Row unit of a corn header having a deck plate with a structured surface

1. A row unit of a corn header for an agricultural harvester comprising:

a frame;

a first row unit arm mounted to the frame, the first row unit arm including a first deck plate; and

a second row unit arm mounted to the frame, wherein the second row unit arm includes a second deck plate spaced from the first deck plate defining a gap therebetween,

wherein each of the first and second deck plates includes a plurality of structures configured to inhibit a flow of grain,

wherein the plurality of structures of the first deck plate are positioned spaced from a medial side of the first deck plate, and

wherein the plurality of structures of the second deck plate are positioned spaced from a medial side of the second deck plate.

2. The row unit of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of structures is configured as a corrugation, a rib, a recess or a protrusion.

3. The row unit of claim 2 , wherein each recess of the plurality of structures has a depth at least slightly greater than a diameter of a corn kernel.

4. The row unit of claim 3 , wherein each recess of the plurality of structures has a depth of at least 3 mm.

5. The row unit of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second deck plates is an elongated deck plate having a substantially planar top surface, and wherein each structure is a recess having a sloped bottom surface extending from the top surface.

6. The row unit of claim 5 , wherein each structure is inset into a respective one of the first and second deck plates and includes a substantially planar front wall and a tapered bottom surface.

7. The row unit of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of structures comprises a horse shoe shaped structure, a V-shaped structure, an L-shaped structure, or a crescent shaped structure.

8. The row unit of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of structures is configured as an elongated corrugation, an elongated rib, an elongated recess or an elongated protrusion.

9. The row unit of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second deck plates is an elongated deck plate having a forward end and a rear end, and wherein the plurality of structures of the first deck plate are aligned in a row extending from the forward end to the rear end of the first deck plate, and wherein the plurality of structures of the second deck plate are aligned in a row extending from the forward end to the rear end of the second deck plate.

10. The row unit of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second deck plates is an elongated deck plate having a substantially planar top surface extending continuously along the medial side of the deck plate defining a substantially planar impact zone, and wherein the plurality of structures of the first deck plate are positioned along a region of the first deck plate adjacent the substantially planar impact zone, and wherein the plurality of structures of the second deck plate are positioned along a region of the second deck plate adjacent the substantially planar impact zone.

11. The row unit of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second deck plates is an elongated deck plate.

12. The row unit of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of structures of the first deck plate are positioned spaced from the medial side of the first deck plate about a distance equal to one half a diameter of an ear of corn, wherein the plurality of structures of the second deck plate are positioned spaced from the medial side of the second deck plate about a distance equal to one half a diameter of an ear of corn.

13. A deck plate of a row unit of a corn header for an agricultural harvester, comprising an elongated body that includes:

a forward end;

a rear end;

a top surface;

a medial side having a depending portion;

a mounting side opposite the medial side for connecting to a portion of the row unit; and

a plurality of structures positioned about the top surface spaced from the medial side and configured to inhibit a flow of grain.

14. The deck plate of claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of structures is configured as a corrugation, a rib, a recess or a protrusion.

15. The deck plate of claim 14 , wherein each recess of the plurality of structures has a depth at least slightly greater than a diameter of a corn kernel.

16. The deck plate of claim 14 , wherein each recess of the plurality of structures have a depth of at least 3 mm.

17. The deck plate of claim 13 , wherein the top surface is a substantially planar top surface, and wherein each of the plurality of structures comprises a recess having a sloped bottom surface extending from the top surface.

18. The deck plate of claim 14 , wherein the recess is inset into the deck plate and includes a substantially planar front wall depending from the top surface and a tapered bottom surface.

19. The deck plate of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of structures includes a horse shoe shaped structure, V-shaped structure, an L-shaped structure, or a crescent shaped structure.

20. The deck plate of claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of structures is configured as an elongated corrugation, an elongated rib, an elongated recess or an elongated protrusion.