Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A bale loader comprising a pair of support arms each pivotally mounted at one end to a wheeled frame, said support arms being movable substantially vertically, means to restrict downward movement of said support arms, a loader platform pivotally mounted to and carried by the other ends of said support arms, said loader platform being movable between a first position and a second position, two or more tynes mounted to said loader platform to extend therefrom at a predetermined angle at least when said loader platform is in said first position, and actuating means operable to move the platform between the first and second positions and to move the arms and platform relative to the frame, wherein said arms carry a carriage movable therealong from a position adjacent the loader platform in its said second position towards said frame, and wherein a flexible line or chain extends between said carriage and said frame, said line or chain being of a length such that upward movement of the arms causes the line or chain to become tensioned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A bale loader comprising a pair of support arms each pivotally mounted at one end to a wheeled frame, said support arms being movable substantially vertically, means to restrict downward movement of said support arms, a loader platform pivotally mounted to and carried by the other ends of said support arms, said loader platform being movable between a first position and a second position, two or more tynes mounted to said loader platform to extend therefrom at a predetermined angle at least when said loader platform is in said first position, and actuating means operable to move the platform between the first and second positions and to move the arms and platform relative to the frame, wherein said arms carry a carriage movable therealong from a position adjacent the loader platform in its said second position towards said frame, and wherein a flexible line or chain extends between said carriage and said frame, said line or chain being of a length such that upward movement of the arms causes the line or chain to become tensioned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A bale loader according to claim 1 wherein said tynes are pivoted to said loader platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A bale loader according to claim 1 wherein said loader platform is pivoted to said arms so as to be movable between said first position in which the platform is substantially upright and said tynes extend therefrom substantially horizontally and said second position in which said loader platform extends substantially parallel to said arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A bale loader according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes one or more hydraulic cylinders extending between the arms and the loader platform to cause pivotal movement of the loader platform relative to the arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A bale loader according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a hydraulic cylinder extending between the frame and the loader platform and operable to cause pivotal movement of the arms relative to the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bale loader according to claim 1 wherein said tynes include links engageable with the loader platform to restrict relative movement therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A bale loader according to claim 1 wherein said loader platform comprises a plurality of parallel platform members, an upper cross member and a lower transverse member, the upper cross member extending beyond the outermost platform members so as to engage with the arms in the said second position of the loader platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bale loader according to claim 1 including means to restrict downward movement of the arms which comprise abutments extending from the frame and engaged by said arms in their lowermost position.