Patent Abstract:
An agricultural harvester is provided that Includes a frame carrying a structure movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to a header. The frame includes a guide assembly including a guide member supported by the frame. The frame also includes at least one tine secured to the guide member without extending through the guide member, and the at least one tine extending from the guide member above the structure to guide the crop between the at least one tine and the structure to the header. The at least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member without disconnecting the guide member from the frame. At least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member substantially without tools.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the improvement of an agricultural harvester. More specifically it relates to an improvement for the attachment and removal of windguard or guide assembly tines on a windguard guide assembly. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Crop gathering devices for collecting crops arranged in windrows can include a belt positioned along the front of the device. The belt is driven to rotate between opposed pairs of roller assemblies to convey the crops into a header that is secured to an agricultural harvester, such as a combine which is directed along the windrow. One or more wheels is located near the belt opposite the header to maintain a spacing between the belt and the ground that most effectively conveys crops onto the belt. 
         [0003]    Positioned above the crop gathering device, also referred to as a windrow pickup, is a guide assembly, also referred to as a windguard assembly. The guide assembly tines ensure that the crop material is properly conveyed into the header in spite of any wind or varying crop conditions. Typically, the guide assembly consists of a pipe and a series of tines held in position above and in front of the pickup. Affixed to the pipe are a series of tines. The pipe may be raised or lowered by activating hydraulic cylinders on each end by the operator from the combine cab. Tine angular adjustment may also be performed manually at the end of the pipe. These tines frequently break off or are damaged during the life of the crop gathering device. The guide or windguard tines are typically wrapped, welded or bolted onto the pipe making replacement difficult. The prior art shows a variety of means to attach the windguard tines to the pipe, however these methods have not been entirely successful. 
         [0004]    What is needed are replaceable guide assembly tines that can be easily removed for servicing or replacement with a minimum or complete absence of tools. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to an agricultural harvester including a frame carrying a structure movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to a header. The frame includes a guide assembly further including a guide member supported by the frame. The frame includes at least one tine secured to the guide member without extending through the guide member, and the at least one tine extending from the guide member above the structure to guide the crop between the at least one tine and the structure to the header. The at least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member without disconnecting the guide member from the frame. The at least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member without tools. 
         [0006]    The present invention further relates to a guide assembly for use with an agricultural harvester having a frame carrying a structure movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to a header. The guide assembly includes a guide member supportable by the frame. At least one tine is securable over an exterior surface of the guide member without extending through the guide member, and is configured to extend from the guide member above the structure to guide the crop between the at least one tine and the structure to the header. The at least one tine is removable from the guide member without disconnecting the guide member from the frame. The at least one tine is removable from the guide member substantially without tools. 
         [0007]    The present invention yet further relates to an agricultural harvester including a frame carrying a structure movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to a header. The frame includes a guide assembly further including a guide member supported by the frame. The frame also includes at least one tine secured over an exterior surface of the guide member without extending through the guide member, and extending from the guide member above the structure to guide the crop between the at least one tine and the structure to the header. The at least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member without disconnecting the guide member from the frame. The at least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member substantially without tools. 
         [0008]    An advantage of the present invention is the installation/replacement of a guide or windrow tine with minimal or no tools. 
         [0009]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a crop gathering device and harvesting header of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a guide or windguard tine construction of the crop gathering device of  FIG. 1  of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the guide or windguard tine construction of  FIG. 1  assembled to the frame of the crop gathering device of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross section taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  of the guide or windguard tine construction of  FIG. 1  assembled to the frame of the crop gathering device of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged, partial plan view of the guide or windguard tine construction of  FIG. 1  assembled to the frame of the crop gathering device of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged, partial perspective view of an alternate guide or windguard tine construction partially assembled to the frame of the crop gathering device of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an partially enlarged, partial plan view of an alternate guide or windguard tine construction partially assembled to the frame of the crop gathering device of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cross section taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6  of an alternate guide or windguard tine construction assembled to the frame of the crop gathering device of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged, partial perspective view of a further alternate guide or windguard tine construction partially assembled to the frame of the crop gathering device of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged, partial plan view of a further alternate guide or windguard tine construction partially assembled to the frame of the crop gathering device of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a cross section taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9  of a further alternate guide or windguard tine construction assembled to the frame of the crop gathering device of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a guide or windguard tine construction of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a cross section taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12  of the guide or windguard tine construction of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 14 and 15  are respective top perspective and plan views of an alternate arrangement of the embodiment of the guide or windguard tine construction of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a crop gathering device  12  for use with a harvesting header  10 . Harvesting header  10  may be secured to an agricultural harvester such as a combine (not shown) as is known in the art and not further discussed. A frame  14  carries a structure  22  movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to harvesting header  10 . In one embodiment, structure  22  is a belt, or multiple belts, that extends from one end  18  of frame  14  toward another end  20  of frame  14 . Structure  22  may be driven about a set of parallel rollers (not shown) by a power source such as a hydraulic motor  34 . Structure  22  may include a plurality of prongs  24  or fork-like components extending outwardly from the structure to assist with collecting crops arranged in a windrow. Wheels  26  may be rotatably secured to or near respective ends  18 ,  20  of frame  14  opposite header  10  to maintain one end of structure  22  near the ground  36  to permit prongs  24  of structure  22  to gather or collect crops arranged in the windrow. A guide member  28  equipped with tines  30 , collectively defining a guide assembly  32 , may be positioned over structure  22  to more effectively feed or deliver crops from structure  22  to header  10  especially during windy conditions. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of tine  30  includes an elongated first leg  36  extending to a first transition portion  38  and then further extending to a second transition portion  40 . As further shown in  FIG. 2 , second transition portion  40  bridges first transition portion  38  with a third transition portion  42 . Tine  30  then further extends from third transition portion  42  to any elongated second leg  44 . Shown in  FIG. 2 , dividing the embodiment of tine  30  into two pieces along a midpoint  41  of second transition portion  40  provides two mirror-image components. That is, legs  36  and  44  may be identical and/or symmetric with each other, while first transition portion  38  continuously extending to one half of second transition portion  40  may symmetrically correspond to the other one half of second transition portion  40  contiguously extending to third transition portion  42 . In one embodiment, tine  30  is composed of metal, although nonmetal materials may be used, such as fiberglass, polymerics or other suitable materials. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , the exemplary embodiment of tine  30  is assembled to guide member  28 , forming guide assembly  32 . In one embodiment, an angular adjustment mechanism  58  may be positioned at opposed ends of guide assembly  32 , permitting angular adjustment of guides assembly  32  with respect to structure  22  ( FIG. 1 ) to accommodate operating conditions, such as the amount of wind and the relative size of the crop being harvested. That is, by pivoting angular adjustment mechanism  58  about an axis  43 , the angular orientation and relative distance between legs  36  and  44  and structure  22  may be selectively varied. An alternate version could use only one adjustment mechanism on one end of the guide assembly. 
         [0028]    Further referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , tine  30  is secured to guide member  28 . In one embodiment, guide member  28 , shown having a circular cross section ( FIG. 4 ) includes an overlay member  46  that may be welded, adhered, mechanically fastened or otherwise secured to guide member  28 . In one embodiment, overlay member  46  extends over a substantial portion of the length of guide member  28 , although in other embodiments, numerous overlay members  46  may be aligned and secured to guide member  28 . As shown, overlay member  46  defines an angle member having legs  53 ,  55  secured to guide member  28  so that corner  57  of overlay member  46  joining legs  53 ,  55  extends outwardly from guide member  28 . Overlay member  46  includes a tab  52  extending from an end of legs  55  opposite corner  57 , defining a second mating feature  50  corresponding with second transition portion  40  of tine  30  when brought into engagement with each other. In an alternate embodiment, tab  52  may be formed from a flap formed in guide member  28  so that the flap is of unitary construction with guide member  28 . 
         [0029]    Once second transition portion  40  and second mating feature  50  have been brought and assembled together, tine  30  may be rotated about the axis defined by second mating feature  50  in a rotational direction  70  ( FIG. 3 ) until the junction between third transition portion  42  and second leg  44  is brought into proximity with third mating feature  66 , and similarly the junction between first transition portion  38  and first leg  36  is brought into proximity with first mating feature  48 . As shown, first mating feature  48  and third mating feature  66  define slots formed in an end of leg  53  of overlay member  46  opposite corner  57 . Since a distance  64 , which separates legs  36  and  44  is greater than a distance  62  between first mating feature  48  and third mating feature  66 , legs  36  and  44  may not be brought into mating engagement with their respective mating features  48 ,  66 . However, by application of sufficient opposed forces  68  applied to legs  36 ,  44 , distance  64  between legs  36  and  44  is reduced until distance  64  is less than distance  62 , permitting legs  36 ,  44  to be brought into proximity with respective mating features  48 ,  66  by further rotation of tines  30  about the axis defined by second mating feature  50  in rotational direction  70 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 4 , tines  30  are rotated about the axis defined by second mating feature  50  until third transition portion  42  and first transition portion  38  are each brought into abutting contact with surfaces  54 ,  56  of respective legs  53 ,  55  of overlay member  46 . However, in an alternate embodiment, surfaces  54 ,  56  of respective legs  53 ,  55  of overlay member are not brought into abutting contact with each other in response to legs  36 ,  44  being brought into proximity with respective mating features  48 ,  66 . Once opposed forces  68  are no longer applied to legs  36  and  44 , elastic restorative retention forces applied by tines  30  increase the distance between legs  36  and  44  and permitting mating engagement with respective mating features  48 ,  66 . 
         [0030]    It is to be understood that although mating features  48 ,  66  may be parallel with the axis defined by second mating feature  50 , as in the exemplary embodiment, such alignment is not required. That is, a combination of opposed forces such as opposed forces  68  in addition with twisting court portion will forces (not shown) may be required to achieve mating engagement between the corresponding portions of tines  30  and guide member  28 , which includes overlay member  46 . 
         [0031]    It is to be understood that in other embodiments, different profiles of overlay member and corresponding transition portions of times may be used. Optionally, mating features may be formed directly in guide member without use of an overlay member. In a further embodiment, a portion of the mating features may be formed directly in the guide member with the remaining portion of mating features formed in the overlay member. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , tine  130  is secured to guide member  28  in a manner similar with that associated with  FIGS. 3-5 . A difference between tine  130  and tine  30  is that tine  130  is configured for use with shorter crops and utilizes legs  136 ,  144  instead of legs  36 ,  44  used with tine  30 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , tine  230  is secured to guide member  28  in a manner similar with that associated with securing tine  30  in  FIGS. 3-5 , with the exception that only two mating engagements are required to secure tine  230  instead of the three mating engagement required to secure tine  30 . Such circumstances would occur, for example with a tine embodiment containing a single leg, instead of a pair of legs. As further shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , tine  230  includes a first leg  236  extending to a first transition portion  238  and then further extending to a second transition portion  240 . Overlay member  246  is similar to overlay member  46 . Once second transition portion  240  and second mating feature  250  associated with a tab  252  formed in overlay member  246  have been brought and assembled together, tine  230  may be rotated about the axis defined by second mating feature  250  in a rotational direction  70  ( FIG. 9 ) until the junction between first transition portion  238  and first leg  236  is brought into proximity with first mating feature  48 . As further shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , first mating feature  48  defines a slot formed in an end of leg  53  of overlay member  246  opposite corner  57 . Leg  236  is configured so that leg  236  may not be brought into mating engagement with its corresponding first mating feature  48 . However, application of sufficient force  270  that is parallel to the axis defined by second mating feature  250  and directed away from first mating feature  48  and applied to legs  236 , permits leg  236  to be brought into proximity with first mating feature  48  when accompanied by further rotation of tine  230  about the axis defined by second mating feature  250  in rotational direction  70 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 9 , tine  230  is rotated about the axis defined by second mating feature  250  until first transition portion  238  is brought into abutting contact with surfaces  54 ,  56  of respective legs  53 ,  55  of overlay member  246 . Once force  270  is no longer applied to leg  236 , elastic restorative retention forces applied by tines  230  permits mating engagement with first mating feature  48 . 
         [0034]    It is to be understood that second transition portion  240  may permit rotation about the axis defined by second mating feature  250 , but may further include a protrusion  242  or other feature that permits second transition portion  240  to remain in mating engagement with second mating feature  250  when leg  236  is in mating engagement with first mating feature  48 . 
         [0035]    It is to be understood that while second mating feature  50  and  250  face in opposite directions and that mating features  48 ,  66  are shown perpendicular to mating features  50  and  250  in the exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not so limited, and that alternative embodiments may have mating features that are neither parallel nor perpendicular to each other. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 12-15  is an arrangement of alternating tines  30 ,  130  of the present invention. Fasteners  72  extending through a recess  80  formed in tab  252  of overlay member  46  secure tines  130  to overlay member  46 . A spanner/support  74  utilizes notches  78  to maintain legs  136 ,  144  at a predetermined spacing from each other.  FIGS. 14-15  further show an alternate arrangement in which legs  136 ,  144  of tines  130  are rotated out of the way. To maintain legs  136 ,  144  of tines  130  in its rotated position, notched ends of a spanner/support  74  engage corresponding legs of adjacent tines  30 . Tines  130  should be rotated upward, or removed, when harvesting normal sized windrows rather than short, light crops Tines  130  could be in either position for road travel, but when raised, the tines will be less susceptible to “bouncing”, resulting in reduced noise. In an alternate embodiment, overlay member  46  may include mating features to secure one or more legs of tines  130 . 
         [0037]    While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0