Patent ID: 8146335

Claim:
A header height sensor for a harvesting head of an agricultural combine, the header height sensor comprising: an elongate sensor arm ( 112 ) having an upper end ( 150 ) that defines an aperture ( 160 ) configured to receive a shaft ( 154 ) and a lower end; a reversing joint ( 114 ) that comprises a housing ( 152 ) configured to receive the upper end of the elongate sensor arm ( 112 ); the housing ( 152 ) including a mechanical stop ( 174 ) to prevent movement of the elongate sensor arm 112 ) with respect to the housing ( 152 ) in a first direction beyond the first limit of travel, the reversing joint ( 114 ) further comprising a pair of springs ( 162 , 164 ) disposed on either side of the upper end ( 150 ), the pair of springs ( 162 , 164 ) being coupled to the housing ( 152 ) and to the upper end ( 150 ) to push the upper end ( 150 ) against the mechanical stop ( 174 ), wherein the shaft ( 154 ) extends through both springs ( 162 , 164 ) and through the aperture ( 160 ) in the elongate sensor arm ( 112 ), and is supported at a first end and at the second end on housing ( 152 ); a bracket ( 106 ) configured to be fixed to a plastic point ( 100 ), and being also configured to support an upper portion of the reversing joint ( 114 ) for relative rotational movement about a laterally extending longitudinal axis ( 196 ); and a rotary position sensor ( 116 ) coupled to bracket 106 and coupled to reversing joint ( 114 ) such that movement of the reversing joint ( 114 ) with respect to the rotary position sensor ( 116 ) causes an electrical signal from rotary position sensor ( 116 ) to change as a function of the relative rotation.