`
`Tri-Flex merger Models TFM2130/3 & TFM2135/3
`infringe claim 1 of the ’739 patent
`frame
`
`Claim Limitation
`
`Claim 1
`A windrow merger apparatus
`configured for travel in a first direction,
`comprising:
`a frame;
`
`a first pickup assembly supported
`by the frame, the first pickup
`assembly including a first belt
`conveyor arranged to convey
`material in a direction transverse
`to the first direction of travel and
`driven by a first motor;
`
`a second pickup assembly
`supported by the frame, the
`second pickup assembly
`including a second belt conveyor
`arranged to convey material in a
`direction transverse to the first
`direction of travel and driven by
`a second motor; and
`
`a third pickup assembly supported
`by the frame, the third pickup
`assembly including a third belt
`conveyor arranged to convey
`material in a direction transverse
`to the first direction of travel and
`driven by a third motor;
`
`Configured for
`travel in first
`direction
`
`Third belt conveyor
`
`Direction
`transverse to
`direction of
`travel
`
`
`
`
`
`First, second, and third pickup
`
`assemblies supported by the frame;
`belt conveyors arranged to convey
`material
`
`Second belt
`conveyor
`
`First belt
`conveyor
`
`
`
`First, second, and third motors:
`
`Tri-Flex Brochure: “Because of the center cam and
`center drive (patent pending) system that runs at 80
`rpm’s, there is less gap between the heads.”
`
`First direction of travel
`
`“Hydraulic motors on the ends of each fluted roll,
`drive the 42” wide rubber w/ nylon cord cross
`conveyor belt.” (OX00101393-96 at 95.)
`
`1
`
`
`
`wherein at least two of the pickup
`assemblies are foldable between
`an extended position and a
`retracted position,
`
`each of the first, second, and third
`pickup assemblies being aligned
`side by side when each of the
`pickup assemblies is positioned
`in the extended position
`
`such that the first, second, and third
`pickup assemblies provide an
`unobstructed continuous line of
`material pickup;
`
`Retracted Position
`
`Pickup assembly is foldable
`
`Pickup assembly is
`foldable
`
`Extended Position
`
`each of the first, second and third
`belt conveyors being operable in
`either direction independently of
`the other belt conveyors.
`
`First, second, and third pickup assemblies aligned side by side;
`providing an unobstructed continuous line of material pickup
`
`I have witnessed the H&S Tri-Flex in operation. Each of the first,
`second, and third belt conveyors were operable in either
`direction independently of the other belt conveyors. In other
`words, each of the belt conveyors can operate to the right or left
`and in a different direction than each of the other belt conveyors.
`
`2
`
`