CONCAVES FOR AN AGRICULTURAL COMBINE

• US 20180199515A1
• Filed: 03/13/2018
• Published: 07/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin J. Kile
• Original Assignee: Kevin J. Kile
• Inventors: Kile, Kevin J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,440,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/12 Details of combines
• CPC Class Codes: A01F 12/26 Multi-part threshing concaves

Abstract

A concave for an agricultural combine includes first and second frames and a threshing mat that includes threshing bars each including a separating grate. An engagement assembly non-destructively connects each of the threshing bars to the first frame, the threshing bars form openings therebetween for grain to pass through, the separating grate of each of the threshing bars extends across an adjacent one of the openings for separating grain from threshed crop material, and the separating grate of each of the threshing bars is fixedly connected to an adjacent one of the threshing bars. The engagement assemblies enable non-destructive removal of the threshing mat from the first frame, when the second frame is spaced apart from the first frame. The second frame restrains non-destructive removal of the threshing mat from the first frame via the engagement assemblies, when the second frame is juxtaposed to the first frame.

Claims

1. A concave for an agricultural combine, comprising:

a first frame;

a second frame;

a threshing mat, the threshing mat comprises threshing bars each including a separating grate, an engagement assembly non-destructively connects each of the threshing bars to the first frame, the threshing bars form openings therebetween for grain to pass through, the separating grate of each of the threshing bars extends across an adjacent one of the openings for separating grain from threshed crop material, and the separating grate of each of the threshing bars is fixedly connected to an adjacent one of the threshing bars;

the engagement assemblies enable non-destructive removal of the threshing mat from the first frame, when the second frame is spaced apart from the first frame;

the second frame restrains non-destructive removal of the threshing mat from the first frame via the engagement assemblies, when the second frame is juxtaposed to the first frame; and

the threshing mat is non-destructively connected to the first frame via the engagement assemblies, when the second frame is spaced apart from the first frame and when the second frame is juxtaposed to the first frame.

2. The concave according to claim 1, wherein the second frame includes stops, the stops are juxtaposed on either side of the first frame and interact with the threshing mat restraining the threshing mat from being non-destructively removed from the first frame, when the second frame is juxtaposed to the first frame.

3. The concave according to claim 1, wherein each said engagement assembly includes engagement elements carried by each of the threshing bars and corresponding complemental engagement elements carried by the first frame.

4. The concave according to claim 3, wherein each of the engagement elements is a tongue, and each of the complemental engagement elements is a slot.

5. The concave according to claim 1, further comprising a catch assembly non-destructively catches each of the threshing bars to the second frame, when the second frame is juxtaposed to the first frame.

6. The concave according to claim 5, wherein each said catch assembly includes catch elements carried by each of the threshing bars and corresponding complemental catch elements carried by the second frame.

7. The concave according to claim 6, wherein each of the catch elements is one of a key and a keyway, and each of the complemental catch elements is the other one of the key and the keyway.

8. The concave according to claim 7, wherein the second frame includes stops, the stops are juxtaposed on either side of the first frame, interact with the threshing bars restraining the threshing bars from being non-destructively removed from the first frame, when the second frame is juxtaposed to the first frame, and carry the complemental catch elements.

9. A method of assembling a concave for an agricultural combine, comprising:

providing a first frame, a second frame, and threshing bars each including a separating grate;

removably connecting the threshing bars to the first frame via non-destructive removable connections, the threshing bars being spaced apart forming openings therebetween for grain to pass through, and the separating grate of each of the threshing bars extends across an adjacent one of the openings for separating grain from threshed crop material; and

juxtaposing the second frame relative to the first frame, fixedly connecting the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars, and the second frame restraining removal of the threshing bars from the first frame via the non-destructive removable connections all without disabling the non-destructive removable connections thereby leaving the threshing bars non-destructively connected to the first frame.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of fixedly connecting the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars further includes welding the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising releasably securing the second frame to the first frame.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the non-destructive removable connections each comprise a tongue-and-groove assembly.

13. A method of assembling a concave for an agricultural combine, comprising:

providing a first frame, a second frame, and threshing bars each including a separating grate;

removably connecting the threshing bars to the first frame via non-destructive removable connections, the threshing bars being spaced apart forming openings therebetween for grain to pass through, and the separating grate of each of the threshing bars extends across an adjacent one of the openings for separating grain from threshed crop material; and

juxtaposing the second frame relative to the first frame, removably catching the threshing bars to the second frame via non-destructive removable catch connections, fixedly connecting the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars, and the second frame restraining removal of the threshing bars from the first frame via the non-destructive removable connections, all without disabling the non-destructive removable connections thereby leaving the threshing bars non-destructively connected to the first frame.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of fixedly connecting the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars further includes welding the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising releasably securing the second frame to the first frame.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the non-destructive removable connections each comprise a tongue-and-groove assembly.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the non-destructive removable catch connections each comprise a key-and-keyway assembly.

18. A method of assembling a concave for an agricultural combine, comprising:

providing a frame, stops, and threshing bars each including a separating grate;

removably connecting the threshing bars to the frame via non-destructive removable connections, the threshing bars being spaced apart forming openings therebetween for grain to pass through, and the separating grate of each of the threshing bars extends across an adjacent one of the openings for separating grain from threshed crop material; and

juxtaposing the stops on either side of the frame, fixedly connecting the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars, and the stops restraining removal of the threshing bars from the frame via the non-destructive removable connections, all without disabling the non-destructive removable connections thereby leaving the threshing bars non-destructively connected to the frame.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of fixedly connecting the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars further includes welding the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising releasably securing the stops to the frame.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the non-destructive removable connections each comprise a tongue-and-groove assembly.

22. A method of assembling a concave for an agricultural combine, comprising:

providing a frame, stops, and threshing bars each including a separating grate;

removably connecting the threshing bars to the frame via non-destructive removable connections, the threshing bars being spaced apart forming openings therebetween for grain to pass through, the separating grate of each of the threshing bars extends across an adjacent one of the openings for separating grain from threshed crop material; and

juxtaposing the stops on either side of the frame, removably catching the threshing bars to the stops via non-destructive removable catch connections, fixedly connecting the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars, and the stops restraining removal of the threshing bars from the frame via the non-destructive removable connections, all without disabling the non-destructive removable connections thereby leaving the threshing bars non-destructively connected to the frame.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of fixedly connecting the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars further includes welding the separating grate of each of the threshing bars to an adjacent one of the threshing bars.

24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising releasably securing the stops to the frame.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the non-destructive removable connections each comprise a tongue-and-groove assembly.

26. The method according to claim 22, wherein the non-destructive removable catch connections each comprise a key-and-keyway assembly.