Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In a machine for forming round bales of crop material: means presenting movable, upwardly facing surface; a pickup adapted for directing crop material to said surface; a flexible web supported over said surface and cooperating therewith to define an enclosed, substantially cylindrical, radially expansible bale-forming chamber for rolling said crop material into a diametrically increasing round bale, said web having a shiftable portion for opening said chamber to permit ejection of said bale from the chamber when the bale is fully formed; and structure cooperable with said surface and said web to reestablish the closure of said chamber after said bale is ejected and while said portion remains in the open position such that crop material subsequently delivered to said surface is retained in said chamber for inclusion in the next bale.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a machine for forming round bales of crop material: means presenting movable, upwardly facing surface; a pickup adapted for directing crop material to said surface; a flexible web supported over said surface and cooperating therewith to define an enclosed, substantially cylindrical, radially expansible bale-forming chamber for rolling said crop material into a diametrically increasing round bale, said web having a shiftable portion for opening said chamber to permit ejection of said bale from the chamber when the bale is fully formed; and structure cooperable with said surface and said web to reestablish the closure of said chamber after said bale is ejected and while said portion remains in the open position such that crop material subsequently delivered to said surface is retained in said chamber for inclusion in the next bale.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said structure includes a grid pivotally mounted at one end for vertical swinging movement of the grid toward and away from said surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said grid is yieldably biased toward said surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said one end is positioned forwardly above said surface such that said grid moves away from the surface when the grid is swung upwardly and forwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said grid is upwardly arcuate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said one end is positioned rearwardly of said surface such that said grid moves away from said surface when the grid is swung upwardly and rearwardly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein said structure includes a stop for limiting the swinging movement of said grid toward said surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said grid is substantially planar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible web comprises a plurality of laterally spaced, endless belts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein said structure includes a grid mounted for vertical swinging movement toward and away from said surface, said grid comprising a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced, elongate bars aligned with the spaces between said belts whereby and grid may be swung through said web.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said machine includes a support for said web, said support having a pair of laterally spaced, upstanding sidewalls, said structure substantially spanning the distance between said sidewalls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein said structure includes a grid pivotally mounted on said sidewalls for vertical swinging movement about an axis extending transversely therebetween.