Patent US3638659A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3638659A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grain loss monitoring device
Assignee: Case LLC
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Filing: 1970-04-03
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1990-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A monitoring device for indicating the loss of grain across the exit end of a crop separating mechanism supported within a crop receiving passageway. The monitoring device includes a conveyor extending across and below the exit end of the crop separating mechanism with the conveyor delivering any grain received therein to a flowmeter in communication therewith. The flowmeter is in the form of a vertical passageway with a platen disposed in the passageway and having a convex surface exposed to the path of flow of the grain. The platen is pivoted adjacent the side of the passageway and has an end portion extending beyond the pivot to cooperate with signal-generating means for indicating flow of grain through the flowmeter. In one embodiment, the signal generating means takes the form of a circuit having a warning light and a switch with the switch actuated by the paddle in response to the flow of grain through the flowmeter. In another embodiment, the signal generating means is a circuit having an indicator and a variable resistor, the resistance of which is controlled by the paddle.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L Dahiquist
- 👤 Maurice Klee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:38
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D41/00; A01D41/12; A01D41/127; A01D41/1271; A01D41/1272; A01D41/1273; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S56/00; Y10S56/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In a harvesting machine having a longitudinally extending crop receiving passageway with a crop separating means supported in said passageway for separating grain from the remainder of harvested material received in said passageway, said separating means depositing the remainder of the harvested material at an exit end of said passageway, the improvement of a grain loss monitoring device for detecting the loss of grain through said exit end and comprising separating conveyor means extending transversely of said passageway and disposed below the exit end of said crop separating means for receiving grain from the exit end of said separating mechanism; means for removing harvested material, other than grain, from said separating conveyor means; means for receiving said grain from said separating conveyor means; mechanism associated with said last means and disposed in the path of flow of said grain; and signal generating means cooperating with said mechanism for indicating the amplitude of the flow of grain in said last means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a harvesting machine having a longitudinally extending crop receiving passageway with a crop separating means supported in said passageway for separating grain from the remainder of harvested material received in said passageway, said separating means depositing the remainder of the harvested material at an exit end of said passageway, the improvement of a grain loss monitoring device for detecting the loss of grain through said exit end and comprising separating conveyor means extending transversely of said passageway and disposed below the exit end of said crop separating means for receiving grain from the exit end of said separating mechanism; means for removing harvested material, other than grain, from said separating conveyor means; means for receiving said grain from said separating conveyor means; mechanism associated with said last means and disposed in the path of flow of said grain; and signal generating means cooperating with said mechanism for indicating the amplitude of the flow of grain in said last means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said separating conveyor means comprising a trough having a conveyor therein and means extending across said trough for preventing harvested material from entering said trough; said means for receiving said grain defines a vertical passage communicating at the upper end with said trough; and said mechanism comprises a member pivotally mounted adjacent one side of said passage with one end disposed in said passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said signal generating means comprises a circuit having a warning device therein and switch means actuated by said mechanism for completing said circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said signal generating means comprises a circuit having variable resistance responsive to movement of said mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said separating means comprises a primary unit and a secondary unit with a grain loss monitoring device for each of said units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said means receiving said grain define a vertical passage means for receiving grain by gravity feed, and said mechanism includes a pivoted member in said passage means and disposed in the path of grain passing through said passage means, said member being pivoted from a first position in response to the flow of grain in said passage means; and means for indicating pivotal movement of said member to indicate grain loss.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 6, in which said member defines a convex surface exposed to the path of grain.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 6, in which said last means produces an output signal as a function of the amount of flow of grain in said passage means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 6, in which said last means produces a warning signal when said member is pivoted to a second position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 6, in which said member comprises a paddle pivoted intermediate its ends and having a convex upper surface on one end disposed in said path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 10, in which said means for indicating pivotal movement comprises a switch disposed in the path of the opposite end of said paddle; circuit means connected to said switch, said circuit means incorporating a warning signal operated in response to actuation of said switch by said paddle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said trough has an apertured floor portion aligned with said vertical passage and said conveyor has a paddle aligned with said apertured floor portion to removing harvested material from said apertured floor portion.
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) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |