Stripper with a plurality of ducting units

An stripper comprising a plurality of ducting units, a platform, a bin, a header, and a chassis. The platform supporting the plurality of ducting units. The bin capable of holding a harvested crop. The header is capable of harvesting the harvested crop. The plurality of ducting units convey the harvested crop from the header to the bin. The chassis supports the platform, the bin, the headers and the plurality of ducting units. The plurality of ducting units comprise hollow channel comprising a passage between an entry at a first end and an exit at a second end of the plurality of ducting units. The channel in the plurality of ducting units are formed between the entry to the exit in a two vectors. The two vectors comprise a y-axis and a z-axis. The channel in the plurality of ducting units are capable of moving the harvested crop from the header to the bin without moving the harvested crop in an x-axis direction and thereby limit clogging of the harvested crop in the passage of the plurality of ducting units.

BACKGROUND

This application is a nonprovisional filing which will be filed on Jul. 17, 2013 on the basis of provisional application No. 61/672,742 which was filed on Jul. 17, 2012.

This disclosure relates generally to an improved stripper. In one embodiment, the term “stripper” can mean an agricultural vehicle capable of harvesting a crop (such as cotton). Other terms synonymous to “stripper” can include picker, combine, tractor, or similar.

One example of a stripper which has been improved on by the currently disclosed system is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,938 of Mr. Copley et sec. Mr. Copley's stripper configuration discloses two auger portions for moving material inwardly toward a central location. However, Mr. Coley's augers are not properly configured to channel harvested cotton into a cleaner/storage bin in an expedient manner.

None of the known patents or inventions whether taken singularly or in combination are seen to anticipate the current disclosure. Accordingly, an improved cotton stripper with dual burr extractor, as disclosed, should be approved for patent eligibility.

SUMMARY

An improved stripper and a method of manufacture thereof are disclosed.

Said improved stripper comprising a plurality of ducting units, a platform, a bin, a header, and a chassis. Said platform supporting said plurality of ducting units. Said bin capable of holding a harvested crop. Said header is capable of harvesting said harvested crop. Said plurality of ducting units convey said harvested crop from said header to said bin. Said chassis supports said platform, said bin, said headers and said plurality of ducting units. Said plurality of ducting units comprise hollow channel comprising a passage between an entry at a first end and an exit at a second end of said plurality of ducting units. Said channel in said plurality of ducting units are formed between said entry to said exit in a two vectors. Said two vectors comprise a y-axis and a z-axis. Said channel in said plurality of ducting units are capable of moving said harvested crop from said header to said bin without moving said harvested crop in an x-axis direction and thereby limit clogging of said harvested crop in said passage of said plurality of ducting units.

Said method of manufacturing said improved stripper comprising: replacing a platform from a stripper with an extended platform, supporting a plurality of ducting units on said extended platform, and attaching a cab of said stripper at a forward position of said extended platform. Said stripper further comprises a bin, a header, and a chassis. Said platform supporting said plurality of ducting units. Said bin capable of holding a harvested crop. Said header is capable of harvesting said harvested crop. Said plurality of ducting units convey said harvested crop from said header to said bin. Said chassis supports said platform, said bin, said headers and said plurality of ducting units. Said plurality of ducting units comprise hollow channel comprising a passage between an entry at a first end and an exit at a second end of said plurality of ducting units. Said channel in said plurality of ducting units are formed between said entry to said exit in a two vectors. Said two vectors comprise a y-axis and a z-axis. Said channel in said plurality of ducting units are capable of moving said harvested crop from said header to said bin without moving said harvested crop in an x-axis direction and thereby limit clogging of said harvested crop in said passage of said plurality of ducting units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1Cillustrate a perspective assembled overview, a perspective exploded view and an elevated exploded side of a stripper100. In one embodiment, said stripper100can comprise a prior art embodiment of a stripper. In one embodiment, said stripper100can comprise a bin102, a cab104, a platform106, a header108, a ducting system110, and a chassis112. In one embodiment, said stripper100can comprise a tractor of many types. In one embodiment, said stripper100can be used to harvest cotton or other agricultural materials. In one embodiment, said stripper100can comprise said chassis112comprising four or more wheels capable of navigating an agricultural environment. In one embodiment, said bin102, said cab104and said platform106can attach to said chassis112. In one embodiment, said cab104is where a user can operate said stripper100. In one embodiment, said cab104can attach to said platform106. In one embodiment, said stripper100can harvest a crop by running said header108over said crop, cutting said crop with said header108from a ground surface, feeding said crop into said ducting system110, and delivering said crop to said bin102. In one embodiment, said bin102can process said crop into round modules (such as a module120) or into rectangular modules (as is known in the art but not illustrated here).

In one embodiment, creating an improved stripper can comprise disassembling said stripper100, as illustrated inFIGS. 1B and 1C. In one embodiment, disassembling said stripper100can comprise: removing said cab104and said platform106from said stripper100, and in some cases removing said header108from said ducting system110.

FIGS. 2A and 2Billustrate perspective overviews of said platform106and an extended platform206. In one embodiment, creating said improved stripper can further comprise: replacing said platform106with said extended platform206. In one embodiment, each of said platform106and/or said extended platform206can comprise a ladder220. In one embodiment, said ladder220can be useful for climbing onto said stripper100at said platform106and/or said extended platform206. Dimensions of said platform106and/or said extended platform206are discussed further, infra.

FIGS. 2C, 2D, 2E and 2Fillustrate a series of views of said stripper100being reconstructed as an improved stripper200.FIG. 2Cillustrates and exploded perspective overview of said improved stripper200. In one embodiment, said improved stripper200can comprise an improved bin222having a tank notch223and a one or more openings, said extended platform206, a tank201, a plurality of ducting units, and a one or more components from said stripper100, as illustrated. In one embodiment, said plurality of ducting units can comprise a first ducting unit202aand a second ducting unit202b. In one embodiment, converting said stripper100into said improved stripper200can comprise: replacing said platform106with said extended platform206; and installing a tank201; reattaching said header108; attaching said plurality of ducting units; and reattaching said cab104.FIG. 2Dillustrates said improved stripper200with said plurality of ducting units attached to said extended platform206.FIG. 2Enow includes said cab104andFIG. 2Fnow includes said header108. In one embodiment, said improved stripper200can be manufactured as shown and described rather than converted from said stripper100. In one embodiment, said platform106can be modified to resemble said extended platform206. In one embodiment, said cab104can be attached to a front end of said extended platform206and said tank201can be attached to a rear end of said extended platform206. In one embodiment, said tank201can store fuel used for powering said improved stripper200. In one embodiment, said tank201can stored in said tank notch223and therefore fit flush between said improved bin222, said extended platform206and said cab104.

In one embodiment, said one or more openings can comprise a first opening224aand a second opening224b. In one embodiment, said plurality of ducting units can be attached to (and/or through) said extended platform206. In one embodiment, said plurality of ducting units can deliver said crops from said header108to said improved bin222by: harvesting said crops with said header108; moving said crops into said plurality of ducting units; moving said crops through said plurality of ducting units and into said one or more openings; and storing said crops in said improved bin222. In one embodiment, said improved stripper200can create modules of said crops. In one embodiment, said modules can be round modules (such as said module120), rectangular modules, or similar. In one embodiment, said improved stripper200can be used where said crops are not formed into modules at all; wherein, said bin102can hold said crops for further processing as is known in the art. In one embodiment, said one or more openings can comprise opening in an upper portion of said improved bin222nearest said cab104.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3Dillustrate a perspective overview along with three elevated views of said first ducting unit202a.FIG. 3Aillustrates a perspective overview of said ducting unit202a.FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3Dillustrate an elevated front view, side view and top view of said first ducting unit202a. In one embodiment, said second ducting unit202bcan be substantially similar to said first ducting unit202a. In one embodiment, said ducting unit202acan comprise an entry302, an exit304, a passage306, a base308, and a plurality of bars310.

FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3Dfurther comprise labeling of an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. In one embodiment, said passage306can comprise a channel for moving said crops through a crop path320from said header108and/or said ducting system110to said bin102. In one embodiment, said passage306can carry said crops from said entry302to said exit304in said y-axis and z-axis vectors but not said x-axis vector. That is, said passage306can move said crop from said header108to said bin102in a substantially vertical (z-axis) and horizontal (y-axis) channel, but not lateral (x-axis) channel. In one embodiment, forcing said crops to travel in said x-axis (as shown) can cause said crops to clog up in said passage306and thereby slow the processing and accumulation of said crops in said bin102. This is one improvement of the current disclosure over the disclosed prior art of the “Background” section, supra. Put another way, the shape of said passage306allows for easy transfer of said crops (i.e., agricultural materials) from said entry302to said exit304. In one embodiment, said crops can exit said passage306through said plurality of bars310. In one embodiment, said plurality of bars310can work as a filter to minimize the inclusion of material other than said crop from entering said bin102.

FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate elevated top views of said platform106and said extended platform206. In one embodiment, said extended platform206can comprise a first aperture402, a second aperture404and a third aperture406. In one embodiment, said second aperture404is dimensioned to allow for a portion of said ducting unit202bto fit through said extended platform206. In one embodiment, each of said platform106and said extended platform206can comprise one or more platforms. For example, in one embodiment, said extended platform206can comprise a railing414. In one embodiment, said cab104can attach to a portion of said third aperture406. In one embodiment, passage306of said second ducting unit202bcan pass through said first aperture402. In one embodiment, each of said base308of said plurality of ducting units can sit on said extended platform206. In one embodiment, said platform106can comprise a railing420. In one embodiment, said railing414and/or said railing420can provide a safety railing for users of said improved stripper200.