US3881409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Silage compression apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-02-21
•
Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1994-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A compression apparatus for single-use silage stack construction, comprising a central vertical support pole, a stack confining ring around the pole, a power-driven compression roller and an idler compression roller mounted on radial arms of a yoke rotatably mounted on the pole, the yoke also being vertically movable and tiltable relative to the pole, and an auger system, preferably comprising two counterrotating augers, for distributing forage evenly across the top of a silage stack formed within the confining ring.
Inventors
- 👤 Ugo Luciano Frigieri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:38
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01F; A01F25/00; A01F25/16; A01F25/163; B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/30; B30B9/3082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A silage compression apparatus for compressing forage into a compact cylindrical stack, comprising: a central upright support; a confining ring, disposed in encompassing relation to the central support, for confining compressed forage; compression means, rotatably mounted on and vertically movable on the central support, for compressing forage deposited within the confining ring; compression drive means for rotating the compression means about the central support; ring elevation means for raising the confining ring to accommodate added increments of compressed forage within the ring; and forage distribution means for distributing forage across a stack area encompassed by the ring, the forage distribution means comprising; at least one distribution auger having an input end rotatably mounted on the central support and extending substantially radially outwardly thereof; auger travel connection means interconnecting the distribution auger and the compression means to rotate the auger about the central support synchronously with rotation of the compression means, the auger travel connection means allowing limited vertical movement of the free end of the auger relative to the compression means; and funnel means, mounted on the central support, for feeding forage to the input end of the auger, the auger conveying the forage outwardly from the center toward the periphery of the ring and continuously levelling the stack formed within the ring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
A silage compression apparatus for compressing forage into a compact cylindrical stack, comprising: a central upright support; a confining ring, disposed in encompassing relation to the central support, for confining compressed forage; compression means, rotatably mounted on and vertically movable on the central support, for compressing forage deposited within the confining ring; compression drive means for rotating the compression means about the central support; ring elevation means for raising the confining ring to accommodate added increments of compressed forage within the ring; and forage distribution means for distributing forage across a stack area encompassed by the ring, the forage distribution means comprising; at least one distribution auger having an input end rotatably mounted on the central support and extending substantially radially outwardly thereof; auger travel connection means interconnecting the distribution auger and the compression means to rotate the auger about the central support synchronously with rotation of the compression means, the auger travel connection means allowing limited vertical movement of the free end of the auger relative to the compression means; and funnel means, mounted on the central support, for feeding forage to the input end of the auger, the auger conveying the forage outwardly from the center toward the periphery of the ring and continuously levelling the stack formed within the ring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
A silage compression apparatus according to claim 1 in which the compression means comprises: a yoke rotatably mounted on the central support; two arms extending radially outwArdly of the yoke; a first compression roller mounted on the outer end of a first one of the arms and extending radially inwardly from a point closely adjacent the confining ring; and a second compression roller mounted on the outer end of the other yoke arm and extending radially outwardly from a point closely adjacent the central support, the inner end of the first compression roller being closer to the central support than the outer end of the second compression roller to provide overlapping compression of an intermediate annular area within the confining ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A silage compression apparatus according to claim 2 in which the compression drive means is a prime mover connected in driving relation to one of the compression rollers, the other compression roller constituting an idler roller, and in which each roller is of conical configuration with the large end of the cone at the outer peripheral end of the roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
A silage compression apparatus according to claim 3 in which the yoke arms are aligned on a common diameter extending through the axis of the central support and the yoke includes an elongated central opening through which the central support extends so that the yoke can oscillate angularly relative to a horizontal axis while rotating around the central support, thereby compensating for differences in the level of forage beneath the two compression rollers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A silage compression apparatus according to claim 4 in which the input end of the auger is pivotally mounted upon a horizontal support member affixed to the yoke, allowing limited vertical oscillation of the outer end of the auger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A silage compression apparatus according to claim 2 in which the first compression roller is telescopically mounted on the first yoke arm, for adjustment radially on the central support to accommodate confining rings of varying size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A silage compression apparatus according to claim 2 in which the distribution means comprises two counter-rotating augers mounted in an open frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A silage compression apparatus according to claim 2 in which the auger travel connection means comprises a chain or like flexible connection element linking the free end of the auger to one of the yoke arms so that the auger is pulled around the stack area behind one of the compression rollers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A silage compression apparatus according to claim 2 in which the funnel means comprises a funnel mounted on the yoke for rotation therewith and having a side opening at the bottom of the funnel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |