Patent ID: 8265837
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: A01D,B65G

Abstract:
1. A grain unloading system for an agricultural combine, comprising: a cylindrical shaped unloading tube defining an internal passage in connection with a discharge opening at an end of the tube, the tube containing a helical auger rotatable for conveying grain through the internal passage of the tube and discharging the grain through the discharge opening along a flow path; a grain saver door pivotally mounted in connection with the unloading tube adjacent to the discharge opening, the door being supported for pivotal movement along a path between a closed position in covering relation to at least a lower region of the discharge opening through a range of partially open positions and a fully open position for allowing discharging of grain from the opening; a biasing element disposed and configured in connection with the door, urging the door toward the closed position, the biasing element being further configured so as to be yieldable to a force exerted thereagainst by the door as a result of the rotation of the auger forcing the discharging grain against the door so as to allow the door to be movable by the force from the closed position through the range of partially open positions to the fully open position; and a detent device disposed and cooperatively configured with the biasing element for detaining the door when moved to the fully open position and subsequently when the force exerted by the door ceases, wherein the detent device includes an element disposed in the path of the door proximate the fully open position, the element being biased for yielding to the door when moving along the path toward the fully open position, and the element being operable to return to the path for detaining the door in the fully open position thereafter, the detent device further including a controllably operable device operable for removing the element from the path of the door for releasing the door from the fully open position.