US 4,060,961 A · Crop harvesting rotor

Abstract

A rotor for crop handling machines has a plurality of double-pivoted, radially-extending arms and structure on the segments of each arm to position the segments such that any radially inwardly directed impact force, such as from stones and other obstructions, causes immediate buckling of the arm about its pivot points instead of fracturing the segments or bending their mounting pins. In one embodiment, each arm is provided with a positive stop between the segments that holds them in a pre-buckled condition such that the tip of the outer segment, with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor, trails the common plane containing the pivotal axes of the double-pivoted arm. In a second embodiment the individual segments are constructed such that their centers of gravity are laterally offset, with respect to one another, causing the desired trailing relationship of the tip of the outer segment.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A rotor for harvesting crop material and the like, said rotor including:

a hub rotatable in one direction about a first axis;
a link pivotally mounted on said hub for swinging movement about a second axis extending generally parallel to said first axis;
an element pivotally secured to said link for swinging movement about a third axis spaced from said second axis in substantially parallel relationship to the latter,
said element having an outermost end,
said second and third axes being disposed in a common plane;
and
means for gravitationally positioning said outermost end such that the latter is normally spaced in trailing relationship to said common plane with respect to said direction of rotation for permitting said link and element to buckle readily in response to a radially inwardly directed force on said outermost end.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Crop harvesting rotor

Life of this patent

Crop harvesting rotor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9