Crop harvesting header with CAM controlled movement of the REEL fingers

Abstract

<DP=1>²A crop harvesting header includes a reel for controlling movement of ²the crop in the area over the cutter bar to the transport draper carried on ²two reel ²mounting arms for upward and downward movement and for moving the reel ²forwardly and rearwardly along the respective reel mounting arm. The reel has ²a ²plurality of reel bats with reel fingers projecting generally radially ²outwardly from the ²reel axis where the reel bats are pivotal to vary the angle of the finger ²driven by a ²cam track member. An adjustment component defined by a follower in a guide ²track ²along one of the arms is responsive to movement of the reel along the arm ²which ²causes the cam track member to be angularly advanced and retarded about the ²reel ²axis to different adjustment angles in dependence upon the position of the ²reel along ²the mounting arms.²

Description

<DP=1>²1²CROP HARVESTING HEADER WITH CAM CONTROLLED MOVEMENT OF THE ²REEL FINGERS²This invention relates to a crop harvesting header including a cutter bar²and a reel for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter ²bar. The²reel is rotatable about an axis generally parallel to the cutter bar and has a ²plurality²of reel bats each having reel fingers projecting generally radially outwardly ²from the ²reel axis. The reel bats are pivotal each about a respective bat axis parallel ²to the ²reel axis so as to vary the angle of the fingers about the bat axis as the ²reel rotates. ²The reel co-operates with a cam track member carried on the header in ²generally²stationary position relative to the rotation of the reel so that each bat has ²a crank²arm with a cam track follower on the crank arm which follows the cam track as ²the ²reel rotates and causes the required pivotal movement of the bat.²One example of a header of this type including reel as defined is ²shown in US Patent 6,591,598 (Remillard) assigned to the present applicants ²and² issued July 15 2003.²SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ²it is an object of the present invention to provide a header of this ²general type where the movement of the bat fingers is improved.²According to the invention there is provided a crop harvesting header² comprising:²a header frame structure arranged for movement in a direction of²working movement across ground carrying a crop to be harvested;²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=2>²2²a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of the header frame²structure for cutting the crop;²a cut crop transport arrangement mounted on the header frame²structure for receiving and transporting the cut crop for further processing;² a reel for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter²bar;²the header frame structure comprising at least two reel mounting arms²for movement therewith in the direction of movement;²the mounting arms being mounted on the header frame structure for²upward and downward movement relative to the cutter bar;²each mounting arm having a reel mounting assembly supporting the²reel on the mounting arm for rotation about a reel axis generally parallel to ²the cutter²bar;²each reel mounting assembly including a component for moving the²reel forwardly and rearwardly along the respective reel mounting arm;²the reel having a plurality of reel bats at spaced positions around the ²reel axis each reel bat having reel fingers projecting generally radially ²outwardly from ²the reel axis, the reel bats all lying on a common bat circle around the reel ²axis so ²that rotation of the reel causes the reel bats to follow a path of movement ²lying on²the bat circle;²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=3>²3²each of the reel bats being pivotal about its respective bat axis parallel²to the reel axis so as to vary the angle of the fingers about the bat axis as ²the reel ²rotates;²at least one of the reel mounting assemblies including a control ² component arranged such that, as the reel rotates, the control component ²cooperates with the respective bat to cause pivotal movement of the respective ²bat ²about the bat axis;²and an adjustment component comprising a linkage interconnecting at ²least one of the mounting arms and at least one of the reel mounting ²assemblies, the²linkage including a guide plate fixed to the mounting arm having an elongated ²guide²track formed therein and a guide track follower fixedly mounted to the control ²²component and slidably received in the guide track wherein the control ²component ²rotates about the reel axis in response to longitudinal sliding movement of ²the guide ²track follower along the guide track.² Preferably the control component comprises a cam track member²surrounding the reel axis and lying in a radial plane of the reel axis wherein ²each bat²has associated therewith a cam follower which follows the cam track member. ²Preferably the cam track member is held during rotation of the reel ²against rotation with the reel relative to the reel axis.² Preferably the adjustment component comprises a linkage²interconnecting the respective mounting arm and the mounting assembly on that ²arm which automatically causes the movement of the cam track.²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=4>²4²Preferably the linkage includes a link member connected directly or ²indirectly to the cam track member and a component which moves the link member ²²to different distances from said respective one of the mounting arms.² In a particularly preferred arrangement the linkage comprises a guide²track extending along the arm and a guide track follower attached to said at ²least ²one mounting assembly where the guide track provides a shape which moves the ²guide track follower to different positions relative to the arm at different ²locations ²along the arm.² That is, as the reel is slid ahead on the reel arms by the fore-aft²cylinders, a finger pitch pin on the cam track member runs in the guide track ²that ²automatically adjust the finger angle based on the reel fore aft position.²Typically if the crop is very flat on the ground it is desirable to push the ²reel ahead and increase the finger angle. For fields that contain both ²standing and²lodged crop it is too much work for the operator get out and change the angle ²of the²fingers for areas on the field. The arrangement herein thus provides an ²automatic ²adjustment which is responsive to the position of the reel along the mounting ²arms. ²When the reel is moved ahead the reel rotates the angle. In particular, ²the "release point" of the fingers stays in the same correct position, which ²is located ²just behind the cutter bar, even though the reel itself is moved forwardly. ²This ²requires the an advancement of the angular position of the angular adjustment ²component in the forward or counter-clockwise direction effectively to match ²the²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=5>²5²forward movement of the reel itself. It is believed from testing that this ²position of the²release point is the ideal spot to set the finger angle in most cutting ²conditions.²In the rare condition where the reel is pulled all the way back such as²in straight cut canola, the cam adjusts the finger angle differently for that ²task using² a rear part of the guide track.²In addition to the adjustment caused by the guide track, the cam track ²member can also be adjustable by a further adjustment component, which causes ²the cam track member to be rotated about the reel axis to different adjustment ²²angles, which is independent of said adjustment component and preferably ²actuated²manually rather than as a response to movement of the reel such as by an ²operator²in response to changes of crop.²In the preferred arrangement, the guide track is arranged to move the ²guide track follower to a positon spaced further from the mounting arm as the ²mounting assembly moves forward. This is combined with the location of the ²guide²track follower on the cam track member behind the reel axis so as to rotate ²the cam²track member to angularly advance the cam track member in the direction of ²rotation ²of the reel as the mounting assembly moves forward along the mounting arm. ²Preferably the guide track is arranged to rotate the cam track member ²to angularly advance the cam track member the direction of rotation of the ²reel as² the mounting assembly moves forward along the mounting arm.²Preferably the reel fingers move around the reel axis to define an²extraction point of the finger movement at which the fingers effectively move ²along²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=6>²6²their length to extract from the crop and the cam track member is rotated so ²as to²angularly advance the extraction point as the mounting assembly moves forward. ²²This can be used to keep the extraction point just behind the cutter bar as is ²²preferred in the cutting operation.² Preferably the adjustment component is arranged such that, at a²middle position along the arms the cam track member is most retracted and at ²forward and rearward ends of the arms the cam track member is most advanced. ²This can be used for a first crop in a range from the middle position to the ²forward ²end and used for a second crop in the range from the middle position to the²rearward end. In order to provide this, preferably the guide track has an ²arcuate²shape which provides the middle and advanced positions.²BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ²One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction²with the accompanying drawings in which:² Figure 1 is a schematic view of a header according to the present²invention looking along the header toward one end and showing the reel, reel ²support arms, tine tubes, table, header frame, frame end sheet, cam and ²control ²linkages, with the end mounting disks of the reel omitted for convenience of ²illustration.² Figure 2 is an end elevation of the reel of Figure 1 looking from the²opposite direction and showing only the components of the reel and reel ²support ²arms, with only one of the tine tubes and associated components shown for²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=7>²7²convenience of illustration.²Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along the lines A-A of Figure 2. ²Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the reel similar to that of Figure 3 ²showing the inter-relation between the reel and the frame end sheet.² Figure 5 is an exploded view of the components of Figure 1.²Figures 6 and 7 show different positions of the adjustment cam at²different positions along the arms as controlled by a follower in a guide ²track²longitudinal of the arm.²In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding² parts in the different figures.²DETAILED DESCRIPTION ²In Figure 1 is shown an embodiment of a header according to the ²present invention with a number of the elements being shown schematically. The ²²header 10 includes a header frame 11 having a main frame tube 12 extending²across the width of the header between two end frames one of which is shown at ²13²and the other of which is of course at the other end and therefore not visible ²in the ²elevation of Figure 1. The main tube 12 is suitably supported and attached on ²a ²propulsion vehicle in a manner so that the header frame can be moved forwardly ²²across the ground in cutting a standing crop. The end frame 13 extends ²forwardly²from the main tube 12 to a forward nose section 14. The main tube 12 carries a ²²plurality of frame bars which extend downwardly and forwardly for supporting a ²table ²15 of the header onto which crop material is deposited after cutting. The ²structural²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=8>²8²elements defining the frame bars on the table are not shown for convenience of²illustration since again these are well known to one skilled in the art and ²can vary in²accordance with engineering considerations.²On the table 15 is provided a crop conveyor 16 which is arranged to²transport the crop after cutting across the width of a header to a discharge ²location.²In the embodiment shown the conveyor is provided as a draper canvas 17 mounted ²²on rollers 18. Other embodiments can use alternative crop transportation ²systems ²and primarily an auger which is commonly used as an alternative for the draper ²²system. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to either of ²the² different types of header.²At the front of the table 15 is provided a cutter bar generally indicated ²at 19 which is again only shown schematically since the construction of this ²is well ²known to one skilled in the art. The cutter bar shown provides a sickle knife ²in ²guards which reciprocates back and forth in a cutting action on the standing ²crop so²that the crop is deposited on the draper for transportation to the discharge ²location.²When used on a combine harvester the discharge location is ²associated with a crop transfer system which transfers the crop rearwardly ²into the ²feeder house of the combine. Headers of this type can of course also be used ²as a ²swather where the discharge location simply discharges the crop onto the ²ground in² a swath or through a crop conditioner onto the ground.²The header further includes a reel generally indicated at 20. The reel²20 includes mounting arms 21 pivoted on a suitable mounting 22 adjacent the ²tube²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=9>²9²12 so that the arms project forwardly from the frame to a position over the ²end frame²elements 13 so as to provide support for the reel extending the header above ²the ²cutter bar. Each arm is movable in its pivotal action by a suitable drive ²actuator 23. ²The number of arms can vary in accordance with engineering ² requirements depending upon the width of the header. Some headers have only ²arms at the ends and some have additional arms intermediate the ends to ²provide ²the necessary support. The reel can also be provided in separate sections ²arranged ²end to end which are independently supported on separate arms.²The reel further includes end support discs, one of which is shown only²schematically in Figure 1 as a circle at the end of the reel but it will be ²appreciated ²that the structural arrangement of the disc can vary in accordance with ²engineering ²requirements. The end disc is indicated at 24 and is mounted on a shaft 25 ²which ²supports the disc for rotation about an axis 26 of the reel.²The disc supports a plurality of reel bats 27 at angularly spaced²positions around the axis 26. Each reel bar carries a plurality of ²longitudinally ²spaced fingers 28 which project outwardly from the bar for engaging the crop ²Each ²reel bat is pivotal about its own individual axis parallel to the axis 26 so ²as to change ²the angular position of the fingers around the axis 27A of the bat. The ²angular ²position of the bat about its axis is controlled by a linkage 29 of the bat ²which co-²operates with a cam 30 of the reel so that as the bats rotate the linkage ²moves the ²bats to the required angular position in dependence upon the co-operation of ²the ²linkage with the cam.²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=10>²10²The disc 24 as better shown in Figure 2 comprises a peripheral ring²24A and a plurality of spokes 24B attached to a tube 24C which extends along ²the ²length of the reel and provides structural support therefore. The shaft 25 is ²suitably ²attached within the tube as a stub shaft portion projecting from one end of ²the tube².. for mounting of the reel structure on bearings outboard of the reel and ²mounted on²the arm 21 as discussed hereinafter.²The ring 24A carries a plurality of bat support brackets 24D at spaced ²positions around the axis of the reel with each bracket carrying a respective ²one of ²the bats 27 and its longitudinally spaced fingers 28. Each bracket is ²generally²triangular in shape and fastened to the ring 24A at locations which provide ²suitable²mounting therefore and may provide adjustment for the position of the bracket ²and ²the ring. The bracket extends generally outwardly to an apex 24E outboard of ²the ²ring 24A at which is attached a bearing assembly 24F for the bat 27. The ²bearing ²24F defines a bearing axis 27A parallel to the axis 26. In the embodiment ²shown the².. bats are cylindrical tubes, otherwise known as a tine tube, on which is ²attached a²plurality of the fingers 28 using conventional mounting methods. In the ²embodiment ²shown the fingers are of spring metal with a base mounting portion 28A ²attached on ²the outside of the tube and two conjoined fingers each having a coil spring ²28B ²attached to the mounting portion 28A and extending outwardly from the bat in ²the²required direction. Other arrangements of fingers and bats can be used and are ²well²known to one skilled in the art which are not necessarily cylindrical and are ²not ²necessarily formed from spring metal but can be of other shapes and include ²plastic²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=11>²11²fingers and the like.²Along the length of the bar is provided a series of the conjoined double ²fingers for which one of which is shown in Figure 3. At the end of the bat is ²a stub ²portion 278 which projects through the bracket 240 and bearing 24F so as to ²project²axially beyond the disc 24 and axially beyond the flat bracket 24D attached to ²the ²disc to an end face 27C of the bat which is thus located beyond the disc ²toward the ²end of the header. An additional single finger 28C is located on the stub ²portion 27B ²directly at the end 27C so that the finger 28C is located as far as possible ²along the ²bat towards its extreme end and particularly the end face 27C. In view of the²relatively short length of the stub portion 27B, the finger 280 is formed as a ²single²finger element rather than a double finger element conventionally used. ²However a ²longer stub portion could be provided making use of a conventional double ²finger ²construction.²The bats 27 lie on a circle 270 (Figure 1) surrounding the axis 26 of²the reel which defines a cylinder containing the axes 27A of the bats and is ²called ²hereinafter for convenience the "the bat circle". It will of course be ²appreciated that ²the "bat circle" is intended to relate not merely to a theoretical circle but ²to the ²volume swept by the bats as they rotate which of course must be open to allow ²the ²bats to rotate without interference without other components and particularly ²the cam² 30.²The cam 30 comprises a base plate 30A which is flat and arranged to ²lie in a radial plane of the axis 26. On a face 30B of the plate is provided a ²cam²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=12>²12²track member 30C which faces the reel and is defined by inner and outer cam ²track²walls which provide a guide for a cam follower. The cam track member can ²provide ²guide surfaces which lie in the radial plane and face radially outwardly or ²radially ²inwardly so that the follower runs on an outer edge of the track or on an ²inner edge²of the track. The construction of the cam track is of a conventional nature ²and²defines a continuous track surrounding the axis 26 and shaped to provide a ²required ²finger pattern as discussed hereinafter. A sleeve member 30D is rigidly ²attached to ²the outside surface of the plate 30A and projects therefrom axially along the ²axis 26. ²At the end of the sleeve member 30D is rigidly attached a mounting and ²adjustment²plate 30E defining a ring portion 30F surrounding the axis and a lever portion ²30G²projecting outwardly from the axis and including a locating hole 30H. The ring ²²portion includes mounting slots 30J.²The sleeve 30D engages around a mounting tube 32 at an end portion ²32A of the tube. The tube 32 carries a flange 32B which butts against the ²mounting²plate 30E when the sleeve 30D is inserted onto the end 32A of the tube 32. ²Holes²32C in the plate 32B align with the slots 30J and allow these plates to be ²clamped ²together thus tightly pulling the sleeve 30D onto the tube 32 in a clamping ²action. ²For this purpose the end portion 32A and the sleeve 30D are tapered so as to ²ensure accurate alignment of the axes of the tube and the sleeve and therefore ²an²accurate alignment of the radial plane of the plate 30A of the cam with the ²axis of the²tube 32.²The shaft 25 of the reel is mounted within the tube 32 on axially²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=13>²13²spaced bearings 32D and 32E so that the shaft projects through the tube 32 to ²an²outer end 25A. Thus the shaft 25 is maintained by the axially spaced bearings ²32D ²and 32E accurately axially in alignment with the tube 32 and therefore ²accurately²with the plane of the cam 30 lying in the radial plane of the axis of the ²shaft 25.² The tube 32 is attached to a housing or mounting assembly 34 which is²mounted on the arm 21. The housing 34 includes a top plate 34A and a depending ²²flange 34B attached to the tube 32 and sitting over the top of the channel ²defining ²the arm 21. The mounting assembly 34 further includes a housing 34C containing ²a ²drive sprocket 34D to which a drive motor 34F is attached with the sprocket ²keyed to²the end 25A of the shaft 25. The bracket 34A angularly orients the housing ²relative²to the axis of the reel. The mounting assembly 34 can move longitudinally of ²the ²arm to adjust the forward to rear position of the reel on the arm using ²adjustment ²openings 21C in the arm as is known to one skilled in the art. The mounting ²assembly 34 is thus rigidly attached to the tube 32 but sits on the arm ²allowing some²twisting movement between the mounting assembly and the arm so that the axis ²of²the tube which is accurately aligned to the axis of the reel can twist ²relative to the ²arm to accommodate twisting movements in the frame during operation or ²twisting ²movements in the reel due to differential lifting forces or other forces on ²the reel ²during operation. However the accurate alignment of the reel axis with the ²axis of²the tube 32 ensures that, whenever any such twisting movements occur, the ²twisting²movements do not occur relative to the cam which is maintained in a radial ²plane. ²Adjustment can be effected for the finger pattern and location by²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=14>²14²rotating the cam 30 about the axis of the reel. As shown in Figure 5, this is ²achieved²by loosening the coupling between the plate 30E and the plate 32B and by ²rotating ²the lever portion 30G around the axis of the tube 32 within the bounds of the ²slots ²30J. This allows the plates to be clamped back together in the fixed position ²after²the adjustment is effected. During this adjustment the cam remains accurately ²in the²required radial plane.²The cam 30 is shaped and arranged and dimensioned so that it lies ²wholly within the bat circle. Thus the outside periphery of the cam at the cam ²track ²30C lies wholly within the path of movement of the bats and wholly within the²structure defined by the bats 27 and the elements supported thereby so that ²the bats²are located outside of the cam. Thus as shown in Figure 4 the stub portion 27B ²²carrying the finger 28C is aligned with the cam or slightly beyond the cam. ²Thus as ²shown a line 28D containing the end fingers 28C is slightly beyond the cam ²toward ²the end of the header of the header. This allows the fingers 28C to be located ²as²close as possible to an end sheet 13A of the end frame section 13 to provide a ²²sweeping action on the crop immediately adjacent that sheet. Thus the use of a ²²small cam inside the bat circle allows these fingers to approach much more ²closely ²the end of the header and to avoid a space S between the end fingers 28C and ²the ²sheet 13A which is sufficient to allow crop to accumulate. This is achieved by ²the²fact that the end face 27C is at least aligned with a line 30K at the inwardly ²facing²end of the cam and more preferably is beyond that line.²In order to achieve this location and size of the cam, the cam co-²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=15>²15²operates with the control linkage 29 which co-operates between the bat and the ²cam²track. The control linkage is shown schematically in Figure 1 and comprises a ²crank²29A attached to the bat and rotatable at one end about the axis of the bat so ²as to ²rotate the bat about its axis as the angle of the crank is changed. The ²linkage²further includes a control link 29B which is attached to the other end of the ²crank and²extends therefrom to a cam follower 29C within the cam track 32C. The linkage ²further includes a guide link 29D which is connected between a suitable ²location on ²the reel and a pivot pin 29E on the control link so that the position on the ²control link ²is controlled.² For convenience the guide link 29D connects between the control link²29B and a pivot pin 29F on the next bracket 24D. However other connection ²points ²can be used provided that the pivot pin 29F is fixed relative to the reel and ²rotates ²with the reel so that the link 29D can pull the control link 29B around with ²the reel as ²the reel rotates to carry the follower 29C from Figure 1 it will be noted that ²the cam²follower is arranged angularly advanced relative to its respective bat axis so ²that the²cam follower is pushed by the link 29B and guide link 29D around the cam ²track. ²This is opposite to the conventional arrangement where the cam follower is ²normally ²trailed. In order to keep the cam follower in advance of the radial line ²joining the axis ²26 of the reel to the bat axis, the guide link 29D provides a pulling action ²from a²position yet further angularly advanced. However pushing action from a ²trailing link²could also be used.²The cam is shaped so that its spacing from the axis 26 changes as the²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=16>²16²cam follower rotates around the axis 26 with the reel. This change in radial ²distance²from the axis 26 therefore of course provides a pushing action on the ²respective ²crank 29A so as to rotate each bat around its axis 27A.²Turning now to the improvement of the present invention, the ² arrangement described above provides a crop harvesting header 10 having a ²header frame structure 11 arranged for movement in a direction of working ²movement across ground carrying a crop to be harvested.²The cutter bar 19 is arranged across a forward edge of the header ²frame structure for cutting the crop.² The cut crop transport arrangement 17 is mounted on the header²frame structure for receiving and transporting the cut crop for further ²processing. ²The reel 20 for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the ²cutter bar is mounted on reel mounting arms 21 for movement therewith in the ²direction of movement where the arms are mounted on the header frame structure ²² for upward and downward movement relative to the cutter bar operated by the ²cylinder 23 and for movement of the reel forwardly and rearwardly along the ²respective reel mounting arm operated by cylinders 201. Each mounting arm has ²a ²reel mounting assembly 34 supporting the reel on the mounting arm for rotation ²²about the reel axis 26 generally parallel to the cutter bar 19. The arms 21 ²include a²longitudinally extending straight portion 202 along which the mounting ²assembly 34²slides as pushed forwardly and rearwardly along the portion 202 actuated from ²the ²cab by an operating cylinder 201.²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=17>²17²The reel includes the plurality of reel bats 27 as previously described at²spaced positions around the reel axis 26, with each reel bat 27 having reel ²fingers ²28 projecting generally radially outwardly from the reel axis 26. The reel ²bats 27 all ²lie on a common bat circle 27D around the reel axis 26 so that rotation of the ²reel²causes the reel bats 27 to follow a path of movement lying on the bat circle ²27D. ²The term "bat" as used herein is intended to include any elongate member ²extending ²along the reel which provides a support for the fingers extending outwardly ²therefrom. The bat can have any cross-sectional shape including circular or ²may ²have a flat surface generally along the fingers to assist in forwarding the ²crop.² Also as described above, each of the reel bats 27 and its fingers 28 is²pivotal about its respective bat axis parallel to the reel axis so as to vary ²the angle of ²the fingers about the bat axis 271 as the reel 20 rotates. As described above, ²one of ²the reel mounting assemblies 34 includes a finger control component preferably ²in ²the form of the cam track member 30, which is preferably non-circular, ²surrounding²the reel axis 26 and lying in a radial plane of the reel axis. Where the ²control²component is a cam track, each bat 27 has associated therewith a cam follower ²shown schematically at 272 in Figure 6 which follows the cam track member 30, ²such that, as the reel rotates, the movement of the cam follower 272 on the ²cam ²track member 30 causes pivotal movement of the respective bat about the bat ²axis²and causes the fingers to take up the pattern of movement shown in Figures 6 ²and²7. As described above, the cam track member 30 is held during rotation of the ²reel ²stationary against rotation with the reel relative to the reel axis so that it ²does not²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=18>²18²rotate with the reel. However the cam track member or other control component ²can²be adjusted angularly around the reel axis so as to change the finger pattern ²for²example between the positions shown in Figures 6 and 7.²In addition to the manual adjustment provided above, there is provided²in Figure 6 an adjustment component 50 responsive to movement of the reel ²along²the mounting arms 21 actuated by the cylinders 201 which causes the cam track ²member 30 to be rotated about the reel axis 26 to different adjustment angles ²of the ²member 30 in dependence upon the position of the reel along the mounting arms ²21. ²As shown in Figure 6, the adjustment component 50 comprises a ²linkage 501 interconnecting a respective one of the mounting arms 203 and the ²respective mounting assembly 34.²The linkage 501 includes a link member in the form of a follower wheel²502 connected directly to or mounted on the cam track member 30 and a guide ²track²503 formed in a plate 504 mounted on the arm 203 which moves the link member ²502 to different distances D from the mounting arm depending upon the position ²of ²the wheel 502 along the track 503.²The guide track 503 provides a concave arcuate shape which moves ²the guide track follower 502 to different positions or distances D relative to ²the arm ²at different locations along the arm. As the track 503 is curved or otherwise ²not²straight depending on the positons of the cam 30 which are required, the guide ²track²503 is not parallel to the arm.²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=19>²19²As described above, the cam track member 30 is adjustable by a²further adjustment component shown only schematically at 504 which adjusts the ²²position of the wheel 502 relative to the member 30, which causes the cam ²track ²member 30 to be rotated about the reel axis 26 to different adjustment angles, ²which²is independent of the adjustment provided by the guide track 503. The further ²adjustment component 504 can be actuated manually or can be actuated by an ²operator sitting in a cab 507 and moving an actuator lever 506 though a ²control wire ²505 in response to changes of crop or other conditions.²As shown by comparing the forwardmost position in Figure 6 with a²retracted position shown in Figure 7 the guide track 503 is arranged to move ²the ²guide track follower 502 to a positon spaced further from the mounting arm 202 ²as ²the mounting assembly 34 moves forward.²As shown in Figure 6, the guide track follower 502 is behind the reel ²axis 26 relative to the length of the arm and its forward position, so as to ²rotate the² cam track member 30 to angularly advance the cam track member in the counter ²clockwise direction of rotation R of the reel as the mounting assembly 34 ²moves ²forward along the mounting arm 202.²As shown by comparing Figures 6 and 7, the reel fingers 28 move ²around the reel axis to define an extraction or release point 281 of the ²finger²movement at which the fingers effectively move along their length in the ²direction L ²to extract from the crop C and the cam track member is rotated so as to ²angularly²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=20>²20²advance the extraction point 281 in Figure 7 in the direction A relative to ²the point in²Figure 6 as the mounting assembly moves forward.²The release point is the location where the direction of movement of ²the fingers changes from a first direction, in which the fingers moved ²generally² rearwardly to sweep the cop rearwardly onto the table or draper, to a second ²direction in which the fingers are pulled upwardly generally along their ²length to be ²pulled out of the crop as the crop continues to move rearwardly as it is ²released. ²This pattern of movement of the fingers is known to a person skilled in the ²art. That ²is the conventional finger pattern changes the angular velocity of the fingers ²around²the bat axis at the different locations in the bat circle. The fingers rotate ²around the²bat axis rapidly from the retracted position 281 approximately at 5.00 at ²which they ²are most angularly retarded to a position between 12.00 and 5.00 at which they ²are ²angularly advanced. At the 5.00 positon the fingers rapidly move to the ²retarded ²position in which release occurs.² This requires an advancement of the angular position of the angular²adjustment component in the forward or counter-clockwise direction effectively ²to ²match the forward movement of the reel itself.²As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the guide track is concave and arcuate ²so that at a middle position 212 along the arms the cam track member 30 is ²most²angularly retracted as the follower 502 is closest to the arm 202 so distance ²D is a²minimum and at forward and rearward ends 210, 211 of the arm 202 the cam track ²²member is most advanced because the distance D is at a maximum.²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²<DP=21>²21²The adjustment component is used for a first crop in a range from the²middle position 212 to the forward end 211 and is used for a second crop in ²the²range from the middle position 212 to the rearward end 210.²In the first crop range from the center position 212 to the forward².. position 211, the operation of the guide track 503 on the wheel 502 is to ²maintain the²"release point" of the fingers in the same correct position, which is located ²just ²behind the cutter bar, even though the reel itself is moved forwardly. This ²requires ²an advancement of the angular position of the angular adjustment component in ²the ²forward or counter-clockwise direction effectively to match the forward ²movement of²the reel itself. That is the position of the release point 281 shown in Figure ²6 which²is immediately at or just behind the cutter bar is the required position and ²this is ²maintained as accurately as possible as the reel is moved forwardly and ²rearwardly ²by the operation of the track 503 and follower 502. Preferably this position ²is ²maintained within a distance of the order of 6 inches and preferably less than ²the² .. order of 1.0 to 2.0 inches as the reel moves forwardly and rearwardly.²The position shown in Figure 7 is related to the rear part of the ²adjustment and hence shows the release point 281 moved significantly ²rearwardly ²over a distance that is not acceptable for the forward part of the track. That ²is in the ²second or rearward part of the track form the center point 212, the cam is ²moved to²advance yet further forwardly as the reel moves rearwardly which is the ²opposite of²the required movement in the forward part of the track.²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-08-25²

Claims

<DP=1>²22²CLAIMS:²1. A crop harvesting header comprising:²a header frame structure arranged for movement in a direction of²working movement across ground carrying a crop to be harvested;² a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of the header frame²structure for cutting the crop;²a cut crop transport arrangement mounted on the header frame²structure for receiving and transporting the cut crop for further processing;²a reel for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter²bar;²the header frame structure comprising at least two reel mounting arms ²for movement therewith in the direction of working movement;²the mounting arms being mounted on the header frame structure for ²upward and downward movement relative to the cutter bar;²each mounting arm having a reel mounting assembly supporting the²reel on the mounting arm for rotation about a reel axis generally parallel to ²the cutter ²bar;²each reel mounting assembly including a component for moving the ²reel forwardly and rearwardly along the respective reel mounting arm;²the reel having a plurality of reel bats at spaced positions around the²reel axis each reel bat having reel fingers projecting generally radially ²outwardly from ²the reel axis, the reel bats all lying on a common bat circle around the reel ²axis so²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-09-14²<DP=2>²23²that rotation of the reel causes the reel bats to follow a path of movement ²lying on²the bat circle;²each of the reel bats being pivotal about its respective bat axis parallel²to the reel axis so as to vary the angle of the fingers about the bat axis as ²the reel² rotates;²at least one of the reel mounting assemblies including a control ²component arranged such that, as the reel rotates, the control component ²cooperates with the respective bat to cause pivotal movement of the respective ²bat ²about the bat axis;²and an adjustment component comprising a linkage interconnecting at²least one of the mounting arms and at least one of the reel mounting ²assemblies, the ²linkage including a guide plate fixed to the mounting arm having an elongated ²guide ²track formed therein and a guide track follower fixedly mounted to the control ²²component and slidably received in the guide track wherein the control ²component²rotates about the reel axis in response to longitudinal sliding movement of ²the guide²track follower along the guide track.²2. The crop harvesting header according to claim 1 wherein ²the ²control component comprises a cam track member surrounding the reel axis and ²lying in a radial plane of the reel axis wherein each bat has associated ²therewith a²cam follower which follows the cam track member.²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-09-14²<DP=3>²24²3. The crop harvesting header according to claim 2 wherein the²cam track member is held during rotation of the reel against rotation with the ²reel ²relative to the reel axis.²4. The crop harvesting header according to any one of claims 1 to ²3 wherein the guide track provides an arcuate shape which moves the guide ²track ²follower to different laterally spaced positions relative to the arm at ²different ²longitudinal locations along the arm.²5. The crop harvesting header according to claim 4 wherein the ²guide track is not parallel to the arm.² 6. The crop harvesting header according to claim 4 or 5 wherein²the guide track is arranged to move the guide track follower to a position ²spaced ²further from the mounting arm as the mounting assembly moves forward along the ²²mounting arm.²7. The crop harvesting header according to claim 6 wherein the²guide track follower is behind the reel axis so as to rotate the cam track ²member to²angularly advance the cam track member in the direction of rotation of the ²reel in ²response to the sliding movement of the guide track follower along the guide ²track ²as the mounting assembly moves forward along the mounting arm.²8. The crop harvesting header according to any one of claims 4 to ²7 wherein the guide track is arranged to rotate the cam track member to ²angularly ²advance the cam track member the direction of rotation of the reel in response ²to the²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-09-14²<DP=4>²25²sliding movement of the guide track follower along the guide track as the ²mounting²assembly moves forward along the mounting arm.²9. The crop harvesting header according to any one of claims 1 to ²8 wherein the reel fingers move around the reel axis to define an extraction ²point of²reel finger movement at which the fingers effectively move along their length ²to²extract from the crop and wherein the control component is rotated so as to ²angularly advance the extraction point as the mounting assembly moves forward ²along the mounting arm.²10. The crop harvesting header according to any one of claims 1 to²9 wherein the adjustment component is arranged such that, at a middle position ²²along the mounting arms, the control component is at a most retracted position ²and ²at forward and rearward ends of the mounting arms the control component is at ²a ²most advanced position.²11. The crop harvesting header according to claim 10 wherein the²adjustment component is used for a first crop in a range from the middle ²position to²the forward end and is used for a second crop in the range from the middle ²position ²to the rearward end.²12. The crop harvesting header according to claim 10 or 11 wherein ²the guide track defines an arcuate shape which provides the middle and ²advanced² positions.²13. The crop harvesting header according to any one of claims 1 to ²12 wherein the control component is adjustable by a further adjustment ²component,²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-09-14²<DP=5>²26²which causes the control component to be rotated about the reel axis to ²different²adjustment angles, which is independent of said adjustment component.² 14. The crop harvesting header according to claim 13 wherein the²further adjustment component is actuated manually.²15. The crop harvesting header according to claim 13 wherein the²further adjustment component is actuated by an operator in response to changes ²of ²crop.²Date Recue / Date Received 2023-09-14²