Combine sieve distributor apparatus
AssigneeProbe Adventures, Inc.
InventorMark R. Underwood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sieve for a grain combine has a plurality of longitudinal sections. Each section is pivotally mounted in a sieve frame. A sensing means senses if the combine is leaning to one side. The sensing means controls a drive and linkage mechanism for pivoting each of the sections relative to the sieve frame to maintain each section generally horizontal. Elastomeric seals extend between each of the sections. A distributor at the forward end of the sieve has a pair of sprockets and a chain extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sieve. Fingers protrude longitudinally from the chain. The chain is driven when the combine leans.
Claims30
An apparatus for distributing grain onto a sieve of a combine:
- a rotatable drive wheel;
- a guide member spaced from the drive wheel;
- a flexible linkage member extending around the wheel and the guide member in an elongated loop, defining an upper run and a lower run;
- a plurality of fingers mounted to and extending from the linkage member;
- mounting means for mounting the drive wheel and guide member to the combine adjacent a forward portion of the sieve with the linkage member extending transverse to the sieve and the fingers on at least one of the runs positioned above a forward portion of the sieve for contact by grain and chaff falling onto the sieve;
- drive means for rotating the drive wheel to cause the linkage member to travel around the drive wheel and guide member and the fingers to move laterally across the forward portion of the sieve;
- and
- level means for sensing leaning of the combine and controlling the drive means in response thereto to rotate the drive wheel when the combine leans to a selected degree, for reducing build-up of chaff on a low side of the sieve.
In a combine having a frame, a longitudinal axis, a threshing drum carried rotatably by the frame for threshing grain, a sieve located below the threshing drum and driven in oscillation, and blower means for discharging air upward through the sieve to separate chaff from grain, the improvement comprising in combination:
- a rotatable drive wheel mounted adjacent a forward end of the sieve;
- a guide member spaced laterally from the drive wheel relative to the longitudinal axis;
- a flexible linkage member extending around the drive wheel and the guide member in an elongated loop, defining an upper run and a lower run which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the forward end of the sieve;
- a plurality of fingers mounted to, spaced laterally apart from each other and extending rearward from the linkage member in a longitudinal direction so as to pass over a forward portion of the sieve during operation for contact by grain and chaff falling onto the sieve;
- drive means for rotating the drive wheel selectively in both rotational directions to cause the linkage member to travel around the drive wheel and guide member and the fingers to move laterally across the forward portion of the sieve;
- and
- level means for sensing leaning of the combine in directions transverse to the longitudinal axis and for controlling the drive means in response thereto to rotate the drive wheel when the combine leans to a selected degree, for reducing build-up of chaff on a low side of the sieve.
In a combine having a frame, a longitudinal axis, a threshing drum carried rotatably by the frame for threshing grain, a sieve located below the threshing drum and driven in oscillation, and blower means for discharging air upward through the sieve to separate chaff from grain, the improvement comprising in combination:
- a pair of sprockets mounted adjacent a forward end of the sieve and laterally spaced apart from each other relative to the longitudinal axis;
- a chain extending around the sprockets in an elongated loop, defining an upper run and a lower run which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the forward end of the sieve;
- a plurality of fingers mounted to, spaced laterally apart from each other and extending rearward from the chain in a longitudinal direction, the fingers of both runs passing over a forward portion of the sieve for contact by grain and chaff falling onto the sieve;
- drive means for rotating one of the sprockets selectively in both rotational directions to cause the fingers to move laterally across the forward portion of the sieve;
- and
- level means for sensing leaning of the combine in directions transverse to the longitudinal axis and for controlling the drive means in response thereto to move the fingers on the upper run toward a high side of the sieve when the combine leans to a selected degree, for reducing build-up of chaff on a low side of the sieve.
An apparatus for distributing grain onto a sieve of a combine which has a longitudinal axis, comprising in combination:
- a plurality of fingers mounted above and extending over the forward portion of the sieve;
- finger drive means for moving the fingers in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis over the forward portion of the sieve, the fingers being mounted to the finger drive means for contact by grain and chaff falling onto the sieve;
- and
- level means for sensing leaning of the combine and controlling the drive means in response thereto to cause the drive means to move the fingers over the sieve, for reducing build-up of grain and chaff on the sieve.
An apparatus for distributing grain onto a sieve of a combine, comprising in combination:
- a plurality of fingers mounted above and extending over the forward position of the sieve;
- finger drive means for moving the fingers over the forward portion of the sieve, the fingers being mounted to the finger drive means for contact by grain and chaff falling on the sieve;
- and
- level means for sensing leaning of the combine and controlling the drive means in response thereto to cause the drive means to move the fingers over the sieve, for reducing build-up of grain and chaff on the sieve;
- and wherein the finger drive means comprises:
- a rotatable drive wheel;
- at least one guide member spaced apart from the drive wheel;
- and
- a flexible linkage extending around the drive wheel and the guide member.
In a combine having a frame, a longitudinal axis, a threshing drum carried rotatably by the frame for threshing grain, a sieve located below the threshing drum and driven in oscillation, and blower means for discharging air upward through the sieve to separate chaff from grain, the improvement comprising in combination:
- a plurality of fingers mounted above and extending over the forward portion of the sieve, each of the fingers comprising a substantially straight rod extending parallel with the longitudinal axis;
- finger drive means for moving the fingers in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis over the forward portion of the sieve, the fingers being mounted to the finger drive means for contact by grain and chaff falling onto the sieve;
- and
- level means for sensing leaning of the combine and controlling the drive means in response thereto to cause the drive means to move the fingers over the sieve, for reducing build-up of grain and chaff on the sieve.
In a combine having a frame, a longitudinal axis, a threshing drum carried rotatably by the frame for threshing grain, a sieve located below the threshing drum and driven in oscillation, and blower means for discharging air upward through the sieve to separate chaff from grain, the improvement comprising in combination:
- a plurality of fingers mounted above and extending over the forward portion of the sieve, each of the fingers comprising a substantially straight rod extending parallel with the longitudinal axis;
- finger drive means for moving the fingers transverse to the longitudinal axis over the forward portion of the sieve, the fingers being mounted to the finger drive means for contact by grain and chaff falling on the sieve;
- and
- level means for sensing leaning of the combine and controlling the drive means in response thereto to cause the drive means to move the fingers over the sieve, for reducing build-up of grain and chaff on the sieve;
- and wherein the finger drive means comprises:
- a rotatable drive wheel;
- at least one guide member spaced apart from the drive wheel;
- and
- a flexible linkage extending around the drive wheel and the guide member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.