Hay handler

Claim 2

Hay loading and transporting apparatus comprising a main frame having opposed sides, a forward end, and a trailing end; a cradle in the form of an upwardly opening, elongated, segment of a cylinder having an open framework and providing a leading edge spaced from a rear edge and opposed end members; a winch, a cable means, means by which one end of said cable is attachable to said rear edge, with the remaining marginal cable end being rove about said winch such that the cable is extensible from and movable towards said winch, means mounting said winch in proximity of said forward end of said main frame; mount means affixed to said main frame for pivotally supporting said cradle at an off-center location underlying said cradle, said mount means moves said cradle from a retracted position closely adjacent said main frame into an extended position spaced from said main frame with an over-the-center movement to thereby enable said cradle to be extended away from said main frame and pivoted into a position to place a marginal rear edge portion of the cradle at ground level, and the main frame thereafter moved in a direction towards said rear edge in order to engage a bale of hay with said rear edge, a marginal length of said cable can then be forced under the bale, whereupon the cable is then tightened to move the bale of hay into the cradle and thereafter pivotally move the cradle into the retracted position, thereby loading the bale and enabling the bale to be transported to another geographical location.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein spaced anchors are affixed to said rear edge, said cable includes a bridle affixed to said anchors and a line leading to said winch.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mount means includes spaced journals mounted to said trailing end of said main frame, means by which an arm is affixed to said cradle at a location spaced from the center of gravity thereof and to said spaced journals; a stop means for limiting the pivotal action of said cradle in a direction towards the forward end of said main frame, whereby said cradle, as it pivots about said journal means, must be vertically raised and lowered respective to said main frame.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mount means includes an actuating arm, a strut, said strut having one end journaled to said cradle and another end journaled to said actuating arm, one end of said arm being journaled to said main frame; opposed ends of said arm and said strut move towards one another so as to fold together when said cradle is retracted, and fold apart when said cradle is extended respective to said frame, thereby moving said cradle from proximity of said trailing end towards a central overlying position respective to said main frame as said cradle is retracted.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said strut is curved into a path which is essentially parallel to the curvature of said cradle so that the cradle is nested within the strut when it is retracted.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said main frame is of a size and configuration to be received within the bed of a pickup truck.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mount means includes an extensible scissors device comprised of a foldable strut and actuating arm, said arm being journaled to said strut, leaving a free end of said arm and a free end of said strut which can be pivoted towards one another, said free end of said free end of said arm being journaled to said frame, said free end of said strut being journaled to said cradle, so that the scissors unfold as the cradle is extended into contact with the ground, and is folded upon itself when the cradle is moved into a retracted position.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein spaced extensible scissors are tied to a common transverse member, and a jack means is included for elevating the last said transverse member.

Claim 10

Apparatus by which a large, cylindrical bale of hay can be lifted and transported, comprising: an upwardly opening cradle of arcuate curvature in cross-sectional configuration, within which a large, cylindrical bale of hay can be received in supported and captured relationship therewithin: said cradle being fabricated from spaced members which are joined together to present an open framework which describes a segment of an elongated cylinder; a main frame for supporting said cradle, said main frame having a forward end, a trailing end, and opposed sides; a winch, a cable assembly, anchor means, means mounting said winch to said forward end of said main frame; said cable assembly having one marginal end thereof rove about said winch and the remaining end thereof attached to said anchor means; means by which said cradle is pivotally journaled to said main frame such that the cradle is pivotally mounted with an over-the-center action so that when the cradle is retracted respective to the frame, the center of gravity thereof tends to force the cradle to remain in a retracted, upright position; and when the cradle is extended, a trailing marginal end thereof engages the ground; said means mounting said cradle to said main frame includes apparatus by which said cradle can be moved from a location adjacent to said forward end of said main frame to a location adjacent to said trailing end of said main frame; whereby said cradle can be extended from the main frame into engagement with the ground, the cable rove about a bale of hay, and the winch employed to retract the cradle into a location adjacent said forward end of said main frame.

Claim 11

Apparatus by which a large, cylindrical bale of hay can be lifted and transported, comprising: an upwardly opening cradle of arcuate curvature in cross-sectional configuration, within which a large, cylindrical bale of hay can be received in supported and captured relationship therewithin: said cradle being fabricated from spaced members which are joined together to present an open framework which describes a segment of an elongated cylinder; a main frame for supporting said cradle, said main frame having a forward end, a trailing end, and opposed sides; a winch, a cable assembly, anchor means, means mounting said winch to said forward end of said main frame; said cable assembly having one marginal end thereof rove about said winch and the remaining end thereof attached to said anchor means; means by which said cradle is pivotally journaled to said main frame such that the cradle is pivotally mounted with an over-the-center action so that when the cradle is retracted respective to the frame, the center of gravity thereof tends to force the cradle to remain in a retracted, upright position; and when the cradle is extended, a trailing marginal end thereof engages the ground; said means mounting said cradle to said main frame includes apparatus by which said cradle can be moved from a location adjacent to said forward end of said main frame to a location adjacent to said trailing end of said main frame; whereby said cradle can be extended from the main frame into engagement with the ground, the cable rove about a bale of hay, and the winch employed to retract the cradle into a location adjacent said forward end of said main frame.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said anchor means includes spaced anchors affixed to said rear edge, said cable includes a bridle affixed to said anchors and a line leading to said winch.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said mount means includes spaced journals mounted to said trailing end of said main frame, means by which an arm is affixed to said cradle at a location spaced from the center of gravity thereof and to said spaced journals; a stop means for limiting the pivotal action of said cradle in a direction toward the forward end of said main frame; whereby said cradle, as it pivots about said journal means, must be vertically raised and then lowered respective to said main frame.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said mount means includes an actuating arm, a strut, said strut having one end journaled to said cradle and another end journaled to said actuating arm, one end of said arm being journaled to said main frame; opposed ends of said arm and said strut move towards one another so as to fold together when said cradle is retracted, and fold apart when said cradle is extended respective to said frame, thereby moving said cradle from proximity of said trailing end towards a central overlying position respective to said main frame as said cradle is retracted.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said mount means includes an extensible scissors device comprised of a foldable strut and actuating arm, said arm being journaled to said strut, leaving a free end of said arm and a free end of said strut which can be pivoted towards one another, said free end of said arm being journaled to said frame, said free end of said strut being journaled to said cradle, so that the scissors unfold as the cradle is extended into contact with the ground, and is folded upon itself when the cradle is moved into a retracted position.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein spaced extensible scissors are tied to a common transverse member, and a jack means is included for elevating the last said transverse member.