US3597907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Header elevational control system for crop-harvesting machine
Assignee: J E LOVE Co
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Filing: 1965-02-15
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1985-02-15
Abstract
Abstract An elevational control system for the header of a cropharvesting machine wherein the header is pivotally connected to the machine and a hydraulic cylinder is used to vertically position the header. A floating cutting platform is connected to the header and has a ground-engaging portion which acts to yieldably transfer a portion of the weight of the header to the ground. A pressure-responsive switch in the hydraulic system controls the supply of fluid to the cylinder so that a change in the system pressure caused by the header riding too high or too low results in vertical adjustment of the header so as to restore the predetermined load distribution between the hydraulic system and the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Archie E Neal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:40
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D34/00; A01D34/01; A01D34/02; A01D34/24; A01D34/246; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S56/00; Y10S56/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In a crop-harvesting machine of the character described having a header unit adjustable for elevation relative to the surface over which the machine travels, said header unit including a floating cutting platform mounted to yieldably engage the ground to transfer a predetermined portion of the weight of the header to the ground, means for establishing and for varying said elevational adjustment during travel of the machine comprising; a hydraulic power cylinder mounted on the machine and having an operative connection with said header unit through which its adjustments are made and maintained in accordance with increase and decrease in the pressure medium applied to said cylinder, a pressure medium supply line under valve control leading to said cylinder, and control means including a fluid pressure-sensitive switch operable under control of pressure medium as supplied thereto for controlling the supply of pressure medium to said cylinder responsive to the fluid pressure in said supply line to maintain the desired elevation of the header.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a crop-harvesting machine of the character described having a header unit adjustable for elevation relative to the surface over which the machine travels, said header unit including a floating cutting platform mounted to yieldably engage the ground to transfer a predetermined portion of the weight of the header to the ground, means for establishing and for varying said elevational adjustment during travel of the machine comprising; a hydraulic power cylinder mounted on the machine and having an operative connection with said header unit through which its adjustments are made and maintained in accordance with increase and decrease in the pressure medium applied to said cylinder, a pressure medium supply line under valve control leading to said cylinder, and control means including a fluid pressure-sensitive switch operable under control of pressure medium as supplied thereto for controlling the supply of pressure medium to said cylinder responsive to the fluid pressure in said supply line to maintain the desired elevation of the header.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a crop-harvesting machine of the character described having a header unit adjustable for elevation relative to the surface over whiCh the machine travels, said header unit including a floating cutting platform mounted to yieldably engage the ground to transfer a predetermined portion of the weight of the header to the ground, means for varying elevational adjustment of said header unit comprising; a hydraulic power cylinder mounted on the machine and having operative connection with said unit for its elevational adjustment in accordance with the supply of pressure medium delivered to said cylinder, a pressure medium supply line, a solenoid-operated valve for controlling the supplying of fluid pressure medium from said supply line to said cylinder, and a pressure-sensitive switch operable by the fluid pressure of medium supplied to said cylinder for controlling the supply of pressure medium to said cylinder to maintain the desired elevation of the header.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a crop-harvesting machine of the character described having a header unit adjustable for elevation relative to the surface over whiCh the machine travels, said header unit including a floating cutting platform mounted to yieldably engage the ground to transfer a predetermined portion of the weight of the header to the ground, means for varying elevational adjustment of said header unit comprising; a hydraulic power cylinder mounted on the machine and having operative connection with said unit for its elevational adjustment in accordance with the supply of pressure medium delivered to said cylinder, a pressure medium supply line, a solenoid-operated valve for controlling the supplying of fluid pressure medium from said supply line to said cylinder, and a pressure-sensitive switch operable by the fluid pressure of medium supplied to said cylinder for controlling the supply of pressure medium to said cylinder to maintain the desired elevation of the header.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the pressure medium is supplied to said power cylinder through a pipeline, and wherein a pressure-cushioning cylinder is mounted on said harvesting machine, to which the pressure medium is admitted to actuate a spring-loaded piston whereby shock loads in the pressure line and power cylinder are absorbed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said harvesting machine has a frame structure and said header unit is pivotally supported therefrom and forwardly thereof for vertical elevational adjustment about its pivotal mounting and wherein the hydraulic pressure medium is supplied to said hydraulic cylinder, through a supply line under control of said solenoid-operated valve, and wherein said pressure-sensitive switch is supplied with actuating pressure medium supplied thereto through a pipe connection with the supply line leading from said valve to power cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein solenoids act on said solenoid valve for its opening and closing actions and are selectively energized by operation of circuits established at high and low setting of the pressure-sensitive switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |