US Patent:
20080264025, Oct 30, 2008
Inventors:
Benjamin W. Ditchcreek - Reinholds PA, US
Blaine R. Noll - Fleetwood PA, US
Irwin D. McIlwain - Lancaster PA, US
International Classification:
A01D 47/00
A47H 1/14
A01D 41/127
Abstract:
A plurality of elongate mounting brackets mounted in cantilever relation on a frame of a header at sidewardly spaced locations across at least a portion of a width of the header, respectively, support a sensor rod for rotation about its axis. Each of the brackets has a free end including a bearing having a bore therethrough which receives the sensor rod, at least some of the bearings being self-aligning bearings. The self-aligning capability enables accommodating irregularities in the mounting locations for the brackets, and also bends, flexure and other deformities of the header frame and sensor rod, for achieving free rotatability of the sensor rod. This mounting arrangement also facilitates installation by one person, from the bottom side of the header, both initially and in the field. Additionally, the brackets can include features for aligning the bores of the bearings, to facilitate the installation and free rotation of the sensor rod when installed.