Patent Description:
An agricultural harvester known as a "combine" is historically termed such because it combines multiple harvesting functions with a single harvesting unit, such as picking, threshing, separating, and cleaning. A combine includes a header which removes the crop from a field and a feeder housing which transports the crop material into a threshing rotor. The threshing rotor rotates within a perforated housing, which may be in the form of adjustable concaves, and performs a threshing operation on the crop to remove the grain. The threshing rotor is provided with rasp bars that interact with the crop material in order to further separate the grain from the crop material, and to provide positive crop movement. Once the grain is threshed, the grain is cleaned using a cleaning system. The cleaning system includes a cleaning fan which blows air through oscillating sieves to discharge chaff and other debris toward the rear of the combine. Non-grain crop material, such as straw, from the threshing section proceeds through a straw chopper and out the rear of the combine. Clean grain is transported to a grain tank onboard the combine.

A typical header generally includes a frame, a pair of end dividers at the lateral ends of the frame, a floor, a cutter to remove crop material from the field, and a conveyor to transport the cut crop material to the feeder housing for further downstream processing in the combine. Generally, the components of a header are specifically optimized to harvest a particular kind of crop. For instance, the header may be in the form of a draper header which is typically used to harvest fluffy or bushy crop such as soy beans or canola. A draper header generally includes a rotating reel assembly with tines, a cutter bar, and a conveyor in the form of one or more draper belts and/or augers. Some draper headers may also move, e.g. lower, raise, roll, pitch, and/or flex, to accommodate the undulating terrain of the field.

To transport a header, the header is typically removed from the combine, positioned on a header-specific transport trailer, and towed lengthwise behind a transport vehicle. Even with transporting the header separately, various components, such as the end dividers, may nevertheless need to be removed in order to reduce the width of the header during transportation.

Generally, the removal of the dividers from the header requires the use of tools and a location to store the dividers during transportation of the header. As can be appreciated, removing the dividers may increase the time involved in transporting a header. Furthermore, the removal of the dividers may increase the possibility of the operator forgetting, or otherwise losing, parts of the dividers and/or header during transportation.

What is needed in the art is a cost-effective end divider for a header which can be easily and efficiently transported along with the header.

<CIT> describes a retrofit hinge kit adapted for use with square tube frames to allow crop dividers to pivot out of the way for transport.

In one exemplary embodiment formed in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a header for an agricultural vehicle in accordance with claim <NUM>, that includes a frame, a receiving member connected to the frame of the header, and at least one divider movably connected to the frame. The at least one divider includes a divider body and an adjustable connector positionable in an unfolded work position and a folded transport position. The adjustable connector includes a first member, a second member, and an articulating joint for pivotally connecting the first and second members. The first member mounts the divider body, the second member is slidably connected to and received within the receiving member, and the articulating joint is at least partially received within the receiving member in the unfolded work position such that the first and second members are immobilized and the articulating joint is positioned outside of the receiving member in the folded transport position such that the first and second members are movable relative to one another.

In another exemplary embodiment formed in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for operating a header in accordance with claim <NUM>, including a frame, for an agricultural vehicle. The method includes the initial step of providing a divider that includes a divider body, a receiving member configured for being connected to the frame of the header, and an adjustable connector positionable in an unfolded work position and a folded transport position. The adjustable connector includes a first member, a second member, and an articulating j oint for pivotally connecting the first and second members. The first member mounts the divider body and the second member is slidably connected to and received within the receiving member. The method also includes a step of positioning the adjustable connector in one of: the folded transport position by sliding the adjustable connecter outwardly away from the receiving member such that the articulating joint is positioned outside of the receiving member and the first and second members are movable relative to one another, and folding the first member inwardly for folding the divider body inwardly, and the unfolded work position by unfolding the first member and the second member and sliding the adjustable connecter further within the receiving member such that the articulating joint is at least partially received within the receiving member and the first and second members are immobilized.

One possible advantage of the exemplary embodiment of the agricultural header is that the end dividers may be folded inwardly into a transport position without the need for additional tools.

Another possible advantage of the exemplary embodiment of the agricultural header is that the end dividers remain attached to the header in the work and transport positions.

The terms "forward", "rearward", "left" and "right", when used in connection with the agricultural harvester and/or components thereof are usually determined with reference to the direction of forward operative travel of the harvester, but again, 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 harvester and are equally not to be construed as limiting. The terms "downstream" and "upstream" are determined with reference to the intended direction of crop material flow during operation, with "downstream" being analogous to "rearward" and "upstream" being analogous to "forward.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to <FIG>, there is shown a known agricultural vehicle <NUM>. The agricultural vehicle <NUM> is illustrated as a combine <NUM>, which generally includes a chassis <NUM> supported by wheels, a prime mover, a cab, a feeder housing, and a header <NUM>.

The header <NUM> is removably attached to the feeder housing. The header <NUM> is in the form of a draper header <NUM>. The draper header <NUM> generally includes a frame <NUM>, a cutter bar <NUM> that severs the crop from a field, at least one conveyor <NUM>, for example a draper belt <NUM> and/or auger, which feeds the severed crop inwardly toward the feeder housing, a pair of lateral end dividers <NUM>, and a reel assembly <NUM> mounted to the frame <NUM>, which feeds the crop into the header <NUM>.

The reel assembly <NUM> generally includes a rotating reel <NUM> with fingers, e.g. tines <NUM>, a pair of "L"-shaped reel arms <NUM> mounting the reel <NUM> to the frame <NUM>, a pair of extension hydraulic cylinders <NUM>, a respective pair of lifting hydraulic cylinders <NUM>, and a reel bearing <NUM>. The reel assembly <NUM> may also include a reel drive mechanism for rotating the reel. Thereby, the reel <NUM> may be raised and lowered by the actuators <NUM> or extended and retracted by the actuators <NUM>. Each reel arm <NUM> has a proximal, i.e., rear, end and a distal, i.e., front, end. The proximal end of each reel arm <NUM> is pivotally connected to the frame <NUM>. The reel <NUM> is movably mounted onto each distal end of the reel arms <NUM> by way of the reel bearing <NUM>. Each reel arm <NUM> is a rigid, uniform part that is typically composed of metal.

In order to transport the header <NUM> along roadways, the header <NUM> must generally be positioned on a header transport trailer and detached from the agricultural vehicle <NUM>. Then, the header <NUM> may be towed lengthwise with its longitudinal axis being parallel to the forward direction of travel. Nevertheless, the width of the header <NUM> in the transport position may still be too great for some roadway requirements. Thereby, the operator generally has to completely remove one or more components from the header <NUM> to reduce the width of the header <NUM> in the transport position. For instance, the operator can remove the end dividers <NUM> to reduce the lateral profile of the header <NUM>. As can be appreciated, it may be undesirable to attach and reattach the end dividers <NUM> as this process is time consuming and requires separate tools and a place to temporarily store the detached end dividers <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a header <NUM>, in the form of a draper header <NUM>, which generally includes a frame <NUM>, a cutter bar <NUM>, at least one conveyor <NUM>, and a reel assembly <NUM>. The header <NUM> may also include at least one foldable crop divider <NUM>, such as a pair of end dividers <NUM> located at each lateral end of the header <NUM> (only one shown). Although the header <NUM> is shown as a draper header <NUM>, it should be appreciated that the end dividers <NUM> may be incorporated into any desired header <NUM>.

Each divider <NUM> may generally include a divider body <NUM>, a receiving member <NUM> connected to the frame <NUM>, and an adjustable connector <NUM> (<FIG>). Each divider <NUM> is movably connected to the frame <NUM> such that each divider <NUM> is foldable between an unfolded work position (<FIG>) and a folded transport position (<FIG>). Thereby, the overall profile, i.e., width, of the header <NUM> may be reduced in the transport position. Each divider <NUM> may also include a locking member <NUM> connected to the frame <NUM> of the header <NUM> for selectively locking each respective divider <NUM> in the work and transport positions (<FIG>).

The divider body <NUM> is connected to the adjustable connector <NUM>. For example, the divider body <NUM> may be fastened to the adjustable connector <NUM> by one or more fasteners. It should be appreciated that the divider body <NUM> may comprise any desired material and shape. For example, the divider body <NUM> may comprise a shell body made from sheet metal and a substantially triangular cross-section.

The receiving member <NUM> mounts the adjustable connector <NUM> to the header <NUM>. The receiving member <NUM> may be in the form of a receiving tube <NUM> which slidably receives the adjustable connector <NUM>. Hence, the receiving tube <NUM> defines an internal receiving hole for slidably receiving the adjustable connector <NUM>. The receiving tube <NUM> may also have one or more bottom slots which allow the locking member <NUM> to pass therethrough and engage with the adjustable connector <NUM>. The receiving member <NUM> may comprise any desired material and shape. The receiving member <NUM> may be connected to or incorporated as part of the frame <NUM> of the header <NUM>. For example, the receiving member <NUM> may be welded to the frame <NUM> of the header <NUM>. The receiving member <NUM> may be a member of a respective divider <NUM> or a separate member connected to the header <NUM>.

The adjustable connector <NUM> may slide and pivot relative to the header <NUM>. The adjustable connector <NUM> may be slidably connected to the receiving member <NUM> and may also pivot in order to rotate the divider body <NUM> between the work and transport positions. The adjustable connector <NUM> may include a first member <NUM> which mounts the divider body <NUM>, a second member <NUM> that is slidably connected to and received within the receiving member <NUM>, and an articulating joint <NUM> for pivotally connecting the first and second members <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>). The adjustable connector <NUM> may be positioned in the work position in which the articulating joint <NUM> is at least partially received within the receiving member <NUM> and the first and second members <NUM>, <NUM> are parallel to one another. In the unfolded work position, the first and second members <NUM>, <NUM> are substantially immobilized and hence the divider <NUM> becomes rigid and substantially parallel to the forward direction of travel (<FIG>). As used herein, substantially immobilized may refer to how the first member <NUM> is restricted from rotating as it contacts the inside perimeter of the receiving member <NUM>, when the articulating joint is at least partially within the receiving member <NUM>. Any movement of the first member <NUM> in the work position may be negligible and caused by tolerances between the adjustable connector <NUM> and the receiving member <NUM>. The adjustable connector <NUM> may also be positioned in the transport position in which the articulating joint <NUM> is positioned outside of the receiving member <NUM> such that the first and second members <NUM>, <NUM> are movable relative to one another and folded to be substantially perpendicular to one another. In the transport position, the divider <NUM> is not rigid and may be folded inwardly such that it is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the frame <NUM> (<FIG>). Hence, as the first member <NUM> folds inwardly or outwardly, the divider body <NUM> also folds inwardly or outwardly. The adjustable connector <NUM> remains connected to the receiving member <NUM> in the work position and the transport position. The adjustable connector <NUM> may comprise any desired material and shape.

The first and second members <NUM>, <NUM> may each include at least one mating protrusion <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>) which mate, e.g. overlap, with one another and define the articulating j oint <NUM>. For example, the first member <NUM> may include a pair of mating protrusions <NUM>, and the second member <NUM> may include a single mating protrusion <NUM> positioned in between the pair of mating protrusions <NUM> of the first member <NUM>, or vice versa. It is also conceivable for each member <NUM>, <NUM> to include a single mating protrusion. The mating protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> may each include a receiving hole for receiving a fastener <NUM>, e.g. a bolt, which defines a pivot axis (<FIG>). In this regard, the articulating joint <NUM> is comprised of the mating protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> and the fastener <NUM>. The first member <NUM> and the second member <NUM> of the adjustable connector <NUM> may be in the form of a mounting tube <NUM> and a telescoping tube <NUM> which slides in and out of the receiving member <NUM>. The tubes <NUM>, <NUM> may be square tubes; however, the first and second members <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise any desired material and shape, e.g. round, hexagonal, etc. For instance, the first member <NUM> and/or the second member <NUM> may have a configuration which is tubular, a solid body, and/or a casting. For example, the first member <NUM> and/or the second member <NUM> may each be in the form of an inverted "T"-shaped casting. As can be appreciated, although the articulating joint <NUM> is designed as part of the divider <NUM> and the receiving member <NUM> is attached to the frame <NUM>, this configuration could be switched so that the articulating joint <NUM> is on the frame <NUM> and the receiving member <NUM> is connected to the divider body <NUM>.

The locking member <NUM> is connected to the frame <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> selectively engages with the adjustable connector <NUM> and prevents the adjustable connector <NUM> from sliding relative to the receiving member <NUM>. For example, the locking member <NUM> may have one or more protrusions which engage with one or more receiving portions on the second member <NUM> of the adjustable connector <NUM>. As shown, the locking member <NUM> is a latch <NUM> that is pivotally connected to the frame <NUM>, underneath the receiving member <NUM>. The latch <NUM> may be a spring-loaded latch that is biased to engaged with and apply a locking force with the second member <NUM> of the adjustable connector <NUM>. Thereby, the latch <NUM> may automatically lock the adjustable connector <NUM> in the work position and the operator may pivot the latch <NUM> downwardly to disengage the latch <NUM> from the adjustable connector <NUM> to slide and fold the divider <NUM> in the transport position. It should be appreciated that the locking member <NUM> may be in the form of any desired locking member, such as a pin, a clasp, a hook, a fastener, and/or or one or more protrusions or detents.

In operation, the operator of the header <NUM> may selectively position each divider <NUM> in the work position or the transport position. To position each divider <NUM> in the transport position, the operator may disengage the locking member <NUM> to allow the adjustable connector <NUM> to slide relative to the receiving member <NUM>. Then, the adjustable connector <NUM> may be slid outwardly away from the receiving member <NUM> such that the articulating joint <NUM> is positioned outside of the receiving member <NUM> and the first and second members <NUM>, <NUM> are movable relative to one another. Then, the first member <NUM> may be folded inwardly to thereby fold the divider body <NUM> inwardly. To position each divider <NUM> in the work position, the first and second member <NUM>, <NUM> may be unfolded and the entire adjustable connecter <NUM> may be slid inwardly within the receiving member <NUM> such that the articulating joint <NUM> is at least partially received within the receiving member <NUM> and the first and second members <NUM>, <NUM> are substantially immobilized. The step of positioning the adjustable connector <NUM> in the work position does not require disengaging the locking member <NUM> before sliding the adjustable connector <NUM> within the receiving member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A header (<NUM>) for an agricultural vehicle (<NUM>), comprising:
a frame (<NUM>);
a receiving member (<NUM>) connected to the frame (<NUM>) of the header (<NUM>); and
at least one divider (<NUM>) movably connected to the frame (<NUM>), the at least one divider (<NUM>) comprising:
a divider body (<NUM>); and
an adjustable connector (<NUM>) positionable in an unfolded work position and a folded transport position, the adjustable connector (<NUM>) comprising a first member (<NUM>), a second member (<NUM>), and an articulating joint (<NUM>) for pivotally connecting the first and second members, the first member (<NUM>) mounts the divider body (<NUM>), the second member (<NUM>) is slidably connected to and received within the receiving member (<NUM>),
characterized in that the articulating j oint (<NUM>) is at least partially received within the receiving member (<NUM>) in the unfolded work position such that the first and second members (<NUM>, <NUM>) are immobilized and the articulating j oint (<NUM>) is positioned outside of the receiving member (<NUM>) in the folded transport position such that the first and second members (<NUM>, <NUM>) are movable relative to one another.