Abstract:
Improved headers of a combine harvester are disclosed. The headers include structure in the form of upper and lower infeed conveyors which cooperate to maintain compressive contact with a flow of crop material that is being conveyed by the belts to the header outlet regardless of the flow characteristics of the mat of material being conveyed. The result is a consistent flow of crop material being passed through the header which results in more efficient harvester operation and more productive crop yield.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The subject application relates generally to a header for use with agricultural harvesters. In particular, the subject application relates to a dual conveyor infeed for a header of a combine harvester. 
     The headers for agricultural harvesters, such as combines, that harvest crops may assume a variety of configurations depending on the crop being harvested. In any case, harvester headers include devices for conveying harvested crop to a feederhouse after which the crop undergoes additional processing. After the crop is cut by a cutting knife or other cutting mechanism, it is typically gathered for example by a reel that transports the crop to a header conveyor device which may include one or more augers or belt conveyors. Generally, the header conveyor device includes an opposed set of lateral augers (as in an auger header) or belts (as in a draper header) which transfer crop from lateral ends of the header toward a feederhouse opening located at a central region of the header. The feederhouse extends generally perpendicular to the conveyor augers or belts. In draper headers, for example, a central infeed belt and a central infeed auger are provided in order to impel the crop flowing from the lateral belts into the feederhouse opening. The central infeed auger spans the feederhouse opening and has helical vanes which terminate at the opposite ends of the infeed auger. 
     It has been observed that during operation of an agricultural harvester having a header equipped with a feederhouse infeed auger that the outer ends of the rotating infeed auger vanes interfere with the laterally incoming crop flow. This interference between the infeed auger vanes and the incoming crop flow causes crop to collect at the opposite ends of the infeed auger. The collected crop in turn results in an inconsistent flow of crop being fed by the infeed auger to the feederhouse. The inconsistent crop flow may include “dead zones” where little or no crop is present and is not actively being transported or moved and heavy zones where excessive crop is present. Grain processed through the header can accumulate at the dead zones or voids and thereby negatively impact the overall efficiency and operation of the combine during harvesting operations. Furthermore, in conventional combine harvesters, due to the overall cylindrical shape of the header&#39;s cross auger and the feederhouse feed drum, there exists a region or void space between them at or below their respective central rotational axes that grain is not actively transported. Because of this void and lack of any active transport means between the cross auger and feeder drum grain flow may become inhibited and back up. That is, grain is only passively conveyed between the cross auger and the feeder drum through the void in conventional combines. Such inconsistent crop flow results in inconsistent demands being placed on the entire harvesting machine. Therefore, machine settings including engine speed and other parameters must be continually adjusted to accommodate for the effects of the inconsistent flow of crop which may lead to more energy being used by the harvester than might otherwise be necessary to harvest the crop. Furthermore, some of the crop which collects at the outer ends of the infeed auger may be forced over the auger such that it is not picked up by the feederhouse conveyor and is left in the field, thereby resulting in a less than optimal crop harvest. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The subject application provides a header for an agricultural harvester wherein the header delivers cut crop in a consistent manner to the feederhouse and reduces crop being left in the field. The headers include improved infeed systems including upper and lower infeed conveyors that cooperate to deliver substantially consistent flows of harvested grain to the feederhouse regardless of whether the grain being harvested is large and bushy or fine and thin. The upper infeed conveyor and the lower infeed conveyor define a variable, funnel-like throat through which masses of flowing crop may pass to the feederhouse in a consistent and efficient manner. The upper infeed conveyor is vertically movable relative to the lower infeed conveyor based upon a flow characteristic of the flow of grain received by the first and second infeed conveyors. In particular, the upper infeed conveyor is mounted on a pivot about which it may pivot upwardly and downwardly in order to accommodate variable rates of grain being transported by the lower infeed conveyor. Together, the first and second conveyors engage and compress or “sandwich” the flow of crop without causing crop to collect at the feederhouse opening. The result is a more consistent flow of crop to the feederhouse. Additional devices may be provided to vary the compressive force applied by the second infeed conveyor in order to promote consistent conveyance of variable rates of crop flow. The upper and lower infeed conveyors can be e.g., a belt conveyor. 
     In accordance with a first aspect, the subject application provides a header for an agricultural harvester. The header includes a frame or chassis that is connectable to an agricultural harvester and an outlet for delivering grain to a feederhouse. A crop cutter is mounted on the chassis and a laterally extending header conveyor is provided which receives grain harvested by the crop cutter and conveys the harvested grain towards the outlet. The header further includes cooperating first and second conveyors or infeed conveyors. The first conveyor lies adjacent the outlet and receives a flow of grain from the laterally extending header conveyor and conveys the flow of grain rearwardly toward the outlet. The second conveyor is disposed diametrically opposed to the first conveyor and simultaneously with the first conveyor facilitates conveying the flow of grain toward the outlet, e.g., by funneling and compressing the flow of grain. The second conveyor is movable relative to the first conveyor. The header may further include a sensor for detecting a flow characteristic of the flow of grain received by the first conveyor and the second conveyor is movable relative to the first conveyor based upon the detected flow characteristic of the flow of grain received by the first conveyor. 
     In accordance with a second aspect, the subject application provides a header for an agricultural harvester including a chassis, a crop cutter mounted on the chassis and a header conveyor. The header conveyor receives grain harvested by the crop cutter and conveys the grain towards an outlet of the header. The header further includes a first conveyor for receiving a flow of grain from the header conveyor and conveying the flow of grain rearwardly towards the outlet. The first conveyor extends towards the outlet terminating at a position immediately adjacent the outlet. The header further includes a second conveyor disposed diametrically opposed to the first conveyor and extending towards the outlet terminating at a position immediately adjacent the outlet for simultaneously engaging the flow of grain conveyed by the first conveyor for compressing and conveying the flow of grain toward the outlet. The second conveyor includes a substantially planar anterior deflecting surface for deflecting the flow of grain in between the first and second conveyors. 
     In accordance with a third aspect, the subject application provides a header for an agricultural harvester including a chassis, a crop cutter mounted on the chassis, a header conveyor, a first conveyor, a second conveyor and a mounting assembly. The header conveyor receives grain harvested by the crop cutter and conveys the grain towards an outlet of the header. The first conveyor receives a flow of grain from the header conveyor and conveys the flow of grain rearwardly towards the outlet. The second conveyor is disposed diametrically opposed to and above the first conveyor to sandwich and simultaneously engage the flow of grain conveyed by the first conveyor for compressing and conveying the flow of grain toward the outlet. The mounting assembly mounts the second conveyor to the header. The mounting assembly includes a linkage having a first end pivotably connected to the chassis and a second end opposite the first end pivotably connected to a frame of the second conveyor. The mounting assembly further includes an actuator pivotably mounted to the chassis and engaged with the linkage for moving the linkage between at least first and second positions and biasing the second conveyor against the flow of grain. 
     An advantage of headers constructed according to the subject application is that harvested grain is delivered to the feederhouse in a highly consistent manner regardless of the characteristics of the flow of grain being conveyed. That is, large and bushy crops as well as fine and thin crops can be conveyed to the feederhouse with equal effectiveness and with minimal resistance by the first and second infeed conveyors e.g., in a spread out evenly distributed manner across the entire width of the infeed conveyor. As a result, engine speed and other machine settings require less adjustment during operation of the harvester and less energy is consumed by the harvester. A further advantage of headers constructed according to the subject application is that grain and material other than grain (MOG) does not bunch up and collect at the lateral ends of the first and second infeed conveyors. Furthermore, the first and second infeed conveyors may be constructed and arranged so as to define a funnel-like mouth for simultaneously pulling the crop downwardly and rearwardly during conveyance. That is, the first and second conveyors define an inlet for receiving the flow of grain and an outlet for discharging the flow of grain. The inlet can be larger than the outlet for funneling the flow of grain from the inlet to the outlet. Consequently, crop is not deposited back onto the field and grain yield is correspondingly increased. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of several aspects of the subject application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the subject application there are shown in the drawings several aspects, but it should be understood that the subject application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an agricultural harvester including a header; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial schematic front elevation view of a conventional header for an agricultural harvester; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial schematic top plan view of the header of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic elevational cross-section view of a conventional header for an agricultural harvester taken along a centerline of the header; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic elevational cross-section view of an agricultural harvester header according to the subject application taken along a centerline of the header; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial schematic side elevation view of a mechanism for supporting an upper infeed belt conveyor according to an aspect of the subject application; and 
         FIG. 7  is a partial schematic top plan view of the mechanism shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the various aspects of the subject application illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject application in any manner not explicitly set forth. Additionally, the term “a,” as used in the specification, means “at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
     The terms “grain” and “grains” are used throughout the specification for convenience and it should be understood that these terms are not intended to be limiting. Thus, “grain” and “grains” refers to that part of a crop which is harvested and separated from discardable portions of the crop. 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein aspects of the subject application are shown,  FIG. 1  illustrates an agricultural harvester applicable to the subject application in the form of a combine harvester  10  to which is attached a header  12 . The header  12  has a crop cutter or knife assembly  14  arranged close the ground. The knife assembly can include a stationary blade and a reciprocating blade which together act as shears that cut the crop near the ground. A harvesting reel  16  having tines  18  rotates about a horizontal axis adjacent to the knife assembly  14  to gather the cut crop and feed it into unillustrated processing machinery of the harvester. While a draper header is used herein for purposes of illustrating the subject application, other headers can be used with the various aspects disclosed herein. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 2 through 4 , there are shown several views of a header assembly  112  of conventional construction. The header assembly  112  includes a crop cutter and harvesting reel  116  ( FIG. 4 ) followed rearwardly by a crop or grain conveyor system. The harvesting reel  116  gathers the crop cut by the crop cutter  114  and delivers the cut crop to a conveyor system. The conveyor system typically includes a header conveyor constructed as a pair of opposed, laterally extending conveyors  120  which extend from the lateral ends of the header frame or chassis  122  (shown in cross-section in  FIG. 4 ) toward a generally central region of the chassis. As indicated by arrows  124  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , cut crop is delivered by conveyors  120  toward a centrally located infeed conveyor  126 . Infeed conveyor  126  extends substantially perpendicular to conveyors  120  and is driven by conventional belt drive means (not illustrated) to move crop in the direction of arrows  128  toward an outlet  130  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) which leads to a feederhouse  132 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 through 4 , before reaching outlet  130 , the cut crop first encounters a centrally located rotatable infeed auger  134  which impels the crop or grain through the outlet  130 . More specifically, the cut crop is engaged by the helical vanes or flights  136  of the infeed auger  134  and is pushed thereby through outlet  130 . 
     It has been observed that conventional conveyor systems with infeed augers suffer certain disadvantages. Most notably, cut crop or grain has a tendency to collect at the lateral ends  138  of the infeed auger  134  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) resulting in crop material buildup that impacts the flow of crop or grain through the header assembly. Specifically, clumps of crop material at the lateral ends of the infeed auger tend to cause considerable variations in the flow of the crop material that is conveyed between the infeed conveyor  126  and infeed auger  134  through the outlet  130 . That is, the clumped grain and MOG at the ends of the infeed auger  134  causes both dead zones and heavy zones in the mat of grain being conveyed. Dead zones are areas where little or no crop or grain is actively passed to the feederhouse  132  whereas heavy zones are areas where large amounts of crop or grain are passed to the feederhouse. 
     This problem is further exacerbated by the construction and arrangement of the header&#39;s infeed auger  134  and the feederhouse feed drum. In conventional combine harvesters, due to the overall cylindrical shape of the header&#39;s infeed auger  134  and the feederhouse feed drum, there exists a region or void space between them at or below their respective central rotational axes that grain is not actively transported, i.e., a dead zone A ( FIG. 4 ). This void and lack of any active transport between the infeed auger and feederhouse drum causes grain flow to become inhibited and back up at this location. That is, grain is only passively conveyed between the infeed auger and the feederhouse drum through the void in conventional combines. The result of this inconsistent flow of grain is inconsistent handling and processing of grain by the feederhouse and downstream grain processing equipment carried by the combine harvester. Such inconsistencies in turn necessitate frequent adjustment of harvester engine speed and other machine settings during operation of the harvester. As a result, the harvester operates at less than optimal efficiency and uses more energy than would be necessary if a comparatively consistent flow of crop material were passed from the header  112  to the feederhouse  132  through outlet  130 . 
     It has also been observed that the clumps of grain at the ends of the infeed auger  134  oftentimes collect to the point where cut crop passes over the tops of the auger flights or vanes  136 . In such circumstances, the crop material that is not engaged by the auger vanes  136  may pass over the frame or chassis  122  and fall into the field being harvested where it cannot be processed by the harvester. As a consequence the harvested crop yield is less than optimal. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a cross-section of a header  12  according to an aspect of the subject application. The header  12  includes a frame or chassis  22  upon which is mounted a crop cutter  14  and a harvesting reel  16  which function in the manner generally described above in connection with  FIG. 1 . The header further includes a header conveyor  20  in the form of two opposed laterally extending belt conveyors (only one of which is shown in  FIG. 5 ) that convey grain and other cut crop material harvested by the harvesting reel toward a header outlet  30 . More specifically, the lateral conveyors of header conveyor  20  deliver cut crop to a first conveyor  26  which can be constructed similar in structure and function to infeed belt conveyor  126  described above. For example, the first conveyor  26  can be a belt conveyor. The first conveyor  26  or first infeed conveyor receives a flow of grain from the header conveyor  20  and transports the material rearwardly toward outlet  30  in the direction of arrow  28 . Before reaching the outlet  30 , however, the flow of grain encounters a second conveyor  40  disposed diametrically opposed e.g., above the first conveyor  26 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second conveyor is configured as a belt conveyor. As will be described in greater detail below, the second conveyor simultaneously engages and sandwiches the flow of grain conveyed by the first conveyor  26  while facilitating conveying of the grain by funneling and compressing the flow of grain toward the outlet  30 . 
     The first and second conveyors  26 ,  40  terminate at a position immediately adjacent the header outlet  30 . In particular, the first and second conveyors  26 ,  40  are positioned so as to terminate about a rearward portion of the chassis within where dead zone A would otherwise exist. The close proximity of the ends of the first and second conveyors  26 ,  40  to the outlet  30  functions to provide a substantially continuous flow of grain from the conveyors to the feederhouse  32  and preclude the flow of grain from being hindered downstream of the first and second conveyors. The first and second conveyors  26 ,  40  further define a conveyor inlet for receiving the flow of grain and a conveyor outlet for discharging the flow of grain. The conveyor inlet is larger than the conveyor outlet for funneling the flow of grain from the conveyor inlet to the conveyor outlet. 
     As also discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the second conveyor  40  is movable relative to the first conveyor  26  between at least first and second positions based on at least one flow characteristic of the flow of grain received by the first conveyor  26 , such as mass flow rate, volumetric flow rate, weight, density, speed or the like. The flow characteristic can be detected by at least one or more sensors  13  located proximate the first conveyor  26 . Sensors  13  are electronically connected via suitable processing circuitry to controls of the combine that permit manual and/or automated operation of the header conveyor and in particular the first and second conveyors. 
     As seen in  FIG. 5 , the second conveyor  40  is configured as a belt conveyor that includes an aft roller, a fore roller disposed above the aft roller, and an endless belt extending between the aft and fore rollers thereby defining an inlet formed by the first and second conveyors that is larger than an outlet formed by the first and second conveyors. More particularly, the second conveyor includes a fore roller  42  and an aft roller  44 . The second infeed belt conveyor may also include an intermediate roller  46 . An endless belt  48  is entrained about the rollers of the second infeed belt conveyor. The fore roller  42  is disposed above the aft roller  44  and may be disposed essentially directly above the intermediate roller  46  (if present). However, for reasons discussed in connection with the description of  FIG. 6 , the fore roller  42  may reside not only above but forwardly of the intermediate roller  46 . In any case, the first and second infeed belt conveyor arrangement according to the subject application defines an inlet formed by the first and second conveyors that is larger than an outlet formed by the first and second conveyors that minimizes collection of crop or grain at the infeed conveyors and provides a substantially consistent flow of grain to the outlet  30 . 
     The second infeed belt conveyor  40  is pivotably connected to the header. For example, the second infeed belt conveyor can be mounted on a pivot  59  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) which is constructed and arranged to define a horizontal pivot axis  52 . Pivot  59  enables the second infeed belt conveyor  40  to vary its pitch about the axis  52  thereby allowing the fore and aft ends of the second conveyor to move in a vertical direction relative to the first infeed belt conveyor  26 . The significance of this capability is that it allows the second infeed belt conveyor  40  to maintain contact with and compress or bias the flow of grain as it passes between the first and second infeed belt conveyors  26 ,  40 . Thus, whether the mat of flowing grain from the lateral conveyors presents low spots or high spots, the infeed belt conveyors  26 ,  40  will remain in positive compressive contact with the flow of grain so that the grain is sandwiched as it flows between the infeed belt conveyors whereby it is discharged in a substantially consistent fashion through outlet  30  and into feederhouse  32 . The result is an essentially consistent flow of grain passing through the throat defined by the first and second infeed belt conveyors. Such consistent flow of grain translates into in less adjustment of machine settings, more consistent power needs and less energy consumed by the agricultural harvester during operation thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is depicted a further aspect of the subject application. As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is shown a mounting assembly  51  for mounting the second infeed belt conveyor  40  to the header  12 . In accordance with the subject application, and by way of non-limiting example, the mounting assembly  51  includes a linkage  54  having one end pivotably connected to the header frame or chassis  22  and an opposite end pivotably connected to a frame of the second conveyor  40 . The mounting assembly  51  further includes an actuator  62  pivotably mounted to the chassis and engaged with the linkage for moving the linkage between at least first and second positions and biasing the second conveyor against the flow of grain. 
     The linkage  54  may be any apparatus that enables the second conveyor to move between first and second positions in a vertical direction relative to the first conveyor. Linkage  54  may permit vertical movement of the second infeed belt conveyor relative to the first infeed belt conveyor  26  such as along an inclined path relative to horizontal as the second conveyor is moved between first and second positions. In a first position the second conveyor exerts greater biasing force against the flow of grain and in a second position the second conveyor exerts lesser biasing force against the flow of grain. 
     According to the illustrated example, linkage  54  provides a pivotable mounting of the second conveyor to the chassis. Linkage  54  includes a pair of arms  56  located on opposite lateral sides of the second infeed belt conveyor  40 . A first end of each arm  56  is pivotably connected to the header chassis  22  at a pivot  58  and a second end of each arm  56  is pivotably connected to a frame of the second infeed belt conveyor  40  at pivot  59 . A cross member  60  integrally connects the arms  56  so that they move in unison upwardly and downwardly. It will be understood that the weight of the second infeed belt conveyor  40  and its associated linkage  54  may under certain circumstances be sufficient to maintain compressive engagement of the crop or grain flowing between the second infeed belt conveyor  40  and the first infeed belt conveyor  26 . However, to ensure reliable contact of the second infeed belt conveyor with the flowing crop or grain, linkage  54  may be provided with one or more actuators  62  connected to the second conveyor and the chassis for moving the second infeed belt conveyor in a vertical direction relative to the first infeed belt conveyor and for exerting a downward force or bias against the second infeed belt conveyor. By way of example but not limitation, such devices may include one or more tension, compression or torsion springs or extendable and retractable linear actuators such as single or double acting hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, screw jacks or the like. 
     In the illustrated example shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the actuator  62  may be at least one hydraulic cylinder having a first end pivotably connected to the header frame or chassis  22  and a second end opposite the first end pivotably connected to the cross member  60 . So constructed and arranged, it will be understood that operation of the actuator  62  in a first direction increases downward force exerted by the second infeed belt conveyor  40  against the flow of grain whereas operation of the actuator in a second or opposite direction reduces downward force exerted by the second infeed belt conveyor against the flow of grain. In the illustrated example, retraction of the actuator  62  increases the downward force exerted by the actuator on the second conveyor  40  and extension of the actuator reduces the downward force exerted by the actuator on the second conveyor. Thus, it will be appreciated that the linkage  54  may be operable to exert variable downward compressive forces against the flowing grain to ensure that such material, whether thick and bushy or thin and fine, passes the through the outlet  30  in substantially continuous and consistent fashion. Furthermore, the pivoted connection  58  of linkage  54  with header frame  22  permits the linkage and thus the second infeed belt conveyor  40  to be raised upwardly to release excessive masses of crop or grain that might occasionally accumulate between the first and second infeed belt conveyors. 
     In addition, it will be understood that the second conveyor  40  can be configured to move automatically relative to the first conveyor  26  based upon a flow characteristic of the flow of grain detected by sensor  13 , as described in the above aspect of the subject application. Specifically, the actuator  62  is operatively in communication with a sensor  13  that detects a flow characteristic of the flow of grain received by the first conveyor and configured to move the second conveyor in a direction in response to the detected flow characteristic so that the second conveyor applies a bias on the flow of grain. Further, when the second conveyor is a belt conveyor having an endless belt, it is the endless belt of the second conveyor that biases the flow of grain. 
     The second infeed belt conveyor  40  may be driven solely by frictional contact with or grain flowing between it and the power-driven first infeed belt conveyor  26 . However, it is also contemplated that the second infeed belt conveyor may itself be driven at a constant or variable speed by an unillustrated motor which further promotes reliable and consistent passage of grain between the first and second infeed belt conveyors. The second conveyor drive motor may be reversible as may the motor which drives the first infeed belt conveyor  26  so that each motor may drive its respective infeed belt conveyor away from rather than toward the outlet  30  in order to effectively discharge clogs or plugs of crop material that may occasionally accumulate at the outlet. It will be understood that such clogs may be observed visually or may be detected by sensor  13 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown the respective positioning of the fore and aft rollers  42 ,  44  of the second infeed belt conveyor  40 . According to the present aspect, in which an optional intermediate roller  46  is also present, the fore roller  42  is disposed vertically above the aft roller  44  and the intermediate roller  46 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , the fore roller  42  is disposed substantially directly above the intermediate roller  46  and in  FIG. 6  the fore roller is positioned above and forwardly of the intermediate roller at an acute angle α relative to horizontal. In both cases, the second infeed belt conveyor  40  forms a substantially planar anterior deflecting surface  64  by a portion of endless belt  48  extending between the fore and intermediate rollers  42 ,  46  for facilitating funneling of the flow of grain to the header outlet. A particular advantage of the roller arrangement shown in  FIG. 6  is that the first and second infeed belt conveyors define a funnel-like mouth that is especially useful in harvesting larger, bushier crop. More specifically, the sloped belt surface of the anterior face  64  between the fore and intermediate rollers  42 ,  46  operates to simultaneously pull the crop downwardly and rearwardly thereby leveling off the flow of grain entering between the first and second conveyors. Consequently, the likelihood that cut crop might reach the upper run of the second infeed belt conveyor and be launched forward toward the harvesting reel or deposited back into the field is minimized and crop recovery is correspondingly optimized. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the various aspects described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is to be understood, therefore, that the subject application is not limited to the particular aspects disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the subject application as defined by the appended claims.