DESC:TITLE OF THE INVENTION: CROP HANDLING ASSEMBLY FOR A HARVESTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a harvester. More particularly, the present invention relates to a crop handling assembly for a harvester, which minimises the human effort to handle harvested crops.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the crops harvested using the harvester are collected in gunny bags or other containers. Conventionally, during the course of harvesting, the harvester is stopped for some time to transfer the harvested crops from the harvester into the gunny bags or into other containers. This will affect the productivity and also required more manpower.

There is therefore a need in the art for a crop handling assembly which becomes a part of the harvester and enables unloading of the harvested crops without stopping the harvester with minimal effort and minimal manpower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.

As depicted in Figure 1, an embodiment of, a crop handling assembly (100) for a harvester comprises a basket unit (101), a plurality of support frames (102a, 102b) assembled in such a way to support the basket unit (101) at its sides, a plurality of handles (103a, 103b (not shown)) assembled at the any of the top outer faces of the basket unit (101), a plurality of mounting plates (104a,104b) secured to the bottom of the basket unit (101) parallel to each other, a plurality of base plates (106a, 106b) secured to the harvester frame (not shown), a plurality of hinges (105a, 105b) secured in such a way to associate the mounting plate (104a, 104b) and the plurality of base plates (106a, 106b), wherein the basket unit (101) along with the plurality of mounting plates (104a, 104b) is pivotable, a plurality of chains (107a, 107b) comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each chain is connected to the any of the mounting plates (104a, 104b) and the second end of each chain is connected to the harvester frame (not shown). The plurality of chains (107a, 107b) are connected in such a way to tilt the basket unit (101) to a particular appropriate angle to unload the crops.

The crop handling assembly (100) further includes a latch (108), which secures the basket unit (101) to the harvester frame. The latch can be assembled at any of the sides of the basket unit (101), preferably to the top or bottom of any of the outer opposite sides of the basket unit (101). The support frames (102a, 102b) are removably attachable and easily interchangeable, so as to provide better handling while unloading crops.

An alternate embodiment of the crop handling assembly (100) includes a pivotable mechanism (not shown), which secures the basket unit (101) to the harvester frame and that provides pivotable movement to the basket unit (101) so as to unload the crops, a base plate (106), a plurality of self stopper blocks (109) that are connected vertically to the base plate (106), wherein after tilting the basket unit (101) to an appropriate angle, the plurality of self stopper blocks (109) abut the harvester frame automatically and prevents the basket unit (101) from further tilting. The angle can be changed depending on user requirement.

Just as disclosed above, the alternate embodiment further includes a latch (108), which secures the basket unit (101) to the harvester frame. The latch can be assembled at any of the sides of the basket unit (101), preferably to the top or bottom of any of the outer opposite sides of the basket unit (101). The support frames (102a, 102b) are removably attachable and easily interchangeable, so as to provide better handling while unloading crops.

Basic construction of the basket unit (101) is preferably made up of steel wires, preferably with diameter of 4mm. The steel wire may be mild steel wire (MS) or stainless steel (SS) wire. The base of the basket unit (101) is preferably made with mild steel flats or stainless steel flats. The steel wires are fastened with the base flat, preferably with a uniform gap of 20mm pitch and act as the inner surface of the basket unit (101), thus sharp edges of the steel flat do not damage the crop being handled. The gap between the steel wires act as a sieve arrangement to clean loose sand, small mud clods, leaves and weeds which comes from the field.

The sieve arrangement helps to collect the crop being handled in the basket unit (101) and reduces the unloading frequency. The sieve arrangement also gives a clear view to the operator to monitor the yield of the crop being handled during harvesting. An unloading side (110) of the basket unit (101) is configured to be angled/tapered outside to facilitate free falling of the crops from the basket unit (101). This ensures smooth flow and complete discharge of the crops from the basket unit (101). The side opposite to the unloading side is configured to be vertical.

Preferably, the basket unit (101) can be tilted manually or hydraulically or pneumatically for unloading. The basket unit (101) can preferably be tilted up to 45±2 degrees for unloading. The handles (103) are located based on the load transfer in the basket unit (101) thus minimal human effort is enough to unload the potatoes from the basket unit (101).

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art.

PART LIST

100 - Crop handling assembly for a harvester
101 – Basket unit
102a, 102b – support frame
103a – Handle
104a, 104b – Mounting plate
105a, 105b – Hinge
106, 106a, 106b – Base plate
107a, 107b – Chain
108 - Latch
109 - Stopper block
110 - Unloading side
,CLAIMS:We claim
1. A crop handling assembly for a harvester (100), comprising:

a basket unit (101);

a plurality of support frames (102a, 102b) assembled in such a way to support the basket unit (101) at its sides;

a plurality of handles (103a, 103b (not shown)) assembled at any of the top outer faces of the basket unit (101);

a plurality of mounting plates (104a, 104b) secured to the bottom of the basket unit (101) parallel to each other;

a plurality of base plate (106a, 106b) secured to the harvester frame;

a plurality of hinges (105a, 105b) secured in such a way to associate the mounting plate (104a, 104b) and the plurality of base plate (106a, 106b), wherein the basket unit (101) along with the plurality of mounting plates (104a, 104b) being pivotable;

a plurality of chains (107a, 107b) which are connected in such a way to tilt the basket unit (101) to a particular angle to unload the crops, comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each chain is connected to the any of the mounting plates (104a, 104b) and the second end of each chain is connected to the harvester frame;

an unloading side (110) of the basket unit (101), wherein the unloading side being configured to be angled/tapered outside to facilitate free falling of the crops from the basket unit (101); and

a latch, which secures the basket (101) to the harvester frame, wherein the latch being assembled at any of the sides of the basket unit (101).

2. The crop handling assembly for a harvester (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly (100) comprising a pivotable mechanism (not shown) which secures the basket unit (101) to the harvester frame and the provides pivotable movements to the basket unit (101) so as to unload the crops, a base plate (106), a plurality of self stopper blocks (109) that are connected vertically to the base plate (106), wherein after tilting the basket unit (101) to an angle the plurality of self stopper blocks (109) abut the harvester frame automatically and prevents the basket unit (101) from further tilting.

3. The crop handling assembly for harvester (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latch (108) is assembled to the top or bottom of any of the outer opposite side if the basket unit (101).

4. The crop handling assembly for harvester (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frames (102a, 102b) are removably attachable and interchangeable.

5. The crop handling assembly for harvester (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle of tilting of the basket unit (101) being changeable as per requirement.

6. The crop handling assembly for harvester (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basket unit (101) is made up of mild steel wire or stainless steel wire with diameter of 4mm.

7. The crop handling assembly for harvester (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base of the basket unit is made with mild steel flats or stainless steel flats.

8. The crop handling assembly for harvester (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the steel wires are fastened with the base flat with a uniform gap of 20mm pitch.

9. The crop handling assembly for harvester (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basket unit (101) is being tilted up to 45 degrees.