Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HAR~ESTBR SWATH PICK-UP DRIVE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to new and useful
improvements in drives for harvester s~ath pick~ups and
consitutes an improvement in;the arrangement disclosed in
my U.S. Patent No. 4,129,978 (Canadian Patent No.
1,0~1,452 issued December 16th, 1980).
In this patent, a swath pic~-up includes a pair
of spiders or support plates, one on each end of a rame
and each being arranged at an angle with respect to the
direction of travel and to the transverse axis of the
pick-up. A forked inwardly offset arm is pivotally
secured to a block on the outer end of each arm cf each
oP the spiders, in the form of a universal joint. A
transvsrsely extending member, from which pick~up teeth
extend, e~-tends between each offset arm on one of the
spiders and the corresponding arm on the other spider.
One of the spiders is rotated by a source of
power such as a hydraulic motor and the angular relation-
ship of the spiders causes the transverse members and th~
pick-up teeth to reciprocate transversely as they rotate.
The offset arms enable a pick-up of reduced diameter to
~e provided thereby increasing the efficiency of the
pick-up action yet providing sufficient room at the
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spiders for the installation and operation of the universal
joints and arms on the spiders~
This invention has worked well and has seen some
success but has disadvantages in that the drive tends to
vibrate in view of the universal joint coupling between
the spiders and the transverse members and the nature of
universal joints running at a sharp angle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVF.NTION
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It is one object of the invention therefore to
provide a harvester swath pick-up of this type wherein
the drive between the spiders and the transverse members
i5 improved in order to provide a smooth and effective
motion of the transverse members in the complex motion
required.
According to the first aspect of the invention
there is provided a pick-up attachment for a harvester
comprising a plurality of members extending transversely
across the pick-up arranged generally around and parallel
to an axis transverse to a direction of movement of the
pick-up, each member supporting a plurality of tines ex-
tending therefrom generally outwardly relative to the
transverse axis and means for moving the members in a
composite movement around the transverse axis and pa-
rallel to the transverse axis such that each tine des-
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crlbes a closed path around the transverse axi.s and in-
clined thereto, said movin~ means comprising a pair of
parallel planar support members arranged at respective
ends of the transverse members, means mounting the sup-
port members for rotation about parallel axes generally
transverse thereto and lying in a substantially vertical
plane, each support member having mounted thereon a plu-
rality ot pairs of meshing gears at angularly spaced posi-
tions around the support member axis for rotation there-
with, offset crank means connecting one of each pair ofgears to a respective one of the transverse members and
means mounting the other of each pair of gears such that
rotation of the support member about the axis of the sup-
port member causes rotation of said offset crank means
about an axis substantially at right angles to said sup-
port member axis, said offset crank means of each trans-
verse member being arranged to offset the transverse mem-
ber outwardly relative to the other transverse members,
whereby said rotation of said support members moves the
transverse members substantially in a planar movement
parallel to the support member plane and not parallel to
said composite movement and the rotation of said crank
means adds to said planar movement to form said composite
movement .
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According to a second aspect of the invention
there is provided a pick-up attachment for a harvester
comprising a plurality of members extending transversely
across the pick-up arranged generally around and parallel
to an axis transverse to a direction of movement of the
pick-up, each member supporting a plurality of tines ex-
tending therefrom generally outwardly relative to the
transverse axis and means for moving the members in a
closed path having a composite movement around the trans-
verse axis and parallel to the transverse axis, said mo-
ving means comprising a pair of support members arranged
at respective ends of the transverse members and lying in
parallel planes which are not parallel to the movement
of the tines, means mounting the support members for rota-
tion about parallel axes generally transverse thereto and
lying in a substantially vertical plane, each support mem-
ber having a plurality of connecting means mounted there-
on a~ angularly spaced positions around the support mem-
ber axis for rotation therewith, a plurality of offset
crank means each interconnecting a respective one of the
connec.ting means to a respective one of a transverse mem-
ber, said connecting means being arranged to rota~e said
crank means around said support member axis and about an
axis at right angles to said support member axis~ said
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offset crank means o~ each transverse member being arran-
ged to offset the transverse member outwardly relative to
the other transverse members, whereby said rotation of
said support members moves the transverse members substan-
tially in a planar movement parallel to the support mem~
ber plane and rotation of said crank means adds to said
planar movement to form said composite movement.
According to a third aspect of the invention
there is provided a pick-up attachment for a harvester
comprising a plurality of members extending trans~ersely
across the pick-up arranged generally around and parallel
to an axis transverse to a direc-tion of movement of the
pick-up, each member supporting a plurality of tines ex-
tending therefrom generally outwardly relative to the
transverse axis and means for moving the members in a
closed path having a composite movement around the trans-
verse axis and parallel to the transverse axis, said moving
means comprising a pair of support members arranged at res-
pective ends of the transverse members, and lyi.ng in
parallel planes ~hich are not parallel to the movement oE
the tines, means mounting the support members for rotation
about parallel axes generally transverse thereto, each
support member having a plurality of connecting means
mounted thereon at angularly spaced positions around the
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support member axis for rotation therewith, a plurality
of offset crank means each interconnecting a respective
one of the connecting means to a respective end of a trans-
verse member, said connecting means being arranged to
rotate said crank means around said support member axis
and about an axis at an angle to said support member axis,
said offset crank means of each transverse member being
arranged to offset the transverse member outwardly rela-
tive to the other transverse members.
It is one advantage of the invention that the
spiders or support members can be in th.e form of plates
which lie transverse to the pick-up in either a horizon-
tal plane or in a plane slightly inclined thereto with
the drive communicated from the plate to -the transverse
members by a pair of bevel gears arranged generally at
right angles and supported by an outside casing.
It is a further advantage of the invention that
the outside casing supporting the bevel gears can provide
an enclosed drive which avoids problems of dust and other
material entering the drive gears.
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It is a yet further advantage of the invention
that the drive is of a simple nature and yet provides a
smooth and e~fective communication of the motion to the
transverse members thus preventing vibration and con-
sequent wear of the parts.
With the foregoing io view, and other advan-
tages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art
to which this invention relates as this specification
proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference
to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which
includes a description of the best mode known to the
applicant and of the preferred typical embodiment of the
principles of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
. _
Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a
swath pick-up for a harvester ~ith the frame~ork and
mounting arrangements omitted for the saXe o~ simplici-
ty.
Figure 2 is a rear elevational view along the
lines 2-2 of the pick-up of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a more detailed view of one support
member and associated bevel gears of a slightly modified
embodiment where the support plate 14 is inclined toward
the transverse members lO.
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Figure 4 is a more detailed view of a further
embodiment showing the mounting arrangement ~or the bevel
gears of Flgures 1 and 2.
Figure 5 is a schematic pla~ view o~ the
pick-up as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
In the drawings like characters of re~erence
indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAIL~D DESCRIPTION
Re~erence is firstly made to my prior publlshed
U.S. Patent No. 4,129,978 (Can~dian Patent 1,091,452)
which discloses the frame structure and mounting arrange-
ment of a swath pick-up device of this type but employing
a different drive system for moving the transverse
members carrying the teeth in the composite movement. It
will be understood that the present invention includes a
mounting arrangement and framework substantially as dis-
closed in the above patent and ~or this reason these
~eatures in relation to the present invention are omitted
from the drawings and description following.
Referring therefore to Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6
there is shown schematically a drive arrangement for a
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swath pick-up of the above type~ As shown in Figure 5
there are six transverse members lQ supporting teeth 11
of the type shown in the above patent but for convenience
of illustration some o~ the transverse members 10 and the
corresponding drive arrangement are omitted from Figures
1 and 2.
Referring -therefore iirstly to Figures 1 and 2,
a plurality of transverse members 10 are arranged trans-
verse to the pick-up and e~tend from one side to the
other side with the pick up area lying between the drive
arrangement on either side for pick-up of the swath at a
nose area generally indicated at 12 for transport to a
conveyor 13 which is conventional in the art. Each o~
the transverse members 10 in turn moves from the nose
backwardly toward the conveyor 13 around an a~is trans-
verse to the pick-up with the teeth 11 thereof e~tending
generally outwardly relative to the axis to carry the
swath back to the conveyor 13. At the same time the
transverse member moves sidewardly across the pick up so
tha-t each tooth moves in a plane which is generally ver-
tical and lying at an angle to the axis so as to assis-t
in picking up straw which lies at right angles to th~
axis. It will be appreciated that the teeth move across
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the straw rather than parallel to $he straw thus assist-
i-ng in the pick-up.
This composite movement is provided by a drive
arrangement comprising a pair o~ plates or discs 14, 15
mounted on shafts 17 supported on bearings 16 ~or rota-
tion about parallel axes. As shown the a~es of the
plates 14, 15 lie in a substantially vertical forward
plane and are inclined forwardly of the pick-up by an
angle of the order of 30. It will be appreciated that
the plane of the plates in this embodiment is different
~rom the plane of movement of the teeth but it is possi-
ble for the plates to lie substantially in any plane pro-
vided they are parallel, with the angle between the gears
accommodating any variations in angle.
Each of the plates 14, 15 supports around its
periphery a plurality of bevel gears 18 mounted on sha~ts
secured to the plate 14, 15. The bevel gears 18 are in
meshing relationship with co-operating bevel gears 19
arranged at right angles to the gears 18 so as to be
driven thereby~ The gears 19 are coupled to respective
shafts 20 to which the transverse members 11 are secured
by a crank arm 21.
Turning now to Figure 3, the constructional
details o~ the plate 14 with bevel gears 18 and 19 of one
embodiment is shown,. Only two bevel gear connections are
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shown for simplicity of illustration. In addition the
embodiment is modified from that shown in Figures 1 and 2
in t~at the plate 14 is inclined such that its axis lies
in a horizontal plane with the plate lying parallel to
the direction of motion of the teeth. The a~is ~ the
plate 14 mounted on the shaft 17 is indicated at 2~. The
plate 14 is apertured equidistantly adjacent the peri~
phery thereof ~nd receives one end 26 of an angulated
spindle 27 with one bevel or mitre gear 18 being
journalled for rotation relative to the spindle by means
of a bearing 29. The bevel gear 18 is mounted on the
upper or outer face 30 of the plate 14. The spindle 27
and the gear 28 together with the bearing 29 are engaged
and held by a nut 31 or the like screw threadably engag~
ing an aperture in the plate 14 and an apertured flange
32 engages over the inner end 26 of the shaft 27 to
ass~st in holding the assembly in position.
The other end 35 of the angulated shaft 27
carries the corresponding bevel or mitre gear 19 meshing
with the gear 18 at an angle of appro~imately 135 and
this bevel gear 1~ is ln turn supported upon a bearing 37
secured and mounted within the distal end 38 o~ the
aforementioned offset crank 21 of the transverse member
10. Thus the bevel gear 18 is fixed to the plate 14 so
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that rotation of the plate 14 about its axis causes the
bevel gear 18 to rotate about its own axis while the
shaft 27 is free to rotate rèlative to the bevel gear
18 a
It will be noted that the opposite end of the
transverse member 10 is mounted upon a similar arrange-
ment of bevel gears 18, 19 carried on the plate 15. How-
ever, the plate 15 is inverted relative to the plate 14~
Also it will be noted that the member 10 adjacent the
outer most edge of the plate 14 is coupled to the plate
15 adjacent the inner most edge and vice versa.
Rotation of the plate 14 through a motor and
chain drive lschematically illustrated at 28) causes the
bevel gears 18 to rotate with the plate around the a~is
of the plate thus transporting the transverse members 10
in a similar motion~ At the same tim0 the movement of
the bevel gears 18 relative to the a~is of the plate 14
causes the bevel gears 19 to rotate thus turning the
cranks 21 and causing the transverse members 10 to rotate
about the axis of the shaft 20 of the bevel gear 1~. The
bevel gears 18, 19 have a corresponding number of teeth
such that as the plate 14 rotates through, for e~ample
180, the corresponding transverse member 10 similarly
rotates through 180 relative to the shaft 20. These two
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extreme positions are illustrated in Figure 2 with
intermediate 90 positions also illustrated in Figure lo
Figure 5 shows the arrangement with six such transverse
mem~ers in one location of the plate 14.
The cr~nks 21 provide an o~fset of the trans-
verse member 10 relative to the shaft 20 which is suffi-
cient to allow the transverse member lO at the outer most
edge of the disk to pass over the bevel gears and mount-
lng of that at the inner most edge of the disk.
It will be appreciated that the position of the
shaft 27 is constrained by the fact that the correspond-
ing transverse member 10 is coupled to the other disk 15
thus retaining the transverse members 10 ln parallel
relationship lying across the pick-up. Also the trans-
verse members 10 communicate ro-tation of the plate 14 to
the plate 15 so they remain in synchronism.
Turning no~ to Figure 4 there is shown an
alternative arrangement of mounting for the bevel gears
18, 19 on the plate 14. In this embodiment the plate
lies in an orientation as shown in Figures 1 and 2 as
opposed to the slightly angled orientation shown in
Figure 3.
In this embodiment the bevel gear 18 is rigidly
attached to a shaft 40 mounted in bearings 41 carried in
an aperture 42 of the plate 140 Thus the bevel gear 18
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is ~ree to rotate relative to the plate 14. The shafts
40 and 20 are mounted at rights angled relationship by a
mounting member 43 which comprises a hollow casing or
elbow ~urrounding the bevel gears 18, 19 and coupled to
the shafts 20, 40 by bearing blocks 44, 45 respectively,
The bearing blocks 44, 45 are attached to the shafts 20,
40 and also mounted in the elbow 43 by screw threaded
collars 46, 47 co-operating with shoulders 48 provided on
the elbow 43.
Thus the elbow 43 is free to rotate relative to
the plate 14~ As explai~ed in relation to the previous
embodiment, the transverse member 10 is retained trans-
verse to the pick-up by the co-operation of the plate 14
and the plate 15 and thus the elbow 43 similarly remains
parallel to the axis of the pick-up. This orientation is
maintained regardless of the rotation of the plate 14
with the rotation being provided by the bearings 45.
Rotation of the bevel gear 18 around its a~is
is provided by a cam follower 49 mounted on the end of
the sha~t 40 remote from the bevel gear 18 which
co-operates with a cam track 50 provided in the cam plate
51 parallel to the plate 14. The track 50 provides a
generally closed track around the plate 51 so that it
will be appreciated that effectively a 360 rotation of
-the plate 14 causes a 360 rotation of the bevel gear 18
about its axis. Such rotation of ~he bevel gear 18 is
communicated through bevel gear l9 to the transverse
member 10 as e~plained previously.
In this embodiment however the cam track 50 is
arranged such that the ro-tation of the transverse members
10 about the respPctive shaft 20 is controlled in a non-
constant manner so that the teeth follow the path
schematically illustrated in Figure 6. Speci~ically the
rotation is modified so that the the rotation of the
teeth 11 is very much delayed adjacent the front roller
of the conveyor 13 so that the front roller can be
arranged as close as possible to the underside o~ the
pick-up. After the conveyor 13 and before the nose area
12 the rate of rotation is increased and then maintained
constant around the nose area across the top part indi-
cated generally at 52 the motion is again delayed so that
the teeth remain at a substantially constant angle
relative to the plate 14. Immediately after the front
roller of the conveyor 13 the transverse member ~10 is
rapidly rotated to assume the posi-tion indiGated along
the underside of the pick-up. The necessary shaping of
the cam track 51 will be apparent to one sXilled in the
art and -therefore is not shown in detail.
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Since various modifications can be made in my
i-nvention as hereinabove described, and many apparently
widely different embodiments of same made within the
spirit and scop~ of the claims without departing from
such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter
contained in the accompanying speci.fication shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting
sense.
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