Patent ID: 6935094
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A wind guard for use on a pickup mechanism attachable to the frame of a crop harvesting machine, said wind guard comprising: an elongate wind guard pipe extending transversely of said pickup mechanism; a plurality of tines attached to said wind guard pipe along the length thereof; said wind guard pipe being movable in a first direction upwardly and away from said pickup mechanism and in a second direction downwardly and toward said pickup mechanism during operation of said pickup mechanism; first and second support links supporting said wind guard pipe, each having first and second opposing ends, said first ends of said support links pivotably affixed to said pickup mechanism; said second ends of said first and second support links each having an open U-shaped slot therein into which said wind guard pipe is fitted; a first latch plate having a semi-circular cutout therein of a diameter sufficient to partially enclose said wind guard pipe, said first latch plate pivotably affixed to said first support link adjacent said U-shaped slot therein and movable between a latched position where said cutout partially encloses said wind guard pipe and an unlatched position where said cutout does not partially enclose said wind guard pipe; and a latch retainer interconnectable between each said respective latch plate and support link to prevent inadvertent movement of said first and second latch plates to the unlatched position.