Endless Apron Patents (Class 460/86)
  • Patent number: 10219439
    Abstract: A preparation section of a combine harvester that is configured to receive a mixture of grain and material other than grain (MOG) from a threshing section of the combine harvester. The preparation section includes a conveyor positioned beneath the threshing section that is configured to transport the grain and MOG in a downstream direction toward a cleaning section, and a deflector positioned at a downstream end of a conveyor that is configured to launch the grain and MOG into the air and cause at least partial separation of the MOG and grain prior to falling onto the cleaning section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Frederick Hillen, Jonathan Eugene Ricketts
  • Patent number: 6364763
    Abstract: An apron system for use with a forage box container includes split aprons having a first apron and a second apron, the first apron having a pair of spaced apart, continuous, advancing chains, a plurality of spaced apart, transverse bars extending substantially between the pair of spaced apart chains, each of the plurality of bars being operably coupled to each of the pair of advancing chains, the first apron being disposed in a forage box container bed first portion. The second apron has a pair of spaced apart, continuous, advancing chains, a plurality of spaced apart, transverse bars extending substantially between the pair of spaced apart chains, each of the plurality of bars being operably coupled to each of the pair of advancing chains, the second apron being disposed in a forage box container bed second portion. A drive mechanism is operably coupled to the split apron system for imparting advancing motion to the advancing chains thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: H&S Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore F. Schoenherr
  • Patent number: 6129630
    Abstract: An apron system for use with a forage box container includes split aprons having a first apron and a second apron, the first apron having a pair of spaced apart, continuous, advancing chains, a plurality of spaced apart, transverse bars extending substantially between the pair of spaced apart chains, each of the plurality of bars being operably coupled to each of the pair of advancing chains, the first apron being disposed in a forage box container bed first portion. The second apron has a pair of spaced apart, continuous, advancing chains, a plurality of spaced apart, transverse bars extending substantially between the pair of spaced apart chains, each of the plurality of bars being operably coupled to each of the pair of advancing chains, the second apron being disposed in a forage box container bed second portion. A drive mechanism is operably coupled to the split apron system for imparting advancing motion to the advancing chains thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: H&S Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore F. Schoenherr
  • Patent number: 5033932
    Abstract: A nut harvest trailer having a hopper with a rotatable loop of flexible screen affixed over the top of the hopper extending from the front to the rear thereof. A solid panel is affixed between an upper and lower layer of the loop of screen. The solid panel extends from the front of the hopper toward the rear thereof. The solid panel terminates to leave a narrow opening between the end of the solid panel and the rear of the hopper. The structure allows a mixture of nuts and small limbs to be deposited onto the upper layer of screen and solid panel at the front of the trailer. The mixture is then moved by the upper layer of screen on the solid panel toward the rear of the trailer where the nuts fall through the screen, through the narrow opening and into the hopper of the trailer. The sticks remain on the screen and are deposited off the rear of the trailer. The lower layer of the screen loop moves from the rear of the hopper toward the front thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventor: Ira Compton
  • Patent number: 4959038
    Abstract: A milkweed processing machine includes a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end. Milkweed pods are introduced into the inlet end and conveyed to a pod cracking chamber whrein a cylinder having rigid spikes projecting radially therefrom cracks the pods. The cracked milkweed pods are then conveyed to a picking chamber wherein a plurality of cylindrical members having fingers projecting therefrom will pick and loosen the floss and seeds from the cracked milkweed pods. The picking cylinders are arranged in parallel relationship and rotate in opposite directions. The picked and loosened floss and pods are then conveyed to a fluffing chamber which includes a rotating cylindrical member having a plurality of fingers which further fluff the loosened floss to remove the seeds from the floss. A fan directs a current of air through the loosened and picked floss materials to lift the floss and carry it to an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Natural Fibers Corp.
    Inventor: George Ragsdale