US3687302A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine for forming tied stacks of bales
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-06-17
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1991-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A commercially available automatic bale stacking machine is modified to facilitate forming a tied stack, i.e., a stack in which bales in some of the layers are oriented in different directions, to make the stack more stable when lifted by a fork truck or transported in a flat-bed truck. Bales are lifted from the ground by a loader which is located on one side of the machine in operative position and deposited on a stationary first bed which has a transverse conveyor capable of positioning two bales end-to-end. A superstructure extending above the first bed pivotally mounts an arm which swings in a vertical plane as controlled by a hydraulic cylinder and has a pusher bar on its lower end to push bales from the first table to a rearwardly disposed second table. A first actuating lever by means of a valve actuating linkage starts operative or rearward movement of the pusher bar when two bales are in position on the first table. A second actuating lever commences the retractive or forward movement of the bar when the bales have been transferred to the second table. A third actuating lever holds the bar stationary in retracted or neutral position until the first lever is actuated. The second and third tables of the machine pivot substantially as in the commercial machine. The second table has projectable and retractable spikes which function with other mechanisms to turn the bales 90* under control of the operator.
Inventors
- 👤 Manuel A Castro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:50
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D85/00; A01D85/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
361 words
A bale stacking machine of the type having a ground-supported frame, a first table extending transversely of said frame adjacent the front of said frame, a loader on a first side of said frame having means for lifting bales from the ground and depositing said bales one at a time on said first table extending transversely of said frame, a transverse conveyor on said first table to move bales toward a second side of said frame, a second table rearward of said first table, a ramp between said tables, a superstructure extending above and rearwardly over said first table, an arm, means pivotally mounting said arm on said superstructure for movement about a horizontal transverse axis, hydraulic means on said superstructure for swinging said arm, a valve controlling said arm having first, second and neutral positions, a valve arm controlling the positions of said valve, a horizontal transverse pusher bar on said arm to push one or more bales from said first table over said ramp onto said second table, a first actuating lever located on said first table at said second side of said frame, a transverse rod transversely movable by said first actuating lever, a longitudinally movable rod reciprocable in proximity to said valve arm, means articulately connecting said transversely and longitudinally movable rods together, first means connecting said longitudinally movable rod and said valve arm together to move said arm to move said valve to first position to energize said hydraulic means to swing said arm rearwardly, a second actuating lever adjacent said second table, a contactor movable with said pusher bar to move said second actuating lever, second means controlled by said second actuating lever to move said valve arm to move said valve to second position to energize said hydraulic means to swing said arm forwardly, a third actuating lever on the forward edge of said first table, said pusher bar contacting said third lever when in fully retracted position, third means controlled by said third lever to move said longitudinally movable rod to move said valve arm to move said valve to neutral position, whereby said pusher bar is held stationary in full forward position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
361 words
A bale stacking machine of the type having a ground-supported frame, a first table extending transversely of said frame adjacent the front of said frame, a loader on a first side of said frame having means for lifting bales from the ground and depositing said bales one at a time on said first table extending transversely of said frame, a transverse conveyor on said first table to move bales toward a second side of said frame, a second table rearward of said first table, a ramp between said tables, a superstructure extending above and rearwardly over said first table, an arm, means pivotally mounting said arm on said superstructure for movement about a horizontal transverse axis, hydraulic means on said superstructure for swinging said arm, a valve controlling said arm having first, second and neutral positions, a valve arm controlling the positions of said valve, a horizontal transverse pusher bar on said arm to push one or more bales from said first table over said ramp onto said second table, a first actuating lever located on said first table at said second side of said frame, a transverse rod transversely movable by said first actuating lever, a longitudinally movable rod reciprocable in proximity to said valve arm, means articulately connecting said transversely and longitudinally movable rods together, first means connecting said longitudinally movable rod and said valve arm together to move said arm to move said valve to first position to energize said hydraulic means to swing said arm rearwardly, a second actuating lever adjacent said second table, a contactor movable with said pusher bar to move said second actuating lever, second means controlled by said second actuating lever to move said valve arm to move said valve to second position to energize said hydraulic means to swing said arm forwardly, a third actuating lever on the forward edge of said first table, said pusher bar contacting said third lever when in fully retracted position, third means controlled by said third lever to move said longitudinally movable rod to move said valve arm to move said valve to neutral position, whereby said pusher bar is held stationary in full forward position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A machine according to claim 1 in which said means articulately connecting said transversely and longitudinally movable rods together comprises a bell crank having bifurcated ends, a pivot pivoting said crank relative to said frame and collars on said rods to cause said rods to move and said crank to pivot in unison.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A machine according to claim 1 which further comprises first and second latches engageable with said valve arm to latch said valve in first and second positions, respectively, and means associated with said second and third actuating levers to unlatch said first and second latches, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A machine according to claim 1 which further comprises a bale stop located on said transverse rod intermediate the ends of said first table and means operable to move said stop between an operative position above the level of said first table and an inoperative position, said stop in operative position being contacted by a transversely moving bale to move said valve to first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A machine according to claim 4 which further comprises a pair of spikes and means for projecting said spikes above the level of said second table at the locations of the outer forward corner of each of a pair of bales moved onto said second table by said pusher bar to impale said pair of bales and for retracting said spikes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A machine according to claim 1 which further comprises a reciprocable second rod controlling tilting of said second table, a collar on said second rod, A third latch movable between operative position restraining movement of said second rod and inoperative position, and means interconnecting said third actuating lever and said third latch to permit movement of said second rod only when said valve is in neutral position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine according to claim 1 in which said first table comprises a forward and rear transverse horizontal slide separated by a gap, said transverse conveyor located between said slides and projecting above said gap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A machine according to claim 7 in which said conveyor has a chain and spaced lugs, said lugs slanted upward rearward so that wires on bales on said conveyor are lifted over said lugs when said pusher bar moves said bale rearwardly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A machine according to claim 7 in which said loader is pivotally mounted on said frame about a longitudinal horizontal pivot, one said slide being interrupted adjacent said first side of said frame and which further comprises a shoe and means mounting said shoe on said loader whereby when said loader is in operative position said shoe fills the interrupted portion of said slide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |