US3874609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bale unroller
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-11-08
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A bale unroller comprises a trailer including a frame having end plates, side gates therebetween, and a conveyor belt upon which a horizontally disposed, rolled hay bale may be received. The side gates act as retaining members and are spaced above the end of the conveyor for allowing exit of hay while restraining the horizontal movement of the bale as a whole. The conveyor is operated for rotating the bale whereby a band of hay is unrolled under a side gate, providing a narrow swath of hay along the path of the trailer as the hay breaks off at the end of the conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 Irving R Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:00
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D87/00; A01D87/12; A01D87/127; A01D2087/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for distributing a rolled, substantially cylindrical hay bale comprising: a frame for receiving said bale so that said bale is in an axis horizontal position, said frame being adapted for transport over the ground, and an under member supported by said frame for sustaining the weight of said bale, said under member comprising a conveyor belt supporting the side of said bale and having a width approximately as long as the length of said bale, said conveyor belt having a concave cross section where said bale is supported, said frame locating an exit portion of said conveyor belt near a side of said frame for depositing portions of said bale on a ground surface or in a container as said conveyor belt roTates said bale to unwind said bale, wherein said frame includes a retaining portion disposed above the exit portion of said conveyor belt in spaced relation thereto for permitting the exit of said bale between said retaining portion and said belt as said bale unwinds, said retaining portion preventing translation of said bale as a whole along said conveyor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for distributing a rolled, substantially cylindrical hay bale comprising: a frame for receiving said bale so that said bale is in an axis horizontal position, said frame being adapted for transport over the ground, and an under member supported by said frame for sustaining the weight of said bale, said under member comprising a conveyor belt supporting the side of said bale and having a width approximately as long as the length of said bale, said conveyor belt having a concave cross section where said bale is supported, said frame locating an exit portion of said conveyor belt near a side of said frame for depositing portions of said bale on a ground surface or in a container as said conveyor belt roTates said bale to unwind said bale, wherein said frame includes a retaining portion disposed above the exit portion of said conveyor belt in spaced relation thereto for permitting the exit of said bale between said retaining portion and said belt as said bale unwinds, said retaining portion preventing translation of said bale as a whole along said conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame is provided with at least a pair of retaining portions located to receive said bale therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said retaining portion of said frame comprises a gate hingedly supported by said frame proximate a corner of said frame for rotation about a vertical axis, and means for latching said gate to said frame proximate a corner of said frame on the opposite side of the exit portion of said conveyor belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said gate is located with a portion extending inwardly from the said side of said frame, toward the position of the underside of said bale, and having a lower edge angled outwardly from the lower end of said gate and under which said bale is unwound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
202 words
Apparatus for distributing a rolled, substantially cylindrical hay bale comprising: a frame for receiving said bale so that said bale is in an axis horizontal position, said frame being adapted for transport over the ground, and an under member supported by said frame for sustaining the weight of said bale, said under member comprising a conveyor belt supporting the side of said bale and having a width approximately as long as the length of said bale, said conveyor belt having a concave cross section where said bale is supported, said frame locating an exit portion of said conveyor belt near a side of said frame for depositing portions of said bale on a ground surface or in a container as said conveyor belt rotates said bale to unwind said bale, wherein said conveyor belt is supported by said frame by means of at least a pair of rollers located underneath the top surface of said conveyor belt between bearing means secured to said frame on opposite sides of said conveyor belt, and wherein said conveyor belt comprises a continuous loop runing around and between said pair of said rollers, said rollers of said pair being disposed proximate opposite sides of said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
202 words
Apparatus for distributing a rolled, substantially cylindrical hay bale comprising: a frame for receiving said bale so that said bale is in an axis horizontal position, said frame being adapted for transport over the ground, and an under member supported by said frame for sustaining the weight of said bale, said under member comprising a conveyor belt supporting the side of said bale and having a width approximately as long as the length of said bale, said conveyor belt having a concave cross section where said bale is supported, said frame locating an exit portion of said conveyor belt near a side of said frame for depositing portions of said bale on a ground surface or in a container as said conveyor belt rotates said bale to unwind said bale, wherein said conveyor belt is supported by said frame by means of at least a pair of rollers located underneath the top surface of said conveyor belt between bearing means secured to said frame on opposite sides of said conveyor belt, and wherein said conveyor belt comprises a continuous loop runing around and between said pair of said rollers, said rollers of said pair being disposed proximate opposite sides of said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 further including sprocket drive means for driving one of the pair of rollers, and a belt tightening means for urging a second of said pair of rollers away from the first of said pair of rollers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein at least said pair of rollers are provided with guide ribs mating with a guide rib on the inside of said belt for inhibiting movement of said belt along said rollers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 including further rollers located between said pair of rollers, and wherein the axes of the further rollers are vertically positioned to provide said concave cross section proximate where said bale is supported.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said further rollers comprise a second pair of rollers, one located on each side of the position of the axial center line of said bale.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame is provided with a towing tongue extending centrally forward from said frame in a direction parallel to said side of said frame, and wherein said frame is further provided with a pair of wheels attached to said frame and located under respective sides of said frame.
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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |