Patent ID: 8387352

Claim:
A corn head divider lift assist linkage adapted for supporting a corn head divider that covers adjacent row units having front ends and rear ends and the cover being connected at its rear end for pivoting vertically about a horizontal transverse axis located adjacent rear ends of the row units, the linkage, as considered in an orientation for being mounted for use, comprising: a fore-and-aft extending first elongate member having first and second ends, wherein said first end of said first elongate member is adapted for being pivotally coupled to the corn head adjacent to said rear ends of the row units to pivot vertically with respect to the corn head and the two adjacent row units; a pivoting link having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the pivoting link is pivotally coupled at a first joint to the second end of the first elongate member and the second end of the pivoting link is adapted for being pivotally coupled to the corn head divider at a central underside location spaced forwardly from said transverse axis; and a compression spring having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the spring is pivotally coupled to the pivoting link at a second joint located between said first and second ends of the pivoting link, and wherein the second end of the spring and is pivotally coupled to the first elongate member at a third joint located adjacent the first end of the elongate member; wherein the first elongate member, the pivoting link, and the spring are dimensioned such that compression in said spring can be maintained internal to the corn head divider lift assist linkage in a stable state with the spring acting along a line passing below the first joint.