# US 8,739,505 B2 · Methods of harvesting downed corn

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,739,505 B2
- Document ID: US8739505B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/905,259
- Filed: 2013-05-30
- Published: 2013-10-24
- Granted: 2014-06-03
- Earliest claimed: 2012-01-20
- Applicants: Jennifer J. Taylor
- Inventors: LeRoy Koehn; Eugene Unruh
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739505B2

## CPC

- A01D 45/021: {Cornheaders}
- A01D 45/02: of maize {, i.e. kernel harvesting (for ensilage maize A01D43/081)}
- A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING

## Abstract

A method of harvesting downed corn using a combine harvester equipped with a corn head having a corn rake mounted to the head. The corn rake includes pairs of rake tines mounted on a camshaft. With the camshaft rotating, the combine harvester is driven through the downed corn, the pairs of rake tines assisting in providing the downed corn to an auger area of the corn head.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of harvesting downed corn, comprising:
providing a combine harvester equipped with a corn head having a corn rake mounted to the head, the corn rake comprising pairs of rake tines mounted on a camshaft, each pair of rake tines having a parallel portion and a portion where each tine angles away from each other;
with the camshaft rotating, driving the combine harvester through the downed corn, the pairs of rake tines assisting in providing the downed corn to an auger area of the corn head.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the camshaft is driven by a hydraulic motor which drives a chain drive linked to a sprocket on the camshaft.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the corn rake comprises arms extending from a top of the pair of tines to a post mounted on a mounting channel, the arms comprising a flexible connection to the posts allowing the arms to rise and fall with the turning of the camshaft.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the rake picks up crisscrossed stalks of downed corn.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein a rotation up position of differing pairs of tines occurs at different times.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein a rotation up position of differing pairs of tines occurs simultaneously.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein a timing of rotation of a given pair of tines is set by bolt placement within a set of seven holes located in side panels of the cams which mount the cam to the shaft of the camshaft.