US3757687A

US3757687A - Press mechanism for stack-forming implements

Info

Publication number: US3757687A
Application number: US00218889A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Brooks; Daniel G Mc
Original assignee: Hesston Corp
Current assignee: Hay and Forage Industries; Hesston Ventures Corp
Priority date: 1972-01-19
Filing date: 1972-01-19
Publication date: 1973-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-11
Also published as: FR2155746A5; CA962234A; IT973757B; AR194969A1; GB1366439A; AU464021B2; DE2252298C3; ZA73315B; DE2252298B2; DE2252298A1; AU4762472A; JPS4878668A; BR7209027D0; JPS5324329B2; GT197327560A

Abstract

Mechanism for reciprocating the press of a stack-forming implement utilizes hydraulic energy so arranged as to decrease the time consumed during each pressing operation. To this end, the forces imparted by fluid pressure piston and cylinder assemblies are, in effect, reversed by unique arm and link arrangements such that the pressing stroke takes place as the piston stems are extended and the press is moved rapidly along its return stroke during retraction of the stems. Synchronization is effected by intermeshing gear teeth between each of two pairs of power transmitting arms or beams and by an operable interconnection through use of a torque member, the linkages being so connected as to apply equalized forces at each of four corners of the press.

Description

Brooks et al.

[451 Sept. 11, 1973 PRESS MECHANISM FOR STACK-FORMING IMPLEMENTS Filed:

Inventors: liean l l lirooksi Gordon M.

McDaniel, both of Hesston, Kans.

Assignee: Hesston Corporation, Hesston,

Kans.

Jan. 19, 1972 Appl. No.: 218,889

US. Cl. 100/270, 100/258, 214/522 Int. Cl. B30b 1/08, 860p 1/00 Field of Search 100/270, 100, 189,

- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Jonas 100/245 X Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner-Arthur 0. Henderson AttorneySchmidt, Johnson, l-lovey & Williams [57] ABSTRACT Mechanism for reciprocating the press of a stackforming implement utilizes hydraulic energy so arranged as to decrease the time consumed during each pressing operation. To this end, the forces imparted by fluid pressure piston and cylinder assemblies are, in effect, reversed by unique arm and link arrangements such that the pressing stroke takes place as the piston stems are extended and the press is moved rapidly along its return stroke during retraction of the stems. Synchronization is effected by intermeshing gear teeth between each of two pairs of power transmitting arms or beams and by an operable interconnection through use of a torque member, the linkages being so connected as to apply equalized forces at each of four corners of the press.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Garrison 214/522 Patented Sept. 11, 1973 PRESS MECHANISM FOR STACK-FORMING IMPLEMENTS This invention relates to improvements in stackforming loaders of the kind disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 3,556,327 issued in the name of Garrison on Jan. 19, 1971, said patent being incorporated herein by reference asneed be for a full understanding of the present invention.

An important object of the present invention is to provide actuating mechanism for a press of the kind disclosed in said patent, for example, which will increase the speed of the press operation.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a press control which permits the use of hydraulic energy while, at the same time, eliminates the resultant slowdown when such type of energy is used and coupled in conventional manners.

Still another important object of our instant invention is to make use of fluid pressure piston and cylinder assemblies for the aforementioned purpose in a manner to eliminate need for any type of control to equalize the fluid flow to the assemblies in order to distribute the forces uniformly to the press.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a stack forming loader provided with a press together with mechanism for reciprocating the press made in accordance with our present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken on irregular line 2-2 of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, detailed cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

While the stack forming loader chosen for illustration of the present invention is substantially the same as that disclosed in U. S. application Ser. No. 139,391 filed May 3, 1971 in the names of White et al, the reciprocating mechanism about to be described is equally adapted for use in connection with the stack forming loader disclosed in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,556,327. Moreover, the improved mechanism of the instant invention may also be used in lieu of the hydraulic press reciprocating arrangement disclosed in U. S. application Ser. No. 82,900 filed Oct. 22, 1970 in the names of Adee et al.

In view of the full disclosure of what is meant herein by a stack-forming loader as set forth in US. Pat. No. 3,556,327, suffice it to point out that the wheeled vehicle shown in FIG. 1 hereof may be towed by a tractor along a windrow of hay such that the hay is picked up and blown into a hollow body or container beneath a press 12. The press 12 is carried by the body 10 for vertical reciprocation such that the press may be lowered at least once in order to compact the hay collected within the body It). The finished stack is thereafter unloaded from the body 10 after raising the press 12 to the upper end of its reciprocable path of travel.

In accordance with our present invention, two mechanisms l4 and 16, one on each side respectively of the body 10, are provided for reciprocating the press 12. Inasmuch as the

mechanisms

14 and 16 are identical,

it is but necessary to detail the nature of the mechanism It includes a pair of substantially identical arms or

beams

18 and 20 which, in the form chosen for illustration, are essentially triangular in configuration.

Arms

18 and 20 are mounted'on the body it exteriorly thereof for vertical swinging movement about

horizontal shafts

22 and 24 respectively,

shafts

22 and 24 projecting outwardly from reinforcing

studs

26 and 28 respectively forming a part of the proximal sidewall of the body 10. The outer ends of the

shafts

22 and 24 are supported by elongated straps 30 and 32 respectively attached at their lower ends by

corresponding pins

34 and 36 projecting outwardly from the

studs

26 and 28. A crossbar 38 adjacent the straps 30 and 32 interconnects the

shafts

22 and 24. The same identifying numerals suitably primed designate the components of the mechanism 116 shown in FIG. 2.

The

arms

18 and 20 are connected with the press 12 by

linkages

40 and 42 respectively through the use of pivot pins 44 at the narrow comers of the

arms

18 and 20 and by pivot pins 46 projecting outwardly from the press 12 above the body 10. The upper pins 46 are spaced longitudinally of the press 12 such that the

mechanisms

14 and 16 are coupled with the press 12 adjacent each of the four corners of the latter. The sidewalls of the body 10 provide lateral stability for the press 12, and the press 12 is restrained against foreand-aft movement relative to the body 10 by suitable guides between the press 12 and the body 10 (not shown).

The wider ends of the

arms

18 and 20 remote from the pivot pins are provided with an arcuate series of gear teeth 48 and 50 respectively, such teeth 48 and 50 remaining in mesh at all times such that swinging movement of the arm 18 is imparted from gear teeth 48 to the gear teeth 50, causing the arm 20 to swing simultaneously with the arm 18.

A fluid pressure piston and cylinder assembly 52, pivotally interconnecting the body 10 and the arm 18, includes a cylinder 54 having a piston 56 reciprocable therein and a piston stem 58 extending upwardly and outwardly beyond the upper end of the cylinder 54. The cylinder 54 is adapted to receive hydraulic pressure at both ends thereof, rendering the same double acting, and the pin 34 serves to pivotally connect the cylinder 54 at its lower end with the body 10. A pivot pin 60 couples the outer end of the stem 58 with the gear tooth segment 48 of the arm 18.

An elongated torsion member 62, traversingthe body 10 and rotatably carried thereby, is common to the

mechanisms

14 and 16 and has a crank 64 rigid thereto. An elongated link 66 is pivotally coupled with the gear tooth segment 50 of the arm 20 and with the crank 64, rendering rotation of the torsion member 62 responsive to actuation of the

mechanisms

14 and 16.

OPERATION Simultaneous actuation of the assembly 52 for the mechanism 14 and the corresponding assembly (not shown) for the mechanism 16 effects raising of the press 12 from the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, placing the loader in condition for receiving material. It is to be noted that as the piston 56 moves toward the lower end of the cylinder 54 to retract the stem 58, arm 13 rotates clockwise viewing FIG. I to push upwardly on the linkage 40. At the same time, the arm 20 is swung counterclockwise viewing FIG. 1 to push upwardly on the link 42 by virtue of the motion that is transmitted from the gear teeth 48 to the gear teeth 50. Thus, with both

mechanisms

14 and 16 operating simultaneously, the amount of upward movement of the press 12 and all four pivot pins 46 is equal.

Assuming that the force of the fluid to the cylinder 54 is equal to that being directed to the corresponding cylinder of the mechanism 16, the two

arms

20 and 20 will act on the links 66 and 66' with equal force to swing the cranks 64 and 64' in unison to thereby rotate the torsion member 62.

However, if for any reason, such as because of fluid leak-by or differences in fluid capacity of the two cylinders, one of the

mechanisms

14 or 16 tends to lag, press lifting forces will be transmitted through the torque member 62 from the mechanism 14 to the mechanism 16 or vice versa. This equalization of forces between the

mechanisms

14 and 16 is even more important on the downstroke of the press 12 when it is under the load of the material in the body being compacted by the press 12.

It is now to be noted that the return stroke of the press 12 takes place during retraction of the piston stems and that therefore the upward movement of the press 12 is relatively rapid because the fluid capacities of the cylinders above their pistons are less than the capacities of the cylinders below their pistons. That is to say, the presence of the stems within the cylinders during downward movement of their pistons reduces the volumetric capacity of the cylinders above their pistons. Accordingly, by virtue of the coupling between the hydraulic assemblies and the press 12, which includes the two sets of

arms

18 and 20, together with the two sets of

links

40 and 42, the speed of travel of the press 12 during its upward stroke is greater than the speed of descent of the press 12 when it is under a working load. That feature, together with the parts played by two sets of intermeshing teeth 48, 50 and the torque member 62 as above described, contributes to the improved performance made possible by the principles of the instant invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a reciprocable press having a pair of sides and used in connection with a stack forming machine, a press actuating mechanism for each side respectively of said press, each mechanism comprising:

a double acting, fluid pressure, piston and cylinder assembly having a cylinder provided with a reciprocable piston and adapted for receiving fluid under pressure at opposide ends of the piston, said piston having a stem extending outwardly through one end of the cylinder;

structure interconnecting the stern and the press for moving the latter along its stack pressing stroke as the piston is shifted in one direction to extend the stem, and moving the press along its return stroke as the piston is shifted in the opposite direction to retract the stem; and

means for synchronizing said mechanisms.

2. In combination with a reciprocable press having a pair of sides and used in connection with a stack forming machine, a press actuating mechanism for each side respectively of said press, each mechanism comprising:

a double acting, fluid pressure, piston and cylinder assembly having a cylinder provided with a reciprocable piston and adapted for receiving fluid under pressure at opposite ends of the piston, said piston having a stem extending outwardly through one end of the cylinder;

structure interconnecting the stem and the press for moving the latter along its stack pressing stroke as the piston is shifted in one direction to extend the stem, and moving the press along its return stroke as the piston is shifted in the opposite direction to retract the stem; and

a torque member between said mechanisms for synchronizing the same.

3. In a control for a reciprocable press:

a pair of spaced motion transmitting mechanisms each in-cluding:

a pair of elongated beams;

means mounting said beams for swinging movement about spaced axes;

means coupling each beam respectively with the press for reciprocating the latter during swinging of the beams; and

means restraining the beams to swinging movement in unison,

said restraining means including an operable connection between the beams of each mechanism respectively for swinging the beams in opposite directions with respect to one another and means interconnecting the two mechanisms,

said interconnecting means including an elongated torque member, means supporting said member for rotation about its longitudinal axis, and means coupling opposite ends of the member with the mechanisms respectively for rotating the member in response to actuation of the mechanisms.

4. In a stack forming implement:

crop receiving structure including a hollow open top body having a pair of spaced, upright sides and a hollow open bottom press, reciprocable vertically in said body,

said press being provided with a roof and with a pair of spaced, upright sides; and

a pair of identical motion transmitting mechanisms,

one for each side respectively of the body exteriorly of the latter, each mechanism including:

a pair of upright arms;

shafts mounting said arms on the proximal side of said body for swinging movement within a common upright plane about horizontally spaced axes,

means restraining the arms to swinging movement in unison,

' a pair of elongated links projecting above said sides of the body and disposed in a common upright plane,

each link extending upwardly from a corresponding arm,

, horizontally spaced pivot pins remote from said shafts coupling the links at the lower ends thereof with their arms,

horizontally spaced pivot pins at the upper ends of the links below the top of said roof coupling the same with the press for raising and lowering the latter in response to swinging of the arms,

the shafts and the pins being normal to the path of reciprocation of the press, and

power means for swinging the arms.

5. The invention of claim 4, each power means comprising a fluid pressure piston and cylinder assembly.

6. The invention of claim 5, each assembly pivotally interconnecting the body and one of said arms.

7. The invention of claim 4, each arm having a first upper end and a second end spaced from said first end,

nizing said mechanisms.

11. The invention of claim 4, and a torque member between said mechanisms for synchronizing the same.

12. The invention of claim 11, said member being rotatably supported and having a pair of cranks rigid thereto; and a link pivotally interconnecting one arm of each mechanism with a corresponding crank.

l I I i

Claims

1. In combination with a reciprocable press having a pair of sides and used in connection with a stack forming machine, a press actuating mechanism for each side respectively of said press, each mechanism comprising: a double acting, fluid pressure, piston and cylinder assembly having a cylinder provided with a reciprocable piston and adapted for receiving fluid under pressure at opposide ends of the piston, said piston having a stem extending outwardly through one end of the cylinder; structure interconnecting the stem and the press for moving the latter along its stack pressing stroke as the piston is shifted in one direction to extend the stem, and moving the press along its return stroke as the piston is shifted in the opposite direction to retract the stem; and means for synchronizing said mechanisms.

2. In combination with a reciprocable press having a pair of sides and used in connection with a stack forming machine, a press actuating mechanism for each side respectively of said press, each mechanism comprising: a double acting, fluid pressure, piston and cylinder assembly having a cylinder provided with a reciprocable piston and adapted for receiving fluid under pressure at opposite ends of the piston, said piston having a stem extending outwardly through one end of the cylinder; structure interconnecting the stem and the press for moving the latter along its stack pressing stroke as the piston is shifted in one direction to extend the stem, and moving the press along its return stroke as the piston is shifted in the opposite direction to retract the stem; and a torque member between said mechanisms for synchronizing the same.

3. In a control for a reciprocable press: a pair of spaced motion transmitting mechanisms each in-cluding: a pair of elongated beams; means mounting sAid beams for swinging movement about spaced axes; means coupling each beam respectively with the press for reciprocating the latter during swinging of the beams; and means restraining the beams to swinging movement in unison, said restraining means including an operable connection between the beams of each mechanism respectively for swinging the beams in opposite directions with respect to one another and means interconnecting the two mechanisms, said interconnecting means including an elongated torque member, means supporting said member for rotation about its longitudinal axis, and means coupling opposite ends of the member with the mechanisms respectively for rotating the member in response to actuation of the mechanisms.

4. In a stack forming implement: crop receiving structure including a hollow open top body having a pair of spaced, upright sides and a hollow open bottom press, reciprocable vertically in said body, said press being provided with a roof and with a pair of spaced, upright sides; and a pair of identical motion transmitting mechanisms, one for each side respectively of the body exteriorly of the latter, each mechanism including: a pair of upright arms; shafts mounting said arms on the proximal side of said body for swinging movement within a common upright plane about horizontally spaced axes, means restraining the arms to swinging movement in unison, a pair of elongated links projecting above said sides of the body and disposed in a common upright plane, each link extending upwardly from a corresponding arm, horizontally spaced pivot pins remote from said shafts coupling the links at the lower ends thereof with their arms, horizontally spaced pivot pins at the upper ends of the links below the top of said roof coupling the same with the press for raising and lowering the latter in response to swinging of the arms, the shafts and the pins being normal to the path of reciprocation of the press, and power means for swinging the arms.

7. The invention of claim 4, each arm having a first upper end and a second end spaced from said first end, the shafts being adjacent said first ends, said links being coupled with the arms adjacent said second ends.

8. The invention of claim 4, each arm having an end spaced from its shaft, said restraining means being between said ends of the arms.

9. The invention of claim 8, said restraining means comprising gear teeth on each arm, said teeth intermeshing.

10. The invention of claim 4; and means for synchronizing said mechanisms.