Patent ID: 7938613
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. An unloading conveyor for an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising: an elongate auger tube having a discharge end and containing a helical unloading auger rotatably operable for conveying grain toward the discharge end, the discharge end of the tube having a lower portion including a peripheral edge portion bounding a downwardly facing discharge opening having a longitudinal extent and a lateral extent and through which the grain will be discharged by the operation of the auger, the peripheral edge portion including a transversely extending lower peripheral edge portion longitudinally spaced from an endmost portion of the discharge end of the tube; and a spout assembly including a protuberance extending downwardly from the tube adjacent to the lower peripheral edge portion; an elongate spout having a first open end portion, an opposite second open end portion, and spaced apart upwardly extending sidewall portions and a bottom therebetween defining an upwardly open channel extending between the open end portions, the spout having a longitudinal extent greater than the longitudinal extent of the discharge opening, the first open end portion including a lower portion having a transverse shape at least substantially conforming to and marginally larger than the protuberance and being disposed therearound, the first open end portion having elements disposed above the lower portion and including pivot joints connecting to the tube and configured for allowing pivotal movement of the spout relative to the tube through a range of open positions between a fully open position extending downwardly from the tube, and a closed position extending generally parallel to the tube in covering relation to the discharge opening, the lower portion of the first open end portion and the protuberance cooperating to prevent passage of grain therebetween, and the sidewall portions extending upwardly at least to side portions of the peripheral edge portion of the tube when the spout is in the open positions to prevent grain loss therebetween; and an actuator connected to the spout and controllably operable for moving the spout between the fully open position and the closed position, the actuator configured so as to be controllably operable for moving the spout to and holding the spout in at least one open position in a range of open positions defined between the fully open and closed position, the closed position provided when the bottom of the spout contacts the peripheral edge portion surrounding the distal portion of the opening in the discharge end of the tube, such that the bottom of the spout covers the discharge opening and such that the spout extends beyond the distal portion of the tube, thereby creating a closure of the opening in the discharge end, the spout is maintained in the closed position even when grain dribbles into the spout from the tube, such grain is retained in the spout and the spout is maintained in the closed position.