Vegetable top severing device and bearing block

Claim 2

An improved cutter mechanism for a vegetable harvester having a plurality of double ended cutter blades, the improvement comprising: a pair of double ended bearing blocks, each of which includes therein means defining a central bore upon a primary axis thereof, and a plurality of secondary bores equally spaced about said central bore; a pair of inwardly directed tapered roller bearings retained in each said secondary bore; a cutter blade support pin upon each end of each cutter blade, each said pin being positioned through one of said pairs of bearings in one of said secondary bores; and relatively adjustable securing means upon an end of each said pin engaging one of said bearings, whereby converging movement of said securing means causes said pair of bearings to be tightened both laterally and axially.

Claim 3

The improved cutter mechanism of claim 1 wherein each said secondary bore is provided with abutment means for the pair of bearings to retain said bearings in a predetermined spaced apart relation, and said securing means includes a shoulder upon one end of said pin, threads upon an opposite end, and a nut in engagement with said threads, whereby the tightening of said nut accomplishes the coverging movement.

Claim 4

The improved cutter mechanism of claim 2 wherein a plurality of passage means are provided in each said bearing block leading from an external surface of said bearing block into said secondary bores intermediate of said bearings, and a grease fitting is positioned in each said passage whereby grease can be introduced into the region of said bearings through said grease fittings and said passages.

Claim 5

The improved cutter mechanism of claim 3 wherein one said passage is positioned between and communicates with each two adjacent secondary bores.

Claim 6

The imporved cutter mechanism of claim 1 wherein said bearing blocks each includes a body, and a first and a second cover member affixed to opposite ends of said body; said first cover member includes circumferentially spaced openings therethrough to receive said pins, and grease seal means in each of said openings; and said second cover member includes means thereupon to accommodate the driving of said bearing block in rotation.

Claim 7

An improved vegetable harvester bearing block for a cutter blade mechanism comprising: a double ended body member having therethrough a central bore and a plurality of secondary bores, said secondary bores being positioned concentrically around said central bore and equidistant from one another; a pair of tapered roller bearings secured within each said secondary bore in spaced relation; and first and second cover members fixedly disposed over said body member ends, said first cover member including a plurality of openings therethrough in alignment with said secondary bores, and including grease seals therein, and said second cover member including means thereupon to accommodate the driving of said bearing block in rotation.

Claim 8

An improved vegetable harvester bearing block for a cutter blade mechanism comprising: a double ended body member having therethrough a central bore and a plurality of secondary bores, said secondary bores being positioned concentrically around said central bore and equidistant from one another; a pair of tapered roller bearings secured within each said secondary bore in spaced relation; and first and second cover members fixedly disposed over said body member ends, said first cover member including a plurality of openings therethrough in alignment with said secondary bores, and including grease seals therein, and said second cover member including means thereupon to accommodate the driving of said bearing block in rotation.

Claim 9

The improved bearing block of claim 6 wherein said secondary bores each includes a central bore portion of minor diameter separating two sections of an outer bore portion of major diameter; a shoulder is defined by the joinder of said central bore with each said outer bore portion; and said bearing each including an outer race abutting one of said shoulders.

Claim 10

The improved bearing block of claim 7 wherein eaCh said roller bearing is inwardly tapered so as to accommodate both lateral and axial adjustment when inner races thereof are moved toward one another.

Claim 11

An improved bearing block for a vegetable harvester cutter blade mechanism comprising: a bearing block having first and second ends; means in said body defining a central bore therethrough upon a primary rotational axis of said bearing block; and a plurality of secondary bores equally spaced about said central bore, each said secondary bore having a central bore portion of minor diameter separating two sections of an outer bore portion of major diameter, a shoulder being defined by the joinder between said central bore and each portion of said outer bore; a pair of inwardly tapered roller bearings in each said secondary bore, one said bearing abutting each said shoulder; a first cover plate attached to said first end of said bearing block body and including means therein defining a plurality of seal receptacles, each seal receptacle being disposed coaxially with respect to one of said secondary bores; a lubricant seal in each said seal receptacle; and a second cover plate attached to said second end of said bearing block body opposite said first cover plate, and means upon said second cover plate coaxial with said central bore for rotating said bearing block.

Claim 12

An improved bearing block for a vegetable harvester cutter blade mechanism comprising: a bearing block having first and second ends; means in said body defining a central bore therethrough upon a primary rotational axis of said bearing block; and a plurality of secondary bores equally spaced about said central bore, each said secondary bore having a central bore portion of minor diameter separating two sections of an outer bore portion of major diameter, a shoulder being defined by the joinder between said central bore and each portion of said outer bore; a pair of inwardly tapered roller bearings in each said secondary bore, one said bearing abutting each said shoulder; a first cover plate attached to said first end of said bearing block body and including means therein defining a plurality of seal receptacles, each seal receptacle being disposed coaxially with respect to one of said secondary bores; a lubricant seal in each said seal receptacle; and a second cover plate attached to said second end of said bearing block body opposite said first cover plate, and means upon said second cover plate coaxial with said central bore for rotating said bearing block.