Adaptive Swath Gate: Agricultural Header Innovation

Publication ID: 24-11856884_0001_PTD

Published: October 26, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Swath Gate: Agricultural Header Innovation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856884_0001_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856884_0001_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,884.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent (Agricultural header with swath gate for spreading and converging crop material) introduced a novel solution for spreading and converging crop material. However, it had limitations in adjusting to varying crop flow rates, resulting in inefficient spreading and converging. The present invention addresses this limitation by incorporating an adjustable swath gate that can adapt to changing crop flow rates, ensuring optimal spreading and converging of crop material.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The novelty of this invention lies in the integration of an adjustable swath gate with a crop flow sensor, enabling real-time optimization of crop material spreading and converging. The inventive step is the combination of these components to create a dynamic system that adapts to varying crop flow rates, providing a significant improvement over the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of this invention could include using different types of sensors, such as optical or acoustic sensors, to detect crop flow rates. Additionally, the pivotable spreader could be replaced with a telescoping or extendable spreader to achieve similar adjustments. The invention could also be adapted for use in other agricultural applications, such as hay harvesting or silage production.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The agricultural header with an adjustable swath gate has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly in regions with high crop yields. The invention could be marketed as a premium feature for high-end agricultural vehicles, offering farmers improved efficiency and productivity. Additionally, the technology could be licensed to other agricultural equipment manufacturers, expanding its market reach.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A01	A01D34/667
A	A01	A01D41/1243
A	A01	A01D43/10

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Agricultural machinery design, specifically header systems for crop harvesting equipment, involving mechanical systems for cutting, spreading, and managing crop flow

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A mechanical engineer with expertise in agricultural equipment design, familiar with harvesting technologies, sensor integration, and mechanical actuation systems, typically holding a bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical engineering with 3-5 years of industry experience

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that adding a crop flow sensor to an existing swath gate mechanism represents a predictable technological enhancement that optimizes agricultural machinery performance. The integration of sensing technology with mechanical spreading systems is a well-established design approach in agricultural equipment. The proposed variations represent incremental improvements that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to enhance the functionality of existing header systems.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Swath gate with spreader and converger components for managing crop material flow

PTD Variation

Adding a crop flow sensor to dynamically adjust the spreader's position

Obviousness Reasoning

Sensor-based adaptive control is a known technique in agricultural machinery for optimizing performance, representing a predictable application of existing technological approaches

Source Patent Element

Fixed mechanical spreader configuration in original header design

PTD Variation

Implementing a pivotable spreader with adjustable width

Obviousness Reasoning

Mechanical adjustability is a standard design approach for improving equipment versatility, representing a finite solution to enhancing crop material management

Source Patent Element

Rotary disc cutter module for crop harvesting

PTD Variation

Real-time sensor-driven adjustment of crop flow stream based on detected flow rates

Obviousness Reasoning

Dynamic system optimization through sensor feedback is a well-established engineering technique with predictable and beneficial results in agricultural machinery

Source Patent Element

Header frame with mechanical components for crop material management

PTD Variation

Alternative sensor technologies like optical or acoustic flow detection

Obviousness Reasoning

Substituting equivalent sensing technologies represents a standard design choice within the capabilities of an ordinary skilled practitioner

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856884, the claimed variations in crop material management represent obvious extensions of prior art, wherein a person having ordinary skill in agricultural machinery design would readily conceive of integrating sensor-based adaptive control with existing mechanical swath gate systems. The proposed technical modifications constitute predictable technological improvements that do not rise to the level of non-obvious invention.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,856,884
Title	Agricultural header with swath gate for spreading and converging crop material
Assignee(s)	CNH Industrial America LLC