AU756413B2 - Improvements in bale carriers/feed-out devices - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant/s: Robertson Farm Equipment Limited Actual Inventor/s: Donald John Robertson Address for Service: BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS 60 MARGARET STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 Invention Title: 'IMPROVEMENTS IN BALE CARRIERS/FEED-OUT DEVICES' The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 25180AUP00 la IMPROVEMENTS IN BALE CARRIERS/FEED-OUT DEVICES Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improvements in devices for feeding out or transporting bales of hay, silage or similar feed. More particularly, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to improvements in bale loading mechanisms particularly suited to square or round hay bales.

Background to the Invention To the present time, there are a number of different designs of feed distribution mechanism. Examples of these include square or round hay bale feedout mechanisms which transport the bale from a loading location to a feed-out mechanism by means of conveyers and the like. Typically the bales are transported from a loading/storage area of the device to a feed-out area by means of a linear conveyor. The complete feed-out device in this context may be a trailer or other o piece of machinery which is adapted to be towed, carried or suspended from the rear of a tractor or other vehicle. The feed-out location typically includes a feed-out conveyor which manipulates the bale in such a way that the surface of the bale is shredded or removed. Parts of the feed removed from the exterior face of the bale are extracted and fed onto the ground near the feed-out location. The manipulation mechanism usually includes a feed-out conveyor incorporating tines or spikes which engage with the bale material and, as the bale is manipulated, layers of the feed are removed from the surface of the bale.

Generally, it is desirable to transport the bales from the loading location to the feed-out location in an ordered and predictable manner. According to known designs this is difficult to achieve as the loading location is typically one end of a linear conveyor which is vertically displaced with respect to the feed-out location.

-2- Typically bales are loaded onto an end of a loading conveyor which displaces the bales linearly along the length of the device whereby, in the case of circular bales, the bales are oriented end-to-end. As the linear conveyor is operated, round bales deposited at the loading end of the conveyor are transported to the feed-out end of the conveyor sequentially. When a circular bale reaches the end of the loading conveyor it tips over or is otherwise reoriented due to either the vertical displacement of the loading conveyor with respect to the feed-out conveyor or the discontinuous motion of the two adjacent conveyors.

The vertical displacement configuration is often used as it is difficult to position a bale on a feed-out conveyor when the loading conveyor is at the same level. The reason for this is that the transition from the loading conveyor to the feed-out conveyor involves moving the bale in two different directions.

S: Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a feed-out system whereby the bales orientation is preserved in the transition from the loading conveyor to the feed-out 15 conveyor.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved bale feedout device which overcomes or at least ameliorates a number of the above mentioned disadvantages or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

2*o It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved bale feed- 20 out device which overcomes or at least ameliorates a number of the above mentioned 00000 disadvantages or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

Disclosure of the Invention The invention provides for an improved bale manipulation device including: a loading conveyor adapted to move bales between two conveyors or between a conveyor and a bale manipulation location wherein an improved bale manipulation/feed-out device is adapted to transport one or more bales from the loading conveyor to a second conveyor or feed-out location, while substantially preserving the bales orientation, the bale manipulation device includes a stabilizing means adapted to engage a forward end of the bale as the forward end approaches the second conveyor, the stabilizing means is adapted to be pivotably displaced in such a way so as to support the bale as it exits the loading conveyor whereupon at a predetermined position, the stabilizing means disengages from the forward end of the bale thereby allowing the bale to be deposited on the second The device can be used to move bales from a loading location to a feed-out location.

Preferably the feed-out location includes a feed-out conveyor adapted to manipulate the bale in such a way so as to allow portions of the bales to be fed 5 out.

Preferably the device includes a stabilizing means adapted to engage a forward end of the bale as the forward end approaches the second conveyor or feed-out location wherein the means is adapted to be pivotably displaced in such a way so as to support the bale as it exits the loading conveyor whereupon at a 10 predetermined position, the stabilizing means disengages from the forward face of the bale thereby allowing the bale to be deposited on the second conveyor or feedout conveyor.

Preferably the loading conveyor and the second or feed-out conveyor are vertically displaced with respect to one another.

SD 15 Preferably the stabilizing means comprises an elongate arm extending from a S. point adjacent a front part of the second/feed-out conveyor, the arm being pivotably attached at an attachment point adjacent the front of the second/feed-out conveyor wherein the stabilizing means includes an engagement means located at an end opposite the attachment point.

Preferably the engagement means includes a plurality of spikes or tines adapted to engage with a bale.

Preferably the stabilizing means is oriented so that as a bale approaches the second/feed-out conveyor, the engagement means engages with the front face of the bale whereupon as the bale moves off the loading conveyor the stabilizing means pivots in such a way so as to support the bale as it exits from the loading conveyor and suspends the bale above the second/feed-out conveyor until the stabilizing means rotates to a predetermined point whereby the engagement means disengages from the bale, thereby allowing the bale to drop onto the second/feedout conveyor.

In an alternative embodiment, the elongate arm can be in the form of an inverted U-shaped member having a transverse section and two arm sections :'o°•whereby ends of the arm sections are pivotably attached adjacent the front end of the second/feed-out conveyor and the base portion includes the engagement means.

0 Preferably the pivoting action is controlled by a cable means attached to the distal end of the engagement means whereby when tension is applied to the cable means the means pivots in such a manner so as to allow the bale to move off the end of the loading conveyor while being supported.

Alternatively, the pivoting action of the stabilizing means may be controlled mechanically or hydraulically.

The present invention further provides for a bale feeding out machine incorporating the improved feed-out means as hereinbefore described.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which: Figures 1(a) to illustrate a sequential unloading from a loading conveyor to a feed-out conveyor; and Figure 2: illustrates a simplified perspective view of a feed-out device.

As a preliminary matter, while the following description describes the invention in the contest of a bale feed-out system the invention may be used in any instance where preservation of the bale orientation during transportation between two or more vertically displaced conveyors is required.

Also, unless the purpose and or text clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and claims the words 'comprise', 'comprising' and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive sense: That is to say, in a sense of 'including, but not limited to'.

Referring to Figure a simplified schematic of an improved feed-out 10 device is shown. Specifically with reference to Figure a loading conveyor has a loading end 11 and a feed-out end 12. The conveyor may be of a known 0 construction and have rollers 13 spaced along the conveyor with a suitable conveyor web adapted to transport bales 14 linearly along its length in the direction indicated by the arrow A. Alternating the conveyor may consist of parallel chains with a plurality of cross members, or any other configuration suitable for transporting bales linearly along its length.

The loading conveyor has located thereon a series of bales 14. As the loading conveyor 10 is driven, the bales 14 are transported from the loading end 11 to the feed-out end 12.

The feed-out conveyor 15 is oriented so that it transports and/or manipulates the bales 14 in a direction which is different (usually substantially at right angles) to the transport direction of the loading conveyor 10. Further, the feed-out conveyor 15 may be displaced vertically below the loading conveyor This is so that, in the absence of any steadying or stabilizing means, the bale 14 can drop into a position on the feed-out conveyor 15. The feed-out conveyor -6may have tines 16 which engage the bale 14 and rotate it in such a way that the' outer layers of the bales 14 are stripped from the bale and deposited to a feed-out location adjacent the feed-out conveyor In order that the bales 14 be deposited onto the feed-out conveyor 15 in such a way so as to preserve their orientation, a stabilizing means 17 is used.

The stabilizing means may be in the form of an arm 23 pivotally connected oo:i o adjacent the forward end 24 of the feed-out conveyor 15. This may be implemented using a hinge-type mechanism 21. Details of such a pivoting attachment would be clear to one skilled in the art. At a distal end of the pivoting 10 arm 23 there is located an engagement means 18. This is in the form of an angled arm having a plurality of tines 19 projecting therefrom. The arm 23 may also have 0 a locking arm 20 projecting therefrom and oriented in such a manner so that when the stabilizing means 17 is fully retracted as shown in Figure 1 the locking arm engages and locks with an upright member 25. The position of the engagement means 17 may be controlled by means of a rope or cable 22 attached to the locking arm 20. The rope or cable could alternatively be attached to the distal end of the stabilizing means 17.

In operation, bales 14 are transported in the direction A along the loading conveyor. When a first bale 14 reaches the feed-out end 12 of the loading conveyor, the forward face 26 of the bale engages with the engagement means 18 by means of the tines 19. The tines penetrate into the surface of the bale 14. As further linear movement in the direction A occurs, the bale engages with the stabilizing means 17 in such a way that as continued movement of the bale occurs, the engagement means 17 pivots around the pivoting hinge 21 in the direction indicated by the letter B. This action supports the forward end 26 of the bale and -7prevents it from tipping over as the bale is deposited onto the feed-out conveyor As the bale 14 continues along its path, the stabilizing means 17 pivots upwardly as does the front face of the bale in the direction indicated by the letter C. As the lower edge of the bale exits from the loading conveyor 10 (the direction of movement indicated by the stabilizing means 17 pivots upwardly and disengages from the front face 26 of the bale. This allows the bale 14 to drop onto the feed-out conveyor 15 as shown in Figure 1 The feed-out conveyor then manipulates the bales to feed-out the bale material as required. During this time, the engagement means 17 is secured to an 0:0 10 upright member 25 by means of the locking arm 20 having a locking protrusion extending therefrom. Details of the locking arm 20 are given by way of example *only and it is envisaged that there are a number of ways of implementing this functionality.

In a preferred embodiment, the engagement means 17 is formed in the shape of an inverted U having a transverse section 30 and arms 31 and 32. This can be seen in Figure 2 which illustrates, in a simplified perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of the invention. With reference to Figure 2, a bale 14 is shown located in an upright position on the feed-out conveyor 15. The engagement means 17 has arms 31 and 32 pivotally connected to a cross-member 33. At a distal end, an engagement means 18 is shown having tines 19 protruding therefrom and oriented at such an angle that the engagement means 17 when tilted downward towards the incoming bale engages effectively with the leading face 26 of the bale. In the position shown in Figure 2 (equivalent to that of Figure 1C), the locking arm 20 engages with an upright 25 by means of the uprights crossmember. The position of the stabilizing means 17 is controlled by means of a cable -8or rope 22. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic of the device only. Details of the feedout conveyor 15 have been omitted for clarity. Such details may include a cradlelike conveyor adapted to shred or otherwise extract the surface material of the bale and transport it to a feed-out location (usually located at the side or sides of the 5 machine).

It is envisaged that the present improvement in feed-out devices may find application in virtually any situation where it is desirable to transport or displace a bale from one location to another. The present example has been shown and described in the context of moving bales from a vertically displaced loading conveyor to a lower feed-out conveyor. However, it is feasible that the loading conveyor could be at the same level as the feed-out conveyor whereby the leading o edge of the bale might engage with the feed-out conveyor as soon as the bale reaches the end of the loading conveyor. In this configuration, the stabilising means 17 would engage and lift the front end of the bale in such a way that, as the back edge of the bale leaves the loading conveyor, the stabilising means 17 disengages and drops the bale onto the feed-out conveyor 15. This avoid problems whereby the action of the feed-out conveyor 15 would begin to manipulate the bale 14 before it leaves the loading conveyor Thus there is provided a relatively inexpensive and robust attachment for a feed-out vehicle or device which allows the stabilised location of a bale onto a feedout conveyor. Variations in the angle of the engagement means 18 are feasible depending on the overall dimensions of the bale which are to be moved and fed out. Similarly, the dimensions of the tines 19 and arms 31, 32 may be varied depending on the particular situation. Such variations as these are considered to be within the purview of one skilled in the art.

-9- Where in the aforegoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with o: 5 reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of .i *e *eeee 0*0* *o oe° *e *oo*00

Claims (8)

1. An improved bale manipulation device including: a loading conveyor adapted to move bales between two conveyors or between a conveyor and a bale manipulation location, wherein an improved bale manipulation device is adapted to transport one or more bales from the loading conveyor to a second conveyor while substantially preserving the bales orientation, the bale manipulation device includes a stabilizing means adapted to engage a forward end of the bale as the forward end approaches the second conveyor, the stabilizing means is adapted to be pivotably displaced in such a way so as to support the bale as it exits the loading •"conveyor whereupon at a predetermined position, the stabilizing means disengages from the forward end of the bale thereby allowing the bale to be i deposited on the second conveyor.

2. An improved bale manipulation device as claimed in claim 1 which is used to move bales from a loading location to a feed-out location.

3. An improved bale manipulation device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the feed-out location includes a feed-out conveyor adapted to manipulate the bale in such a way so as to allow portions of the bales to be fed out. 20 4. An improved bale manipulation device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the loading conveyor and the second conveyor are vertically displaced with respect to one another. 11 An improved bale manipulation device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the stabilizing means comprises an elongate arm extending from a point adjacent a front part of the second conveyor, the arm pivotably attached at an attachment point adjacent the front of the second conveyor wherein the stabilizing means includes an engagement means located at an end opposite the attachment point.

6. An improved bale manipulation device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagement means includes a plurality of spikes or tines adapted to engage with a bale.

7. An improved bale manipulation device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the stabilizing means is oriented so that as a bale approaches the second conveyor, the engagement means engages with the "-front face of the bale whereupon as the bale moves off the loading conveyor the stabilizing means rotates in such a way so as to support the bale as it 15 exits from the loading conveyor and suspend the bale above the second e*l* conveyor until the stabilizing means rotates to a predetermined point whereby the engagement means disengages from the bale, thereby allowing the bale to drop onto the second conveyor.

8. An improved bale manipulation device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the 20 elongate arm is in the form of an inverted U-shaped member having a transverse section and two arm sections whereby ends of the arm sections oe:."are pivotably attached adjacent the front end of the second conveyor and the transverse section includes an engagement means.

9. An improved bale manipulation device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the pivoting action is controlled by a cable means attached to the distal end of the engagement means whereby when tension is applied to the cable means the means pivots in such a manner so as to allow the bale to move off the end of the loading conveyor while being supported. An improved bale manipulation device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein alternatively, the pivoting action of the stabilizing means may be Tcontrolled mechanically or hydraulically.

12- 11. An improved bale manipulation device as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 13th day of November 2002 ROBERTSON FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED Attorney: KENNETH W. BOLTON Registered Patent and Trade Mark Attorney of Australia of BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS