Patent Publication Number: US-2018051513-A1

Title: Operator&#39;s Deck and Ladder Assembly for an Articulated Harvesting Combine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is cross-referenced to application Ser. No. 14/946,827 filed Nov. 20, 2015; Ser. No. 14/946,842 filed Nov. 20, 2015; Ser. No. 14/967,691 filed Dec. 14, 2015; Ser. No. 15/621,218 filed Jun. 13, 2017; Ser. No. 15/623,619 filed Jun. 15, 2016; Ser. No. 15/621,218 filed Jun. 13, 2017; Ser. No. 15/636,728 filed Jun. 29, 2016; and Ser. No. 032, filed Aug. 1, 2017. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to harvesting combines, optionally articulated (jointed), and more particularly to an improved method of ingress and egress for the operator. 
     On modern combines, the operator&#39;s cab (sometimes called operator&#39;s station) is located above the feeder house in front of the grain bin and between the large front-axle propel tires. This arrangement has served well for many decades when the size and weight of the machines were small compared to today&#39;s very large and heavy machines. The added weight to today&#39;s machines required that the size of the tires to correspondingly increase to reach capacities that allowed safe operation of the heavy vehicle. Since the overall configuration of the cab and the operator&#39;s platform outside the cab more or less required that the platform span over the tires so that the ladder could hang down outside of the tires for safe use. When dual tires became required to meet the weight an flotation requirements of modern large combines, the width of the platform from the cab to the ladder also increased outwardly even a greater distance. 
     Since these combine designs have no fixed structural member that lies forward of the front tires, the platform was essentially cantilevered from the side of the separator over the wide dual tires to the ladder. This cantilevered condition of the ladder mount, combined with the cantilevered attachment of the ladder at its top to the platform actually predetermined that the ladder respond more like a springboard than a solid ladder. In order to reduce this total cantilever as much as structurally possible, the design of the ladder was universally found to be nearly vertical. 
     The net of all these requirements and structural improprieties is that an operator finds he must climb a nearly vertical ladder that always feels like it is about to break off the machine. Additionally, when the header is removed from the machine and the machine travels on a road, the ladder located outside of the tires makes a very wide machine even dangerously wider. To avoid this extra width, designers have schemed to make the ladders lift, pivot, turn, or otherwise move around such that they do not make the machine wider. The ladder in this transport configuration is not usable by the operator and must be deployed at some effort in order to get up or down from the platform. And the schemes that make the ladder move out of the way, inevitably result in rendering the assembly even more unstable. The final insult in this ordeal is that in order to legally ship these machines on a freight truck, the operator&#39;s platform extensions and the ladder must be completely removed to get the load down to a legal width for a highway load, which is never a simple task. 
     Thus, there is a need for an improved platform and ladder assembly for safe operator ingress and egress, for transport on a freight truck, and for driving the combine over a public road. It is to these considerations that the present disclosure is addressed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a harvesting combine having a cab for an operator, a wheel assembly adjacent to a stairs assembly having a top and a bottom, and an improved stairs assembly for accessing the cab by the operator. The improved stairs assembly in a deployed state is angled outwardly from the top of the stairs assembly. The stairs assembly is rotatably connected about its bottom to both raise the stairs assembly and move its bottom inwardly. The stairs assembly is movably connected by a track assembly about its top so as to permit the top of the stairs assembly to move inwardly and upwardly when the stairs assembly is raised from its deployed state. The bottom of the stairs assembly may be extended outwardly from the vertical to an angle of greater than 15°. 
     An extendable link is connected about the lower end of the stairs assembly to move the lower end of the stairs assembly outwardly to its deployed state for the rigid anchoring of the lower end of the stairs assembly in its deployed state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present method and process, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the articulated harvesting combine fitted with the disclosed straw chopper and distribution assembly disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the articulated harvesting combine of  FIG. 1  showing the pattern of distributed chopped straw therefrom; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the left side of the articulated harvesting combine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom isometric view of the left rear end of the forward unit of the articulated harvesting combine of  FIG. 1  showing the exit opening for the chopped straw; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom isometric view of the right rear end of the forward unit of the articulated harvesting combine of  FIG. 1  showing the exit opening for the chopped straw; 
         FIG. 6  an isometric view of the PPU with grainhead removed to show the disclosed stairs assembly; 
         FIG. 7A  is a front view and  FIG. 7B  is a side view of the disclosed stairs assembly in a down position for ingress/egress of the PPU operator; 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the disclosed stairs assembly in an up (home or stored) position; 
         FIG. 9  a side view of the disclosed stairs assembly in an up or home position; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the disclosed stairs assembly in an up or home position; 
         FIG. 11A  shows just the disclosed stairs assembly in both an extended or working position; 
         FIG. 11B  shows just the disclosed stairs assembly in both a retracted or home position; 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the piston assembly for moving the stairs assembly where the stairs assembly is in a down position; 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of a single piston assembly for moving the stairs assembly where the stairs assembly is in an up position; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged isometric view of the disclosed stairs assembly showing the V-shaped trough of the platform that accepts the round protrusion of the ladder that together serve to prevent the ladder from falling downward; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged isometric view of the disclosed stairs assembly showing the V-shaped trough of the platform with the round protrusion of the ladder captured by the trough; 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric front view of the linear actuator of correct length to lift and lower the ladder for the disclosed ladder assembly; 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric rear view of the linear actuator of correct length to lift and lower the ladder for the disclosed ladder assembly; 
         FIG. 18  is an isometric view of a dual piston assembly for moving the stairs assembly where the stairs assembly is in a down position; and 
         FIG. 19  is an isometric view of a dual piston assembly for moving the stairs assembly where the stairs assembly is in an up position. 
     
    
    
     The drawings will be described in greater detail below. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The significant change of architecture of the disclosed harvesting combine allows a designer to address even the most routine configurations as described in the background above, and design toward the following improvements:
     1. Attachment such that the ladder is not or does not feel like it is a springboard.   2. Ladder orientation such that the platform does not have to reach out past the outside of the tire.   3. A weight distribution that does not require dual tires at any conceivable vehicle weight that the front axle could be expected to carry so that overall width can be reduced.   4. Reasonable and practical (simple) support back to the major structure that positively removes the springboard feeling from the ladder climb.   5. An angled orientation of the ladder making it less vertical and feel more like a typical staircase.   6. The ability to meet all of the above criteria, but still not have any structure outside of the tire width, making it reasonable to have no reconfiguration for typical road travel.   7. An easily operated means of moving the ladder into a raised and lifted position for freight truck transport that will allow the ladder to be quickly and easily moved into such a position.
       a. A design such that such a position could also be achieved very quickly if desired for field operation for whatever reason, but mostly for ground clearance.   
       8. A location and orientation in front of the tires such that the operator does not risk falling into the tire path under reasonable use circumstances; yet, still allow that the ladder protrusion does not add to machine overall width (ladder inside of the tire width).   

     Referring now to the drawings and specifically referring initially to  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , an articulated harvester,  10 , consists of a powered PPU,  12 , a rear grain cart,  14 , and an articulation joint,  16 , that connects PPU  12  with rear grain cart  14 . The details of articulation joint  16  are disclosed in commonly owned application Ser. No. 14/946,827 filed Nov. 20, 2015. PPU  12  carries a grainhead,  18 , supported by a feeder house,  51 , operator&#39;s cab,  20 , grain cleaning and handling assembly, and engines. PPU  12  is devoid of any grain storage, such being exclusive in rear grain cart  14 . While both PPU  12  and rear grain cart  14  are shown being carried by wheel assemblies, one or both could be tracked. A screened air inlet,  15 , is located atop PPU  12  where the air likely is the cleanest around harvesting combine  10 . A radiator cap,  17 , and engine exhaust,  19 , are located behind screened air inlet  15 . The arrows in  FIG. 2  show the distribution of chopped straw,  21 , created by the disclosed straw chopper assemblies. It will be observed that the distribution is at least as wide as grainhead  18 , as desired, and the distribution is relatively even across the entire wide of chopped straw  21 . 
     An off-loading auger assembly,  22 , is in the folded home position and being carried by rear grain cart  14 . Grain cart  14  also bears a foldable roof,  24 , shown in an open position, but which can fold inwardly to cover grain stored in rear grain cart  14 . Foldable roof  24  may be made of metal, plastic, or other suitable material, but may be made of durable plastic for weight reduction and easy folding/unfolding. A grain storage bin is carried by grain cart  14  may be made of plastic also in keeping with desirable weight reduction; although, it could be made of metal also at the expense of weight. All plastic parts may be filled with particulate or fiber reinforcement in conventional fashion and could be laminate in construction. Further details on rear grain cart  14  can be found commonly owned application Ser. No. 14/946,842 filed Nov. 20, 2015. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , the operator is granted access to cab  20  by a stair assembly,  26 , as more fully described below. PPU  12  is supported by wheel assemblies,  28 A and  28 B ( FIG. 2 ). Movable side panels,  30  and  31  (see  FIG. 5 ), grants access to the operator or mechanic to the internal mechanisms housed with in PPU  12  from stair assembly  26  and a platform,  50 , and retains a foldable platform movable from a vertical home position while the panels are in place to a horizontal active position when the panels are moved away. Such foldable platform mates with platform  50 . The movable side panel is more particularly disclosed in commonly owned application Ser. No. ______, filed ______ (62/376,512 filed Aug. 18, 2016; attorney docket no. DIL 2-037). 
     In  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a rear panel,  34 , covers the back of PPU  12 . Panels  30 ,  31  (see  FIG. 5 ), and  34  only extend downwardly to cover about one-half of the height of PPU  12 , allowing access to the exposed internal components for repairs, maintenance, and like occasions. Towards the rear of both panels  30  and  31  are MOG (or for present purposes, chopped straw) outlets,  36 A and  36 B, respectively, having top deflector plates,  38 A and  38 B, respectively. These deflector plates are adjustable for determining the location for depositing MOG expelled from the straw chopper assemblies, as will be further detailed below. MOG discharged from the rear of PPU  12  strikes a deflector,  40  (see  FIG. 5 ), to direct the MOG downwardly and not at grain cart  14 . Six extensions bearing sensors are located just before hood  40  and provide additional grain loss data to the operator. 
     Various drive, sprocket, wheel, and belt assemblies,  46  ( FIG. 4 ) and  48  ( FIG. 5 ), power and operate the bonus sieves assemblies disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 15/649,684, filed Jul. 14, 2017 and will, accordingly, not be described herein. Suffice it to say that the MOG flow from the rotor (concaves and grates) is passed to the bonus sieves that are located in the rear outer space of PPU  12 , which space is open due to the lack of rear wheel assemblies. Such bonus sieves assemblies permit all MOG recycle to be passed back to the bonus sieves assemblies and not to the concaves or grates. An additional airflow is provided for the bonus sieves assemblies, which also could be used in the disclosed straw chopper assemblies. 
     The general layout of stairs assembly  26  can be seen in  FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B . It will be observed that the entire stairs assembly is located forward of wheel assembly  30 A and also does not extend beyond its outer width. It will be observed additionally that stairs assembly  26  angles outwardly from its top to its bottom much like conventional stairs making it easy for the operator to use. The bottom of stairs assembly  26  is just off the ground so that it will not be damaged during movement of combine  10 . Such distance above the adjacent ground, however, is such that the operator can easily access the bottom rung. From its vertical home position, the bottom of stairs assembly  26  moves outwardly greater than about 15° from the vertical. Such angle is less than other harvesting combines making it easier and safer for the operator to ascend and descend on the disclosed stairs assembly. 
     Stairs assembly  26  is shown in an up or home position in  FIGS. 8-10 . It will be observed that stairs assembly  26  in its stowed position is essentially vertically oriented. In such vertical orientation, the ladder does not interfere with normal operation of combine  10 . The upper section of stairs assembly  26  also serves as a fence or barrier preventing the operator from falling off of the platform,  50 .  FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate this feature in greater detail. It will be observed in  FIG. 11B  that stairs assembly  26  has been moved both upwardly and inwardly from its extended position, as shown in  FIGS. 6-7B . The stowed position of stairs assembly  26  ensures truck transport of combine  10  within permissible 12 feet width for US roads with minimal permitting. 
     In  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a lower link,  52  (actually Cat 1 tractor 3 rd  link turnbuckle), pivotally connects the bottom of stairs assembly  26  to a bar,  54 , at the lower front of PPU  12 . The pivotal connection at both ends of lower link  52  enables an arc of travel of the bottom of stairs assembly  26  is extended and retracted. Lower link  52  also anchors the bottom of stairs assembly  26  to prevent unintended movement. The angle of stairs assembly  26  from the vertical can be adjusted by the extent to which lower link  52  (e.g., piston assembly) is extended. Finally, it will be observed that a pair of handrails,  56  and  58 , and located on either side of stairs assembly  26 . 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  provide cutaway views of the top of stairs assembly  26  that serve as its suspension via V or U-shaped extension,  60 , in which a pin,  62 , affixed to stairs assembly  26  rests. To reduce friction during deployment and stowing of stairs assembly  26 , a roller,  64 , runs within a track assembly,  66 . Roller  64  desirably will be made of plastic for additional friction reduction. While stairs assembly  26  can be manually deployable,  FIGS. 18 and 19  disclose power deployment using a linear actuator,  68 , for deploying and stowing stairs assembly  26 . 
     While the apparatus, system, and method have been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope and essence of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In this application all units are in the metric system and all amounts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Also, all citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.