US4091943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for loading a vehicle with bales of crop material or similar units
Assignee: IDEAPUK AG
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Filing: 1975-09-29
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Granted: 1978-05-30
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Expires: 1995-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Bales of crop scattered on a field are loaded on a vehicle by means of a loading apparatus mounted thereon. The loading apparatus comprises a gripping device for successively gripping the bales on the ground and lifting them to a position on the platform of the vehicle. The movements of the gripping device between said positions are performed automatically and controlled by a programmable controlling device which may be programmed in accordance with the desired pattern of stacking the bales on the vehicle platform. While the gripping device is lifting a bale and placing it on the vehicle platform and returning to the bale engaging position the driver drives the vehicle to the next bale to be loaded. The loading apparatus may also be used for reloading the vehicle if the control device is provided with a suitable program.
Inventors
- 👤 Niels Bay-Schmith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:30
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D90/00; A01D90/02; A01D90/08; B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/54; B60P1/5404; B60P1/5423; B60P1/5433; B65; B65G; B65G57/00; B65G57/02; B65G57/03; B65G57/04; B66; B66C; B66C23/00; B66C23/54; B66C23/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for selectively loading and unloading a vehicle with successive bales of crop material or similar units by means of movable gripping means of a loading apparatus mounted on said vehicle, said method comprising (a) automatically moving said gripping means during the loading mode in relation to said vehicle and said crop unit between unit engaging and unit discharging positions, gripping said units successively, transporting said units to a predetermined discharge position on said vehicle, and releasing said unit at said discharge position thereon, (b) automatically moving said gripping means during the unloading mode in relation to said vehicle and said crop unit between unit engaging and unit discharging positions, gripping said units successively and transferring said units to a predetermined discharge position off said vehicle and releasing said unit at said discharge position, (c) controlling the movement of the gripping means between said positions by means of programmable automatic control means, and (d) selectively positioning said vehicle while said gripping means are being moved automatically between said positions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for selectively loading and unloading a vehicle with successive bales of crop material or similar units by means of movable gripping means of a loading apparatus mounted on said vehicle, said method comprising (a) automatically moving said gripping means during the loading mode in relation to said vehicle and said crop unit between unit engaging and unit discharging positions, gripping said units successively, transporting said units to a predetermined discharge position on said vehicle, and releasing said unit at said discharge position thereon, (b) automatically moving said gripping means during the unloading mode in relation to said vehicle and said crop unit between unit engaging and unit discharging positions, gripping said units successively and transferring said units to a predetermined discharge position off said vehicle and releasing said unit at said discharge position, (c) controlling the movement of the gripping means between said positions by means of programmable automatic control means, and (d) selectively positioning said vehicle while said gripping means are being moved automatically between said positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising use of an indicator mounted on said vehicle for indicating the location of said engaging position relative to said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the location of said engaging position is manually adjusted by manually operateable control means immediately before said gripping means reach their engaging position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said control means are programmed and operated so as to cause said gripping means to arrange the bales or units on the vehicle in superposed, mutually bonded layers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein subsequent to completion of the loading operations said control means are programmed and operated so as to cause said gripping means to successively unload the bales or units loaded onto said vehicle, in an order inverse to the order of loading.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said control means are programmed and operated so as to arrange the unloaded bales or units in superposed layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said bales or units are arranged in a bonded relationship in each of said superposed layers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the bales or units being unloaded are successively placed on a conveyor by said gripping means.
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) | 1981-05-29 | 1981-11-28 | 1982-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-29 | 1985-11-28 | 1986-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-29 | 1989-11-28 | 1990-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |