Combine conveyor
AssigneeJ. I. Case Company
InventorDale R. Tanis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a combine conveyor of the type with a conveyor surface, elongated carriers across the surface, and endless chains to move the carriers along the conveyor, resiliently deformable slats are used as carriers and such slats are adjustably secured at their ends to the chains by self-adjusting attachments. The slats are preferably flat, of spring steel, angled with respect to the surface, and in a trailing position. The attachments of the slats to the chains include an attachment link on the chain, and a slot-post arrangement for pivoting/sliding engagement. The slots are preferably in the slats. In one embodiment, an angled mounting surface forms part of the attachment link. In another, angling is achieved by twists in the slat near the slat ends.
Claims20
In a combine conveyor of the type having a conveyor surface, at least two chains having parallel reaches along the surface, elongated carriers extending across the surface and means securing opposite ends thereof with respect to the chains, the improvement comprising:
- resiliently deformable slats as the carriers;
- and
- at least one of the securing means of the chain and the respective slat end including an attachment link attached to the chain, the slat end and attachment link having an elongated slot and a pivot post through the slot and relatively movable therein to accommodate multi-dimensional movement of slat ends with respect to the attachment link, said pivot post being the sole pivot point in said securing means,
- thereby allowing self-adjustment of the position and orientation of the slat ends such that the slats can respond to loads, forces and obstacles without damage to the conveyor.
In a combine conveyor of the type having a conveyor surface, at least two chains having parallel reaches along the conveyor surface, elongated carriers extending across the conveyor surface and means securing opposite ends thereof with respect to the chains, the improvement comprising:
- resiliently deformable slats as the carriers, each such slat having:
- a flat center portion angled with respect to the conveyor surface with a lead edge away from the such surface and a trailing edge adjacent to such surface whereby material carried by the slats tends to be drawn against the conveyor surface;
- and
- a twist between the center portion and each of the ends such that the ends are substantially parallel to the conveyor surface while the center portion is angled;
- the securing means for at least one end of each of said slats each including:
- an elongated slot through the respective slat end and substantially parallel to the length of the slat;
- an attachment link attached to the chain with a pivot post thereon, said attachment link having:
- a main portion connected to two chain pins, including a forward pin and a rearward pin;
- and spaced upper and lower mounting portions extending laterally toward the slat from along the attachment link main portion and receiving the slat end therebetween, the pivot post extending between the upper and lower mounting portions through the slot and relatively movable in said slot;
- and
- means between the slat end and each of the upper and lower mounting portions to absorb load received by the slat.
In a combine conveyor of the type having a conveyor surface, at least two chains having parallel reaches along the conveyor surface, elongated carriers extending across the conveyor surface and means securing opposite ends thereof with respect to the chains, the improvement comprising:
- resiliently deformable slats as the carriers, each such slat angled with respect to the conveyor surface and having a lead edge away from such surface and a trailing edge adjacent to such surface whereby material carried by the slats tends to be drawn against the conveyor surface;
- and
- the securing means for at least one end of each of said slats each including:
- an elongated slot through the respective slat end and substantially parallel to the length of the slat;
- an attachment link attached to the chain with a pivot post thereon, said attachment link having:
- a main portion connected to two chain pins;
- and
- a mounting portion extending laterally from the main portion toward the slat, the mounting portion having a mounting surface with the post extending therefrom, the slat end being in surface contact with the mounting surface with the post extending through the slot, said mounting surface angled with respect to the direction of conveyor movement to support the slats in the angled orientation and having a convex curvature in contact with the slat end to facilitate deformation of the slat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.