US4088272A — Bale loader and shredder

Claim 1

Independent Claim 141 words

A machine for lifting a bale of hay from the ground, shredding the bale, and feeding the shredded hay therefrom, comprising: a mobile frame; an open-top hopper on said frame; a plurality of power-driven shredders in said hopper adapted to progressively shred hay from a bale introduced into said hopper; a bale-gripping and lifting apparatus on said frame for lifting a bale to a position above said hopper, said apparatus including means for selectively reducing gripping force on the bale to permit the bale to move by gravity into said hopper against said shredders for shredding; first conveyor means communicating with said hopper beneath said shredders for receiving shredded hay therefrom and conveying the hay out of said hopper; and second conveyor means disposed to receive the shredded hay from said first conveyor means and dispense the hay from the machine.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 141 words

A machine for lifting a bale of hay from the ground, shredding the bale, and feeding the shredded hay therefrom, comprising: a mobile frame; an open-top hopper on said frame; a plurality of power-driven shredders in said hopper adapted to progressively shred hay from a bale introduced into said hopper; a bale-gripping and lifting apparatus on said frame for lifting a bale to a position above said hopper, said apparatus including means for selectively reducing gripping force on the bale to permit the bale to move by gravity into said hopper against said shredders for shredding; first conveyor means communicating with said hopper beneath said shredders for receiving shredded hay therefrom and conveying the hay out of said hopper; and second conveyor means disposed to receive the shredded hay from said first conveyor means and dispense the hay from the machine.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 67 words

The subject matter of claim 1, wherein said bale-gripping and lifting apparatus comprises a framework pivotally mounted on said frame, a pair of bale gripping assemblies mounted on said framework in spaced opposed relation to grip a bale therebetween, each of said assemblies including a pair of bale-gripping members spaced apart to engage the bale at spaced points thereby providing a secure grip for lifting the bale.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 54 words

The subject matter of claim 1, including means mounting said apparatus on said frame for pivoting movement about a horizontal axis, and further including a bale-guide plate defined arcuately about said axis and terminating at said hopper to provide an abutment guide path for a bale being lifting to a position above said hopper.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 158 words

An apparatus adapted for mounting on a mobile carrier for gripping and lifting a cylindrical bale from a position wherein the longitudinal axis of the bale is disposed horizontally, comprising: a lifter frame pivotally mounted on said carrier for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis, said frame including a pair of parallel arm portions being swingable about said pivot axis to a position parallel with and bracketing said longitudinal axis of the bale; a pair of bale-gripping assemblies one on each of said arm portions for gripping the bale therebetween, each of said gripping assemblies including a bale lift element pivotally mounted on said arm portion for engaging the bale below its longitudinal axis, each of said assemblies further including a clamp supported from said arm portion for engaging the bale above its longitudinal axis; and means operative to pivot said lifter frame upwardly about said pivot axis to lift the bale held between said gripping assemblies.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 158 words

An apparatus adapted for mounting on a mobile carrier for gripping and lifting a cylindrical bale from a position wherein the longitudinal axis of the bale is disposed horizontally, comprising: a lifter frame pivotally mounted on said carrier for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis, said frame including a pair of parallel arm portions being swingable about said pivot axis to a position parallel with and bracketing said longitudinal axis of the bale; a pair of bale-gripping assemblies one on each of said arm portions for gripping the bale therebetween, each of said gripping assemblies including a bale lift element pivotally mounted on said arm portion for engaging the bale below its longitudinal axis, each of said assemblies further including a clamp supported from said arm portion for engaging the bale above its longitudinal axis; and means operative to pivot said lifter frame upwardly about said pivot axis to lift the bale held between said gripping assemblies.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 37 words

The subject matter of claim 4, and further including a bale guide plate on said carrier curved generally arcuately about said pivot axis to provide a guiding surface for a bale being lifted by said lifter frame.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 145 words

A machine for loading, shredding, and feeding a bale of hay, comprising: a wheeled frame adapted for towing behind a tractor; an open-top hopper on said frame; a plurality of power-driven shredders in said hopper adapted to progressively shred hay from a bale introduced into said hopper, a bale-gripping and lifting apparatus pivotally supported on said frame for lifting a bale from a position on the ground rearward of said hopper to a position above said hopper, said apparatus including means for selectively reducing gripping force on the bale when above said hopper to permit the bale to move by gravity into said hopper for shredding; a first conveyor disposed beneath said shredders for conveying shredded hay forwardly out of said hopper; and a discharge conveyor disposed to receive hay from said first conveyor and discharge the hay beyond a side of the wheeled frame.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 145 words

A machine for loading, shredding, and feeding a bale of hay, comprising: a wheeled frame adapted for towing behind a tractor; an open-top hopper on said frame; a plurality of power-driven shredders in said hopper adapted to progressively shred hay from a bale introduced into said hopper, a bale-gripping and lifting apparatus pivotally supported on said frame for lifting a bale from a position on the ground rearward of said hopper to a position above said hopper, said apparatus including means for selectively reducing gripping force on the bale when above said hopper to permit the bale to move by gravity into said hopper for shredding; a first conveyor disposed beneath said shredders for conveying shredded hay forwardly out of said hopper; and a discharge conveyor disposed to receive hay from said first conveyor and discharge the hay beyond a side of the wheeled frame.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 48 words

The subject matter of claim 6, wherein said gripping and lifting apparatus comprises a framework pivotally mounted for bale-lifting movement about a transverse horizontal axis, said apparatus further comprises bale-gripping elements mounted on said framework for pivotal actuation about axes disposed at right angles to said horizontal axis.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 93 words

A method of handling and feeding a hay bale, comprising: gripping a bale having a longitudinal axis disposed parallel to the ground; raising the bale from the ground about a pivot axis disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bale to a position above a hopper containing shredding means; selectively releasing the grip on the bale to permit the bale to move downwardly by gravity into said shredding means; shredding the bottom of the bale as the bale moves downwardly; and conveying the shredded hay to a point of discharge.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 93 words

A method of handling and feeding a hay bale, comprising: gripping a bale having a longitudinal axis disposed parallel to the ground; raising the bale from the ground about a pivot axis disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bale to a position above a hopper containing shredding means; selectively releasing the grip on the bale to permit the bale to move downwardly by gravity into said shredding means; shredding the bottom of the bale as the bale moves downwardly; and conveying the shredded hay to a point of discharge.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1981-05-08	1981-11-07	1982-05-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1985-05-08	1985-11-07	1986-05-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1989-05-08	1989-11-07	1990-05-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Bale loader and shredder

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