Patent ID: 9149002
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: A01F

Abstract:
1. In a sieve ( 166 ) for a cleaning device ( 146 ) of a combine harvester ( 100 ), the sieve ( 166 ) including a frame ( 10 ) extending longitudinally between front and rear ends, as considered in a working position within the harvester ( 100 ), with the front and rear ends being joined together by opposite transversely spaced longitudinally extending upright frame members, a plurality of similar plates ( 12 ) extending transversely between the upright frame members, the plurality of plates ( 12 ) each being inclined upwards and rearwards so that adjacent plates have a rear section of one overlapping a front section of the other, the plates ( 12 ) respectively being joined to a plurality of transverse axles ( 20 ) mounted for pivotal movement in the frame ( 10 ), with the axles ( 20 ) being equally spaced longitudinally from each other and being respectively associated with a plurality of adjustment elements ( 14 ), with each adjustment element ( 14 ) being configured for being moved back-and-forth in the longitudinal direction in response to pivotal movement of the associated axle to effect swiveling of an associated one of the plates ( 12 ), and a longitudinally extending adjusting rod ( 18 ) having a plurality of adjustment features ( 16 ) respectively operably connected to said plurality of adjustment elements ( 14 ) for interacting with said plurality of adjustment elements ( 14 ) and being adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the sieve ( 166 ), relative to the frame ( 10 ), so as to adjust the angles of the plates ( 12 ) around their respective axles ( 20 ) and thus adjust a spacing between the rear sections and front sections of adjacent plates ( 12 ) of the plurality of plates, by moving the adjusting rod ( 18 ) in the longitudinal direction of the sieve ( 166 ), the improvement comprising: said plurality of features ( 16 ) being positioned on the adjusting rod ( 18 ) in such a way that adjacent ones of the plurality of plates ( 12 ) in a front area of the sieve ( 166 ) are angled steeper than are adjacent ones of the plurality of plates in a rear area of the sieve ( 166 ) whereby the space between the front and rear sections of the adjacent plates in the front area of the sieve ( 166 ) is greater than the space between the front and rear sections of the adjacent ones of the plurality of plates in the rear area of the sieve ( 166 ).