Abstract:
A cut sight gauge for corn field production equipment used for detasseling operations where the cut sight gauge allows the operator to visually monitor the height of cutters and tassel pullers on corn crop cutting machines. The cut sight gauge ensures a uniform operating height of cut consistent with the optimum growing demands of the plants. The added safety advantage to the operator and the area supervisors who manage field operations are also a benefit for the field-specific set up applications as described herein.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of corn field production equipment used for detasseling operations. More specifically, the present invention is a cut sight gauge for providing an integrated means of monitoring the height of cutters and tassel pullers on corn crop cutting machines. The cut sight gauge ensures a uniform operating height of cut consistent with the optimum growing demands of the plants. The added safety advantage to the operator and the area supervisors who manage field operations are also a benefit for the field-specific set up applications as described herein. 
     Corn field production typically requires the removal of tassels from corn stalks to facilitate desired pollination in fields planted with multiple seed types for hybrid production. A detasseling machine is used to cut off the tops of corn stalks in one operation that levels the heights of the top of the stalks and facilitates the later removal of tassels by another operation 1 to 2 days later. It is important to maintain an optimal and consistent cutting height, which may vary by field and within a field of planted corn. 
     Usually only the top 2 to 3½ inches of the plants are cut off in the cutting operation. The reason for cutting off this portion of the plant is to let the tassel of the plant extend faster, so the tassel can be removed in the following 1 to 2 days before the plant produces pollen. 
     The current way the machine is set up in the field is for an area supervisor to use a hand held tape measure to determine the height of the cut and give a directional hand gesture to the operator to move the cutting head up or down to the correct operating position. A height check is taken by the same procedure periodically during the course of the operating day. In performing this task several times a day the risk of injury from electrical, hydraulic or communication failure increases. The time between cutting height check intervals could also result in a less than optimal height of the cutter/puller assembly and reduced overall quality. 
     A number of typical devices utilized in the operations of cutting and tassel pulling are described by the following U.S. patents. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,016 relates to a mechanism for lifting obstructing leaves from the path of a photo-electric light beam which is being propelled along and above a plant row for photo-electric thinning purposes. This patent does not disclose a visible metered gauge for setting and maintaining the height of the mechanism. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,564 relates to an apparatus for pulling tassels out of corn stalks, but does not disclose a visible metered gauge for setting and maintaining the height of the apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,184 relates to a detasseling device that improves upon the ability to adjust the pressure at the gripping surface but does not disclose a visible metered gauge for setting and maintaining the height of the apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,727,332 relates to a laser guidance system for grade control where a laser is used to maintain the level of the apparatus. No visible metered gauge for setting and maintaining the height of the apparatus is disclosed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,730 relates to an apparatus for removing tassels and is directed toward improvements in the tassel pulling mechanism. No visible metered gauge for setting and maintaining the height of the apparatus is disclosed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,769,782 relates to corn detasselers and discloses a hydraulic means of adjusting the detasseling height, but no visible metered gauge for setting and maintaining the height of the apparatus is disclosed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,537 relates to a seed corn detasseling machine and discloses hydraulic means of adjusting the height of the apparatus, but no visible metered gauge for setting and maintaining the height of the apparatus is disclosed. 
     These and other prior art devices related to detasseling machines disclose pulling and cutting devices that are positioned relative to the tops of plants, such as corn stalks, by hydraulic or other means. While the means of adjusting the height has been provided, no precise method of setting and maintaining a specific height offset has been disclosed. Even in the case of electro-optic sensors that monitor height above a row of plants, no fine adjustment for specific growing and plant conditions in a given field is provided. 
     These prior art devices do not provide the machine operator an efficient means of setting and maintaining the cutting height. What is needed is a simple to use device that provides an indication of relative cutting height so that adjustments can be easily made with visual feedback to the operator. Further, by having an easy to read visual measurement device, the operator can easily and safely make periodic adjustments to the height based on guidance from personnel on the ground, such as an area supervisor, who is able to inspect the cut depth on an actual plant and signal corrections to the machine operator. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided an improved means of monitoring the height of cutters and tassel pullers on corn crop production machines. While the various prior art devices have provided for means of adjusting the height, none disclose a basic visual measurement gauge that allows the operator to set and monitor the height of the apparatus and to also make measured relative adjustments to the height. 
     The present invention provides a novel device that can be retrofit on existing corn crop production machines and provides an efficient and easy to use means of making measured height adjustments. 
     The unique innovation of the cut sight gauge is that the measuring and set up is performed from the safety of the operator&#39;s platform or cab. The contact to the machine by the ground personnel is eliminated. 
     The setup of the machine is accomplished in the matter of traveling a short distance at the beginning of each field. The area supervisor can determine the proper height from behind the machine at a safe distance and can signal the operator to adjust the cut sight to the optimum height required. Once the cut sight gauge is set the operator can maintain the specified uniform height at all times during the operating period. 
     The cut sight gauge is used in the cutting as well as the subsequent pulling process of tassels in all corn production applications. 
     The design of the cut sight gauge takes into account the concerns for plant health as well as the safety of personnel. The product has been tested over thousands of acres and has met with approval on many levels in the seed industry. 
     The cut sight gauge system can be installed in about two hours without special tools, and common hardware is all that is needed for installation. 
     The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements and methods, with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials. 
     In order that the detailed description of the invention may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated, additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent methods and structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the present invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more fully understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cut sight gauge assembly in accordance with the present version of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the cut sight gauge assembly as installed and showing the front of the numbered face plate. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cut sight gauge assembly in accordance with the present version of the invention with an alternate version of the face plate that does not have a slot. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the cut sight gauge assembly as installed and showing the front of the numbered face plate with an alternate version of the face plate that does not have a slot. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the cut sight gauge assembly as installed. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a cutting arm assembly showing the attachment location of the cut sight gauge. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing an array of cutting arm assemblies in a typical implementation. 
     
    
    
     DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     The following table lists the drawing reference numerals with a brief description of each identifying numeral. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 Cut sight gauge assembly 
               
               
                 20 
                 Numbered face plate, slotted 
               
               
                 22 
                 Front of numbered face plate 
               
               
                 24 
                 Slot in numbered face plate 
               
               
                 26 
                 Numbered face plate, alternate 
               
               
                 28 
                 Attachment assembly for face plate 
               
               
                 30 
                 Pointer rod 
               
               
                 40 
                 Forward tail of pointer rod 
               
               
                 50 
                 Indicator tip of pointer rod 
               
               
                 60 
                 Pointer rod attachment assembly 
               
               
                 100 
                 Vertical head tool bar 
               
               
                 104 
                 Front upper hinge 
               
               
                 110 
                 Pointer hinge attachment 
               
               
                 120 
                 Sensor mount bar actuator 
               
               
                 130 
                 Sensor mount bar 
               
               
                 140 
                 Main lift cylinder 
               
               
                 142 
                 Rear vertical bar 
               
               
                 144 
                 Rear lower bar hinge 
               
               
                 146 
                 Rear upper bar hinge 
               
               
                 150 
                 Upper bar 
               
               
                 152 
                 Lower bar 
               
               
                 200 
                 Cutting arm assembly 
               
               
                 210 
                 Cutting blade 
               
               
                 240 
                 Sensor mount 
               
               
                 250 
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 300 
                 Corn stalk 
               
               
                 305 
                 Top of uncut plant 
               
               
                 310 
                 Top of cut plant 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , wherein there is illustrated the cut sight gauge assembly  10 , a detailed description of the invention is provided herein. 
     Shown in  FIG. 1  is the cut sight gauge assembly  10  that includes a numbered face plate  20  and a pointer rod  30 . In one embodiment of the numbered face plate  20 , there is a front  22  and a slot  24 . The pointer rod  30  has a forward tail  40 , an indicator tip  50  and an attachment assembly  60 , where in  FIG. 1  the attachment assembly  60  is shown as a washer that is fixedly attached to the pointer rod  30 . The indicator tip  50  is aligned to move along the length of the numbered face plate  20  so that the location of the indicator tip  50  relative to the numbered face plate  20  provides a measurement indicator of the position of the sensor mount bar  130 , shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the front  22  of the numbered face plate  20  may be marked by numbers and gradations. In one embodiment of the numbered face plate  20 , a slot  24  is included through which the indicator tip  50  protrudes for indicating the cutting height measurement. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the face plate  20  is attached to the vertical head tool bar  100  to provide a measurement indication for the pointer rod indicator tip  50 . The face plate  20  is attached to the vertical head tool bar  100  with any of a number of attachment means such as with an adhesive, clamp or other fastener. In  FIG. 2 , the attachment assembly  28  is shown as a nut and bolt assembly that attaches the face plate  20  to the vertical head bar tool  100 . It is clear that any number of attachment means could be utilized. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , an alternate face plate  26  is shown where the pointer rod indicator tip  50  is aligned along the side of the alternate face plate  26  rather than protruding through a slot  24  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . It should be clear that the implementation of the numbered face plate  20  can be accomplished in a number of equivalent forms that provide the functionality defined by the present invention. Any means of applying metered markings for relative positioning of the pointer rod indicator tip  50  will serve the purpose, and may be accomplished, for instance, with a decal or sticker applied to the vertical head tool bar  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the positioning of the pointer rod  30  on the corn crop production machine will be made more apparent. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the forward tail of the pointer rod  40  is aligned with and attached to the sensor mount bar  130 . The forward tail of the pointer rod  40  may be attached to the sensor mount bar  130  by any typical means, including using banding straps, clamps, adhesive, screw or bolt fasteners or by welding, for example. The pointer rod attachment pivot point  60  is attached with a pointer hinge attachment  110  to the vertical head tool bar  100  so that as the angle of the sensor mount bar  130  changes, the position of the pointer rod indicator tip  50  moves up and down relative to the numbered face plate  20 . 
     To further describe the functionality of the corn crop production machine used for detasseling operations and the improvement in operation provided by the cut sight gauge assembly  10 , refer now to  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 6  is shown a complete cutting arm assembly  200  of a detasseling machine. The cutting arm assembly  200  is designed to position a device such as a cutting blade  210  or a tassel puller at the correct height for purposes of cutting the top of an uncut plant  305  or pulling the tassel from the top of a corn stalk  300 . After the cutting operation, the top of the cut plant  310  is desired to be uniform across the field of plants. In a cutting operation, the depth of the cut from the top of the plant is critical for the health of the plant, so a means of positioning the cutting blade  210  is required. 
     In a typical cutting/detasseling machine, several interconnecting vertical bars and horizontal arms are hinged together with hydraulic actuators to control the angle of the horizontal arms. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a rear vertical bar  142  forms the main structural connection to the cutting/detasseling machine. Two horizontal bars, the upper bar  150  and the lower bar  152 , are connected to the rear vertical bar  142  and extend forward to support the vertical head tool bar  100  and the sensor mount bar  130 . The back end of the upper bar  150  is attached to the top of the vertical head tool bar  100  by a rear upper bar hinge  146  connection. The back end of the lower bar  152  is attached to the vertical head tool bar  100  below the upper bar  150  by a rear lower bar hinge  144  connection. 
     The top of the vertical head tool bar  100  is connected to the front end of the upper bar  150  by a hinged joint, the front upper hinge  104 . The middle of the vertical head tool bar  100  is connected to the lower bar  152  by a hinged joint at the pointer hinge attachment  110 . 
     The top of the vertical head tool bar  100  is connected to the front end of the upper bar  150  by a hinged joint, the front upper hinge  104 . The middle of the vertical head tool bar  100  is connected to the lower bar  152  by a hinged joint at the pointer hinge attachment  110 . At the bottom of the vertical head tool bar  100  is mounted a tool head, such as a cutting blade  210  or alternatively a tassel puller assembly. Extending forward of the vertical head tool bar  100  is a sensor mount bar  130 . At the front end of the sensor mount bar  130  is a sensor mount  240  which further supports a sensor  250 , such as an electro-optic sensor for detecting the level of the tops of plants. 
     Two means of height adjustment are provided that allow the operator to adjust the height of the cutting blade  210  relative to the rear vertical bar  142  as well as a means to adjust the height of the sensor  250  relative to the height of the cutting blade  210 . A first height adjustment is provided by a main lift cylinder  140  that is connected between the rear vertical bar  142  and the lower bar  152  and that provides a hydraulic means of adjusting the height of the lower bar  152 . By changing the height of the lower bar  152 , the height of the cutting blade  210 , or alternatively a tassel puller, is adjusted, as well as the height of the sensor mount bar  130  that extends forward of the vertical tool bar  100 . A second height adjustment is provided by a sensor mount bar actuator  120  that is connected between the vertical head tool bar  100  and the sensor mount bar  130  and that provides a hydraulic means of adjusting the height of the sensor mount bar  130  relative to the vertical tool bar  100 . The sensor  250  is used to detect the height of the plant, such as a corn stalk  300 , and maintains the height of the cutting arm assembly  200  at a designated height by controlling the main lift cylinder  140 . 
     Also shown in  FIG. 6  is the pointer rod  30  having the forward tail  40  attached to the sensor mount bar  130  so that the relative movement of the sensor mount bar  130  results in a corresponding movement of the pointer rod  30 . The pointer rod  30  is attached to the vertical head bar  100  at a pointer hinge attachment  110  so that the indicator tip  50  moves upward when the forward tail  40  attached to the sensor mount bar  130  moves downward. The numbered face plate  20  is attached to the vertical tool bar  100  so that the full range of vertical motion of the indicator tip  50  is measurable by a scale imprinted on the numbered face plate  20 . 
     Nominally, the front  22  of the numbered face plate  20  is printed with a numbered scale that may correspond, for example, to a relative height in inches or other linear scale. Other scales may be used, including any simple markings that signify desired height settings. For example, there may be a marker to indicate an optimal cutting height and another marker to indicate an optimal tassel pulling height. The primary objective is to provide the operator with a visual and repeatable indicator of relative height of the cutting blade  210  and the sensor  250 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , an array of cutting arm assemblies  200  are shown as they are typically implemented on a commercial cutting/detasseling machine. As shown in  FIG. 7 , there are two cutting blades  210  attached to each cutting arm assembly  200 . Three cutting arm assemblies  200  are shown in  FIG. 7  and provide cutting/detasseling operations on six rows of plants simultaneously, and the height of the cutting blades  210  on each cutting arm assembly  200  is independently controlled relative to the sensor  250  on each cutting arm assembly  200 . A cut sight gauge assembly  10  is attached to each cutting arm assembly  200  at the vertical head tool bar  100 . The number of cutting arm assemblies  200  may vary depending on the specific manufacture. 
     When the machine is moved into the field and is in proper alignment with the rows to be cut/pulled, the operator activates the sensors  250 , such as photo cells, by way of an electrical switch for each of the row units (typically six row/units). This lets the photo cells find the tops of the plants. Once the photo cells find the plant, the sensor mount bar actuator  120  is activated up or down by way of a toggle switch from inside of the cab by the operator. This sets the height of the photo cells and the prescribed cutting height. 
     Once the proper height of cut is determined, the cut sight gauge reading is noted. At all times during the operation the proper height of cut can be maintained on each unit by sight. The cut sight gauge face plate  20  is mounted just above the sensor mount bar actuator  120  on the vertical head tool bar  100  on the back side with the numbers facing the operator. The pointer indicator tip  50  on the cut sight gauge moves through the slot  24  in the numbered face plate  20 . 
     The photo cell reads the height of the plant and signals the main cylinder to raise or lower the cutting head to adjust to the pre-determined cut height. That cutting height is monitored by the cut sight gauge (one on each of the cutting units). 
     The height of the plants, the roughness of the ground and ground speed (as much as 7 mph) will cause the sensor to continuously adjust the main lift cylinder  140  to maintain uniform cut height. Each cutting unit is operated independently from each other. The roughness of the travel through the field causes the actuator  120  to bounce and get out of adjustment causing an uneven cut. The purpose of the cut sight gauge is to monitor and make those adjustments as needed traveling through the field to maintain the prescribed cut. 
     Once the cutting height is determined the operator looks at the cut sight gauge numbered face place  20  and notes the setting and maintains that setting for the duration of that specific field. This procedure is followed at the start of each field or by the direction of the area field manager. Each of the actuators  120  are set individually to reflect the same number setting on the cut sight gauge face plate  20  to give all of the plants in the field the same uniform treatment. 
     The sensors  250 , such as photo cells, will always find the plants once they are turned on by the operator and only move up or down the main lift cylinder  140 . For example—if the photo cell is set to have the cutter/puller cut or pull the top 2 inches of the plant and the plants are six feet tall, then in the same row the plants drop in height to 4 feet, the photo cell controls the main lift cylinder  140  to drop the cutting assembly down to cut only the 2 inches from the top of the plant, because the sensor mount bar actuator  120  has the photo cell distance set in relationship to any variation in plant height. The cut sight gauge tells visually what that setting is. The sensor mount bar actuator  120  sometimes drifts out of adjustment therefore making the photo cell out of adjustment by the constant movement of the main lift cylinder  140  up and down and the rough ground conditions. The sensor mount bar actuator  120  is to maintain the cutting height. The cut sight gauge  10  is to visually maintain the actuator  120  setting of the sensors  250  to ensure the proper cut/pull. 
     The cut sight gauge is used in the exact same manner in the pulling of the tassels. This process is accomplished by removing the cutter units and replacing them with units consisting of spinning rubber tires that are set to grab the tassels as they pass through. 
     It should be evident that the specific size and shape of each element can be modified to achieve the intent of this device. 
     While this version of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the version of the invention are desired to be protected. 
     For instance, alternate versions of embodiments of the cut sight gauge can be provided with various dimensions, face plates and pivot point locations. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in sizes, lengths, diameters, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     From the foregoing, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that an improved method of setting and monitoring the cutting height in detasseling operations has been provided. 
     Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.