METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING CONCAVES

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting concaves (20) in an axial flow combine (10) having the threshing and separating rotors (15) extending in a longitudinal direction is disclosed. The concaves (20)can be mounted on an adjustable mounting frame (250 through the sides (43) of the combine (10). A pair of longitudinally spaced frame members (22, 23) of each concave (20) are provided with yokes (28)engageable with corresponding, longitudinally extending mounting pins (29) affixed to the mounting frame (25). Support plates (40) carried by the mounting frame (25) can be utilized to support the weight of the concaves (20) during the mounting procedure. Retaining links (30) mounted on the mounting pins (29) in conjunction with the concave yokes (28) are connected to the concave frame members (22, 23)to retain the concaves (20)on the mounting pins (29) during operation of the combine (10).

Description: The present invention relates generally to axial flow combines and, particularly, to an improved method and apparatus for mounting a concave on a mounting frame for selective positioning relative to the threshing and separating rotor. Axial flow combines of the type shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 4,249,543, currently require a considerable amount of time and effort to remove and install the concaves on its mounting frame proximate to the threshing and separating rotors. In such combine harvesters, the feeder and feed plate must be removed from the combine before the concave front supports can be unbolted and then the concaves removed through the front of the combine. The installation of the concaves involves a reversal of this procedure. It is the object of the present invention to provide an axial flow combine harvester having at least one concave which is removably mounted relative to a threshing and separating rotor and of which the removal, respectively the installation has been made substantially more easy to accomplish. According to the invention, an axial flow combine harvester is provided which comprises : a pair of transversely spaced apart side sheets, at least one of which includes an access opening; at least one threshing and separating rotor extending in a generally longitudinal direction between the side sheets; a concave peripherally positioned relative to the at least one rotor; and a mounting frame supporting the concave relative to the corresponding rotor; the concave being detachably mounted to the mounting frame by mounting means positioned generally at the transversely opposite longitudinal sides of said concave and the mounting means provided generally at the longitudinal side of the concave facing away from the access opening in the at least one side sheet being formed by cooperating members provided on both the concave and the mounting frame, and which is characterized in that : the cooperating mounting members generally at the longitudinal side of the concave facing away from said access opening permit engagement thereof generally in a transverse direction whereby the concave can be mounted on the mounting frame in a transverse direction through said access opening. Preferably, the concave comprises a pair of transversely extending, longitudinally spaced apart concave frame members. A pair of cooperating mounting members is associated with each on of said concave frame members. Each pair of cooperating mounting members preferably is in the form of a cooperating mounting pin and yoke; the pin being affixed to either one of both the mounting frame and the concave and the yoke being provided on the other one of both said mounting frame and concave and further being positioned such that engagement thereof with the corresponding mounting pin can be effected by moving the concave in the transverse direction. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting pins are affixed to the mounting frame and the yokes are connected to the concave frame members. Retaining links preferably also are mounted on the mounting pins in conjunction with the concave yokes and are connected to the concave frame members to retain the concave on the mounting pins during operation of the combine. Support plates carried by the mounting frame can be utilized to support the weight of the concave during the mounting procedure. According to another aspect of the invention, a method of installing a concave on an axial flow combine harvester is provided; said concave being mountable on a mounting frame provided within the combine harvester and carrying first mounting means which are cooperable with further mounting means on the concave for supporting the concave in cooperative association with a threshing and separating rotor; said method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of : inserting the concave through an opening in a side sheet of the combine harvester; said opening being closeable by a door; moving the concave in a transverse direction toward the first mounting means to effect engagement between the first and further mounting means, said further mounting means being rotatably movable relative to the first mounting means when engaged to permit movement of the concave relative to the rotor; fixing at least one retaining link between the mounting frame and the concave to prevent disengagement of the further mounting means with the first mounting means during operation of the combine harvester; and connecting at least one connecting link between the mounting frame and the concave at a distant location from the cooperating first and further mounting means to support the concave (20) on the mounting frame and control the angular position of the concave relative to the rotor. Thus, in summary, a side mount concave mounting apparatus for use in an axial flow combine utilizing a longitudinally extending threshing and separating rotor is provided and which greatly reduces the time and work required to remove and/or install the concave to the extent that the feeder and feed plate do not need to be removed from the combine in order to remove and/or install said concave. This concave mounting apparatus is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage and simple and effective in use. The advantages of this invention will be come apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a left side elevational view of a combine harvester incorporating the principles of the instant invention, a portion of the side sheet of the combine being broken away to more clearly show the relative positions of the threshing and separating rotors and cooperatively mounted concaves; Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking along the longitudinally extending axis of the threshing and separating rotor, the portions of the infeed structure in front of the left hand threshing rotor portion being broken away to more clearly show the structure and relationships utilized in the side mount concaves forming the instant invention; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of the forwardmost portion of the left hand concave identifying the manner in which the concave and retaining link are mounted on the adjustable mounting frame. Referring now to the drawings and, particularly, to Fig. 1, a left side elevational view of a crop harvesting machine, commonly referred to as an axial flow combine harvester, incorporating the principles of the instant invention, can be seen. Any left and right references are used as a matter of convenience and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine and facing in the direction of operative travel. The combine 10 is mounted on a wheeled frame 12 to mobilely support the combine 10 over the ground G for the harvesting of crops therefrom. A header 13 is mounted on the forward periphery of the combine 10 to engage and gather crop material from the ground G and consolidate it into a feederhouse structure 14. The feederhouse 14 conveys a flow of crop material into the infeed area 16 of the threshing and separating rotors 15. The flow of crop material then passes into the threshing area 17 between the rotor 15 and the circumferentially mounted concave 20 where grain is threshed and separated from the crop material by rasp bar assemblies 18 cooperating with the concaves 20. While that the combine shown and described herein is a twin rotor axial flow combine, it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the instant invention is equally applicable to a single rotor axial flow combine as well. Referring now to Fig. 2, the relationship of a rotor 15 and the rasp bar assemblies 18 mounted thereon with respect to the corresponding concave 20 can best be seen. The concave 20 is provided with at least two longitudinally spaced frame members 22,23, the forwardmost one of which is designated by the reference numeral 23 and which carry a plurality of longitudinally extending rub bars 24 radially positioned relative to the rotor 15. Crop material entering between the rotor 15 and the concave 20 is rubbed between the rasp bar assemblies 18 and the rub bars 24 to separate grain from the crop material. The concave 20 is mounted on an adjustable mounting frame 25 to permit adjustment of the concave 20 relative to the rotor 15 as is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 4, 375,221, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the structure of the instant invention can best be seen and will be described hereinafter with reference to the left hand concave; the structure and operation of the right hand concave being identical thereto. Although the forwardmost concave frame member 23 is shown in Fig. 3, the rearwardmost concave frame member 22 is constructed in a similar manner and the description given below with respect to the forwardmost frame member 23 is equally applicable to the structure and operation of this rearwardmost concave frame member 22. Also, the description given below with respect to the left hand concave equally applies to the right hand concave. The frame members 22,23 of each concave 20 are provided with a clevis mechanism 27 in the form of open yokes 28 affixed to the frame member 22,23 in a permanent fashion. Each yoke 28 is engageable with a mounting pin 29 projecting in a longitudinal direction from the mounting frame 25 and is oriented in such a manner as to be engageable with said mounting pin 29 when the concave 20 is moved in a transverse direction toward the mounting pins 29. A retaining link 30 is also mountable on each mounting pin 29 and connectable to the corresponding concave frame member 22,23 by fasteners 32 in a manner such that these retaining links 30 are selectively disconnectable from the corresponding frame members 22 , 23. The use of the retaining links 30, when connected to the corresponding frame member 22,23, fixes the yokes 28 on the respective mounting pin 29 and prevents the concave 20 from bouncing off the mounting pins 29 during operation of the combine 10. It will be noted that preferably two transversely spaced apart fasteners are utilized for coupling each retaining link 30 to the corresponding frame member 22, 23 to guarantee a secure engagement between the corresponding pins 29 and yokes 28. These spaced apart fasteners preferably are positioned proximate to the outboard ends of the retaining links 30 and concave frame members 22, 23 to facilitate access thereto through the respective access openings 42 in the combine side sheets 43. An adjustable connecting link 35 interconnecting the mounting frame 25 and an outboard portion of each one of the frame members 22 , 23 by fasteners 36 controls the rotative position of the concave 20 about the mounting pins 29. It can be seen that an adjustment of the length of the connecting links 35 will affect a rotation of the yokes 28 about the mounting pins 29 on which they are mounted, thereby changing the relative position of the concave 20 with respect to the corresponding rotor 15 in a manner separate from the adjustment of the mounting frame 25. The mounting frame 25 is provided with plate members 40 positioned beneath the location of the respective concave frame members 22,23 to carry the weight of the concave 20 during the installation of the concave 20 as will be described in greater detail below. As best seen in Fig. 2, the plate members 40 do not support the weight of the concave 20 after the concave 20 has been mounted on the mounting frame 25; the respective concave frame members 22,23 being spaced above the corresponding plate members 40 to permit a rotative movement thereof about the mounting of the yokes 28 on the mounting pins 29 through an adjustment of the connecting links 35. Using the component parts of the concave and mounting structures as described above, the method of installing the side mount con caves 20 is described below with particular reference being made to Figs. 2 and 3. To install the concave 20 on the mounting frame 25, access to the interior of the combine 10 can be gained through the access opening 42 in the side sheet 43 of the combine 10 and opposite the mounting location of the concave 20 and which is normally covered by a hinged door 45. The retaining links 30 are first mounted on the mounting pins 29 by positioning the retaining links 30 such that the mounting pins 29 are inserted through the corresponding bores 31. The concave 20 is then inserted through the access opening 42 and, using the plates 40 to temporarily support the weight of the concave 20, the frame members 22,23 are positioned so that the yokes 28 can be guided onto the mounting pins 29. The fasteners 32 are then inserted through the respective frame members 22,23 and the corresponding retaining links 30 to fix the retaining links 30 to the concave frame members 22,23. The adjustable connecting links 35 are then connected to the respective concave frame members 22 , 23 by the fasteners 36. Any fine adjustments required of the concave 20 to position it relative to the corresponding threshing and separating rotor 15 can be obtained by adjusting the relative lengths of the connecting links 35. As seen in Fig. 2, once the concave 20 is supported on the mounting pins 29 and the connecting links 35, the respective frame members 22 , 23 are lifted off the plate members 40. One skilled in the art will readily realizes that the purpose of the retaining links 30 is to resist forces imposed on the con caves 20 to prevent the yokes 28 from becoming disengaged from the mounting pins 29 during normal harvesting operation of the combine 10. The retaining links 30 can be unbolted from the con cave frame members 22,23 to permit an easy removal of the con caves 20 through the transversely positioned openings 42 in the side sheets 43 of the combine 10. This structure eliminates the need to remove the infeed mechanism 19 located forwardly of the threshing concaves 20 in order to remove, respecively install said concaves 20. Removal of the concaves 20, such as needed for changing the concaves 20, can be accomplished in the reverse manner indicated above for installation of the concaves 20. The connecting links 35 can be disconnected from the concave frame members 22,23 and the concaves 20 rested upon the plate members 40. A disconnection of the retaining links 30 from the frame members 22,23 will permit the yokes 28 to be disengaged from the mounting pins 29 and the concaves 20 to be removed through the openings 42 in the side sheets 43. It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. As an example, it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that, in an alternative arrangement, the pins 29 may be provided on the concave frame members 22, 23 rather than on the mounting frame 25. In this case, the yokes 28 obviously should be affixed to the mounting frame 25. The retaining links 30 still can be pivotally mounted on the mounting frame 25, preferably generally co-axially with the pins 29 when the concave 20 is mounted on this mounting frame 25. As in the arrangement illustrated in the drawings, the retaining links can be detachably connectable to the respective concave frame members 22, 23 by fasteners 32. Alternatively, the retaining links 30 also may be pivotally mounted on the mounting pins 29 on the concave frame members 22, 23 and be detachably connectable by fastener means 32 to the mounting frame 25. Also, the invention has been described hereabove in connection with a twin rotor axial flow combine. However, it will be clear that this invention equally well is applicable on a single rotor axial flow combine.

Claims: An axial flow combine harvester (10) comprising: a pair of transversely spaced apart side sheets (43), at least one of which includes an access opening (42); at least one threshing and separating rotor (15) extending in a generally longitudinal direction between the side sheets (43); a concave (20) peripherally positioned relative to the at least one rotor (15); and a mounting frame (25) supporting the concave (20) relative to the corresponding rotor (15); the concave (20) being detachably mounted to the mounting frame (25) by mounting means (28, 29, 35) positioned generally at the transversely opposite longitudinal sides of said concave (20) and the mounting means (28, 29) provided generally at the longitudinal side of the concave (20) facing away from the access opening (42) in the at least one side sheet (43) being formed by cooperating members provided on both the concave (20) and the mounting frame (25), and characterized in that : the cooperating mounting members (28, 29) generally at the longitudinal side of the concave (20) facing away from said access opening (42) permit engagement thereof generally in a transverse direction whereby the concave (20) can be mounted on the mounting frame (25) in a transverse direction through said access opening (42). A combine harvester according to claim 1 characterized in that the concave (20) comprises a pair of transversely extending, longitudinally spaced apart concave frame members (22, 23); a pair of cooperating mounting members (28, 29) being associated with each one of said concave frame members (22, 23). A combine harvester according to claim 2 characterized in that each pair of cooperating mounting members (28, 29) is in the form of a cooperating pin (29) and yoke (28); the pin (29) being affixed to either one of both the mounting frame (25) and the concave (20) and the yoke (28) being provided on the other one of both said mounting frame (25) and concave (20) and further being positioned such that engagement thereof with the corresponding mounting pin (29) can be effected by moving the concave (20) in the transverse direction. A combine harvester according to claim 3 characterized in that at least one retaining linkage means (30) is detachably connectable between the mounting frame (25) and the concave (20) to positionally retain the yokes (28) on the respective mounting pins (29) during operation of the combine harvesters (10). A combine harvester according to claim 4 characterized in that a retaining linkage means (30) is associated with each cooperating pin (29) and yoke (28). A combine harvester according to claim 5 characterized in that each retaining linkage means (30) is in the form of a link which is pivotally mountable on either one of both the mounting frame (25) and a corresponding concave frame member (22, 23) at a location generally in alignment with the corresponding mounting pin (29) and which is detachably connectable to the other one of both said corresponding concave frame member (22, 23) and the mounting frame (25) at a distant location from the corresponding cooperating pin (29) and yoke (28). A combine harvester according to claim 6 characterized in that each retaining link (30) is detachably connectable to said corresponding concave frame member (22, 23) respectively the mounting frame (25) by at least a pair of fasteners (32) at spaced apart locations along the length of said link (30) and at a distance from the corresponding cooperating pin (29) and yoke (28). A combine harvester according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting means (35) between the mounting frame (25) and the concave (20) positioned generally at the longitudinal side of the concave (20) adjacent the one side sheet (43) including the access opening (42), are in the form of connecting links (35) detachably interconnecting said concave (20) and said mounting frame (25) to fix the position of the concave (20) relative to the mounting frame (25). A combine harvester according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting links (35) are adjustable to change the length thereof and cause a rotative motion of the concave (20) about an axis of the cooperating mounting members (28, 29) to positionally adjust the concave (20) relative to the rotor (15). A combine harvester according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the mounting frame (25) includes support surface means (40) adjacent the concave (20) to temporarily support said concave (20) during the transverse movement thereof to effect engagement between the cooperating mounting members (28, 29) generally at the longitudinal side of the concave (20) facing away from said access opening (42). A combine harvester according to claim 10 when appended directly or indirectly to claim 2, characterized in that the support surface means (40) is in the form of a pair of plate members (40) affixed to the mounting frame (25) beneath the concave frame members (22, 23). A combined harvester according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the combine harvester is of the twin rotor axial flow type and comprises a single mounting frame (25) adapted to support a pair of side-by-side extending concaves (20) relative to respective threshing and separating rotors (15); each concave (20) being mountable on the mounting frame (25) in a transverse direction through an access opening (42) in the adjacent combine side sheet (43) and cooperable mounting members (28, 29) being associated with both concaves (20) generally at the facing longitudinal sides thereof; said cooperable mounting members (28, 29) permitting engagement therebetween when the concaves (20) are moved in said transverse directions. A method of installing a concave (20) on an axial flow combine harvester (10); said concave (20) being mountable on a mounting frame (25) provided within the combine harvester (10) and carrying first mounting means (29) which are cooperable with further mounting means (28) on the concave (20) for supporting the concave (20) in cooperative association with a threshing and separating rotor (15); the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of : inserting the concave (20) through an opening (42) in a side sheet (43) of the combine harvester (10); said opening (42) being closeable by a door (45); moving the concave (20) in a transverse direction toward the first mounting means (29) to effect engagement between the first and further mounting means (29, 28); said further mounting means (28) being rotatably movable relative to the first mounting means (29) when engaged to permit movement of the concave (20) relative to the rotor (15); fixing at least one retaining link (30) between the mounting frame (25) and the concave (20) to prevent disengagement of the further mounting means (28) with the first mounting means (29) during operation of the combine harvester (10); and connecting at least one connecting link (35) between the mounting frame (25) and the concave (20) at a distant location from the cooperating first and further mounting means (29, 28) to support the concave (20) on the mounting frame (25) and control the angular position of the concave (20) relative to the rotor (15). A method according to claim 13 characterized in that : the moving step includes the engaging of a pair of longitudinally spaced apart further mounting members (28) provided on respective frame members (22, 23) of the concave (20) with corresponding ones of a pair of equally longitudinally spaced apart first mounting members (29) provided on said mounting frame (25); said first and further pairs of mounting members (29, 28) respectively forming said first and further mounting means (29, 28); the fixing step includes the fixing of a retaining link (30) between each one of said concave frame members (22,23) and the mounting frame (25); and the connecting step includes the connecting of a connecting link (35) between each said concave frame member (22, 23) and the mounting frame (25) at a distant location from each pair of cooperating first and further mounting members (29, 28) associated with each respective concave frame member (22, 23). A method according to claim 13 or 14 characterized in that the moving step includes the step of resting the concave (20) on support surface means (40) positioned on the mounting frame (25) to support a portion of the weight of the concave (20) during said moving step. A method according to claim 15 characterized in that the connecting step includes : the step of lifting the concave (20) above the support surface means (40); and the step of selecting the length of the or each connecting link (35) to select a desired rotated position of the concave (20) about the first mounting means (29) on the mounting frame (25) and, thereby, selectively position the concave (20) relative to the rotor (15). A method according to any of the claims 14 to 16 characterized in that the fixing step includes the steps of : mounting a retaining link (30) on each respective first mounting member which is in the form of a longitudinally extending mounting pin (29) affixed to the mounting frame (25); said retaining links (30) being positionable on said mounting pins (29) only along the axis thereof; and fastening said retaining links (30) to the corresponding said concave frame members (22, 23).

Inventors: BERNHARDT, RICHARD P., BOWMAN, ROBERT L., HYMAN, MYLES, ROWLAND-HILL, E. WILLIAM, WEBER, STEVEN J.
Applicants: FORD NEW HOLLAND, INC. (A DELAWARE CORP.)
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A01F12
IPC codes: A01F12, A01F7