Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates generally to a finger for a crop gathering auger of a grain header for an agricultural combine, and more particularly, to an auger finger including a tether which spans a failure region of the finger and will retain a free end of the finger in connection with a mounting end thereof when the failure region is broken, and which is preferably additionally operable for automatically retracting the broken off free end into an auger drum and retaining it therein during subsequent rotation of the drum for limiting potential damage from the broken end and preventing entry of the broken end into crop handling equipment of the combine. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   It is well known to provide stiff, hard fingers of steel or other rigid material protruding radially outwardly from a central region of a drum of a rotating crop gathering auger of a grain header of an agricultural combine, for raking crops into an inlet opening of a feeder operable for conveying the crops into a threshing system of the combine. Reference generally in this regard, Farley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,527 entitled Center Feed Finger Adjustment Mechanism For Header. As illustrated in the Farley et al. patent, such fingers are typically mounted on an auger finger shaft or other element located within the auger drum in axially offset relation to a rotational axis of the drum, and protrude radially outwardly through holes in an outer cylindrical surface of the drum. 
   It is additionally well known to provide a failure region at a predetermined location along the length of such fingers, such as a groove or the like, such that, in the event that a large, solid or hard object such as a stone or rock, a stump or fence post or fragment thereof, an animal skeleton or part thereof, or the like, is encountered and attempted to be raked by a finger, forces exerted by the rotation of the drum applied through the finger against the object, if sufficiently strong, will cause the finger to break at the failure region. Induction of the broken off end of the finger into the feeder, and subsequent passage into the threshing system and other systems of the combine is to be avoided, as the end of the finger can jam the mechanisms thereof and/or cause damage such as breakage and result in machine downtime. 
   Therefore, to avoid such occurrences, the failure region is typically located within the auger drum, and the end of the finger located radially outwardly of the failure region can include a retainer or detent element, such as a pin thereacross, located within the drum, for preventing removal of the broken end of the finger from the drum. However, in the event of breakage of the finger, the broken free end of the finger can undesirably flail about the exterior of the drum during the rotation thereof, so as to strike the floor or pan of the header during the rotation resulting in annoying noise, or, if the free end falls into the drum, it can undesirably move around freely therein so as to also create annoying noise, and it can possibly damage or jam other components located therein, and be difficult to find and retrieve. 
   Thus, what is sought is an apparatus for retaining a broken free end of an auger finger, which overcomes one or more of the problems and disadvantages set forth above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   What is disclosed is an auger finger with a tether for retaining the finger when broken, which overcomes one or more of the problems and disadvantages set forth above. 
   According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the auger finger includes a mounting end portion adapted to be mounted within a drum of an auger in connection with a support element offset axially from a rotational axis of the drum, and an elongate free end portion opposite the mounting end portion, which projects radially outwardly from the drum. The auger finger includes a failure region at a predetermined location along the length thereof, which, when intact, connects the mounting and free end portions, the failure region being constructed so as to be weaker than at least the mounting end portion so as to break and disconnect the mounting and free end portions when the finger is subjected to a predetermined side loading condition. 
   Importantly, the finger includes at least one tether connected between the free end and mounting end portions and spanning the failure region, so as to be capable of holding the free end portion in connection with the mounting end portion while allowing relative pivotal movement therebetween if the failure region is broken. As a result, in the event of breakage of the failure region, the tethered connection of the broken free end portion to the mounting end portion will allow the mounting end portion, in cooperation with further rotation of the drum, to automatically retract the free end portion into the drum and hold the free end in a suitable position therein, such that the finger will not undesirably flail about the exterior of the drum during subsequent rotation, or, become loosened and lost or inducted into a threshing system of a combine with which the finger is used, or flail about inside the drum when retracted therein. 
   According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the at least one tether is pivotally connected to at least one of the free end portion and the mounting end portion so as to allow limited relative longitudinal movement therebetween when the failure region is broken, to facilitate the relative pivotal movement of the free and mounting end portions about the broken failure region, and the automatic retraction of the free end into the drum. 
   According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the finger includes two of the tethers, on opposite sides of the finger, respectively, which allow relative movement of the mounting and free end portions of the finger only in a predetermined transverse direction corresponding to a direction of rotation of a drum on which the finger is mounted, to limit undesirable movements of the free end of the broken finger, while still facilitating the automatic retraction of the broken free end into the drum. 
   And, according to still another preferred aspect of the invention, the tether is connected to the mounting and free end portions by manually removable devices, such as locking safety clips, cotter pins, or the like, to allow removal of the free end portion from the mounting end portion when the failure region is broken. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified side view of a grain header supported on a feeder on the front end of an agricultural combine, and showing in dotted lines a gathering auger on the header, including an array of auger fingers of the invention extending radially outwardly from a drum of the auger at angularly spaced locations therearound; 
       FIG. 2  is a simplified schematic side view of the header and auger of  FIG. 1 , illustrating one of the auger fingers at several rotational positions of the drum of the auger; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the auger finger of  FIG. 2 , shown mounted on a mounting sleeve mountable on an auger finger shaft of the drum; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side view of the auger finger of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the auger finger, with tethers of the invention shown in exploded form, illustrating assembly thereof; 
       FIG. 6  is another fragmentary side view of the auger finger; 
       FIG. 7  is a fragmentary side view of the auger finger, showing breakage of a failure region thereof; 
       FIG. 8  is another fragmentary side view of the auger finger, showing separation of free and mounting end portions of the finger and retention of the free end portion by the tethers of the invention; 
       FIG. 9  is another fragmentary side view of the auger finger, illustrating relative pivotal movement of the mounting and free end portions thereof when the failure region is broken; 
       FIG. 10  is a simplified schematic side view of the header of  FIG. 1 , illustrating rotation of the auger thereof with a finger of the auger in a first rotational position; 
       FIG. 11  is another simplified schematic side view of the header, illustrating rotation of the auger such that the finger is brought into contact with a hard object on a pan of the header; 
       FIG. 12  is another simplified schematic side view of the header, illustrating further rotation of the auger and breakage of a failure region of the finger as a result the contact with the hard object and subsequent retention of the broken free end portion of the finger; 
       FIG. 13  is another simplified schematic side view of the header, showing still further rotation of the auger to cause partial retraction of the broken portion of the finger into a drum of the auger; 
       FIG. 14  is another simplified schematic side view of the header, showing the broken finger portion fully retracted into the drum; and 
       FIG. 15  is another simplified schematic side view of the header, showing a resting position of the broken finger portion within the drum. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, in  FIG. 1 , the front end of a conventional agricultural combine  20  is shown, including a feeder  22  supporting a grain header  24  conventionally operable for cutting and gathering crops containing grain, such as wheat and other grasses, legumes such as soybeans, and the like, in the well known conventional manner. Header  24  has a front end  26  including cutter apparatus  28  extending along the width thereof, configured and operable for severing crops (not shown) from the ground during movement of combine  20  in a forward direction, denoted by arrow F. 
   Header  24  includes a reel  30  disposed above cutter apparatus  28  and rotatable for directing the cut crops rearwardly onto and along a generally flat, horizontal floor or pan  32  of header  24 , into a gathering auger  34  extending across the width of the header adjacent to the rear of pan  32 . Auger  34  includes a hollow cylindrical drum  36  having opposite right hand and left hand helical flights  38  and  40  extending around opposite end portions thereof, respectively. Auger  34  is rotatable about a rotational axis  42  ( FIG. 2 ), and flights  38  and  40  are rotatable therewith for conveying crop material from opposite end regions of the header toward the center region thereof. Feeder  22  includes an inlet opening (not shown) just rearwardly of the center region of header  24 , for receiving the augered crops, in the well known manner. 
   To facilitate flow and induction of the crops into the inlet of feeder  22 , drum  36  includes an array of auger fingers  48  at longitudinally and angularly spaced locations therearound which rotate therewith and are configured to reciprocally move telescopically radially outwardly therefrom and radially inwardly therein during the rotation, for raking the crop material into feeder  22 , in the well known manner. 
   Referring also to  FIG. 2 , auger  34  of header  24  is shown. The rotation of auger  34  is denoted by arrow B, about axis  42  through drum  36 . As noted above, drum  36  is hollow, and it includes a longitudinally and angularly spaced array of holes through an outer cylindrical surface  44  thereof, represented by hole  46 . An auger finger constructed and operable according to the teachings of the invention, is positioned in and extends outwardly through each of the holes of the array, as illustrated by auger finger  48  in hole  46 . As will be explained, each of the auger fingers, as represented by auger finger  48 , telescopically extends outwardly through its hole, represented by a hole  46 , by a different amount, depending on the rotational position of drum  36  about axis  42 . To illustrate, auger finger  48  is shown in a first rotational position telescopically extending in an upwardly and forwardly directed orientation from drum  36 , in preparation for raking. 
   The auger finger is denoted by number  48 A at a second rotational position of drum  36 , telescopically extending forwardly and downwardly in a raking position and orientation. The auger finger is denoted by number  48 B at a third rotational position of the drum, extending rearwardly and downwardly and mostly telescopically retracted into the drum. And, the auger is denoted by number  48 C in a rearward and upwardly directed orientation re-emerging from the drum. Thus, it should be evident that by rotation of drum  36  in the direction denoted by arrow B in  FIG. 2 , an auger finger will project telescopically a substantial distance from drum  36  in a gathering or raking mode through a portion of a revolution of the drum, as denoted by numbers  48  and  48 A, then will retract into drum  36  through another portion of the revolution, as denoted by number  48 B and  48 C, once the crop has been raked rearwardly into the feeder. 
   Referring also to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 , each of the auger fingers of the invention, represented by auger finger  48 , includes an elongate rigid body  50  constructed of a suitable material such as, but not limited to, a metal such as steel or aluminum. Body  50  includes a mounting end portion  52 , a free end portion  54 , and a failure region  56  at a predetermined location between mounting and free end portions  52  and  54 , connecting portions  52  and  54  together. Failure region  56  is preferably located in relation to mounting end portion  52 , so as to be located at all times within an internal cavity  58  of drum  36 , while free end portion  54  extends radially outwardly from drum  36  through the range of rotational positions thereof, as best illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
   Mounting end portion  52  is adapted to be received and held in a hole through a side of a mounting flange or sleeve, illustrated by mounting sleeve  60  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , which in turn, is mounted for rotation about a sidewardly extending auger finger shaft  62  located in internal cavity  58  of drum  36 . Auger finger shaft  62  is mounted at a fixed location within internal cavity  58  in axially offset relation to axis  42 , such that the mounting sleeves, represented by sleeve  60 , will be rotatable about an auger finger shaft axis  64  extending longitudinally through shaft  62 . Mounting end portion  52  can be secured to sleeve  60  in any desired manner, such as by using one or more commercially available roll pins or fasteners, or by threaded engagement, or the like, in the well known manner, preferably so as to enable easy and quick removal and replacement. 
   Failure region  56  can comprise any suitable construction which will result in breakage of body  50  at that location as a result of application of at least a predetermined threshold side loading condition, the magnitude of which can be determined as required or desired for a particular application, it being understood that failure region  56  is to be weaker than at least mounting end portion  52 , such that in the event of application of a side load against the finger of at least the threshold value, the finger will break at failure region  56  and not at mounting end portion  52  or another undesired location. To provide this capability, failure region  56  can comprise suitable structure, such as a circumferential groove around body  50 , a notch, or the like, to provide the desired weakening so as to be subject to breakage before other portions of body  50 , particularly mounting end portion  52 . 
   As noted above, in the event of breakage of a finger, such as finger  48  at failure region  56 , it is desirable for the broken or detached free end portion  54  to be retained in connection with drum  36 , so as not to be subject to induction into feeder  22  and subsequent conveyance or passage into other regions of combine  20  wherein consequential damage therefrom could result. It has likewise been found to be undesirable for the broken portion of a finger to flail about the exterior of drum  36  so as to cause noise and potentially damage nearby components of header  24 . Thus, it has been found to be desirable to have the capability to retract a broken segment of a finger into internal cavity  58  and to hold the broken portion therein in a position and orientation so as to cause no further damage. 
   This desirable capability is achieved according to the present invention by providing at least one tether  66 , and preferably two tethers  66 , connected between mounting end portion  52  and free end portion  54  of each auger finger, so as to span failure region  56  thereof and hold or retain free end portion  54  in the event failure region  56  is broken. Tether  66  additionally preferably allows relative pivotal movement of mounting end portion  52  and free end portion  54 , to allow passage of free end portion  54  over an object contact with which caused the breakage of failure region  56 , and to allow and facilitate retraction of free end portion  54  through hole  46  into internal cavity  58  of drum  36 , by continued rotation of the drum. 
   To provide this capability, tether  66  preferably includes a rigid link  68  which spans failure region  56  and includes a pair of holes  70  therethrough which align with holes  72  through mounting end portion  52  and free end portion  54 , so as to jointly receive suitable retaining elements therethrough. Here, the tethers  66  are shown on opposite sides of finger  48 , respectively, held in position by a pair of retaining elements which are locking safety pins  74 . This configuration is desirable and preferred, as it will allow relative pivotal movement between mounting end portion  52  and free end portion  54  when failure region  56  is broken, only in a transverse direction generally perpendicular to holes  72  through end portions  52  and  54 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Here, an attendant advantage of using locking safety pins  74 , is that they can be easily and conveniently manually removed, to allow removal of tethers  66 , and removal of free end portion  54  from mounting end  52  when failure region  56  is broken. 
   Referring also to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8  and  9 , a sequence of steps failure or breakage of failure region  56  and resultant relative pivotability of end portions  52  and  54  of finger  48  as facilitated by tethers  66 , is shown. Here, it should first be observed that so as to provide the capability of easy relative pivotal movement of mounting end portion  52  and free end portion  54  in the event of breakage of failure region  56 , tethers  66  are configured to allow a limited amount of relative longitudinal movement of mounting end portion  52  and free end portion  54  upon breakage of failure region  56 , to provide clearance for the edges of the broken region to pivot past one another. This capability is preferably provided by at least one, and more preferably both, of holes  70  through link  68  of each tether  66  being elongate longitudinally relative to finger  48 , or otherwise suitably enlarged. 
   Referring more particularly to  FIG. 6 , failure region  56  is shown intact, and safety pins  74  extend through holes  70  in link  68  of tether  66  and holes  72  in end portions  52  and  54 , respectively, holes  70  being enlarged so as to extend longitudinally outwardly beyond holes  72 . In  FIG. 7 , failure region  56  is shown fractured or broken, as a result of application of a side load, denoted by arrow L, against free end portion  54 , free end portion being retained on end portion  52  by tether  66 . In  FIG. 8 , failure region  56  is shown broken apart, such that free end portion  54  is longitudinally spaced from mounting end portion  52  while still being retained by tether  66 , pins  74  now being located at the opposite ends of elongate holes  70  of link  68 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates pivoting of free end portion  54  relative to mounting end portion  52 , as allowed by the now existent space therebetween resulting from fracture and breakage of failure region  56 , and the elongation of holes  70  of tether  66  which still retains the end portions together. This pivotability is useful and desirable, for instance, to allow free end portion  54  of finger  48  to pass over an object contacted by free end portion  54  which resulted in the application of load L thereagainst and the breakage of failure region  56 , as will be illustrated. The pivotability also has utility for facilitating automatic retraction of free end portion  54  into the auger drum, as will be illustrated. 
     FIGS. 10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15  show a sequence of rotation of auger  34  of header  24  resulting in breakage of failure region  56  of auger finger  48  caused by contact with a hard object  76  conveyed onto pan  32  of header  24  and too large to pass between pan  32  and the bottom of drum  36  of auger  34 . This is intended to be illustrative of a wide variety of incidents that may result in breakage of a finger, such as, but not limited to, contact with a large stone or rock, a fence post, log or stump, an animal carcass or skeleton, or a part or parts of any of these. 
   More particularly, in  FIG. 10 , auger  34  is shown rotating in direction B with free end portion  54  of finger  48  extending radially outwardly through hole  46  of drum  36 , mounting end portion  52  and failure region  56  being disposed in internal cavity  58  of drum  36 . In  FIG. 11 , hard object  76  is shown lodged between pan  32  and the bottom of drum  36 , which has rotated to bring free end portion  54  of finger  48  into contact with hard object  76 . Mounting end portion  52  and failure region  56  of finger  48  are located in internal cavity  58  of drum  36 . 
     FIG. 12  shows subsequent rotation of auger  34  such that a side load L is applied by hard object  76  against free end portion  54  of finger  48 , resulting in failure or breakage of failure region  56  of finger  48 , retention of free end portion  54  on mounting end portion  52  by tethers  66 , and pivotally movement of free end portion  54  relative to mounting end portion  52 , as allowed and facilitated by tethers  66 . With breakage of failure region  56 , free end portion  54  of finger  48  is allowed to be longitudinally displaced from mounting end portion  53  as explained above, again as facilitated by tethers  66 , to allow and facilitate the pivotally movement of free end portion  54  and also the continued rotation of auger  34 , without subjecting mounting end portion  52  as structure in support thereof to increased loads, which could be potentially damaging thereto or to related componentry. 
   In  FIG. 13 , free end portion  54  of finger  48  is shown retracted almost fully through hole  46  into internal cavity  58  so as to facilitate passage over a hard object  76  ( FIGS. 10-12 ) and continued rotation of auger  34 , as facilitated by tethers  66 . In  FIG. 14 , free end portion  54  of finger  48  is shown removed from hole  46  by tethers  66 , in cooperation with continued rotation of auger  34 , so as to be located completely within internal cavity  58 , mounting end portion  52  being freely rotatable with mounting sleeve  60  about auger finger shaft  62  ( FIG. 2 ) to facilitate this. In  FIG. 15 , during continued rotation of auger  34 , broken finger  48  is shown in a rest position with free end portion  54  resting against an internal surface of drum  36 . Free end portion  54  will now be retained in this position by tether  66  throughout any subsequent rotation of auger  34 . 
   It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown.

Technology Category: 1