US4095706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vertically swinging big bale handling and grasping apparatus
Assignee: NICHOLS FARROW SCHWIEN AND SCHWIEN
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Filing: 1977-04-11
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Granted: 1978-06-20
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Expires: 1997-04-11
Abstract
Abstract This invention is a big bale handling apparatus to be moved through a trailer hitch and operable to load, convey, and unload large hay bales presently used in the farming industry. More particularly, the big bale handling apparatus includes an A-frame assembly resembling a boat trailer and having a bale connector means mounted thereon. The bale connector means includes a main support frame assembly having 1st and 2nd actuator arm assemblies mounted thereon, each having a bale connector assembly operable to grasp and hold a cylindrical bale member. A bale control assembly is operably connected to the bale connector means to control movement of the 1st and 2nd actuator arm assemblies in order to selectively grasp, lift, rotate, convey, lower, unload and unravel the bale member.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold B. Schwien
- 👤 Paul A. Schwien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:00
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/035; A; A01; A01D; A01D87/00; A01D87/12; A01D87/127; A01D2087/128; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
A farm implement being a big bale handling apparatus operable to load, convey, and unload large bale members, comprising: (a) a basic support assembly adapted to be connected to a conventional bumper hitch for conveyance purposes; (b) a bale connector means mounted on said basic support assembly; (c) a drive means connected to said bale connector means to power same; (d) said bale connector means including a main support frame assembly connected to said basic support assembly and having first and second actuator arm assemblies pivotably connected to said main support frame assembly; (e) each of said first and second arm assemblies having a bale connector assembly; (f) said bale connector assemblies movable inwardly to grasp the large bale member and pivotal about a horizontal axis vertically to raise and lower the large bale member; (g) said bale connector means having a connector assembly pivotably connecting said main support frame assembly to said support assembly; (h) said connector assembly having said horizontal axis defining the pivotal movement of said bale connector assemblies; (i) said first and second actuator arm assemblies each including a support member having first and second support arms secured thereto; (j) said first support arms extended rearwardly and having said bale connector assemblies connected thereto; (k) said second support arms connected to said drive means to control movement of said bale connector assemblies to grasp, convey, and unload the large bale member; (l) said first and second support arms are extended perpendicular to said support member and to each other; and (m) said second support arms having inner adjacent ends positioned midway between said support members to achieve a substantial torque action between said first and second support arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
A farm implement being a big bale handling apparatus operable to load, convey, and unload large bale members, comprising: (a) a basic support assembly adapted to be connected to a conventional bumper hitch for conveyance purposes; (b) a bale connector means mounted on said basic support assembly; (c) a drive means connected to said bale connector means to power same; (d) said bale connector means including a main support frame assembly connected to said basic support assembly and having first and second actuator arm assemblies pivotably connected to said main support frame assembly; (e) each of said first and second arm assemblies having a bale connector assembly; (f) said bale connector assemblies movable inwardly to grasp the large bale member and pivotal about a horizontal axis vertically to raise and lower the large bale member; (g) said bale connector means having a connector assembly pivotably connecting said main support frame assembly to said support assembly; (h) said connector assembly having said horizontal axis defining the pivotal movement of said bale connector assemblies; (i) said first and second actuator arm assemblies each including a support member having first and second support arms secured thereto; (j) said first support arms extended rearwardly and having said bale connector assemblies connected thereto; (k) said second support arms connected to said drive means to control movement of said bale connector assemblies to grasp, convey, and unload the large bale member; (l) said first and second support arms are extended perpendicular to said support member and to each other; and (m) said second support arms having inner adjacent ends positioned midway between said support members to achieve a substantial torque action between said first and second support arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
110 words
A big bale handling apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein: (a) each of said bale connector assemblies having a connector disc assembly connected to a support coupling; (b) said connector disc assembly having a disc member with an inwardly projecting spike member secured to a center of said disc member; and (c) said connector disc assembly adjustably connected to said support coupling and movable relative thereto and locked in an adjusted position with a lock pin to be usable on large bale members of various widths; whereby said spike member is operable to penetrate the large bale member and grasp same between said disc members for lifting and conveying.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A big bale handling apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein: (a) the longitudinal axis of said first and second support arms positioned a substantial distance apart on respective ones of said support member to provide a substantial torque effect on said bale connector assemblies on movement of said second support arms forwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
255 words
A farm implement being a big bale handling apparatus operable to load, convey, and unload large bale members, comprising: (a) a basic support assembly adapted to be connected to a conventional bumper hitch for conveyance purposes; (b) a bale connector means mounted on said basic support assembly; (c) a drive means connected to said bale connector means to power same; (d) said bale connector means including a main support frame assembly connected to said basic support assembly and having first and second actuator arm assemblies pivotably connected to said main support frame assembly; (e) each of said first and second arm assemblies having a bale connector assembly; (f) said bale connector assemblies movable inwardly to grasp the large bale member and pivotal about a horizontal axis vertically to raise and lower the large bale member; (g) said drive means connected to said first and second actuator arm assemblies, said drive means operable in a first movement to move said first and second actuator arm assemblies inwardly to grasp the large bale member; (h) said drive means operable in a second movement to pivot said first and second actuator arm assemblies about said horizontal axis to raise the large bale member for conveyance purposes; (i) said bale connector assembly having a resilient frame support assembly connected to said basic support assembly; and (j) said frame support assembly having a plunger member biased upwardly to control one of said second support arms in said second movement to hold said bale connector means in the loaded, transport position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
255 words
A farm implement being a big bale handling apparatus operable to load, convey, and unload large bale members, comprising: (a) a basic support assembly adapted to be connected to a conventional bumper hitch for conveyance purposes; (b) a bale connector means mounted on said basic support assembly; (c) a drive means connected to said bale connector means to power same; (d) said bale connector means including a main support frame assembly connected to said basic support assembly and having first and second actuator arm assemblies pivotably connected to said main support frame assembly; (e) each of said first and second arm assemblies having a bale connector assembly; (f) said bale connector assemblies movable inwardly to grasp the large bale member and pivotal about a horizontal axis vertically to raise and lower the large bale member; (g) said drive means connected to said first and second actuator arm assemblies, said drive means operable in a first movement to move said first and second actuator arm assemblies inwardly to grasp the large bale member; (h) said drive means operable in a second movement to pivot said first and second actuator arm assemblies about said horizontal axis to raise the large bale member for conveyance purposes; (i) said bale connector assembly having a resilient frame support assembly connected to said basic support assembly; and (j) said frame support assembly having a plunger member biased upwardly to control one of said second support arms in said second movement to hold said bale connector means in the loaded, transport position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A big bale handling apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein: (a) said plunger member includes a U-shaped cradle member to receive said one of said second support arms while in the loaded condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A big bale handling apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein: (a) said frame support assembly includes a compression spring to contact and urge said cradle member upwardly, whereby said compression spring acts to bias said first and second actuator arm assemblies to aid in unloading the large bale member.
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) | 1981-06-19 | 1981-12-19 | 1982-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | 1986-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-19 | 1989-12-19 | 1990-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |