Patent ID: 7357711
Filing Date: 2008-04-15
Classification: A01F

Abstract:
1. A support structure for a sieve of an agricultural combine, comprising: an elongate first rail; an elongate second rail at least substantially parallel to the first rail; rigid elongate compression members pivotally connected to and extending between the first and second rails at longitudinally spaced locations therealong, respectively, the rails and the compression members forming a rail assembly having a predetermined shape bounding a space of the predetermined shape, the rail assembly being configured for supporting a generally flat sieve of a cleaning system in at least substantially covering relation to the space, wherein the compression members are pivotally connected to the end portions of the first and second rails, respectively, by pins; and elongate tension members extending generally diagonally through the space and having opposite end portions connected to the first and second rails, respectively, the tension members being tensioned so as to simultaneously urge the rails against the compression members so as to apply a compression load thereagainst for retaining the rail assembly in the predetermined shape.