Patent ID: 8495855
Filing Date: 2013-07-30
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A draper header comprising: a frame that is elongate and extends laterally; a plurality of arms having a front end and a rear end, wherein each of said plurality of arms extends in a forward direction and is pivotally coupled to the frame at its rear end such that each arm is constrained to pivot up and down at its front end with respect to the frame; a plurality of rollers, wherein each roller of said plurality of rollers has a longitudinal rotational axis, a front end and a rear end, wherein each roller is mounted on a corresponding arm of the plurality of arms to pivot up and down together with the corresponding arm, wherein the longitudinal rotational axis of each roller extends in a generally fore-and-aft direction; a plurality of roller mounts for supporting a corresponding one of the plurality of rollers, wherein each roller mount of said plurality of roller mounts is pivotally coupled to the corresponding arm to pivot about a roller mount pivotal axis with respect to the corresponding arm, and wherein said roller mount pivotal axis extends generally vertically and perpendicular to the longitudinal rotational axis; and an endless conveyor belt, wherein said belt has a first end loop wrapped around a first roller of the plurality of rollers and a second end loop wrapped around a second roller of the plurality of rollers, such that the belt is driven about the first roller and the second roller in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the draper header through a field harvesting crops; wherein the first and second rollers are supported on corresponding roller mounts such that the first roller pivots about the pivotal axis of the arm on which it is mounted and the second roller pivots about the roller mount pivotal axis on the arm on which it is mounted such that both the first and second rollers can simultaneously pivot about their respective roller mount pivotal axes in the same direction at the same time.