US3866529A — Density control for hay balers

Claim 1

Independent Claim 162 words

A hay baling machine comprising a chute having a stationary frame and at least one wall mounted adjacent one end thereof on the frame for simple pivotal movement relative thereto for adjusting the density of hay material passing through the chute; a mechanically driven plunger for forcing hay into one end of the chute; and means, independent of the mechanically driven plunger, for automatically adjusting the position of the movable wall wholly in response to the compaction of material in the chute for maintaining the density of the bales relatively uniform, the adjusting means comprising a fluid motor drivably connected to the movable wall; a source of relatively constant gaseous pressure; means placing the source in constant communication with the fluid motor during baling operations; means for filling the pressure source including a conduit having an end open to the atmosphere and a valve in the conduit for holding pressure in the source; and a pressure gauge in communication with the source.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 162 words

A hay baling machine comprising a chute having a stationary frame and at least one wall mounted adjacent one end thereof on the frame for simple pivotal movement relative thereto for adjusting the density of hay material passing through the chute; a mechanically driven plunger for forcing hay into one end of the chute; and means, independent of the mechanically driven plunger, for automatically adjusting the position of the movable wall wholly in response to the compaction of material in the chute for maintaining the density of the bales relatively uniform, the adjusting means comprising a fluid motor drivably connected to the movable wall; a source of relatively constant gaseous pressure; means placing the source in constant communication with the fluid motor during baling operations; means for filling the pressure source including a conduit having an end open to the atmosphere and a valve in the conduit for holding pressure in the source; and a pressure gauge in communication with the source.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 14 words

The hay baling machine of claim 1 wherein the valve comprises a tire valve.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

The hay baling machine of claim 1 wherein the source is supported on the motor.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 207 words

A hay baling machine comprising a chute having a stationary frame, a discharge end and a pair of opposed movable walls mounted remote from the discharge end for pivotal movement into coverging relation toward the discharge end for adjusting the density of hay material passing through the chute; means for forcing hay through the chute toward the discharge end; and means for automatically adjusting the position of the movable walls wholly in response to the compaction of material in the chute for maintaining the density of the bales relatively uniform, the adjusting means comprising a first member transverse to the chute extending beyond the width thereof on both sides; a single fluid motor supported on the first member and having an output member in driving relation to one of the pivotal walls; a second member, transverse to the chute extending beyond the width thereof on both sides, attached to the other pivotal wall; means connecting the first and second members together outside the confines of the chute and on opposite sides thereof for transmitting extension of the output member into converging movement of the walls; a source of relatively constant gaseous pressure; and means placing the source in constant communication with the fluid motor during baling operations.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 207 words

A hay baling machine comprising a chute having a stationary frame, a discharge end and a pair of opposed movable walls mounted remote from the discharge end for pivotal movement into coverging relation toward the discharge end for adjusting the density of hay material passing through the chute; means for forcing hay through the chute toward the discharge end; and means for automatically adjusting the position of the movable walls wholly in response to the compaction of material in the chute for maintaining the density of the bales relatively uniform, the adjusting means comprising a first member transverse to the chute extending beyond the width thereof on both sides; a single fluid motor supported on the first member and having an output member in driving relation to one of the pivotal walls; a second member, transverse to the chute extending beyond the width thereof on both sides, attached to the other pivotal wall; means connecting the first and second members together outside the confines of the chute and on opposite sides thereof for transmitting extension of the output member into converging movement of the walls; a source of relatively constant gaseous pressure; and means placing the source in constant communication with the fluid motor during baling operations.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 18 words

The hay baling machine of claim 4 wherein the motor is mounted along a centerline of the chute.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The hay baling machine of claim 5 further comprising an articulated connection between the output member and the one movable wall.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 13 words

The hay baling machine of claim 4 wherein the connecting means comprise springs.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 152 words

A device for converting a hay baler of the type having a manual hay density controller to the type having an automatic hay density controller, the manual density controller including a chute having first and second opposed pivotally mounted walls, first and second members attached to the first and second walls respectively and extending beyond the confines of the chute, a pair of springs attached to the first and second members outside the confines of the chute and means for manually varying the tension in the springs, the device comprising a third member wider than the chute; a fluid motor, supported on the third member, including an output member having an end for connection to the first member; means for connecting the third member to the first member; a source of relatively constant gaseous pressure supported by the third member; and means placing the source in constant communication with the fluid motor.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 152 words

A device for converting a hay baler of the type having a manual hay density controller to the type having an automatic hay density controller, the manual density controller including a chute having first and second opposed pivotally mounted walls, first and second members attached to the first and second walls respectively and extending beyond the confines of the chute, a pair of springs attached to the first and second members outside the confines of the chute and means for manually varying the tension in the springs, the device comprising a third member wider than the chute; a fluid motor, supported on the third member, including an output member having an end for connection to the first member; means for connecting the third member to the first member; a source of relatively constant gaseous pressure supported by the third member; and means placing the source in constant communication with the fluid motor.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

The hay baling machine of claim 8 wherein the source is supported by the fluid motor.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-02-17	1978-08-19	1979-02-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-02-17	1982-08-19	1983-02-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-02-17	1986-08-19	1987-02-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Density control for hay balers

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