Patent ID: 8087224

Claim:
A draper platform ( 100 ) for mounting on the feederhouse of an agricultural combine, comprising: a first frame section ( 104 ) configured to be supported on the feederhouse and having a first endless conveyor belt ( 132 , 126 ) wrapped approximately 180 degrees around a first inner roller ( 254 , 258 ) and approximately 180 degrees around a first outer roller ( 251 ), the first outer roller ( 251 ) having a first axis of rotation; a second frame section ( 102 , 106 ) configured to be supported on a first side of the first frame section ( 104 ) and having a second endless conveyor belt ( 124 , 130 ) wrapped approximately 180 degrees around a second inner roller ( 249 ) and approximately 180 degrees around a second outer roller ( 251 ), the second inner roller ( 249 ) having a second axis of rotation; a first pivot joint ( 110 , 114 ) coupling the first frame section ( 104 ) to the second frame section ( 102 , 106 ), the first pivot joint ( 110 , 114 ) constraining the second frame section ( 102 , 106 ) to pivot with respect to the first frame section ( 104 ) about an axis ( 108 , 112 ) that extends generally parallel to the first outer roller ( 251 ) and the second inner roller ( 249 ), the first pivot joint ( 110 , 114 ) being further disposed to maintain a distance between the first outer roller ( 251 ), and the second inner roller ( 249 ) constant when the second frame section ( 102 , 106 ) pivots with respect to the first frame section ( 104 ) about the axis ( 108 , 112 ).