Multifunctional handle for controlling an agricultural combine

This invention relates to the improvement of an agricultural combine. More specifically it relates to an improvement of the multifunctional handle for controlling an agricultural combine.

Mechanical harvesting of grain has taken place for decades. However, efforts continue in the attempt to make harvesting operations more efficient and effective. A combine harvester generally includes a header which cuts the crop. The header then moves the cut crop into a feeder house. The feeder house lifts the cut crop into the threshing and separation areas of the combine. The grain is separated from the stalk by a rotor or threshing system. The grain is then moved and stored in a grain tank. The chaff and trash are deposited from the rear of the combine. The grain stored in the grain tank is eventually discharged through a grain tank unload tube. An operator usually runs these various operations from a glass-enclosed cab. Typically, the cab is located above and behind the header. There are a variety of agricultural combine harvesters and their operations are well known in the art. For examples of such harvesters, reference US-A-4,846,198 which illustrates the conventional and twin rotor threshing and separating systems of a harvester as well as other major systems of the harvester. US-A-4,332,262 also illustrates the primary systems of a conventional harvester. For further details regarding various agricultural harvester systems review US-A-4,522,553, US-A-4,800,711, US-A-4,866,920, US-A-4,907,402, US-A-4,967,544 and US-A-5,155,984.

As previously described the operator sits in a chair within the cab of harvester. Usually there is a control console positioned to the right side of the operator. Typically the operator's right hand controls a variety of the harvester's systems. During harvesting periods it is not uncommon for the combine harvester to be operated for an extended time. Sometimes a single operator will use a combine for 16 to 18 hours a day. Furthermore, several operators may alternate in the use of the combine. Therefore it is necessary to provide a control system which will allow maximum operator comfort and flexibility. This will permit the operator to remain mentally alert for the long time intervals needed to harvest crops. One aspect of maintaining the operator's alertness is to provide a multifunctional handle for controlling the harvester that is comfortable and has the controls placed in a manner to allow for easy use. The controls on the handle should be placed in such a manner to eliminate the need for the operator to be constantly looking away from the field and into the cab to view instrumentation. Ideally, the controls should be able to be reached by easy movements and by touch of either the fingers or thumb. Presently, combine harvesters use a single control stick with the great bulk of the controls positioned on the control console. The operator is constantly looking away from the field to manipulate these controls. This can become distracting and decrease the productivity of the operator.

The attempt to design a more effective control handle has followed many paths which can be illustrated by several patents. US-A-4,574,651 discloses a control stick unit. This unit has a multitude of switches. Unfortunately, it would make it difficult for an operator to be able to re-position their finger or thumb correctly after moving to activate a switch. It is possible that operator could inadvertently re-position over the incorrect switch. Depending on the particular switch, this could have disastrous consequences.

US-A-4,738,417 illustrates a hand operated control. The handle in this patent is more ergonometrically pleasing, however it only controls one switch.

US-A-4,862,165 illustrates an controller or computer 'mouse'. This device has several curved surface and a few switches. Because of the limited number of switches, it is easy for a user to avoid getting confused while using the switches.

US-A-5,042,314 discloses a steering and transmission shifting control mechanism. The control mechanism uses a single switch which is controlled by the operator's thumb. However, it could be difficult for the operator to distinguish between the various settings on the joystick. This could result in an inappropriate setting or the need for the operator to constantly view the joystick to check the settings.

US-A-5,340,067 discloses a hand and wrist support for computer mouse. This represents another improvement to a computer mouse design for a computer system. Again, the controls are very limited. In this design there only appears to be one switch.

US-A-5,503,040 discusses a computer interface device. The device holds the operator's fingers in position over several switches. Unfortunately this could become uncomfortable after an extended interval.

US-A-5,577,417 illustrates a tactile and/or kinaesthetic manual information return control member. This device uses pressure on control member to control the various systems.

Consequently, the need exists for a multifunctional handle for controlling an agricultural combine which allows for multiple controls and which are comfortable and easy for an operator to use over a long time interval.

According to the inventions there is provided a multifunctional handle having a plurality of control switches for controlling an agricultural machine, said handle comprising: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a palm grip for receiving the palm of an operator's hand;</li><li>a support tube connecting the palm grip to a control console; and</li><li>a finger rest affixed to the palm grip for receiving the fingers of said hand; characterized in that said handle further comprises:</li><li>a crescent control region affixed to the palm grip and comprising said plurality of control switches, whereby a thumb of said hand can manipulate the plurality of control switches on the crescent control region while said palm rests on said palm grip.</li></ul>

The palm grip and the finger rest provide a natural and comfortable rest position for the hand. The controls are easy to reach by arc movement of the thumb. A most ergonomical position is realized when the palm grip and finger rest descend in a tapered fashion from the crescent control area. Preferably this taper is in the range of 30 to 45 degrees from the horizontal. The crescent may be provided with stepped control surfaces to allow easy locating of the various switches. Such embodiment facilitates the use of multiple operator controls within a small area. The steps provide an excellent tactile feel.

The handle may comprise upper and lower control areas, each having a plurality of control switches. The handle further may have a thumb rest area positioned between these control areas. The rest area can be provided with a thumb ledge, assisting in positioning of the thumb. Furthermore, the rest area may have a curvature or a dimple, providing the multifunctional handle with a fixed point of reference from which to operate the controls. Alternatively, the handle may have a middle control area with a plurality of control switches between the upper and lower control areas. The central switch may have a dimple, equally constituting a point of reference for the operator's thumb.

A switch such as a mechanical neutral trigger switch, may be installed on the finger rest. The operator thus uses controls on the front and back sides on the handle.

Operation of the controls is facilitated by arranging the switches in order of use, starting from the central control area or the thumb rest area.

The invention will now be described in further detail, with reference to accompanying drawings wherein: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an agricultural combine harvester having a console and thereon the multifunctional handle of the present invention;</li><li>Figure 2 is an enlarged top view of the console taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the multifunctional handle;</li><li>Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the handle as seen from the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the relationship between the multifunctional handle and the hand of an operator;</li><li>Figure 4 is a rear elevation view of the multifunctional handle of Figure 3;</li><li>Figure 5 is a front elevation view of the multifunctional handle of Figure 3;</li><li>Figure 6 is a bottom view of the multifunctional handle; and</li><li>Figure 7 is a rear elevation view of an alternate layout of crescent control area of the multifunctional handle.</li></ul>

Referring to the drawings, it is possible to observe the major elements and general operation of the present invention. Left and right references are used as a matter of convenience and are determined by standing at the rear of the combine and facing the forward end in the normal direction of travel. Likewise, forward and rearward are determined by normal direction of travel of the combine. Upward or downward orientations are relative to the ground or operating surface. Horizontal or vertical planes are also relative to ground.

Figure 1 illustrates a typical combine 1 having a pair of front wheels (only one shown) and a pair of rear wheels (only one shown) for providing movement over the ground. At the front of the combine is a header 3 for cutting a crop. As the combine 1 and header 3 are moved forward, the grain and stalk are cut by the header. The header has a reel 4 which moves the grain into an auger trough. A transverse auger pushes the grain and stalk in the auger trough to the center of the header. The header illustrated in Figure 1 is a wheat or similar small grain header. It may be positioned and re-positioned relative to the ground. The header may also be tilted to the left or right or may be positioned relatively high or low to the ground. These features are constantly adjusted depending on the terrain and crop conditions. The header reel 4 may also be positioned relative to the header 3. The position and rotation speed of the header reel 4 again depend on the terrain and crop conditions. Moveable headers and header reels are well known and established in the art. Located at the center of the header is the feeder or elevator. The feeder moves the grain and stalks rearward into the threshing, separation and cleaning systems 6 of the combine. After processing and separation, the processed grain is stored in a grain tank 5 located near the top of the combine. The grain is removed from the grain tank 5 by an unloading auger (not shown) through the grain tank unload tube 7. Usually during harvesting operations, the unloading auger remains off and the grain tank unload tube 7 remains positioned aside the grain tank 5. However, the combine can be unloaded 'on the go'. The combine 1 is followed by a separate vehicle such as a truck or tractor-pulled grain cart. The processed grain is discharged while the combine and separate vehicle are moving. After sufficient grain has been accumulated in the grain tank 5, the operator 14 activates the unload tube 7. The operator 14 then positions the end of the unload tube 7 over a receptacle. Unloading augers and unload auger grain tubes are well known and established in the art. The trash or chaff is ejected from the rear of the combine.

The operator 14 controls the combine 1 from the cab 2 located behind and above the header 3 and at the front of the combine. From the cab the operator can observe most of the various combine functions. The cab 2 usually has a large glass window or several windows which afford the operator 14 the maximum ability to monitor the header 3. There typically is a control console 8 positioned at the right side of the operator 14. This control console 8 is where the operator 14 will manipulate the various control switches and devices for operating most of the systems discussed above. Most of the major systems in a combine are discussed and well known in the prior art. Incorporated by reference for detailing these systems are US-A-4,332,262 and US-A-4,846,198. The present invention comprises a multifunctional handle 20 for controlling an agricultural combine. The handle 20 is positioned within the cab 2. It is attached to the control console 8 (as seen in Figure 2) to the right of the operator 14. By pushing the handle 20 forward or pulling the handle 20 rearward, the operator can vary the speed of the combine. By continuing to pull the handle 20 rearward, the combine can be reversed from a forward direction to a rearward direction by means of a hydrostatic drive. Again, this feature is well established on a combine such as the New Holland TR 88, twin rotor combine. The multifunction handle 20 also contains several switches and controls which may be manipulated by the operator 14 without requiring that the operator 14 constantly be looking down at the control console 8 or at the multifunctional handle 20. If the operator must constantly be reviewing the controls, then he is prevented from vigilantly observing the crop and terrain conditions. This results in the operator working at a slower speed or risking damaging the equipment on the combine. A multifunctional handle 20, containing the critical switches, that is designed in a manner so the operator is capable of knowing the position of his thumb and fingers relative to the controls without visual cues would represent a great improvement in the art. The present multifunctional handle 20 accomplishes this by means of a crescent control region 40 positioned proximal to an ergonomically advantageously designed palm grip 30 and finger rest 35. Spaced on the crescent control region 40 are several controls and switches which can be manipulated by the operator's right thumb 11 rotating either clockwise 70 or counter-clock wise 71.

Now that the general elements have been reviewed, it is possible to review the more specific aspects of the present invention. The multifunctional handle 20 comprises the crescent control region 40. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the crescent control region has two control areas 41, 53 and a thumb rest area 46.

The upper control area 41 has three switches. There is the unload tube switch 42. The unload tube switch 42 engages the unload auger within the unload tube 7. This switch 42 is electrically linked to the controller for this unloading system in a conventional manner. In order to prevent the operator's right thumb 11 from accidentally contacting the unload tube switch 42, there is an unload tube switch guard means protecting the unload tube switch 42. In the preferred embodiment, as seen in Figure 4, the unload tube switch guard means consists of a unload tube switch ridge 43. Another embodiment of the switch guard means, as seen in Figure 7, consists of a unload tube switch bevelled region 43A. This region 43A surrounds the unload tube switch 42 and necessitates the operator's right thumb 12 to carefully contact the switch 42 while avoiding contact with the bevelled region 43A. It is necessary to add the switch guard means to protect the unload tube switch 42 from inadvertent activation. Improper activation of this switch 42 could result in crop being discharged at the wrong moment from the grain tank, e.g. when the tube 7 is not positioned over the bin of the truck or the cart.

Besides the unload tube switch 42, the upper control area 41 also has an unload tube movement control switch 44. The movement control switch 44 controls the motion of the unload tube 7 away and towards the combine 1. The switch 44 is electrically linked in a conventional manner to the controller of unload tube 7.

Finally, there is the four-way header control switch 45A. This switch 45A moves the header upwards, downwards, tilts it left and tilts it right. Again, the header control switch 45A is electrically linked in a conventional manner to the controller on the header control system.

These three switches, the unload tube switch 42, the unload tube movement control switch 44 and the four-way header control switch 45A are positioned in the order of their usage. The least used switch, the unload tube engagement switch 42, is positioned highest and furthest away from the middle of the crescent control region 40. Conversely, the four-way header control switch 45A is usually being constantly manipulated by the operator 14 so it is positioned closer to the middle of the crescent control region 40.

Separating the upper control area 41 from the thumb rest area 46 is the upper step 45. This step is a slight rise from the upper control area 41 to the thumb rest area 46. The upper step 45 is 'stepped' sufficiently to allow the operator's right thumb 11 to tactilely sense the difference between the upper control area 41 and thumb rest area 46. The thumb rest area 46 has a curvature 46A and a thumb ledge 47. These features help the operator orient his right thumb 11 by tactilely sensing the thumb's position. The curvature 46A and thumb ledge 47 also provide for a comfortable base position for the right thumb 11 to rest between tasks.

Between the thumb rest area 46 and lower control area 53 is the lower step 61. Similar to the upper step 45, the lower step 61 has a slight depression from the lower control area 53 and thumb rest area 46. Again the lower step 61 is 'stepped' sufficiently to allow the operator's right thumb 11 to tactilely sense that the thumb has left the thumb rest area 46 and has moved into the lower control area 53. The lower control area 53 has three switches: a header resume switch 54, a reel control four-way switch 55 and a reel speed switch 60. The header resume switch 54 is used to raise the header 3 out of the crop and when depressed again will lower the header back to the position the header was in when it left the crop. The operator 14 can then quickly lower the header 3 after a turn is made and the combine 1 is ready to resume harvesting operations. The header resume switch 51 is electrically linked to a header controller in a conventional manner. The reel control four-way switch 55 adjusts the position of the reel 4 relative to the header 3. The switch 55 moves the reel up, down, forward and rearwards relative the header 3. The reel control four-way switch 55 is electrically linked to the reel controller in a conventional manner. The reel speed switch 60 adjusts the rotational speed of the header reel 4. Again, the reel speed switch 60 is electrically linked to the reel speed controller in a conventional manner. In a way similar to the upper control area 41, the lower control area switches 54, 55, 56 are positioned in order of their usage. The reel speed control switch 60 is used the least so it is positioned farthest from the middle of the crescent control region 40. The header resume switch 54 is used the most so it is the closest to the middle of the crescent control region 40.

In an alternate embodiment (as shown in Figure 7), the thumb rest area 46 is replaced with a middle control area 48 and the four-way header control switch 45A in the upper control area 41 is removed. The functions of the four-way header control switch 45A are provided by three switches in the middle control area 48. The three switches consist of the header raise/lower switch 49, the header lateral float - counter-clockwise motion switch 50 and the header lateral float - clockwise motion switch 51. These three switches 49-51 are electrically linked to the header control system in a conventional manner. In the center of the header raise/lower switch 49 is a dimple 52. The dimple is designed to be tactilely sensed by the operator's right thumb 11. This allows the operator to be aware of the position of his thumb relative to the various controls on the multifunctional handle 20. The middle control area 48 is slanted sideways and has a side edge which extends at a lower level than the surrounding upper control area 41, lower control area 53 and palm grip 30. This arrangement improves the awareness of the position of the operator's thumb even further.

Affixed to the crescent control region is the palm grip 30. At the top of the palm grip 30 and extending to the rear side 22 of the multifunctional handle 20 is the finger rest 35. As seen in Figures 4, 5 and 7 the palm grip 30 and finger rest 35 gradually taper 31 from the horizon in a range from 30 to 45 degrees. This allows the operator to maintain the position of his wrist 10 and right hand 9 at a natural, ergonomically comfortable position.

On the rear side 22 near the base of the finger rest 35 is a neutral trigger 23, as shown in Figure 5. The neutral trigger 23 is controlled by the operator's right fore finger 12. The neutral trigger is a conventional mechanical switch which the operator activates when it is desired to move the combine from forward motion to reverse motion. Also seen in Figure 5, on the rear side 22 of the handle 20 are a series of attachment bolts 24 for holding the rear side 22 to the remainder of the handle 20. The palm grip 30 is connected by the control console 8 by a support tube 21.

In typical operations, the operator 14 will have his right hand 9 with the palm on the palm grip 30. The operator's right fingers will lay over the finger rest 35. The entire handle 20 can be moved (arrows 72 in Figure 2) to the relative control console 8 by the operator pushing the palm grip 30 or pulling the finger rest 35. The operator's right fore finger 12 engages the neutral trigger 23 if it is desired to change the direction of the combine 1. During most of the harvesting operation the operator's right thumb 11 remains on the thumb rest area 46 in the curvature 46A or on the thumb ledge 47 in the crescent control region 40. When the need arises for the operator to manipulate the controls in the upper control area 41, the operator rotates his right thumb 11 clockwise (arrow 70 in Figure 4) to engage those switches. Conversely when the operator needs to engage switches on the lower control area 53, he rotates his thumb 11 counter-clockwise (arrow 71).

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification. For example a mirror image control handle may be developed for left-hand control of the combine. Similar handles may also be used in other self-propelled agricultural machines such as forage harvesters, grape harvesters, mower-conditioners, etc.