Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
In a cylindrical baler comprising: a front section; a rear bale discharge gate connected to said front section; a plurality of guide and tensioning rollers rotatably mounted in the front section and rear gate; a plurality of belts supported on and extending around said rollers, said belts and rollers defining an expandable chamber for forming cylindrical bales, said gate movable between an open position for bale discharge and a closed position for bale formation; a movably mounted, belt tension arm; and at least one roller supported on and movable with said arm for tensioning said belts; and a hydraulic circuit means for resisting movement of said arm during bale formation and for opening and closing said gate following bale formation; the improvement wherein: said circuit means includes a hydraulic jack connected between said belt tension arm and said gate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a cylindrical baler comprising: a front section; a rear bale discharge gate connected to said front section; a plurality of guide and tensioning rollers rotatably mounted in the front section and rear gate; a plurality of belts supported on and extending around said rollers, said belts and rollers defining an expandable chamber for forming cylindrical bales, said gate movable between an open position for bale discharge and a closed position for bale formation; a movably mounted, belt tension arm; and at least one roller supported on and movable with said arm for tensioning said belts; and a hydraulic circuit means for resisting movement of said arm during bale formation and for opening and closing said gate following bale formation; the improvement wherein: said circuit means includes a hydraulic jack connected between said belt tension arm and said gate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The baler of claim 1 wherein: said jack comprises a housing, a piston in said housing and a pair of adjustable chambers formed in said housing on respective sides of said piston; and said circuit means includes a fluid supply connected to each of said chambers and means for selectively connecting said chambers in closed circuit and in isolation from said supply during bale formation and connecting said jack chambers to said supply to open and close said gate following bale formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The baler of claim 1 wherein: said frame comprises a pair of spaced sidewalls; and said jack is on one of said sidewalls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The baler of claim 3 further comprising a second jack on the other of said sidewalls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The baler of claim 4 wherein said jacks are connected in parallel in said circuit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The baler of claim 1 further comprising an abutment for limiting the movement of said belt tension arm when a bale in said chamber reaches a predetermined diameter to immobilize the end of said jack connected to said arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
The baler of claim 2 wherein said circuit means comprises: a first conduit for connecting one of said chambers to said supply to discharge fluid when said jack is extended; a second conduit connecting the other chamber to said supply when said jack is retracted; a nonreturn valve in said first conduit for preventing return flow to said supply; and a connecting means between said first and second conduits at a location between said nonreturn valve and said jack to transmit fluid in closed circuit from said one chamber to the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The baler of claim 7 wherein said connecting means comprises an adjustable discharge valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The baler of claim 7: wherein said nonreturn valve is pilot controlled in response to fluid flow in said second conduit responsive to the actuation of said jack to open said gate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The baler of claim 7 wherein said circuit means comprises a pressure limiting valve connected between said first and second conduits and between said supply and said nonreturn valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The baler of claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises a fluid supply, a conduit connected between said jack and said supply for return fluid flow to said supply from said jack when said gate is being closed and a pilot controlled nonreturn valve in said conduit for opposing said return flow.