Patent ID: 6263651
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: A01D,Y02A

Abstract:
An agricultural apparatus for the harvesting of a low-density crop such as cotton and comprising:a frame;a crop acquiring device supported by the frame;a crop collecting basket supported by the frame, adjustable in position with respect to the frame, and having an opening for conveying of crop into the basket;a conveying device for conveying of crop from the acquiring device to the basket and having a first end associated with the acquiring device and a second end associated with and located at the basket opening;a hood having a closed position of the hood wherein the hood is substantially flush with the associated wall of the basket and an open position of the hood wherein the hood extends outwardly from the associated wall of the basket, with the hood pivotally attached to the basket with at least one shaft affixed to one of the hood and the basket at least in the regions of a first end and a second end of the hood, the at least one shaft having a major axis about which the hood is pivotable and a bearing affixed to the other of the hood and the basket in the regions of the first and second ends of the hood and configured to bearingly engage the at least one shaft in the regions of the first and second ends of the hood for guiding conveyance of crop into the basket and for engaging the second end of the conveying device; and,a latching apparatus for securing the hood in its open position and a second latching apparatus for retaining the hood in its closed position, with each latching apparatus comprising:a single barrel having a major axis disposed parallel to the major axis of the at least one shaft and located at a particular distance from it, the barrel associated with one of the hood and the basket;a bolt having a major axis disposed coincident with that of the barrel, the bolt contained at least partially within the barrel and biased with a spring in an engaged position with the bolt movable with respect to the barrel between the engaged position and a disengaged position;a second bolt having a major axis which is coincident with the major axis of the corresponding first bolt, the second bolt disposed in the region of the second end of the hood in opposing relationship to the corresponding first bolt, the second bolt further being movable within the barrel between engaged and disengaged positions;a keeper, associated with the other of the hood and the basket and including an aperture configured and disposed to receive and engage a first end of the bolt; and,a second keeper, configured and disposed to receive in engagement a first end of the second bolt.