Abstract:
A combination for a harvester pickup reel, a harvester tine, a harvester pickup reel, and a method of assembling a pickup reel. In some aspects, the combination for a harvester pickup reel comprises a shaft, a tine supportable on the shaft for rotation with the shaft, and a fastener assembly integrally formed on one of the shaft and the tine. In other aspects, the combination for a harvester pickup reel comprises a shaft, a tine supportable on the shaft for rotation with the shaft and a fastener assembly. In such aspects, the fastener assembly comprises a first fastener member including a projection and a second fastener member defining a recess, the projection being insertable into the recess. In some aspects, the harvester tine comprises a support portion connectable with the second shaft to support the tine for rotation with the second shaft, the support portion being connectable to the second shaft without separate fasteners. In other aspects, the harvester tine comprises a support portion connectable with the second shaft to support said tine for rotation with the second shaft and a fastener assembly integrally formed with the support portion and engageable to connect the support portion to the second shaft.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of co-pending Provisional Application Serial No. 60/346,583, filed on Jan. 8, 2002. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to harvesters and, more particularly, to a harvester tine and bat tube assembly.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    A typical harvester includes a harvester platform including a frame supported for movement over ground, the frame having a front edge, a cutter bar extending along the front edge, and a pickup reel for lifting up crop into the harvester. In general, the pickup reel includes a reel support supported by the frame, a reel shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame, and a plurality of arms extending radially from and being rotatable with the shaft. The pickup reel also includes a plurality of second shafts or bat tubes, each supported by at least one arm and being generally parallel to and radially spaced from the reel shaft, the bat tubes being rotatable relative to and rotatable with the arm, and a plurality of harvester tines supported by each bat tube for movement with the bat tube. During operation of the pickup reel, the tine engages crop and lifts it into the harvester.  
           [0004]    In some constructions, the tine includes a split ring portion to clamp the tine to the bat tube. The split ring portion extends around the bat tube, and a self-threading screw is threaded into the end portions of the split ring portion to clamp the tine to the bat tube.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    One independent problem with the above-described harvester tine is that, during assembly, the self-threading screws occasionally strip the tine, rendering the tine useless.  
           [0006]    Another independent problem with the above-described harvester tine is that, in service, removal and replacement of the tine requires a tool, such as a nut driver or wrench, to remove the tine from the bat tube. Even with such a tool, removal and replacement of the tine in the field is very difficult.  
           [0007]    The present invention provides a harvester tine and bat tube assembly which alleviates one or more of these and other problems with the above-described harvester tines. In some aspects of the invention, the harvester tine and bat tube assembly includes an integrally-formed fastener assembly for connecting the tine to the bat tube. In some aspects of the invention, the harvester tine is connectable to the bat tube assembly without the use of separate fasteners.  
           [0008]    In aspects of the invention, the fastener assembly includes snap-together fastener members. The snap-together fastener members are snapped together to connect the tine to the bat tube and are released by applying a lateral or sideways load to the snap-together portion. In such aspects, the snap-together fastener members are biased to the snapped-together or locked position and are moved to the release position against the biasing force.  
           [0009]    More particularly, the present invention provides a combination for a harvester pickup reel including a second shaft or bat tube, a tine supportable on the bat tube for movement with the bat tube, and a fastener assembly including a first fastener member formed on one of the tine and the bat tube, and a second fastener member formed on one of the tine and bat tube. The first fastener member and the second fastener member are defined as being engageable to connect the tine to the bat tube. In some constructions, the tine is connected to the bat tube without separate fasteners.  
           [0010]    In some constructions, the fastener assembly may be integrally formed with at least one of the tine and the bat tube. In such constructions, the fastener assembly is preferably integrally formed with the tine.  
           [0011]    The first fastener member may be formed on a first portion of the tine, and the second fastener member may be formed on a second portion of the tine. Preferably, the tine includes a support portion engageable with the bat tube to support the tine on the bat tube, and finger portion extending from the support portion and engageable with crop during operation of the pickup reel. The support portion preferably provides the first and second portions of the tine.  
           [0012]    The tine may include a split ring portion positionable to surround at least a portion of the bat tube, the split ring portion having a first end and a second end. The first fastener member is preferably adjacent the first end, and the second fastener member is preferably adjacent the second end. In some constructions, the split ring portion is positionable to substantially surround the bat tube so that the first end is engageable with the second end.  
           [0013]    In some constructions, the first fastener member includes a projection, and the second fastener member includes a recess, the projection being engageable in the recess to connect the tine to the bat tube. The first fastener member may include first teeth, and the second fastener member may include second teeth engageable with the first teeth to prevent disengagement of the first fastener member from the second fastener member. The first and second teeth are preferably configured to allow the first fastener member to engage the second fastener member in a first direction from a unlocked position to a locked position and to prevent the first fastener member from being disengaged from the second fastener member in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Preferably, one of the fastener members includes a biasing portion biasing the first and second teeth into engagement.  
           [0014]    The first fastener member is preferably movable relative to the second fastener member in a release direction transverse to the first direction from the locked position to a release position, in which the first fastener member is disengaged from the second fastener member. The first fastener member and the second fastener member may be biased by a biasing force towards the locked position, and the first fastener member may be moved relative to the second fastener member from the locked position to the release position against the biasing force. In some constructions, the tine includes a split ring portion having an intermediate portion, and the intermediate portion is flexible and applies the biasing force to maintain the fastener members in the locked position.  
           [0015]    Preferably, the first fastener member is selectively engageable with the second fastener member to connect the tine with the bat tube. The first fastener member may be disengaged from the second fastener member to disconnect the tine from the bat tube and may then be re-engaged with the second fastener member to re-connect the tine to the bat tube or to connect the tine to another bat tube.  
           [0016]    One of the bat tube and the tine may include a projection, and the other of the bat tube and the tine may define a recess. The projection is preferably received in the recess to prevent rotation of the tine relative to the bat tube. Preferably, the tine includes the projection, and the bat tube defines the recess. In some constructions, the tine includes a support portion engageable with the bat tube to support the tine on the bat tube, a finger portion extending from the support portion and engageable with crop during operation of the pickup reel, and a wing portion connected to and extending transversely out from the finger portion.  
           [0017]    Also, the present invention provides a harvester tine for a harvester pickup reel, the tine including a support portion connectable with the bat tube to support the tine for movement with the bat tube, a fastener assembly integrally formed with the support portion and engageable to connect the support portion to the bat tube, and a tine portion extending from the support portion and engageable with crop during operation of the pickup reel.  
           [0018]    In addition, the present invention provides a method of assembling a harvester tine and shaft assembly, the method comprising the acts of providing a shaft or bat tube, providing a harvester tine supportable on the shaft for movement with the shaft, at least one of the shaft and the tine providing a fastener assembly for connecting the tine to the shaft, the fastener assembly including a first fastener member and a second fastener member, and engaging the first fastener member and the second fastener member to connect the tine to the shaft.  
           [0019]    One independent advantage of the invention is that the snap-together feature replaces the self-threading screw, eliminating the possibility of the screw stripping the tine during assembly and thereby rendering the tine useless.  
           [0020]    Another independent advantage of the invention is that the snap-together feature is locked and released without the use of separate tools. As a result, in service, removal and replacement of the tine is very simple, even in the field.  
           [0021]    Other independent features and independent advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a side view of a harvester including a harvester tine and bat tube assembly embodying the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the harvester tine and bat tube assembly.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the tine shown in FIG. 2 and illustrating the fastener assembly in the locked position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tine shown in FIG. 2 and illustrating the fastener assembly in the locked position.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the harvester tine illustrated in FIG. 4.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another portion of the harvester tine illustrated in FIG. 4.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to that in FIG. 3 and illustrating the fastener assembly in the partially locked position.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is a front view of the harvester tine and illustrating the fastener assembly being moved to the release position.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 9 is a side view of the harvester tine and bat tube assembly and illustrating the fastener assembly in the unlocked position.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 10 is a side view of a first alternative construction of the harvester tine and bat tube assembly.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 11 is a side view of a second alternative construction of the harvester tine and bat tube assembly. 
     
    
       [0033]    Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in a drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]    The harvester  10  including a pickup reel  14  and a harvester tine and bat tube assembly  18 , embodying the invention, is illustrated in FIG. 1. In general, the assembly  18  includes a harvester tine  22  and a bat tube  26 .  
         [0035]    As shown in FIG. 1, the harvester  10  includes a harvester platform  28  including a platform frame  29 , supported for movement over ground, and side and rear wall  30 . A floor  34  extends between the opposite side walls  30 , and a transverse crop converging auger  38  is rotatably supported above the floor  34  and forward of the rear wall  30 . A transverse cutter bar  42  is mounted along the forward edge of the floor  34 , and an upright crop dam  46  is supported between the cutter bar  42  and the floor  34 .  
         [0036]    The pickup reel  14  generally spans the width of the platform  28 , forward of the auger  38  and above the cutter bar  42 . The pickup reel  14  is connected to the platform  28  by a pair of reel support arms  50  (one shown) which support the pickup reel  14  on the frame  29 . In illustrated construction, the support arms  50  are pivotally connected to the frame  29  at pivot points  54 . The support arms  50  are generally above the sidewalls  30  of the platform  28 . Preferably, the support arms  50  are selectively vertically adjustable by a pair of cylinders (not shown) connected between the support arms  50  and the sidewalls  30 .  
         [0037]    A movable support structure  58  is supported at the forward end of each support arm  50 . The support structures  58  are generally slidable between forward and rearward positions on the support arm  50 , and their movement is controlled by a pair of cylinders (not shown). The support arms  50  and the support structures  58  are adjustable positioned to adjust the position of the pickup reel  14  relative to the platform  28 .  
         [0038]    A tubular reel shaft or first shaft  62  is journalled by and extends between the support structures  58 . The first shaft  62  is rotatable relative to the support structures  58  about its axis. A plurality of radially-extending members or spiders  66  are supported in axially-spaced relation on the first shaft  62  for rotation with the first shaft  62 . Each spider  66  includes a plurality of radially-extending arms  70  (six in the illustrated construction) which are axially aligned with the arms  70  on the adjacent spider  66  to form sets of arms  70 .  
         [0039]    A transverse rock shaft, second shaft or bat tube  26  is journalled in the outer ends of each set of arms  70 . The bat tubes  26  are rotatable with the associated arms  70  and, in the illustrated construction, are rotatable relative to the associated arms  70 . The bat tubes  26  span the width of the pickup reel  14  and are generally parallel to and radially-spaced from the first shaft  62 . A plurality of harvester tines  22  are connected to each bat tube  26  for movement with the bat tube  26  (in the illustrated construction, for rotation relative to the first shaft  62  and relative to the associated arms  70 ).  
         [0040]    In illustrated construction, the pickup reel  14  also includes a cam path arrangement  74  to provide a control mechanism which enables the tip path of the tines  22  to be varied and optimized. In the illustrated construction, the cam path arrangement  74  is similar to that disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/102,164, filed Mar. 20, 2002 (Attorney Docket No. 046634-9016-01), which is hereby incorporated by reference. It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the pickup reel  14  may include a different cam path arrangement or may not include a cam path arrangement.  
         [0041]    As shown in more detail and FIGS.  2 - 6 , each tine  22  includes a support portion  78 , which is engageable with the bat tube  26 , to support the tine  22  on the bat tube  26 . The support portion  78  includes a split ring portion  82  which is positionable to surround at least a portion of the circumference of the bat tube  26 . In the illustrated construction, the split ring portion  82  is positionable to substantially surround the bat tube  26  so that a first end  86  and a second end  90  of the split ring portion  82  are engageable.  
         [0042]    The split ring portion  82  also includes an intermediate portion  94  between the ends  86  and  90 . Preferably, the intermediate portion  94  is flexible so that the ends  86  and  90  can be separated (see FIG. 9) to allow the split ring portion  82  to be placed on and around at least a portion of the bat tube  26 . The intermediate portion  94  also allows the ends  86  and  90  to be axially flexed relative to one another (see FIG. 8). However, the intermediate portion  94  is resilient enough to bias the ends  86  and  90  from an unlocked position (shown in FIG. 9) and from a release position (shown in FIG. 8) to a locked position (shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 ).  
         [0043]    As shown in FIGS.  2 - 3 , the tine  22  also includes a finger portion  98  extending from the support portion  78 . The finger portion  98  is engageable with crop (not shown) during operation of the pickup reel  14 . The tine  22  may also include (see FIG. 2) a wing portion  102  connected to and extending transversely out from the finger portion  98 .  
         [0044]    As shown in FIGS.  2 - 6 , the assembly  18  also includes a fastener assembly  106  for connecting the tine  22  to the bat tube  26 . In construction illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 9 , the tine  22  is connected to the bat tube  26  without separate fasteners. Also, in the construction illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 9 , the fastener assembly  106  is integrally formed with at least one of the tine  22  and the bat tube  26 . In this construction, the fastener assembly  106  is integrally formed with the tine  22 . As explained below in more detail, the fastener assembly  106  releasably connects the tine  22  to the bat tube  26 .  
         [0045]    The fastener assembly  106  includes a first fastener member  110  formed on a first portion of the support portion  78 , such as adjacent the first end  86 , and second fastener member  114  formed on a second portion of the support portion  78 , such as adjacent the second end  90 .  
         [0046]    The first fastener member  110  is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 5. The first fastener member  110  includes a projection  116  on which first teeth  118  are formed. The teeth  118  extend generally transversely across the projection  116  and are generally parallel to the axis of the bat tube  26 . The first fastener member  110  also includes a base surface  120 , generally oriented in radial plane, and a lateral surface  122  extending along the projection  116 .  
         [0047]    The second fastener member  114  is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 6. The second fastener member  114  defines a recess  126  in which second teeth  128  are formed. The teeth  128  extend generally transversely to the recess  126  and generally parallel to the axis of the bat tube  26 . The second teeth  128  are complementary to and engageable with the first teeth  118 .  
         [0048]    In the illustrated construction, the second fastener member  114  includes an inner surface  130 , generally oriented in a radial plane. The second fastener member  114  also includes a biasing member  132  defining the portion of the recess  126  opposite to the teeth  128 . The recess  126  is generally open in a circumferential direction at the second end  90  of the support portion  78  and on one axial side.  
         [0049]    FIGS.  2 - 4  illustrate the locked position of the fastener assembly  106 . In the locked position, the projection  116  is fully inserted into the recess  126  so that the forward end of the projection  116  engages the inner surface  130  of the recess  126  and so that the second end  90  engages the base surface  120  of the first fastener member  110 . As shown in FIGS.  4 - 5 , the teeth  118  and  128  are configured to allow movement of the fastener members  110  and  114  from the unlocked position (shown in FIG. 9), through a partially locked position (shown in FIG. 7) and to the locked position (shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 ). The teeth  118  and  128  are oriented at a relatively shallow angle to allow movement in a first direction (indicated by arrow A in FIGS.  2 - 3 ).  
         [0050]    In the illustrated construction, the rearward faces of the teeth  118  and  128  are oriented at a steep angle relative to arrow A (preferably in a radial plane) to prevent the fastener members  110  and  114  from moving from the locked position in a second direction opposite to arrow A. In the locked position (shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 ), the teeth  118  and  128  engage to prevent disengagement of the fastener members  110  and  114 , and the biasing portion  132  biases the teeth  118  and  128  into such a locking engagement.  
         [0051]    In the illustrated construction, to disengage the fastener members  110  and  114  and to remove the tine  22  from the bat tube  26 , the fastener members  110  and  114  are movable relative to one another, against the biasing force of the intermediate portion  94 , in a release direction (indicated by arrow B in FIG. 8) transverse to the first direction from the locked position (shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 ) to the release position (shown in FIG. 8), in which the fastener members  110  and  114  are disengaged. The projection  116  of the first fastener member  110  moves out of the recess  126  of the second fastener member  114  though the open axial side of the recess  126 . The split ring portion  82  may then be flexed, against the bias of the intermediate portion  94 , to move the ends  86  and  90  apart so that the tine  22  may be removed from the bat tube  26 . The intermediate portion  94  thus biases the fastener members  110  and  114  to the locked position.  
         [0052]    It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the fastener members  110  and  114  may be selectively prevented from moving from the locked position in the second direction opposite to arrow A. In such constructions, the fastener members  110  and  114  may be allowed to selectively move from the locked position in the second direction to disengage the fastener members  110  and  114  and to remove the tine  22  from the bat tube  26 .  
         [0053]    For example, one fastener member (such as fastener member  110 ) may provide a projection (not shown) having movable teeth (not shown), and the other fastener member (such as the fastener member  114 ) may provide an opening (not shown) having a surface (not shown) with which the teeth are selectively engageable. In the locked position, the teeth engage the surface to prevent relative movement of the fastener members from the locked position in the second direction. The teeth are movable (for example, by movement of the teeth relative to the projection, by flexing of the teeth relative to the projection, by rotation of one fastener member relative to the other fastener member, etc.) out of engagement with the surface to allow relative movement of the fastener members from the locked position in the second direction to disengage the fastener members.  
         [0054]    As shown in FIG. 2, the assembly  18  also includes an arrangement for preventing rotation of the tine  22  relative to the bat tube  26 . In the illustrated construction, the arrangement includes a projection  134  formed on the inner surface of the split ring  82  and engageable with a recess  138  formed on the outer surface of the bat tube  26 . When the projection  134  engages the recess  138 , the tine  22  is prevented from rotating relative to the bat tube  26 .  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 10 illustrates a first alternative construction of a harvester tine and bat tube assembly  18 A. Common elements are identified by the same reference number “A”.  
         [0056]    As shown in FIG. 10, the first fastener member  110 A is a ratchet-type fastener, similar to a cable tie. The first fastener member  110 A is inserted into the second fastener member  114 A to connect the fastener assembly  106 A. The inner circumferential end of the recess  126 A is open to allow the projection  116 A to extend into and through the recess  126 A.  
         [0057]    The fastener assembly  106 A includes a biasing member (not shown) biasing inter-engaging teeth (not shown) on the fastener members  110 A and  114 A into engagement to prevent the fastener members  110 A and  114 A from being disengaged and to retain the fastener assembly  106 A in the locked condition. The biasing member may be formed on either of the fastener members  110 A and  114 A.  
         [0058]    To release the fastener assembly  106 A, the biasing member is moved to a position in which the biasing force is not applied to force the inter-engaging teeth into engagement. The first fastener member  110 A may then be removed from the second fastener member  114 A, and the tine  22 A may be removed from the bat tube (not shown).  
         [0059]    It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), one fastener member (such as fastener member  110 A) may provide a projection (not shown) having movable teeth (not shown), and the other fastener member (such as the fastener member  114 A) may provide an opening (not shown) having a surface (not shown) with which the teeth are selectively engageable. In the locked position, the teeth engage the surface to prevent relative movement of the fastener members from the locked position in the second direction. The teeth are movable (for example, by movement of the teeth relative to the projection, by flexing of the teeth relative to the projection, by rotation of one fastener member relative to the other fastener member, etc.) out of engagement with the surface to allow relative movement of the fastener members from the locked position in the second direction to disengage the fastener members.  
         [0060]    In an alternative construction (not shown), the split ring portion  82  of the tine  22  may extend around only a portion of the circumference of the bat tube  26 . In such a construction, the ends  86  and  90  of the split ring portion  82  do not engage. Rather, the first fastener member  110  extends through an opening in the bat tube  26  to engage the second fastener member  114  on the other side of the bat tube  26 . Such an engagement also provides a rotation preventing arrangement.  
         [0061]    In another alternative construction (not shown), the opening in the bat tube  26  may provide a second fastener member, and the first fastener member  110  may engage the opening to connect the tine  22  to the bat tube  26 . In such a construction, a portion of the fastener assembly  106  is provided by the bat tube  26  and another portion of the fastener assembly  106  is provided by the tine  22 .  
         [0062]    Yet another alternative construction of the harvester tine and bat tube assembly  18 B is illustrated in FIG. 11. Common elements are identified by the same reference number “B”.  
         [0063]    As shown in FIG. 11, the fastener assembly  106 B includes a separate fastener  142  providing the first fastener member  10 B. The first end  86 B of the split ring portion  82 B defines a recess  146  into which the separate fastener  142  is seated. The separate fastener  142  includes the projection  116 B which engages in the recess  126 B of the second fastener member  114 B to connect the tine  22 B to the bat tube (not shown). The separate fastener  142  includes a ratchet portion.  
         [0064]    In another construction (not shown), a separate second fastener member (not shown) may be provided and may engage the second end  90 B to replace the integrally-formed second fastener member  114 B.  
         [0065]    It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the fastener members  110 B and  114 B may be selectively prevented from moving from the locked position in the second direction opposite to arrow A. In such constructions, the fastener members  110 B and  114 B may be allowed to selectively move from the locked position in the second direction to disengage the fastener members  110 B and  114 B and to remove the tine  22 B from the bat tube  26 B.  
         [0066]    For example, one fastener member (such as fastener member  110 B) may provide a projection (not shown) having movable teeth (not shown), and the other fastener member (such as the fastener member  114 B) may provide an opening (not shown) having a surface (not shown) with which the teeth are selectively engageable. In the locked position, the teeth engage the surface to prevent relative movement of the fastener members from the locked position in the second direction. The teeth are movable (for example, by movement of the teeth relative to the projection, by flexing of the teeth relative to the projection, by rotation of one fastener member relative to the other fastener member, etc.) out of engagement with the surface to allow relative movement of the fastener members from the locked position in the second direction to disengage the fastener members.  
         [0067]    In constructions illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 10  and in some aspects of the invention, the tine  22  is connected to the bat tube  26  without separate fasteners.  
         [0068]    In the constructions illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 10  and in some aspects of the invention, the fastener assembly  106  is integrally formed with at least one of the tine  22  and the bat tube  26 . In the constructions illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 10 , the fastener assembly  106  is integrally formed with the tine  22 . In other constructions (not shown), a portion of the fastener assembly  106  (such as the first fastener member  110 ) is provided by the tine  22  and another portion of the fastener assembly  106  (such as the second fastener member  114 ) is provided by the bat tube  26 .  
         [0069]    It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the integral fastener assembly may be provided by other structure, such as, for example, by adhesive formed with at least one of the tine  22  and the bat tube  26 .  
         [0070]    In some constructions, the fastener member  106  provides a snap-together feature for the harvester tine and bat tube assembly  18  which enables the tine  22  to be easily connected to and removed from the bat tube  26  during assembly and in the field.  
         [0071]    One or more independent features and independent advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims: