Patent ID: 7861505
Filing Date: 2011-01-04
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A cutting assembly for a header of an agricultural cutting machine, the cutting assembly comprising: an elongate blade support bar comprising a major axis and a plurality of blade support bar through-openings configured to receive a fastener therethrough along an axis substantially perpendicular to the major axis, the elongate blade support bar comprising a first elongate segment and a second elongate segment, the first elongate segment comprising a first end and an opposing second end, the second elongate segment comprising a third end, the third end engaging the second end to interlock the first elongate segment and the second elongate segment; a plurality of blade sections overlying the elongate blade support bar, each blade section of the plurality of blade sections comprising a trailing edge and at least one blade aperture proximate to the trailing edge, the at least one blade aperture being substantially coaxial to a corresponding blade support bar through-opening, the plurality of blade sections comprising a first sub-plurality of blade sections overlying a first lengthwise portion of the first elongate segment, the first lengthwise portion being proximate to the first end, the plurality of blade sections further comprising a second sub-plurality of blade sections overlying a second lengthwise portion of the first elongate segment and a third lengthwise portion of the second elongate segment, the second lengthwise portion comprising the second end, the third lengthwise portion comprising the third end, wherein the first elongate segment comprises a first average thickness and the second elongate segment comprises a second average thickness, the second average thickness being less than the first average thickness; an elongate attach bar overlying the first sub-plurality of blade sections and comprising a plurality of attach bar through-openings being coaxial to a corresponding aperture of the at least one blade apertures, the elongate attach bar being configured to be drivingly connected to a header; and a spanning bar overlying the second sub-plurality of blade sections and comprising a plurality of spanning bar through-openings being coaxial to a corresponding aperture of the at least one blade apertures.