US 5,732,539 AGranted

Retrofit chain sickle cutter

OwnerThomas E. Loftusinventor

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Abstract

A cutting and mowing apparatus comprising a continuous sickle chain assembly (8) utilizing cutting knives (10). The sickle chain assembly is confined within channel (29) formed by stationary guards (28) by means of alternating chain members (12), knives (10), and links (14). The sickle chain assembly is motivated by drive assemblies (31), which possess an integral protective slip clutch assembly (45). The sickle chain assemblies tightness is maintained using spring loaded tensioner assemblies (89). On the rearward return path, the sickle chain assembly slides in the return channel (144). The drive assemblies (31) are powered from the hydraulic system of the parent machine, such as a combine, tractor, or mower/conditioner. This unit, while being designed to retrofit existing cutting machines, can also be used for new production models.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A chain assembly for a cutting and mowing apparatus, comprising a plurality of chain members, a plurality of knife members, and a plurality of link members, wherein

(a) each of said chain members is flat, elongated and substantially rectangular in shape with an orifice therethrough adjacent each end thereof,
(b) each of said knife members is flat and is shaped in the form of a substantially triangular portion with two sharp cutting edges and a substantially rectangular portion, said rectangular portion being identical in shape to said chain member and having an orifice therethrough adjacent each end thereof for alignment with said orifices in one of said chain members,
(c) each of said link members is substantially rectangular in shape and has an orifice therethrough adjacent each end thereof,
(d) said chain members and knife members are positioned in pairs each consisting of a chain member and a knife member parallel to one another and spaced from one another with their respective orifices in alignment, and
(e) adjacent pairs of said chain and knife members are linked to one another by one of said link members with one of its orifices in alignment with said orifices of one of said pairs and with the other of its said orifices in alignment with said orifices of an adjacent one of said pairs.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.