US3710564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for pulling tassels out of corn stalks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-16
•
Granted: 1973-01-16
•
Expires: 1991-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A self-propelled machine for movement along corn rows to pull the corn tassel therefrom to prevent pollinization, wherein a reel moves along a corn row or rows, which reel is compartmented, the periphery of which rotates at approximately the same linear speed of the machine as it travels over the ground, so corn tassels will be moved into a compartment to the reel and grasped between a facing, between two of the compartments of the reel, and a flexible elastomer belt so as the reel continues to rotate, the tassel is pulled from the stalk so as to disjoint the tassel from the stalk and carry the tassel, within the compartment of the reel, to discharge the tassel forwardly by a blast of air directed into the compartments of the reel when the compartments have moved to a position above a horizontal plane passing medially through the axis of the reel. Provision is made to discharge the air from the compartments of the reel downwardly so that the leaves of the corn stalk will be blown downward leaving the corn tassel, which moves into the compartments, free of leaves, thereby enabling the pulling of the corn tassel therefrom. Further provision is made to regulate the height of the reel as well as the attitude of the reel with respect to the terrain. The apparatus is provided with a power drive system for driving the drive wheels for movement over the terrain. A steering system is provided for steering the device. Further provisions are made for tensioning the flexible belt with respect to the compartmented reel to insure the proper gripping action on the tassels.
Inventors
- 👤 A Sammann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:49
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D47/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
342 words
A machine for pulling tassels from cornstalks, which comprises: a. a wheeled frame, b. a prime mover mounted on said wheeled frame, 1. said prime mover being connected in driving relation with said wheeled frame, c. control means mounted on said prime mover and connected thereto to control the speed of the wheeled frame across the terrain, d. a reel mounting frame mounted on said wheeled frame near the forward end thereof, e. a shaft mounted on said reel mounting frame for rotation of said reel about the axis thereof, f. a reel mounted on said shaft for rotation about the axis thereof, g. a second prime mover mounted on said wheeled frame and being connected in driving relation with said reel, 1. said reel having longitudinal partitions formed therein to form tassel of a cornstalk, 2. each partition having 2 facing thereon to engage a portion of a tassel of a cornstalk, h. rollers rotatably mounted on a frame a spaced distance outward from said reel with the axes thereof being parallel to the axis of said reel, 1. an endless, flexible belt surrounding said rollers and being in arcuate engagement with the facings of certain of said particions on said reel for a portion of the circumference thereof, 3. said endless, flexible belt adapted to engage a tassel between the belt and the facing of one of said partitions to hold said tassel in binding engagement with one of said facings on said reel while said reel moves through an arcuate distance to pull the tassel from the cornstalk, i. adjustment means on said wheeled frame to adjust the height of said reel with respect to the terrain, j. a blower fan connected in driven relation with said second primer mover, and 1. conduits leading from said blower fan to certain of said cavities to blow the leaves of corn downward to prevent engagement of the leaves of the cornstalk and to expose the tassel prior to engagement thereof with the facings of the reel and the endless flexible belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
342 words
A machine for pulling tassels from cornstalks, which comprises: a. a wheeled frame, b. a prime mover mounted on said wheeled frame, 1. said prime mover being connected in driving relation with said wheeled frame, c. control means mounted on said prime mover and connected thereto to control the speed of the wheeled frame across the terrain, d. a reel mounting frame mounted on said wheeled frame near the forward end thereof, e. a shaft mounted on said reel mounting frame for rotation of said reel about the axis thereof, f. a reel mounted on said shaft for rotation about the axis thereof, g. a second prime mover mounted on said wheeled frame and being connected in driving relation with said reel, 1. said reel having longitudinal partitions formed therein to form tassel of a cornstalk, 2. each partition having 2 facing thereon to engage a portion of a tassel of a cornstalk, h. rollers rotatably mounted on a frame a spaced distance outward from said reel with the axes thereof being parallel to the axis of said reel, 1. an endless, flexible belt surrounding said rollers and being in arcuate engagement with the facings of certain of said particions on said reel for a portion of the circumference thereof, 3. said endless, flexible belt adapted to engage a tassel between the belt and the facing of one of said partitions to hold said tassel in binding engagement with one of said facings on said reel while said reel moves through an arcuate distance to pull the tassel from the cornstalk, i. adjustment means on said wheeled frame to adjust the height of said reel with respect to the terrain, j. a blower fan connected in driven relation with said second primer mover, and 1. conduits leading from said blower fan to certain of said cavities to blow the leaves of corn downward to prevent engagement of the leaves of the cornstalk and to expose the tassel prior to engagement thereof with the facings of the reel and the endless flexible belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
each partition having 2 facing thereon to engage a portion of a tassel of a cornstalk, h. rollers rotatably mounted on a frame a spaced distance outward from said reel with the axes thereof being parallel to the axis of said reel,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
each partition having 2 facing thereon to engage a portion of a tassel of a cornstalk, h. rollers rotatably mounted on a frame a spaced distance outward from said reel with the axes thereof being parallel to the axis of said reel,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A machine for pulling tassels from cornstalks, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said facing on each said partition is of elastomer material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
a lever pivotally connected near the end of each said rod and said pivot of said forwardly extending arms,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
a lever pivotally connected near the end of each said rod and said pivot of said forwardly extending arms,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
a roller mounted on each said transverse shaft and having the periphery thereof spaced outward from the outer diameter of said reel,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
a roller mounted on each said transverse shaft and having the periphery thereof spaced outward from the outer diameter of said reel,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
a reel frame mounted on said shaft and partially enclosing said reel, c. said reel having a plurality of partitions therein to form head receiving cavities,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
a reel frame mounted on said shaft and partially enclosing said reel, c. said reel having a plurality of partitions therein to form head receiving cavities,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
rollers mounted on said shafts for rotation about the axis thereof parallel to the axis of said reel,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
rollers mounted on said shafts for rotation about the axis thereof parallel to the axis of said reel,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
a reel mounted on said shaft for rotation about the axis thereof, d. said reel having a plurality of partitions therein to form tassel receiving cavities,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
a reel mounted on said shaft for rotation about the axis thereof, d. said reel having a plurality of partitions therein to form tassel receiving cavities,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
an endless, flexible belt surrounding said rollers and being in arcuate engagement with certain of said facings on said partitions, so upon rotation of said reel, a portion of said corn tassel will be engages between the flexible belt and one of said facings of said partition to hold the tassel in binding engagement therewith while the reel moves through an arcuate distance to pull the tassel from the corn stalk, f. hydraulic cylinder means interconnecting said wheeled frame and said forwardly extending arms to move said arms to adjust the height of said reel with respect to the terrain, g. a blower fan connected in driven relation with said source of power, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
114 words
an endless, flexible belt surrounding said rollers and being in arcuate engagement with certain of said facings on said partitions, so upon rotation of said reel, a portion of said corn tassel will be engages between the flexible belt and one of said facings of said partition to hold the tassel in binding engagement therewith while the reel moves through an arcuate distance to pull the tassel from the corn stalk, f. hydraulic cylinder means interconnecting said wheeled frame and said forwardly extending arms to move said arms to adjust the height of said reel with respect to the terrain, g. a blower fan connected in driven relation with said source of power, and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
120 words
an endless, flexible belt surrounding said rollers and being in arcuate engagement with certain of said facings on said partitions, so upon rotation of said reel, a portion of the head of the grain stalk will be engaged between the flexible belt and one of said facings on said partitions to hold the head in binding engagement therewith while the reel moves through an arcuate distance to pull the head from the grain stalk, which head is deposited in one of said cavities, e. adjustment means on said wheeled frame and interconnected with said reel to adjust height of said reel with respect to the terrain, f. a blower fan connected in driven relation with said source of power, and
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
120 words
an endless, flexible belt surrounding said rollers and being in arcuate engagement with certain of said facings on said partitions, so upon rotation of said reel, a portion of the head of the grain stalk will be engaged between the flexible belt and one of said facings on said partitions to hold the head in binding engagement therewith while the reel moves through an arcuate distance to pull the head from the grain stalk, which head is deposited in one of said cavities, e. adjustment means on said wheeled frame and interconnected with said reel to adjust height of said reel with respect to the terrain, f. a blower fan connected in driven relation with said source of power, and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
the pivots of said rods and of said arms being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing from the axis of said reel frame to said pivot on said last mentioned pair of reel frame arms extending outwardly from said frame mounting said reel so as to substantially form a parallelogram, b. a fluid actuated cylinder pivotally connected to said levers for moving said rods so as to adjust the attitude of said reel frame on said forwardly extending arms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
the pivots of said rods and of said arms being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing from the axis of said reel frame to said pivot on said last mentioned pair of reel frame arms extending outwardly from said frame mounting said reel so as to substantially form a parallelogram, b. a fluid actuated cylinder pivotally connected to said levers for moving said rods so as to adjust the attitude of said reel frame on said forwardly extending arms.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
said endless, flexible belt adapted to engage a tassel between the belt and the facing of one of said partitions to hold said tassel in binding engagement with one of said facings on said reel while said reel moves through an arcuate distance to pull the tassel from the cornstalk, i. adjustment means on said wheeled frame to adjust the height of said reel with respect to the terrain, j. a blower fan connected in driven relation with said second primer mover, and
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
said endless, flexible belt adapted to engage a tassel between the belt and the facing of one of said partitions to hold said tassel in binding engagement with one of said facings on said reel while said reel moves through an arcuate distance to pull the tassel from the cornstalk, i. adjustment means on said wheeled frame to adjust the height of said reel with respect to the terrain, j. a blower fan connected in driven relation with said second primer mover, and
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
A machine for pulling tassels from cornstalks, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said endless, flexible belt, surrounding said rollers and being in arcuate engagement with the facings of certain of said partitions on said reel, is an elastomer belt.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
69 words
A machine for pulling tassels from cornstalks, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said portion of said wheeled frame mounting said shaft that supports said reel being a pair of frame members pivoted near the rear end of said wheeled frame for movement about a horizontal axis, b. mechanical means interconnecting wheeled frame and said pivoted frame members to raise and lower said frame mounting said shaft, and
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
77 words
A machine for pulling tassels from cornstalks, as defined in claim 1; whereIn a. said wheeled frame being a pair of forwardly extending, spaced apart frame members and being open therebetween to receive cornstalks of any height, b. a steerable wheel mounted on each forwardly extending frame member, and c. a steering mechanism connected to each steerable wheel and extending rearwardly and being connected to a common steering mechanism for steering said wheeled frame over the terrain.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
63 words
A machine for pulling tassels from corn stalks, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said power means for driving said reel includes a second prime mover mounted on said wheeled frame, b. said prime mover being connected in driving relation with a hydraulic pump, and c. said reel being connected in driven relation with a hydraulic power means to rotate said reel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
68 words
An attachment for a mobile powered wheeled frame for pulling tassels from corn stalks, which attachment comprises: a. a pair of forwardly extending arms pivotally mounted near their rear ends to a mobile wheeled frame, b. a source of power mounted on said wheeled frame, c. a shaft mounted near the forward end of said arms, which shaft is connected in driven relation with said source of power,
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
68 words
An attachment for a mobile powered wheeled frame for pulling tassels from corn stalks, which attachment comprises: a. a pair of forwardly extending arms pivotally mounted near their rear ends to a mobile wheeled frame, b. a source of power mounted on said wheeled frame, c. a shaft mounted near the forward end of said arms, which shaft is connected in driven relation with said source of power,
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
A machine for pulling tassels from cornstalks, as defined in claim 7; wherein a. said facing on each said partition is of elastomer material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
A machine for pulling tassels from cornstalks, as defined in claim 7; wherein a. said endless, flexible belt, surrounding said rollers and being in arcuate engagement with the facings of certain of said partitions on said reel, is an elastomer belt.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
49 words
A machine for pulling tassels from cornstalks, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. adjustment means is associated with said reel for adjusting the position of the conduits from the blower fan, which directs air into the cavities of the reel to blow the leaves of the cornstalks downward.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
98 words
A machine for pulling tassels from cornstalks, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. a pair of arcuately movable arms are mounted on said reel shaft, b. a roller shaft mounted on said pair of arcuately movable arms a spaced distance outwardly from the axis of said reel and being parallel thereto, c. one of said rollers being mounted on said roller shaft and being rotatable about the axis thereof, and d. tension means connected to said reel mounting frame and to said arcuatelY movable arms to urge said roller into constant tension with said endless flexible belt.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
An attachment for a mobile wheeled frame for pulling heads from grain, which attachment comprises; a. a source of power mounted on said wheeled frame, b. a shaft mounted on said wheeled frame transversely thereof near the forward end and being connected in driven relation with said source of power,
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
An attachment for a mobile wheeled frame for pulling heads from grain, which attachment comprises; a. a source of power mounted on said wheeled frame, b. a shaft mounted on said wheeled frame transversely thereof near the forward end and being connected in driven relation with said source of power,
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
An attachment for a mobile wheeled frame for pulling heads from stalks of grain, as defined in claim 12; wherein a. said facing on each said partition is of elastomer material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
49 words
An attachment for a mobile, wheeled frame for pulling heads from stalks of grain, as defined in claim 12; wherein a. said endless, flexible belt, which surrounds said rollers, and is in arcuate engagement with the facings of certain of said partitions on said reel, is an elastomer belt.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
A machine for pulling tassels from corn stalks, as defined in claim 7; wherein a. rods pivotally connect to a pair of said arms extending outwardly from said frame mounting said reel,
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
A machine for pulling tassels from corn stalks, as defined in claim 15; wherein a. said rods and said forwardly extending frame which form a parallelogram maintain said reel in the same adjusted attitude while raising and lowering said forwardly extending arms.
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) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |