Multifunctional handle for controlling an agricultural combine
AssigneeNew Holland North America, Inc.
InventorsDavid N. Heinsey, Richard P. Strosser, Dwayne B. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The device is a multifunctional handle for controlling an agricultural combine. The device consists of palm grip with a finger rest. Attached to the palm grip is a crescent control region. The crescent control region has an upper control area and a lower control area separated by a thumb rest area. The control areas have various controls arranged by usage. The control areas are stepped from the thumb rest area so as to allow the operator to tactilely sense the position of his right thumb relative to the control areas. The palm grip and finger rest are tapered so as to be ergonometrically comfortable for the operator's arm.
Claims17
A multifunctional handle for an agricultural combine comprising:
- a. a crescent control region with an upper control area and a lower control area, said control areas having a plurality of control switches, said plurality of control switches on the upper control area being capable of being controlled by an operator's thumb after said thumb is moved in a clockwise fashion and said plurality of control switches on the lower control area being capable of being controlled by the operator's thumb after said thumb is moved in a counter-clockwise fashion;
- b. a palm grip affixed to the crescent control region, said palm grip for receiving an operator's right palm;
- c. a finger rest affixed to the palm grip, said finger rest for receiving an operator's fingers;
- and
- d. a support tube connecting the palm grip to a control console, said support tube being capable of moving relative to the control console, wherein the palm grip and the finger rest descend in a tapered fashion from the crescent control area, said taper in a range of 30 to 45 degrees from a horizontal line from the crescent control area whereby the operator's palm and fingers are positioned in an ergonometric position.
In a combine harvester, said combine having a header having a reel, said header operationally connected to a threshing and separating system, said threshing and separating system operationally connected to a grain bin, said grain bin operationally connected to a grain tank unload tube, said combine having a cab with a control console, an operator's chair and said control console having a support tube capable of moving relative to the control console, the improvement comprising a multifunction handle affixed to the support tube, said handle further comprising:
- a. a crescent control area with an upper control area, a thumb rest area and a lower control area, said thumb rest area positioned between the upper control area and lower control area, said thumb rest area having a thumb ledge for receiving the operator's thumb;
- b. said upper control area and lower control area having a plurality of control switches;
- and
- c. a palm grip and a finger rest descending in a tapered fashion from the crescent control area, said taper in a range of 30 to 45 degrees from a horizontal line from the crescent control area whereby the operator's palm and fingers are positioned in an ergonometric position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.