US3906852A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hay baler knife adjustment
Assignee: Allied Products Corp
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Filing: 1974-11-27
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A hay baler including an elongated bale chamber and a powerdriven plunger reciprocably mounted in the chamber for cyclically compressing hay in the chamber. Hay is fed into the chamber through a feed opening in a sidewall thereof by a feed mechanism operated in synchronization with reciprocating movement of the plunger. A knife is mounted on the sidewall adjacent to the feed opening. Another knife is mounted on the plunger so as to be movable thereby in close cutting relation with the sidewallmounted knife to cut the hay at the feed opening. The synchronized movement of the plunger and the feed mechanism is provided in part by a rack and pinion drive wherein an elongated rack is slidably mounted on the outside of the bale chamber and connected to the plunger for conjoint reciprocation. The rack drives a pinion which in turn drives the feed mechanism. Adjustment of the position of the knives relative to each other is accomplished from the outside of the bale chamber by shifting the rack, plunger, and attached knife to position the knife in proper cutting relation to the chamber-mounted knife.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Edward L Robinson
- 👤 Ralph E Beyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:02
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01F; A01F15/00; A01F15/04; A01F15/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
In a hay baler having a bale chamber defined in part by a pair of opposite vertical sidewalls, a feed opening defined through one of the sidewalls by which hay is introduced into the bale chamber, an elongated knife disposed vertically on said one sidewall along an edge of said feed opening, a plunger reciprocably mounted within the bale chamber for cyclically compressing hay therein received through the feed opening, an elongated knife mounted on the forward edge of the plunger so as to be moved therewith in close cutting relation to the knife on said one sidewall for cutting hay received through the feed opening, in combination with the improvement comprising: an elongated rack connected to said plunger and reciprocably mounted on the outside of said bale chamber on the sidewall opposite to said one sidewall; and means for vertically adjusting the position of said rack on said opposite sidewall to thus move said plunger-mounted knife relative to said sidewall-mounted knife to provide optimum cutting clearance therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a hay baler having a bale chamber defined in part by a pair of opposite vertical sidewalls, a feed opening defined through one of the sidewalls by which hay is introduced into the bale chamber, an elongated knife disposed vertically on said one sidewall along an edge of said feed opening, a plunger reciprocably mounted within the bale chamber for cyclically compressing hay therein received through the feed opening, an elongated knife mounted on the forward edge of the plunger so as to be moved therewith in close cutting relation to the knife on said one sidewall for cutting hay received through the feed opening, in combination with the improvement comprising: an elongated rack connected to said plunger and reciprocably mounted on the outside of said bale chamber on the sidewall opposite to said one sidewall; and means for vertically adjusting the position of said rack on said opposite sidewall to thus move said plunger-mounted knife relative to said sidewall-mounted knife to provide optimum cutting clearance therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The subject matter of claim 1, wherein said rack is supported between parallel top and bottom tracks on said opposite sidewall, said bottom track being supported on a plurality of bolts, said bolts being adjustable to raise and lower said bottom track and said rack supported thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The subject matter of claim 1, wherein said rack is connected to said plunger by means including an elongated slot defined through said opposite sidewall parallel to the direction of reciprocation of the plunger, a pin secured to said plunger and projecting outwardly through said slot, and a ball and socket connection between said pin and said rack to accommodate relative movement between said plunger and rack during adjustment of the vertical position of said rack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a hay baler having a bale chamber of generally rectangular cross section including a horizontal bottom wall and a pair of vertical opposite sidewalls, a feed opening defined through one of said sidewalls by which hay is fed into the chamber, a generally vertically disposed knife mounted on said one sidewall adjacent to said feed opening, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said bale chamber for cyclically compressing hay therein received through said feed opening, a generally vertically disposed knife mounted on said plunger to effect hay cutting action with said sidewall-mounted knife when moved therepast with said plunger, in combination with the improvement comprising: an elongated guide track mounted on said bottom wall within said bale chamber; rollers on said plunger supporting said plunger for movement on said guide track; an elongated rack connected to said plunger and reciprocally mounted on the outside of said bale chamber on the sidewall opposite to said one sidewall; and means for vertically adjusting the position of said rack on said opposite sidewall to pivot said plunger about said rollers on said guide track thereby providing an adjustment of said plunger-mounted knife relative to said sidewall-mounted knife to optimize cutting effectiveness therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a hay baler having a bale chamber of generally rectangular cross section including a horizontal bottom wall and a pair of vertical opposite sidewalls, a feed opening defined through one of said sidewalls by which hay is fed into the chamber, a generally vertically disposed knife mounted on said one sidewall adjacent to said feed opening, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said bale chamber for cyclically compressing hay therein received through said feed opening, a generally vertically disposed knife mounted on said plunger to effect hay cutting action with said sidewall-mounted knife when moved therepast with said plunger, in combination with the improvement comprising: an elongated guide track mounted on said bottom wall within said bale chamber; rollers on said plunger supporting said plunger for movement on said guide track; an elongated rack connected to said plunger and reciprocally mounted on the outside of said bale chamber on the sidewall opposite to said one sidewall; and means for vertically adjusting the position of said rack on said opposite sidewall to pivot said plunger about said rollers on said guide track thereby providing an adjustment of said plunger-mounted knife relative to said sidewall-mounted knife to optimize cutting effectiveness therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The subject matter of claim 4, wherein said rack is supported between the parallel top and bottom tracks on said opposite sidewall, said bottom track being supported on a plurality of bolts, said bolts being adjustable to raise and lower said bottom track and said rack supported thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The subject matter of claim 4, wherein said rack is connected to said plunger by means including an elongated slot defined through said opposite sidewall parallel to the direction of reciprocation of the plunger, a pin secured to said plunger and projecting outwardly through said slot, and a ball and socket connection between said pin and said rack to accommodate relative movement between said plunger and rack during adjustment of the position of said rack.
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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |