Patent ID: 9622412
Date: 2017-04-18
CPC Classifications: A01D

Claim:
1. A side conveyor for a draper header, the side conveyor comprising: an endless belt with a web having a width in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the web, and having an upper, crop conveying surface that is generally planar over substantially its entire extent, the web comprising a forward edge portion; and a crop ramp comprising a plurality of crop ramp segments, wherein each of the plurality of crop ramp segments comprises a rear portion, wherein the rear portion has a trailing edge, wherein the rear portion covers the forward edge portion, wherein at least one elongate recess is formed on an underside of the rear portion and wherein the at least one elongate recess is disposed at an angle, the at least one elongate recess having an internal side face oblique to the direction of travel of the web; wherein the web comprises a plurality of protrusions fixed to and extending upward from the forward edge portion; wherein the longitudinal axis of the at least one elongate recess extends in the direction of travel of the web and also rearward to convey crop particles trapped between the forward edge portion of the web and the underside of the crop ramp toward a trailing edge ( 204 ) of each of the plurality of crop ramp segments; wherein the plurality of protrusions are disposed to engage the at least one elongate recess and sweep the crop particles along the at least one elongate recess and toward the trailing edge.