Grain handling assembly for combine with powered and steerable grain trailer

A combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected to a second grain movement assembly, which in turn is pivotally connected to a vertically disposed grain movement assembly in the grain cart, such that the rear end of the second grain movement assembly moves in all horizontal directions, but not in the vertical direction. The first grain movement assembly has an arcuate trolley ahead of the pivoted joint with the second grain movement assembly. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain bin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to combines that pull an integrated powered and steerable grain trailer for extra storage capacity, and more particularly to a grain handling assembly therefor.

A much-improved grain handling assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,845 (the '845 patent), the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The '845 patent discloses a generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly pivotally connected within the combine grain bin and pivotally connected within the grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. A generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly is cooperatively operable with the first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the first grain movement assembly and thence to the combine grain bin. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain cart.

While the '845 patent concept is a fine advancement in the art, it was quite unexpectedly discovered that when the combine's wheels dipped down into an 18 inch depression in the field, that the geometry of the grain movement assembly resulted in the grain cart end of the horizontal conveyor assembly moving vertically around 5 feet. The design in the '845 patent does not accommodate such a large vertical displacement of the horizontal grain conveyor; hence, the present improvement to the '845 grain conveyor system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved combination of a powered combine and a grain cart towed with the combine. The combine carries an on-board combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and the grain cart carries a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain. The combine has a rear adjacent to the grain cart. The improvement is for transferring harvested grain between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and for off-loading harvested grain from the combination includes a generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly connected within the combine grain bin and pivotally connected by a first joint assembly to a second grain movement assembly at the rear of the combine. The first and second grain movement assemblies are disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. The combine carries an arcuate trolley ahead of the first assembly joint. The trolley carries the first grain movement assembly and permits it to move across the width of the combine.

A generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly is cooperatively operable with the second grain movement assembly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the second grain movement assembly and thence to the combine grain bin via the first grain movement assembly. The second grain movement assembly is fixed to the vertical grain movement assembly with a second joint assembly permitting movement of the second grain movement assembly in all horizontal directions but not in the vertical direction. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain bin.

Advantages of the present invention include a single grain unloading assembly for both the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. Such single grain unloading assembly eliminates the possibility of collision between separate unloading assemblies for each grain bin. A further advantage is that unloading is facilitated by only having to position one unloading assembly adjacent to a truck during off-loading. Another advantage is the ability of the horizontal grain conveyor to accommodate large vertical movement caused by the combine wheels moving downwardly in field depressions. These and other advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosure set forth herein.

The drawings will be described in detail below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention improves upon the grain cart and combine combination disclosed in the '845 patent, which is an improvement on U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,365 (the '365 patent), which unloads harvested grain from both the onboard combine grain bin and the grain cart bin towed by the combine. Accordingly, a “towed” grain cart for present purposes comprehends a grain cart that simply is towed (having no ability to steer and not powered), is steerable only, is powered only, or is both powered and steerable. Much of the detail of the combination (combine and towed grain cart) is detailed in the '365 and '845 patents and, thus, will not be described in detail herein. Rather, the following disclosure focuses on the intermediate pivot joint in the horizontal conveyor and the interconnection of the horizontal conveyor with the grain cart vertical conveyor.

Referring initially toFIG. 1, a combine,10, is seen towing a grain cart,12, which are mechanically interconnected by a tongue assembly,14. Combine10generally includes a cab,16, in which the operator is seated, a cornhead,18, a drive wheel pair,20(only one of each set of wheels being depicted inFIG. 1), a steering wheel pair,22(only one of each set of wheels being depicted inFIG. 1), a primary grain hopper or combine grain bin,24, and an auger assembly,26, for unloading hopper24. Such combine is a modern combine with all of the appurtenances and features that combine manufacturers provide today. Similarly, grain cart12is conventional in construction in that it includes a wheel pair,28(seeFIG. 2to view both wheel pairs28aand28b), a secondary grain hopper or grain cart bin,30, and tongue14.

It will be observed that a generally horizontal first grain transfer assembly,32, runs between combine grain bin24and grain cart bin30, and is composed of a front grain assembly,32a, and a rear grain assembly,32b. A generally vertical grain transfer assembly,34, is seen to be located within grain cart bin30and is interconnected with first grain transfer assembly32. Horizontal grain transfer assembly32is seen to extend into combine grain bin24through its rear wall and vertically at about its midpoint. A canvas, rubber, or other suitable material seal,33, keeps the harvested grain from spilling out, yet permits movement of assembly32during turning of the combine. This location means that as soon as combine grain bin24is about one-half full, harvested grain housed in bin24can be withdrawn and transferred into grain cart bin30. Conversely, by reversing the direction of travel of transfer assembly32grain can be transferred from grain cart bin30back into combine grain bin24for its unloading via unloading mechanism26.

While the grain transfer assemblies can be conveyors, augers, or similar known devices (e.g., auger, bucket conveyor, cleated conveyor, or the like), the present invention will be specifically illustrated with (and not limited to) auger assemblies. Generally, a hydraulic motor assembly,36, powers horizontal harvested grain transfer rear assembly (auger)32band front grain transfer assembly32a, and is composed of a suitably sized hydraulic motor, chain, sprocket, and bearings. A joint assembly,38, connects front or first auger assembly32aand second or rear auger assembly32b. An assembly,40, interconnects or fixes rear auger assembly32bto vertical auger assembly34.

The reason for jointed auger assembly32and the unique jointed connection of auger assembly32to vertical auger assembly34can be seen inFIGS. 3 and 4. When rear wheel pair22of combine10goes down a merely 18 inches, for example, into a depression in the field as illustrated inFIG. 3, tongue14similarly is displaced vertically 18 inches or about 6.5° relative to grain cart30. Such wheel movement, however, results in auger assembly32amoving downwardly about 7° from the horizontal and auger assembly32bmoving about 15.5° upwardly from the horizontal, both auger assembly movements being about joint assembly38. With the dimensions of a typical commercial harvester and without joint assembly38, the rear end of auger assembly32bwould move vertically about 5 feet. The need for joint assembly38, thus, can be realized.

When rear wheel assembly22of combine10goes up a merely 18 inches, for example, atop a small hill in the field as illustrated inFIG. 4, tongue14similarly is displaced vertically 18 inches or about 6.5° relative to grain cart30. Auger assembly32a, then, is displaced upwardly about 7° and rear auger assembly32bis displaced downwardly about 17.3°. Vertical auger assembly34is displaced to an angle of about 83° also. Again, the movement of the rear end of rear auger assembly32bwould be about 5 feet or so. Again, the need for joint assembly38is demonstrated. Though, perhaps, not readily apparent, the movement of the rear end of rear auger assembly32balso places a demand on the interconnection between it and vertical auger assembly34, as will be described in detail below.

Referring now toFIG. 5, auger assembly32aat its rear end terminates with a hemispherically shaped element,40, that surmounts a similar element,42, that terminates on the forward (or front) end of auger assembly32b, and along with a seal,44, keeps the grain confined within the auger assemblies. A hanger bearing assembly,46retains the end of the auger in auger assembly32band permits it to rotate, while the rear end of the auger of auger assembly32ais stationarily held by a bearing assembly,48. A joint assembly, such as, for example, a universal joint,50, interconnects the two augers and transfers power (rotation) from motor assembly36from the rear auger assembly to the front auger assembly, regardless of the direction of rotation.

Joint assembly38is located rearwardly of a trolley assembly,52(formed of a rail, cradle, and wheel assembly) that spans across combine10towards its rear (seeFIG. 2, for example). InFIGS. 6 and 7, auger assembly32ais seen to ride atop a rail,55, of trolley assembly52by a cradle,54, which is connected to a wheel pair assembly,56, that rides rail55of trolley assembly52. As combine10turns relative to grain cart30, auger assembly32amoves in an arcuate path carried by trolley assembly52. Trolley assembly52is located ahead or forward of joint assembly38in order to permit rear auger assembly32bto move vertically up and down, such as occurs when combine10traverses over uneven ground (see description ofFIGS. 3 and 4, above).

Referring now toFIG. 8, a support assembly,54, for auger assembly32band for its connection to vertical auger assembly34is illustrated. A support bracket assembly,56, connected to vertical auger assembly34carries auger assembly32band forms the base of support assembly54. A pair of rails,56(see alsoFIGS. 2,3and4) and58(see alsoFIG. 2), sit atop bracket assembly56. Linear bearing assemblies,62and64, ride along rails56and60, respectively, to provide X-Y coordinate movement to auger assembly32b, such as is required in connection with combine10moving over uneven ground in the field (see description in connection withFIGS. 3 and 4, above). Because auger assembly32bwill rotate also with respect to vertical auger assembly34, a turntable assembly with rotation bearing,66, is interposed between rails56and60. The combination of rails and turntable enable vertical auger assembly34to move in virtually any horizontal direction; however and importantly, such combination of rails and turntable are fixed in the vertical direction, permitting no vertical movement of the rear end of auger assembly32bat its location adjacent to vertical auger assembly34. Instead, joint assembly38supplies the required vertical movement.

A door assembly,68, permits grain being moved by auger assembly32bto be dumped into grain cart30. An overhead elbow,70, allowed grain to flow from grain cart30up through vertical auger assembly34and into auger assembly32bfor transport eventually into combine grain bin24via auger assembly32a, as is described in greater detail in the '845 patent. An accordion-like U-bracket assembly,72, retains auger assembly32band expands/contracts as needed. Various seals and other components are provided in conventional fashion as are necessary, desirable, or convenient.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In this application all units are in the metric system and all amounts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Also, all citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.