302 to be removed from the frame 218 and coupled to the frame 218 without removing the drive arms 226. Furthermore, the sidewalls 310 of each channel 304 are laterally spaced apart from one another to establish the lateral extent of the channel 304. In the illustrated embodiment, each sidewall 310 is angled laterally outwardly from the respective base surface 308. The laterally outward slope of each sidewall 310 may facilitate passage of the crop material through the respective channel 304. While each sidewall 310 is angled laterally outwardly from the respective base surface 308 in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, at least one sidewall may extent along the vertical axis, and/or at least one sidewall may be angled laterally inwardly from the base surface of the respective channel.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 302 has a front section 312 and a rear section 314. The front section 312 extends upwardly (e.g., with respect to the vertical axis 14) and rearwardly (e.g., along the rearward direction 16) from a front end 316 of the cover 302 to the rear section 314. In addition, the rear section 314 extends continuously downwardly (e.g., with respect to the vertical axis 14) and rearwardly (e.g., along the rearward direction 16) from the front section 312 to a rear end 318 of the cover 302. The interface between the front section 312 and the rear section 314 is positioned at the location where the cover 302 transitions from extending upwardly to extending downwardly. Due to the shape of the front section 312 and the rear section 314, the cover 302 forms a hollow space, thereby enabling the cover 302 to cover the driving mechanism 230 of the knife drive 204. As used herein, “continuously” refers to rearward (e.g., longitudinal) extension of a section without an abrupt vertical change in the section. For example, a ratio between the vertical change and the rearward extension (i.e., vertical change/rearward extension) may be less than 1, less than 0.75, less than 0.5, less than 0.25, or less than 0.1 along an entire rearward (e.g., longitudinal) extent of the section. Furthermore, the front end 316 of the cover 302 is the forwardmost part of the cover 302 configured to engage the crop material, and the rear end 318 of the cover 302 is the rearmost part of the cover 302 configured to engage the crop material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front section 312 is convex and has a shape configured to substantially match a shape of crop deflectors 232 of the header. In addition, in certain embodiments, a height (e.g., extent with respect to the vertical axis 14) of the front section 312 may be equal to a height (e.g., extent with respect to the vertical axis 14) of the crop deflectors 232. The crop deflectors 232 are configured to direct the crop material from the cutter bar assembly 202 to the respective lateral belts. The shape and height of the crop deflectors 232 and the front section 312 of the cover 302 may be particularly selected to enable the reel of the reel assembly to move the crop material from the cutter bar assembly 202 to the belts while providing clearance between the reel and the crop deflectors 232/front section 312. While the front section 312 has the same shape as the crop deflectors 232 in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the front section of the cover and the crop deflectors may have different shapes. In addition, in certain embodiments, the height of the front section may be different than the height of the crop deflectors. Furthermore, while the front section 312 of the cover 302 is convex in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the front section may have another suitable shape (e.g., angled, polygonal, elliptical, etc.).

In the illustrated embodiment, the rear section 314 is angled less than 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal belt 214 of the header. For example, the rear section 314 may be oriented at an angle of about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees, about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees, or about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees relative to the longitudinal belt 214. By way of further example, the angle of the rear section 314 relative to the longitudinal belt 214 may be less than 45 degrees, less than 40 degrees, less than 35 degrees, less than 30 degrees, less than 25 degrees, less than 20 degrees, less than 15 degrees, less than 10 degrees, or less than 5 degrees. The front section 312 and the rear section 314 establish a smooth surface extending along the cover 302, thereby facilitating flow of the crop material over the driving mechanism 230 of the knife drive 204. In addition, the small angle between the rear section 314 and the longitudinal belt 214 facilitates movement of the crop material from the cover 302 to the longitudinal belt 214. As a result, the crop material may flow smoothly from the cutter bar assembly 202 to the longitudinal belt 214, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the harvesting operation.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the rear section 314 is positioned behind each channel 304 with respect to the longitudinal axis 10 of the header (e.g., along the rearward direction 16). Accordingly, crop material moving through each channel 304 may contact a respective portion of the rear section 314 rearward of the channel 304, and the respective portion of the rear section 314 may smoothly direct the crop material toward the longitudinal belt 214. While a portion of the rear section 314 is positioned behind each channel 304 in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, at least one channel may extend to the rear end of the cover (e.g., both channels may extend to the rear end of the cover).

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 302 has a first lateral concave portion 320 configured to direct crop material from the first lateral belt 206 to the longitudinal belt 214. In addition, the cover 302 has a second lateral concave portion 320 configured to direct crop material from the second lateral belt 210 to the longitudinal belt 214. As illustrated, the second lateral concave portion 320 is positioned on an opposite lateral side of the cover 302 (e.g., opposite side with respect to the lateral axis 12) from the first lateral concave portion 320. Due to the concave shape of each lateral concave portion 320, the cover 302 may effectively direct the crop material from the lateral belts to the longitudinal belt 214, thereby substantially reducing accumulation of crop material at the interfaces between the cover 302 and the lateral belts. As a result, the crop material may flow smoothly to the longitudinal belt, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the harvesting operation. In the illustrated embodiment, each lateral concave portion has a curved profile. However, in other embodiments, at least one lateral concave portion may have another suitable profile (e.g., polygonal, etc.). Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a bottom surface 321 adjacent to each lateral concave portion 320 is angled downwardly along the rearward extent of the bottom surface 321 (e.g., extent of the bottom surface 321 along the rearward direction 16), thereby facilitating movement of the crop material from the respective lateral belt to the longitudinal belt. However, in other embodiments, at least one bottom surface may have another suitable orientation.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cover assembly 300 of FIG. 3. As previously discussed, the cover assembly 300 includes the cover 302 configured to cover the driving mechanism 230. In addition, the cover 302 includes a channel 304 for each drive arm 226. Each channel 304 faces upwardly with respect to the vertical axis, and a lateral extent of each channel 304 (e.g., extent of the channel with respect to the lateral axis 12) is configured to enable the respective drive arm 226 to oscillate to drive the respective blade support to oscillate. Furthermore, the cover 302 has the front section 312 and the rear section 314. The front section 312 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the front end 316 of the cover 302 to the rear section 314, and the rear section 314 extends continuously downwardly and rearwardly from the front section 312 to the rear end 318 of the cover 302. The rear section 314 is angled less than 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal belt 214. The front section 312 and the rear section 314 establish a smooth surface extending along the cover 302, thereby facilitating flow of crop material over the driving mechanism 230 of the knife drive 204. In addition, the small angle between the rear section 314 and the longitudinal belt 214 facilitates movement of the crop material from the cover 302 to the longitudinal belt 214. As a result, the crop material may flow smoothly from the cutter bar assembly to the longitudinal belt 214, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the harvesting operation.

Furthermore, the first lateral concave portion 320 is configured to direct the crop material from the first lateral belt 206 to the longitudinal belt 214. In addition, the second lateral concave portion 320 is configured to direct crop material from the second lateral belt 210 to the longitudinal belt 214. The second lateral concave portion 320 is positioned on an opposite lateral side of the cover 302 (e.g., opposite side with respect to the lateral axis 12) from the first lateral concave portion 320. Due to the concave shape of each lateral concave portion 320, the cover 302 may effectively direct the crop material from the lateral belts to the longitudinal belt 214, thereby substantially reducing accumulation of crop material at the interfaces between the cover 302 and the lateral belts.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 302 has two channels 304. However, in other embodiments, the cover may have more or fewer channels (e.g., 1, 3, 4, or more). For example, in certain embodiments, the number of channels may be equal to the number of drive arms. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the cover 302 has two lateral concave portions 320. However, in other embodiments, the cover may include fewer lateral concave portions (e.g., 0, 1). For example, in certain embodiments, the cover may not include any lateral concave portions.

As discussed in detail below, the header includes a latch assembly 400 configured to couple the cover 302 to the frame of the header. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch assembly 400 includes two latches 402, and each latch 402 is movably coupled to the cover 302. Furthermore, each latch 402 has a handle 404 configured to be positioned within a respective channel 304 of the cover 302. The latch assembly 400 also includes respective receivers coupled to the frame of the header, and the latch assembly 400 includes biasing members, in which each biasing member is configured to urge a respective latch 402 toward an engaged position. Each latch 402 is configured to engage a respective receiver while in the engaged position to couple the cover 302 to the frame. The latches 402 enable the cover 302 to be removed from the frame and attached to the frame without tools, thereby substantially reducing the duration associated with knife drive cleaning/maintenance operations. As a result, the efficiency of the harvesting process may be enhanced.

In the illustrated embodiment, each handle 404 is positioned within a respective channel 304 and proximate to a respective sidewall 310 of the cover 302. In addition, a recess 322 is formed within each respective sidewall 310, thereby facilitating access to the handle 404. While a recess 322 is positioned adjacent to each handle 404 in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, at least one recess may be omitted. Furthermore, while each handle 404 is positioned within a respective channel 304 and proximate to a respective sidewall 310 in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, at least one handle may be positioned at another suitable location with respect to the cover (e.g., within a channel and proximate to the base surface, proximate to a lateral concave portion, etc.). In addition, while the latch assembly 400 includes two latches 402 in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the latch assembly may include more or fewer latches (e.g., 1, 3, 4, or more). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, additional coupling assemblies may be employed to couple the cover to the frame (e.g., in addition to the latch assembly). For example, in certain embodiments, the header may include a clip assembly positioned at the lateral center of the header to enhance the stability/reduce flexing of the cover. The clip assembly may include a clip configured to automatically engage a respective receiver in response to the cover engaging the frame (e.g., in response to the cover reaching a coupled position). In addition, in certain embodiments, the latch assembly may be omitted (e.g., the cover may be coupled to the frame via fastener(s), etc.).

In the illustrated embodiment, the header includes a plate 234 coupled to the frame of the header. The plate 234 is configured to facilitate movement of the crop material from the cover 302 to the longitudinal belt 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 302 has a mounting portion extending rearwardly (e.g., along the rearward direction 16) from the rear end 318 of the cover 302. In addition, the plate 234 forms a recess configured to receive the mounting portion of the cover 302. The recess may be formed between the plate 234 and the frame of the header. Engagement of the mounting portion of the cover 302 with the recess formed by the plate 234 in combination with engagement of the latch(es) 402 with the respective receiver(s) couples the cover 302 to the frame of the header. For example, to couple the cover 302 to the frame of the header, the mounting portion may be engaged with the recess, and the cover may be rotated to drive the latch(es) into engagement with the respective receiver(s). Furthermore, to remove the cover 302 from the frame of the header, the latch(es) may be disengaged from the receiver(s) via actuation of the handle(s) 404 and rotation of the cover 302, and the mounting portion may then be disengaged from the recess. While the cover 302 includes the mounting portion in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the mounting portion may be omitted (e.g., the cover may be coupled to the frame via the latch assembly alone, the cover may be coupled to the frame via fasters alone, the cover may be coupled to the frame via the latch assembly and fasteners, etc.).

FIG. 5 is a side view of the cover assembly 300 of FIG. 3. As previously discussed, the front section 312 extends upwardly (e.g., with respect to the vertical axis 14) and rearwardly (e.g., along the rearward direction 16) from the front end 316 of the cover 302 to the rear section 314. Furthermore, the front section 312 is convex and has a shape that substantially matches the shape of the crop deflectors. In certain embodiments, a height of the front section 312 may be equal to a height of the crop deflectors. In the illustrated embodiment, the front section 312 has a curved portion 324 and a straight portion 326. As illustrated, the straight portion 326 is positioned rearwardly (e.g., along the rearward direction 16) from the curved portion 324. While the front section 312 has a curved portion and a straight portion positioned rearwardly of the curved portion in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the front section may have more or fewer portions (e.g., 1, 3, 4, 5, or more), and each portion may have any suitable shape. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the shape of the front section may be the same along the lateral extent of the cover. However, in other embodiments, the shape of the front section may vary along the lateral extent of the cover.

In addition, as previously discussed, the rear section 314 extends continuously downwardly (e.g., with respect to the vertical axis 14) and rearwardly (e.g., along the rearward direction 16) from the front section 312 to the rear end 318 of the cover 302. As illustrated, the interface 328 between the front section 312 and the rear section 314 is positioned at the location where the cover 302 transitions from extending upwardly to extending downwardly. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear section 314 has a single straight portion 330. However, in other embodiments, the rear section may have additional portions, and each portion (e.g., including the single portion) may have any suitable shape. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the shape of the rear section may be the same along the lateral extent of the cover. However, in other embodiments, the shape of the rear section may vary along the lateral extent of the cover.

As previously discussed, the rear section 314 (e.g., each portion of the rear section) is angled less than 45 degrees (e.g., about the lateral axis) relative to the longitudinal belt 214 of the header. For example, the rear section 314 may be oriented at an angle 18 of about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees, about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees, or about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees (e.g., about the lateral axis) relative to the longitudinal belt 214. By way of further example, the angle 18 of the rear section 314 relative to the longitudinal belt 214 (e.g., about the lateral axis) may be less than 45 degrees, less than 40 degrees, less than 35 degrees, less than 30 degrees, less than 25 degrees, less than 20 degrees, less than 15 degrees, less than 10 degrees, or less than 5 degrees. The front section 312 and the rear section 314 establish a smooth surface extending along the cover 302, thereby facilitating flow of the crop material over the driving mechanism of the knife drive. In addition, the small angle between the rear section 314 and the longitudinal belt 214 facilitates movement of the crop material from the cover 302 to the longitudinal belt 214. As a result, the crop material may flow smoothly from the cutter bar assembly 202 to the longitudinal belt 214, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the harvesting operation. While the rear section is angled less than 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal belt 214 in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the angle between the rear section and the longitudinal belt may be greater than or equal to 45 degrees. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the rear section includes multiple portions oriented at different angles and/or one or more curved portions, a line may extent from the interface 328 to the rear end 318, and the angle 18 of the rear section 314 may correspond to the angle of the line relative to the longitudinal belt 214.

In certain embodiments, the cover assembly may include certain features configured to block crop material from passing between the cover and the frame while the cover is in the coupled position (e.g., coupled to the frame), thereby blocking the crop material from engaging components of the drive mechanism. For example, the cover assembly may include a seal extending along at least a portion (e.g., an entirety of) the interface between the cover and the frame. The seal may be formed from any suitable material(s), such as foam, rubber, polymeric material, etc. Furthermore, the seal may be coupled to the cover or the frame (e.g., via an adhesive connection, via a fastener connection, etc.).

As previously discussed, the plate 234 is coupled to the frame 218 of the header. The plate 234 is configured to facilitate movement of the crop material from the cover 302 to the longitudinal belt 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 302 has a mounting portion 332 extending rearwardly (e.g., along the rearward direction 16) from the rear end 318 of the cover 302. In addition, the plate 234 forms a recess 236 configured to receive the mounting portion 332 of the cover 302. The recess 236 is formed between the plate 234 and the frame 218 of the header. Engagement of the mounting portion 332 of the cover 302 with the recess 236 in combination with engagement of the latch(es) with the respective receiver(s) couples the cover 302 to the frame 218 of the header. For example, to couple the cover 302 to the frame 218 of the header, the mounting portion 332 may be engaged with the recess 236 while the latch(es) are positioned above the receiver(s), and the cover 302 may be rotated about the mounting portion 332/recess 236 to drive the latch(es) into engagement with the respective receiver(s). As discussed in detail below, the latch(es) may automatically engage the receiver(s) in response to downward movement of the latch(es) relative to the receiver(s). Furthermore, to remove the cover 302 from the frame 218, the latch(es) may be disengaged from the receiver(s) via actuation of the handle(s) and rotation of the cover 302 about the mounting portion 332/recess 236, and the mounting portion 332 may then be disengaged from the recess 236. While the cover 302 includes the mounting portion in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the mounting portion may be omitted (e.g., the cover may be coupled to the frame via the latch assembly alone, the cover may be coupled to the frame via fasters alone, the cover may be coupled to the frame via the latch assembly and fasteners, etc.).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a latch assembly 400 that may be employed within the header of FIG. 2 to couple a cover to the frame 218 of the header. As previously discussed, the latch assembly 400 includes one or more latches 402, and each latch 402 is movably coupled to the cover. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 402 includes a handle 404 and a pin 406 extending from the handle 404