CA1223445A - Crop gathering head and belt, sprocket and sheave therefor - Google Patents
Crop gathering head and belt, sprocket and sheave thereforInfo
- Publication number
- CA1223445A CA1223445A CA000481876A CA481876A CA1223445A CA 1223445 A CA1223445 A CA 1223445A CA 000481876 A CA000481876 A CA 000481876A CA 481876 A CA481876 A CA 481876A CA 1223445 A CA1223445 A CA 1223445A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- sprocket
- sheave
- cavities
- driving
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
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- 240000008042 Zea mays Species 0.000 abstract description 10
- 235000005824 Zea mays ssp. parviglumis Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 10
- 235000002017 Zea mays subsp mays Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 10
- 235000005822 corn Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000012656 cationic ring opening polymerization Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 8
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 4
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- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 241000338118 Dulus Species 0.000 description 2
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- 101100478173 Drosophila melanogaster spen gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101100513476 Mus musculus Spen gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- YACLQRRMGMJLJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N chloroprene Chemical compound ClC(=C)C=C YACLQRRMGMJLJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010903 husk Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
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- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003283 slot draw process Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Belt Conveyors (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure CROP GATHERING HEAD AND BELT, SPROCKET AND SHEAVE THEREFOR
A crop gathering head 10 including crop gathering belt 11, 12 of reinforced elastomeric material and its associated driving sprocket 30 and idler sheave 50 is described. The belt 11 or 12, sprocket 30 and sheave 50 system may be used to convey crops into a combine. The belt 11 or 12 includes a plurality of cleats 20 of elastomeric material on its top surface 18 and a plurality of equally spaced driving lugs 24 of elastomeric material on its bottom surface 19. The sprocket 30 has first and second sides 31, 32 respectively and comprises a plurality of equally spaced apart radially projecting teeth 33 separated by first and second cavities 34, 34' respectively. The first cavities 34 are open only to the first side 31 of the sprocket 30. The second cavities 34' are open only to the second side 32 of the sprocket 30. The depth D of each cavity exceeds the height H of each driving lug 24 of the belt 11 or 12 and the cavities 34, 34' are shaped such that foreign material, for example, corn kernels, mud and ice do not clog the driving sprockets 30 and belts 11 or 12 and disable the system.
Each belt 11 or 12 is also entrained about an idler sheave 50 that includes a cylindrical hub 51 having a pair of axially spaced radially projecting flanges 52, 53 respectively thereon. The inner side surfaces 54 of the flanges 52, 53 converge in a direction toward the axis of rotation 55 of the sheave 50. Each flange 52 or 53 is interrupted in the circumferential direction of the sheave 50 to provide a self-cleaning effect upon engagement with its associated belt 11 or 12.
A crop gathering head 10 including crop gathering belt 11, 12 of reinforced elastomeric material and its associated driving sprocket 30 and idler sheave 50 is described. The belt 11 or 12, sprocket 30 and sheave 50 system may be used to convey crops into a combine. The belt 11 or 12 includes a plurality of cleats 20 of elastomeric material on its top surface 18 and a plurality of equally spaced driving lugs 24 of elastomeric material on its bottom surface 19. The sprocket 30 has first and second sides 31, 32 respectively and comprises a plurality of equally spaced apart radially projecting teeth 33 separated by first and second cavities 34, 34' respectively. The first cavities 34 are open only to the first side 31 of the sprocket 30. The second cavities 34' are open only to the second side 32 of the sprocket 30. The depth D of each cavity exceeds the height H of each driving lug 24 of the belt 11 or 12 and the cavities 34, 34' are shaped such that foreign material, for example, corn kernels, mud and ice do not clog the driving sprockets 30 and belts 11 or 12 and disable the system.
Each belt 11 or 12 is also entrained about an idler sheave 50 that includes a cylindrical hub 51 having a pair of axially spaced radially projecting flanges 52, 53 respectively thereon. The inner side surfaces 54 of the flanges 52, 53 converge in a direction toward the axis of rotation 55 of the sheave 50. Each flange 52 or 53 is interrupted in the circumferential direction of the sheave 50 to provide a self-cleaning effect upon engagement with its associated belt 11 or 12.
Description
CROP GATHERING ~DEAD AND BELT, SPROCXET, AI~D SHEAVE THE~EFOR
The abstract is not to be taken as li~iting the inventiGn of this applicatisn and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosuxe of this application reference ~ust be made to the accoI~anying drawnng and to the following detailed description.
This invention relates to a crop gathering head and ~.ore particularly to a belt, sprocket and sheave system for use in a crop gathering machine.
There are various configurations of ~achinRs to be used in harvesting of crops such as corn in which the stalk of the crop is drawn into the forward end of the gathering portion of the ha~vester by ~ans of metallic chains including tines or fingers attached thereto. The stalk of the co m enters a narr~ slot which is elongated in the fore and aft direction of the machine, i.e.
parallel to the diretion in ~llich the machine moves. The slot is of sufficient width to accept the stalk but not permit the ears o~ ~ _ corn to fall thr~gh. A m~chanism mounted bel~ the planar faces form m g the slot draws the stalk downwardly through the slot thereby separating the ears from the stalk. After sep æ ation, the ~_r ears are conveyed by means of a pair of opposed ~hains to the rear of the gathering head for fur~her processing; e.g., rem~val of th~
- husk and separation of the corn kernels fron the ear in known ~a~er.
Prior art gathering mec~anisms which em~loy metallic chain and sprockets, although they have been used wi~h considerable success, generate a considerable a~ount of noise and vibration and of course are subject to rusting and loss of tension as they wear at thei~
links. Additionally such metallic chains are likely to damage the remainder of ~he harvesting ma~hine should the chain or a portion of it pass through the ~,ech2nism. Also, use of ~etallic gathering hains at ground speeds of the harvester in excess of about four ,~;
~ -2-(4) miles per hour results in very rapid wear of the chains. To extend their service life, metallic chains require periodic lubrication.
An aspect of the invention is as follows:
A sprocket for accepting a belt having a single line of drive lugs for complementary engagement with a single line of circumferentially aligned oppositely facing alternating cavities comprising a plurality of equally spaced apart, radially projecting teeth separated by first and second cavities, said first cavities being open only to the first side of the sprocket, said second cavities being open only to the second side of the sprocket, each cavity being defined by the fore and aft surfaces of a pair of adjacent teeth and a radially projecting flange portion that extends circumferentially between a pair of adjacent teeth and an arcuate conical bottom surface, sloping toward the axis of rotation in a direction away ~rom said flange portion each cavity having an axial depth substantially greater than one-half of the axial dimension of the sprocket.
The features and advan~ages of the invention will be better understood from consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which primes (e.g. l versus 1' are used to distinguish between various embodiments:
Figure 1 is a top plane view of a crop gathering head embodying the invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of a pre~erred embodiment of a belt according to the invention;
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a drive sprocket according to the invention with the belt of the invention engaged therewith being shown in transverse section;
~B' ' Figure 4 is a slde view of a drive sprocket accord-lng to the invention;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a drive sprocket according to the invention, the section being taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a ~side view of an idler sheave accord-ing to the invention; and Figure 7 is an end view of the sheave of Figure 6 with the belt of the invention engaged therewith being shown in transverse section.
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a crop gather-ing head 10 that includes a pair of synchronously driven belts llA, 12A. Belts 11,12 run parallel to one another in a common plane located above the metal flanges 14 which form the slot 15 of the crop gathering head 10. The direc~ion of travel of belt 11 is counter-clockwise and while the direction of travel of belt 12 is clockwise thus the belts 11 and 12 work in concert to transport ears of corn (not illustrated) from the forward end 16 to the aft end 17 of the crop gathering head 10 after the ears have been snapped off by withdraw-ing the stalk downwardly through the slot 15 between 3~ 9~9~5 flanges 14. Belts 11 and 12 as well as their driving systems are identlcal except for their arrangement on the ~achine; one being the mirror im2ge of the other.
Peferring now to Figure 2 in addition to Figure 1, each belt ll, 12, 11', 12' includes at top surface 18, 18' and a bottom surface 19, 19'. The top surface 18, 18' is the surface of the belt ll, 12, ll', 12' that is directed away from the drive sprocket 30 and idler sheave 50. The bottom surface 19, 19' is that surface of the belt ll, 12, 11', 12' nearest to the dri~e sproeket 30 and sheave 50. The top surfaces 18, 18' of belts 11, 11' and 12, 12' are adjarent to and opposed to one another over the crop ga~hering flanges 14. The top surface 18, 18' of each gathering belt 11, 12, 11', 12' includes a pluxality of identical cleats 20, 20' of elastomeric material. Each cleat 20, 20' projects substantially perpendicularly from the top surface 18, 18' of its respective belt. In a preferred embodiment each cleat 20' when viewed in longitudinal section of the belt 11', 12' (as shown in Figure 2) is of t ~ ar configuration with the base of the triangle being joined to the top surface 18' of the belt. Each cleat 20~ when ~iewed in longitudinal section of the belt ll' or 12' has a lcngitudinal dimension X at its b ce. The cleats 20' are uni~ormly spaced apart ~rom one another by their pitch Y. The tenm pitch as employed herein means the distznce between succeeding lugs or cleats as ~asured from a given po~nt on one cleat to the identical point on the next cleat or lug. In the particularly preferred e~bodi~ent shown each cleat 20' when viewed in longitudinal section of the belt 11', 12' is a hollow triangle one leg 21 of the triangle extends from the base of the cleat 20' from a point opposite the location of z driving lug 24', the other leg 22 of the triangulzr configured cleat 20' extends from a point opposite ~he next driving lug 24A'.
The cleats 20, 20' possess sufficient stiffness so as to positively convey the ears of corn from the forward end 16 to the aft end 17 cf the gathering head 10. The hollow trian~ulzr configuration 20' shown acco~lishes this with a minim3m æ ~unt of
The abstract is not to be taken as li~iting the inventiGn of this applicatisn and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosuxe of this application reference ~ust be made to the accoI~anying drawnng and to the following detailed description.
This invention relates to a crop gathering head and ~.ore particularly to a belt, sprocket and sheave system for use in a crop gathering machine.
There are various configurations of ~achinRs to be used in harvesting of crops such as corn in which the stalk of the crop is drawn into the forward end of the gathering portion of the ha~vester by ~ans of metallic chains including tines or fingers attached thereto. The stalk of the co m enters a narr~ slot which is elongated in the fore and aft direction of the machine, i.e.
parallel to the diretion in ~llich the machine moves. The slot is of sufficient width to accept the stalk but not permit the ears o~ ~ _ corn to fall thr~gh. A m~chanism mounted bel~ the planar faces form m g the slot draws the stalk downwardly through the slot thereby separating the ears from the stalk. After sep æ ation, the ~_r ears are conveyed by means of a pair of opposed ~hains to the rear of the gathering head for fur~her processing; e.g., rem~val of th~
- husk and separation of the corn kernels fron the ear in known ~a~er.
Prior art gathering mec~anisms which em~loy metallic chain and sprockets, although they have been used wi~h considerable success, generate a considerable a~ount of noise and vibration and of course are subject to rusting and loss of tension as they wear at thei~
links. Additionally such metallic chains are likely to damage the remainder of ~he harvesting ma~hine should the chain or a portion of it pass through the ~,ech2nism. Also, use of ~etallic gathering hains at ground speeds of the harvester in excess of about four ,~;
~ -2-(4) miles per hour results in very rapid wear of the chains. To extend their service life, metallic chains require periodic lubrication.
An aspect of the invention is as follows:
A sprocket for accepting a belt having a single line of drive lugs for complementary engagement with a single line of circumferentially aligned oppositely facing alternating cavities comprising a plurality of equally spaced apart, radially projecting teeth separated by first and second cavities, said first cavities being open only to the first side of the sprocket, said second cavities being open only to the second side of the sprocket, each cavity being defined by the fore and aft surfaces of a pair of adjacent teeth and a radially projecting flange portion that extends circumferentially between a pair of adjacent teeth and an arcuate conical bottom surface, sloping toward the axis of rotation in a direction away ~rom said flange portion each cavity having an axial depth substantially greater than one-half of the axial dimension of the sprocket.
The features and advan~ages of the invention will be better understood from consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which primes (e.g. l versus 1' are used to distinguish between various embodiments:
Figure 1 is a top plane view of a crop gathering head embodying the invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of a pre~erred embodiment of a belt according to the invention;
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a drive sprocket according to the invention with the belt of the invention engaged therewith being shown in transverse section;
~B' ' Figure 4 is a slde view of a drive sprocket accord-lng to the invention;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a drive sprocket according to the invention, the section being taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a ~side view of an idler sheave accord-ing to the invention; and Figure 7 is an end view of the sheave of Figure 6 with the belt of the invention engaged therewith being shown in transverse section.
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a crop gather-ing head 10 that includes a pair of synchronously driven belts llA, 12A. Belts 11,12 run parallel to one another in a common plane located above the metal flanges 14 which form the slot 15 of the crop gathering head 10. The direc~ion of travel of belt 11 is counter-clockwise and while the direction of travel of belt 12 is clockwise thus the belts 11 and 12 work in concert to transport ears of corn (not illustrated) from the forward end 16 to the aft end 17 of the crop gathering head 10 after the ears have been snapped off by withdraw-ing the stalk downwardly through the slot 15 between 3~ 9~9~5 flanges 14. Belts 11 and 12 as well as their driving systems are identlcal except for their arrangement on the ~achine; one being the mirror im2ge of the other.
Peferring now to Figure 2 in addition to Figure 1, each belt ll, 12, 11', 12' includes at top surface 18, 18' and a bottom surface 19, 19'. The top surface 18, 18' is the surface of the belt ll, 12, ll', 12' that is directed away from the drive sprocket 30 and idler sheave 50. The bottom surface 19, 19' is that surface of the belt ll, 12, 11', 12' nearest to the dri~e sproeket 30 and sheave 50. The top surfaces 18, 18' of belts 11, 11' and 12, 12' are adjarent to and opposed to one another over the crop ga~hering flanges 14. The top surface 18, 18' of each gathering belt 11, 12, 11', 12' includes a pluxality of identical cleats 20, 20' of elastomeric material. Each cleat 20, 20' projects substantially perpendicularly from the top surface 18, 18' of its respective belt. In a preferred embodiment each cleat 20' when viewed in longitudinal section of the belt 11', 12' (as shown in Figure 2) is of t ~ ar configuration with the base of the triangle being joined to the top surface 18' of the belt. Each cleat 20~ when ~iewed in longitudinal section of the belt ll' or 12' has a lcngitudinal dimension X at its b ce. The cleats 20' are uni~ormly spaced apart ~rom one another by their pitch Y. The tenm pitch as employed herein means the distznce between succeeding lugs or cleats as ~asured from a given po~nt on one cleat to the identical point on the next cleat or lug. In the particularly preferred e~bodi~ent shown each cleat 20' when viewed in longitudinal section of the belt 11', 12' is a hollow triangle one leg 21 of the triangle extends from the base of the cleat 20' from a point opposite the location of z driving lug 24', the other leg 22 of the triangulzr configured cleat 20' extends from a point opposite ~he next driving lug 24A'.
The cleats 20, 20' possess sufficient stiffness so as to positively convey the ears of corn from the forward end 16 to the aft end 17 cf the gathering head 10. The hollow trian~ulzr configuration 20' shown acco~lishes this with a minim3m æ ~unt of
2~5 elasto~eric material. It is understood that other cleat configurations will work, however. Due to the inherent resilience and flexibility of the elascomeric material of which the cleats are formed, should the harvesting machine become ja~med the cleats 20, 20' will then deflect without being damaged or cauLsing daLmage to other p~rts of the crop gathering head 10.
A plurality of driving lugs 241 24' of elastomeric ~aterial project from the bottom surface 19, 19' of the belt 11, 12, 11', 12'. Each driving lug 24, 24' projects generally perpendicularly relative to the bottcm surface 19, 19' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12'. Each driving lug 24 ~nen viewed in a longitudinal section of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' is of trapezoidal configuration with f the base of the trapezoîd joined to the bottom surface 19, 19' of tne belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' Each lug 24, 24' has a lG~gitudin21 din~sion at its base of A. Succeeding lugs 24, 24' are spaced a?art from one another i-n the longitudinal direction of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' by lug pitch ~.
.Referring now to Figure 3 it is seen that each of the driving - lugs 24' when viewed in a transverse section of the belt 11' or 12' is of trapezoidal configuration with.the base of the trapezoid joined to the bottom surface 19' of the belt. m e base of each cleat 24' h2s a trans~erse ~ ncion T which is less than the transverse dicEnsion S of the belt 11' or 12'. The sides 25' of . each drivè lug 24' converge in a direction away from the bottom surface 19' of the belt 11' or 12'.
Each belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' is of reinforced elastomeric r~te-ial 2nd includes a fleYible reinforced structure 22, 22' n~ a top s~rface 18, 18' and a botto~ surface 19, 19' located inter e~iate the crop gathering cleats 20, 20' and the driving lugs 24, 24'. The structure 22, 22' has one or more longitudinally exter.di~g ~i ~h elastic ~dulus cords 23 e~edded therein; the longitufL~ally e~.enoing center plane of the cords defining the pitch l~r.e of the belt. A layer 27 of light~æight woven or knitted f2bric ~ay be positioned adjacent the top surface 18, 18' and 9a'3 bottom surface 19, 19' of the belt structure 22, ~2' to provide increased durability of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12'.
Referring now to Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 therein is shown a dri~e sprocket 30 according to the invention, both individually and in conjunction with the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' of the invention and the gathering head 10 of the invention. Each driving sprocket 3G has a first side 31 and a seeond side 32 as shown in Figure 5 and includes a plurality of equally spaced apart radially projecting teeth 33 (best seen in Figures 1 and 4 for engagement with the drivIng lugs 24, 24' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12').
Each sprocket tooth 33 is separated from the next adjacent sprocket tooth 33 by a cavity 34 that is open only to one side of the (~ sprocket 30. ~eferring now to Figure 4 it is sPen ~hat the numbers 60 and 61 have be~een them a cavity 34 that is open only to the first side of the sprocket ~ereas the nu~bers 62 and 63 have between them a cavity 34 that is open only to the second side 32 of the sprocket. The sprocket 30 inclll~Ps a plurality of flange portions 35 located on alternating sides of the sprocket. Each flange por~ion 35 is of the same radial projection as that of the pair of adjacent tee~h between ~hich that flange portion extends.
Each flange portion 35 projects generally radially ~utwardly perpendicularly to the axis of rotation 36 of the sprocket 30.
Tbus the ccmbination of the alternating flange portions 35 and , driving teeth 33 wQth the lugs of 24, 24' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' positively transmit power to the belt and keep the belt from nrnnLng in a direction parallel to the sprocke~ axis 36 and out of engageFent with the driving teeth 33. In a preferred e~bod~ment .
the teeth 33 of the driving sprocket 30 are of a radial dilension D
that is considerably greater than the 2mount H which a driving lug 24, 24' projects perpendicularly from the bottom surface 19, 19' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12'. This considerable clearance between the tips 28 of the driving lugs 24, 24' and the bottoms 37 of the cavities 34 is provided to inhibit disengagement of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' through entrainment and entrapment of the crop or debris such as ~d, ice and rocks ~ich cay be encountered ~nder
A plurality of driving lugs 241 24' of elastomeric ~aterial project from the bottom surface 19, 19' of the belt 11, 12, 11', 12'. Each driving lug 24, 24' projects generally perpendicularly relative to the bottcm surface 19, 19' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12'. Each driving lug 24 ~nen viewed in a longitudinal section of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' is of trapezoidal configuration with f the base of the trapezoîd joined to the bottom surface 19, 19' of tne belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' Each lug 24, 24' has a lG~gitudin21 din~sion at its base of A. Succeeding lugs 24, 24' are spaced a?art from one another i-n the longitudinal direction of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' by lug pitch ~.
.Referring now to Figure 3 it is seen that each of the driving - lugs 24' when viewed in a transverse section of the belt 11' or 12' is of trapezoidal configuration with.the base of the trapezoid joined to the bottom surface 19' of the belt. m e base of each cleat 24' h2s a trans~erse ~ ncion T which is less than the transverse dicEnsion S of the belt 11' or 12'. The sides 25' of . each drivè lug 24' converge in a direction away from the bottom surface 19' of the belt 11' or 12'.
Each belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' is of reinforced elastomeric r~te-ial 2nd includes a fleYible reinforced structure 22, 22' n~ a top s~rface 18, 18' and a botto~ surface 19, 19' located inter e~iate the crop gathering cleats 20, 20' and the driving lugs 24, 24'. The structure 22, 22' has one or more longitudinally exter.di~g ~i ~h elastic ~dulus cords 23 e~edded therein; the longitufL~ally e~.enoing center plane of the cords defining the pitch l~r.e of the belt. A layer 27 of light~æight woven or knitted f2bric ~ay be positioned adjacent the top surface 18, 18' and 9a'3 bottom surface 19, 19' of the belt structure 22, ~2' to provide increased durability of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12'.
Referring now to Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 therein is shown a dri~e sprocket 30 according to the invention, both individually and in conjunction with the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' of the invention and the gathering head 10 of the invention. Each driving sprocket 3G has a first side 31 and a seeond side 32 as shown in Figure 5 and includes a plurality of equally spaced apart radially projecting teeth 33 (best seen in Figures 1 and 4 for engagement with the drivIng lugs 24, 24' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12').
Each sprocket tooth 33 is separated from the next adjacent sprocket tooth 33 by a cavity 34 that is open only to one side of the (~ sprocket 30. ~eferring now to Figure 4 it is sPen ~hat the numbers 60 and 61 have be~een them a cavity 34 that is open only to the first side of the sprocket ~ereas the nu~bers 62 and 63 have between them a cavity 34 that is open only to the second side 32 of the sprocket. The sprocket 30 inclll~Ps a plurality of flange portions 35 located on alternating sides of the sprocket. Each flange por~ion 35 is of the same radial projection as that of the pair of adjacent tee~h between ~hich that flange portion extends.
Each flange portion 35 projects generally radially ~utwardly perpendicularly to the axis of rotation 36 of the sprocket 30.
Tbus the ccmbination of the alternating flange portions 35 and , driving teeth 33 wQth the lugs of 24, 24' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' positively transmit power to the belt and keep the belt from nrnnLng in a direction parallel to the sprocke~ axis 36 and out of engageFent with the driving teeth 33. In a preferred e~bod~ment .
the teeth 33 of the driving sprocket 30 are of a radial dilension D
that is considerably greater than the 2mount H which a driving lug 24, 24' projects perpendicularly from the bottom surface 19, 19' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12'. This considerable clearance between the tips 28 of the driving lugs 24, 24' and the bottoms 37 of the cavities 34 is provided to inhibit disengagement of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' through entrainment and entrapment of the crop or debris such as ~d, ice and rocks ~ich cay be encountered ~nder
3 49~5 --6~
certain h2rvesting conditions, for ex2~ple, when the crop has fallen over and is not standing upright at the time of harvest.
Because each cavity 34 is open to a side of the drive sprocket 30 an~ m2terial which would othe~ise be entrained in the bottom 37 of the cavity 34 is free to exit to the side. Preferably the bottom surface 37 of each sprocket cavity 34 slopes toward the axis of rotation 36 of the sprocket 33 in a direction away from the respective flange portio~ 35 to facilitate self-cleaning of the sprocket. It is preferable that the radially projecting flange portion 35 be connected to the cavity bot~om suIface 37 by an arcuate surface 38 to facilitate self cleaning. The fore and aft surface~ 39, 40 respectively of the cavity 34 should join to the ~- bottom surface 37 of the cavity via arcuate surfaces or the bottom su face 37 of the cavity 34 should itself be an arcuate surface as shown. ~n the accocpanying drawnng the bottom surfaces 37 are sh~n to be conical. I~en these curved surfaces are combined as described and shown in Figures 4 and 5 the engagement of the driving lugs 24, 24' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' with its associated sp ocket 30 serves to push dow~ardly and ou~wardly any debr~s that ~ay otherwise become entrapped in the drive sprocket 30.
Refer~g nuw to Figures 6 &nd 7 as well as Figure 1 there is shown a sheave 50 or idler pulley aCcor~ing to the invention. m e ~^; sheave in~ludes a cylindrical hub 51. A pair of axially spaced flanges 52, 53 project ra~ ly from the hub 51. The inner side surfaces 54 of the flanges 52, 53 converge in a direction toward the axis of rotAtion 55 of the sheave 50 forming a circ~r~ferenti211y e~ end;r~ groove 58 between them. Each of the flz~.ces 52, 53 is interrupted in the circu~ferential direction of the sh~ve 50. The interrupticns of one of the flanges 52 are not aligr.Pd ~ th the ~nte~ruptions of the other 53. As shown in Figure 7 th~ height H of each drive lug 24' corresponds to the radial projecticn of the flanges 52 and 53. Thus in the belt and sheave co~birætlon as the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' engages the sheave 30 the tips 28 of the drive lugs 24' contact the outer cylindrical 9~5 7-- .
surface 56 of the hub 51 and the edge portions 29 of the belt structure 22 contact the radially outermost suxfaces 57 of the flanges 52, 53. Th~ flanges 52, 53 of the sheave 50 are axially spaced apart so that the drive lugs 24' do not wedge between the ~langes 52, 53 as in a conventional V-belt and pulley system.
The flanges 52, 53 serve to guide ~he belt. The flanges 52, 53 are not intended to transmit power frGm the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' to the sheave 50. Because the flanges 52, 53 ~re interr ~ ted in the circumferential direction of the sheave 50 foreign material that might otherwise become entrapped in the bottom of the circumferential groove 58 of the sheave 50 is able to exit to the sides 59, 64 of the sheave 50. In a preferred e~odiment the circumferential distance between the interruptions of each flznge 52, 53 of the sheave 50 is not an integral ~lltiple of the driving lug pitch B so as to ensure that all portions of the sheave 50 eventually contact the longitudinal sides 25 of the driv ~ lugs 24 ~nd thereby even out wear of the belts 11 or 12 and associated sheave 50. The interruptions of one flange 52 are not aligned ~
the interruptions of the other flange 53 so as ~o assure g~iding . 20 and control of the belt 11 or 12 at all times. The interruption of the fla~ges need not be of the sa~e circumferential extent sh~wn to be effective. The particular e~bod~ment shown facilitates lding of the sheave.
: The main reinforcing cords 23 of the belt 11 or 12 are of high tensile dulus material. Fiberglass or ar~n;d are p~ef~rred for cords 23 although it is-believed that nylon? polyester or the like may also be employed. High tensile loading of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' can occur at those times ~hen an e æ of corn or a staIk becomcs lodged in the machine.
The driving lugs 24, 24' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' of the preferred e~odiment described and sh~n hereIn are of truncated pyramidal configuration and are not involute or conjugate. The sprocket 50 as shcwn is of a design that facilitates entry and exit of the driving lugs 24, 24' of the belt 11, 12, ll' or 12' by 3~ provid m g clearance for the co m ers 43 and tip 28 of each driving l~ ltS
lug 24, 24'. Belts have been ~ade utilizing elastc~er ~aterial that is a blend of natural r~bber and synthetic isoprene blended.
Hswever it is believed that other elastom~ric or resilient materials for exar,ple, chloroprene or polyurethane or the like would serve equally well.
Referring to Figure 1 it is seen that the leading edge 42 of each cleat 24 o the belt 11 or 12 is preferably tapered. The tapered leading edges 42 of each pair of opposed cleats thus tend to force the dislodged ears of corn toward the fore and aft directed centerline of the gathering head 10 and facilitate withdrawal of each cleat 20 from the ear~s) of corn that it is conveying as the cleat begins to rotate around its associated drive ` sprocket 30 at the aft end 17 of the gathering head 10. Ihe triangular configuration of the cleats 20' of belt 11 or 12' provide tapered leading edges to sicilarly facilitate withdrawal of e2ch cleat 20' from the ears of corn.
The sprockets 30 and sheaves 50 are preferably made of ultra hign molecular weight polye-,hylene. This material possesses sufficient st-&ng-.h and rigidity for this ~pplication. Use of this ~terial is aavcntageous because it is not subject to rusting or corrosicn ard its low coe!f cient of friction aids in the desired self-cle2n~ng action. Of course, plastics including reinforced plas~ics or metals may be used in construction of the sprockets and sheaves. I-~hen ultra high ~olecular weight polyethylene is used, each sprocket or sheave preferably includes a metal insert 39 or 59 co~centrically positicned in its hub.
The cleats 20 are shown ;~ Figure 1 .o be aligned with one ~-.o,he- is is not required. The cleats 20 ~ay be staggered relative to cne another.
It is to be u~derstood that the relative positions of the c~ g sprockets and idler sheaves could be reversed such that the driving sproc'~ets would be located at the for~^~ard end 16 of the ~ac,~ne .h2t first engages the crop.
'~nile certain representative e~bodi~ent and its details hav~
been described for the purpose of illustrating ,he ~nvention it ill be apparent to those skilled in the art that various ch2nges and difica~ions m2y be ~ade therein without departing fron the spirit or scope of the in~ention.
~,......
certain h2rvesting conditions, for ex2~ple, when the crop has fallen over and is not standing upright at the time of harvest.
Because each cavity 34 is open to a side of the drive sprocket 30 an~ m2terial which would othe~ise be entrained in the bottom 37 of the cavity 34 is free to exit to the side. Preferably the bottom surface 37 of each sprocket cavity 34 slopes toward the axis of rotation 36 of the sprocket 33 in a direction away from the respective flange portio~ 35 to facilitate self-cleaning of the sprocket. It is preferable that the radially projecting flange portion 35 be connected to the cavity bot~om suIface 37 by an arcuate surface 38 to facilitate self cleaning. The fore and aft surface~ 39, 40 respectively of the cavity 34 should join to the ~- bottom surface 37 of the cavity via arcuate surfaces or the bottom su face 37 of the cavity 34 should itself be an arcuate surface as shown. ~n the accocpanying drawnng the bottom surfaces 37 are sh~n to be conical. I~en these curved surfaces are combined as described and shown in Figures 4 and 5 the engagement of the driving lugs 24, 24' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' with its associated sp ocket 30 serves to push dow~ardly and ou~wardly any debr~s that ~ay otherwise become entrapped in the drive sprocket 30.
Refer~g nuw to Figures 6 &nd 7 as well as Figure 1 there is shown a sheave 50 or idler pulley aCcor~ing to the invention. m e ~^; sheave in~ludes a cylindrical hub 51. A pair of axially spaced flanges 52, 53 project ra~ ly from the hub 51. The inner side surfaces 54 of the flanges 52, 53 converge in a direction toward the axis of rotAtion 55 of the sheave 50 forming a circ~r~ferenti211y e~ end;r~ groove 58 between them. Each of the flz~.ces 52, 53 is interrupted in the circu~ferential direction of the sh~ve 50. The interrupticns of one of the flanges 52 are not aligr.Pd ~ th the ~nte~ruptions of the other 53. As shown in Figure 7 th~ height H of each drive lug 24' corresponds to the radial projecticn of the flanges 52 and 53. Thus in the belt and sheave co~birætlon as the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' engages the sheave 30 the tips 28 of the drive lugs 24' contact the outer cylindrical 9~5 7-- .
surface 56 of the hub 51 and the edge portions 29 of the belt structure 22 contact the radially outermost suxfaces 57 of the flanges 52, 53. Th~ flanges 52, 53 of the sheave 50 are axially spaced apart so that the drive lugs 24' do not wedge between the ~langes 52, 53 as in a conventional V-belt and pulley system.
The flanges 52, 53 serve to guide ~he belt. The flanges 52, 53 are not intended to transmit power frGm the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' to the sheave 50. Because the flanges 52, 53 ~re interr ~ ted in the circumferential direction of the sheave 50 foreign material that might otherwise become entrapped in the bottom of the circumferential groove 58 of the sheave 50 is able to exit to the sides 59, 64 of the sheave 50. In a preferred e~odiment the circumferential distance between the interruptions of each flznge 52, 53 of the sheave 50 is not an integral ~lltiple of the driving lug pitch B so as to ensure that all portions of the sheave 50 eventually contact the longitudinal sides 25 of the driv ~ lugs 24 ~nd thereby even out wear of the belts 11 or 12 and associated sheave 50. The interruptions of one flange 52 are not aligned ~
the interruptions of the other flange 53 so as ~o assure g~iding . 20 and control of the belt 11 or 12 at all times. The interruption of the fla~ges need not be of the sa~e circumferential extent sh~wn to be effective. The particular e~bod~ment shown facilitates lding of the sheave.
: The main reinforcing cords 23 of the belt 11 or 12 are of high tensile dulus material. Fiberglass or ar~n;d are p~ef~rred for cords 23 although it is-believed that nylon? polyester or the like may also be employed. High tensile loading of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' can occur at those times ~hen an e æ of corn or a staIk becomcs lodged in the machine.
The driving lugs 24, 24' of the belt 11, 12, 11' or 12' of the preferred e~odiment described and sh~n hereIn are of truncated pyramidal configuration and are not involute or conjugate. The sprocket 50 as shcwn is of a design that facilitates entry and exit of the driving lugs 24, 24' of the belt 11, 12, ll' or 12' by 3~ provid m g clearance for the co m ers 43 and tip 28 of each driving l~ ltS
lug 24, 24'. Belts have been ~ade utilizing elastc~er ~aterial that is a blend of natural r~bber and synthetic isoprene blended.
Hswever it is believed that other elastom~ric or resilient materials for exar,ple, chloroprene or polyurethane or the like would serve equally well.
Referring to Figure 1 it is seen that the leading edge 42 of each cleat 24 o the belt 11 or 12 is preferably tapered. The tapered leading edges 42 of each pair of opposed cleats thus tend to force the dislodged ears of corn toward the fore and aft directed centerline of the gathering head 10 and facilitate withdrawal of each cleat 20 from the ear~s) of corn that it is conveying as the cleat begins to rotate around its associated drive ` sprocket 30 at the aft end 17 of the gathering head 10. Ihe triangular configuration of the cleats 20' of belt 11 or 12' provide tapered leading edges to sicilarly facilitate withdrawal of e2ch cleat 20' from the ears of corn.
The sprockets 30 and sheaves 50 are preferably made of ultra hign molecular weight polye-,hylene. This material possesses sufficient st-&ng-.h and rigidity for this ~pplication. Use of this ~terial is aavcntageous because it is not subject to rusting or corrosicn ard its low coe!f cient of friction aids in the desired self-cle2n~ng action. Of course, plastics including reinforced plas~ics or metals may be used in construction of the sprockets and sheaves. I-~hen ultra high ~olecular weight polyethylene is used, each sprocket or sheave preferably includes a metal insert 39 or 59 co~centrically positicned in its hub.
The cleats 20 are shown ;~ Figure 1 .o be aligned with one ~-.o,he- is is not required. The cleats 20 ~ay be staggered relative to cne another.
It is to be u~derstood that the relative positions of the c~ g sprockets and idler sheaves could be reversed such that the driving sproc'~ets would be located at the for~^~ard end 16 of the ~ac,~ne .h2t first engages the crop.
'~nile certain representative e~bodi~ent and its details hav~
been described for the purpose of illustrating ,he ~nvention it ill be apparent to those skilled in the art that various ch2nges and difica~ions m2y be ~ade therein without departing fron the spirit or scope of the in~ention.
~,......
Claims
1. A sprocket for accepting a belt having a single line of drive lugs for complementary engagement with a single line of circumferentially aligned oppositely facing alternating cavities comprising a plurality of equally spaced apart, radially projecting teeth separated by first and second cavities, said first cavities being open only to the first side of the sprocket, said second cavities being open only to the second side of the sprocket, each cavity being defined by the fore and aft surfaces of a pair of adjacent teeth and a radially projecting flange portion that extends circumferentially between a pair of adjacent teeth and an arcuate conical bottom surface, sloping toward the axis of rotation in a direction away from said flange portion each cavity having an axial depth substantially greater than one-half of the axial dimension of the sprocket.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000481876A CA1223445A (en) | 1982-05-26 | 1985-05-17 | Crop gathering head and belt, sprocket and sheave therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US38226882A | 1982-05-26 | 1982-05-26 | |
| US382,268 | 1982-05-26 | ||
| CA000428531A CA1197693A (en) | 1982-05-26 | 1983-05-19 | Crop gathering head and belt, sprocket and sheave therefor |
| CA000481876A CA1223445A (en) | 1982-05-26 | 1985-05-17 | Crop gathering head and belt, sprocket and sheave therefor |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000441172A Division CA1197893A (en) | 1983-03-31 | 1983-11-15 | Heating device for cooking vessels |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1223445A true CA1223445A (en) | 1987-06-30 |
Family
ID=25670042
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000481875A Expired CA1225835A (en) | 1982-05-26 | 1985-05-17 | Crop gathering head and belt, sprocket and sheave therefor |
| CA000481876A Expired CA1223445A (en) | 1982-05-26 | 1985-05-17 | Crop gathering head and belt, sprocket and sheave therefor |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000481875A Expired CA1225835A (en) | 1982-05-26 | 1985-05-17 | Crop gathering head and belt, sprocket and sheave therefor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (2) | CA1225835A (en) |
-
1985
- 1985-05-17 CA CA000481875A patent/CA1225835A/en not_active Expired
- 1985-05-17 CA CA000481876A patent/CA1223445A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA1225835A (en) | 1987-08-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20040630 |