US2619784A - Doffer for cotton pickers - Google Patents

Description

1952 L. A. PARADISE 2,619,784

DOFFER FOR COTTON PICKERS Filed Dec. 22, 1948 H6. 6 mm.

L.A. PARAD/SE A TTORE Y5 Patented Dec. 2, 1952 DOFFER FOR COTTON PICKERS Louis A. Paradise, Moline, Ill., asslgnor to Deere & Company, Moline, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application December 22, 1948, Serial No. 66,650

11 Claims.

This invention relates to dofling mechanism for cotton pickers and more particularly to improved dofiing elements of the type mounted on a rotating carrier for dofling or wiping cotton from picking elements such as rotating spindles.

The most feasible type of cotton picker currently known is that in which the picking unit includes a drumrotatable about a vertical axis and provided with a plurality of picking spindles individually rotatable on substantially horizontal axes and arranged in vertically spaced series. As the picking machine advances along a row of cotton, the spindles move into the plants and operate to pick the cotton by wrapping the cotton around picking portions of the spindles. As the drum continues to move in its orbit, the laden spindles move out of the plants toward dofling mechanism which removes the cotton from the spindles for ultimate delivery of the cotton to a suitable receptacle. One particular dofling mechanism heretofore known is that type which comprises a vertical shaft on which is carried a plurality of dofling members, one for each series of spindles. These doffing members are interspaced with respect to the spindles and rotate in such direction that they engage the cotton on the spindles by means of dofling elements which have heretofore comprised, in the main, rubber blocks or bristles or a combination of both.

The relationship between the picker spindles and the dofiing mechanism is a peculiar one and considerable effort has been extended in the past in the development of an appropriate structural relationship that best coordinates the functions of these two mechanisms; considerable effort has also been directed toward the selection of proper materials of which to construct the doiilng elements. These problems are particularly acute because of the nature of the cotton, which tends to adhere to the spindles, is compressible and sometimes becomes tightly wrapped on the spindles, and which when removed from the spindles tends in some cases to adhere to the dofiing elements. As a general solution to all problems in this respect, the material primarily used for the dofiing elements is rubber, in various natural and synthetic compositions thereof, each element being provided in the form of an elongated block which is square in cross-section and rectangular, as viewed from above or either side.

The selection of such material rather than a material having higher wear-resisting characteristics was carefully made with the realization that such blocks or elements would have to be replaced. In one known prior construction, the blocks were formed integral with a disk or ring which is mounted on a carrier. The primary disadvantage of such construction is that excescessive wear on one element requires replacement of the entire mounting structure. According to the present invention, it is proposed that each element be made and carried individually so that any element may be individually replaced. It is therefore another object to provide a carrier making suitable provision for the individual installation and replacement of the dofiing elements.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an improved dofiing element which has increased dofling efficiency because of its construction of different portions of different flexibility. That is, one of the portions is relatively solid or dense to provide a mounting portion on the dofiing carrier and the other portion is more resilient, or of less density, to provide a cotton-engaging portion cooperative with the spindles. Specifically, it is an object to provide a doffing element in the form of a block constructed of rubber or similar material which is substantially solid except for a plurality of grooves or slits which thereby provide a plurality of cotton-engaging or wiping portions, each of which is individually flexible.

In connection with the mounting of the element or block on the dofier carrier, it is an object to reenforce the denser or solid portion of the block, preferably by means of a small plate of metal bonded or otherwise secured to the block. A further object is to incorporate in the block portions which cooperate with mounting means on the dofl'er carrier so that the block may be easily installed and removed.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable features inherent in and encompassed by the invention will become apparent as a complete disclosure of a preferred form of the invention is made in the-following detailed description and accompanying sheet of drawings in which: I

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view showing a dofier in cooperative position with but two of a series of picker spindles;

Figure 2 is a side view of the structure shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 being partly in section as viewed along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the doifer carrier mechanism;

. Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the doffer. elements or blocks;

Figure 5'is a sectional view through one of the dofilng elements as viewed substantially along a plane including the line -5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged view taken substantially along the line 66 in Figure 1 and showing the relationship between the doffing mechanism and a cotton-laden spindle.

A general understanding of the operation of a cotton picker of the defied-spindle type may be had from Figures 1 and 2 and the following description. The numeral It! is used to designate a picker spindle comprising part of a plurality of series of similar spindles arranged about a drum (not shown) according to various wellknown constructions, an example of which is shown in the U. S. patent to Johnston 2,140,631. These spindles are carried in such manner that they rotate with the drum in an orbit .or path that results in movement of the spindles into the cotton plants along a row that is bein picked or harvested. Each spindle is individually carried for rotation about a horizontal axis. The direction of rotation of the spindles is indicated by an arrow in Figure 1. The-direction of movement of the spindles into or toward the cotton plants is indicatedby a large'arrow labeled A in Figure 1. The spindles may, as isconventional, be provided with picking teeth (not shown here) by meansof which the rapidly rotating spindles engage and withdraw cotton from the cotton bolls. from the plants in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 1 so that the cotton thereon, designated at C in the drawings, may be removed by means of dofling mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral ll.

Figure 2 indicates-generally partcf themeans for rotating the individual spindles Hi, such means here including a vertical shaft 12 and meshing bevel-pinions I 3 respectively'on the shaft and on the spindle.

The dofiing mechanism comprises a vertical shaft which may be rotated by any suitable source of power and which carries a plurality of vertically spaced, circular doffers or carriers (only one of which is shown) spaced apart in accordance with the verticalspacing of the spindles In, all of which will be apparent from an examination of the disclosure in the patent referred to above. For the purposes of the present illustration, it is deemed necessary to show only a single dolfer and its relation to one or r two spindles. The arrows D in Figures 1 and 6 indicate the direction of rotation of the doffer. It will be noted that the cotton-laden spindle Ill approaches and is engaged by the doffer H in such manner that the longitudinal axis of the spindle is substantially tangent to an outer circle of the dofifer. This result may be accomplished by the usual cam or control means as shown in the Johnston patent.

Each doifer comprises a circular'carrier member or hub 16 which has a central bore or opening I! to receive the dofier shaft lb. The hub i6 includes a radial .flange i8 provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 1 9 which form part of mounting or securing means to be subsequently described in greater detail. The hub 16 may be fixed to the shaft It as by a key 20 (Figure 1). The axis of the carrier is, of course, the axisoi the shaft [5, and the general plane of the carrier and its associated flange i8 is horizontal.

The doffer further includes an upper mounting plate here shown as comprising a ring 2| of sheet metal or other suitable mater a T is ring The cotton-laden spindles then move out has an interior opening 22 of a diameter sufficient to allow installation of the ring on the carrier it from above so that the portion of the ring 2| bordering the opening 22 may rest on the upper or radial surface portion of the flange E8 of the hub. The ring is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 23 positioned for alinement with the openings or apertures l9 in th hub 16. The outside diameter of the ring 2! is substantially larger than that of the flange 28 on the hub it and the outer periphery of the ring terminates in an axially directedannular flange 2d, preferably formed integral with the body of the ring. In its broader aspects, the two parts it and 2i comprise a mounting element for the parts to be described below.

A third part of the doi'ler includes a plate or ring of sheet metal, designated by the numeral 25, and having an interior opening 25 substantially equal in diameter to the opening 22 in the ring 21. The outside diameter of the ring 25 is slightly less than. the outside diameter of the ring 2!, being in fact substantially a close fit with the inside diameter of the annular flange 24 onthe ring ii. The ring 25 is provided with a plurality ofapertures or openings 27 circumferentially spaced .on the order of the apertures 19 and 23 respectively in the parts it and 2!. When the doffer components are assembled, securing means are passed through the openings or apertures for securing the components together. In the present instance, the securing means comprise a plurality of bolts 28 and nuts 29.

As best shown in Figure 2, the flange is on the hub It has opposite radial mounting faces, the upper of which carries the under face of the ring 2| and the lower or under of which engages the upper face of the lower ring 25, thus disposing the rings 2| and .25 in axially spaced relationship with the annular flange 24 overhanging or overlapping the outside diameter of the ring As best shown in Figure 3, the ring 25 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting portions including recesses or slots 33 which extend radially as respects the center or axis of the ring 25.

The doifer carrier structure just described provides means for carrying or mounting a plurality of doling elements, each preferably being identical to that shown in Figure 4, wherein the numeral 35 designates the element in its entirety. Each element is composedprincipally of material suchas rubber'and preferably is in the form of a block that is generally in the form of a T in crosssection, the upper or bar portion of the T being designated by the numeral 36 and the upright or leg portion of the T being designated by the numeral 37. The block is elongated and is substantially rectangular, as viewed from above or either side, and the cross-sectional area or appearance of the upright or leg portion of the T is substantially that of asquare. As best shown in Figure 5, the length of the bar portion 36 is somewhat shorter than the length of the leg portion 31, to provide an oifset or notch at 38. The thickness of the bar portion 35 is substantially equal to the axial spacing between the plates 2! and 25 when assembled to the hub 16, and the length of the bar portion is substantially equal to the radial distance between the inside diameter of the annular flange 2t and the ouside diameterof the flange 18 on the hub l t. The width of the portion 31 is slightly less than the width of a slot 30in the ring 25. Hence, it will be seen that-the elements or' blocks 35 maybe individually carried'by the carrier structure via the slots 30 and the cooperative covering and retaining action of the overlapping or annular flange 24. That is to say, in the original assembly of the dofier, the blocks-may be installed in the slots 30 of the ring 25 with the offsets or notches 38 toward the'center of the ring. The plate 2| may be mounted on the carrier from above and the other plate from below, the two plates thus confining'the portion 36 of each block. The fastening means including the bolts 28 and nuts 29 complete the assembly. The overlapping relation of the annular flange 24 prevents radial outward displacement of the block. Radial inward displacement of the block is, of course, prevented by engagement between the inner portion of the bar 36 with theannular flange IS on the'hub l6.

In-the event that J any one of the blocks 35 wears excessively or is otherwise damaged, it may be replaced without disassembling the entire carrier structure. This result is accomplished by removing the fastening means 28-29 in the vicinity of the damaged block. The inherent flexibility in the rings or plates 2| and 25 permits the rings to be spread apart sufiiciently to remove the damaged block radially outwardly below the proximate portion of the annular flange 24. By a reversal of this procedure, a new block may be inserted and the fastening means replaced. It will be obvious that this operation is considerably faster and less expensive than that required by prior constructions in which it is necessary to replace either the entire dofier and carrier or at least an element in which the blocks are provided as integral parts of a rubber ring.

As previously stated, a further. feature of the invention is the construction of the individual block with respect to the dofling characteristics thereof. For this purpose, each block 35 is so constructed that its upper portion is of greater density and therefore of less flexibility than its lower portion. As will be best seen in Figures 4 and'5, the upper portion of the block-substantially the upper half thereof-is relatively solid and dense and hence relatively inflexible. This solid or dense portion is preferably integral with thebar portion 36 of the T-shaped cross-section. The upper surface of the bar is given increased rigidity by means of a reenforcement preferably including a small metal plate 40. This plate may be bonded or otherwise adhered to the upper surface of the portion 36.

The lower portion of the upright or leg 3! of the block is relieved or otherwise provided with less density than the upper portion. In the present case, this result is accomplished by the provision of a plurality of lengthwise slits or grooves 4|, thereby leaving on the block a plurality of cotton-engaging. portions 42 in the form of wiper strips of increased flexibility or resiliency.

The action of the wiper strips 42 may be best visualized by an examination of Figure 6, wherein it will be seen that the strips are individually flexible. The strips are preferably in parallelism throughout the length of the block 35; although, they may be otherwise arranged according to individual desires. The relationship between the bottoms of the strips and the upper surface of the spindle I is such as to provide a slight clearance to allow for the wrapping of the cotton, as indicated at C in Figure 6. It will be noted that the outer surface of each spindle is conical and that the wiping action of the doifer block is from the base to the tip of the cone. It will be further noted from an examination of Figures 1 and 6, that the direction of rotationof the spindle is such that its surface moves lengthwise as respects the extent of the strips 42. Simultaneously, the strips'are, of course, wiped axially over the outer surface of the spindle.

Figures 4 and 5 show that the depth of each of the grooves 4| in the portion 31 of the block 35 is substantially one-half the height of the -bar portion of the T. It will be appreciated that the depth can be varied for the purposes of varying the flexibility of the strips; that is, the grooves can be made shallower so that the lower portion of the block is less flexible, or the grooves could be made deeper to make the lower portion of the block more flexible. The invention contemplates such variations for the purpose of accomplishing varying degrees of flexibility of wiper strips 42 or their equivalents.

Doffer block-s constructed according to the present invention will have increased wearing qualities inad-dition to more efii-cient doffing action. The wear-resisting characteristics can be determined from an examination of Figure 6, wherein it will be seen that the individual strips 42 may flex and any wear on the block will be taken by the leading corners of the strips, rather than on a single corner of a solid block of the type heretofore known.

Various other features and advantages of the invention not specifically pointed out above will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as likewise will numerous modifications and alterations in the preferred structure illustrated, all of which may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dofiing block of relatively elongated form and composed principally of resilient material such as rubber, said block being T-shaped in cross-section with the leg of the T substantially heavier than the bar of the T and the bar and the leg being integrally formed, the bar and substantially the bar-proximate half of the leg being relatively solid, and the other half of the leg being grooved lengthwise of the block to a depth substantially one-half the height of the leg to provide a plurality of generally parallel, relatively flexible wiper strips running lengthwise of the block.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, further characterized in that: the bar of the T is reenforced with material of less resiliency than the material of which the block is principally composed.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, further characterized in that:v the reenforcing material is metal.

4. The invention defined in claim 3, further characterized in that:' the portion of the block formed by the bar of the T is an outer, generally flat surface; and the metal reeinforcement comprises a metal member substantially coextensive in area with said surface.

5. The invention defined in claim 4, further characterized in that: the metal member is a plate having opposite surfaces, one of which is bonded to the outer surface of the bar of the T and the other of which is exposed in its major portions.

6. A d-ofling block of relatively elongated form and composed principally of resilient material such as rubber, said block being T-shaped in cross-section with the leg of the T substantially heavier than the bar of the T and the bar and the leg being integrally formed, the bar and substantially the bar-proximate half of the leg being relatively solid, and .the other half of the leg being grooved lengthwise of the :block .to .a depth substantially one-half the height of the leg to provide a plurality of generally parallel, relatively flexible wiper strips running lengthwise of the block, that portion of the block formed by the bar of the T being shorter, lengthwise of the block, than the portion formed by the leg of the T.

7. A cotton picker doffer, comprising: a generally circular carrier hub having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures; a first ring concentrically disposed on the hub and having an outside diameter larger than that of the hub, said ring having a peripheral, axially directed flange, and also having a plurality of apertures alined with the hub apertures; a second ring concentrically disposed on the hub in axially spaced relation to the first ring and having its periphery overlapped by the peripheral flange on the first ring, said second ring having a plurality of apertures in alinement With the afore said apertures, and further having a plurality of circumferentially spaced mountin recesses opening to its periphery; a plurality of individual dofiing elements, one for each recess, each element having a portion received through the recess and within the axial spacing between the rings, each element further having a portion engaging the peripheral flange of th first ring to prevent outward radial displacement of said element; and means for securing the carrier hub and rings together with the dofiing element-s mounted as aforesaid including a plurality of fasteners cooperating respectively with said apertures. V

8. The invention defined in claim '7, further characterized in that: the second ring includes flexible portions adjacent the mounting recesses, and the fasteners are individually removable and insertable so that proximate. portions of the rings may be moved axially apart to provide for removal or insertion of individual dofllng elements.

9. A cotton-picker dofier, comprising: a rotatable carrier; a first ring concentrically disposed on the carrier and having an outside diameter larger than that of the carrier and having aperipheral, axially directed flange; a second ring concentrically disposed on the carrier in axially spaced relation to the first .ring and having its periphery overlapped by the peripheral flange on the first ring, said secondring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting recesses opening to its periphery; a plurality of individual doffing elements, one for each recess, each element having a portion received through the recess and within the axialspacing between the rings, each element further having a portion engaging the peripheral flange .of the first ring to prevent outward radial displacement of said element; and means for securing the carrier and rings together with the dofling elements mounted as aforesaid.

10. A cotton picker doffer, comprising: a horizontally rotatable mounting element having a peripheral, axially downwardly directed flange; a mounting plate that is substantially-circular and mounted concentrically with the mounting element but spaced slightly axially therebelow so as to be overlapped by the peripheral flange, and having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the peripheral flange and thus encircled by said flange, said plate having a, plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting recesses opening radially outwardly toward said flange; a plurality of doffing elements respectively receivable by said recesses, each doifing element having a portion received between the axially spaced mounting element and plate, and each dofflng element having a portion engageable by a proximate portion of said flange to prevent radial displacement of said dofling element; and means for removably securing the mounting element and plate together with the dofflng elements mounted as aforesaid.

11. A cotton picker doifer, comprising: a horizontally rotatable mounting element having a flat under face; a mounting plate concentrically disposed as respects said carrier and having a fiat upper face spaced slightly axially below the under face of the mounting element; means including a radially outwardly opening slot in the plate; a doffing element received by said slot means and depending therefrom, said dofdng element having an upper part provided with a flat upper surface seating against the under face of the mounting element and further having opposite side portions overhanging opposite sides of the slot and received between said axially spaced faces of the mounting element and plate; 'means on and depending from a radially outer portion of the mounting element overlapping the open end of the slot and engaging and covering an upper outer portion of the doffing element to prevent radially outward displacement of said dofling element; and means removably securing the mounting element and member together with the dofiing element mounted as aforesaid.

LOUIS A. PARADISE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

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