US3596447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crop topper
Assignee: CRICHTON IND Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1969-02-05
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A harvesting machine including a crop-cutting apparatus particularly for cutting the tops off a standing crop. The cutting apparatus includes a pair of rotatable knife discs rotatable on substantially vertical axes and having a slight overlap in cutting area. A pivoted vertically extending guide vane directs cut material toward one knife or the other. A drum is carried above each knife and rotates therewith. The drums have radially extending crop moving paddles thereon. Curved vertically extending guide plates are located to the rear of the drums and intersect at the pivot axis of the guide vane. The knives and drums are individually driven and means are provided to move the guide vane.
Inventors
- 👤 Sam Robert Makeham
- 👤 Keith Leonard Ruback
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:37
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D41/00; A01D41/06; A01D45/00; A01D45/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In a crop-harvesting machine, a cutting apparatus assembly carried by the machine including a pair of rotatable knife discs lying in substantially the same plane and having parallel axes of rotation separated by less than the sum of the radii of the discs, each of the axes of rotation passing through a line substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the cutting apparatus assembly, vertically extending guide vane means located between the disc axes and supported on said assembly for swinging movement between a first position in which material but by the apparatus is caused to pass to one side of the guide vane and a second position in which such material is caused to pass to the other side of the guide vane, means carried by said machine to rotate the discs, and positive deflection means to deliver the material away from the cutting apparatus after it is severed by the discs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a crop-harvesting machine, a cutting apparatus assembly carried by the machine including a pair of rotatable knife discs lying in substantially the same plane and having parallel axes of rotation separated by less than the sum of the radii of the discs, each of the axes of rotation passing through a line substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the cutting apparatus assembly, vertically extending guide vane means located between the disc axes and supported on said assembly for swinging movement between a first position in which material but by the apparatus is caused to pass to one side of the guide vane and a second position in which such material is caused to pass to the other side of the guide vane, means carried by said machine to rotate the discs, and positive deflection means to deliver the material away from the cutting apparatus after it is severed by the discs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The crop-harvesting machine of claim 1 in which each knife disc has aN upwardly directed coaxial drum having a diameter smaller than that of the disc, each said drum being provided with a plurality of outwardly directed radial vanes or paddles which extend axially from a position closely adjacent the knife disc to a position closely adjacent the top of the drum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The crop-harvesting machine of claim 2 wherein a material guide plate is positioned rearwardly, in relation to the direction of motion of the harvester carrying the topper, of the drums, and guide vane pivotally supported by said guide plate substantially between the axes of the knife discs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The crop-harvester machine of claim 3 wherein the knife discs are of the same diameter and the guide plate has two arcuate portions, each of which passes closely adjacent the vanes of an associated drum so that between the two drums the guide plate extends forwardly to a position closely adjacent the common plane of the axes of the discs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The crop-harvester machine of claim 4 wherein the guide vane is pivotally connected to the guide plate at or adjacent the said forward position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The crop-harvester machine of claim 1 wherein the two knife discs are continuously driven in opposite directions of rotation, each disc rotating inwardly as viewed from the front of the machine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The crop-harvester machine of claim 2 wherein the means to rotate discs and their associated drums comprise independent hydraulic motors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The crop-harvester machine of claim 2 wherein said guide vane is moved between its two said positions by means of an overcentering link mechanism, and in which resilient means is provided to retain the guide vane in a selected one of its two positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A crop-harvester according to claim 2 including a guide plate associated with each of said drums and extending from a position approximately in the plane containing the axes of rotation of the drums, arcuately around the associated drum with a small clearance, and then tangentially outwardly and rearwardly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A crop-harvester machine according to claim 2 including a pair of gathering chains extending forwardly and diverging outwardly and adapted to assist in feeding the crop material to said knife discs.
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) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |