Abstract:
An unloading auger locking mechanism for use by an agricultural harvester, allowing the secure retainment of an unloading auger while it is in its stored position, accomplished by the passive locking between a latch assembly mounted on the unloading auger and an actuated hook assembly on the chassis, further allowing the unlocking of the mechanism by remote actuation. Locking and unlocking of the unloading auger can therefore be accomplished without the operator leaving the cab.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to agricultural vehicles such as combines, and, more particularly, to the securing of unloading augers used on such vehicles. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    An agricultural vehicle known as a “combine” is historically termed such because it combines multiple harvesting functions with a single harvesting unit, such as picking, threshing, separating and cleaning A combine includes a header which removes the crop from a field, and a feeder housing which transports the crop matter into a threshing rotor. The threshing rotor rotates within a perforated housing, which may be in the form of adjustable concaves, and performs a threshing operation on the crop to remove the grain. Once the grain is threshed it falls through perforations in the concaves onto a grain pan. From the grain pan the grain is cleaned using a cleaning system, and is then transported to a grain tank onboard the combine. The cleaning system includes a cleaning fan which blows air through oscillating sieves to discharge chaff and other debris toward the rear of the combine. Non-grain crop material such as straw from the threshing section proceeds through a straw chopper and out the rear of the combine. When the grain tank becomes full, the combine is positioned adjacent a vehicle into which the grain is to be unloaded, such as a semi-trailer, gravity box, straight truck, or the like; and an unloading system on the combine is actuated to transfer the grain into the vehicle. 
         [0005]    More particularly, a rotary threshing or separating system includes one or more rotors which can extend axially (front to rear) or transversely within the body of the combine, and which are partially or fully surrounded by a perforated concave. The crop material is threshed and separated by the rotation of the rotor within the concave. Coarser non-grain crop material such as stalks and leaves are transported to the rear of the combine and discharged back to the field. The separated grain, together with some finer non-grain crop material such as chaff, dust, straw, and other crop residue are discharged through the concaves and fall onto the grain pan where they are transported to the cleaning system. Alternatively, the grain and finer non-grain crop material may also fall directly onto the cleaning system itself. 
         [0006]    The cleaning system further separates the grain from non-grain crop material, and typically includes a fan directing an air flow stream upwardly and rearwardly through vertically arranged sieves which oscillate in a fore and aft manner. The air flow stream lifts and carries the lighter non-grain crop material towards the rear end of the combine for discharge to the field. Clean grain, being heavier, and larger pieces of non-grain crop material, which are not carried away by the air flow stream, fall onto a surface of an upper sieve (also known as a chaffer sieve) where some or all of the clean grain passes through to a lower sieve (also known as a cleaning sieve). Grain and non-grain crop material remaining on the upper and lower sieves are physically separated by the reciprocating action of the sieves as the material moves rearwardly. Any grain and/or non-grain crop material remaining on the top surface of the upper sieve are discharged at the rear of the combine. Grain falling through the lower sieve lands on a bottom pan of the cleaning system, where it is conveyed forwardly toward a clean grain auger. 
         [0007]    The clean grain auger is positioned below the lower sieve, and receives clean grain from each sieve and from the bottom pan of the cleaning system. The clean grain auger then augers the clean grain laterally sideways to a clean grain elevator, which in turn conveys the clean grain to a grain tank onboard the combine. 
         [0008]    The clean grain is transferred to another container, usually a container on a separate transport vehicle, either while the combine is stopped or while it is in motion. The transfer of clean grain from the combine to an external container is by various methods which propel the clean grain through an unloading auger. The unloading auger swings away from the combine and directs the clean grain into the external carrier. After the unloading auger has been utilized, it is swung back to the combine. 
         [0009]    While the combine is in operation in the field, a “rod and tusk” system or other apparatus can be utilized to minimize vertical travel, or “bouncing”, of the unloading auger while in the storage position resulting from the combine encountering rough terrain. This vertical travel, or “bouncing”, can result in a “hammer/anvil” type action between the unloading auger and the support saddle, which can be quite violent and result in structural damage to the unloading auger or grain loss from the discharge end. During the time the combine is not in use for harvesting, but is traveling from place to place, a removable pin such as a “klik pin” is typically used to prevent the unloading auger from horizontal travel in the event of hydraulic failure or other causes. While the aforementioned vertical travel and horizontal travel of the unloading auger is minimized by securing it with the “rod and tusk” system and “klik pins”, the securing is by design an active one; i.e., the operator must manually secure the unloading auger to ensure it is locked down. The operator may forget to lock the unloading auger down, and may also expose himself to hot or sharp surfaces. 
         [0010]    What is needed in the art is a passive way to secure the unloading auger of an agricultural harvester to prevent horizontal or vertical movement when the harvester is in motion. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention provides an agricultural harvester including an unloading auger locking mechanism, with features that enable a passive locking and unlocking of the unloading auger. 
         [0012]    The invention in one form is directed to an agricultural harvester, including an unloading auger with a latch assembly fixed to it which automatically engages with an actuated hook assembly fixed to the chassis when placed into a stored position; thereby securing the unloading auger from moving in a horizontal or vertical direction. 
         [0013]    The invention in another form is directed to an agricultural harvester, including an unloading auger which, after being securely latched to the chassis, is automatically unlatched when it is swung away from the chassis. 
         [0014]    The invention in still another form is directed to an agricultural harvester, including an unloading auger, which when in a stored position is proximate a support cradle while simultaneously secured by a latch assembly and an actuated hook assembly. 
         [0015]    An advantage of the present invention is the ability to passively secure the unloading auger on an agricultural harvester in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction every time it is brought back to its resting position. Therefore, the possibility of the operator forgetting to lock down the unloading auger is eliminated. 
         [0016]    Another advantage of the present invention is the operator is able to remain in the cab during the securement of the unloading auger; that is, no active participation is necessary other than the normal moving of the unloading auger. 
         [0017]    Another advantage of the present invention is the ability for the unloading auger to be unlocked by the operator while he is still in the cab. 
         [0018]    Still another advantage of the present invention is the relatively low profile of the unloading auger locking mechanism, in that it does not protrude downward past the unloading auger itself. 
         [0019]    Still another advantage of the present invention is the secure stored position of the unloading auger by simultaneously resting on a support cradle and attachment to the chassis. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of an agricultural vehicle in the form of a combine, which may include an embodiment of an unloading auger securing mechanism of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an embodiment of an unloading auger securing mechanism of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the latch assembly of the unloading auger securing mechanism of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the actuated hook assembly of the unloading auger securing mechanism of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0025]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    The terms “grain”, “straw” and “tailings” are used principally throughout this specification for convenience but it is to be understood that these terms are not intended to be limiting. Thus “grain” refers to that part of the crop material which is threshed and separated from the discardable part of the crop material, which is referred to as non-grain crop material, MOG or straw. Incompletely threshed crop material is referred to as “tailings”. Also the terms “forward”, “rearward”, “left” and “right”, when used in connection with the agricultural harvester and/or components thereof are usually determined with reference to the direction of forward operative travel of the harvester, but again, they should not be construed as limiting. The terms “longitudinal” and “transverse” are determined with reference to the fore-and-aft direction of the agricultural harvester and are equally not to be construed as limiting. 
         [0027]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an agricultural vehicle in the form of a combine  8 , which generally includes a chassis  12 , ground engaging wheels  14  and  16 , header  18 , feeder housing  20 , operator cab  22 , threshing and separating system  24 , cleaning system  26 , grain tank  28 , and unloading auger  30 . 
         [0028]    Front wheels  14  are larger flotation type wheels, and rear wheels  16  are smaller steerable wheels. Motive force is selectively applied to front wheels  14  through a power plant in the form of a diesel engine  32  and a transmission (not shown). Although combine  8  is shown as including wheels, is also to be understood that combine  8  may include tracks, such as full tracks or half tracks. 
         [0029]    Header  18  is mounted to the front of combine  8  and includes a cutter bar  34  for severing crops from a field during forward motion of combine  8 . A rotatable reel  36  feeds the crop into header  18 , and a double auger  38  feeds the severed crop laterally inwardly from each side toward feeder housing  20 . Feeder housing  20  conveys the cut crop to threshing and separating system  24 , and is selectively vertically movable using appropriate actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders (not shown). 
         [0030]    Threshing and separating system  24  is of the axial-flow type, and generally includes a rotor  40  at least partially enclosed by and rotatable within a corresponding perforated concave  42 . The cut crops are threshed and separated by the rotation of rotor  40  within concave  42 , and larger elements, such as stalks, leaves and the like are discharged from the rear of combine  8 . Smaller elements of crop material including grain and non-grain crop material, including particles lighter than grain, such as chaff, dust and straw, are discharged through perforations of concave  42 . Threshing and separating system  24  can also be a different type of system, such as a system with a transverse rotor rather than an axial rotor, etc. 
         [0031]    Grain which has been separated by the threshing and separating assembly  24  falls onto a grain pan  44  and is conveyed toward cleaning system  26 . Cleaning system  26  may include an optional pre-cleaning sieve  46 , an upper sieve  48  (also known as a chaffer sieve), a lower sieve  50  (also known as a cleaning sieve), and a cleaning fan  52 . Grain on sieves  46 ,  48  and  50  is subjected to a cleaning action by fan  52  which provides an air flow through the sieves to remove chaff and other impurities such as dust from the grain by making this material airborne for discharge from straw hood  54  of combine  8 . Grain pan  44  and pre-cleaning sieve  46  oscillate in a fore-to-aft manner to transport the grain and finer non-grain crop material to the upper surface of upper sieve  48 . Upper sieve  48  and lower sieve  50  are vertically arranged relative to each other, and likewise oscillate in a fore-to-aft manner to spread the grain across sieves  48 ,  50 , while permitting the passage of cleaned grain by gravity through the openings of sieves  48 ,  50 . 
         [0032]    Clean grain falls to a clean grain auger  56  positioned crosswise below and toward the front of lower sieve  50 . Clean grain auger  56  receives clean grain from sieve  50  and from trough  62  of cleaning system  26 . Clean grain auger  56  conveys the clean grain laterally to a generally vertically arranged grain elevator  60  for transport to grain tank  28 . Tailings from cleaning system  26  fall to a tailings pan  58 , then into a tailings trough which contains tailings auger  64 . The tailings are transported via tailings auger  64  and return auger  66  to the upstream end of cleaning system  26  for repeated cleaning action. A pair of grain tank augers  68  at the bottom of grain tank  28  convey the clean grain laterally within grain tank  28  to unloading auger  30  for discharge from combine  8 . 
         [0033]    When the clean grain is unloaded from combine  8 , unloading auger  30  is swung away from chassis  12  and maneuvered to a position where the clean grain is then transferred to another storage area. This can be done while combine  8  is in motion; for example, a truck or towed trailer moves alongside combine  8  while the clean grain is transferred. The clean grain transfer can also occur while combine  8  is stationary; for example, a truck or trailer is placed near the stopped combine  8  while the clean grain is transferred. 
         [0034]    In either mode of clean grain transfer, unloading auger  30  is swung back to chassis  12  and secured against movement while combine  8  is in motion. 
         [0035]    Combine  8  includes an unloading auger securing mechanism  70  according to the described invention herein ( FIG. 2 ). Unloading auger securing mechanism  70  includes a latch assembly  72  attached to unloading auger  30 , and an actuated hook assembly  74  attached to chassis  12 . Support cradle  114 , not part of unloading auger securing mechanism  70 , is also illustrated and explained further in this specification. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , latch assembly  72  is attached to unloading auger  30 . Latch assembly  72  includes a latch rod  76 , two flanges  78 , and mounting strap  80 . Latch rod  76  is typically cylindrical in cross-section, but may be hexagonal or another shape. Latch rod  76  has a length LROD and an outer diameter DROP, and is constructed of metal or any material capable of withstanding external forces. 
         [0037]    Each flange  78  has a through-hole  79 . Flanges  78  may be fixed to unloading auger  30  or mounting strap  80 . When latch assembly  72  is assembled and fixed to unloading auger  30  or mounting strap  80 , flanges  78  are parallel to each other and spaced apart no more than length LROD; that is, latch rod  76  is supported between flanges  78  and parallel to unloading auger  30 . Latch rod  76  may be permanently attached to flanges  78 , for example by welding. Alternatively, latch rod  76  may be in the form of a removable pin. 
         [0038]    When latch assembly  72  is assembled and fixed to unloading auger  30  or mounting strap  80 , latch rod  76  is held by flanges  78  such that it is a fixed distance from unloading auger  30  or mounting strap  80 , in order to allow actuated hook assembly  74  to engage and disengage latch assembly  72  without contacting unloading auger  30  or mounting strap  80 . 
         [0039]    Mounting strap  80  has a width W MS  and length L MS . Width W MS  is at least wide enough to accommodate the fixation of latch assembly  72 , and may also be wide enough to additionally provide a surface to contact support cradle  114  when unloading auger  30  is moved into and resting in its stored position. Length L MS  of mounting strap  80  is sufficient to secure it permanently or temporarily to the outer surface of unloading auger  30 ; that is, it can be just long enough to accommodate latch assembly  72  or long enough to completely encircle unloading auger  30 , or any length in between. 
         [0040]    Mounting strap  80  can be attached temporarily to unloading auger  30 ; for example, the two ends may be able to clamp or otherwise attach to one another in order to affect a temporarily secure fit around the outer surface of unloading auger  30 . Therefore, mounting strap  80  with latch assembly  72  affixed to it may be removed or adjusted in position along or around unloading auger  30  as needed. Alternatively, mounting strap  80  can be attached permanently to unloading auger  30 ; for example, by welding. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , actuated hook assembly  74  is described herein. Actuated hook assembly  74  includes hook  84 , actuated cylinder  96 , spring  112 , pivot pin  99 , and mount  106 . 
         [0042]    Hook  84  includes tip  88 , receiving area  90 , inner diameter H ID , trailing end  92 , and actuating rod  94 . Inner diameter H ID  must be at least larger than outer diameter D ROD  in order for latch rod  76  to be captured and retained by hook  84 . Attached to trailing end  92  is actuating rod  94 , which works in retention and cooperation with actuated cylinder  96  to extend and retract hook  84 , the purpose of which is explained further in this specification. Trailing end  92  and actuating rod  94  are permanently joined in axial alignment. It is also possible for trailing end  92  itself to be retained and manipulated by actuated cylinder  96 . 
         [0043]    As previously stated, actuated cylinder  96  retains and cooperates with trailing end  92  of hook  84 . Actuated cylinder comprises a working end  98 , base end  100 , and through-hole  102 . Internal to actuated cylinder  96  is actuator  104  (not shown), which can be operated remotely by an electronic control unit  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to extend or retract hook  84 . Connecting through-holes  102  (on actuated cylinder  96 ) and  108  (on mount  106 ) with pivot pin  99  attaches actuated cylinder  96 —and therefore actuated hook assembly  74 —to mount  106 , enabling actuated hook assembly  74  to freely pivot under external loads. Attached to actuated cylinder  96  is spring  112 . Spring  112  is also attached to chassis  12  or a portion thereof, and urges hook assembly  74  towards unloader auger  30  until stopped by protrusion  110  on mount  106  or by other means. Alternatively, actuated hook assembly is coupled to mount  106  in a fixed position. 
         [0044]    Continuing to refer to  FIG. 4 , support cradle  114  is described herein. Support cradle  114  includes contact pad  116 , and body  118 . Contact pad  116  is designed to have generally the same concave geometry as all or a portion of the outer diameter of unloader auger  30  in order to provide secure retention. Contact pad  116  may be replaceable in the event of wear or damage. A sensor  124  (not shown) may be incorporated within or located behind the contact pad  116 . Sensor  124  may be used to indicate when unloader auger  30  contacts support cradle  114 , as well as provide a signal to electronic control unit  10  to retract hook  84  into actuated cylinder  96  and thereby secure unloader auger  30 . 
         [0045]    Operation of the unloading auger securing mechanism  70  is now described. After being used to offload clean grain, unloading auger  30  is swung back toward chassis  12 . As unloading auger  30  comes into contact with support cradle  114  and has competed its travel and is in a stored position, latch rod  76  of latch assembly  72  is positioned under hook  84  of actuated hook assembly  74 . Hook  84  is then automatically retracted into actuated cylinder  96 , thereby capturing and retaining latch rod  76  and therefore securing unloading auger  30  against movement in horizontal and vertical directions. 
         [0046]    As described previously, sensor  124  may be used to indicate when unloader auger  30  contacts support cradle  114 , as well as provide a signal to electronic control unit  10  to retract hook  84  into actuated cylinder  96  and thereby secure unloader auger  30 . 
         [0047]    The securing of unloading auger to chassis  16  is passive and requires no active participation by the operator, other than control of the unloading auger  30  itself. Advantageously, the operator does not need to leave the cab during storage of the unloader auger  30 . 
         [0048]    When it is desired to release the unloading auger  30  for offloading clean grain or for other purposes, the operator uses electronic control unit  10  to remotely activate actuator  104  in actuated cylinder  96  to extend hook  84  from actuated cylinder  96  until tip  88  is clear of latch rod  76 , thereby separating latch assembly  72  from actuated hook assembly  74  and allowing unloading auger  30  to swing away from chassis  16 . 
         [0049]    While an unloading auger securing mechanism has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.