Elevator assembly for an agricultural harvester with a distal storage hopper and related methods
US11172615B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 2017 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D45/10
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An elevator assembly for a harvester may include an elevator extending within between proximal and distal ends. The elevator may be configured to carry harvested crops between its proximal and distal ends. The elevator assembly may also include a storage hopper at a location adjacent to the distal end of the elevator. The storage hopper may include a rear deflector and a hopper gate. The hopper gate may be movable between a discharge position, at which the hopper gate exposes a discharge opening of the storage hopper, and a storage position, at which the hopper gate covers the discharge opening to prevent harvested crops from being discharged from the elevator assembly. Additionally, when the hopper gate is moved to the storage position, the hopper gate and the rear deflector may at least partially define a storage volume adjacent to the distal end of the elevator for storing the harvested crop.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.