INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN DUCTS

Abstract: An interconnection between two ducts comprising an intermediate member (13) mounted to each duct and having portions mounted to each duct, said intermediate member being pivotally mounted to one duct about a first axis (15) perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the one duct in the region of the joint and being pivotally mounted to the second duct for pivotal movement about a second (23) and third (24) axis perpendicular to each other and to the first axis (15) wherein said third axis (24) is substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the second duct in the region of the joint, said portions enclosing spaces produced be­ tween the ducts with pivotal movement therebetween about any of said axes.

Description: THIS INVENTION relates to an interconnection between ducts and the like where it is necessary to provide for relative pivotal movement of one duct about the other. In one form the invention resides in an interconnection between ducts comprising an intermediate member having mounting portions mounted to each duct, said intermediate member being pivotally mounted to one duct about a first axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the one duct in the region of the interconnection and being pivotally mounted to the second duct for pivotal movement about a second and third axis perpendicular to each other and to the first axis wherein said third axis is substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the second duct in the region of the interconnection, said portions enclosing spaces produced between the ducts with pivotal movement therebetween about any of said axes. According to a preferred feature of the invention, said portions are slidably mounted to each other for relative rotation about said third axis. The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which; Figure 1 is a side elevation of the interconnection between the feeder housing and crop collecting platform of a harvester; and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the interconnection of Figure 1. The embodiment is directed towards an interconnection between the feeder housing 11 of a combine harvester and the outlet 12 for the auger of the cutter platform of the combine harvester which is characterised in that the crop collecting platform is supported at least partially independently on the main body of the harvester. As a result of such support, the crop collecting platform must be capable of articulation in relation to the main body of the harvester about three perpendicular axes and must also facilitate the continuity of flow from the platform to the feeder housing despite such articulation. The interconnection between the feeder housing 11 and the outlet 12 is effected by an interconnecting member 13 formed by a first frame 14 mounted to the outlet 14 to define the periphery thereof. The first frame 14 is pivotally mounted to the outlet to be capable of limited relative pivotal movement thereon about an axis 15 perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the duct and perpendicular to the transverse lateral axis of the duct. The pivotal mounting of the frame 14 to the duct 12 is effected by a pair of pins (not shown) extending from the frame into the upper and lower walls of the duct 12. The periphery of the first frame is formed with a skirt surrounding the walls of the outlet. The skirt serves the purpose of closing any spaces formed between the frame 14 and the outlet as a result of said limited pivotal movement therebetween. The lower end of the first frame 14 is formed with a ball shaped socket 16 associated with a latch (not shown) in the lower portion thereof. The interconnecting member 13 further comprises a second frame 17 supporting a longitudinally extending ball 18 at a mid-point along its lower edge which is to be accommodated in the socket 16 of the first frame member 14 and retained therein by the latch mechanism associated with the socket. On release of the latch mechanism, the ball is capable of downward movement out of engagement with the socket 16. The upper edge of the frame 17 supports a stop which is engaged by a spring loaded latch 20 mounted to the first frame member 14 when the ball 18 is received and supported in the socket 18 and the first and second frames 14 and 17 are in face to face abutting relationship, the stop 19 is engaged with the latch member 20. The second frame member 17 is mounted to the lower edge of the feeder housing 11 by means of a pair of transversly extending pins 21 engaging lugs 22 and 23 located each side of the feeder housing 11 and second frame 17 respectively. When the first and second frames 14 and 17 are in face to face abutting engagement with each other, both frames are capable of pivotal movement about said first axis 15 about which the first frame 14 is pivotally mounted to the outlet 12. In addition, both frames are capable of pivotal movement about a transverse second axis 24 defined by the central axis of the pivot pins 21 by which the second frame 17 is pivotally mounted to the lower edge of the feeder housing 11. Furthermore, by virtue of the engagement of the ball 18 of the second frame 17 in the socket 16 of the first frame 14, the frames are capable of limited relative pivotal movement about a third axis 24 defined by the central longitudinal axis of the ball member 18 whereby as a result of such pivotal movement, the frames slidably move over each other. The abutting faces of the frames 14 and 17 are formed with abutting flanges whereby on said limited relative slidable movement between the frames 14 and 17, the space defined thereby does not become exposed. To accommodate for the variation in spacing between the second frame 17 and the mouth of the feeder housing 11, the frame 17 supports extension members which extend from the sides of the frame 17 into the mouth of the feeder housing 11 to close the space therebetween. The extension comprises an upper plate 25 which extends from the upper edge of the first frame 17 into the feeder housing 11 to close off the space between the upper wall of the feeder housing 11 and the upper edge of the frame 17. The upper plate 25 is co-joined with a skirt 25a at each side of the upper plate partially down each side of the feeder housing. The space formed between the frame and the sides of the feeder housing are closed by a check plate 26 to each side of the frame 17 which extends from the sides of the frame 17 into the feeder housing 11 adjacent the sides thereof. The check plates 26 are rebated at an intermediate point in order that they do not interfere with the conveyor 27 in the feeder housing when the second frame 17 is in close abutting relationship with the mouth of the feeder housing 11. To close off the space defined by the rebate, a floating plate member 28 is pivotally mounted to the sides of the frame 17 and is formed with a slot which engages over the shaft of the end most roller of the conveyor 27 to be slidable thereover as the second frame 17 moves between two end positions on the mouth of the feeder housing 11. The lower edge of the frame 17 supports a hinged plate 29 which extends the full width of the mouth of the feeder housing and is hingedly mounted to the lower edge of the second frame 17 to accommodate in variations in attitude between the second frame 17 and the feeder housing 11 with pivotal movement thereon. In order to disconnect the feeder housing 11 from the outlet duct 12 of the auger, the latch on the socket 16 at the lower edge of the first frame 14 is disengaged which permits a downward relative movement of the second frame 17 from the first frame 14 to cause the stop 19 on the upper edge of the second frame 17 to become disengaged from the latching member 20. Biassing means is provided between the second frame 17 and the feeder housing 11 such that when unconstrained, the second frame 17 will move into close abutting relationship with the mouth of the feeder housing 11. To re-engage the outlet of the auger with the feeder housing 11, the feeder housing 11 is raised to its substantially uppermost position at which position the second frame 17 becomes inclined rearwardly away from the auger outlet 12 and the auger outlet 12 with the first frame 14 is moved such that the ball 18 on the second frame becomes engaged and latched in the socket 16 of the first frame. With downward pressure being applied to the ball member 18 by virtue of the weight of the cutter platform associated with the auger outlet 12, the second frame 17 is caused to pivot about the second axis 23 such that the stop 19 moves into engagement with the spring loaded latch 20 whereby the two frames 14 and 17 come into abutting face to face relationship. As a result of the embodiment, an interconnection is provided between the feeder housing of a combine and the outlet of the cutter platform which permits relative pivotal movement between the two items about three perpendicular axes and which is capable of being readily engaged and disengaged. It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiment described above. In particular, the application of the invention need not be limited to the particular application described in relation to the embodiment.

Claims: 1. An interconnection between two ducts comprising an intermediate member mounted to each duct and having portions mounted to each duct, said intermediate member being pivotally mounted to one duct about a first axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the one duct in the region of the joint and being pivotally mounted to the second duct for pivotal movement about a second and third axis perpendicular to each other and to the first axis wherein said third axis is substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the second duct in the region of the joint, said portions enclosing spaces produced between the ducts with pivotal movement therebetween about any of said axes. 2. An interconnection between two ducts as claimed at claim 1 wherein said portions are slidably mounted to each other for rotation about said third axis. 3. An interconnection as claimed at claim 2 wherein one of said portions comprises a frame mounted to the opening of said duct to surround said opening and being pivotally supported thereon for limited pivotal movement about said first axis, said other portion comprising a second frame member having a configuration conforming the periphery of the opening of the second duct and mounted to one side of said second duct for pivotal movement about said second axis, said frame member being interconnected at said one side for pivotal movement about said third axis. 4. An interconnection as claimed at claim 3 wherein said second frame member is formed with extension panels, along the sides other than said one side, which extend between the second frame member and the second duct to define an extension of said second duct to said second frame. 5. An interconnection between two ducts as claimed at claim 4 wherein the sides of the first and second frame remote from the one side are clampingly held together by latching means which permits movement between said frames about said third axis and relative movement between said frames parallel to said first axis wherein said pivotal interconnection between said first and second frames is capable of disengagement to allow movement between said frames parallel to said first axis.

Inventors: WAGHORN, BARRY C.
Applicants: CHAMBERLAIN JOHN DEERE PTY. LTD.
Application year: 1983
Main classification: A01D41
IPC codes: B65G53, F16L27, A01D41