US4288971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Round baler
Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Inc
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Filing: 1980-04-02
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Granted: 1981-09-15
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Expires: 2000-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A roll forming crop baling machine to produce more even bale density, which forms the bale by use of rigid rollers. The set of rollers, one stationary set and another shifting set, are used to form and compress the bale during a major portion of its growth. Each shifting roller gradually moves outward from an initial position near the core of the forming bale which is radially inward from the stationary rollers, to a final position forming a continuous outer boundary with the stationary rollers.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. McClure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:10
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01F; A01F15/00; A01F15/08; A01F15/0875; A01F15/0883; A01F15/07; A01F2015/079; A01F2015/0795
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
In a round baler machine for forming cylindrical bales of windrowed agricultural crop material comprising a wheel mounted frame, power means and means for raising the crop onto the frame and into contact with multiple rotating rollers which impart motion to the crop material to form a bale of cylindrical shape completely enclosed within the machine, the improvement comprising: means for shifting at least a portion of the rollers from a closely grouped position at the beginning of the formation of the bale to a position of expanded grouping as the final size of the bale is reached; and means for restraining the shifting rollers in their expansion paths to create compressive force on the bale wherein the final expanded grouping position of the shifting rollers is such that they act in cooperation with the stationary rollers to rotate and compress the bale in its final size and position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a round baler machine for forming cylindrical bales of windrowed agricultural crop material comprising a wheel mounted frame, power means and means for raising the crop onto the frame and into contact with multiple rotating rollers which impart motion to the crop material to form a bale of cylindrical shape completely enclosed within the machine, the improvement comprising: means for shifting at least a portion of the rollers from a closely grouped position at the beginning of the formation of the bale to a position of expanded grouping as the final size of the bale is reached; and means for restraining the shifting rollers in their expansion paths to create compressive force on the bale wherein the final expanded grouping position of the shifting rollers is such that they act in cooperation with the stationary rollers to rotate and compress the bale in its final size and position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement related in claim 1 wherein the path of a shifting roller is part of a circular orbit around an adjacent stationary roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement related in claim 1 wherein a shifting roller is powered by a chain drive driven from an adjacent stationary roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement related in claim 1 wherein the restraining means of the shifting rollers are springs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement related in claim 1 wherein the means for imparting shifting motion to the rollers is the force resulting from the expansion of the forming bale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The improvement related in claim 1 further comprising bale ejection means for unloading the final size bale from the baler wherein the ejection means comprises means for moving the bale rearward on the baler frame to a location where the bale weight is unsupported and falls from the frame by applying rearward directed force to the bale with the frontmost shifting rollers as they move inward when the rearmost rollers are moved away from contact with the bale.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement related in claim 1 further comprising a clamshell tailgate and means to raise the tailgate to a height which permits unrestrained movement of the final size bale rearward on the frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3827223A
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US4119026A
Cited
US3968632A
Cited
US4019309A
Cited
US4205513A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-14 | 1985-03-16 | 1985-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-14 | 1989-03-16 | 1989-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-14 | 1993-03-16 | 1993-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |