Automatedly foldable and unfoldable grain tank extension and cover for an agricultural harvesting machine

Abstract

An automatedly foldable and unfoldable grain tank extension construction for increasing the grain holding capacity of a grain tank of an agricultural harvesting machine, such extension construction including a plurality of extension panels mounted for pivotal movement about corresponding, respective, upper peripheral portions of the grain tank, with pliable corner pieces extending between adjacent extension panels to seal the corner spaces between the adjacent extension panels, especially when the extension construction is deployed or unfolded, wherein the pivotal movements of the extension panels are controllable by operation of a linkage system that automatedly effects the folding and unfolding of the extension construction by effecting movement of each extension panel through an angle greater than 90°, with at least the control actuator of the linkage system being located external to the grain tank so as to be generally accessible for servicing even when the grain tank is filled.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates generally to an extension for a grain tank of an agricultural harvesting machine such as a combine, and control linkages therefor which are generally accessible for servicing even when the grain tank is filled, and more particularly, to a grain tank extension construction that is configured to be automatedly and / or remotely unfoldable and foldable in a predetermined manner between a folded or closed position and a deployed or unfolded position and which includes extension panels that are sized and dimensioned to be disposed at least generally horizontal when in the folded position, with the right and left hand extension panels covering essentially the entirety of the upwardly facing opening of the grain tank, and to extend upwardly and outwardly relative to an upwardly facing opening of the grain tank when in the unfolded position, thereby protecting the grain tank from introduction of rain and foreign materials when the grain tank extensi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a grain tank extension construction for an agricultural harvesting machine that can increase the capacity of the grain tank. The extension construction includes multiple foldable panels that can be moved through an angle greater than 90 degrees and are designed to seal the corner spaces between them. The panels can be folded and unfolded to provide a top cover over the grain tank opening. The extension construction can be controlled by a linkage system that automates the folding and unfolding of the panels. The linkage system can also reposition the bubbler auger apparatus within the grain tank when the extension construction is in its unfolded or deployed position. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a convenient and efficient way to increase the grain tank capacity of an agricultural harvesting machine.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the increase in overall height of the combines when such structures were installed, the height of the combine often exceeded government imposed height limitations for road travel, as a consequence of which removal and reinstallation of such structures was often necessary, with attendant expenditures of time and efforts.

Additionally, such rigid structures themselves provided no covering protection for the grain tank and its contents.

However, since at least two sides of such known devices extended only directly upwardly, and not outwardly, from the upward opening, the increased grain holding capacity was more limited than was desirable.

Such construction was a significant advance, but did not fully address the protection of the grain tank from introduction of rain and foreign materials when the grain tank extension construction is folded or difficulties experienced with the use and serviceability of linear actuators or other linkages mounted interior to the grain tank to control the unfolding of the grain tank extension panel construction.

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