Patent ID: 6167686
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: A01D,F16H

Abstract:
A header for a harvesting machine comprising: a frame having an end panel at one end thereof; a cutterbar; a rotating crop conveying auger; a drive train for delivering rotational power to the auger, the drive train including an input drive shaft extending through the end panel and having a first sprocket affixed to a distal end thereof, an auger shaft coupled to the auger and extending through the end panel with a second sprocket affixed to a distal end thereof and an endless drive member entrained between the first and second sprockets to transfer rotational power therebetween, the endless drive member having a normally taut strand and a normally slack strand extending between the first and second sprockets; a tensioner engaging the endless drive member to maintain a desired tension therein, the tensioner including a first roller engaging one strand of the endless drive member, the first roller being carried by a first pivot arm mounted to the end panel for rotation on a pivot, a second roller engaging the other strand of the endless drive member, the second roller being carried by a second pivot arm also mounted to the end panel for rotation on the pivot and a spring coupled to the first and second pivot arms to urge the rollers against the respective strands of the endless drive member to apply tension to the slack strand whereby when the direction of rotation of the input drive shaft is changed and the normally taut strand becomes slack and the normally slack strand becomes taut, the first and second pivot arms rotate about the pivot to tension the now slack strand, the first pivot arm having an arcuate slot that is concentric about the pivot and spaced from the pivot a predetermined distance and the second pivot arm having an aperture radially spaced from the pivot the predetermined distance; and a pin extending through the slot in the first pivot arm and the aperture in the second pivot arm wherein the slot defines the extent of rotation of the first pivot arm relative to the second pivot arm.