US4344443A — Cleaning apparatus of combine harvesters

Claim 1

Independent Claim 97 words

In a combine harvester: threshing, separating and cleaning devices operably mounted in said harvester, said cleaning device having a grain pan, a cleaning sieve and a cleaning fan; and means for leveling said cleaning device to a transverse generally horizontal position in response to said harvester being inclined relative to the horizontal, said means for leveling including said grain pan, sieve and cleaning fan of said cleaning device being pivotable in unison about an axis extending in the direction of travel of said harvester, said cleaning device being connected to a subframe pivotally mounted in said harvester.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 97 words

In a combine harvester: threshing, separating and cleaning devices operably mounted in said harvester, said cleaning device having a grain pan, a cleaning sieve and a cleaning fan; and means for leveling said cleaning device to a transverse generally horizontal position in response to said harvester being inclined relative to the horizontal, said means for leveling including said grain pan, sieve and cleaning fan of said cleaning device being pivotable in unison about an axis extending in the direction of travel of said harvester, said cleaning device being connected to a subframe pivotally mounted in said harvester.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

The combine harvester according to claim 1 wherein the subframe is generally rectangular in shape.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 44 words

The combine harvester according to claim 2 wherein the subframe further has a bottom portion connecting the front and the rear end and the two opposing sides so that the grain pan and at least one cleaning sieve are positioned above the bottom portion.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

The combine harvester according to claim 3 wherein the grain pan and cleaning sieve further include sealing means to prevent loss of crop material.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

The combine harvester according to claim 1 wherein the grain pan and at least one cleaning sieve are mounted for reciprocating movement relative to the subframe.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The combine harvester of claim 1 wherein the subframe further supports at its front end a generally U-shaped structure, the U-shaped structure having a front portion and sidewalls.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The combine harvester according to claim 1 wherein the cleaning fan is fixedly mounted to the subframe and extends therefrom at a level generally therebelow.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 46 words

The combine harvester according to claim 7 wherein at least one cleaning sieve is positioned at a level below the level of the grain pan such that the cleaning fan, the grain pan and the cleaning sieve maintain a generally constant angular relationship thereamong during operation.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 35 words

The combine harvester according to claim 1 wherein the subframe is supported and guided in pivotal movement by a plurality of guide rolls and arcuate guide means operably connected between said subframe and said harvester.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 130 words

In a combine harvester of the type including threshing, separating and cleaning devices, the cleaning devices having a grain pan, a cleaning sieve and a cleaning fan, the improvement comprising: means for leveling the cleaning device to a transverse generally horizontal position in response to said harvester being inclined relative to the horizontal, said means for leveling including said grain pan, sieve and cleaning fan of said cleaning device being pivotable in unison about an axis extending in the direction of travel of said harvester, said cleaning device being connected to a subframe pivotally mounted in said harvester; means connected in the harvester for detecting when the harvester is inclined from a level position; and means connected to the detecting means to be actuated for uniformly pivoting said cleaning device.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 130 words

In a combine harvester of the type including threshing, separating and cleaning devices, the cleaning devices having a grain pan, a cleaning sieve and a cleaning fan, the improvement comprising: means for leveling the cleaning device to a transverse generally horizontal position in response to said harvester being inclined relative to the horizontal, said means for leveling including said grain pan, sieve and cleaning fan of said cleaning device being pivotable in unison about an axis extending in the direction of travel of said harvester, said cleaning device being connected to a subframe pivotally mounted in said harvester; means connected in the harvester for detecting when the harvester is inclined from a level position; and means connected to the detecting means to be actuated for uniformly pivoting said cleaning device.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1985-08-16	1986-02-15	1986-08-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1989-08-16	1990-02-15	1990-08-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1993-08-16	1994-02-15	1994-08-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Cleaning apparatus of combine harvesters

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