Patent ID: 7811161

Claim:
A device for removing attached husks from cobs and collecting the cobs after harvesting corn therefrom, comprising: a cob collection device including an upstanding wall structure bounding an interior chamber configured for receiving the cobs, the upstanding wall structure including a predetermined wall having an upper region including an aperture therethrough connecting with the chamber; a first conveyor having a first end, an opposite second end, and an array of husking rolls extending therebetween defining an upwardly facing surface configured and positioned for receiving a flow of the cobs including the husks attached thereto and conveying the cobs to the second end of the conveyor while positively removing the husks therefrom, each of the husking rolls bounding a gap smaller than the cobs connecting with a region below the first conveyor, each of the husking rolls being supported for rotation about an axis therethrough and connected to drive apparatus configured for drivingly rotating the husking rolls about the axes, respectively, the husking rolls including husking elements thereon configured such that when the husking rolls are rotated by the drive, the elements will grasp and detach the husks from the cobs and drive the detached husks through the gaps into the region below the first conveyor; and a second conveyor having a first end portion configured and positioned for receiving the cobs from the second end of the first conveyor, and an opposite second end portion, the second conveyor being inclined upwardly toward the second end portion and configured and operable for conveying the cobs upwardly and from the second end portion thereof, the second conveyor being supported for movement of the second end portion thereof through a range of positions between a first position adjacent to the aperture and external to the interior chamber, and a second position extending a predetermined maximum distance into the interior chamber through the aperture, the range of positions including different positions for distributing the cobs to different locations within the interior chamber, wherein the first conveyor and the second conveyor are carried on a trailer configured for towing behind a harvesting machine, for receiving the flow of the cobs therefrom, and the second conveyor is pivotable through the range of positions relative to the first conveyor and the trailer, wherein the cob collection device is supported on the trailer and configured for movement between a lowered cob receiving position, and a raised cob unloading position disposed a predetermined distance above the cob receiving position, and the second conveyor when in the first position will be disposed in spaced relation to the cob collection device when in the raised position.