Patent Publication Number: US-2015068781-A1

Title: Stem deflector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of and claims priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/322,146, filed Jul. 2, 2014, which is a continuation of and claims priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/189,184, filed Jul. 22, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present embodiments relate generally to agricultural equipment and more particularly to stem deflectors that are utilized with crop harvesting machines, for example. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Stem deflectors are utilized with crop harvesting machines such as combine harvesters. A combine harvester, or simply combine, is a machine that harvests grain crops. It combines into a single operation a process that previously required three separate operations (reaping, threshing, and winnowing). Among the crops harvested with a combine are wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn (maize), soybeans and flax (linseed). Combines are equipped with removable heads that are designed for particular crops. 
     Stem deflectors are units that mount to a rear of a combine head (for example, a corn head). A stem deflector bends over the remaining stem after the head has harvested the ear of corn, for example. Stem deflectors typically include springs that bias a shoe against the earth for bending or crushing the stems as the combine travels in a forward direction. These springs are in a substantially compressed state when the stem deflector bends or crushes the stems. In some such stem deflectors, holders for the springs are positioned such that severe compression can cause the springs to “kink-out” or bow to one side, which is undesirable. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure address these and other problems, and offer other advantages over the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment is directed to a stem deflector, which includes an arm and a shoe having a first end and a second end. The first end of the shoe is coupled to the arm with a fastener. At least one torsion spring is active between the arm and the shoe. 
     Another embodiment is directed to a stem deflector that includes a mounting arm element that has a first spring holder. The stem deflector also includes a shoe, coupled to the mounting arm element, having an outer side, an inner side, a first end, a second end and a middle portion. The middle portion of the shoe includes a second spring holder on the inner side. The stem deflector further includes a compression spring having a first end coupled to the first spring holder and a second end coupled to the second spring holder. The first spring holder and the second spring holder are substantially aligned along a same axis. 
     This summary is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the stem deflector. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic illustration of a combine harvester with a connected head to which a stem deflector is coupled. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side elevation view of a stem deflector in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the stem deflector of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of an arm of the stem deflector of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of a mounting bracket of the stem deflector of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a side elevation view of a stem deflector in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of a stem deflector of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the stem deflector of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3D  is an exploded view of a torsion spring and bolt of the stem deflector of  FIG. 3A . 
     
    
    
     While the above-identified figures set forth certain embodiments of the stem deflector, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the stem deflector by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic illustration of a combine harvester  100  with a connected head  102  to which a set of stem deflectors  104  is coupled. In  FIG. 1 , combine harvester  100  is shown harvesting crop (corn, for example)  106  in a direction shown by arrow  108 . Stem deflector  104  is shown crushing a stem  110  as the crop is being harvested.  FIGS. 2A through 2D  and  3 A through  3 C show different embodiments of stem deflectors. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show different views of a stem deflector  200  in accordance with one embodiment. As will be described below, stem deflector  200  has compression spring holders positioned such that a compression spring does not bow to one side when severely compressed. As can be seen in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , stem deflector  200  includes an arm  202 , a shoe  204 , a mounting bracket  206  to which arm  202  and shoe  204  are coupled, and a compression spring  208  that operates between arm  202  and shoe  204 . Arm  202  and mounting bracket  206  together constitute a mounting arm element  207 , which may include a plurality of pieces of material connected together or a single piece of material. Stem deflector  200  can be coupled to a combine harvester head (such as  102  of  FIG. 1 ) with the help of mounting bracket  206 , which is typically mounted on another set of brackets that attach component  206  to the combine harvester head. 
       FIG. 2C  is a diagrammatic illustration of arm  202  of stem deflector  200 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C, arm  202  has a first end  210  and a second end  212 . Arm  202  includes a first spring holder  214  proximate second end  212 . Arm  202 , with the help of first spring holder  214 , holds spring  208  in place so that spring  208  can properly bias shoe  204  against the earth for bending or crushing stems. In some embodiments, arm  202  may be a hollow arm made of any suitable metal or other material. In other embodiments, arm  202  may be a solid arm made of any suitable metal or other material. As can be seen in  FIG. 2C , arm  202  includes channels or bores  216 ,  218  and  220  that extend through arm  202 . Bores  216 ,  218  and  220  receive fasteners (for example, bolts) that couple arm  202  to mounting bracket  206 . It should be noted that, if arm  202  is hollow, each of features  216 ,  218  and  220  includes coaxially-aligned holes on opposing sides of hollow arm  202 . Specifics regarding coupling of arm  202  to mounting bracket  206  are provided further below. 
     As noted above, stem deflector  200  includes a shoe  204  for crushing and bending stems. Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , shoe  204  has an outer side  222 , an inner side  224 , a first end  226 , a second end  228  and a middle portion  230 . Components of shoe  204  can include a base  232 , which may be substantially convex on outer side  222 , a connection bar  234 , a reinforcement bar  236  and a second spring holder  238  that may be coupled to, or integrally formed with, reinforcement bar  236 . Connection bar  234  is coupled to base  232  and to reinforcement bar  236 . Reinforcement bar  236  helps distribute forces substantially evenly to different parts of shoe  204  while it is biased against the earth to bend or crush stems. Shoe  204  may be made of any suitable metal or other material. In one embodiment, both arm  202  and shoe  204  are made of a same material. In some embodiments, shoe  204  includes a cover  239  that is connected to base  232  of shoe  204  on outer side  222 . In one embodiment, cover  239  comprises polyethylene. Of course, any other suitable material or combination of materials may be employed to form cover  239 . Cover  239  is replaceable and may be held in place with the help of carriage bolts  240  or any other suitable fasteners. Cover  239 , which is substantially cheaper to replace than the rest of shoe  204 , protects base  232  of shoe  204  form wearing during operation. Also, a material such as polyethylene of which cover  239  may be formed is less prone to dirt build up than a metal base  232  of shoe  204 . 
       FIG. 2D  is a diagrammatic illustration of mounting bracket  206  of stem deflector  200 . Mounting bracket  206  includes a frame piece  242  and two opposing flanges  244  and  246  coupled to frame piece  242 . Mounting bracket  206  may be made of metal or of any other suitable material. In one embodiment, mounting bracket  206  is made of a same material as arm  202  and shoe  204 . Mounting bracket  206  includes multiple aligned holes such as mounting holes  248 , coupling holes  250  and  252  and an array of adjustment holes  254  in flanges  244  and  246 . Mounting holes  248  receive fasteners (for example, bolts) for coupling mounting bracket  206  to a combine harvester head (such as  102  of  FIG. 1 ). Coupling holes  250  and  252  receive fasteners (for example, bolts) that couple shoe  204  and arm  202 , respectively, to mounting bracket  206 . Adjustment holes  254 , which accept a pin (a bolt, for example), are employed for adjusting a position of arm  202  relative to shoe  204 . Different adjustment positions of arm  202  produce different levels of compression in spring  208 . Details regarding arm position adjustments are provided further below. 
     As noted above, compression spring  208  operates between arm  202  and shoe  204 . Compression spring  208  may be made out of steel or any other suitable material. A first end  256  of compression spring  208  is mounted around or connected to first spring holder  214  and a second end  258  of compression spring  208  is mounted around or connected to second spring holder  238 . 
     Stem deflector  200  may further include a containing chain  260  that has a first end  262  coupled to second end  212  of arm  202  and a second end  264  coupled to reinforcement bar  236 . The length of chain  260  sets a maximum separation distance between second end  212  of arm  202  and reinforcement bar  236 . 
     As indicated earlier, stem deflector  200  is designed and assembled such that first spring holder  214  and second spring holder  238  are positioned in a manner that compression spring  208  does not bow to one side when severely compressed. Specifically, to prevent compression spring  208  from bowing to one side, first spring holder  214  and second spring holder  238  are substantially aligned along a same axis  265  as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Details regarding how components of stem deflector  200  are operably coupled together are provided below. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , arm  202  and shoe  204  are each pivotally coupled to mounting bracket  206 , using suitable fasteners, along pivot axes  266  and  268  (shown in  FIG. 2B ), respectively. Specifically, connection bar  234  of shoe  204  is coupled to mounting bracket  206  at first end  226  of shoe  204  by a bolt  270  that passes through coaxially aligned holes  250  (shown in  FIG. 2D ) in mounting bracket  206  and through connection bar  234  of shoe  204  along pivot axis  266  (shown in  FIG. 2B ). Similarly, first end  212  of arm  202  is coupled to mounting bracket  206  by a bolt  272  that passes through coaxially aligned holes  252  (shown in  FIG. 2D ) in mounting bracket  206  and through bore  216  in arm  202  along pivot axis  268  (shown in  FIG. 2B ). In this embodiment, arm  202  is pivotal in a plane  276  (shown in  FIG. 2B ) that is perpendicular to pivot axis  268  (shown in  FIG. 2B ). In one embodiment, pivotal movement of arm  202  is limited to vertical plane  276  (shown in  FIG. 2B ). As noted above, opposing flanges  244  and  246  also include aligned adjustment holes  254 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , adjustment holes  254  are arranged in columns within a plane parallel to vertical plane  276  (shown in  FIG. 2B ). A position/location of arm  202  in vertical plane  276  (shown in  FIG. 2B ) can be adjusted to enable compression spring  208  to apply a suitable biasing force on shoe  204  by moving arm  202  about pivot axis  268  (shown in  FIG. 2B ) and inserting a bolt  274  through a respective pair of adjustment holes  254  and bore  218 ,  220  (shown in  FIG. 2C ) of arm  202 . 
     It should be noted that, although stem deflector  200  is shown as including an array of two columns of three vertically aligned adjustment holes and two corresponding bores, any suitable number or arrangement of holes and bores may be used. It should also be noted that, in some embodiments, connection bar  232  of shoe  204  and arm  202  may be connected to mounting bracket  206  on a same pivot axis using a single bolt rather than on two different pivot axes  266  and  268  (shown in  FIG. 2B ) with separate bolts  270  and  272 . 
     Stem deflectors  200  are employed on surfaces of the earth that may be fairly uneven, and therefore forces on compression spring  208  typically vary as shoe  204  moves along the earth while bending or crushing stems. In illustrative embodiments, as shoe  204  pivots about axis  266 , compression spring  208  compresses linearly. In some embodiments, axis  265  is aligned with a central axis (not shown separately) of compression spring  208 . It should be noted that, in illustrative embodiments, first spring holder  214  and second spring holder  238  are substantially aligned along same axis  265  when spring  208  is in a fully extended and/or compressed state (as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ), as limited by containing chain  260 . It should further be noted that first spring holder  214  and second spring holder  238  may also be substantially aligned along same axis  265  when spring  208  is at a intermediate compression state along a travel path between the fully extended and fully compressed states. In general, first spring holder  214  and second spring holder  238  are substantially aligned along same axis  265  when spring  208  is in at least one of the fully extended, the fully compressed or the intermediate states. It should be noted that the fully extended state of spring  208  is defined by the length of chain  260 . Although second spring holder  238  travels along an arc when shoe  204  compresses spring  208  toward first spring holder  214 , its axis remains substantially aligned with that of first spring holder  214  over the relatively short travel compression distance such that spring  208  does not kink-out or bow during compression. 
       FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C show different views of a stem deflector  300  in accordance with one embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, stem deflector  300  does not include any compression spring, but instead employs one or more torsion springs that bias a shoe against the earth. Thus, in this embodiment, the problem of potential bowing to one side of compression springs under severe compression is addressed by completely eliminating compression springs from stem deflector  300 . As will be discussed in detail further below, stem deflector  300  is, in general, less complex than stem deflector  200  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
     Stem deflector  300  includes an arm  302 , a shoe  304  and at least one torsion spring  306 ,  308  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) that is active between arm  302  and shoe  304 . As indicted above, in this embodiment, torsion spring  306 ,  308  biases shoe  304  against the earth for bending or crushing the stems as the combine travels in a forward direction. 
     Arm  302  has a first end  310 , a second end  312  and a width  313  (shown in  FIG. 3B ). As in the case of arm  202  of stem deflector  200  (shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ), arm  302  may be hollow or solid and may be formed of any suitable material. However, unlike stem deflector  200 , in which the arm and the mounting bracket may be separate, arm  302  of stem deflector  300  includes an integrated mounting bracket  314  at first end  310 . Mounting bracket portion  314  may have a rectangular cross-section, inverted U-shaped cross-section, or may be of any other suitable configuration. A remaining portion of arm  302  including second end  312  may have an L-shaped cross-section or any other suitable cross-section. Mounting bracket portion  314  of arm  302  includes multiple holes or bores  316  which can receive fasteners that couple stem deflector  300  to a combine harvester head (such as  102  of  FIG. 1 ). Also, some of holes  316 , which can receive fasteners that couple shoe  304  to arm  302  and can be used to mount torsion spring  306 ,  308  between arm  302  and shoe  304 , cannot be seen in  FIGS. 3A through 3C  as a result of being covered by a fastener. A rectangular slot  327  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) is employed for plug welding. Additional holes or bore  317  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) may be included in arm  302  to receive a fastener that holds an arm of torsion springs  306  and  308  in place. The coupling of torsion springs  306  and  308  to arm  302  is described further below. 
     As noted above, stem deflector  300  also includes shoe  304 , which is similar to shoe  204  (shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and may be formed of a metal or any other suitable material. As in the case of shoe  204 , shoe  304  has an outer side  318 , an inner side  320 , a first end  322 , a second end  324  and a middle portion  326 . Components of shoe  304 , which are substantially similar to the components of shoe  204 , include a base  328 , which may be substantially convex on outer side  318 , a connection bar  330 , a reinforcement bar  332  and a shoe cover  334 , which is held in place with the help of carriage bolts  336 . Connection bar  330  is coupled to base  328  and may be integrally formed with, or coupled to, reinforcement bar  332 . These components of shoe  304  are functionally similar to the components of shoe  204  and therefore component functional details are not repeated. 
     As noted above, torsion spring  306 ,  308  operates between arm  302  and shoe  304 , as shoe  304  pivots relative to arm  302  about an axis  346  defined by bolt  344 . Torsion spring  306 ,  308  includes, for example, a torsion bar or a helical torsion spring. Torsion spring  306 ,  308  may be made out of steel or any other suitable material.  FIG. 3D  shows an exploded view of torsion spring  306 ,  308  and bolt  344 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3D , torsion spring  306 ,  308  includes an anchor arm  307 , a working arm  309  and a coil  311 . Coil  311  has an inner diameter  315 . Bolt  344  extends through a bushing or standoff  319  and through inner diameter  315  of coil  311 . Working arm  309  moves to twist coil  311  as shoe  304  pivots about axis  346 . It should be noted that, although torsion springs  306  and  308  are shown mounted around bolt  344  along axis  346 , in some embodiments, torsion springs  306  and  308  may be mounted around a different fastener (not shown) that is connected through arm  302  along a different axis than axis  346  about which shoe  304  rotates. Additional details regarding mounting and operation of torsion spring  306 ,  308  are included further below. 
     As in the case of stem deflector  200 , stem deflector  300  may further include a containing chain  338  that has a first end  340  coupled to second end  312  of arm  302  and a second end  342  coupled to reinforcement bar  332 . Chain  338  has a similar function as chain  260  of stem deflector  200 . Details regarding how primary components of stem deflector  300  are operably coupled together are provided below. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C, first end  322  of shoe  304  is pivotally coupled to first end  310  of arm  302  by fastener (for example, a bolt)  344  along pivot axis  346  (shown in  FIG. 3C ). In this embodiment, shoe  304  is pivotal in a plane  348  (shown in  FIG. 3C ) that is perpendicular to pivot axis  346 . In one embodiment, pivotal movement of shoe  304  is limited to vertical plane  348  (shown in  FIG. 3C ). In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C, torsion springs  306  and  308  are mounted around portions  350  and  352  (shown in  FIG. 3B ), respectively, of bolt  344  that extend beyond the width  313  of arm  302 . 
     Mounting of torsion springs  306  and  308  can be carried out by first inserting bolt  344  into bushing  319  and through torsion spring  308  such that bolt  344  extends through an inner diameter  315  (shown in  FIG. 3D ) of coil  311  (shown in  FIG. 3D ) and such that coil  311  (shown in  FIG. 3D ) of torsion spring  308 , when mounted, is around portion  352  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) of bolt  344 . Next, a portion of bolt  344  that extends beyond portion  352  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) is inserted through one aligned pair of holes  316  in mounting bracket portion  314  such that portion  350  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) of bolt  344  extends beyond width  313  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) of mounting bracket portion  314  of arm  304 . Torsion spring  306  is then mounted around extended portion  350  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) of bolt  344  in a manner similar to torsion spring  308 . A nut  321  (shown in  FIG. 3D ) is then suitably positioned around bolt  344 , and nut  321  (shown in  FIG. 3D ) is tightened to hold the assembly in place. Anchor arms  307  (shown in  FIG. 3D ) of torsion springs  306  and  308  are then fixed in a stationary position by inserting bolt  323  (shown in  FIG. 3C ) into bore  317  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) and suitably connecting, for example, a nut (not shown) to bolt  323  (shown in  FIG. 3C ). It should be noted that torsion springs  306  and  308  are mounted such that working arms  309  of torsion springs  306  and  308  rest against an inner surface of shoe  304 , for example. As noted above, working arm  309  moves to twist coil  311  (shown in  FIG. 3D ) as shoe  304  pivots about axis  346 . 
     It should be noted that, although stem deflector  300  is shown as including two torsion springs  306  and  308  mounted around extended portions  350  and  352  (shown in  FIG. 3B ), respectively, of bolt  344 , any suitable number or arrangement of torsion springs may be used. 
     Stem deflector  300  has several optional advantages over stem deflector  200  (of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). As described above, stem deflector  300  includes features such as arm  302  and shoe  304 , which are similar to arm  202  and shoe  204  of stem deflector  200  (of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ), but includes no compression spring (such as  208  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). Instead, as described above, stem deflector  300  includes at least one torsion spring  316 ,  318 . The use of at least one torsion spring allows for the application of a suitable/proper force during operation through a wider range of motion, for example, between arm  302  and shoe  304  compared to a range of motion provided between arm  202  and shoe  204  of stem deflector  200 . Stem deflector  300  requires no end-user adjustment of a separation distance between arm  302  and shoe  304  for different stem deflector height or downward force requirements. 
     The use of torsion springs also permits elimination of several components such as mounting flanges, an arm with bores for pivotally connecting the arm to the mounting flanges, arm position adjustment features such as adjustment bolts, etc. This not only simplifies manufacturing, but may also increase reliability in some embodiments. 
     It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the particular elements may vary depending on the particular application for the stem deflector while maintaining substantially the same functionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.