US3742842A

US3742842A - Trash baler

Info

Publication number: US3742842A
Application number: US00165195A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Pierens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-07-22
Filing date: 1971-07-22
Publication date: 1973-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-03

Abstract

A portable device in the form of an integral and collapsible apparatus for bundling and elevating debris or the like, characterized by draw lines and anchors therefor which are combined with a releasable winch means in a manner to perform said bundling and elevating functions, and to the end that debris is compacted and positioned for the convenience of tying and then releasable for disposal.

Description

United States Patent [191 Pierens [451 'July 3,1973

[ TRASH BALER [76] Inventor: Daniel A. Plerens, 3677 Ocean View Avenue, Los Angeles, Calif. 90066 [22] Filed: July 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 165,195

[52] US. Cl. 100/212, 100/34 [51] Int. Cl B301) 5/04 [58] Field of Search 100/2, 3, 34, 35, 100/212; 214/1 R, 1 P, 12

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 247,183 9/1881 Evans 100/34 3,208,555 9/1965 Fry 214/1 SW X 627,234 6/1899 Johnson 100/34 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 660,428 5/1938 Germany 100/34 1,027,383 4/1966 Great Britain 100/] Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner--Frank'E. Werner Attorney-William H. Maxwell [57] ABSTRACT A portable device in the form of an integral and collapsible apparatus for bundling and elevating debris or the like, characterized by draw lines and anchors therefor which are combined with a releasable winch means in a manner to perform said bundling and elevating functions, and to the end that debris is compacted and positioned for the convenience of tying and then releasable for disposal.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures TRASH BALEIR BACKGROUND The present invention is intended primarily to operate as a tool that expedites the bundling of materials, especially debris which is the product of gardening. For example, when chopping out vegetation and when pruning trees or bushes there are random sized sticks and branches with and without foliage, and all of which requires compaction to reduce the trash material to a moderate size for subsequent disposal. Heretofore it has been a difficult process to manipulate such trash, namely for a person to compact and simultaneously tie up such a bundle. Therefore, it is a general object of this invention to provide a device for bundling and elevating debris or the like, whereby a person can compact and tie up bales with facility; it being understood that there is no limit to the kind of materials to be so baled, for example new materials such as stakes can be baled.

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a device in the nature of a garden tool or aid characterized by its erect configuration which supports a winch and related anchor trun ions for handling releasably constrictable lines adapted to bundling and to elevate materials that are compacted thereby and made convenient for tying. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to incorporate the structural features, referred to above, in a stand or like device so as to establish an apparatus adapted to perform the bundling and elevating functions. In practice, .the device of the present invention is embodied in an apparatus for the sole purpose of bundling and elevating debris preparatory to tying the same in compacted form; or it is advantageously embodied in an article such as a step ladder (not shown).

It is an object of this invention to provide a winch and anchor relationship which is conducive to handling debris while simultaneously elevating the same preparatory to tying. The device is manually operable in the size herein disclosed; or it can be powered when constructed in larger sizes. The winch is supported at a high elevation for convenience to the person operating it; while the anchor trunions are at a lower level; and all to the end that the bundled materials are inherently elevated when a line is drawn tight by the winch with the free end thereof anchored to the trunion.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a collapsible device of the character above referred to and which is adapted to be constructed for the special purposes of bundling and elevating debris, or to be incorporated in other similar articles such as a step ladder or the like.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the baler of the present invention showing the constrictor lines thereof extending to receive a quantity of materials to be bundled. FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the manner in which the constrictor lines are anchored. FIG. 3 is also a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating the operation of the baler whereby the functions of bundling and elevating are accomplished. FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged sectional views taken substantially as indicated by lines 4-4 and 5-5 on FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicatedby line 6-6 on FIG. 4.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT This invention is embodied in a special apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 for the sole purpose of bundling and elevating trash; or it can be embodied in a step ladder or such an article (not shown). In any case the idea of means disclosed herein involves, generally, a stand A, a releasable winch B, an anchor trunion C, and a constrictor line D. The basic elements A through D are interrelated as shown throughout the drawings in order to perform the functions of bundling and elevating trash or debris; the frame standing erect to support the winch B over the trunion C; and the line D trained around the debris and operable between the winch and trunion to constrict over said debris when the winch is operated to draw the line tight. Basically, it is feasible to operate this baler with a single line, however a pair of lines has definite and practical advantages, preventing overturning of the bundle as it is cinched tight and exposing the intermediate center portion of the bundle for tying.

Referring now to the basic form of FIG. I (and equally applicable to a ladder) the stand A is a light weight collapsible frame that extends upward from a supporting surface such as the ground. The stand comprises a front section or frame having spaced parallel legs 11, and a back section or support having spaced parallel legs 12. The legs 11 and 12 are pivotally hinged at an apex by means of a pin 13 or the like; there being at least one spreader 14 extending between the legs 11 to hold them rigidly spaced. The legs 12 depend from said apex and are braced to the legs 11 by means of folding struts 15. The spreader is concavely curved for clearance from the debris being bundled and for structural rigidity, and conducive to passing a tie behind the bundle. Also, the legs 12 are rigidly braced by means of a rung 14 that extends therebetween at or near the foot of the stand and to which a persons foot pressure can be applied. Thus, the stand can be erected in the form of an A" frame and presents a stable structure of light weight. Likewise, a step ladder is the same as the stand hereinabove described except that the legs are advantageously convergent with the steps therealong.

The releasable winch B which characterizes this invention is carried by the stand A in an elevated position, at a level convenient for manipulation without excessive bending of a persons back. As shown, a pair of spaced coaxial bearings 16 are provided in the spaced legs 11 and an elongated spindle or shaft 17 is rotatably journaled to revolve therein. At the opposite ends of the shaft, preferably outside the legs 11, there is a pair of drums l8 and to each of which is attached the end of a constrictor line D. The drums can vary in design and are shown as flanged cylinders fixed onto and adapted to turn with said shaft.

The anchor trunions C which characterize this invention are a pair of spaced coaxial projections 19 that protrude from the legs 11 below the winch B and substantially above the supporting ground level. In practice, the trunions C are embodied in a rod 20 with enlarged ends and that extends through coaxial openings 21 in the spaced legs 11. Like the drums 18, the projections 19 protrude from the exterior of each leg respectively.

The constrictor lines D which characterize this invention are each a flexible line or any strap or chain, as circumstances require dependent upon the service to be performed. In carrying out the invention, a high quality rope is employed, there being a pair of ropes 25 and each fixed to a complementary drum 18 and of equal length so as to be wound onto the drums at the same rate. The free ends of the rope 25 are spliced or otherwise provided with loops 26 adapted to be anchored over the complementary trunions C.

In accordance with the invention, the winch B is releasable, and in practice one of the drums 18 involves a ratchet wheel 27 formed in one of its flanges and a manually releasable pawl 28 that engages the teeth of the wheel 27 so as to permit the same to be advanced to draw in the lines D and normally prevent retraction of said lines. The ratchet can take various forms and is shown with a gravity biased pawl 28 that is pivotally carried by stand A to overlie the wheel 27 and engage the rachet teeth. Assuming the device to be used to right handed operation with the person standing at the side of the legs 12, there is a crank 30 at the right hand end of the shaft 17, and said crank and shaft are revolved counter clockwise in order to advance the ropes 25 onto the drums 18.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the collapsible frame A is erected with facility and becomes a stable structure carrying the winch B and anchor trunions C. In order to operate the baler for bundling and elevating a quantity of trash or debris, it is a simple matter to throw the pawl 28 to an inactive position (supported upon the stop shown in FIG. 1) and then withdraw the two ropes 25 from the drums 18. The said two ropes 25 are flexible and the free loop 26 ends are stretched out onto the ground, depending away from the drums l8 and extending from the baler at right angles to the axis of the shaft 17 and parallel to each other. A pile or stack S of debris is then laid over the extended ropes 25, positioned near the legs 11, the pieces or members out of which the stack S is composed being generally elongated and projecting laterally beyond the two ropes respectively. The said pieces or members of the stack S can be of random size and shape, providing they have simultaneous engagement with the two ropes 25.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the free ends of the two ropes are then placed over the stack S and the respective loops 26 are slipped onto the two anchor trunions C, whereupon the pawl 28 is positioned to engage the ratchet wheel 27 and the crank 30 operated so as to advance the ropes 25 onto the drums l8. Continued turning of the crank 30 draws the ropes 25 so that they cinch tightly around the stack S and so as to lift its center to the approximate height shown in FIG. 3. The bundle can then be rolled upward and/or downward along to legs 11 and the debris rearrange thereby for further compaction. When sufficient compaction is obtained the cranking is stopped and the winch rachet holds the degree of compaction; and it is at this point of the procedure that the bundle X is formed and tied intermediate and/or outside the two encircling ropes and following which the ratchet is released and the slackening ropes 25 removed from the trunions C. Note that the crank 30 is elevated and that the bundle X is lifted substantially above the ground level, and that the user of the baler can operate it single handed without bending or stooping excessively when turning the crank and when tying and releasing the bundle X compacted thereby.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but with to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A device for compacting and elevating a pile of generally elongated materials, and including, a ground supported and upwardly extending frame, a winch carried by the frame at its upper portion, and an elevated anchor trunion carried by the frame substantially below said winch, and a line fixed to and retractably drawable directly onto said winch and having a free end engageable under and then over the pile of debris to be releasably fastened to said anchor trunion; whereby a pile of elongated material laid transversely over the said line when it is retracted to extend from the said winch is compacted and elevated by constriction of said line therearound when the said line is passed thereover and fixed to said anchor trunion and drawn onto the said winch.

2. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the winch is controlled by a releasable rachet means that normally holds the line as it is drawn onto said winch.

3. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the line has a loop at its free end and releasably engageable over and thereby connectable to said anchor trunion.

4. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the line has a loop at its free end and releasably engageable over and thereby fixable to said anchor trunion, and wherein the winch is controlled by a releasable ratchet means that normally holds the line drawn onto said winch thereby to elevate the materials to the height of said drum simultaneously with compaction thereof.

5. A device for compacting and elevating a pile of generally elongated materials, and including, a ground supported frame having a pair of upwardly extending legs held spaced by a spreader, a winch carried by the frame and having a shaft journaled through the upper portion of each leg and with a drum at each opposite end of the shaft, an elevated anchor trunion projecting from each leg substantially below said winch and at a common height, and a pair of lines and each fixed to and retractably drawable directly onto one of said drums and each having a free end engageable under and then over the pile of debris to be releasably fastened to one of said anchor trunions respectively; whereby a pile of elongated materials laid transversely over said pair of lines when they are retracted to extend from the drums is compacted and elevated by constriction of said lines therearound when the said lines are passed thereover and fixed to said anchor trunions and drawn onto the said drums of the winch.

6. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5 and wherein rotation of the winch shaft is controlled by a releasable rachet means that normally holds the lines as they are drawn onto the drums.

7. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5 and wherein each of the lines has a loop at its free end and releasably engageable over and thereby connectable to said anchor trunion respectively.

8. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5, whereineach of the lines has a loop at its free end and releasably engageable over and thereby fixable to said anchor trunions respectively, and wherein rotation of the winch shaft is controlled by a releasable ratchet means that normally holds the lines as they are drawn onto the drums.

9. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5 and wherein the frame is collapsible and thereby made portable by means of at least one moveable leg pivoted at its upper end its said first mentioned ends of the said first mentioned legs.

Claims

8. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of the lines has a loop at its free end and releasably engageable over and thereby fixable to said anchor trunions respectively, and wherein rotation of the winch shaft is controlled by a releasable ratchet means that normally holds the lines as they are drawn onto the drums.

9. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5 and wherein the frame is collapsible and thereby made portable by means of at least one moveable leg pivoted at its upper end its said first mentioned legs and with its lower end moveable to a stable position spaced from the lower ends of the said first mentioned legs.

10. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5 and wherein the frame is collapsible and thereby made portable by means of a pair of moveable legs pivoted on a common axis to said first mentioned legs and with the lower most ends thereof moveable to stable positions, respectively, spaced from the lower ends of the said first mentioned legs.