Tucker finger over-center protection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9807941-B2
Application number	US-201414261996-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 25, 2014
Priority date	Apr 25, 2014
Publication date	Nov 7, 2017
Grant date	Nov 7, 2017

Abstract

A knotter table of a baler includes a plurality of tucker finger assemblies which each aid in tying together ends of a set of twine strands so as to tie a loop of twine about a bale formed in a baling chamber. Each tucker finger assembly includes a tucker finger defined by a plate pivotally mounted alongside a baling chamber needle slot for being pivoted horizontally between a standby position, wherein the tucker finger is entirely to one side of the needle slot, and a working position, wherein the tucker finger is pivoted across the needle slot. A stop arrangement is provided for being engaged by the tucker finger or by an operating linkage coupled to the tucker finger in the event that the tucker finger pivots a preselected distance beyond a desired working range so as to prevent the operating linkage from going over-center and causing linkage damage.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A tucker finger control assembly, comprising: a tucker finger control shaft mounted for oscillating about a horizontal transverse axis; an elongate tucker finger mounted for pivoting in a desired working range about an upright axis between a standby position and a working position; a fore-and-aft extending, length-adjustable tucker finger motion transfer link extending between, and having opposite ends respectively pivotally coupled to, the tucker finger control shaft and the tucker finger for selectively moving said tucker finger between said standby and working positions; an operating linkage for connecting the tucker finger to the tucker finger motion transfer link; and a hard stop arrangement being provided for engaging one of said motion transfer link and said tucker finger in the event said tucker finger, when being pivoted from said working position to said standby position, is pivoted a predetermined minimal distance beyond said standby position before the operating linkage is driven over-center.

2. The tucker finger control assembly, as defined in claim 1 , wherein the operating linkage includes a pivotal connection with the motion transfer link being defined in part by an upright bolt projecting through the tucker finger and having a hex head located below the tucker finger, with said hex head forming part of said hard stop arrangement.

3. The tucker finger control assembly, as defined in claim 2 , wherein said tucker finger includes an integral feature that projects downward and engages a flat side of the hex head of the upright bolt so that respective flat sides of the hex head are always oriented in the same way during assembly, with one of the flat sides serving as an abutment surface of said hard stop arrangement.

4. The tucker finger control assembly, as defined in claim 2 , wherein said tucker finger is defined in part by a horizontal plate; a horizontal base plate being provided with an upright post member defining said upright axis and pivotally supporting said tucker finger for pivoting about said upright axis; said base plate being provided with a clearance space extending in an arc about said upright axis for providing a clear path of travel for the bolt hex head when motion is imparted to the motion transfer link for pivoting the tucker finger between said standby and working positions; and said clearance space having at least one end bordered by a stop surface located for being engaged by said bolt hex head in the event said tucker finger pivots said minimal distance beyond said desired standby position when moving from said working position to said standby position.

5. The tucker finger control assembly, as defined in claim 4 , wherein said post member is a machined shaft welded to said base plate.

6. The tucker finger control assembly, as defined in claim 4 , wherein said tucker finger is pivotally mounted to said upright post through means of a bearing.

7. The tucker finger assembly, as defined in claim 2 , wherein said tucker finger is defined in part by a horizontal plate; a horizontal support member being provided for pivotally supporting said tucker finger for pivoting about said upright axis; said horizontal support member being provided with a clearance space extending in an arc about said upright axis for providing a clear path of travel for the bolt hex head when the tucker finger motion transfer link is operated for pivoting the tucker finger between said standby and working positions; and said clearance space having opposite ends respectively defined by first and second stop surfaces located for being engaged by the bolt hex head in the event said tucker finger pivots a preselected first distance beyond a desired standby position when moving from said working to said standby position, or pivots a preselected second distance beyond a desired working position when moving from said standby position to said working position.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Demulder Carl F

Classifications

• A01F15/145 Primary

  Twine knotters · CPC title