Patent Abstract:
A harvesting header comprising a center frame section and two outer frame sections. The outer frame sections can pivot relative to the center frame section between an operating position and a transport position. The center frame section and the outer frame sections carry collection devices for gathering crops and there is a separating point that moves automatically between an operating position and a transport position in the pivot region between the center frame section and the outer frame sections. The separating points arranged in the pivot region between the center frame section and the outer frame sections move between the operating position and the transport position in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of travel and/or to pivot about the height axis.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
   The present invention is directed to a folding harvesting header comprising a center frame section and two outer frame sections which can be pivoted relative to the center frame section between an operating position and a transport position. Separating points are arranged in the pivot region between the center frame section and the outer frame sections that automatically move between an operating position and a transport position. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
   DE 73 42 482 U discloses a one-piece corn picking header, for which the outer separating points can move in the lateral direction between a transport position and an operating position. This solution is suitable for only relatively small operating widths. 
   EP 0 534 199 A discloses a corn harvesting apparatus for combines with eight collection channels. The middle four collection channels are connected rigidly to the harvesting machine, while the two outermost collection channels can be pivoted upwards into a transport position. Because the collection channels extend diagonally outwards, it has proven to be important for preventing collisions to first move the pivotable collection channels laterally outwards before they are pivoted. 
   EP 1 142 467 A discloses a harvesting header in the form of a picker, for which side frame parts can be pivoted upwards relative to the center frame section. A shield element is arranged in the pivot area between the center frame section and the side frame part. It is mounted on an intermediate frame so that it can pivot, and a shaft extending in the direction of motion connects the intermediate frame to the main frame so that the intermediate frame can pivot. Before the side frame part is brought into the transport position, the shield element is rotated into a position for preventing collisions by rotating the intermediate frame. This harvesting header can be seen to be disadvantageous because the mechanism with the intermediate frame is rather complicated. 
   EP 1 179 292 A discloses a harvesting header for which the outermost separating points are pivoted outwards into the transport position in order to prevent collisions between these separating points above the main frame. However, this does not change the transport width. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a harvesting header that can be folded into a transport width in a simple way. 
   A harvesting header has a center frame section and outer frame sections which are attached to the outer ends of the center frame section. The frame sections are each equipped with an arbitrary number of collection devices for collecting crops. Thus, the header can be a picking device for a picker or a mowing drum for a corn chopper. The outer frame sections can pivot about horizontal axes extending in the direction of travel upwards and usually inwards, i.e., by approximately 180°, into a transport position. In the two pivot regions of the pivot bearing between the outer frame sections and the center frame section there are separating points, which are used for lateral deflection of plants. These separating points can move independently of the other frame parts between an operating position and a transport position. It is proposed that these separating points be able to move in the lateral direction and/or pivot about the height axis so that they can move between the operating position and the transport position. 
   In this way, the harvesting header can be moved in a simple way into a compact transport position, collisions of the separating points with the frame parts or vice versa can be prevented by pivoting the outer frame sections. 
   Certain collection devices are asymmetrical relative to their longitudinal center plane, such as collection and picking devices with grippers rotating about the height axis, next to which a picking gap is arranged. For simplifying production, it is important to use only similar types of collection devices for the entire harvesting header, or at least for the center frame section. For such collection devices, it can be problematic if the two separating points in the pivot region between the center frame section and the outer frame section are supported on the center part, because for one of the separating points, collisions with the adjacent collection device are conceivable. More specifically, such collection devices allow one of these separating points to be fixed to the outer frame section, while the other separating point is attached to the center frame section. In this way, the separating point mounted on the outer frame section pivots with the outer frame section into its transport position, and, in its transport position, it cannot collide with the adjacent collection device of the center part, while the separating point attached to the center frame section does not pivot. 
   If the outer frame sections and the separating points arranged in their pivot region are located in the operating position, when the outer frame sections are pivoted into the transport position, collisions with the separating points in the pivot region are conceivable. Therefore, preferably the separating points are first brought into their transport position before the outer frame sections are pivoted. Therefore, the pivot means for pivoting the outer frame sections are only activated when the devices for moving the separating points have been completely brought into their transport position. Analogously, first the outer frame sections are lowered before the separating points are moved into their operating position. 
   The devices for moving the separating points can also have means on the inner frame part to lock the outer frame sections in the operating position. Thus, the locking of the outer frame sections is automatically released when the separating points are brought into the transport position, and automatically re-established when the separating points are guided into the operating position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a harvesting header. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the harvesting header illustrating the movement of the harvesting header between the operating and the transport positions. 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a separating point with a shift mechanism. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
   Harvesting header  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is suitable for harvesting corn, sunflowers, and other plants with stalks. The harvesting header  10  includes eight similar type collection devices  12 ,  14  and  16 , which are arranged in line one next to another with corresponding picking devices and which are used for collecting plants. The picking devices separate the fruit from the plant. The picked fruit is directed to a cross auger  20  arranged at the rear of the collection devices  12 , 14  and  16  to a center feed opening  18 . From the center feed opening  18  the harvested fruit is directed to a feeder house of a combine. The unharvested plant residue is chopped up or returned as a whole on the field. The collection devices  12 , 14  and  16  include grippers rotating about a horizontal axis, which grip the plant stalk and transport it over the length of the picking gap, where the plants are pulled downwards through interacting stalk rolls. The design of the individual collection devices is described in DE 101 51 198, whose publication is also cited. The collection devices are asymmetrical relative to their longitudinal center plane because the picking gap is arranged at the side next to the feed auger. 
   The harvesting header  10  can move between an operating position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and a transport position. Each of the two outer collection devices  14  and  16  and the outer parts of the cross auger  20  are fixed to the outer frame sections  22 . The outer frame sections  22  are hinged to a center frame section  24  so that the outer frame sections can pivot about horizontal pivot shafts  26  running in the direction of travel. The center frame section  24  carries the center collection devices  12 . Hydraulic pivot cylinders  28  are used to fold the outer frame sections  22  about the center frame section  24 . The hydraulic pivot cylinders  28  are hinged on both sides of the longitudinal center plane of the harvesting header  10  to the center frame section  24  and are connected by coupling assemblies  30  to the outer frame sections  22 , the outer frame sections  22  can fold upwards and inwards about the pivot axis  26 . The coupling assemblies  30  allow the outer frame sections  22  to be laid over the center frame section  24  when in the transport position. Thus, in the transport position, the outer collection devices  14  and  16  are located above the inner collecting and picking units  12 . In this way, the combine can join street traffic without having to remove the harvesting header  10  from the feeder house and loading it onto a wagon or the like. 
   Between each adjacent collection device  12 ,  14  and  16  and at the outer sides of each outermost collection device  14  and  16 , there are separating points  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  40  mounted in the direction of travel in front of the collection devices  12 ,  14  and  16 . They are used to deflect the plants to the side, so that the plants can be gripped by the grippers of the collection devices  12 , 14  and  16  and pulled into the picking gap. 
   If the separating points  34  and  40  arranged between the center frame section  24  and the outer frame sections  22  were attached rigidly to the center frame section  24 , they would define the transport width of the harvesting header  10 . If the operating width of each of the individual collection devices  12 ,  14  and  16  is 0.75 m, acceptable transport widths, which are currently equal to 3.5 m in Germany, can be maintained either only with difficulty or not at all. In addition, there is the risk of collision between the collection devices  14  and  16  and the separating points  34  and  40  when the outer frame sections  22  are pivoted upwardly and inwardly. For these reasons, the separating points  34  and  40  are mounted so that they can move laterally. The separating point  34  arranged on the left edge of the center frame section  24  with reference to the direction of travel is pushed to the right from the position illustrated in  FIG. 1  when the harvesting header  10  is brought into the transport position. It is attached to the center frame section  24 . The separating point  40  arranged in the direction of travel directly to the left next to the left collection device  16  of the right outer frame section  22  is likewise pushed to the right when the harvesting header  10  is brought into the transport position. It is supported on the right outer frame section  22  and is thus pivoted both upwards and inwards. 
   This motion between the operating and transport positions and vice versa is illustrated schematically in  FIG. 2 , with reference to which, it can also be seen that the separating points  34  and  40  do not affect the width of the harvesting header  10  in the transport position. In the top region of  FIG. 2 , receivers for the separating points are shown schematically, i.e., holder elements arranged in its rear region. One can see that the divided receivers of the separating points  34  and  40  also do not project over the width of the center frame section  24 . 
   Each separating point  34  and  40  can each be moved by a corresponding hydraulic cylinder  42 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The hydraulic cylinder  42  is hinged at its rear end to a console  44 , which is attached for the separating point  34  to the center frame section  24  and for the separating point  40  to the outer frame section  22 . The hydraulic cylinder  42  is hinged at its front end in the direction of travel by means of a fork  48  to a pivot arm  46 , which is connected rigidly to a rod  50 . The rod  50  extends approximately vertically and is supported on a plate  52  so that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis. The plate  52  is connected for the separating point  34  to the center frame section  24  and for the separating point  40  to the outer frame section  22 . At its lower end, the rod  50  is connected rigidly to a pivot arm  54 , which is coupled on its other end by means of a connecting bar  58  to a bearing block  56 , which is attached to the separating point  34  or  40 . The bearing block  56  is supported on the plate  52  so that it can move in the lateral direction. The separating point  34  or  40  is hinged on the bearing block  56  so that it can pivot about a horizontal axis  60  extending perpendicular to the direction of travel, so that the separating point is lifted while traveling over uneven ground. The bearing block  56  is attached to a skid  62 , which is located on the bottom side of the harvesting header  10  and on which the header is supported during harvesting work. 
   If the rear chamber of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder  42  on the connection  64  is charged, the separating points  34  and  40  are pushed to the left into the operation position. If the front chamber of the hydraulic cylinder  42  is charged, the separating points  34  and  40  are pushed to the right into the transport position. In this way, the hydraulic cylinder  42  rotates to its rear end in the console  44 . A latch  68  is connected to this end of the hydraulic cylinder  42 , which also turns when the separating points  34  and  40  are moved between the operating and transport positions. In the operating position, the latch  68  of the hydraulic cylinder  42  of the separating point  40  catches behind a corresponding locking element on the center frame section  24  and the latch  68  of the hydraulic cylinder  42  of the separating point  34  catches behind a corresponding locking element on the left frame section  22 . In this way, an automatic locking of the outer frame sections  22  to the center frame section  22  is achieved in the operating position without additional active elements. A metal sheet panel  70  to the left next to the rear side of the separating point  34  and  40  is used for protecting a top feed auger of the collection device  12 ,  14  and  16 . 
   To bring the harvesting header  10  out of the operating position into the transport position, first the hydraulic cylinder  42  is charged to move the separating points  34  and  40  to the right relative to the direction of travel and to release the latches  68 . As soon as suitable sensors output signals that the hydraulic cylinder  42  has brought the separating points  34  and  40  into the transport position, the pivot cylinder  28  is activated to pivot the outer frame sections  22  upwards and inwards. The motion of the harvesting header  10  into the operating position is performed in the reverse sequence, wherein suitable sensors detect when the operating position of the outer frame sections  22  has been reached and then trigger the activation of the hydraulic cylinder  42 , which brings the separating points into their operating position and the latches  68  lock at the locking elements. 
   Having described the illustrated embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0