US 11,745,950 B2
Variable cross-section combine feeder slat
Nathan E. Isaac, Lancaster, PA (US); Cale Boriack, Lititz, PA (US); and Trevor Book, Lititz, PA (US)
Assigned to CNH Industrial America LLC, New Holland, PA (US)
Filed by CNH Industrial America LLC, New Holland, PA (US)
Filed on Aug. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/895,213.
Application 17/895,213 is a continuation of application No. 16/778,875, filed on Jan. 31, 2020, granted, now 11,447,341.
Prior Publication US 2022/0402702 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. B65G 17/32 (2006.01); B65G 15/44 (2006.01); B65G 17/06 (2006.01); B65G 19/10 (2006.01); A01D 61/04 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 17/32 (2013.01) [A01D 61/04 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A combine feeder slat comprising:
a first base located at a first end of the feeder slat, the first base having a first lower surface and a first upper surface opposite the first lower surface, the first base being configured to mount to a first conveyor strand with the first lower surface facing the first conveyor strand;
a second base located at a second end of the feeder slat, the second base having a second lower surface and a second upper surface opposite the second lower surface, the second base being configured to mount to a second conveyor strand with the second lower surface facing the second conveyor strand; and
a slat body extending in a longitudinal direction and connecting the first base to the second base, the slat body comprising a variable profile as viewed along the longitudinal direction, that transitions from a first profile shape at the first base, to an intermediate profile shape between the first base and the second base, to a second profile shape at the second base, the intermediate profile shape comprising a front lip, a rear lip, and an upward-facing concave projection that connects the front lip to the rear lip, wherein the upward-facing concave projection defines an open volume and at least a portion of the open volume extends below an attachment plane defined between the first lower surface and the second lower surface,
wherein the first base, second base, and slat body comprise a unitary metal part.