Patent ID: 7585214
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. An automatedly unfoldable and foldable extension for increasing the grain holding capacity of a grain tank of an agricultural harvesting machine, the grain tank including angularly related upper peripheral portions defining an upwardly facing opening, said automatedly unfoldable and foldable extension comprising: a plurality of extension panels mounted for pivotal movement about corresponding, respective, upper peripheral portions of the grain tank, wherein the plurality of extension panels includes at least first and second extension panels, each of said extension panels being pivotally movable between a folded position for such extension panel, in which folded position such extension panel is positioned generally horizontal and extending over a portion of the upwardly facing opening of the grain tank, through an angle exceeding 90 degrees relative to horizontal, and a deployed position, in which deployed position such extension panel extends upwardly and outwardly relative to the upwardly facing opening of the grain tank, the extension panels that are laterally adjacent to one another when in their deployed positions forming an extension panel pair with a corner gap between the adjacent sides of said extension panels of said extension panel pair, corner pieces connected extending between said extension panels of said extension panel pairs to close said corner gaps, said extension panels and said corner pieces forming a grain tank extension capable of holding a quantity of grain extending above the upwardly facing opening of the grain tank when said extension panels are in their deployed positions, a linkage system actuatable to control the pivotal movement of said extension panels between their folded positions and their deployed positions, said linkage system including a control actuator and a plurality of linkages operatively connected between said control actuator and said extension panels for pivotally moving said extension panels about the corresponding, respective upper peripheral portions of the grain tank, at least said control actuator and certain of said plurality of linkages being mounted external to the grain tank to be readily accessible for servicing and forming an external linkage set, said control actuator operable, in one mode, to effect the automated unfolding of said extension panels from their folded positions and their movement to their deployed positions and, in another mode, to effect the automated folding of said extension panels from their deployed positions and their movement to their folded positions, wherein said control actuator is operatively connected to first and second control extensions, said first control extension operable to effect the folding and unfolding of at least the first extension panel, said second control extension operable to effect the folding and unfolding of at least the second extension panel, wherein said linkage system includes a first torque tube associated with said first extension panel and operatively connected to said first control extension to be rotatable to pivotally move said first extension panel between its folded and deployed positions.