Windrow controller

Claim 2

In a crop conditioning apparatus adapted to move in a field of pReviously cut crops having a frame supporting a means to rake said cut crops transverse to the line of motion of said crop conditioning apparatus and discharge said raked cut crops to one end of said apparatus, the improvement comprising an upright deflector shield, at least two resilient support arms connecting to said shield and extending away from said crop conditioning apparatus, and means for mounting said support arms attached to said frame, and said support arms are pivotally connected to said means for mounting and include a structure defining a loop for additional resiliency.

Claim 3

The crop conditioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said deflector shield is essentially rectangular and includes a plurality of stringer members attached thereto, said stringer members longitudinally traverse said shield, and said support arms generally extend across the entire width of said shield and crosswise connect to said stringer members.

Claim 4

The crop conditioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for mounting comprises a substantially L-shaped mounting frame whose base includes an end essentially defining a hollow elongated cylinder and whose side includes at least two channeled grooves, and a pivot bar rotatably lodging within said hollow cylindrical end of said L-shaped frame, said hollow end including at least two openings for exposing said pivot bar, and said support arms extend through said openings to connect with said exposed pivot bar.

Claim 5

The crop conditioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said channeled grooves are essentially U-shaped and in registry with said openings, and said crop conditioning apparatus additionally comprises means for adjusting the position of said shield relative to said crop conditioning apparatus.

Claim 6

The crop conditioning apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for adjusting comprises at least four L-shaped extending members each connecting to said L-shaped mounting frame contiguous to a side of said at least two channeled U-shaped grooves and including a structure having an aperture, at least two generally U-shaped support members each including a first base in contact with said supporting arm and a pair of arms threaded at the ends, each of said arms extend through said aperture, and at least one nut connecting with said threads of each arm to adjust the height of said first base of said U-shaped support members with respect to said L-shaped extending members thereby adjusting the height of said supporting arms and said deflector shield.

Claim 7

A crop conditioning apparatus for use in a field of previously cut crops comprising a frame, means secured to said frame constructed and adapted in operation to rake said cut crop transverse to the line of operative motion of said crop conditioning apparatus and discharge said raked cut crop at one end of said conditioning apparatus, an upright deflector shield, at least two resilient support arms connected to said shield extending away from said crop conditioning apparatus, said support arms including a structure defining a loop for additional resiliency, and means for mounting said support arms, said means for mounting being attached to said frame and including said support arms pivotally connected therein.

Claim 8

A crop conditioning apparatus for use in a field of previously cut crops comprising a frame, means secured to said frame constructed and adapted in operation to rake said cut crop transverse to the line of operative motion of said crop conditioning apparatus and discharge said raked cut crop at one end of said conditioning apparatus, an upright deflector shield, at least two resilient support arms connected to said shield extending away from said crop conditioning apparatus, said support arms including a structure defining a loop for additional resiliency, and means for mounting said support arms, said means for mounting being attached to said frame and including said support arms pivotally connected therein.

Claim 9

The crop conditioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said deflector shield is essentially rectangular and includes a plurality of stringer members attached thereto, said stringer members longitudinally traverse said shield, and said support arms generally extend across the entire width of said shield and crosswise connect to aid stringer members.

Claim 10

The crop conditioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for mounting comprises a substantially L-shaped mounting frame whose base includes an end essentially defining a hollow elongated cylinder and whose side includes at least two channeled grooves, and a pivot bar rotatably loding within said hollow cylindrical end of said L-shaped frame, said hollow end including at least two openings for exposing said pivot bar, and said support arms extend through said openings to connect with said exposed pivot bar.

Claim 11

The crop conditioning apparatus of claim 8 wherein said channeled grooves are essentially U-shaped and in registry with said openings, and said crop conditioning apparatus additionally comprises means for adjusting the position of said shield relative to said crop conditioning apparatus.

Claim 12

The crop conditioning apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for adjusting comprises at least four L-shaped extending members each connecting to said L-shaped mounting frame contiguous to a side of said at least two channeled U-shaped grooves and including a structure having an aperture, at least two generally U-shaped support members each including a first base in contact with said supporting arm and a pair of arms threaded at the ends, each of said arms extend through said aperture, and at least one nut connecting with said threads of each arm to adjust the height of said first base of said U-shaped support members with respect to said L-shaped extending members thereby adjusting the height of said supporting arms and said deflector shield.