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.

Oftentimes the header is constructed with a multi-segment chassis, the segments of which may be movable relative to one another. <CIT> describes such a foldable maize picking header, in which, to actuate the mobile parts of the header, an cylinder with a piston is provided, one on each side, having integral, next to its free end, a rack engaged to a gear wheel integral with the mobile part. A backsheet may be supported by each segment of the multi-segment chassis. A disadvantage of such a header is that, when harvesting tall bushy crops, seed and crop material can fall over the backsheet and out of the header, whereby such material goes unharvested.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment there is provided a multi-segment header for an agricultural harvester comprising a multi-segment chassis and a backsheet supported by each segment of the multi-segment chassis. The multi-segment header further comprises a backsheet extension assembly that includes a backsheet extension mounted adjacent a top end of each backsheet, and an articulating joint extending between adjacent backsheet extensions.

An aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that each backsheet extension extends substantially in end to end relation with each segment of the multi-segment chassis. So constructed and arranged, the backsheet effectively prevents seed and crop material from falling over the backsheet extension assembly and out of the header, whereby such material is effectively harvested by the header.

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. Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. Directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. The term "distal" shall mean away from the center of a body. The term "proximal" shall mean closer towards the center of a body and/or away from the "distal" end. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the identified element and designated parts thereof. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject application in any manner not explicitly set forth. Additionally, the term "a," as used in the specification, means "at least one. " The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

The terms "grain," "ear," "stalk," "leaf," and "crop material" are used throughout the specification for convenience and it should be understood that these terms are not intended to be limiting. Thus, "grain" refers to that part of a crop which is harvested and separated from discardable portions of the crop material. The header of the subject application is applicable to a variety of crops, including but not limited to wheat, soybeans and small grains. The terms "debris," "material other than grain," and the like are used interchangeably.

"About" as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±<NUM>%, ±<NUM>%, ±<NUM>%, or ±<NUM>% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.

"Substantially" as used herein shall mean considerable in extent, largely but not wholly that which is specified, or an appropriate variation therefrom as is acceptable within the field of art.

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 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., fixed 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. A horizontal plane <NUM> extends through the header <NUM> and can be substantially parallel to the ground <NUM> during use over generally even terrain. In some 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>). According to the invention, a draper belt system <NUM> is used to guide crop from the header <NUM> into the processing system <NUM>. In other embodiments, discussed below, the header may employ both augers and draper conveyors to guide crop from the header into the processing system <NUM>. The auger can rotate about a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to horizontal when the right and left wings <NUM>, <NUM> are in the unflexed or non-linear position. 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 configured to cut crop and flex as the right and left wings <NUM>, <NUM> pivot relative to the central section <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views of a partial assembly of the header <NUM>. Although discussed with respect to the left wing <NUM>, it should be understood that the right wing <NUM> has a substantially similar structure and/or function. The header <NUM> includes a draper belt system <NUM> for transferring harvested crop from the left wing <NUM> to the central section <NUM> such that the central section <NUM> can introduce the crop into the processing system <NUM>. The draper belt system <NUM> includes a first draper belt assembly <NUM> at the left wing <NUM> and a second draper belt assembly <NUM> at the central section <NUM> disposed adjacent to the first draper belt assembly <NUM>. The header <NUM> includes a draper frame <NUM> associated with the left wing <NUM> and a draper frame <NUM> associated with the central section <NUM>. The draper frames <NUM>, <NUM> form part of a multi-segment chassis <NUM>, discussed below, and rotatably couple at a pivot joint <NUM> disposed between the draper frames <NUM>, <NUM> such that the left wing <NUM> can pivot relative to the central section <NUM>. That is, a longitudinal axis of the left wing <NUM> can pivot or move relative to a longitudinal axis of the central section <NUM>. The multi-segment header <NUM> thus comprises the multi-segment chassis <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, 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 <NUM>. In this regard, only central segment <NUM> and left wing segment <NUM> are shown. It is to be understood that right wing segment <NUM> is similarly provided with a backsheet.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the multi-segment header further comprises a backsheet extension assembly <NUM> including a backsheet extension <NUM> mounted adjacent a top end <NUM> of each backsheet <NUM>. The backsheet extension assembly also includes an articulating joint <NUM> extending between adjacent backsheet extensions <NUM>.

According to an aspect, each backsheet extension <NUM> is plate-shaped and is directly mounted to the top end <NUM> of each backsheet <NUM>. Each backsheet extension extends substantially in end to end relation with each segment <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the multi-segment chassis <NUM>. The backsheet extension <NUM> is mounted to the backsheet such that its major plane slopes forwardly relative to the chassis and the combine direction of travel, e.g., a horizontal plane of the chassis, at an angle of about <NUM>° to <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 <NUM>. In an aspect the backsheet extension can have an overall height of about <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM> inches), and preferably about <NUM> (<NUM> inches).

At least one of the backsheet extensions <NUM> includes an access panel <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) for providing access to header structure such as, for example, a chassis hook opening and/or a reel pivot axis. The access panel <NUM> may be substantially square or rectangular in shape and projects rearwardly from the rear surface of the backsheet extension so as to accommodate the aforementioned header structure. As shown most clearly in <FIG>, the access panel <NUM> is releasably connected to the backsheet extension by one or more fasteners <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the articulating joint <NUM> spans an entire height of the adjacent backsheet extensions <NUM>. According to the invention, the articulating joint <NUM> comprises a flexible polymer, e.g., an elastomer which permits the left wing segment <NUM> to pivot upwardly (<FIG>) and downwardly (<FIG>) relative to the central segment <NUM>, as well as forwardly and backwardly, i.e., in at least four degrees of freedom.

According to another aspect, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the articulating joint <NUM> comprises a first slotted end <NUM> for receiving one of the segmented backsheet extensions <NUM>, and a second slotted <NUM> end opposite the first slotted end for receiving an adjacent segmented backsheet extension. The articulating joint <NUM> further comprises a fastener <NUM> for fastening the articulating joint to the backsheet extension. The fastener <NUM> can be, e.g., a through hole <NUM> and a pin <NUM> or another suitable fastener for the intended purpose. The articulating joint <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> likewise permits the wing segments <NUM>, <NUM> to pivot upwardly, downwardly, forwardly and rearwardly relative to the central segment <NUM>.

In accordance with another aspect (<FIG>), the multi-segment header further comprises a mounting bracket <NUM> mounting each backsheet extension <NUM> to the chassis <NUM>. The mounting bracket can be configured as shown in <FIG>, and may be bolted or otherwise secured to both the backsheet extension <NUM> and the chassis <NUM> via fasteners.

Provision of the backsheet extension assembly disclosed herein enables the end backsheet extensions thereof to pivot upwardly and downwardly with their associated backsheets and capture grain and seed in the header <NUM> which would otherwise go unharvested. In addition, the backsheet extension assembly may be used with multi-segment headers wherein the header segments are fixed (i.e., do not pivot) relative to one another whereby grain and seed is likewise captured by such headers.

Claim 1:
A multi-segment header (<NUM>) for an agricultural harvester (<NUM>) comprising:
a multi-segment chassis (<NUM>);
a draper belt system (<NUM>);
a backsheet (<NUM>) supported by each segment of the multi-segment chassis (<NUM>), the backsheet being a panel that keeps grain and seed redirected onto the draper belt system (<NUM>); and
a backsheet extension assembly (<NUM>) characterized by:
a backsheet extension (<NUM>) mounted adjacent a top end (<NUM>) of each backsheet, and
a polymeric articulating joint (<NUM>) having at least four degrees of freedom and extending between adjacent backsheet extensions.