US4070810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cutting apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-08-13
•
Granted: 1978-01-31
•
Expires: 1996-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A combine header has a transverse platform carrying a cutting apparatus. An elongated auger having reverse spiral flights move cut material along the platform to a feed housing. The cutting apparatus has a base carrying forwardly projected guards located on 2-inch longitudinal centers. An endless chain carrying knife blades is trained about sprockets located adjacent opposite ends of the base. The knife blades are located on three-inch longitudinal centers. The forward run of the chain moves through a passage in a housing secured to the base behind the guards. The knife blades move over the wear plates attached to the guards to cut material located between the guards. A removable inverted U-shaped insert is located in the passage providing a bearing surface for the front run of the chain and a hold-down lip bearing on the knife blades to hold the blades in close relationship with the wear plates. A hydraulic motor connected to a hydraulic pressure source drives the chain to move the knife blade relative to the guards.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Donald Brakke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:34
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D34/00; A01D34/01; A01D34/02; A01D34/30; A01D34/38; A01D34/83; A01D34/833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
324 words
A cutting apparatus usable with a combine header having a horizontal platform for receiving cut material comprising: an elongated base, an upright rear wall secured to the base adapted to be attached to the platform, an upright front wall secured to the base forming with the base and rear wall a chamber, a cover for closing the top of the chamber, means pivotally mounting the cover on the front wall, means releasably connecting the cover to the base allowing the cover to be moved to an open position, a housing having inside surfaces forming a passage secured to the front wall, said passage extended along said front wall, said housing having a bottom edge and an open bottom open to the passage, an inverted U-shaped insert located within the passage in engagement with the inside surfaces of the housing and the front wall, said insert having a forwardly directed lip extended under the bottom edge of said housing, a plurality of guards secured to the base, each guard having a wear plate with side cutting edges, an idler sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a drive sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the base, an endless chain trained about the idler sprocket and drive sprocket, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly away from the chain, each blade having a generally triangular shape with converging side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage of the insert with the blades engageable with the bottom of the lip and the top of the wear plates and a rear run located in the chamber below the cover, and means to drive the drive sprocket whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the wear plates so as to cut material located between adjacent guards.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
324 words
A cutting apparatus usable with a combine header having a horizontal platform for receiving cut material comprising: an elongated base, an upright rear wall secured to the base adapted to be attached to the platform, an upright front wall secured to the base forming with the base and rear wall a chamber, a cover for closing the top of the chamber, means pivotally mounting the cover on the front wall, means releasably connecting the cover to the base allowing the cover to be moved to an open position, a housing having inside surfaces forming a passage secured to the front wall, said passage extended along said front wall, said housing having a bottom edge and an open bottom open to the passage, an inverted U-shaped insert located within the passage in engagement with the inside surfaces of the housing and the front wall, said insert having a forwardly directed lip extended under the bottom edge of said housing, a plurality of guards secured to the base, each guard having a wear plate with side cutting edges, an idler sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a drive sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the base, an endless chain trained about the idler sprocket and drive sprocket, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly away from the chain, each blade having a generally triangular shape with converging side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage of the insert with the blades engageable with the bottom of the lip and the top of the wear plates and a rear run located in the chamber below the cover, and means to drive the drive sprocket whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the wear plates so as to cut material located between adjacent guards.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 1 wherein: adjacent knife blades are laterally spaced from each other along longitudinal center lines having a lateral distance greater than the lateral space between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent guards.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the lateral distance between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent guards is about 2 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the lateral distance between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent knife blades is about 3 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the base is a flat plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the insert is a plastic member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 1 including: fastening means attaching the guards to the base, and fastening means having releasable means located in the chamber whereby the guards can be removed from the base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 1 including: means located in the chamber engageable with the chain to adjust and maintain the chain in tension.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the chain has a plurality of pins for attaching the knife blades to the chain, each pin having a head engageable with the bottom blade, each guard having a groove to accommodate the heads of the pins.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the means to drive the drive sprocket includes a hydraulic motor connected to the drive sprocket, and means to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
232 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting material as field crops comprising: an elongated base, a member secured to the base, a housing having inside walls forming a passage secured to said member, said passage extended along said member and being open along the bottom thereof, a plurality of forwardly directed guards secured to the base, each guard having side cutting edges, a first sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a second sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the base, an endless chain trained about the first and second sprockets, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly away from the chain, each blade having side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage with the blades engageable with the guards and a rear run located behind said member, adjacent knife blades being located along longitudinal center lines having a lateral distance greater than the lateral space between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent guards, means mounted on the housing engageable with the blades to hold the blades in contiguous relationship with the guards, and means to drive at least one of the sprockets whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the guards so as to cut material located between adjacent guards.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
232 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting material as field crops comprising: an elongated base, a member secured to the base, a housing having inside walls forming a passage secured to said member, said passage extended along said member and being open along the bottom thereof, a plurality of forwardly directed guards secured to the base, each guard having side cutting edges, a first sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a second sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the base, an endless chain trained about the first and second sprockets, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly away from the chain, each blade having side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage with the blades engageable with the guards and a rear run located behind said member, adjacent knife blades being located along longitudinal center lines having a lateral distance greater than the lateral space between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent guards, means mounted on the housing engageable with the blades to hold the blades in contiguous relationship with the guards, and means to drive at least one of the sprockets whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the guards so as to cut material located between adjacent guards.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 11 wherein: the lateral distance between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent guards is about 2 inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 11 wherein: the lateral distance between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent knife blades is about 3 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 11 including: fastening means attaching the guards to the base, said fastening means having releasable means located adjacent the top of the base behind the upright wall whereby the guards can be removed from the base.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: the chain has a plurality of pins for attaching the knife blades to the chain, each pin having a head engageable with the bottom of a blade, each guard having a groove to accommodate the heads of the pins.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 11 wherein: the means to drive at least one of the sprockets includes a hydraulic motor connected to the one of the sprockets, and means to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic motor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
254 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting material, as field crops, comprising: an elongated base, a member secured to the base, a housing having inside walls forming a passage secured to said member, said passage extended along said member and being open along the bottom thereof, a plurality of forwardly directed guards secured to the base, each guard having side cutting edges, a first sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a second sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the base, and endless chain trained about the first and second sprockets, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly away from the chain, each knife blade having side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage with the blades engageable with the guards and a rear run located behind said member, adjacent knife blades being located along longitudinal center lines having a lateral distance greater than the lateral space between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent guards, an insert located within the passage in engagement with the inside walls of the housing and the member, said front run of the chain riding on a portion of the insert as it moves through said passage of the housing, and means to drive at least one of the sprockets whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the guards so as to cut material located between adjacent guards.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
254 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting material, as field crops, comprising: an elongated base, a member secured to the base, a housing having inside walls forming a passage secured to said member, said passage extended along said member and being open along the bottom thereof, a plurality of forwardly directed guards secured to the base, each guard having side cutting edges, a first sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a second sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the base, and endless chain trained about the first and second sprockets, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly away from the chain, each knife blade having side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage with the blades engageable with the guards and a rear run located behind said member, adjacent knife blades being located along longitudinal center lines having a lateral distance greater than the lateral space between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent guards, an insert located within the passage in engagement with the inside walls of the housing and the member, said front run of the chain riding on a portion of the insert as it moves through said passage of the housing, and means to drive at least one of the sprockets whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the guards so as to cut material located between adjacent guards.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 17 wherein: said insert has a forwardly directed lip engageable with the top surfaces of the cutting blades to hold the cutting blades in contiguous relationship relative to the portions of the guards having the side cutting edges.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
242 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting material comprising: an elongated base, a member secured to the base, a housing having a bottom edge and inside walls forming a passage secured to the member, said passage extended along said member, and being open along the bottom thereof, an insert located within the passage in engagement with at least one of said inside walls of the housing and the member, said insert having means extended under the bottom edge of said housing, a plurality of guards secured to the base, each guard having portions with side cutting edges, a first sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a second sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite ends of the base, an endless chain trained about the first and second sprockets, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly away from the chain, each blade having side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage of the insert with the blades engageable with the means of the insert and the portions of the guards having the side cutting edges, and a rear run located behind the upright wall, and means to drive at least one of the sprockets whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the wear plate so as to cut material located between the adjacent guards.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
242 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting material comprising: an elongated base, a member secured to the base, a housing having a bottom edge and inside walls forming a passage secured to the member, said passage extended along said member, and being open along the bottom thereof, an insert located within the passage in engagement with at least one of said inside walls of the housing and the member, said insert having means extended under the bottom edge of said housing, a plurality of guards secured to the base, each guard having portions with side cutting edges, a first sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a second sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite ends of the base, an endless chain trained about the first and second sprockets, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly away from the chain, each blade having side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage of the insert with the blades engageable with the means of the insert and the portions of the guards having the side cutting edges, and a rear run located behind the upright wall, and means to drive at least one of the sprockets whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the wear plate so as to cut material located between the adjacent guards.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 19 wherein: adjacent blades are laterally spaced from each other along longitudinal center lines having a lateral distance greater than the lateral space between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent guards.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 20 wherein: the lateral distance between the center lines of adjacent guards is about 2 inches.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 20 wherein: the lateral distance between the center lines of adjacent knife blades is about 3 inches.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 19 wherein: the insert is a generally U-shaped plastic member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 19 wherein: the means to drive at least one of the sprockets includes a hydraulic motor connected to the one of the sprockets, and means to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic motor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 19 wherein: said insert has a portion engageable with the guards.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 19 wherein: the means of the insert is an elongated lip located under said housing, said lip being engageable with said blades to hold the blades in contiguous relationship with the portions of the guards having the side cutting edges.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 19 including: means secured to the base forming with the base a chamber for accommodating the rear run of the endless chain, and cover means mounted on the member for closing the chamber.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 27 including: pivot means for pivotally mounting the cover means on the member, and means to releasably attach the cover means to the base.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 18 wherein: said insert has means engageable with the top surfaces of the cutting blades to hold the cutting blades in contiguous relationship relative to the portions of the guards having the side cutting edges.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 17 wherein: the means to drive at least one of the sprockets includes a hydraulic motor connected to one of the sprockets and means to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic motor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 17 including: means secured to the base forming with the base a chamber for accommodating the rear run of the endless chain, and cover means mounted on the member for closing the chamber.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 31 including: pivot means for pivotally mounting the cover means on the member, and means to releasably attach the cover means to the base.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
278 words
A cutting apparatus usable with a combine header having a horizontal platform for receiving cut material comprising: an elongated base, a rear wall secured to the base adapted to be attached to the platform, a front wall secured to the base forming with the base and rear wall a chamber, a cover for closing the top of the chamber, means mounting the cover on the front wall, means releasably connecting the cover to the base to allow the cover to be moved to an open position, a housing having inside walls forming a passage secured to the front wall, said passage extended along said front wall and having an open bottom, a plurality of guards secured to the base, each guard having side cutting edges, a first sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a second sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the base, an endless chain trained about the first and second sprockets, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly from the chain, each knife blade having converging side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage of the housing with the blade engageable with the guards and a rear run located in the chamber below the cover, means mounted on the housing engageable with the blades to hold the blades in contiguous relationship with the guards, and means to drive at least one of the sprockets whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the guards so as to cut material located between adjacent guards.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
278 words
A cutting apparatus usable with a combine header having a horizontal platform for receiving cut material comprising: an elongated base, a rear wall secured to the base adapted to be attached to the platform, a front wall secured to the base forming with the base and rear wall a chamber, a cover for closing the top of the chamber, means mounting the cover on the front wall, means releasably connecting the cover to the base to allow the cover to be moved to an open position, a housing having inside walls forming a passage secured to the front wall, said passage extended along said front wall and having an open bottom, a plurality of guards secured to the base, each guard having side cutting edges, a first sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a second sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the base, an endless chain trained about the first and second sprockets, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly from the chain, each knife blade having converging side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage of the housing with the blade engageable with the guards and a rear run located in the chamber below the cover, means mounted on the housing engageable with the blades to hold the blades in contiguous relationship with the guards, and means to drive at least one of the sprockets whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the guards so as to cut material located between adjacent guards.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 33 wherein: said means engageable with the cutting blades includes an elongated lip located under said housing, said lip being engageable with said blades to hold the blades in contiguous relationship with portions of the guards having the side cutting edges.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 33 wherein: adjacent knife blades are laterally spaced from each other along longitudinal center lines having a lateral distance greater than the lateral space between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent guards.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 33 wherein: fastening means attaching the guards to the base, and fastening means having releasable means located in the chamber whereby the guards can be removed from the base.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 33 wherein: means located in the chamber engageable with the chain to adjust and maintain the chain in tension.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 33 wherein: the chain has a plurality of pins for attaching the knife blades to the chain, each pin having a head engageable with the bottom blade, each guard having a groove to accommodate the heads of the pins.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 33 wherein: the means to drive at least one of the sprockets includes a hydraulic motor connected to the one of the sprockets, and means to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic motor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
208 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting material as field crops comprising: an elongated base, a member secured to the base, a housing having an inside wall forming a passage secured to said member said passage extended along said member and being open along the bottom thereof, a plurality of forwardly directed guards secured to the base, each guard having side cutting edges, a first sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a second sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the base, and endless chain trained about the first and second sprockets, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly away from the chain, each knife blade having side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage with the blades engageable with the guards and a rear run located behind said member, means mounted on the housing engageable with the blades to hold the blades in contiguous relationship with the guards, and means to drive at least one of the sprockets whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the guards so as to cut material located between adjacent guards.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
208 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting material as field crops comprising: an elongated base, a member secured to the base, a housing having an inside wall forming a passage secured to said member said passage extended along said member and being open along the bottom thereof, a plurality of forwardly directed guards secured to the base, each guard having side cutting edges, a first sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent one end of the base, a second sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the base, and endless chain trained about the first and second sprockets, a plurality of knife blades secured to the chain and extended outwardly away from the chain, each knife blade having side cutting edges, said chain having a front run located in the passage with the blades engageable with the guards and a rear run located behind said member, means mounted on the housing engageable with the blades to hold the blades in contiguous relationship with the guards, and means to drive at least one of the sprockets whereby said chain and knife blades move relative to the guards and the cutting edges of the blades move relative to the side cutting edges of the guards so as to cut material located between adjacent guards.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
53 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 40 wherein: said means engageable with the cutting blades comprises a generally U-shaped insert located with the passage in engagement with the walls of the housing and the member, said first run of the chain riding on a portion of the insert as it moves through said passage.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 41 wherein: said insert has a forwardly directed lip engageable with the top surfaces of the cutting blades to hold the cutting blades in contiguous relationship relative to the portions of the guards having the side cutting edges.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 40 wherein: means secured to the base forming with the base a chamber for accommodating the rear run of the endless chain, and cover means mounted on the member for closing the chamber.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cutting apparatus of claim 43 including: pivot means for pivotally mounting the cover means on the member, and means to releasably attach the cover means to the base.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-30 | 1981-08-01 | 1982-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-30 | 1985-08-01 | 1986-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-01 | 1990-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |