FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
“HARVESTER BASKET ASSEMBLY HAVING AN INLET HOOD”
CNH Industrial (India) Pvt. Ltd. of the address: B1-207, Boomerang, Chandivali Farm Road, Near Chandivali Studio, Andheri (East) Mumbai – 400 072, India; Nationality: India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:2
HARVESTER BASKET ASSEMBLY HAVING AN INLET HOOD
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a harvester basket assembly having an inlet hood.
[0002] Certain harvesters (e.g., cotton harvesters) include a basket configured to receive product (e.g., cotton) harvested from a field. For example, the harvester may include a harvesting assembly configured to collect crops from the field and to separate the product from crop residue. The harvester may also include a conveying system configured to transport the product from the harvesting assembly to the basket. Certain conveying systems include a chute configured to receive the product from the harvesting assembly and to convey the product to the basket. Certain baskets are configured to move between a product-receiving position and a product-expelling position. Accordingly, an outlet of the chute may be separated from an inlet of the basket by a gap to enable the basket to move between the product-receiving position and the product-expelling position. Unfortunately, the gap may enable a portion of the product to flow from the chute to the external environment, thereby reducing the product collected in the basket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0003] In one embodiment, a basket assembly for a harvester includes a body configured to rotate between a product-receiving position and a product-expelling position. The body is configured to receive product through an inlet while the body is in the product-receiving position, and the body is configured to expel the product through an outlet of the body while the body is in the product-expelling position. The basket assembly also includes a lid rotatably coupled to the body. The lid is configured to rotate between a closed position and an open position, the lid is configured to substantially cover the outlet of the body while in the closed position, and the lid is configured to at
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least partially expose the outlet of the body while in the open position. In addition, the basket assembly includes a linkage assembly configured to drive the lid to rotate between the closed position and the open position in response to rotation of the body from the product-receiving position to the product-expelling position. The basket assembly also includes a hood coupled to the lid and/or the linkage. The hood extends outwardly from the body, and the hood is configured to direct the product from an outlet of a chute to the inlet of the body.

DRAWINGS
[0004] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a harvester configured to harvest rows of a crop;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of chutes and a basket assembly of the harvester of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the basket assembly of FIG. 2, in which a body of the basket assembly is in a product-receiving position;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the basket assembly of FIG. 2, in which the body of the basket assembly is in a product-expelling position;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the basket assembly of FIG. 2, including a linkage assembly configured to drive a lid of the basket assembly to rotate between a closed position and an open position; and
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[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an interior of the body of the basket assembly of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0012] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a harvester 10 configured to harvest rows of a crop. To facilitate discussion, the harvester 10 and certain components of the harvester 10 may be described with reference to a longitudinal axis or direction 12, a vertical axis or direction 14, and a lateral axis or direction 16. As illustrated, the harvester 10 includes a harvesting assembly 18 having multiple drum assemblies 20. Each drum assembly 20 is configured to separate product (e.g., cotton or other harvested goods) from other agricultural materials (e.g., chaff, foliage, stems, debris) via one or more rotors. In the illustrated embodiment, the harvester 10 includes a conveying system 22 configured to transport the product from the harvesting assembly 18 to a basket assembly 24 via chutes 26. As discussed in detail below, the basket assembly 24 includes
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a body 28 configured to rotate between the illustrated product-received position and a product-expelling position. The body 28 is configured to receive the product while in the product-receiving position, and the body 28 is configured to expel the product (e.g., to another container) while in the product-expelling position. In some embodiments, the other agricultural materials may be deposited onto the agricultural field beneath and/or behind the harvester 10.
[0014] As illustrated, the harvester 10 also includes a cabin 30 configured to house an operator. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more operator interfaces and/or input devices 32 (e.g., one or more switches, knob(s), light(s), display(s), a steering wheel, gear shift(s), lever(s), etc.) are disposed within the cabin 30. The one or more operator interfaces and/or input devices 32 enable the operator to monitor and/or control various functions of the harvester 10, such as ground speed, steering angle, transmission ratio, operation of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, operation of the harvesting assembly 18, operation of the conveying system 22, operation of the basket assembly 24, or a combination thereof, among other functions of the harvester.
[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the basket assembly 24 and the cabin 30 are supported on a frame 34 (e.g., harvester frame or chassis). Various other components (e.g., the harvesting assembly 18 and the conveying system 22) may be supported by and/or coupled to the frame 34 as well. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 34 supports or includes a cover assembly 36 (e.g., cage assembly) that is configured to cover (e.g., surround) various components of the harvester, such as an engine, a transmission, the HVAC system, and a radiator, which are supported on the frame 34. In operation, the harvester 10 may be driven in a direction of travel 38 through the agricultural field using forward wheels 40 and rear wheels 42. While the harvester 10 includes forward and rearward wheels in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative embodiments, the harvester may include track assemblies configured to move the harvester along the agricultural field. In addition, while the illustrated harvester 10 includes two drum assemblies 20 in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative embodiments, the harvester may include any
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suitable number of drum assemblies, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more drum assemblies.
[0016] As previously discussed, the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 is configured to rotate between a product-receiving position and a product-expelling position. The body 28 is configured to receive product through an inlet while the body is in the product-receiving position, and the body is configured to expel the product through an outlet while the body is in the product-expelling position. In certain embodiments, the basket assembly includes a lid rotatably coupled to the body. The lid is configured to rotate between a closed position and an open position. The lid is configured to substantially cover the outlet of the body while in the closed position, and the lid is configured to at least partially expose the outlet of the body while in the open position. The basket assembly also includes a linkage assembly configured to drive the lid to rotate between the closed position and the open position in response to rotation of the body from the product-receiving position to the product-expelling position. In addition, the basket assembly includes a hood coupled to the lid and/or to the linkage assembly. The hood extends outwardly from the body, and the hood is configured to direct product from an outlet of a chute to the inlet of the body. Accordingly, the hood may substantially reduce the flow of product from the chute to the external environment, thereby increasing the quantity of product collected by the basket assembly. In addition, because the hood is coupled to the lid and/or linkage assembly, the hood may rotate with the lid/linkage assembly as the lid rotates between the closed and open positions, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating interference between the linkage assembly and the hood (e.g., as compared to a hood that is directly coupled to the body of the basket assembly).
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chutes 26 and the basket assembly 24 of the harvester 10 of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the harvester 10 includes a first chute 44 and a second chute 46. Each chute is configured to receive product from a respective drum assembly, or in certain embodiments a respective group of drum assemblies, and to convey the product to the basket assembly 24. While the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 is in the illustrated product-receiving position, an outlet 48 of the
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first chute 44 is substantially aligned with a first inlet 50 of the body 28 of the basket assembly 24, and an outlet 52 of the second chute 46 is substantially aligned with a second inlet 54 of the body 28 of the basket assembly 24. Accordingly, the first chute 44 is configured to convey product to the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 via the first inlet 50, and the second chute 46 is configured to convey product to the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 via the second inlet 54. While the illustrated embodiment includes two chutes and two inlet, in further embodiments, the harvester may include more or fewer chutes (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more) and a corresponding number of inlets. In certain embodiments, multiple chutes may be configured to covey product through a single inlet, and/or one chute may be configured to convey product through multiple inlets (e.g., via multiple outlets of the chute).
[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet of each chute is separated from the respective inlet of the body by a gap to enable the body to rotate between the product-receiving position and the product-expelling position. Accordingly, the basket assembly 24 includes a first hood 56 partially disposed about the first inlet 50 and configured to direct product from the outlet 48 of the first chute 44 to the first inlet 50. In addition, the basket assembly 24 includes a second hood 58 partially disposed about the second inlet 54 and configured to direct product from the outlet 52 of the second chute 46 to the second inlet 54. Each hood may substantially reduce the flow of product from the respective chute to the external environment, thereby increasing the quantity of product collected by the body of the basket assembly. While a hood is partially disposed about each inlet in the illustrated embodiment, in further embodiments, a hood may not be disposed about at least one inlet.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the basket assembly 24 of FIG. 2, in which the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 is in the product-receiving position. In the illustrated embodiment, the harvester 10 includes a basket support assembly 60 coupled to the frame 34. The basket support assembly 60 is configured to support the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 and to enable the body 28 to rotate between the illustrated product-receiving
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position and the product-expelling position. In the illustrated embodiment, the basket assembly 24 includes two mounting assemblies 62 rigidly coupled to the body 28 (e.g., via fasteners, via a welded connection, etc.). Each mounting assembly 62 is rotatable coupled to the basket support assembly 60 via a respective pivot joint 64 (e.g., including a bearing assembly, including a bushing assembly, etc.). The pivot joints 64 enable the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 to rotate about a rotational axis 66 that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 12 of the basket assembly 24. In addition, the basket assembly 24 includes one or more actuators 68 (e.g., hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, linear actuator, etc.) extending between the frame 34 of the harvester 10 and one or more respective mounting assemblies 62. Extension of the actuator(s) 68 drives the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 to rotate in a first direction 70 about the rotational axis 66 from the illustrated product-receiving position to the product-expelling position. In addition, retraction of the actuator(s) 68 drives the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 to rotate in a second direction 72 about the rotational axis 66 from the product-expelling position to the illustrated product-receiving position.
[0020] While the illustrated embodiment includes two mounting assemblies 62, in alternative embodiments, the basket assembly may include more or fewer mounting assemblies (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more). In certain embodiments, the basket support assembly may be directly coupled to the body of the basket assembly by one or more pivot joints. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a first actuator extends from the frame of the harvester to a first mounting assembly on a forward side of the body relative to the direction of travel 38, and a second actuator extends from the frame of the harvester to a second mounting assembly on a rearward side of the body relative to the direction of travel. However, in alternative embodiments, the harvester may include more or fewer actuators (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more). For example, each actuator may be coupled to a respective mounting assembly, and/or multiple actuators may be coupled to a single mounting assembly. Furthermore, while the rotational axis 66 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 12 in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative
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embodiments, the rotational axis may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis, the vertical axis, or a combination thereof.
[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the basket assembly 24 includes a lid 74 rotatably coupled to the body 28 by a hinge assembly 76. The hinge assembly 76 is positioned on an opposite lateral side of the basket assembly 24 from the pivot joints 64, and the hinge assembly 76 may include one or more hinges to facilitate rotation of the lid 74 relative to the body 28 about a second rotational axis 78. In the illustrated embodiment, the second rotational axis 78 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 12 of the basket assembly 24. However, in alternative embodiments, the second rotational axis may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis, the vertical axis, or a combination thereof. The lid 74 is configured rotate between the illustrated closed position and an open position. While the lid 74 is in the illustrated closed position, the lid 74 substantially covers an outlet 80 of the body 28. In addition, while the lid 74 is in the open position, the lid 74 at least partially exposed the outlet 80 of the body 28.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the basket assembly 24 includes a linkage assembly 82 configured to drive the lid 74 to rotate between the illustrated closed position and the open position in response to rotation of the body 28 from the illustrated product-receiving position to the product-expelling position. For example, extension of the actuator(s) 68 drives the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 to rotate in the first direction 70 from the illustrated product-receiving position to the product-expelling position. As the body 28 rotates, the linkage assembly 82 drives the lid 74 to rotate in a third direction 84 from the illustrated closed position toward the open position. Accordingly, while the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 is in the product-expelling position (e.g., in which the outlet 80 is facing at least partially downwardly along the vertical axis 14), the lid 74 at least partially exposes the outlet 80, thereby enabling product to flow into a bin (e.g., movable bin coupled to a tow vehicle) positioned below the outlet 80.
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[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the second hood 58 is coupled to the body 28 of the basket assembly 24. Accordingly, the second hood 58 rotates with the body 28 as the body 28 rotates between the product-receiving position and the product-expelling position. In addition, the first hood 56 is coupled to the lid 74 and/or the linkage assembly 82. Accordingly, the first hood 56 rotates with the lid 74 as the lid 74 rotates from the closed position to the open position. Because the first hood 56 is coupled to the lid 74 and/or the linkage assembly 82, the possibility of the first hood interfering with movement of the linkage assembly is substantially reduced or eliminated.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the basket assembly 24 of FIG. 2, in which the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 is in the product-expelling position. In the illustrated embodiment, while the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 is in the product-expelling position, the outlet 80 faces at least partially downwardly along the vertical axis 14. In addition, the lid 74 is in the open position, thereby at least partially exposing the outlet 80. As a result, product within the body 28 of the basket assembly may flow downwardly along the vertical axis 14 (e.g., due to the influence of gravity) into a bin (e.g., movable bin coupled to a tow vehicle) positioned below the outlet 80. Once the bin is substantially empty, actuator(s) 68 may retract, thereby rotating the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 in the second direction 72 about the rotational axis 66 toward the product-receiving position. In addition, the linkage assembly 82 may drive the lid 74 to rotate in a fourth direction 86 about the second rotational axis 78 toward the closed position in response to rotation of the body 28 from the product-expelling position toward the product-receiving position.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the basket assembly 24 of FIG. 2, including the linkage assembly 82 configured to drive the lid 74 to rotate between the closed position and the open position. In the illustrated embodiment, the linkage assembly 82 includes a first member 88 and a second member 90. The first member 88 and the second member 90 are coupled to one another and to the lid 74. As illustrated, a first end 92 of the first member 88 is coupled to the lid 74 (e.g., via a fastener, via a welded connection, etc.),
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and a first end 94 of the second member 90 is coupled to the lid 74 (e.g., via a fastener, via a welded connection, etc.). In addition, a second end 96 of the first member 88 is coupled to a second end 98 of the second member 90 (e.g., via a fastener, via a welded connection, etc.). The first end 92 of the first member 88 is spaced apart from the first end 94 of the second member 90 along the lateral axis 16 of the basket assembly 24. Accordingly, the first member 88, the second member 90, and a portion of the lid 74 form a substantially rigid triangular structure that rotates with the lid 74.
[0026] In addition, the linkage assembly 82 includes a third member 100 having a first end 102 and a second end 104, and the third member is rotatably coupled to the first and second members via a pivot joint 106 at the first end of the third member and the second ends of the first and second members. The third member 100 is also rotatable coupled to the basket support assembly 60 via a bracket 108. As illustrated, the third member is rotatably coupled to the bracket via a pivot joint 110 at the second end of the third member. Accordingly, as the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 rotates from the illustrated product-receiving position to the product-expelling position, the third member 100 of the linkage assembly 82 drives the first and second members of the linkage assembly 82 to rotate the lid 74 from the illustrated closed position to the open position, thereby enabling the product to be expelled from the outlet of the body. While the illustrated embodiment includes a three-member linkage assembly, the linkage assembly may include more or fewer members in alternative embodiments. In addition, the members of the linkage assembly may be arranged in other configurations and/or coupled to other components of the basket assembly in alternative embodiments.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the first hood 56 extends outwardly from the body 28 along the longitudinal axis 12 of the basket assembly 24. In addition, the first hood 56 includes a first side panel 112 positioned on a first side of the first inlet 50 along the lateral axis 16 while the body 28 is in the illustrated product-receiving position. In addition, the first hood 56 includes a second side panel 114 positioned on a second side of the first inlet 50, opposite the first side, along the lateral axis 16 while the body 28 is in
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the illustrated product-receiving position. The first hood 56 also includes a top panel 116 positioned above the first inlet 50 along the vertical axis 14 of the basket assembly 24. The panels are configured to direct the product from the outlet of the first chute to the first inlet 50 of the body 28. As illustrated, the hood does not include a panel positioned below the first inlet 50 along the vertical axis 14, thereby enabling the body 28 to rotate between the product-receiving position and the product-expelling position. While the first hood includes three panels in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative embodiments, the first hood may include more or fewer panels (e.g., based on the shape of the first inlet, etc.). In addition, the shape of each panel may be selected to correspond to the shape of the first inlet proximate to the panel. In the illustrated embodiment, a notch 122 is formed in the second side panel 114 to accommodate the second member 90 of the linkage assembly 82. In certain embodiments (e.g., embodiments in which the second member is positioned remote from the second side panel), the notch may be omitted. Furthermore, the shape of each panel may be selected to accommodate other structure/elements of the harvester.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the first hood 56 includes a first flange 118 configured to couple the first hood 56 to the lid 74. The first hood 56 also includes a second flange 120 configured to couple the first hood 56 to the first member 88 of the linkage assembly 82. As illustrated, the first flange 118 extends from the top panel 116, and the second flange 120 extends from the first side panel 112. The first flange 118 may be coupled to a portion of the lid 74 via fasteners and/or a welded connection, for example. In addition, the second flange 120 may be coupled to the first member 88 of the linkage assembly 82 via fasteners and/or a welded connection, for example. Because the first hood 56 is coupled to the lid 74 and the linkage assembly 82, the first hood 56 may rotate with the lid/linkage assembly as the lid 74 rotates between the closed and open positions, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating interference between the linkage assembly and the first hood.
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[0029] While the first hood includes two flanges in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative embodiments, the first hood may include more or fewer flanges. For example, in certain embodiments, the first hood may include a single flange coupled to the lid or the linkage assembly. In addition, while one flange is coupled to the first member of the linkage assembly in the illustrated embodiment, one flange may be coupled to another member (e.g., the second member) of the linkage assembly in alternative embodiments (e.g., in addition to the flange coupled to the first member, or as an alternative to the flange being coupled to the first member). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the first hood may be coupled to the lid and/or the linkage assembly by another suitable connection system (e.g., one or more of the flanges may be omitted). In the illustrated embodiment, the first hood 56 is formed from a single sheet of material (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.) via a stamping process, for example. However, in alternative embodiments, the first hood may be formed by another suitable process, such as coupling panel(s) and/or flange(s) to one another (e.g., via a welding process, via fasteners, etc.).
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the second hood 58 extends outwardly from the body 28 along the longitudinal axis 12 of the basket assembly 24. In addition, the second hood 58 includes a first side panel 124 positioned on a first side of the second inlet 54 along the lateral axis 16 while the body 28 is in the illustrated product-receiving position. In addition, the second hood 58 includes a second side panel 126 positioned on a second side of the second inlet 54, opposite the first side, along the lateral axis 16 while the body 28 is in the illustrated product-receiving position. The second hood 58 also includes a top panel 128 positioned above the second inlet 54 along the vertical axis 14 of the basket assembly 24. The panels are configured to direct the product from the outlet of the second chute to the second inlet 54 of the body 28. As illustrated, the hood does not include a panel positioned below the second inlet 54 along the vertical axis 14, thereby enabling the body 28 to rotate between the product-receiving position and the product-expelling position. While the second hood includes three panels in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative embodiments, the second hood may include more or fewer panels (e.g., based on the shape of the second inlet, etc.). In addition, the shape of each
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panel may be selected to correspond to the shape of the second inlet proximate to the panel. Furthermore, the shape of each panel may be selected to accommodate other structure/elements of the harvester.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the second hood 58 includes a first flange 130 configured to couple the second hood 58 to the body 28 of the basket assembly 24. The second hood 58 also includes a second flange 132 configured to couple the second hood 58 to the body 28 of the basket assembly 24. As illustrated, the first flange 130 extends from the top panel 128, and the second flange 132 extends from the first side panel 124. The first flange 130 may be coupled to a portion of the body 28 via fasteners and/or a welded connection, for example. In addition, the second flange 132 may be coupled to a portion of the body 28 via fasteners and/or a welded connection, for example. Because the second hood 58 is coupled to the body 28, the second hood 58 rotates with the body 28 between the illustrated product-receiving position and the product-expelling position.
[0032] While the second hood includes two flanges in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative embodiments, the second hood may include more or fewer flanges. For example, in certain embodiments, the second hood may include a single flange coupled to the body of the basket assembly. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the second hood may be coupled to the body by another suitable connection system (e.g., one or more of the flanges may be omitted). In the illustrated embodiment, the second hood 58 is formed from a single sheet of material (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.) via a stamping process, for example. However, in alternative embodiments, the second hood may be formed by another suitable process, such as coupling panel(s) and/or flange(s) to one another (e.g., via a welding process, via fasteners, etc.).
[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an interior 134 of the body 28 of the basket assembly 24 of FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the basket assembly 24 includes a deflector 136 coupled to the body 28 (e.g., via fasteners, via a welded connection, etc.) and positioned within the interior 134 of the body 28. The deflector 136 is configured to block at least a portion of the product within the body 28 from flowing through the
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second inlet 54 as the body 28 rotates between the product-receiving position and the product-expelling position. While the illustrated embodiment includes a single deflector, in further embodiments, the basket assembly may include more or fewer deflectors (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more). Furthermore, while the illustrated deflector is positioned proximate to the second inlet, in certain embodiments the basket assembly may include a deflect positioned proximate to the first inlet. In such embodiments, the deflector may be configured to block at least a portion of the product within the body from flowing through the first inlet as the body rotates between the product-receiving position and the product-expelling position.
[0034] While only certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.
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CLAIMS:
1. A basket assembly for a harvester, comprising:
a body configured to rotate between a product-receiving position and a product-expelling position, wherein the body is configured to receive product through an inlet while the body is in the product-receiving position, and the body is configured to expel the product through an outlet of the body while the body is in the product-expelling position;
a lid rotatably coupled to the body, wherein the lid is configured to rotate between a closed position and an open position, the lid is configured to substantially cover the outlet of the body while in the closed position, and the lid is configured to at least partially expose the outlet of the body while in the open position;
a linkage assembly configured to drive the lid to rotate between the closed position and the open position in response to rotation of the body from the product-receiving position to the product-expelling position; and
a hood coupled to the lid, to the linkage, or a combination thereof, wherein the hood extends outwardly from the body, and the hood is configured to direct the product from an outlet of a chute to the inlet of the body.
2. The basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the hood extends outwardly from the body along a longitudinal axis of the basket assembly; and
wherein the hood includes a first side panel positioned on a first lateral side of the inlet while the body is in the product-receiving position, a second side panel positioned on a second lateral side of the inlet, opposite the first lateral side, while the body is in the product-receiving position, and a top panel positioned above the inlet along a vertical axis of the basket assembly while the body is in the product-receiving position.17
3. The basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the hood includes a first flange configured to couple the hood to the lid.
4. The basket assembly of claim 3, wherein the hood includes a top panel positioned above the inlet relative to a vertical axis of the basket assembly while the body is in the product-receiving position, and the first flange extends from the top panel.
5. The basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the hood includes a second flange configured to couple the hood to the linkage assembly.
6. The basket assembly of claim 5, wherein the hood includes a side panel positioned on a lateral side of the inlet while the body is in the product-receiving position, and the second flange extends from the side panel.
7. The basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the hood includes a side panel positioned on a lateral side of the inlet while the body is in the product-receiving position, and a notch is formed in the side panel to accommodate a member of the linkage assembly.
8. The basket assembly of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to receive product through a second inlet while the body is in the product-receiving position.
9. The basket assembly of claim 8, comprising a second hood coupled to the body, wherein the second hood extends outwardly from the body, and the second hood is configured to direct product from an outlet of a second chute to the second inlet of the body.
10. The basket assembly of claim 1, comprising a deflector coupled to the body and positioned within an interior of the body, wherein the deflector is configured to 18
block at least a portion of the product within the body from flowing through the inlet as the body rotates between the product-receiving position and the product-expelling position.