Patent Description:
As is described in <CIT>and <CIT>, it is known to mount a pivotable chaff pan to an oscillating chaffer rail, frame or other enclosure of a combine harvester.

Described herein is a cost-effective and convenient arrangement for locking a chaff pan, which is connected to an oscillating chaffer rail, in both a raised position and a lowered position of the chaff pan. In the raised position, the chaff pan is maintained in a position to pass chaff to a spreader/chopper. In the lowered position, the chaff pan is positioned to windrow the chaff, and thereby bypass the spreader/chopper.

This description of the background is provided to assist with an understanding of the following explanations of exemplary embodiments, and is not an admission that any or all of this background information is necessarily prior art.

In a first exemplary aspect, a chaff pan assembly (<NUM>) for an agricultural vehicle (<NUM>) is provided. The chaff pan assembly includes a chaff pan (<NUM>) that is moveable between a raised position and a lowered position; a stationary bracket (<NUM>) that is configured to be mounted to a fixed point (<NUM>) on the agricultural vehicle (<NUM>); and a linkage (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that interconnects the chaff pan (<NUM>) to the stationary bracket (<NUM>) and guides movement of the chaff pan (<NUM>) between the raised and lowered positions. The chaff pan (<NUM>) assembly further comprises a locking member (<NUM>) that is moveably connected to the stationary bracket (<NUM>) and is moveable between a locked position, in which the locking member (<NUM>) is engaged with one arm (<NUM>) of the linkage to prevent movement of the one arm (<NUM>) of the linkage, and an unlocked position, in which the locking member (<NUM>) is disengaged from the one arm (<NUM>) of the linkage to permit movement of the one arm (<NUM>) of the linkage. The moveable locking member (<NUM>) is moveable to the locking position in both the raised and the lowered positions of the chaff pan (<NUM>) to prevent movement of the one arm (<NUM>) of the linkage in both the raised and lowered positions of the chaff pan (<NUM>).

Embodiments of inventions will now be described, strictly by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The terms "forward," "rearward," "left," and "right", when used in connection with the agricultural harvester (e.g. combine) and/or components thereof are usually determined with reference to the direction of forward operative travel of the combine, but they should not be construed as limiting. The terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" are determined with reference to the fore-and-aft direction of the agricultural combine and are also not to be construed as limiting.

The drawings depict one or more exemplary and non-limiting implementations in accordance with the present concepts. The examples are shown in conjunction with an agricultural combine harvester, but have applicability in any similar agricultural vehicle, such as a windrower or other equipment.

<FIG> shows a rear end <NUM> of a self-propelled agricultural combine <NUM>. Combine <NUM> includes a threshing section (not shown) for separating grain and chaff from straw, stalks, and other residue. After separation from the straw, stalks, and other residue by the threshing system, the grain is separated from chaff by cleaning apparatus <NUM>. Cleaning apparatus <NUM> includes at least one generally horizontal chaffer or sieve (not shown) supported on front-to-rear extending chaffer rails <NUM> (one shown) located on opposite sides of the chaffer or sieve, the chaffer or sieve including apertures therethrough adjustable in size for allowing passage of grains of a selected maximum size therethrough, while preventing the larger chaff from passing therethrough, for separating the grain from the chaff in the well-known conventional manner. Cleaning apparatus <NUM> is oscillated in one or more generally horizontal directions, as denoted by arrows B, by oscillating apparatus (not shown) to facilitate the separation of the grain from the chaff, also in the well-known conventional manner.

A chaff pan assembly <NUM> generally includes a chaff pan <NUM> that is movably connected to a lock assembly <NUM> by a linkage. Lock assembly <NUM> is mounted to the frame <NUM> of combine and includes a locking member that enables locking/unlocking of the chaff pan <NUM> in either a raised or a lowered position, and the linkage guides movement of the chaff pan <NUM> between the raised and lowered positions.

At the outset it is noted that although the chaff pan <NUM> may be described herein as locked in either a raised or lowered position, it should be understood that the chaff pan is not prevented from oscillating movement in those locked positions.

Referring now to the individual components of chaff pan assembly <NUM>, chaff pan <NUM> that is attached or mounted to chaff rails <NUM> of cleaning apparatus <NUM> so as to oscillate therewith and importantly so as to be pivotable relative thereto between a raised position (<FIG>) and a lowered position (<FIG>). In the raised position, chaff pan <NUM> directs directing the flow of chaff as represented by arrows D toward rotary device <NUM> (i.e., a chopper or spreader) for further processing. In the lowered position, chaff pan <NUM> directs the flow of chaff downward onto the ground in a windrow.

The linkage includes an arm <NUM> is fixedly connected to the side of pan <NUM>. A pivot joint <NUM> pivotally connects arm <NUM> to a bracket <NUM> that is fixedly connected to the chaffer rail <NUM>. Arm <NUM> has a first elongated portion that is connected to pan <NUM>, and a second shorter portion that is connected to bracket <NUM> by pivot joint <NUM>. One end of a shaker arm <NUM> is pivotally connected to arm <NUM> by pivot joint <NUM>. An opposite end of shaker arm <NUM> is pivotably connected to a free end of a lever arm <NUM> by pivot joint <NUM>. Lever arm <NUM> has an opposite end that is pivotally connected to frame <NUM> by a lever arm pivot <NUM> located on a lock assembly <NUM> fixedly mounted to frame <NUM>. Further details of arm <NUM> will be described with reference to the lock assembly <NUM>.

Arms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> along with pivot joints <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be considered as forming a pivotable three-bar linkage. The pivot joints at <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> also enable oscillating movement of pan <NUM> when pan <NUM> is maintained in either a raised or lowered position. It is noted that mounting the linkage to the frame <NUM> of the combine distributes the weight of the chaff pan <NUM> onto the frame <NUM> of the combine in a desirable way as opposed to the cleaning section of the combine carrying the weight of the chaff pan <NUM>.

Although one side of chaff pan assembly <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, it should be understood that the same components are positioned on the other side of chaff pan assembly.

Lock assembly <NUM> and the end of lever arm <NUM> that is connected to lock assembly <NUM> are best shown in <FIG>. Lock assembly <NUM> generally comprises a stationary bracket <NUM> having a mounting surface <NUM> that is fixedly coupled to frame <NUM> by fasteners, and a locking member <NUM> that is pivotably (or otherwise moveably) coupled to bracket <NUM> by a rod <NUM> that passes through registered openings in both locking member <NUM> and bracket <NUM>.

The end of lever arm <NUM>, which is connected to lock assembly <NUM>, generally includes (i) two elongated plates <NUM>, (ii) a winged mounting portion <NUM> extending from the plates <NUM> that is positioned between opposing sides of bracket <NUM> and pivotably mounted to those sides by the pivot joints <NUM> (one shown), and (iii) a transverse rod <NUM> passing through the plates <NUM>. Rod <NUM> forms a bearing surface, as will be described later. A tab <NUM> extends from the winged mounting portion <NUM> to an elevation beneath the plates <NUM>. At least a portion of tab <NUM> is positioned between an axis passing through rod <NUM> and an axis passing through pivot joint <NUM>. Tab <NUM> also forms a bearing surface, as will be described later. Also, yet another bearing surface <NUM> projects from the free end of lever arm <NUM> for interacting with locking member <NUM>, as will be described hereinafter. Thus, arm <NUM> has three different bearing surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> for preventing rotating of the arm <NUM> in at least one rotational direction, the purpose of each of which will be described later.

Stationary bracket <NUM> is a one-piece unitary sheet metal or cast component having two planar mounting surfaces/portions <NUM> (for mounting to frame <NUM>, as described above), legs <NUM> longitudinally depending from each mounting surface <NUM>, and a shoulder <NUM> extending transversely between and interconnecting the legs <NUM>. A transversely extending rod <NUM> is mounted to openings disposed in opposing legs <NUM> of bracket <NUM> by bearings <NUM>. On each leg <NUM>, a cutout, recess or surface <NUM> is formed having two end-stop surfaces 49a and 49b, the purpose of which will be described later.

Locking member <NUM> includes an opening, recess or channel in which rod <NUM> is disposed. Locking member <NUM> is configured to pivot about rod <NUM>. Locking member <NUM> has an open-ended cutout <NUM> formed in a central region thereof having two opposing bearing surfaces 71a and 71b. The lower end of locking member <NUM> forms a user-accessible handle for moving locking member <NUM> between its locked and unlocked positions.

A spring-loaded and resilient element <NUM> has one end that is fixed to locking member <NUM> and an opposite end that is mounted (or fixed) to bracket <NUM> by one or more fasteners. Resilient element <NUM> biases locking member <NUM> in the clockwise direction (as viewed in <FIG>) and toward the locking position shown in <FIG> (as well as <FIG>). , Resilient element <NUM> may be in the form of a unitary sheet spring steel, for example. Resilient element <NUM> could also be a tension or compression spring, if so desired.

Turning now to <FIG>, in the raised position of chaff pan <NUM>, lever arm <NUM> is maintained in the raised and locked position (as shown in those figures). More particularly, in the raised and locked position of arm <NUM>, rod <NUM> is positioned against end stop surface 49a to prevent rotation of arm <NUM> about pivot joint <NUM> in the clockwise direction (as viewed in <FIG>). And, bearing surface <NUM> of lever arm <NUM> bears against bearing surface 71a of locking member <NUM> to prevent rotation of arm <NUM> in the counter clockwise direction (as viewed in <FIG>) about pivot joint <NUM>. Thus, lever arm <NUM> is prevented from pivoting about pivot joint <NUM>.

As a result of pivot joints <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, chaff pan <NUM> is capable of oscillating along with chaff rail <NUM> even when arm <NUM> is maintained in either a raised or a lowered position and regardless of whether arm <NUM> is maintained in the locked position by locking member <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, in the lowered position of chaff pan <NUM>, lever arm <NUM> is maintained in the lowered and locked position (as shown in those figures). More particularly, in the lowered and locked position of arm <NUM>, rod <NUM> is positioned against end stop surface 49b to prevent rotation of arm <NUM> about pivot joint <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction (as viewed in <FIG>). And, tab <NUM> of lever arm <NUM> bears against bearing surface 71b of locking member <NUM> to prevent rotation of arm <NUM> about pivot joint <NUM> in the clockwise direction (as viewed in <FIG>). Thus, lever arm <NUM> is prevented from pivoting about pivot joint <NUM> in the lowered and locked position. An exemplary sequence of movements between the raised/locked and the lowered/locked positions will be described hereinafter.

Turning now to <FIG>, starting from the raised and locked position of arm <NUM> of <FIG>, which corresponds to the raised position of chaff pan <NUM> shown in <FIG>, as noted above, arm <NUM> is locked in the raised position as was described above with reference to <FIG>. Turning now to <FIG>, to release arm <NUM> and chaff pan <NUM> from the raised and locked position, locking member <NUM> is moved in the direction of the arrow in <FIG> against the bias of resilient element <NUM>, thereby releasing (i.e., disengaging) bearing surface <NUM> from locking member <NUM> as shown. Movement of locking member <NUM> is preferably performed manually, but could be performed in an automated fashion by solenoids controlled in a cab of the combine.

Turning now to <FIG>, to move arm <NUM> (as well as chaff pan <NUM>) to the lowered position, arm <NUM> is rotated downwards and in the counterclockwise direction about pivot joint <NUM>, as depicted by the arrow in that figure. Alternatively, chaff pan <NUM> may be rotated downwardly, which would cause arm <NUM> to rotate downwardly. The spring-loaded locking member <NUM> may be released as soon as bearing surface <NUM> clears the cutout <NUM> of locking member <NUM>. Upon releasing locking member <NUM>, bearing surface <NUM> can ride along the flat outer surface of locking member <NUM>, and tab <NUM> can also ride along the outer surface of locking member <NUM> as the arm <NUM> continues to be rotated in the counter clockwise direction. Turning now to <FIG>, arm <NUM> is rotated further in the counterclockwise direction until the cutout <NUM> springs over tab <NUM> and the tab <NUM> becomes positioned within cutout <NUM>. The resilient element <NUM> rotates locking member <NUM> so that bearing surface 71b engages against the bottom side of tab <NUM>. At this time, arm <NUM> is maintained in the lowered and locked position, corresponding to the lowered position of chaff pan <NUM>. The lowered and locked position of arm <NUM> was described previously in relation to <FIG>. It should be understood that chaff pan <NUM> pivots to its lowered position under its own weight as arm <NUM> is moved to its lowered position, as guided by the above-described linkage.

Turning now to <FIG>, to release arm <NUM> and chaff pan <NUM> from the lowered and locked position, locking member <NUM> is moved in the direction of the arrow in <FIG> against the bias of resilient element <NUM>, thereby releasing tab <NUM> from bearing surface 71b. Turning now to <FIG>, to move arm <NUM> (as well as chaff pan <NUM>) to the raised position, arm <NUM> is rotated upwards and in the clockwise direction about pivot joint <NUM>, as depicted by the arrow of that figure. Spring-loaded locking member <NUM> may be released as soon as tab <NUM> clears the cutout <NUM> of locking member <NUM>. Upon releasing locking member <NUM>, bearing surface <NUM> can ride along the flat outer surface of locking member <NUM>. Arm <NUM> is rotated further in the clockwise direction until the cutout <NUM> springs over the bearing surface <NUM> of arm <NUM> due to the spring force of resilient element <NUM>. At that time, arm <NUM> is maintained in the raised and locked position shown in <FIG>. It should be understood that chaff pan <NUM> pivots to its raised position as arm <NUM> is moved to its raised position, as guided by the above-described linkage.

Claim 1:
A chaff pan assembly (<NUM>) for an agricultural vehicle (<NUM>), said chaff pan assembly comprising:
a chaff pan (<NUM>) that is moveable between a raised position and a lowered position;
a stationary bracket (<NUM>) that is configured to be mounted to a fixed point (<NUM>) on the agricultural vehicle (<NUM>);
a linkage (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that interconnects the chaff pan (<NUM>) to the stationary bracket (<NUM>) and guides movement of the chaff pan (<NUM>) between the raised and lowered positions,
characterized in that the chaff pan (<NUM>) assembly further comprises:
a locking member (<NUM>) that is moveably connected to the stationary bracket (<NUM>) and is moveable between a locked position, in which the locking member (<NUM>) is engaged with one arm (<NUM>) of the linkage to prevent movement of the one arm (<NUM>) of the linkage, and an unlocked position, in which the locking member (<NUM>) is disengaged from the one arm (<NUM>) of the linkage to permit movement of the one arm (<NUM>) of the linkage,
wherein the moveable locking member (<NUM>) is moveable to the locking position in both the raised and the lowered positions of the chaff pan (<NUM>) to prevent movement of the one arm (<NUM>) of the linkage in both the raised and lowered positions of the chaff pan (<NUM>).