Patent Description:
An agricultural harvester e.g., a plant cutting machine, such as, but not limited to, a combine or a windrower, generally includes a header operable for severing and collecting plant or crop material as the harvester is driven over a crop field. The header has a plant cutting mechanism, e.g., a cutter bar, for severing the plants or crops via, for example, an elongated sickle mechanism that reciprocates sidewardly relative to a non-reciprocating guard structure. After crops are cut, they are collected inside the header and transported via a conveyor such as a draper belt towards a feederhouse located centrally of the header.

An example of a such a header is described in the US patent application published as <CIT>. This US patent application describes a multi-segment header for an agricultural harvester including a multi-segment chassis and a backsheet supported by each of the multi-segment chassis. The multi-segment header further includes a backsheet extension assembly that has a backsheet extension mounted adjacent a top end of each backsheet, and an articulating joint extending between adjacent backsheet extensions. The articulated backsheet extension assembly follows upward and downward movement of the backsheets of the multi-segment chassis and blocks grain from passing over the backsheets and going unharvested.

In accordance with the set of claims there is provided a multi-segment header for an agricultural harvester comprising a multi-segment chassis having a longitudinal support beam, an auger extending widthwise across the multi-segment chassis and adjacent the longitudinal support beam, and a backsheet extension mounted to a posterior end of the longitudinal support beam of the multi-segment chassis.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment there is provided a multi-segment header for an agricultural harvester comprising a multi-segment chassis and a multi-segment auger supported by the multi-segment chassis. The multi-segment auger includes a center auger segment having first flights defining a first overall diameter, and a lateral auger segment having second flights defining a second overall diameter greater than the first overall diameter. The multi-segment header additionally comprises an infeed auger supported by the chassis beneath the center auger segment of the multi-segment auger.

So constructed and arranged, the backsheet extension and the multi-segment auger effectively prevents seed and crop material from falling over the backsheet and out of the header, whereby such material is effectively harvested by the header. Additionally, the multi-segment header provides for a header that can lower its auger center line while simultaneously maintaining flighting across the center of the header, which provides better crop engagement and better visibility for the operator.

Other features and advantages of the subject disclosure will be apparent from the following more detail description of the exemplary embodiments.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, there are shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the subject application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Reference will now be made in detail to the various exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure 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.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the subject disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular exemplary embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to the drawings, <FIG> shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a harvester <NUM>. The harvester <NUM> includes a header <NUM>. The header <NUM> can be, e.g., in the form of a multi-segment header including a pivoting structure having a central segment or section <NUM> (e.g., center frame) with right and left segments or wings <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., pivot wings) capable of pivoting relative to the central section <NUM> to accommodate uneven terrain while providing a wide header for greater crop capacity. Together, the right segment, central segment, and left segment form a multi-segment chassis <NUM>, described in greater detail below in connection with <FIG>. A horizontal plane <NUM> illustrates a horizontal orientation of the header <NUM> which is substantially parallel to the ground <NUM>. In some exemplary embodiments, discussed below, the header <NUM> can include one or more augers to assist in guiding crop from the header <NUM> into a processing system <NUM> within the harvester <NUM> (e.g., below the cab <NUM>). In other exemplary embodiments, a draper belt system <NUM> can be used to guide crop from the header <NUM> into the processing system <NUM>. In other exemplary embodiments, the header may employ both augers and draper conveyors to guide crop from the header into the processing system <NUM>. The central section <NUM> and the right and left wings <NUM>, <NUM> can include reels <NUM>. The harvester <NUM> can further include a cutter bar <NUM> configured to cut crop and flex as the right and left wings <NUM>, <NUM> pivot relative to the central section <NUM>. In some exemplary embodiments, the right and left segments of the header may be lockable to extend collinearly with the central segment. Alternatively, the central, left and right segments may be rigidly connected whereby the right and left segments do not pivot with respect to the central segment.

<FIG> is perspective view of a partial assembly of the multi-segment header <NUM>. The multi-segment header <NUM> includes a draper belt system <NUM> for transferring harvested crop from the right and left wings <NUM>, <NUM> to the central segment <NUM> such that the central segment <NUM> can introduce the crop into the processing system. The draper belt system <NUM> includes a first lateral draper belt <NUM> at the right wing <NUM>, a second lateral draper belt <NUM> at the left wing <NUM>, and a third draper belt <NUM> at the central segment <NUM> disposed between and traveling transverse to the first and second lateral draper belts. The third draper belt <NUM> receives crop material from the first and second lateral draper belts and moves the crop material rearwardly toward the processing system.

The multi-segment chassis <NUM> includes a longitudinal support beam <NUM> having a rear surface <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) that is sloped relative to a horizontal plane of the multi-segment header. For example, the longitudinal support beam <NUM> can be formed as a rectangular piped shaped support beam that slopes downwardly and forwardly whereby its rear surface <NUM> is disposed at less than <NUM>° relative to a horizontal plane of the multi-segment header, as best shown in <FIG>. An auger <NUM> (also known as a compression auger) extends widthwise across the multi-segment chassis and adjacent the longitudinal support beam.

A backsheet <NUM> is supported by each segment of the multi-segment chassis <NUM>. A backsheet is a panel that keeps grain and seed redirected onto the draper belt system <NUM> whereby the draper belt system can convey the grain and seed into the processing system.

Referring to <FIG>, the multi-segment header further comprises a backsheet extension <NUM> mounted to a posterior end <NUM> of the longitudinal support beam <NUM> of the multi-segment chassis <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the backsheet extension is directly mounted to the rear surface <NUM> of the longitudinal support beam of the multi-segment chassis. In this regard, the multi-segment header further comprises a mounting bracket <NUM> positioned rearwardly of the rear surface of the longitudinal support beam for mounting each backsheet extension to the longitudinal support beam of the multi-segment chassis.

The backsheet extension <NUM> is plate-shaped and can include a plurality of backsheet extension segments <NUM> collectively extending substantially in end to end relation with the multi-segment chassis. According to an aspect, the plurality of backsheet extension segments extend substantially in end to end relation with each segment of the multi-segment chassis. As shown in <FIG>, the backsheet extension <NUM> extends from the longitudinal support beam <NUM> at an angle relative to a horizontal plane of the multi-segment header. In other words, the backsheet extension is disposed such that its major plane slopes rearwardly and upwardly relative to the chassis, e.g., a horizontal plane of the chassis, at an angle "α" of about <NUM>° to <NUM>° relative to the horizontal <NUM>, including <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>° and <NUM>°. In this way, grain and seed striking the backsheet extension is captured and directed downwardly into the header onto the draper belt system <NUM> whereby it is conveyed to the processing system. In an aspect, the backsheet extension can have an overall width "H1" of about <NUM> to <NUM> inches, and preferably about <NUM> to <NUM> inches, including <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> inches.

Referring again to <FIG>, the auger <NUM> is constructed as a multi-segment auger supported by the multi-segment chassis. The multi-segment auger comprises a center auger segment <NUM> substantially spanning the central segment <NUM> of the header. Additionally, the multi-segment auger comprises a lateral auger segment for each lateral segment of the multi-segment header. In the exemplary embodiment, the multi-segment auger includes a lateral auger segment <NUM> substantially spanning the right segment <NUM> of the header and another auger segment <NUM> substantially spanning the right segment <NUM> of the header. As best shown in <FIG>, the center auger segment <NUM> has first helical flights <NUM> defining a first overall diameter "d<NUM>" of about <NUM> to <NUM> inches, including <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> inches.

According to an aspect, the first helical flights <NUM> can gradually decrease in diameter from the lateral ends to the center of the center auger segment. As best shown in <FIG>, the lateral auger segment <NUM> has second helical flights <NUM> defining a second overall diameter "d<NUM>" greater than the first overall diameter "d<NUM>". According to an aspect, the second overall diameter is about <NUM> to <NUM> inches, including <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> inches. Referring to <FIG>, the first flights <NUM> of the center auger segment <NUM> can be offset at an angle "b" relative to the second flights <NUM> of the lateral auger segment <NUM>. The amount of circumferential offset can be e.g., <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or more or less than such.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the multi-segment header further comprises an infeed auger <NUM> rotatably and vertically movably supported by the multi-segment chassis beneath the center auger segment <NUM> of the multi-segment auger <NUM> for delivering crop material from the third draper belt <NUM> to the processing system. The infeed auger can be raised or lowered by conventional hydraulic cylinders situated at opposite ends thereof. According to an aspect, because of the vertical movability of the infeed auger <NUM>, a centerline of the multi-segment auger <NUM> is spaced from a centerline of the infeed auger <NUM> about <NUM> to <NUM> inches, including <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> inches, and the distance from the first flights <NUM> of the center auger segment to flights <NUM> of the infeed auger is about <NUM> to <NUM> inches. The smaller diameter first flights <NUM> of the center auger segment <NUM> of the multi-segment auger <NUM> allows the multi-segment auger to be positioned close to the infeed auger <NUM>. Placement of the multi-segment auger in relatively close proximity to the infeed auger in combination with backsheet extensions placed at the posterior end of the longitudinal support beam <NUM> provide improved sight lines for an operator located in the cab of the agricultural harvester. That is, placing the multi-segment auger at a lower height and securing the backsheet extensions to the posterior end of the longitudinal support beam creates an overall lower profile for the header, thereby enabling the operator to see the fore regions of the header more easily.

Claim 1:
A multi-segment header (<NUM>) for an agricultural harvester (<NUM>) comprising a multi-segment chassis (<NUM>) having a longitudinal support beam (<NUM>), and an auger (<NUM>) extending widthwise across the multi-segment chassis and adjacent the longitudinal support beam, and characterized by a backsheet extension (<NUM>) mounted to a posterior end of the longitudinal support beam of the multi-segment chassis.