Gathering reel with controlled movement of reel tines

Abstract

A gathering reel on a crop header for an agricultural harvester includes a plurality of reel tubes each supporting a plurality of reel tines. Each reel tube rotates in a direction of rotation along a circular path of rotation. The gathering reel includes a mechanism capable of rotating each of the plurality of reel tubes such between about the 6 o'clock position to about a 9 o'clock position as viewed from a right side of the crop header, whereby the reel tines are progressively rotated toward the forward direction of travel at an angle greater than 90° but less than 180° from horizontal such that the distal ends of the reel tines are oriented toward the forward direction of travel and away from the cross-belt or cross-auger of the crop header.

Description

GATHERING REEL WITH CONTROLLED MOVEMENT OF REEL TINESBACKGROUND

[0001] Different types of crop headers are used on combine harvesters during harvesting operations. When harvesting standing small grain, such as wheat, barley, oats, soybeans, canola, etc., the crop header is typically a draper header or an auger header. Both types of headers include a cutter bar oriented transverse to the direction of travel. The cutter bar cuts the standing crop as the harvester advances through the field. A rotating gathering reel pulls the cut crop inward toward a cross-belt or a cross-auger. The cross-belt or cross-auger carries the cut crop laterally toward the middle of the header. When the cut crop reaches the middle of the header, the cut crop is fed into the feederhouse of the combine harvester. The feederhouse carries the cut crop into the interior of the harvester where the cut crop is threshed and the grain is separated and cleaned from the chaff and unwanted crop material.

[0002] The rotating gathering reel extends laterally across the width of the header. Depending on the width of the header, the gathering reel may comprise one continuous section supported at each of its outer lateral ends. Alternatively, the gathering reel may be divided into two or more sections, each section supported at both ends. Regardless of the number of sections comprising the gathering reel, each section comprises a plurality of radially spaced reel tubes (also commonly referred to as bats). Each reel tube or bat typically includes a plurality of laterally spaced tines (also commonly referred to as fingers) which extend outwardly away from the reel tube. As the combine harvester advances through the field, each of the radially spaced reel tubes of the rotating gathering reel successively rotates into the standing crop. As the standing crop is cut by the cutter bar, the outwardly extending tines rake or sweep the cut crop inward as each reel tube rotates along the circular path of rotation as the gathering reel rotates, thereby pulling the cut crop onto the cross-belt or into the cross-auger as the combine harvester advances through the field.

[0003] It has been found that if the tines are angled rearwardly toward the cut crop on the crossbelt or cross-auger as the tines move upwardly and rearwardly along the circular path of rotation, the tines may lift some of the cut crop away from the cross-belt or cross-auger and may throw some of the cut crop forward of the header resulting in crop loss and uneven feeding of the combine harvester. Therefore, to avoid the tines lifting the cut crop away from the crossbelt or cross-auger or otherwise catching or interfering with the lateral flow of the cut crop which may result in crop loss or uneven feeding, it would be desirable to rotate the reel tubesso the tines are angled forwardly and away from the cut crop on the cross-belt or cross-auger when the reel tubes are moving upwardly and rearwardly along the circular path of rotation.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional agricultural combine harvester with a conventional crop header having a gathering reel.

[0005] FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration showing a portion of the combine harvester in a right side elevation view (from the perspective of the operator in the cab of the combine harvester) with a draper header shown in partial cross-section harvesting a field of standing crop.

[0006] FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration showing a portion of the combine harvester in a right side elevation view (from the perspective of the operator in the cab of the combine harvester) with an auger header shown in partial cross-section harvesting a field of standing crop.

[0007] FIG. 3 is an exaggerated view of a portion of a gathering reel showing a reel tube with laterally spaced tines.

[0008] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a tine extending from the reel tube and illustrating adjustability of the pitch angle of the tine relative to vertical.

[0009] FIG. 5A schematically illustrates an embodiment of a conventional “flip-reel” gathering reel, wherein the tines rotate or flip around the reel tube at the upper portion of the circular path of rotation, and as the reel tubes move upwardly and rearwardly along the circular path of rotation from about the 6 o’clock position to about the 9 o’clock position, the tines are maintained at the preset pitch angle.

[0010] FIG. 5B schematically illustrates an embodiment of a cam and linkage arrangement to achieve the movement of the tines of the flip-reel gathering reel illustrated in FIG. 5 A.

[0011] FIG. 6A schematically illustrates an embodiment of an improved “flip reel” gathering reel, wherein the tines rotate or flip around the reel tube at the upper portion of the circular path of rotation, and as reel tubes move upwardly and rearwardly along the circular path of rotation from about the 6 o’clock position to about the 9 o’clock position, the tines are rotated forwardly away from the cut crop on the cross-belt or cross-auger.

[0012] FIG. 6B schematically illustrates an embodiment of a mechanism to achieve the movement of the tines of the flip-reel gathering reel illustrated in FIG. 6A.

[0013] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a conventional gathering reel, wherein the tines are maintained at the preset pitch angle throughout the entire circular path of rotation of the reel tubes.

[0014] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an improved gathering reel, wherein as reel tubes move upwardly and rearwardly along the circular path of rotation from about the 6 o’clock position to about the 9 o’clock position, the tines are rotated forwardly away from the cut crop on the cross-belt or cross auger, and from about the 9 o’clock position to the 12 o’clock position, the tines continue to rotate in the same direction until the tines point generally forwardly, and from about the 12 o’clock position to about the 6 o’clock position, the tines are rotated in the opposite direction until the tines point generally downwardly or to the preset pitch angle at about the 6’ o’clock position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers designate the same or corresponding parts through each of the several views, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional combine harvester 10 with a conventional header 20 mounted to the forward end of the harvester 10. FIGs. 2A and 2B are schematic illustrations showing a portion of the combine 10 in side elevation and the header 20 in partial cross-section harvesting a field of standing crop 1, such as wheat, barley, oats, soybeans, canola, etc. In FIG. 2A the header is schematically illustrated as a draper header 20A. In FIG. 2B, the header is schematically illustrated as an auger header 20B.

[0016] Referring first to FIG. 2A, the draper header 20A includes a main frame 22 that is supported at the forward end of the feederhouse 12 of the harvester 10. The feederhouse 12 is configured to raise and lower with respect to the soil surface by actuation of hydraulic cylinders 14. On some harvesters 10, the feederhouse 12 may also be able to tilt laterally by actuation lateral tilt cylinders (not shown) and the feederhouse 12 may also tilt fore and aft by actuation of fore and aft tilt cylinders (not shown). A cutter bar 24 extends across the width of the header 20A. As the combine harvester advances through the field in the forward direction of travel indicated by arrow 11, the cutter bar 24 reciprocates transverse to the direction of travel 11, thereby cutting the standing crop 1 a distance above the soil surface as illustrated in FIGs. 2 A.It should be appreciated that the cutting height of the cutter bar 24 is controlled by the position of the hydraulic cylinders 14 used to raise and lower the feederhouse 12. Crop dividers 26 are disposed at the outer lateral ends of the header 20 and project forwardly of the cutter bar 24. The crop dividers 26 serve to guide the crop cut by the cutter bar into the header 20. A rotating gathering reel 30 extends substantially across the width of the header 20 and is supported above the cutter bar 24 by reel support arms 32. The gathering reel 30 is driven for rotation in the direction of rotation indicated by arrow 31 by a drive train (not shown), which may be a hydraulic motor or by a mechanical arrangement such as a drive chain and sprockets. The reel support arms 32 may be raised or lowered by hydraulic actuators or by mechanical adjusters (not shown) in order to raise and lower the gathering reel 30 relative to the cutter bar 24. The reel support arms 32 may also extend or retract fore and aft relative to the cutter bar 24 by actuation of hydraulic actuators or mechanical adjusters (not shown). Oppositely rotating cross-belt sections 34 are disposed rearward of the cutter bar 24. The oppositely rotating crossbelts 34 carry the cut crop from the outer lateral ends of the header 20 inwardly toward the feederhouse 12. A rearwardly rotating center belt (not shown) is provided in the middle of the header between the oppositely rotating cross-belts 34, to feed the cut crop rearwardly into the feederhouse 12.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2B, the auger header 20B is configured and operates substantially the same as the draper header 20A described above, but instead of cross-belts 34 and a rearwardly rotating center belt, the auger header 20B includes oppositely rotating cross-augers 36 extending across the width of the header that rotate above a bottom pan 38 rearward of the cutter bar 24 to move the cut crop from the outer lateral ends of the header 20 inwardly toward the feederhouse 12.

[0018] Although not shown, some draper headers may include oppositely rotating cross-augers 36 in combination with cross-belts 34 to assist the lateral movement of the cut crop on the cross-belts toward the feederhouse 12.

[0019] Depending on the width of the header, the gathering reel 30 may comprise one continuous section, or the gathering reel 30 may be divided into two or more sections. In FIG. 1, for example, the gathering reel 30 is shown as comprising two sections 30-1, 30-2. Each section 30-1, 30-2 is supported at its outer ends by outer reel support arms 32-1, 32-2 and at the inner ends by an intermediate reel support arm 32-3. It is not uncommon for some headers to exceed fifty feet in width. For such wide headers, the gathering reel 30 may comprise up tofour or more sections. Additionally, such wide headers, are typically able to flex in order to follow the field terrain. Therefore, the gathering reel sections 30-1, 30-2 may be coupled together by a U-joint or other flexible connection at the intermediate support arm 32-3, permitting each section of the gathering reel to move or pivot relative to an adjacent section as the header flexes and as each section rotates.

[0020] FIG. 3 is an exaggerated schematic view of a portion of a gathering reel 30 comprising two gathering reel sections 30-1, 30-2. Referring to FIGs. 1 and 3, each section includes a central shaft 40 that is co-axial with a central rotational axis 41 of the gathering reel 30. The central shaft 40 is mounted to side plates 42, 44 rotatably supported by the reel support arms 32-1, 32-2, 32-3. The side plates 42, 44 and any intermediate support plates (not shown) extend radially outward of the central axis 41 and rotatably support a plurality of radially spaced reel tubes 46 (also commonly referred to as bats). Thus, referring to FIG. 5, for example, it should be appreciated that each reel tube 46 will move along a circular path of rotation 49 as the gathering reel 30 rotates in the direction of rotation indicated by arrow 31. The reel tubes 46 are typically mounted to the side plates 42, 44 (and any intermediate plates) such that each reel tube 46 is able to rotate about its reel tube axis 47 as each reel tube 46 moves along the circular path of rotation 49. Each reel tube or bat 46 typically includes a plurality of laterally spaced tines 50 (also commonly referred to as fingers) which extend outwardly away from each reel tube 46 and are rotationally fixed with the reel tubes 46. Thus, it should be appreciated that as each reel tube 46 rotates about its reel tube axis 47 as it moves along the circular path of rotation 49, the angular position of the tines 50 rotationally fixed to the reel tube 46 will also change.

[0021] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a tine 50 extending from the reel tube 46. As recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, most crop headers 20 include a pitch angle adjustment mechanism (not shown) which allows the operator to adjust the pitch angle of the tines 50 with respect to the reel tube 46 such that the tines 50 are at a pitch angle 0 from vertical, either fore or aft from vertical, as indicated by the dashed tines 50 at the pitch angle 0 fore and aft of the vertical solid tine 50.

[0022] As recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, in addition to the pitch angle adjustment mechanism discussed above, some makes and models of gathering reels 30 also include a cam arrangement, that is capable of rotating each reel tube 46 about its reel tube axis 47 in order to vary the angular position of the tines 50 as the reel tubes 46 move along certain portions of the circular path of rotation 49 as the gathering reel 30 rotates in the direction ofrotation 31. Examples of such cam arrangements are disclosed in US Patent Nos. 5,768,870; 6,502,379; 6,591,598; 11,758,849 and US Publication No. US20190082601, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0023] FIG. 5A schematically illustrates an example of a gathering reel 30A which is commonly referred to as a “flip reel” because the tines 50 rotate or flip around the reel tube 46 at the upper portion of the circular path of rotation 49 when the reel tubes 46 transition from moving upward to moving downward along the circular path of rotation 49 as the gathering reel 30A rotates in the direction of rotation 31. As schematically illustrated in in FIG. 5B, the flip reel gathering reel 30A, such as found on most MacDon gathering reel crop headers, incorporates a cam arrangement 60 such as disclosed in one or more of the patent references identified above. The cam arrangement 60 includes a cam 62 and a plurality of cam followers 64, with each cam follower 64 corresponding to one of the plurality of reel tubes 46. Each cam follower 64 includes first and second linkages 66, 67 pivotally connected together at one end. The first linkage 66 is connected at its other end to a roller 68 or a carriage supporting multiple rollers 68, rollingly disposed along the cam 62. The second linkage 67 is rigidly connected at its other end to the reel tube 46. As the rollers 68 rollingly travel along the eccentrically shaped cam 62, the linkages 66, 67 cause the reel tube 46 to rotate or pivot about its reel tube axis 47 which, in turn, causes the tines 50 secured to the reel tube 46 to progressively rotate or pivot as illustrated in FIG. 5A as each reel tube 46 moves along the circular path of rotation 49, resulting in the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 defining the eccentric shape 56.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 5 A, it can be seen that from about the 9 o’clock position to about the 12 o’clock position along the circular path of rotation 49, the cam arrangement 60 rotates each reel tube 46 about its reel tube axis 47 in the clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 5A corresponding to a right side elevation view of the header 20) indicated by arrow 53 causing the tines 50 rotatably fixed to the reel tube 46 to begin to rotate upwardly as shown. At about the 12 o’clock position, or between about the 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock position the cam arrangement 60 rotates the reel tube 46 such that the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 point substantially vertically upward. As each reel tube 46 moves downwardly in the direction of rotation 31 along the circular path of rotation 49 from about the 12 o’clock position to about the 6 o’clock position, the cam arrangement 60 rotates the reel tube 46 about its reel tube axis 47 in the clockwise direction 53 (as viewed in FIG. 5 A) such that at about the 6 o’clock position, the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 point substantially vertically downward or at thepreset pitch angle 0. As each reel tube 46 continues to move rearwardly and upwardly along the circular path of rotation 49 from about the 6 o’clock position to about the 9 o’clock position, the linkage or cam arrangement maintains the tines in the generally downward direction at the preset pitch angle 0. As the reel tube 46 continues to move upwardly from about the 9 o’clock position to the 12 o’clock position along the circular path of rotation 49, the linkage or cam arrangement again begins to rotate the reel tube 46 about its axis 47 in the clockwise direction 53 (as viewed in FIG. 5 A) until the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 again point substantially vertically upward at about the 12 o’clock position before the tines 50 again flip around the reel tube 46 as the reel tube 46 moves downwardly along the circular path of rotation 49. As shown in FIG. 5A, the dashed line circumscribing the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 as they angularly transition with the rotation of the gathering reel 30A results in a generally circular, but slightly eccentric, shape 54.

[0025] It has been found that if the tines 50 are at an angle of 90° or less from horizontal or remain at the preset pitch angle 0 while the reel tubes 46 are moving upwardly and rearwardly along the path of rotation 49 from about the 6 o’clock position to about the 9 o’clock position as shown in FIG. 5 A, such that the distal ends 51 of the tines are pointing vertically downwardly or toward the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36, the tines 50 can interfere with the lateral movement of the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 and may even lift some of the cut crop away from the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 as the reel tube 46 moves upwardly and may throw some of the cut crop forward of the header 30 resulting in crop loss or uneven feeding of the cut crop to the feederhouse 12.

[0026] FIG. 6A schematically illustrates an improved flip-reel gathering reel 30B similar to the gathering reel 30A of FIG. 5A, but showing an improved angular position of the tines 50 as the reel tubes 46 move along the circular path of rotation 49 as the gathering reel 30B rotates in the direction of rotation 31. As schematically illustrated in in FIG. 6B, the flip reel gathering reel 30B incorporates a mechanism 100 similar to the cam arrangement 60 described in connection with FIG. 5B, and as disclosed in one or more of the patent references identified above. The mechanism 100 includes a cam 102 and a plurality of cam followers 104, with each cam follower 104 corresponding to one of the plurality of reel tubes 46. Each cam follower 104 includes first and second linkages 106, 107 pivotally connected together at one end. The first linkage 106 is connected at its other end to a roller 108 or a carriage supporting multiple rollers 108, rollingly disposed along the cam 102. The second linkage 107 is rigidlyconnected at its other end to the reel tube 46. As the rollers 108 rollingly travel along the eccentrically shaped cam 102, the linkages 106, 107 cause the reel tube 46 to rotate or pivot about its reel tube axis 47 which, in turn, causes the tines 50 secured to the reel tube 46 to progressively rotate or pivot as each reel tube 46 moves along the circular path of rotation 49, resulting in the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 defining the eccentric shape 56. It should be appreciated that the configuration of the cam 102 shown in FIG. 6A is for illustration purposes only. The actual shape of the cam 102 to achieve the rotation of the reel tube 46 and tines 50 may vary from that depicted and the eccentric shape 56 defined by the distal ends 51 of the tines may also vary from that depicted.

[0027] Unlike the flip reel 30A in FIG. 5 A, wherein the reel tubes 46 are rotated in the clockwise direction 53 (as viewed in FIG. 5A) around the entire circular path of rotation 49, in the improved gathering reel embodiment 30B of FIG. 6A, the mechanism 100 is configured to progressively rotate each reel tube 46 about its axis 47 in the counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 6A, corresponding to a right side elevation view of the header 20) as indicated by arrows 55, or forwardly and away from the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 while the reel tubes 46 are moving upwardly and rearwardly from about the 6 o’clock position to about the 9 o’clock position along the circular path of rotation 49. This progressive counterclockwise rotation 55 (as viewed in FIG. 6 A) of the reel tubes 46 between about the 6 o’clock to about the 9 o’clock position maintains the tines 50 at an angle a that is greater than 90° but less than 180° from horizontal with the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 oriented toward the forward direction of travel 11 and away from the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or crossauger 36. After about the 9 o’clock position to about the 6 o’clock position the along the circular path of rotation 49, the linkage or cam arrangement is configured to rotate the reel tube 46 about its axis 47 in the clockwise direction 53 (as viewed in FIG. 6A) so the tines 50 will flip or rotate about the reel tube 46 at the upper portion of the circular path of travel 49 between about the 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock position. As the reel tube 46 moves downwardly in the direction of rotation along the circular path of rotation 49 from about the 12 o’clock position to about the 6 o’clock position, the mechanism 100 rotates the reel tube 46 such that the tines 50 progressively rotate in the clockwise direction until the distal end 51 of the tines 50 are oriented vertically downward or at the preset pitch angle 0 at about the 6 o’clock position. As shown in FIG. 6, the dashed line circumscribing the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 as they angularly transition with the rotation of the gathering reel 30B results in the eccentric shape 56.

[0028] Comparing FIG. 6A to FIG. 5 A, it should be appreciated that in FIG. 6A, because the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 progressively rotate forwardly and away from the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 as the reel tubes 46 move upwardly and rearwardly along the circular path of rotation 49 from about the 6 o’clock position to about the 9 o’clock position, the tines 50 do not interfere with the lateral movement of the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 and this progressive forward rotation of the tines 50 avoids the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 from catching on the tines 50 and being lifted away as the gathering reel continues to rotate upwardly and forwardly along the circular path of rotation, thereby reducing crop losses or uneven feeding of the cut crop to the feederhouse 12.

[0029] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of another type of gathering reel 30C reel, but unlike the gathering reels of 30A and 30B, the tines 50 of the gathering reel 30D do not flip around the reel tubes 46. Instead, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 remain at the preset pitch angle 0 throughout the entire circular path of rotation 49, such as found on most John Deere gathering reel crop headers. As shown in FIG. 7, the dashed line circumscribing the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 as they move along the circular path of rotation 49 in the direction of rotation 31 of the gathering reel 30C, produces the generally circular shape 57. As shown in FIG. 7, the preset pitch angle 0 is maintained throughout the entire circular path of rotation 49 by providing a cam arrangement 70 with a generally circular cam 72 with cam followers 74 comprising a link 76 connected between a roller 78 and the reel tube 46.

[0030] Again, it has been found that if the tines 50 are at an angle of 90° or less from horizontal or remain at the preset pitch angle 0 while the reel tubes 46 are moving upwardly and rearwardly along the path of rotation 49 from about the 6 o’clock position to about the 9 o’clock position as shown in FIG. 7, such that the distal ends 51 of the tines are pointing vertically downwardly or toward the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36, the tines 50 can interfere with the lateral movement of the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 and may even lift some of the cut crop away from the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 as the reel tubes 46 moves upwardly and may throw some of the cut crop forward of the header 30 resulting in crop loss or uneven feeding of the cut crop to the feederhouse 12.

[0031] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an improved gathering reel 30D. Unlike the gathering reel 30C in FIG. 7, wherein the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 remain at the preset pitch angle 0 throughout the entire circular path of rotation 49, in the improved gathering reel embodiment30D of FIG. 8, a mechanism 110 progressively rotates the reel tube 46 about its axis 47 in the counterclockwise direction 55 (as viewed in FIG. 8 which corresponds to a right side elevation view of the header 20), or forwardly and away from the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or crossauger 36, while the reel tubes 46 are moving upwardly and rearwardly from about the 6 o’clock position to about the 9 o’clock position along the circular path of rotation 49. This progressive counterclockwise rotation 55 (as viewed in FIG. 8) of the reel tubes 46 between about the 6 o’clock to about the 9 o’clock position maintains the tines 50 at an angle a that is greater than 90° but less than 180° from horizontal with the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 oriented toward the forward direction of travel 11 and away from the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or crossauger 36. After about the 9 o’clock position to about the 12 o’clock position along the circular path of rotation 49, the linkage or cam arrangement is configured to continue to rotate the reel tubes 46 about each of their respective its axis 47 in the counterclockwise direction 55 (as viewed in FIG. 8) so the tines 50 are generally horizontal at about the 12 o’clock position with the distal ends 51 pointing forwardly. As the reel tube 46 begins to move downwardly in the direction of rotation 31 along the circular path of rotation 49 from about the 12 o’clock position to about the 6 o’clock position, the linkage or cam arrangement is configured to rotate reel tubes 46 in the clockwise direction 53 (as viewed in FIG. 8) such that the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 again point substantially vertically downward or at the preset pitch angle at about the 6 o’clock position. As shown in FIG. 8, the dashed line circumscribing the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 as they angularly transition with the rotation of the gathering reel 30D produces the eccentric shape 58.

[0032] To achieve this eccentric shape 58, the mechanism 110 includes a circular cam 112 that is off-center from the central shaft 40. Alternatively, or additionally, the cam 112 may have an eccentric configuration similar to the eccentric shape 58. The mechanism 110 includes a plurality of cam followers 114, each corresponding to one of the plurality of reel tubes 46. Each cam follower 114, includes first and second linkages 116, 117 pivotally connected together at one end. The first linkage 116 is connected at its other end to a roller 120 or a carriage supporting multiple rollers 120, rollingly disposed along the cam 112. The second linkage 117 is rigidly connected at its other end to the reel tube 46. As rollers 118 rollingly travel along the off-center or eccentrically shaped cam 112, the linkages 116, 117 cause the reel tube 46 to rotate or pivot about its reel tube axis 47 which, in turn, causes the tines 50 secured to the reel tube 46 to progressively rotate or pivot as illustrated in FIG. 8 as each reel tube 46 moves along the circular path of rotation 49, resulting in the distal ends 51 of the tines50 defining the eccentric shape 58. The actual shape of the cam 112 to achieve the rotation of the reel tube 46 and tines 50 may vary from that depicted and the eccentric shape 58 defined by the distal ends 51 of the tines may also vary from that depicted.

[0033] Comparing FIG. 8 to FIG. 7, it should be appreciated that in FIG. 8, because the distal ends 51 of the tines 50 progressively rotate forwardly and away from the cut crop on the crossbelt 34 or cross-auger 36 as the reel tubes 46 move upwardly and rearwardly along the circular path of rotation 49 from about the 6 o’clock position to about the 9 o’clock position, the tines 50 do not interfere with the lateral movement of the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 and this progressive forward rotation of the tines 50 avoids the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 from catching on the tines 50 and being lifted away as the gathering reel continues to rotate upwardly and forwardly along the circular path of rotation, thereby reducing crop losses and uneven feeding of the cut crop to the feederhouse 12.

[0034] It should be appreciated that all angular positions of the reel tubes 46 and tines 50 identified relative to clock positions are with respect to a right side view of the header 20 (from the perspective of the operator sitting in the cab of the combine harvester 10) as represented in FIGs. 5 to 8.

[0035] Any of the cam arrangements disclosed in US Patent Nos. 5,768,870; 6,502,379; 6,591,598; 11,758,849 and US Publication No. US20190082601 incorporated herein by reference could be readily adapted by a person of ordinary skill in the art to provide the mechanism 100 to achieve the progressive forward rotation of the tines 50 away from the cut crop on the cross-belt 34 or cross-auger 36 as described above as the reel tubes 46 move upwardly and rearwardly along the circular path of rotation 49.

[0036] The foregoing description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Various modifications to the embodiments and to the general principles and features of the angular adjustment of the reel tube and tines described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the disclosure should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the appended claims and the full scope of the equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A gathering reel on a crop header for an agricultural harvester, the crop header including a cutter bar extending across a width of the crop header, the cutter bar configured to cut standing crop as the agricultural harvester advances in a forward direction of travel, and wherein the crop header includes a cross-belt or cross-auger disposed rearwardly of the cutter bar, the crossbelt or cross-auger configured to move the crop cut by the cutter bar in a direction lateral to the forward direction of travel, the gathering reel comprising: a plurality of reel tubes radially spaced from a central axis of rotation about which each of the plurality of reel tubes rotate in a direction of rotation in a circular path of rotation, each of the plurality of reel tubes having a reel tube axis generally parallel with the central axis of rotation, each of the plurality of reel tubes supporting a plurality of laterally spaced reel tines, each of the plurality of reel tines having a distal end extending away from the reel tube; a mechanism capable of rotating each of the plurality of reel tubes about its reel tube axis, whereby as each of the plurality of reel tubes moves along the circular path of rotation in an upward direction from about a 6 o’clock position to about a 9 o’clock position as viewed from a right side of the crop header, the mechanism progressively rotates each of the plurality of reel tubes about its reel tube axis in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from a right side of the crop header such that each of the plurality of reel tines is progressively rotated at an angle greater than 90° but less than 180° from horizontal such that the distal end of the plurality of reel tines is toward the forward direction of travel and away from the cross-belt or crossauger.

2. The gathering reel of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is further capable of rotating each of the plurality of reel tubes about its reel tube axis such that as each of the plurality of reel tubes moves along the circular path of rotation from about the 9 o’clock position to about a 3 o’clock position as viewed from the right side of the crop header, each of the plurality of reel tines is progressively rotated in clockwise direction such that the distal end of each of the plurality of reel tines flips from a generally rearward direction to a generally forward direction.

3. The gathering reel of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is further capable of rotating each of the plurality of reel tubes about its reel tube axis such that as each of the plurality of reel tubes moves along the circular path of rotation from about the 9 o’clock position to about a 12 o’clock position as viewed from the right side of the crop header, each of the plurality ofreel tines is progressively rotated in a counterclockwise direction such that the distal end of each of the plurality of reel tines is generally toward the forward direction of travel.

4. The gathering reel of claim 3, wherein the mechanism is further capable of rotating each of the plurality of reel tubes about its reel tube axis such that as each of the plurality of reel tubes moves along the circular path of rotation from about the 12 o’clock position to about the 6 o’clock position as viewed from the right side of the crop header, each of the plurality of reel tines is progressively rotated in a clockwise direction such that as each of the plurality of reel tubes is at about the 6 o’clock position, each of the plurality of reel tines is generally vertical with the distal end of each of the plurality of tines oriented toward a ground surface.

5. The gathering reel of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mechanism includes a cam and a plurality of cam followers, each of the plurality of cam followers corresponding to each one of the plurality of reel tubes.

6. The gathering reel of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of cam followers includes a linkage supporting and at least one roller rollingly disposed along the cam.