Tine arch mechanism for a bale wagon

Claim 2

A bale wagon comprising: a wheel-supported frame structure adapted for travel over the ground; bed means on said frame structure, said bed means being adapted to receive successive tiers of bales at one end thereof; support means are on said bed means; and means pivotally mounted on said support means for selected engagement with successive tiers of bales for preventing forward movement of said tiers relative to said bed means and for disengagement with said bale tiers to permit forward movement thereof relative to said bed means, said means pivotally mounted on said support means comprising retaining means pivotally mounted on said support means and a plurality of tines pivotally mounted on said retaining means, said tines being pivotal upwardly as successive tiers of bales are received on said bed means and downwardly into engagement with the bale tiers after said tiers are in place on the bed means.

Claim 3

A bale wagon, as recited in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises upstanding side members and connecting means extending between said upstanding side members, said support means forming an arch through which the bale tiers pass when being received on said bed means.

Claim 4

A bale wagon, as recited in claim 1, wherein said tines are provided with stop means adjacent the lower end thereof to limit the depth of penetration of said tines in said bales.

Claim 5

A bale wagon, as recited in claim 1, wherein control means operatively connected to said pivotally mounted means are provided for selectively actuating said pivotally mounted means from a position engageable with said bale tiers to a position out of engagement with said bale tiers for unloading of successive tiers of bales from said bed means.

Claim 6

A bale wagon comprising: a wheel-supported frame structure, adapted for travel over the ground; bed means on said frame structure, said bed means being adapted to receive successive tiers of bales at one end thereof; support means on said bed means, said support means comprising upstanding side members transversely movable with respect to said bed means and adjustable connecting means extending between said upstanding side members, said support means forming an arch through which the successive tiers of bales pass when being received on said bed means; means pivotally mounted on said support means, said means being selectively positionable for engagement and disengagement with successive tiers of bales on said bed means, said pivotally mounted means comprises retaining means pivotally mounted on said support means and a plurality of tines pivotally mounted on said retaining means, said tines pivoting upwardly with respect to said retaining means as successive tiers of bales are received on said bed means and downwardly with respect to said retaining means into engagement with said successive bale tiers when said tiers are positioned on said bed means, said tines preventing forward movement of said bale tiers relative to said bed means when said tines are in engagement therewith; and control means operatively connected to said pivotally mounted means for selectively actuating said pivotally mounted means into and out of engagement with the tiers of bales.

Claim 7

A bale wagon comprising: a wheel-supported frame structure, adapted for travel over the ground; bed means on said frame structure, said bed means being adapted to receive successive tiers of bales at one end thereof; support means on said bed means, said support means comprising upstanding side members transversely movable with respect to said bed means and adjustable connecting means extending between said upstanding side members, said support means forming an arch through which the successive tiers of bales pass when being received on said bed means; means pivotally mounted on said support means, said means being selectively positionable for engagement and disengagement with successive tiers of bales on said bed means, said pivotally mounted means comprises retaining means pivotally mounted on said support means and a plurality of tines pivotally mounted on said retaining means, said tines pivoting upwardly with respect to said retaining means as successive tiers of bales are received on said bed means and downwardly with respect to said retaining means into engagement with said successive bale tiers when said tiers are positioned on said bed means, said tines preventing forward movement of said bale tiers relative to said bed means when said tines are in engagement therewith; and control means operatively connected to said pivotally mounted means for selectively actuating said pivotally mounted means into and out of engagement with the tiers of bales.

Claim 8

A bale wagon, as recited in claim 5, wherein said support means comprises upstanding side members transversely movable with respect to said bed means and adjustable connecting means extending between said upstanding side members, said support means forming an arch through which the successive tiers of bales pass when being received on said bed means.

Claim 9

A bale wagon, as recited in claim 5, wherein said control means is operatively connected to said retaining means and said control means comprises a handle pivotally mounted on said support means, link means pivotally connected at one end to said handle and rod means connected by one end to said retaining means and by the other end to said link means, said handle being movable to rotate said tines from a bale-engaging position to a position out of engagement with said bale tiers to permit forward motion of said bale tiers relative to said bed means.