US 12,490,679 B2
Combine harvester separation system
Michael T. Meschke, Eldridge, IA (US); Michael L Vandeven, Leclaire, IA (US); Brian Gorge, Colona, IL (US); and Martin Rittershofer, Zweibrücken (DE)
Assigned to Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/823,766.
Prior Publication US 2024/0065171 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. A01F 12/26 (2006.01); A01F 7/06 (2006.01); A01F 12/28 (2006.01)
CPC A01F 12/26 (2013.01) [A01F 7/06 (2013.01); A01F 12/28 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A grate assembly of a crop processing system for an agricultural machine comprising:
a grate configured to be disposed adjacent to a rotor, the grate comprising:
a first sidewall;
a second sidewall offset from the first sidewall; and
an opening defined between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;
a plurality of flaps pivotably coupled to the grate, each flap of the plurality of flaps comprising:
a first end;
a second end disposed opposite the first end, the first end disposed adjacent to the first sidewall of the grate;
a leading end, the flap pivotable about a pivot axis passing along the leading end; and
a trailing end freely extending from the leading end;
a movable linkage disposed between at least a portion of the first ends of the plurality of flaps and the first sidewall, the movable linkage coupled to at least one of the flaps of the plurality of flaps, the movable linkage movable between a first position and a second position to pivot the at least one of the flaps of the plurality of flaps over an angular range;
a space disposed between the movable linkage and the first sidewall being free of a trailing end of any flap; and
a plurality of crossbars extending through the opening between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the plurality of crossbars distributed along a length of the first sidewall and the second sidewall,
wherein the leading end of each of the plurality of flaps is pivotably coupled at an end of a respective crossbar of the plurality of crossbars,
wherein at least one of the plurality of crossbars includes a recess, and wherein an end of the flap of the plurality of flaps corresponding to the at least one crossbar that includes the recess nests in the recess.