Abstract:
The corn head apparatus and method of manufacture claimed and disclosed herein allows the user to disconnect the choice of corn head manufacturer from the choice of combine. As disclosed herein, manufacturing productivity is increased by substantially standardizing the methodology and apparatus necessary to attach combine heads to different combine makers. Furthermore, the corn harvesting unit and the attachment modifications for connection to the threshing unit provide an improved flow of material from the row to the threshed grain in the combine. These modifications of structure and the resultant spatial changes to the variety of the conveying systems used from the row unit through the combine increase harvest efficiency. The disclosed spatial relationship between the conveying systems permits improved flow and flow rates.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     I, Marion Calmer, residing in Alpha, Ill. and being a United States citizen, do herein in this patent application disclose and claim the apparatus and method of using my invention “Universal Corn Head Mounting System”. I do also herein state and claim that this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/827,563 filed Apr. 6, 2001 entitled “Strategic Spatial Realignment for Attaching Cornheads to Combines.” The patent application Ser. No. 09/827,563 is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application.  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX  
       [0003]     (Not Applicable)  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention relates to corn harvesting machinery, specifically combine corn heads and the methods and apparatus of mounting combine corn heads to combines.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     This invention relates to corn harvesting machinery and more particularly the corn row unit of the corn head commonly used with modern self-propelled combines. Each corn head is composed of a frame for attachment of both the rotating and stationary components of the corn head. The multiple row units are attached to the corn head frame. Each row unit contains a row crop divider, a row unit hood, gathering/conveying chain(s), two stripper plates, two stalk rolls, a row unit frame, and a gearbox. The gearbox powers the row unit for gathering corn plants then stripping, separating and conveying ears of corn from the corn plant. The harvested material is collected by the cross auger and trough for collection and delivery by the cross auger to the feeder house. The combine feeder house contains a chain slat undershot conveying system for retrieving material from said corn head and delivering harvested material to the threshing system, of which all are existing art.  
         [0006]     The crop dividers in combination with the gathering chain(s) and stripper plates as in the prior art have always retrieved the crop from near ground level into the row units. The stripper plates in combination with the stalk rolls will strip and separate the ears with minimal amounts of MOG (material other than grain). Said gathering chain(s) then feed the heterogeneous material (ears and mog) into the cross auger and trough. The cross auger is located between the exit point of the row units and in front of the feeder house opening. The cross auger then delivers this material to the feeder house for conveying to the combine for ultimate threshing and separating.  
         [0007]     As disclosed and fully discussed in patent application Ser. No. 09/827,563, this results in power being required to move this crop on an inclined plane at three stages for the conveying process. This first stage of the conveying process is in the row unit where there is adequate power and crop engagement for elevating the crop from near ground level into the cross auger and trough. The cross auger has flighting on it, which applies power to the material horizontially in the cross auger trough, thus having changed the direction of flow of the material, which was previously in parallel with direction of material flow through the combine and row unit, to a lateral or cross ways movement to the exit area of the cross auger. This material is then fed into the third stage of the conveying process, the feeder house of the combine. Thus, the second stage of movement of the crop is a result of being contained against the floor and vertical side of the cross auger trough. The two lateral sections of the cross auger are oppositely wound and meet in the middle so that the horizontal movement of the crop from the right side and the left side of said cross auger meet and create a mass to be transferred to the feeder house.  
         [0008]     At the entrance to the feeder house, the back vertical wall of the cross auger trough, in front of the feeder house, is open so that the material may be fed from the cross auger floor into the feeder house and most of the movement or force imparted to the mass of the material assembled at the entrance is in the forward direction towards the feeder house.  
         [0009]     In the past thirty years there have been new developments in both agricultural science and harvesting technology. In most cases, yields have nearly doubled through improved genetics, fertilization, populations and row spacings. Additionally, harvesting machines are much larger with increased horsepower and ground speeds which require corn headers with more row units. These two factors in combination have significantly increased the flow rate and mass of material being delivered by said corn head and retrieved by said feeder house to a level that can now cause build up, back feeding, tossing of MOG onto the row unit covers, fluff, tossing of ears onto the ground, and resultant plugging in the cross auger feeder house area.  
         [0010]     During this same time period, it has become typical in the sale and manufacturing of agricultural harvesting equipment for a farmer to buy both a combine and corn head or platform built by the same manufacturer. Additionally, corn heads and platforms built by a manufacturer do not fit on earlier or later models of combines. This effectively limits the purchaser&#39;s ability to optimize performance and increases his economic switching costs should he want to trade for a combine built by a different manufacturer than he currently owns while preferring to keep his existing corn head or platform. If the purchaser attempts to choose one brand of head to use with another brand of combine, significant engineering and mechanically modification can be necessary.  
         [0011]     Finally, agricultural equipment manufacturers have chosen different platforms for corn separation i.e. rotary systems compared to threshing cylinders. As a result, the user wishing to adopt the separation technology offered by one manufacturer&#39;s combine, may also have to purchase a head built by the same manufacturer. Having to purchase the same brand of corn head and combine inevitably results in trade-offs and costs for the user and or purchaser.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present inventor as the exclusive owner and licensee of U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,704 covering single gathering chain row unit which provides the only viable technology allowing users to harvest corn in planted in fifteen (15) inch row widths, finds the present state of the art untenable and discloses and claims a method and apparatus herein to allow farmers to choose the best corn head or platform for their needs independent of the combine used by the farmer. It is therefore an object of this invention to teach a universal method and apparatus for assembly and attachment of combine corn heads to combines.  
         [0013]     It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus allowing farmers to use heads and platforms manufactured by one manufacturer with combines manufactured by another manufacturer.  
         [0014]     It is another object of this invention to improve upon and incorporate the disclosure found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/827,563 of which this application is a continuation in part. As taught by patent application Ser. No. 09/827,563, the invention provides for improved corn head performance i.e. better material flow and less congestion and more even feeding of the harvested crop to the feeder house conveyor. Strategic re-alignment or changes to the spatial relationship of the exit area of the corn header and the retrieving area of the combine feeder house so as to decrease the inclined plane during this flow  
         [0015]     It is also an objective of the present invention to improve the spatial arrangement between the corn head or platform and the feeder house of the combine to thereby reduce inhibition of the flow of grain materials into the combine.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a combine with a corn head attached.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the corn head, cross auger and feeder house row units.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view A-A of the row unit, cross auger, trough, feeder house and conveyor of the prior art.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view A-A of the row unit, cross auger, trough, feeder house, and conveyor of the invention as disclosed in Patent Application 9,  
         [0021]      FIG. 4   a  is a modification of the tray or trough in  FIG. 4   
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view A-A of another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view A-A of a further embodiment of the invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the header of this invention showing the filler plate and a different fastener between the header and the feeder house.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the universal corn head frame from the row unit attachment side.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the universal corn head frame from the combine attachment side.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of one embodiment of the vertical spacer for the universal corn head mounting system.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a front view of embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is an end view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is an isometric view of the side filler plate used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  is a front view of the side filler plate shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  is an end view of the side filler plate shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the back support plate used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 17  is a front view of the back support plate used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the back support plate used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 19  is an isometric view of another embodiment of the vertical spacer for the universal corn head mounting system.  
         [0037]      FIG. 20  is a front view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19  without brackets.  
         [0038]      FIG. 21  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19  without brackets.  
         [0039]      FIG. 22  is an isometric view of the side filler plate used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0040]     Listing of the Elements  
                                                                 Description   Number                                        Corn head frame (or header)   250           Corn head frame top beam   10           Corn head frame lower beam   12           Corn head frame breast plate   15           Universal frame feeder house opening   20           Universal frame feeder house tower   22           Corn head frame tower   26           Corn head frame tower cross   28           Vertical spacer, embodiment 1   240           Vertical spacer recessed mount   24           Vertical spacer, embodiment 2   245           Vertical spacer   255           Spacer brace   30           Spacer clip   35           Preformed spacer cover   40           Preformed back wall plate   45           Side filler plate   55           Side filler plate support   56           Side filler mounting plate   58           Knee braces   60           Side Filler plate horizontal mount   61           Side filler plate vertical mount   62           Side frame plate   63           Foot plate   70           Row unit   80           Row unit dividers   90           Gathering chain paddles   110           Gathering chains   120           Stripper plates   130           Snapping Slots (Ear separation chambers)   140           Row unit covers   150           Stalk (snapping) rolls   160           Cross Auger Trough   200           Cross Auger   220           Cross Auger Flighting   230           Combine Feeder house chain   320           Combine Feeder house   340                      
 
         [0041]     The operation of corn heads incorporating this invention are similar to that of the operation of corn heads of the prior art as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 . In  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  4   a ,  5  and  6  the corn stalks are engaged by the gathering chains  120  guided into the snapping slots  140  formed by stripper plates  130 . The snapping rolls  160  pull the corn stalks through the snapping slots  140  an the ears are removed from the stalks, point B, as they come into engagement with the stripper plates  130 . The ears are then carried rearwardly by the gathering chain fingers  110  and deposited in the trough  200  that contains the auger  220  flighting  230 . The power to drive the gathering chains  120  and the snapping rolls  160  is provided from a main shaft through a gear box as described in the prior art. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the crop must proceed from point A, up the inclined plane by the power imparted to it by the gathering chains  120  through point B to point C where the crop is deposited into the auger trough  200  for lateral movement to the exit point E area of the auger through  200  by the cross auger  220  having flighting  230  thereon. The primary movement of material by the flighting is horizontal so energy is imparted to the material i.e., the ears of the corn plus MOG primarily rearwardly and laterally. The auger trough  200  has its vertical rear side removed when it is opposite the feeder house  340  and the feeder house chain  320 . Thus the material has had some energy imparted to it from the gravitational movement from point C to point D, which is the low point of the travel of the material in the cross auger trough  200 . Now the material must be, as shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  4   a ,  5 , and  6 , forced by the cross auger from position D over the edge of the cross auger trough E and to the retrieving point F of the feeder house  340 . The feeder house chain  320  can not be too close to the cross auger flighting  230  because of the interference which would result from two parts moving in opposite directions and powered for such movement. Thus the material which has accumulated at the exit point is forced laterally, i.e., rearwardly up the inclined plane by the motions of the flighting  230 .  
         [0042]     This motion must overcome gravity, friction, and the weight of the material being pushed by a force that is not totally in line with the direction of the movement desired, as is the case of force and movement when it reaches the feeder house chain  320 . This invention, as taught in patent application Ser. No. 09/827,563 and shown in  FIGS. 4, 4   a ,  5  and  6  spatially realigns specifically the cross auger trough  200  and the cross auger portions of the header  220  and the entry to the feeder house  340 . There is a resultant improved movement of material with the same power by this realignment.  
         [0043]     Through testing and use, it has been found that minimizing the downward curvature of the inlet of said auger trough  200  so that the downward angle does not exceed five (5) degrees, approximately, while also minimizing the upward curvature of the inlet of said auger trough  200  to also not exceed five (5) degrees, approximately and minimizing the difference in height between the height of the entrance to the feeder house  340  system in relation to the height of said auger trough  200 , reduces the angle of the inclined plane surface from said the auger trough  200  (also referred to as the second conveyor system) to the feeder house  340  and feeder house chain  320  (also referred to as the third conveyor system).  
         [0044]     The spatial realignment method and apparatus taught in patent application Ser. No. 09/827,563 provides for reduced energy requirements for propelling the crop through the corn head or to assist in propelling the crop in its movement from the cross auger trough  200  to the feeder house  340  where it is engaged by the feeder house chain  320  and slats  310  for further powered movement. This realignment is accomplished as shown in  FIG. 4, 4   a ,  5 , and  6  by inserting a vertical spacer  240  or  255  to elevate the header bar  250  vertically. The spacer  240  is attached to the corn head frame  250  by means of a bracket  260  which may be held by similar and any well-known fastening means to secure  250  and  260  together. Vertical spacers  245  and  255  are also attached by well-known fasteners, examples of which are found in  FIGS. 8-22 .  
         [0045]     In  FIG. 4  and  4   a , when the vertical spacer is inserted the entire corn head is lifted vertically so that the flighting  230  and paddles  210  will possibly interfere with the feeder house chain  320 . Thus to permit the raising of the entire corn head, point E must be moved laterally in a direction away from the feeder house chain  320 . This movement is accomplished by the insertion of a lateral spacer  270  between the auger trough  200  and frame of the feeder house  340  at its lowest portion. To maintain lateral spacer  270  in its position a fastening means must be provided. Lateral spacer  270  may be fastened to the cross auger  200  trough by any well-known means such as bolts or welding.  
         [0046]     In order to prevent discharge of the material onto the ground through the void created by insertion of lateral spacer  270  a flexible or rigid filler plate  280  must be inserted between the cross auger trough  200  and the feeder house tray  340  and attached with common fasteners.  
         [0047]      FIG. 4   a  shows the invention with lowering only to the aft portion of auger trough  200  in front of feeder house  340 . A further embodiment of this invention is shown in  FIG. 5  wherein the function of the lateral spacer  270  and vertical spacers  240  or  255  are combined in one unit as trapezoidal spacer  245 . This trapezoidal spacer  245  is formed as shown in  FIG. 5  so that it both horizontally and vertically changes the spatial relationship between the feeder house  340  and the exit of cross auger floor  200 . This embodiment could be done if it is desirable with different combine headers to move the auger flighting  230  closer to the feeder house chain  320 . A flexible filler plate  280  is still necessary, which then forms a cylindrical surface to be swept by the path of the feeder house conveyor chain  320 . A fastening member is provided to hold the cross auger trough  200  and the feeder house  340  together by a fastener means  205  to ensure that the members remain in position at all time, including park.  
         [0048]     A further embodiment is shown in  FIG. 6  wherein the vertical spacer  255  is inserted between the frame  250  and the feeder house  340 . This vertical spacer  255  is fastened to the corn head frame  250  in the same manner as vertical spacer  240  in  FIG. 4 . There is also shown in  FIG. 6  the flexible feeder plate  280 , which conforms to the cylindrical path swept by the feeder house chain  320 . The flexible feeder plate  280  also maintains a seal between the trough  200  and the feeder house  340  during lateral tilt.  
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the invention showing the vertical spacer  240 , frame member  250 , feeder house  340 , and the filler plate  275  between the feeder house  340  and the rear vertical wall of the cross auger trough  200 . The corn head and feeder house are connected by fastening means  272  to ensure that they remain in position at all times including park.  
         [0050]      FIGS. 8-22  generally shows the method and apparatus for universal selection of a corn head for attachment to a combine.  FIGS. 8 and 9  provide isometric views of the universal corn head frame  250  from the row unit  80  and combine feeder house  340  attachment sides, respectively. The corn head mounting frame system is compromised of a top horizontal beam  10  and a lower horizontal cross beam  12 . The top beam  10  serves as the supporting skeleton or structure for assembly of the rest of the corn head frame  250 . As shown by  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the top beam  10  and the breast plate  15  are aligned in the same plane and are parallel to each other and when combined with the feeder house towers  22  on each side form the universal frame feeder house opening  20 . After creation of the universal frame feeder house opening  20  the rest of the corn head frame  250  is built by first attaching frame towers  26  along the length of the top beam  10 . Tower crosses  28  are then connected to the frame towers  26  and opposite to the top beam  10 . As shown in FIGS.  9  the spacing between frame towers  26  and the feeder house towers  22  is reduced to increase support in the middle of the corn header frame  250  and reduce flex. Thereafter, the spacing between the frame towers  26  to the end of the top beam is equal to evenly distribute the supports along the top beam  10 . Connection of foot plate  70  along the length of both the breast plate  15  and the frame tower crosses  28  bridges the support for the mounting and combine attachment side of the corn head, seen in  FIG. 9 , to the row unit  80  attachment side of the corn head frame  250  as seen in  FIG. 8  at multiple points along the length of the corn head frame lower beam  12 . Further distribution and support for both the upper and lower beams is provided by knee braces  60 . Finally, side plates  65  connected at each end of the top beam  10 , the lower beam  12  and the outer cross beams  28  support and maintain the spatial arrangement of the three components while enclosing the ends of the corn head frame  250 .  
         [0051]      FIGS. 8-9  depict the universal frame header which is the subject of this invention.  FIGS. 10-19  show one embodiment of this invention as implemented to attach a corn head to a combine manufactured by Case International®.  FIG. 10  provides an isometric view of the vertical spacer  245  for the universal corn head mounting system and apparatus as taught by the inventor. Spacer braces  30  and spacer clips  35  attached to vertical spacer  245  create a cradle like mount for attachment to the underside of top beam  10 . Insertion and attachment of the vertical spacer  245  onto the bottom side of the corn head frame top beam  10  strategically aligns the corn head with the combine for attachment and improved flow through the cross auger trough  200 , feeder house opening  20  and into the combine feeder house  340  and combine. See  FIG. 5  showing the head attached to a combine using vertical spacer  245 .  FIGS. 11 and 12  provide front and end views, respectively, of the vertical spacer  245  shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 13  is an isometric view of the side filler plate  55  used with the vertical spacer  245  embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . Side filler plates  55  are attached at mounting plate  58  within the corn head on either side of the feeder house frame opening  20  to provide a virtually solid and continuous transitional wall between the corn head frame and the feeder house  340  to prevent loss of corn material. Side filler plate support  56  reduces the flex of the side filler plate  55  and in combination with preformed back wall plate  45  surrounds the feeder house frame opening  20 . The combined installation of the vertical spacer  245  with side filler plate  55  and preformed back wall plate  45  into a corn head frame having a universal feeder house frame opening  20  provides a substantially custom fit attachment method and apparatus adaptable to any model or make of combine requiring the switching of only a few parts.  FIGS. 14 and 15  provides a front and end view, respectively, of the side filler plate  55  as shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 16  provides an isometric view of the preformed back wall plate  45  used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  while  FIGS. 17 and 18  show front and side views of the preformed back wall plate  45  used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0054]      FIGS. 19-22  show another embodiment of this invention as implemented to attach a corn head to a combine manufactured by John Deere®.  FIG. 19  provides an isometric view of another embodiment of the vertical spacer  240  for the universal corn head mounting system and apparatus as taught by the inventor. Similar to the teachings for in  FIGS. 10-12 , the arrangement of spacer braces  30  and spacer clips  35  around the perimeter of vertical spacer  240  shown in  FIG. 19  allow a cradle like attachment of vertical spacer  240  to the underside of top beam  10 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the vertical spacer design chosen and taught by the inventor allows further modification for attachment of the corn head to the combine. In this particular embodiment, the mounting recesses  24  shown in  FIG. 19  are of the type found on most late model John Deere® combines.  FIG. 20  provides a front view of vertical spacer  240  without the spacer brackets  30  and clips  35  shown.  FIG. 21  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19  without brackets.  FIG. 22  provides an isometric view of the side filler plates  63  used with, and placed on both sides of, the embodiment of the vertical spacer  240  shown in  FIG. 19 . Side filler plate horizontal mount  62  allows attachment of the bottom of the side filler plates  63  to the top of the breast plate  15  while side filler plate vertical mount  62  allows attachment to the lower side of the vertical spacer  240 . The arrangement and attachment of vertical spacer  240  and side filler plates  63  surround and enclose the universal feeder house frame opening  20 . The combined installation of the vertical spacer  240  with side filler plate  63  into a corn head frame having a universal feeder house frame opening  20  provides a substantially custom fit attachment method and apparatus adaptable to any model or make of combine requiring the switching of only a few parts.  
         [0055]     Having described the preferred embodiment, other features of the present invention will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as will numerous modifications and alterations in the embodiments of the invention illustrated, all of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.