TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention refers to a cutting platform for a grain-harvesting machine, with the platform equipped with two spiral tubes, which provide the feed and flow of the collected product to the outlet of the so-called feeder channel. In the present invention, the spiral tubes are especially designed in a conical format, for the purpose of providing greater economy of material in their conception, without failing to guarantee the efficiency of the transport of the collected material to the feeder channel mentioned.

BACKGROUND

[002] At present, field workers and agricultural professionals have innumerable tools and equipment capable of helping them in an efficient fashion with tasks that are involved from the point of planting through to the harvesting of a series of products. It is often necessary to make use of such support mechanisms as part of the day- to-day farming operation, so as to offer a safe and productive environment for the field hand. On the other hand, there should be a careful observation of the design and production of the machinery in question, so as to achieve a compromise between desired efficiency and a lower cost of manufacturing.

[003] Within the context of cutting platforms for grain-harvesting machines, it is the case that such equipment today has a spiral tube in a cylindrical form, which has a cylindrical form along its entire extension. In this mode, the tube, which is equipped with a propeller, describes a rotational movement, with the objective of moving the entire harvested mass by means of the so-called cutting bar, starting with the movement of the harvester towards the center of the platform. In this sequence, the mass is transported through the feeder channel, which is normally located at the center rear of the cutting platform, and then to the interior of the machine.

[004] The harvesting system described above does not take into account the fact that there is a difference in the volume of the mass harvested as compared with the mass that is moved, as a function of the movement of the implement. In this case, the volume of the mass gathered is increased at the extremities or sides of the platform, in the direction of the outlet of the feeder channel, and therefore, at the center of the structure, the volume of the product is greater than it is at its sides. In this way, the greatest force working on the spiral tube is in the central part of the platform, where the greatest volume of gathered mass circulates. [005] Based on the above, and in order to meet today's needs for the harvesting of grains with a lower production cost, the present invention is proposed, since the invention is oriented toward the use of two spiral tubes, designed in a conical shape, as will be described in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings:

[007] Figure 1 represents a frontal view of a cutting platform using the present state of the technique;

[008] Figure 2 represents a perspective view of the cutting platform using the present state of the technique;

[009] Figure 3 represents a frontal view of the cutting platform for grain harvesting based upon the characteristics of the present invention;

[010] Figure 4 represents an overhead view of the cutting platform for grain harvesting that is the object of the present invention; and

[011] Figure 5 represents a perspective view of the cutting platform that is the object of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMB ODIMENTS

[012] The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. While the drawings illustrate and the specification describes certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that such disclosure is by way of example only. There is no intent to limit the principles of the present invention to the particular disclosed embodiments. References hereinafter made to certain directions, such as, for example, "left" and "right", are made as viewed from the front looking rearward.

[013] As has already been mentioned, Figures 1 and 2 show some of the construction characteristics of a cutting platform for grains normally found in the agricultural machines designed according to the present state of the technique. [014] More specifically, it is possible to note in Figures 1 and 2, the configuration of the spiral tube used in the equipment available today; that tube is manufactured in a single cylindrical shape throughout its entire length.

[015] The totally cylindrical shape alluded to, used in prior techniques, does not take into account the difference in volume gathered from the platform's ends or its sides, toward the central part of the platform, during the transport of the grain to the entry channel of the feeder.

[016] In the present invention, at least one spiral tube, conical in shape, is provided on the cutting platform, so as to optimize the flow of the product during its collection, and especially to optimize the costs of production involved in the manufacture of the structure of the machine.

[017] In this way, the cutting platform for the grain-harvesting machine (1), in accordance with the design of the present invention, includes first (20') and second (20") lateral portions, as well as a rear portion (30), associated with them, as can be seen in Figures 3 to 5.

[018] The same Figures 3 to 5 also illustrate a longitudinal shaft (100) on the cutting platform (1), which is defined between the first (20') and second (20") lateral portions.

[019] Figure 5 shows in the clearest fashion the rear portion (30), equipped with at least one outlet of the feeder channel (30'). Preferably, that channel outlet (30') is installed, or defined, in a central part of the rear portion (30).

[020] A quite innovative characteristic of the present invention refers to the shape of the spiral tube present on the cutting platform. That platform includes at least one spiral tube (40'), but, preferably, the machine includes two spiral tubes (40' and 40"), as shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[021] It should also be noted, in Figures 3 to 5, that the tube in question makes use of a conical shape, as well as that the tube is on the longitudinal shaft (100) of the cutting platform (1)·

[022] That conical shape of the spiral tube confers upon the gathering mechanism a better performance during the work of the agricultural implement, as compared with the techniques used today, to the extent that its variable diameter provides a better distribution of force on the volume of material to be distributed. [023] In other words, the gathering tube defined here operates with a diameter that is greater at the center, as compared with the diameter in the lateral portions (20' and 20") of the spiral, in a fashion that is proportional to the reduction of forces that occurs in the direction of the extremities of the platform.

[024] In this way, the present spiral tube is dimensioned in accordance with the volume of material transported, in that the grain and straw are normally moved from the extremities toward the center of the platform.

[025] In the present case, it is worth emphasizing that the conical shape of the spiral tubes (40' and 40") permit the redimensioning of the entire structural part of the cutting platform, thereby reducing the size of the equipment, and as a result, its final weight.

[026] An additional construction characteristic of the present invention has to do with the mounting of the tubes (40' and 40"). Figure 5 shows that the central region of the rear portion (30) is divided, preferably at its middle, by means of a support portion (50) installed perpendicularly to the plane of the outlet of the feeder channel (30').

[027] In this way, the first and second spiral tubes (40' and 40"), with their conical shape, are mounted between the support portion (50) and the first and second lateral portions (20' and 20"), respectively.

[028] Also, it is worth mentioning that the first spiral tube (40') defines a region of greater diameter, oriented toward the support portion (50), and a region of lesser diameter, oriented toward the first lateral portion (20').

[029] In an analogous fashion, the second spiral tube (40") defines a region of greater diameter, oriented toward the support portion (50), and a region of lesser diameter, oriented toward the second lateral portion (20").

[030] In the operational context of the agricultural machine, it should be pointed out that the first and second spiral tubes (40' and 40") perform a rotational movement, transporting the collected grain from the first and second lateral portions (20' and 20") toward the outlet of the feeder channel (30').

[031] Finally, the proposed cutting platform achieves its objectives to the extent that spiral tubes with a conical shape, arranged along the axis of its structure, make possible the manufacture of a piece of equipment that weighs less and is more efficient during field harvesting, as compared with the configurations and/or structures that are available today. [032] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the more pertinent aspects and features of the present invention. These should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by modifying the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.