Patent ID: 8205422
Filing Date: 2012-06-26
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A harvesting header comprising: a flexible cutterbar assembly extending transversely across a front portion of the header with respect to the normal direction of travel of the header, said cutterbar assembly being operable to flex up and down along the length thereof in response to changes in terrain as the header is advanced; and a flexible draper assembly supported behind the cutterbar assembly in a manner to permit the draper assembly to flex with the cutterbar assembly, said draper assembly including a pair of laterally spaced apart, fore-and-aft extending rollers, an endless flexible belt entrained around said rollers to define upper and lower runs of the belt, and at least one support panel underlying and supporting said upper run of the belt, said rollers being swingably supported so as to swing as the draper assembly flexes with the cutterbar assembly, said at least one support panel including a rear support panel adjacent a rear edge of the belt, said belt having an internal guide rib adjacent the rear edge, said rollers having grooves therein for the guide rib of the belt, with the belt and guide rib moving with the rollers as the draper assembly flexes with the cutterbar assembly.