US3552398A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Harvester with torque responsive snapping rolls
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1969-01-24
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1989-01-24
Abstract
Abstract The snapping rolls of a cucumber harvester are spring pressed together but hydraulic cylinders can retract one roll in response to an increase in the hydraulic pressure required to drive the rolls by a hydraulic motor, thereby preventing plugging of the rolls by roots, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 Olin L Looker
- 👤 Larry L Slates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:28
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D45/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S56/00; Y10S56/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A nonplugging harvester for vine crops or the like comprising a pair of snapping rolls, spring means for pressing said rolls together for gripping the vines but excluding the crop, actuator means for reducing the force with which said spring means presses said rolls together, drive means for said rolls, and means connected to said actuator means and to said roll drive means and responsive to the torque required to drive said rolls for causing said actuator means to reduce the force with which said spring means presses said rolls together as the torque required to drive said rolls increases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A nonplugging harvester for vine crops or the like comprising a pair of snapping rolls, spring means for pressing said rolls together for gripping the vines but excluding the crop, actuator means for reducing the force with which said spring means presses said rolls together, drive means for said rolls, and means connected to said actuator means and to said roll drive means and responsive to the torque required to drive said rolls for causing said actuator means to reduce the force with which said spring means presses said rolls together as the torque required to drive said rolls increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The harvester of claim 1, including means downstream of said snapping rolls for augmenting the pull on the vines; and means for feeding the vine crop to said rolls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
A nonplugging snapper roll set for vine crop harvesters or the like comprising a pair of snapping rolls, preloaded spring means for pressing one of said rolls against the other for gripping the vines but excluding the crop, hydraulic cylinder means for retracting said one roll against the force of said spring means, hydraulic pump and motor means for driving said rolls, and a hydraulic connection from said hydraulic roll driving means to said hydraulic cylinder means for retracting said one roll in response to a predetermined pressure increase in said hydraulic connection caused by an increase in the torque required to drive said rolls; and means for feeding the vine crop to said snapping rolls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
A nonplugging snapper roll set for vine crop harvesters or the like comprising a pair of snapping rolls, preloaded spring means for pressing one of said rolls against the other for gripping the vines but excluding the crop, hydraulic cylinder means for retracting said one roll against the force of said spring means, hydraulic pump and motor means for driving said rolls, and a hydraulic connection from said hydraulic roll driving means to said hydraulic cylinder means for retracting said one roll in response to a predetermined pressure increase in said hydraulic connection caused by an increase in the torque required to drive said rolls; and means for feeding the vine crop to said snapping rolls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The roll set of claim 3, wherein the pressure attained in said hydraulic connection is insufficient to overcome the Spring preload when vines are freely passing through said snapping rolls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The roll set of claim 4, wherein pull roll means are provided behind said snapping rolls for augmenting the pull on the vines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The roll set of claim 5, wherein said pull roll exerts less force than the spring load on said snapping rolls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The roll set of claim 4, wherein said torque responsive snapping roll is mounted one on top of the other so that the weight of the top roller adds to the spring preload.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The roll set of claim 5 wherein the sets of rolls are mounted one above the other so that the weight of the top roller adds to the spring preload.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |