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US 6,843,045 B2Granted
Harvester pickup reel controlling the tine tip path
AssigneeHCC, Inc.
InventorDonald Wayne Bickel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pickup reel for a harvesting machine comprising a reel support and a first shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame. A cam is supported by the reel support and defines a generally endless cam path extending about the first shaft. An arm extends radially from the first shaft and is rotatable with the first shaft. A second shaft is connected to the arm and supports a first tine and a second tine located on opposite axial sides of the cam. A cam follower is engageable with the cam and movable along the cam path. A crank arm assembly is connected between the cam follower and the second shaft. The rotation of the first shaft and movement of the cam follower along the cam path cooperate to cause the tips to move along the tip path.
Claims33
A pickup reel for a harvesting machine, the harvesting machine including a frame having a front edge and a cutterbar extending along the front edge, said reel comprising:
- a reel support supported by the frame;
- a first shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame;
- a cam supported by the reel support and defining a generally endless cam path extending about the first shaft, the cam having a first axial side and a second axial side;
- an arm extending radially from and being rotatable with the first shaft;
- a second shaft supported by the arm and radially spaced from the first shaft, the second shaft being rotatable relative to and rotatable with the arm;
- a first tine and a second tine supported by the second shaft for rotation with the second shaft, the first tine being located adjacent the first axial side of the cam, the second tine being located adjacent the second axial side of the cam, each of the tines having a tip, the tips being movable along a tip path during rotation of the first shaft;
- a cam follower engageable with the cam and movable along the cam path;
- and
- a crank arm assembly connected between the cam follower and the second shaft,
- wherein rotation of the first shall and movement of the cam follower along the cam path cooperate to cause the tips to move along the tip path;
- and
- wherein the crank arm assembly has a first crank arm pivotally connected between the cam follower and the arm, a second crank arm pivotally connected to the cam follower and extending from the cam follower, and a third crank arm pivotally connected between the second crank arm and the second shaft.
9 more elements
A pickup reel for a harvesting machine, the harvesting machine including a frame having a front edge and a cutterbar extending along the front edge, said reel comprising:
- a reel support supported by the frame;
- a first shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame;
- a cam supported by the reel support and defining a generally endless cam path extending about the first shaft, the cam having a first axial side and a second axial side;
- an arm extending radially from and being rotatable with the first shaft;
- a second shaft supported by the arm and radially spaced from the first shaft, the second shaft being rotatable relative to and rotatable with the arm;
- a first tine and a second tine supported by the second shaft for rotation with the second shaft, the first tine being located adjacent the first axial side of the cam, the second tine being located adjacent the second axial side of the cam, each of the tines having a tip, the tips being movable along a tip path during rotation of the first shaft;
- a cam follower engageable with the cam and movable along the cam path;
- and
- a crank arm assembly connected between the cam follower and the second shaft,
- wherein rotation of the first shall and movement of the cam follower along the cam path cooperate to cause the tips to move along the tip path;
- wherein the cam includes an inner cam ring and an outer cam ring spaced radially outwardly of the inner cam ring, the inner cam ring and the outer cam ring defining a cam channel therebetween, the cam follower being movable in the cam channel and along the cam path, the cam follower providing the first surface and the second surface, a portion of at least one of the inner cam ring and the outer cam ring being positioned between the first surface and the second surface to retain the cam follower in engagement with the cam during movement of the cam follower in the cam channel;
- and
- wherein the cam follower has a first flange portion, a second flange portion spaced axially from the first flange portion, and an intermediate portion positioned between and having a reduced diameter relative to the first flange portion and the second flange portion, at least one of the inner cam ring and the outer cam ring having a cam surface engageable with the intermediate portion axially between the first flange portion and the second flange portion to retain the cam follower in engagement with the cam during movement of the cam follower along the cam path.
10 more elements
A pickup reel for a harvesting machine, the harvesting machine including a frame having a front edge and a cutterbar extending along the front edge, said reel comprising:
- a reel support supported by the frame;
- a first shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame;
- a cam supported by the reel support and defining a generally endless cam path extending about the first shaft, the cam having a first axial side and a second axial side;
- a plurality of arms extending radially from and being rotatable with the first shaft and extending axially beyond the perimeter of the cam, each of the plurality of arms having an end spaced from the first shaft;
- a plurality of second shafts extending generally parallel with the first shaft, each of the plurality of second shafts being supported by at least one of the plurality of arms and being rotatable relative to and rotatable with at least one of the plurality of arms;
- a first tine and a second tine supported by each of the plurality of second shafts for rotation with each of the plurality of second shafts, each of the tines being located radially outward of the cam, with at least one tine being located axially beyond the cam, each of the tines having a tip, the tips being movable along a tip path during rotation of the first shaft;
- a cam follower engageable with the cam and movable along the cam path;
- a crank arm assembly connected between the cam follower and the second shaft;
- wherein rotation of the first shaft and movement of the cam follower along the cam oath cooperate to cause the tips to move along the tip path;
- and
- wherein the crank arm assembly has a first crank arm pivotally connected between the cam follower and the arm, a second crank arm pivotally connected to the cam follower and extending from the cam follower, and a third crank arm pivotally connected between the second crank arm and the second shaft.
8 more elements
A pickup reel for a harvesting machine, the harvesting machine including a frame having a front edge and a cutterbar extending along the front edge, said reel comprising:
- a reel support supported by the frame;
- a first shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame;
- a cam supported by the reel support and defining a generally endless cam path extending about the first shaft, the cam having a first axial side and a second axial side;
- a plurality of arms extending radially from and being rotatable with the first shaft and extending axially beyond the perimeter of the cam, each of the plurality of arms having an end spaced from the first shaft;
- a plurality of second shafts extending generally parallel with the first shaft, each of the plurality of second shafts being supported by at least one of the plurality of arms and being rotatable relative to and rotatable with at least one of the plurality of arms;
- a first tine and a second tine supported by each of the plurality of second shafts for rotation with each of the plurality of second shafts, each of the tines being located radially outward of the cam, with at least one tine being located axially beyond the cam, each of the tines having a tip, the tips being movable along a tip path during rotation of the first shaft;
- a cam follower engageable with the cam and movable along the cam path;
- a crank arm assembly connected between the cam follower and the second shaft;
- wherein rotation of the first shall and movement of the cam follower along the cam path cooperate to cause the tips to move along the tip path;
- wherein the cam has a cam perimeter, and the arm extends radially beyond the cam perimeter;
- and
- wherein the cam follower has a first flange portion, a second flange portion spaced axially from the first flange portion, and an intermediate portion between the first flange portion and the second flange portion, the intermediate portion having a reduced diameter, at least one of the inner cam ring and the outer cam ring having a cam surface engageable with the intermediate portion axially between the first flange portion and the second flange portion to retain the cam follower in engagement with the cam during movement of the cam follower along the cam path.
9 more elements
A pickup reel for a harvesting machine, the harvesting machine including a frame having a front edge and a cutterbar extending along the front edge, said reel comprising:
- a reel support supported by the frame;
- a first shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame;
- a cam supported by the reel support and defining a generally endless cam path extending about the first shaft, the cam having a first axial side and a second axial side;
- a plurality of arms extending radially from and being rotatable with the first shaft and extending axially beyond the perimeter of the cam, each of the plurality of arms having an end spaced from the first shaft;
- a plurality of second shafts extending generally parallel with the first shaft, each of the plurality of second shafts being supported by at least one of the plurality of arms and being rotatable relative to and rotatable with at least one of the plurality of arms;
- a first tine and a second tine supported by each of the plurality of second shafts for rotation with each of the plurality of second shafts, each of the tines being located radially outward of the cam, with at least one tine being located axially beyond the cam, each of the tines having a tip, the tips being movable along a tip path during rotation of the first shaft;
- a cam follower engageable with the cam and movable along the cam path;
- a crank arm assembly connected between the cam follower and the second shaft;
- wherein rotation of the first shaft and movement of the cam follower along the cam path cooperate to cause the tips to move along the tin path;
- wherein the cam has a cam perimeter, and the arm extends radially beyond the cam perimeter;
- wherein the second shaft extends axially beyond the cam;
- and
- wherein the inner cam ring and the outer cam ring are captured between the first flange portion and the second flange portion to retain the cam follower in engagement with the cam during movement of the cam follower along the cam path.
10 more elements
A pickup reel for a harvesting machine, the harvesting machine including a frame having a front edge and a cutterbar extending along the front edge, said reel comprising:
- a reel support supported by the frame;
- a first shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame;
- a cam supported by the reel support and defining a generally endless cam path extending about the first shaft, the cam having a first axial side and a second axial side;
- a plurality of arms extending radially from and being rotatable with the first shaft and extending axially beyond the perimeter of the cam, each of the plurality of arms having an end spaced from the first shaft;
- a plurality of second shafts extending generally parallel with the first shaft, each of the plurality of second shafts being supported by at least one of the plurality of arms and being rotatable relative to and rotatable with at least one of the plurality of arms;
- a first tine and a second tine supported by each of the plurality of second shafts for rotation with each of the plurality of second shafts, each of the tines being located radially outward of the cam, with at least one tine being located axially beyond the cam, each of the tines having a tip, the tips being movable along a tip path during rotation of the first shaft;
- a cam follower engageable with the cam and movable along the cam path;
- a crank arm assembly connected between the cam follower and the second shaft;
- wherein rotation of the first shaft and movement of the cam follower along the cam path cooperate to cause the tins to move along the tip path;
- wherein the cam has a cam perimeter, and the arm extends radially beyond the cam perimeter;
- wherein the second shaft extends axially beyond the cam;
- and
- wherein the cam follower is captured between the inner cam ring and the outer cam ring.
10 more elements
A pickup reel for a harvesting machine, the harvesting machine including a frame having a front edge and a cutterbar extending along the front edge, said reel comprising:
- a reel support supported by the frame;
- a first shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame;
- a cam supported by the reel support and defining a generally endless cam path extending about the first shaft, the cam having a first axial side and a second axial side;
- an arm extending radially from and being rotatable with the first shaft;
- a second shaft supported by the arm and radially spaced from the first shaft, the second shaft being rotatable relative to and rotatable with the arm, and the second shaft extending axially from beyond the first axial side of the cam to beyond the second axial side of the cam;
- a first tine and a second tine supported by the second shaft for rotation with the second shaft, the first tine being located adjacent the first axial side of the cam, the second tine being located adjacent the second axial side of the cam, each of the tines having a tin, the tips being movable along a tip path during rotation of the first shaft;
- a cam follower engageable with the cam and movable along the cam path;
- and
- a crank arm assembly connected between the cam follower and the second shaft,
- wherein rotation of the first shaft and movement of the cam follower along the cam path cooperate to cause the tips to move along the tip path;
- and
- wherein the crank arm assembly has a first crank arm pivotally connected between the cam follower and the arm, a second crank arm pivotally connected to the cam follower and extending from the cam follower, and a third crank arm pivotally connected between the second crank arm and the second shaft.
9 more elements
A pickup reel for a harvesting machine, the harvesting machine including a frame having a front edge and a cutterbar extending along the front edge, said reel comprising:
- a reel support supported by the frame;
- a first shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame;
- a cam supported by the reel support and defining a generally endless cam path extending about the first shaft, the cam having a first axial side and a second axial side;
- an arm extending radially from and being rotatable with the first shaft, the arm extending axially beyond the perimeter of the cam;
- a second shaft supported by the arm and radially spaced from the first shaft, the second shaft being rotatable relative to and rotatable with the arm;
- a first tine and a second tine supported by the second shaft for rotation with the second shaft, each of the tines having a tip, the tips being movable along a tip path during rotation of the first shaft;
- a cam follower engageable with the cam and movable along the cam path;
- and
- a crank arm assembly connected between the cam follower and the second shaft, the crank arm assembly having a first crank arm pivotally connected between the cam follower and the arm, a second crank arm pivotally connected to the cam follower and extending from the cam follower, and a third crank arm pivotally connected between the second crank arm and the second shaft,
- wherein rotation of the first shaft and movement of the cam follower along the cam path cooperate to cause the tips to move along the tip path.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.