Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FOLDING UNLOAD TUBE FOR A COMBINE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an unload tube for unloading a combine
in which the unload tube is foldable to reduce the length thereof, and more
particularly
the present invention relates to a combine unload tube which is pivotal above
the
onboard storage bin of the combine between opposing left and right unloading
positions and which can be folded and lowered downwardly in height relative to
the
onboard storage bin of the combine from the unloading positions to a storage
position.
BACKGROUND
As described in US patent 6,908,380 by Silver, an agricultural combine
is a common and well-known machine for harvesting crop materials which
performs
the basic functions of reaping crop materials from a crop field, separating
the grain
from the non-grain crop materials, and discarding the non-grain crop materials
back
onto the crop field. As further described by Silver, a typical combine
includes a crop
harvesting apparatus, or header, which reaps ripened crop plants from the crop
field
and feeds the crop materials to a separating system including a threshing
system and
sieves to separate the grain from course and fine non-grain materials. The
separated
grain is then augered upwardly by a bubble-up auger to an onboard grain
storage bin
having an upper hopper portion at the top of the combine for temporary storage
of
grain therein. As the combine harvests the crop field, the grain bin
periodically
becomes filled with grain and must be emptied to allow the combine to proceed.
The
grain is then transferred from the grain bin to a truck or a grain cart
through an
unloading auger which transfers the grain laterally to one side of the combine
in an
unloading position.
As further described in US Patent 6,908,380 by Silver, the unloading
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auger is a well-known device to those skilled in the art of combines. Most
manufacturers of combines have adopted a similar configuration for the
unloading
auger. In this common configuration, the unloading auger is positioned along
the
upper side of the combine with the infeed section of the auger located
adjacent to the
grain bin. The infeed section is pivotally attached to the combine to allow
rotation
about a nearly vertical axis. A 90 degree elbow connects the infeed section to
a long
horizontal section. The horizontal section can then rotate in a generally
horizontal
plane around the infeed end. With this design the unloading auger can be
rotated out
to a 90 degree angle from the combine to allow unloading into a truck or grain
cart.
After unloading, the unloading auger is rotated back so that the horizontal
section
trails towards the rear of the combine with the exit end located near the
combine's
rear end.
US Patent 8,033,377 by Reimer et al discloses a similar example of a
combine with an unload auger which is stored alongside the combine when not in
use
but is rotated laterally outward to one side of the combine in an unloading
position.
In both US Patents 8,033,377 by Reimer et al and 6,908,380 by Silver,
the unload auger can be folded when not in use to reduce the overall length of
the
auger and thus the overall length of the combine. In both instance however, in
the
extended position, the unload auger remains below the upper hopper portion of
the
onboard storage bin in height so as to maintain the overall height of the
combine
within acceptable limits. The resulting interference between the storage bin
and the
unload auger however limits the unload auger to a single unload position
offset to one
side only of the combine. In many instances however, it would be much more
desirable to be able to unload the grain to a transfer vehicle on either side
while also
meeting the need for a low overall storage and transport height of the
combine.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided in an
agricultural combine having an onboard grain storage bin including an upper
hopper
portion, an unload tube for unloading material from the onboard grain storage
bin, the
unload tube comprising:
a lift portion which is generally upright in a working position and
arranged to lift grain therethrough from the onboard grain storage bin;
an elbow portion arranged to be connected to the lift portion so as to
receive grain therefrom; and
a transfer portion arranged to be connected to the elbow portion so as to
receive grain therefrom;
the transfer portion comprising a plurality of sections coupled in series
with one another for relative movement between an extended position and a
retracted
position in which the transfer portion is reduced in length relative to the
extended
position; and
the elbow portion being movable relative to the onboard grain storage
bin in the retracted position of the transfer portion between a working
position
supporting the transfer portion above the upper hopper portion of onboard
storage bin
and a storage position in which the transfer portion and the elbow portion are
lowered
downwardly in height relative to the working position.
In this manner, pivotally supporting the elbow portion about an upright
axis relative to the storage bin in the working position permits the transfer
portion to
be movable with the elbow portion in the extended position between laterally
opposed
left and tight unloading positions. As there is no interference between the
transfer
portion and the upper hopper portion of the onboard storage bin, the grain can
be
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unloaded to a transfer vehicle positioned on either the left or right sides of
the
combine for increased flexibility in operation.
Preferably the elbow portion is pivotal relative to the storage bin in the
working position about an upright axis such that the transfer portion is
movable with
the elbow portion in the extended position between laterally opposed left and
right
unloading positions.
The lift portion may be located within the upper hopper portion of the
onboard grain storage bin, and may further be laterally centered between
opposing
sides of the combine.
Preferably the lift portion includes a lower portion arranged to lift grain
from sieves of the combine to the grain storage bin and an upper portion
arranged to
lift grain from the grain storage bin to the elbow portion.
The elbow portion may be fully recessed below a height of the onboard
grain storage bin in the storage position.
Preferably some or all of the transfer portion is received within the upper
hopper portion of the onboard grain storage bin in the storage position of the
elbow
portion.
The elbow portion may be pivotal relative to the onboard grain storage
bin about a substantially horizontal axis between the working position and the
storage
position.
Preferably the lift portion includes a first portion in communication with
the grain storage bin and a second portion in communication upwardly from the
first
portion to the elbow portion in which the second portion being pivotally
coupled to the
first portion about a substantially horizontal axis about which the elbow
portion is
pivotal together with the second portion between the working position and the
storage
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position.
The plurality of sections of the transfer portion may be pivotally coupled
to one another for relative pivotal movement between the extended position in
which
the sections are longitudinally aligned with one another and the retracted
position in
5 which the sections extend substantially alongside one another so as to be
reduced in
length relative to the extended position.
Preferably the transfer portion comprises three or more sections and the
sections lie in a substantially common plane with one another in the retracted
position.
The transfer portion may be pivotal relative to the elbow portion between
the working position and the storage position about both a first axis and a
second axis
in which the first axis is coaxial with an tube axis at an output of the elbow
portion and
the second axis is a folding axis which is tangential to the output of the
elbow portion.
Preferably the transfer portion is pivoted relative to the elbow portion
between the working position and the storage position through a range of
approximately 90 degrees about second axis.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the unload tube shown on an
exemplary combine in an extended position;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the unload tube shown in solid line
in the extended position of Figure 1 and shown in broken line in either one of
the two
laterally opposed left and right unloading positions;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the upper hopper portion of the onboard
grain storage bin of the combine showing the unload tube received therein in a
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retracted position of the transfer portion and in the storage position of the
elbow
portion;
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the unload tube along the line 4-4
of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the unload tube along the line 5-5
of Figure 3; and
Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the unload tube along the line 5-5
of Figure 3 but with the unload tube shown in the working position of the
elbow portion
and in the extended position of the transfer portion.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated an unload
tube generally indicated by reference numeral 10.
The unload tube 10 is particularly suited for use with a combine 12
comprising a frame 14 carried on wheels 16 for movement across the ground in a
forward working direction. A header 18 is supported at the front end for
feeding
material into the combine where a separator system including threshing
components
and sieves separate the grain from non-grain material. The separated grain is
then
augered by a lift auger having a lower section 20 communicating from the
sieves to an
on-board grain storage bin 22. An upper hopper portion 24 of the bin is
located at the
top end of the combine.
The unload tube 10 is for unloading grain from the on-board grain
storage bin to a separate transfer vehicle typically positioned alongside the
combine.
In the illustrated embodiment, the unload tube is incorporated with the lift
auger such
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that the lift auger defines part of a lift portion of the unload tube.
The unload tube generally comprises the lift portion 26 which vertically
lifts the grain up from the storage bin, an elbow portion 28 connected to the
lift portion
to receive the grain therefrom and a transfer portion 30 connected to the
elbow
portion to receive the grain therefrom and convey the grain to a discharge
chute 32 at
the terminal end of the transfer portion.
The lift portion 26 has a lower first section defined by the lower section
20 of the lift auger and an upper section 34 arranged to be connected in
series
directly above the lower section 20. The upper section extends vertically
upward in
line with the lower section for continuing to convey the grain upwardly from
the
storage bin to the elbow portion 28 thereabove. The upper and lower sections
are
connected in series with one another at a laterally centered location between
opposing sides of the combine, within the interior of the storage bin adjacent
the front
end of the storage bin.
The elbow portion comprises a tubular housing which bends through an
angle of 90 degrees between an inlet 36 and an outlet 38 thereof. The inlet is
concentric with an inlet auger axis defined by the lift auger when connected
thereto in
the working position. Similarly, the outlet is concentric with an outlet auger
axis
defined by the auger of the transfer portion when connected thereto in the
working
position:
In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer portion comprises three
tubular sections 40 rotatably receiving respective auger sections therein and
which
are arranged to be connected in series with one another so as to be movable
relative
to one another between respective extended and retracted positions. In further
embodiments, more or fewer tubular sections may be used and the tubular
sections
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may convey material therethrough using various known conveying means other
than
augers specifically.
In the extended position, the three sections extend horizontally from an
inlet of the transfer portion connected to the outlet of the elbow portion and
an outlet
at the discharge chute 32. The three sections in the extended position are
connected
end to end concentrically with one another and the outlet of the elbow portion
in the
working position. The transfer portion connects to the elbow in the extended
position
so as to be movable together with the elbow portion about a vertical axis of
the elbow
when extended. The extended transfer portion is pivotal about the vertical
axis
between an intermediate position extending horizontally rearward parallel to
the
forward direction and either one of two laterally opposed left and right
unload
positions for unloading from either side of the combine. The transfer portion
is rotated
about the vertical axis of the lift auger in two opposing directions through a
range of
90 degrees in each direction towards the two laterally opposed positions
respectively.
To allow pivoting of the transfer portion together with the elbow portion
between the left and right unload positions, the elbow portion is pivotally
coupled to
the lift portion by a rotatable collar 42 at the inlet of the elbow which
defines the
vertical inlet auger axis.
The elbow portion is also coupled to the upper section of the lift portion
so as to be pivotal together with the upper section relative to the lower
section about a
horizontal folding axis. The folding axis is generally horizontal and
tangential to the
vertical axis of the lift auger so as to be parallel to the forward working
direction. The
elbow portion and upper section of the lift portion are pivotal relative to
the lower
section between the working position in which the elbow portion and the
transfer
portion connected thereto are supported fully above the top end of the hopper
of the
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storage bin to allow unrestricted pivoting movement between the two unloading
positions and the storage position in which the transfer portion is retracted
so that the
transfer portion and the elbow portion can be fully received within the upper
hopper
portion of the storage bin below the height of the top end of the hopper
portion for
reducing the overall height of the combine. In the storage position the elbow
portion
is folded laterally to one side of the lower section of the lift auger so as
to be adjacent
one side of the hopper portion of the storage bin while remaining adjacent the
front
side.
In this manner, the elbow portion is rotated about two axes relative to
the lower section of the lift portion between the storage and working
positions
respectively. These include the first axis defined by rotatable collar 42 so
as to
coincide with the lift auger axis and the inlet auger axis of the elbow
portion and a
second axis defined by the tangential folding axis between the upper and lower
sections of the lift portion of the unload tube. Between the storage and
working
positions, the upper section is rotated about the respective axis relative to
the lower
section through a range of 90 degrees. The elbow portion is rotated about the
inlet
auger axis relative to the upper section of the lift portion such that the
outlet auger
axis is oriented rearward parallel to the forward working direction in the
storage
position.
The three sections of the transfer portion are pivotally coupled relative to
one another so that in the retracted position, each section is folded
alongside at least
one adjacent section about a respective folding axis oriented tangentially to
the
transfer portion auger housing. The folding axes are all parallel to one
another so that
the multiple sections of the transfer portion can be folded alongside one
another in a
generally common plane which reduces the overall length of the transfer
portion in the
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longitudinal direction thereof relative to the extended position.
The transfer portion is coupled at the innermost section to the outlet of
the elbow portion about two axes to allow sufficient manipulation of the
transfer
portion from the extended working position to the retracted storage position.
A
5 rotatable collar 44 is supported at the outlet of the elbow portion such
that the collar
defines a first axis of rotation between the transfer portion and the elbow
portion
which is concentric with the output auger axis. The second axis is defined by
a pivot
assembly 46 coupled to the collar for rotation relative to the elbow portion
with the
collar and transfer portion. The pivot assembly defines the second axis of
pivotal
10 movement between the transfer portion and the elbow portion in which the
second
axis is tangential to the outlet auger axis.
In order to position the unload tube in the storage position, the transfer
portion is folded into the retracted position and the elbow portion is pivoted
relative to
the lower section about its two respective axes from the working position to
the
storage position which results in all three sections of the transfer portion
being fully
received within the interior of the hopper portion of the storage bin so as to
be
oriented generally horizontally in a lateral direction perpendicular to the
forward
working direction.
To position the transfer tube into either one of the two unloading
positions, the elbow portion is raised into the working position while
simultaneously
the transfer portion is pivoted relative to the elbow portion to permit the
three sections
of the transfer portion to be subsequently extended from the retracted
position to the
extended position. Once the transfer portion is suitably oriented with the
discharge
auger directed downwardly at the outer end opposite the elbow portion, the
transfer
portion can be pivoted with the elbow about the upright axis defined by the
rotatable
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collar 42 to position the transfer portion into either one of the two
laterally opposed
unloading positions shown in Figure 2,
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made
within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit
and
scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall
be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
