The narrow row head unit according to claim 7 further comprising a chain guide, wherein said chain guide is generally positioned on a side of said frame that is associated with said idler sprocket and said drive sprocket. ### Claim 12 A header comprising: a. a first narrow row head unit comprising: i. a gearbox associated with a first side of said first narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from a harvester; ii. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox transfers a first portion of said kinetic energy to said pair of stalk rolls; iii. a frame secured to said first gearbox and extending outward therefrom; iv. a drive sprocket positioned above said gearbox, wherein said gearbox transfers a second portion of said kinetic energy to said drive sprocket; v. an idler sprocket positioned above said frame, wherein said idler sprocket is pivotal with respect to said frame; vi. a gathering chain intermeshed with said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket; b. a second narrow row head unit comprising: i. a gearbox associated with a first side of said second narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from a harvester; ii. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox transfers a first portion of said kinetic energy to said pair of stalk rolls; iii. a frame secured to said first gearbox and extending outward therefrom; iv. a drive sprocket positioned above said gearbox, wherein said gearbox transfers a second portion of said kinetic energy to said drive sprocket; v. an idler sprocket positioned above said frame, wherein said idler sprocket is pivotal with respect to said frame; vi. a gathering chain intermeshed with said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket, wherein a distance between a first vertical plane positioned equidistant between said pair of stalk rolls of said first narrow row head unit and a second vertical plant positioned equidistant between said pair of stalk rolls of said second narrow row head unit is defined as less than thirteen inches. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The header according to claim 12 further comprising: a. a stripper plate engaged with said frame of said first narrow row head unit; and b. an actuated stripper plate engaged with said frame of said first narrow row head unit, wherein said actuated stripper plate is moveable with respect to said frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The header according to claim 12 wherein said frame is further defined as a left and right leg and a left and right plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The header according to claim 14 wherein said frame further comprises a support arm, wherein said support arm comprises a leg connector for engagement with said frame and a lower beam connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The header according to claim 12 further comprising a plurality of paddles engaged with said gathering chain. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The header according to claim 16 further comprising an ear guide engaged adjacent a top surface of said frame, wherein said ear guide is generally positioned on a side of said frame that is opposite said idler sprocket and said drive sprocket. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The header according to claim 17 wherein said ear guide further comprises an ear guide channel and an ear guide external surface, wherein said ear guide channel is positioned on an interior surface, and wherein ear guide channel is configured to allow a portion of said gathering chain and/or said plurality of paddles to be positioned therein. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The header according to claim 17 further comprising a chain guide, wherein said chain guide is generally positioned on a side of said frame that is associated with said idler sprocket and said drive sprocket. ### Claim 20 A method comprising: a. positioning a first narrow row head unit adjacent a second narrow row head unit, said first narrow row head unit comprising: i. a gearbox associated with a first side of said first narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from a harvester; ii. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox transfers a first portion of said kinetic energy to said pair of stalk rolls; iii. a frame secured to said first gearbox and extending outward therefrom; iv. a drive sprocket positioned above said gearbox, wherein said gearbox transfers a second portion of said kinetic energy to said drive sprocket; v. an idler sprocket positioned above said frame, wherein said idler sprocket is pivotal with respect to said frame; vi. a gathering chain intermeshed with said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket; b. spacing said second narrow row head unit horizontally from said first narrow row head unit by a distance of less than thirteen inches, wherein said second narrow row head unit comprises: i. a gearbox associated with a first side of said second narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from said harvester; ii. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox transfers a first portion of said kinetic energy to said pair of stalk rolls; iii. a frame secured to said first gearbox and extending outward therefrom; iv. a drive sprocket positioned above said gearbox, wherein said gearbox transfers a second portion of said kinetic energy to said drive sprocket; v. an idler sprocket positioned above said frame, wherein said idler sprocket is pivotal with respect to said frame; vi. a gathering chain intermeshed with said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket.