# US 2019/0166766 A1 · Concave cover plate system and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0166766 A1 - Document ID: US20190166766A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/050,714 - Filed: 2018-07-31 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-05 - Inventors: Brian Robertson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190166766A1 ## CPC - A01F 12/185: {Mounting means} - A01F 7/067: {with material-flow influencing means} - A01F 12/184: {Cleaning means} - A01F 12/24: One-part threshing concaves - A01F 12/26: Multi-part threshing concaves - A01F 12/28: Devices for adjusting the concaves - A01F: PROCESSING OF HARVESTED PRODUCE; HAY OR STRAW PRESSES; DEVICES FOR STORING AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCE (devices for topping or skinning onions or flower bulbs A23N15/08) ## Abstract The present invention comprises a removable cover plate assembly, which may be quickly attached, detached and adjusted to the exterior of a concave grate of a combine harvester in order to adjust the flow characteristics of the concave or separator grate assemblies. The cover plate assembly improves the threshing capability of the rasp bar threshing cylinder while simultaneously capturing additional threshed grain. Moreover, the cover plate assembly of the present invention enables a single set of concave grate assemblies to better harvest a wider variety of crop types. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for adjusting the flow characteristics of a concave grate on a rasp bar threshing cylinder system, the method comprising: attaching a cover plate assembly to the exterior surface of the concave grate, the cover plate assembly comprising an elongated body dimensioned to fit between two parallel arcuate rails on the exterior of the concave grate; 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 to an end plate of said concave grate, and a mechanism for inducing a tension force between the anchor bracket and the anchor device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said concave grate is a threshing grate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said concave grate is a separator grate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said elongated body is constructed of air-permeable material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said elongated body comprises a solid plate of high strength material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 wherein said high strength material is selected from the group consisting of metal, high strength plastic or composite fabric material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 wherein said elongated body is bent in an arcuate shape matching the exterior arcuate shape of said concave grate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said elongated body is flexible. ### Claim 9 A method for enhancing the harvesting effectiveness of a combine harvester having a rasp bar threshing cylinder system, the method comprising: adjusting the flow characteristics of crop material through a threshing section by attaching a cover plate assembly to an exterior surface of a concave threshing grate, the cover plate assembly comprising: an elongated body dimensioned to fit between two parallel arcuate rails on the exterior of the concave grate; 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 to an end plate of said concave grate, and a mechanism for inducing a tension force between the anchor bracket and the anchor device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein said adjusting step comprises slowing said crop material flow rate through the threshing section enabling the threshing section to better separate grain from chaff. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein said adjusting step further comprises decreasing rotor speed of the threshing cylinder system and using an air cushion created by the cover plate assembly to enable more material-on-material threshing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising increasing the distance between a rotor of the threshing cylinder system and the concave grate to reduce compression of crop material. ### Claim 13 A method for enhancing the harvesting effectiveness of a combine harvester, having a rasp bar threshing cylinder system, when harvesting crops having MOG around seed, the method comprising: attaching a cover plate assembly to the exterior surface of a concave grate to act as a course filter to filter out a significant portion of MOG during harvesting, the cover plate assembly comprising: an elongated body dimensioned to fit between two parallel arcuate rails on the exterior of the concave grate; said elongated body comprising a plurality of holes formed in said elongated body and 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 to an end plate of said concave grate, and a mechanism for inducing a tension force between the anchor bracket and the anchor device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein said elongated body is cast in an arcuate shape matching the exterior arcuate shape of said concave grate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising adjusting the cover plate assembly filter capacity by plugging one or more of said plurality of holes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein said adjusting step comprises plugging one or more of said plurality of holes with a screw-in or pop-in plug. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein said adjusting step comprises plugging one or more of said plurality of holes with a flapper cover positioned over one or more of said plurality of holes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein said adjusting step comprises plugging one or more of said plurality of holes with a movable panel positioned over one or more of said plurality of holes. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the width of said elongated body is adjustable. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein said elongated body comprises a main plate having a section dimensioned to be less than the distance between said two parallel arcuate rail and an accessory plate positioned in a slidable configuration with said main plate so as to adjust the width of said dimensioned section of said main plate.