US3722673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structure for varying relative positions of conveyors
Assignee: Hesston Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-11
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1992-01-11
Abstract
Abstract Structure is provided for varying the relative positions of certain of a series of conveyors in a potato harvesting machine. A vertically shiftable discharge end of a potato-receiving side conveyor in the nature of an elevator is operably connected with a transversely inclined, tiltable trash conveyor such that as the trash conveyor is tilted to maintain it at a predetermined angle of transverse inclination during ascent and descent of the harvester over uneven terrain the discharge end of the elevator is automatically raised and lowered. The connection itself is of such nature that the extent of gravitation of the potatoes from the elevator to the trash conveyor is kept at a minimum at all angles of inclination of the trash conveyor to avoid bruising of the potatoes. Thus, the proper angle of inclination of the trash conveyor may be maintained so that the potatoes will separate from dirt, clods, rocks and vines picked up by the elevator without danger of damage as the potatoes drop onto the trash conveyor. A front, bulk loading conveyor, disposed to receive the potatoes as they roll laterally from the trash conveyor, serves as an articulated support for the trash conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 T Bedwell
- 👤 Whirt B Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:04
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D33/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/935
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
In a harvesting machine: an elevator for receiving a crop as it is being harvested, together with refuse picked up witH the crop, said elevator having an upper discharge end adapted to be raised and lowered; a tiltable refuse handling conveyor disposed to receive and separate the crop and the refuse gravitating from said discharge end; a lateral loading conveyor disposed to receive the crop emanating from the tiltable conveyor transversely of the latter; and structure for simultaneously raising and lowering said discharge end and tilting said refuse handling conveyor to maintain the latter at a predetermined angle of transverse inclination as the machine ascends and descends uneven terrain, while maintaining the extent of gravitation of the crop at a predetermined minimum at all angles of inclination of said conveyor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a harvesting machine: an elevator for receiving a crop as it is being harvested, together with refuse picked up witH the crop, said elevator having an upper discharge end adapted to be raised and lowered; a tiltable refuse handling conveyor disposed to receive and separate the crop and the refuse gravitating from said discharge end; a lateral loading conveyor disposed to receive the crop emanating from the tiltable conveyor transversely of the latter; and structure for simultaneously raising and lowering said discharge end and tilting said refuse handling conveyor to maintain the latter at a predetermined angle of transverse inclination as the machine ascends and descends uneven terrain, while maintaining the extent of gravitation of the crop at a predetermined minimum at all angles of inclination of said conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 1, said structure including a lost motion mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 2, said mechanism including a moving pivot responsive in its movement to said simultaneous raising, lowering and tilting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pivot articulates the refuse handling conveyor and said discharge end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein said discharge end has a normally horizontal axis about which it is shiftable and wherein said pivot is parallel with said axis and movable on the discharge end toward and away from said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein said refuse handling conveyor is tiltably secured to said loading conveyor about an axis parallel with said pivot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein said structure includes apparatus coupled with said refuse handling conveyor for effecting said simultaneous raising, lowering and tilting.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a materials handling assembly: a first conveyor having a vertically shiftable discharge end; a second, transversely tiltable conveyor disposed to receive materials gravitating from said discharge end; and structure for simultaneously shifting said discharge end and tilting said second conveyor while maintaining the second conveyor in materials-receiving relation to said discharge end while maintaining the extent of said gravitation of the materials at a predetermined minimum at all angles of inclination of said second conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a materials handling assembly: a first conveyor having a vertically shiftable discharge end; a second, transversely tiltable conveyor disposed to receive materials gravitating from said discharge end; and structure for simultaneously shifting said discharge end and tilting said second conveyor while maintaining the second conveyor in materials-receiving relation to said discharge end while maintaining the extent of said gravitation of the materials at a predetermined minimum at all angles of inclination of said second conveyor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
In an assembly as claimed in claim 8, said structure including a lost motion mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an assembly as claimed in claim 9, said mechanism including a moving pivot responsive in its movement to said simultaneous shifting and tilting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
In an assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein said pivot articulates the second conveyor and said discharge end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
In an assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said discharge end has a normally horizontal axis about which it is shiftable and wherein said pivot is parallel with said axis and movable on the discharge end toward and away from said axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said structure includes apparatus coupled with said second conveyor for effecting said simultaneous shifting and tilting.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |