United States Patent [19J
`Beougher et al.
`
`[11)
`
`[45]
`
`4,409,780
`Oct. 18, 1983
`
`[54) FOLDING HEADER ASSEMBLY
`Inventors: Timothy K. Beougher, Manhattan;
`[75]
`Joaquim A. Pipoli, Wichita; Karl K.
`Visser; Rossell B. Bauck, both of
`Manhattan; Tony K. Lippert, Clay
`Center, all of Kans.
`[73] Assignee: Kansas State University Research
`Foundation, Manhattan, Kans.
`(21) Appl. No.: 357,137
`[22] Filed:
`Mar. 11, 1982
`Int. Cl.l .............................................. AOlB 73/00
`[5 1]
`[52) u.s. Cl . ........................................ 56/228; 56/385;
`172/456; 280/411 A
`[58) Field of Search ....................... 56/228, 15.9, 16.2;
`172/311, 456; 56/385, 6, 1; 280/411 A
`Refe.rences Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,345,808 10/1967 Vander Le1y ....................... 56/228
`3,785,441 1/1974 Sosalia ................................. 172/456
`3,897,832 8/1975 Leedahl et al. ....................... 56/228
`4,042,044 8/1977 Honnold ............................. 172/311
`4,151,886 5/1979 Boetto eta!. ....................... 172/311
`
`[56]
`
`·4,184,314 1/1980 Hobbs ................................... 56/228
`• 4,204,57.5 5/1980 Richardson et al ................ 172/31 I
`4,249,616 2/l981 Moe ..................................... 172/501
`4,336,846 6/1982 Boetto ................................. 172/31 I
`Primary Examiner-Paul J. Hirsch
`•
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Tilton, Fallon, Lungmus
`[57)
`ABSTRACT
`A folding header assembly for combine harvesters and
`the like, wherein the header includes a center section
`transversely mountable at the front of a combine or
`other support vehicle and a pair of wing sections
`hingedly connected to the ends of the center section.
`During header operation, all three sections are disposed
`in general alignment, but the hinge connections of the
`wing sections allow them to pivot upwardly and down(cid:173)
`wardly in adapting to uneven terrain. Despite the sub(cid:173)
`stantial width of the extended multi-section header as(cid:173)
`sembly, the wing sections may be easily and automati(cid:173)
`cally folded upwardly, shifted inwardly, and inclined
`rearwardly for safe road travel within legal width limits
`and without objectionable interference with a driver's
`view of the road.
`
`36 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures
`
`H&S Mfg. Co., Inc. v. Oxbo Int'l Co.
`
`IPR2016-00950
`
`H&S Mfg Co., Inc.
`Exhibit 1010
`
`Page 1 of 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Oct. 18, 1983
`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 1983
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`4,409,780
`4,409,780
`
`I.4..-::=:':
`
`lllilllllll
`
`
`
`
`
`ma.Iln'‘
`
`
`
`0
`LL..
`
`Page 2 of 15
`Page2 of15
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`

`

`U.S. Patent Oct. 18, 1983
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`4,409,780
`
`FIG. 2
`
`tO
`
`FIG.3
`
`10
`
`17
`
`FIG. 4
`
`!0
`
`FIG.5
`
`12
`
`17
`
`13
`
`17
`
`FIG. 6
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`Page 3 of 15
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`

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`U.S. Patent Oct. 18, 1983
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`4,409,780
`
`FIG.8
`
`FIG. 9
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`Page 4 of 15
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`

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`U.S. Patent Oct. 18, 1983
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`4,409,780
`
`FIG. 10
`
`FIG. I I
`
`98
`
`Page 5 of 15
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`

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`U.S. Patent Oct. 18, 1983
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`4,409,780
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Ill
`
`FIG.I4
`
`Page 6 of 15
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`

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`U.S. Patent Oct. 18, 1983
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`4,409,780
`
`FIG.I5
`
`FIG. 16
`
`131
`
`17
`
`Page 7 of 15
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`

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`U.S. Patent Oct. 18, 1983
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`4,409,780
`
`FI G. 18
`
`FIG.20
`
`160
`
`160
`
`160
`
`FIG. 21
`
`147
`
`120
`
`125
`
`160
`
`40
`
`FIG. 22
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`4 3
`
`42
`
`Page 8 of 15
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`

`

`1
`
`FOLDING HEADER ASSEMBLY
`
`4,409,780
`
`BACKGROUND
`Equipment for use in harvesting grain has gone from 5
`primitive hand-held tools to sophisticated self-propelled
`combines in the past 150 years. The size and capacities
`of harvesting machines have increased as technology
`has improved. At present, the headers of commercially(cid:173)
`available combines are believed to have maximum 10
`widths of approximately 30 feet, but there are indica(cid:173)
`tions that for greater operating efficiencies many farm(cid:173)
`ers would prefer headers of even greater width. Unfor(cid:173)
`tunately, size increases are commonJy associated with
`problems that offset the advantages of greater effi- 15
`ciency. For example, a commercial 30 foot combine
`header must be removed from the combine and either
`trailed behind the unit or hauled on a separate vehicle in
`order to maintain a suitable width for safe road travel.
`Such detae:hment and reattach~ent is time consuming, 20
`presenrs ·some risk of injury tci the operators during
`detachment, attachment, loading, and unloading, and
`involves additional expenses for a trailer or separate
`vehiCle. Another problem that increases with greater
`header size involves adaptation to uneven terrain. A 25
`rigid header of 30 feet in width may conform poorly
`with changes in terrain, and may become unyieldly and
`virtually inoperative in traversing terraced or rolling
`terrain.
`Efforts have been made to provide headers which 30
`overcome such problems, but such efforts have met
`with only limited success. U.S. Pat. No. 3,345,808 dis(cid:173)
`closes a harvester having a header divided into a pair of
`hinged sections that may be raised into generally verti(cid:173)
`cal positions during transport. When the sections are so 35
`raised, they generally obstruct the driver's view of the
`road, and if the header width were increased to take
`advantage of the collapsing or retracting feature, then
`the raised sections might also present special problems
`in traveling beneath bridges, power lines, and other 40
`overhead obstructions. Even when the sections are in
`lowered operative positions, the hinged construction is
`n·ot free of serious shortcomings. In FIG. 1 of the pa(cid:173)
`tent, the header is shown traversing crested terrain;
`however, as the combine travels over level terrain, and 45
`especially as it traverses depressions and concavities
`that' cause the free ends of the hinged sections to swing
`upwardly, the header will necessarily leave a substantial
`uncut center swath.
`·Other patents illustrative of the state of the art are 50
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,184,314, 4,204,575, 3,897,832,
`4,047,575, 4, 178,009, 4,249,616, 4,206,815, 4,042,044,
`4,084,394, and 4,151,886.
`
`55
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A main aspect of this invention is to provide a com(cid:173)
`bine header construction which is at least as wide, and
`preferably substantially wider, than current headers,
`and'yet which overcomes the aforementioned disadvan(cid:173)
`tages of previous high-capacity header designs. Specifi- 60
`cally, it is an object to provide an extended-width
`header that, in its operative condition, will follow the
`contour of terraced, rolling, and uneven ground with(cid:173)
`out leaving substantial uncut swaths, and which may be
`mechanically, and substantially automatically folded for 65
`transport. In such folded or retracted condition, the
`header has a width within safe legal limits for highway
`travel, does not obstruct the driver's view of the road,
`
`2
`and presents no problems in clearing underpasses, over(cid:173)
`head wires, and the like. Such objectives may be
`achieved with a header that, in unfolded operative con(cid:173)
`dition, has a cutting width of 40 feet or more.
`Briefly, the folding header assembly is formed in
`three sections. A center section is secured to the com(cid:173)
`bine or oth'er vehicle and a pair of wing sections are
`normal! y disposed at opposite ends of the center section
`in general horizontal alignment therewith. Upper and
`lower hinge assemblies are provided at each end of the
`center section, each hinge assembly including a pair of
`engagable and disengagable hinge elements, one of
`which is mounted on the center section and the other on
`a wing section. During operation of the combine, only
`the lower hinge assemblies are operative and allow
`limited upward and downward pivotal movement of
`the wing sections to permit such sections to follow
`uneven terrain. During a folding operation, the lower
`hinge assemblies become inoperative and the wing sec(cid:173)
`tions ar.e pivoted upwardly about the upper hinge as(cid:173)
`semblies. By so providing upper and lower sets of
`hinges that are mutually exclusive in operation, the
`advantages of header folding for transit purposes, and of
`header flexing to conform with uneven terrain during
`combine operation, are achieved without leaving sub(cid:173)
`stantial uncut areas or swaths between the respective
`sections.
`In the disclosed embodiment, the wing sections, after
`being pivoted upwardly into their raised positions, are
`then shifted inwardly until the total header width is that
`of the center section, and are then pivoted rearwardly
`and downwardly to assume generally horizontal posi(cid:173)
`tions alongside the combine. The steps of elevating,
`retracting, and laying back the wing sections, and the
`reversal of those steps when the header is to be ex(cid:173)
`tended into operative condition, are performed under
`power and essentially automatically, being controlled
`by the operator from the cab of the combine through a
`microprocessor controlling switches in sequence. De(cid:173)
`spite the complexity of the sequential operations, the
`same power cylinders are used to perform the tasks of
`both folding the wing sections upwardly and thereafter
`pivoting such sections rearwardly into their lay-back
`positions. The wing and center sections are provided
`with auger sections which automatically couple and
`uncouple when the wing sections are lowered and
`raised. When the auger sections are coupled, so that
`power applied to the outer auger sections will be trans(cid:173)
`mitted to the inner section (or vice versa), such cou(cid:173)
`pling nevertheless permits the outer auger sections to
`pivot upwardly and downwardly as the wing sections
`of the header pivot about the lower hinge assemblies in
`traversing uneven terrain.
`Other features, objects, and advantages of the inven(cid:173)
`tion will become apparent from the specification and
`drawings.
`
`DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combine and folding
`header assembly embodying the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a simplified and somewhat schematic front
`eleva tiona! view of a combine with the header assembly
`in operating condition, illustrating the range of pivotal
`movement of the wing sections about the lower hinge
`assemblies as the header travels over uneven terrain.
`FIGS. 3-5 are simplified and somewhat schematic
`views illustrating the steps of folding the wing sections
`
`Page 9 of 15
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`

`

`4,409,780
`
`3
`4
`vehicle upon which the header assembly 11 of this in-
`upwardly, shifting them inwardly, and swinging them
`vention is mounted, it will be evident from the follow-
`rearwardly into their lay-back positions.
`FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional vi~w showing the
`ing description that other types of vehicles might be
`used in conjunction with a header assembly.having the
`interconnection between the auger sections of the
`S folding, retracting, and laying back operations de-
`header assembly.
`scribed herein.
`FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing
`11
`The header assembly 11 includes a main. or center
`det~tils of the relationship between the auger sections of
`section 17 and a pair of wing sections 18. When the
`the header assembly.
`assembly is in operative condition for harvesting, the
`FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view along line 8- 8
`10 three sections are in general alignment as depicted sche-
`of FIG. 7.
`matically in FIG. 2. The center section 17 extends
`FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the housing
`across the front of combine 10 and is securely mounted
`and spring-loaded pin construction for operatively cou-
`piing adjacent auger sections.
`thereon. Wing sections 18 continue beyond the ends of
`the center section and are hingedly connected to the
`FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing
`the hinging arrangement of the center and wing sections IS center section for limited upward and doWJlward piv-
`of the header assembly, such sections being shown in
`otal movement as indicated in broken lines. When the
`header is to be folded for transit, the wing' S¢ctions 18
`completely separated condition for illustrative pur-
`poses.
`are first pivoted upwardly (FIG. 3), then shifted or
`FIG. l1 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view
`retracted inwardly (FIG. 4), and fmally piv¢ted down-
`illustrating one of the hinge assemblies.
`20 wardly and rearwardJy (FIGS. 1 and 5).
`FIG. 12 is a further enlarged sectional view along line
`The center section 17 of the header assemb)y includes
`U- 12 of FIG. 11.
`a vertically-oriented, transversely-elongated rear wall
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 10 but
`or panel 20 and a lower horizontal cutter plate 21.
`Along the leading edge of the cutter plate 21 are a series
`showing the relationship between the center and wing
`sections when the wing sections of the header assembly 25 of teeth 22 carried by conventional cutter bars (not
`are flexed upwardly during field operation as well as
`shown). Similarly, each wing section 18, when viewed
`during the initial step in preparation for upward folding
`in its horizontally-extended operating position, bas an
`of the wing sections for transit.
`upstanding rear wall or panel 23 and a bottom cutter
`plate 24. The teeth 25 of each wing section 18 are simi·
`FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 13 but
`illustrating the hinge structure when a wing section has 30 Jarly carried by cutter bars (not shown), with each bar
`carrying alternate teeth of the series, and one of the bars
`been pivoted into its raised position.
`being stationary with respect to cutter plate 24 while
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the relation·
`ship of parts when a raised wing section has been shifted
`the other bar being mounted for reciprocating move-
`inwardly.
`ment. In FIG. 1, the movable cutter bar is indicated as
`FIG. 16 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 15 but 35 being reciprocated by sickle drive arm U pivotally
`mounted upon the cutter plate 24 at point 27. One end of
`showing the inwardly-displaced wing section after it
`the drive arm is operatively connected to one of the
`has been pivoted downwardly and rearwardly into its
`cutter bars, the other end is connected to wobble mech·
`lay-back positions.
`anism 28. The wobble mechanism may take the form of
`FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view of the rack and pinion
`structure for simultaneously shifting the wing sections 40 a standard wobble box driven by a central power
`source, or it may constitute a suitable hydraulic motor
`inwardly and outwardly.
`FIGS. 18-20 are a series of schematic views showing
`capable of imparting oscillating movement of sic)Ue
`the sequence for locking and unlocking the support bar
`drive arm 26. The cutter blades or teeth of both wing
`of a wing section during folding and unfolding of a wing
`sections and the center section are similarly driven, and
`section.
`45 it will be noted from FIG. 1 that the ends 21a of the
`FIG. 21 is a somewhat schematic view showing the
`cutter plate 21 of the center section are extended later·
`ally so that the teeth 22a projecting forwardly from
`relationship between a three-position power cylinder,
`the locking pin for an anchor rod and sleeve, and the
`those extensions will be disposed slightly in 'front of the
`latch mechanism for a wing section support arm.
`inboard teeth of the wing sections 18 when those wing
`FIG. 22 is an elevational view showing a telescoping so sections are in horizontal alignment with the center
`coupling useful for joining the reel sections of adjacent
`section 17. The purpose of the overlap is to insure that
`header sections after the wing sections of the header
`uncut strips will not be left when the combine is in
`assembly have been extended into operating positions.
`operation and the wing sections flex upwardly in tra(cid:173)
`versing uneven terrain.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`The center section is provided with a reel 30 carried
`EMBODIMENT
`by reel support arms 31 above and slightly ahead of
`cutter blades or teeth 22. Hydraulic cylinders 32,
`Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally
`mounted on horizontal support members 33 affixed to
`designates a combine equipped with a folding header
`rear wall20, may be expanded and contracted to adjust
`assembly 11 embodying the invention. The combine
`typically includes a chassis 12 supported by wheels 13, 60 the height of the reel, all as well known in the art. Reels
`34 are similarly carried by support arms 35 mounted
`a cab 14 at the front of the vehicle, a housing 15 for
`receiving grain, and a discharge tube or chute 16 for the
`upon the members 36 and rear panels 23 of wing sec-
`controlled discharge of grain collected by the combine.
`tions 18 (FIG. 1). The reels may be conventionally
`Since self-propelled combine harvesters are well known
`operated by a hydraulic motor, the power preferably
`in the art, a more detailed discussion of their construe- 6S being supplied to the shaft of only one of the reels and
`the adjacent ends of the aligned shafts (when the wing
`tion and operation, apart from folding header assembly
`11, is believed unnecessary herein. While a combine
`sections are horizontally extended) may then be joined
`harvester 10 has been illustrated as the power-operated
`by any suitable coupling means. FIG. 22 illustrates a
`
`SS
`
`:
`
`Page 10 of 15
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`

`

`4,409,780
`
`6
`5
`During combine operation, when the center and wing
`coupler 37 having a pair of sockets 38, 39 carried by
`sections of the auger are in general alignment as de-
`universal joints 40 and 41, respectively. Universal joint
`picted in FIG. 6, the shaft extension 56 of each wing
`¢1> is secured to one end of a telescoping tube 42, the
`section 46 projects a substantial distance into tube exten-
`other joint 41 being affixed to tube 43 slidably received
`within tube 42. Socket 38 receives the splined shaft end 5 sion 62 of the center auger section 45. Upward and
`of one of the reels, such as the reel 30 of center section
`downward pivoting of the wing sections 18 of the
`17, and socket 39 receives the end of a reel 34 of one of
`header to conform to uneven terrain (which may be
`the wing sections 18. Screws 44 are tightened to main·
`referred to generally as header "flexing," in contrast to
`header "folding" for transit) results in pivoting action of
`tain the shaft ends within sockets 38 and 39.
`As shown most clearly in FIG. 1, each of the header 10 universal joints 57 and 63 and limited axial sliding
`movement of shaft extension 56 within tube extension
`sections carries an auger section. Specifically, center
`62. The parts are nevertheless locked against relative
`section 17 rotatably supports auger section 45, and wing
`sections 18 carry auger sections 46. The center auger
`rotational movement by means of springloaded pins 68
`section has a central mounting shaft 47 (FIG. 6) rotat·
`received within grooves or keyways 61 of shaft exten-
`ably carried by vertical mounting members 48 project· 15 sion 56 (FIGS. 8, 9). Each pin has its beveled inner end
`ing downwardly from horizontal mounting members 33
`68a urged into the interior of tube extension 62 by a coil
`(FIG. 1). Each wing auger section 46 is similarly pro·
`spring 69 disposed within housing 70. During a cou-
`piing operation, as the rounded end or nose 56a of shaft
`vided with a mounting shaft 49 rotatably carried by
`vertical mounting members SO which in turn are se-
`extension 56 is urged into extension tube 62, pins 68 may
`cured to members 36.
`20 be forced into retracted positions until relative rotation
`Each auger section includes a cylindrical outer tube
`of the parts brings the pins into alignment with keyways
`or shell 51 secured to the auger shafts by end plates 52
`61. The inner ends of the pins then seat in the keyways
`and rib flanges 53 (FIG. 6). The cylindrical shells of
`and lock the shafts of the respective auger sections
`both the center auger section 45 and the wing auger
`against independent relative rotation. As shown most
`sections 46 are interrupted along their lengths, as shown 25 clearly in FIG. 9, each pin housing 70 is provided with
`in FIGS. 1 and 6, to accommodate the supporting mem-
`a hinged cover 71 which may be easily opened by re·
`ber 48 and SO to which auger shafts 47 and 49 are jour-
`moval of screws 72 to facilitate removal and insertion of
`naled. The spiral blades or flighting 54 of the auger
`pins whenever replacement becomes necessary.
`sections 45 and 46 are secured to the outer shells or
`When the header assembly is extended as illustrated
`tubes as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7.
`30 in FIG. 2, so that the auger sections are aligned and
`The structure for automatically coupling and uncou-
`coupled for operation, it may be desirable to join the
`adjacent ends of the outer shells or tubes 51 by means of
`piing the auger sections, and for maintaining positive
`driving connection in all three auger sections during
`protective sleeves 73. The sleeves may be formed of
`upward and downward pivoting of the header's wing
`heavy rubber or other elastomeric material, and may
`sections (FIG. 2), is depicted most clearly in FIGS. 6-9. 35 have accordion folds as shown in FIG. 6, to accommo-
`date upward and downward pivotal movement of the
`Each auger wing section 46 is provided at its inner end
`(i.e., the end that faces the center auger section 45 when
`wing sections as the header assembly flexes during com-
`the sections are aligned) with a shaft extension 56 that
`bine operation.
`projects well beyond the inner end of the cylindrical
`The structure for upward and downward folding of
`shell 51 of that section and which is connected to the 40 the wing sections of the header assembly, as well as
`permitting limited flexure of those sections during field
`main central shaft 49 by means of a universal joint 57.
`Shaft extension 56 is supported so that it extends gener-
`operation, is illustrated in FIGS. 10-14. FIG. 10 is an
`ally along the axis of the auger, in the absence of distort-
`exploded fragmentary rear perspective view, showing
`wing section 18 completely disengaged from center
`ing forces, by a plurality (four) radially-extending heli·
`cal tensioning ·springs 58 secured at their inner ends to 45 section 17, to reveal the basic operating mechanism.
`Elements not directly involved in the hinging system
`hooks 59 along the outside of the shaft extension and at
`are omitted for clarity of illustration. The adjacent ends
`their outer ends to brackets 60 affixed to the inside
`surface of shell 51. It will be observed from FIGS. 6 and . of the wing and center sections are provided with a pair
`of upper and lower hinge assemblies 75 and 76 which
`7 that the free end 56a of shaft extension 56 is rounded
`and that a pair of diametrically-disposed grooves 61 50 are coordinated in their operation so that during field
`work, as each wing section 18 flexes upwardly and
`extend longitudinally along the surface of the shaft
`downwardly, only the lower hinge assembly 76 is opec-
`extension.
`Opposite ends of the main shaft 47 of the center auger
`alive, and during folding or unfolding operations, when
`the wing section 18 is raised or lowered, only the upper
`section 45 are provided with tubular extensions 62 con-
`nected to the main shaft by universal joints 63. The 55 hinge assembly 75 is functional.
`The upper hinge assembly 75 includes a hinge bar 77
`outboard ends of the tubular extensions 62 are flared
`outwardly to provide frusto-conical guides 64 for di-
`provided by one of the header sections (center section
`recting the rounded ends of shaft extensions 56 into the
`17) and at least one hinge clamp provided by the other
`tube extensions 62 when the header assembly is being
`of the sections (wing section 18). In the embodiment
`unfolded or extended. Radial springs 65, similar to 60 illustrated, a pair of spaced hinge clamps 78 are engaga-
`ble with hinge bar 77. Similarly, the lower hinge assem-
`springs 58 of the wing sections, have their inner ends
`connected to hooks 66 of tube extensions 62 and their
`bly 76 takes the form of a lower hinge bar 79 carried by
`outer ends secured to brackets 67 (FIG. 7). The springs
`the center section and a pair of hinge clamps 80
`mounted on the wing section 18. All of the hinge clamps
`65 and 58 therefore suspend the tube extensions 62 and
`shaft extensions 56 in centered or axial positions to 65 78, 80 are essentially of the same construction, as shown
`in detail in FIGS. 11 and 12. Therefore, it will be under-
`faciliate coupling operations, while also allowing pivot-
`ing operation of universal joints 63 and 57 during com·
`stood that a description of the structure and operation
`of one of the clamps is applicable to all of them.
`bine operation.
`
`Page 11 of 15
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`

`4,409,780
`
`10
`
`7
`Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, clamp 78 includes a
`fixed jaw 81 and a swingable jaw 82. Both jaws are
`arcuate and, when closed as shown in solid lines in FIG.
`11, defme a cylindrical opening 83 for rotatably receiv(cid:173)
`ing cylindrical hinge bar 77. The jaws are pivotally 5
`connected to each other by hinge pin 84, and a coil
`spring 85 exerts a force urging the swingable jaw 82 into
`open position as represented in broken Jines. The jaws
`are provided with stop elements 86 which limit opening
`movement of the swinging jaw to the extent shown.
`The fixed jaw 81 is rigidly secured to frame member
`87 of wing section 18. A locking or latching pin 88
`extends through opening 89 in frame member 87 for
`reciprocable movement between the locking position
`shown in solid lines in FIG. 12 and the unlocking posi- IS
`tion depicted in broken lines. In its locking position, the
`pin or member 88 has its tip portion received within an
`aperture 90 formed in swingable clamping jaw 82.
`Movement of the pin between its locking and unlock(cid:173)
`ing positions is controlled by a caroming bar 91 slidably 20
`mounted upon frame member 87. The bar 91 is slidably
`retained on the frame member by inverted U-shaped
`guide elements 92 represented in phantom in FIGS. 11
`and 12. At its upper end, each locking pin 88 is provided
`with a pair of angular channels 93 that receive sloping 25
`rails 94 formed in a recess 95 within caroming bar 91.
`Therefore, as the caroming bar is slid one direction or
`the other, the locking pins 88 are raised and lowered.
`The means for actuating the locking pins includes a
`connecting bar 96 operatively engaging the caroming 30
`bars of the upper and lower hinge assemblies 75, 76.
`Specifically, the upper end portion 97 of the connecting
`bar is received within an angular slot 98 formed in ex(cid:173)
`tension 91a of caroming bar 91, and the lower end por(cid:173)
`tion 99 of the connecting bar 96 is similarly received 35
`within angular slot 100 formed in a similar extension
`l Ol a oflower caroming bar 101. It will be noted in F IG.
`11 that the end portions 97 and 99 are at opposite ends
`of their respective slots 98, 100, so that downward
`movement of the connecting bar in the direction repre- 40
`sented by arrow 102 will cause the upper caroming bar
`91 to slide in the direction of arrow 103, causing locking
`pin 88 to retract into its unlocking position, while simul(cid:173)
`taneously causing the lower caroming bar 101 to shift in
`the opposite direction represented by arrow 104, result- 45
`ing in movement of the locking pins of the lower hinge
`assembly 76 into their locking positions.
`Connecting bar 96 is movably mounted upon frame
`member 105 of header wing section 18 in the manner
`depicted in FIG. 10. Power means, preferably a hydrau- 50
`lie double-acting cylinder 106, is also mounted on frame
`member 105 and is operatively connected to bar 96 for
`shifting the bar between its raised and lowered posi(cid:173)
`tions, thereby moving the locking pins or members 88
`between their locking and unlocking positions. AI- 55
`though the header sections 17 and 18 are shown to be
`separated in FIG. 10 for purposes of illustration, it is to
`be understood that either the upper hinge assembly 75
`or the lower hinge assembly 76 will be coupled at any
`given time, depending on the position of connecting bar 60
`96, and that when the header apparatus is fully assem(cid:173)
`bled, the upper and lower hinge assemblies are never
`both coupled or both uncoupled.
`The swingable clamping jaw 82 of each hinge clamp
`is equipped with a lever 107 which projects upwardly 65
`when the hinge clamp is in open condition (FIGS. 10,
`11). With the clamp in open condition, the actuating
`lever is positioned to engage hinge bar 77 (or 79), caus-
`
`8
`ing the swingable jaw 82 to pivot upwardly into a par(cid:173)
`tially closed position. If at the same time the locking pin
`88 associated with that hinge assembly is shifted into its
`lowered or locking position, the sloping undersurface
`88a of the locking pin engages the edge of opening 90 in
`the swingable jaw 82 and cams that jaw into its fully
`closed position (FIG. 12).
`FIGS. 13-16 are patterned after FIG. 10 and show
`the wing section 18 in different positions of adjustment.
`Although the upper and lower binge assemblies 75, 76
`are shown, the locking and actuating mechanisms de(cid:173)
`scribed above, and shown in F IGS. 10-U, are omitted
`from FIGS. 13-16 to avoid obscuring other structural
`features. FIG. 13 depicts the header assembly with
`wing section 18 in extended position, as it would appear
`during field operation, but with the wing section flexed
`upwardly at an angle of 10• as might occur should the
`wing section ride over slightly elevated terrain. The
`lower hinge assembly 76 is coupled and operational
`with the lower hinge clamp closed and locked in the
`manner already described. Although the hinge clamps
`of the upper binge assembly appear c1osed, they are
`unlocked and will open freely to permit downward
`flexing of the wing section 18 as ground contour
`changes. It is believed that a range of flexing movement
`of 10• either upwardly or downwardly from the hori(cid:173)
`zontal (i.e., a total of 20" movement) permits the header
`to follow most ground contours encou.ntered in grain
`harvesting. The extent of upward pivotal movement of
`each wing section 18 during field operation is limited by
`the slope at the ends of center section 17 (note FIG. 2)
`and by the location of the upper hinge assembly 75
`which, as represented in the drawings, is slightly in(cid:173)
`board of lower hinge assembly 76.
`Referring to FIGS. 10, 13, and 14, a double-acting
`wing-folding cylinder 110 extends between the upper
`frame member 111 of wing section 18 and the rear end
`of a mounting member 112 secured to the rear of center
`section 17 adjacent the sloping end of the latter section
`and at a point intermediate the upper and lower limits of
`the center section. More specifically, the end of the
`cylinder 110 is pivotally connected to member 112 at a
`point normally spaced below and behind. the point of
`pivotal connection between the piston 110a of the hy(cid:173)
`draulic cylinder and wing section 18. Therefore, with
`the header assembly in its normal operating condition
`(i.e., with each wing section 18 in general horizontal
`alignment with the center section 17) contraction of
`each hydraulic cylinder 110 will cause each wing sec(cid:173)
`tion 18 to pivot into the slightly inclined position illus(cid:173)
`trated in FIG. 13. If the upper hinge assembly is then
`locked or coupled, and the lower hinge assembly 76 is
`uncoupled, expansion of hydraulic cylinder 110 will
`cause each wing assembly to pivot upwardly into the
`fully raised position represented in FIG. 14.
`A support arm or bar 120 is pivotally connected at
`one end to frame member 111 of the wing section 18 and
`at its opposite end to a rider 121 retained for movement
`along track 122 secured to carriage 123. As the hydrau(cid:173)
`lic cylinder 110 expands to elevate wing section 18,
`rider 121 travels inwardly along track 122 until striker
`portion 12la of the rider engages the sloping surface
`124 of spring-loaded latch 125 and cams the latch into a
`raised position (FIGS. 18, 19, 20). With continued
`movement of the rider as the wing section approaches
`its fully raised position, spring 126 urges the latch
`downwardly behind striker 12la to latch the rider U l
`against further movement (FIG. 19). The hydraulic
`
`Page 12 of 15
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`10
`tion of FIGS. 10 and 13-15. However, upon retraction
`cylinder 110 is therefore no longer needed to support
`of pin 148, the upper hinge bar 77, along with the entire
`the header wing section 18 in its fully raised position;
`that function is assumed by support arm 120 since its
`wing section 18, is free to pivot downwardly and rear-
`rider 121 is latched against further movement along
`wardly