WO2007133186A2 - Procédés et appareil permettant d'accumuler des bottes - Google Patents

Procédés et appareil permettant d'accumuler des bottes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007133186A2
WO2007133186A2 PCT/US2006/016297 US2006016297W WO2007133186A2 WO 2007133186 A2 WO2007133186 A2 WO 2007133186A2 US 2006016297 W US2006016297 W US 2006016297W WO 2007133186 A2 WO2007133186 A2 WO 2007133186A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bale
motive force
linear path
accumulation
path specific
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/016297
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007133186A3 (fr
Inventor
Arthur Heitz, Jr.
Original Assignee
Heitz Arthur Jr
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Heitz Arthur Jr filed Critical Heitz Arthur Jr
Priority to PCT/US2006/016297 priority Critical patent/WO2007133186A2/fr
Priority to EP07748980A priority patent/EP2019582A4/fr
Priority to CA002685322A priority patent/CA2685322A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US2007/001386 priority patent/WO2007126451A2/fr
Publication of WO2007133186A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007133186A2/fr
Priority to US11/957,299 priority patent/US7621709B2/en
Publication of WO2007133186A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007133186A3/fr
Priority to US12/623,295 priority patent/US20100068007A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
    • A01D85/00—Arrangements for making or setting stacks
    • A01D85/005—Forming groups of bales, e.g. bale sledges
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
    • A01D85/00—Arrangements for making or setting stacks
    • A01D85/005—Forming groups of bales, e.g. bale sledges
    • A01D2085/007—Machines directly attached to a baler
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
    • A01D85/00—Arrangements for making or setting stacks
    • A01D85/005—Forming groups of bales, e.g. bale sledges
    • A01D2085/008—Making groups of bales just at horizontal level for leaving them on the field

Definitions

  • the inventive technology described herein relates to the handling of bales, for example as may typically occur in agricultural settings. More specifically, methods and apparatus for collecting, moving, and accumulating bales into manageable groups may be disclosed. The inventive technology may be particularly suited to accomplishing such collecting, moving, and accumulating of bales at relatively increased process speeds and relatively decreased overall process times.
  • bales may be an efficient and effective way to collect and store certain kinds of materials that otherwise may exist in a loosely gathered form.
  • bales may be a widely used method for collecting and storing grasses and other components as hay.
  • hay bales may be formed by compressing the collected components into bundles, and then tying down or wrapping the bundles as bales to maintain the collected components in a compressed state. While such effort is sufficient to form individual bales of hay, significant additional time and labor may be required to handle the individual bales in order to put them to a productive use.
  • individual bales may be formed in a field environment directly from cut grass.
  • balers may be an efficient way to form individual bales.
  • such automated balers may be towed behind a tractor through a field.
  • the automated baler may automate the process of compressing cut grass and wrapping the compressed cut grass as a bale.
  • the automated baler may then serially output individual bales as the baler moves through the field. While such automation may dramatically improve the efficient formation of individual bales, the inefficiencies associated with collecting and storing such individual bales may remain. Accordingly, modern agricultural process may further employ various kinds of bale accumulators.
  • bale accumulators may be towed behind the automated baler to collect individual bales output by the baler.
  • bale accumulators may serve to accumulate multiple bales arranged in groups, periodically depositing such grouped bales onto the ground. In this way, a baling process may result in sporadically placed groups of bales in a field rather than sporadically placed individual bales.
  • Such placement of groups of bales may simplify the process of collecting and storing bales, as bales may be handled by group rather than one at a time.
  • bale accumulators arrange bales into groups prior to depositing such groups on the ground may vary greatly.
  • various automated techniques are employed to move bales about on the bale accumulator, perhaps to form groups of bales configured into rows, stacks, or the like. Further automated techniques may then be used to deposit groups on the ground, for example, by sliding, dropping, projecting, or the like.
  • the automated techniques of conventional bale accumulators may often entail a number of drawbacks.
  • the automated processes of conventional bale accumulators may frequently involve complicated procedures or multiple steps in the automated handling of bales, perhaps such as flipping, rotating, stacking, lifting, or dropping individual bales, perhaps performed on multiple platforms or multiple levels of a bale accumulator.
  • the number of steps in such processes increase, there may be an increased risk of failure for any given step, perhaps adversely impacting the reliability of such bale accumulators.
  • bale accumulators may contribute to slowing the speed at which such bale accumulators may operate, perhaps to the point at which such bale accumulators may not be able to keep up with the output of modern balers.
  • bale accumulators may employ perhaps inefficient methods for maintaining bale alignment, perhaps involving aligning bales by blocking a path of travel for such bales. While creating such barriers to bale movement perhaps may serve to maintain bale alignment, such barriers also perhaps may create inefficiencies by removing more efficient paths of travel for such bales. Alternatively, some conventional bale accumulators may employ no bale alignment techniques, thus perhaps permitting a freedom of movement for such bales, but perhaps resulting in bale misalignment and correspondingly inefficient deposit of bale groups onto the ground. The foregoing problems regarding conventional bale accumulators may represent a long-felt need for an effective solution to the same. While implementing elements may have been available, actual attempts to meet this need may have been lacking to some degree.
  • the inventive technology relates to methods and apparatus for accumulating bales and may include one or more of the following features: a bale accumulation apparatus; methods for bale accumulation; techniques for minimizing the number of steps required to efficiently accumulate bales; techniques for minimizing the path distance through which bales may be moved for accumulation; techniques for increasing the rate at which bales may be accumulated; techniques for accumulating bales to match the output of modern balers; techniques for aligning bales while minimizing restrictions to their freedom of movement; techniques for efficiently utilizing a motive force to move bales on a bale accumulator; and techniques for confining a motive force to a specific linear path on a bale accumulator. Accordingly, the objects of the methods and apparatus for accumulating bales described herein address each of the foregoing in a practical manner. Naturally, further objects of the invention will become apparent from the description and drawings below.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bale accumulator with no bales disposed thereon.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a bale accumulator having a first aligned multiple in-line bale row disposed thereon.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a bale accumulator having a pivot arm activated by a first aligned multiple in-line bale row.
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a bale accumulator transferring a first aligned multiple in-line bale row across a bale accumulation surface.
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a bale accumulator having a second aligned multiple in-line bale row disposed thereon.
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a bale accumulator transferring a second aligned multiple in-line bale row across a bale accumulation surface.
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a bale accumulator having a tilted bale reception surface with multiple aligned in-line bale rows disposed thereon.
  • Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a bale accumulator having a tilted bale reception surface with no bales disposed thereon.
  • Fig. 9A is a plan view of various linear path specific elements of a bale accumulator.
  • Fig. 9B is a cross section view of various linear path specific elements of a bale accumulator.
  • Fig. 1OA is a perspective view of a pivot arm and associated elements of a bale accumulator.
  • Fig. 1OB is a perspective view of a push-over plate and associated elements of a bale accumulator.
  • the present inventive technology includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways.
  • the following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. These elements are listed with initial embodiments, however it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments.
  • the variously described examples and embodiments should not be construed to limit the present invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.
  • FIG. 1-9 an apparatus for accumulating bales in various embodiments may be disclosed.
  • various actions or items in various embodiments may include the property of being linear path specific.
  • linear path specific may be understood to include actions or objects having an associated motion, wherein such associated motion is exhibited specifically over a linear path.
  • specifically may be understood to include embodiments in which such motion is exhibited exclusively over a linear path to the exclusion of other paths of motion.
  • various actions or items in various embodiments may occur or be placed in various positions with respect to a bale accumulation surface (1). Placement above a bale accumulation surface (1) should be understood to include placement in merely a directionally superior location with respect to a bale accumulation surface (1), and may or may not include contact with a bale accumulation surface (1) as may be necessary or appropriate.
  • Placement below a bale accumulation surface (1) should be understood to include placement in merely an inferior location with respect to a bale accumulation surface (1), and may or may not include contact with a bale accumulation surface (1) as may be necessary or appropriate.
  • various actions or items in various embodiments may occur or involve transverse placement with respect to a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • transversely it should be understood that transverse placement may involve placement that is transverse to a lengthwise axis of a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • transversely may not require such a placement to be precisely transverse. Rather, as may be the case for practical applications of the inventive technology, the term transversely should be understood to include placements that are substantially transverse or even approximately transverse.
  • Embodiments may include a bale support surface.
  • a bale support surface should be understood to include any surface capable of supporting a bale (3), and in various embodiments may include a bale accumulation surface (1), a bale reception surface (11), or other types of bale movement and storage surfaces.
  • a bale accumulation surface (1) such a surface should be understood to include any surface capable of accumulating one or more bales (3).
  • a bale accumulation surface (1) may involve a baler output receivable bale accumulation surface (1), which may be understood to include bale accumulation surfaces (1) capable of receiving the output of various types of balers.
  • bale transfer element may be included in some embodiments.
  • a bale transfer element should be understood to include any element capable of transferring a bale (3) from one location to another location.
  • embodiments may include a unidirectional orientation neutral bale transfer element.
  • the term unidirectional should be understood to involve bale transfer elements that move bales (3) in one direction only, for example from left to right, top to bottom, front to back, and the like.
  • orientation neutral should be understood to involve bale transfer elements that do not change the orientation of a bale (3) during the process of transferring the bale (3), for example by maintaining a bale (3) flatly, maintaining a bale (3) on edge, failing to rotate a bale (3), and the like while the bale (3) is being transferred.
  • a unidirectional bale transfer element may be configured to unidirectionally transfer at least one bale (3) transversely across a bale accumulation surface (1) in a neutral orientation.
  • a unidirectional orientation neutral bale transfer element may include a bale surface contact unidirectional orientation neutral bale transfer element.
  • bale surface contact it should be understood that a unidirectional orientation neutral bale transfer element may transfer bales (3) wherein the bales (3) maintain a contact with a bale accumulation surface (1), for example perhaps by sliding bales (3).
  • a bale transfer element may involve a bale push bar (2).
  • a bale push bar (2) may be understood to include a bale transfer element shaped substantially in the form of a bar having shape and dimensions sufficient to transfer a bale (3) by pushing the bale (3). It may be appreciated that such shape and dimensions of a bar may be selected as necessary for a given bale transfer need, and perhaps may particularly include a multiple in-line bale length coordinated bale push bar. Such a multiple in-line bale length coordinated bale push bar should be understood to encompass bale push bars shaped and dimensioned sufficiently to push multiple bales (3) arranged in an in-line configuration.
  • a multiple in-line bale length coordinated bale push bar may include a bale push bar made of 2 inch by 6 inch tubing and having about 10 feet in length.
  • a motive force application element should be understood to include any element capable of applying a motive force, including for example electric motors, internal combustion engines, hydraulics, or the like.
  • Various embodiments may include the use of a hydraulic linear path specific motive force application element (7), which may for example include hydraulic cylinders of suitable dimensions and capacities.
  • the term motive force should be understood to include any force capable of moving an object.
  • a bale transfer element responsive to a motive force application element may be a bale transfer element moved by the application of a motive force.
  • a motive force application element in various embodiments may be a linear path specific motive force application element. Such a linear path specific motive force application element should be understood to involve an element capable of applying a motive force in a specific linear path. Moreover, certain embodiments may involve a linear path specific motive force application element disposed below a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • a motive force application element may have a force application cycle and a force release cycle, which may be understood to involve applying and releasing a motive force in cycles.
  • a force application cycle may include an extension cycle, which may be understood to involve applying a motive force sufficient to extensionally displace an object through a degree of distance.
  • a force release cycle may include a retraction cycle, which may be understood to involve retracting such an extensionally displaced object through such degree of distance, perhaps to return it to its original position.
  • a degree of distance in various embodiments may be considered to be an extension distance. It may be appreciated that such an extension distance may be selected as necessary or appropriate for a given bale accumulation function, for example including selecting a discrete bale width extension distance.
  • a discrete bale width extension distance may be understood to include a distance equal to a discrete multiple of the width of a bale (3), and in some embodiments may be an extension distance of about one bale width.
  • various embodiments may involve a total cycle time, which may be understood to be the time required for a motive force application element to accomplish one force application cycle followed by one force release cycle.
  • Embodiments may include any total cycle time as may be necessary or appropriate for a given bale accumulation task, including for example perhaps less than about 6 seconds, less than about 5 seconds, less than about 4 seconds, less than about 3 seconds, less than about 2 seconds, less than about 1 second, or less than about 0.5 seconds.
  • Various embodiments may include a linear path specific opening (4) transversely disposed through a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • Such an opening should be understood to include any opening through a bale accumulation surface (1) sufficient to permit motion along a linear path in the plane of such a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • a motive force transfer element may include any element capable of transferring a motive force from one location to another.
  • Embodiments may include a linear path specific motive force transfer element situated through a linear path specific opening (4), which may be understood to permit a linear motion of such a linear path specific motive force transfer element through such a linear path specific opening (4).
  • a motive force transfer element may be a rigid member, perhaps including a columnar rigid member (5).
  • Such a columnar rigid member (5) perhaps may be a rigid member oriented in the manner of a column, and perhaps may be situated vertically through a linear path specific opening (4), perhaps to achieve horizontal translation through said linear path specific opening (4).
  • a linear path specific motive force transfer element situated through a linear path specific opening (4) may be joined to a unidirectional orientation neutral bale transfer element disposed above a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • a motive force carriage element may include any element capable of supporting a motive force transfer element and a bale transfer element while simultaneously being moved by a motive force application element.
  • Embodiments may include a linear path specific motive force carriage element, which should be understood to involve a motion of such a carriage element along a linear path in response to the application of a motive force.
  • a motive force carriage element may have a rigid structure, perhaps including a rectilinear rigid structure (6).
  • a linear path specific motive force carriage element in various embodiments may be disposed beneath a bale accumulation surface (1), and perhaps may be joined to a linear path specific motive force transfer element and a linear path specific motive force application element.
  • Embodiments also may involve a spring element (35) joined to such a linear path specific motive force carriage element and to a stable anchor element (36).
  • the term spring element (35) should be understood to include any elastic material capable of expanding and rebounding in the manner of a spring.
  • such a spring element (35) may expand as a linear path specific motive force is applied to move a linear path specific motive force carriage element along a linear path.
  • the spring element (35) may tend to rebound to its original state, perhaps assisting a linear path specific motive force carriage element in returning to its original location.
  • a stable anchor element (36) should be understood to include any element at which a spring element may be anchored, and in some embodiments may include a non-moving structural member of a bale accumulator.
  • a linear path specific confinement element may be understood to include any element capable of confining a motion of a linear path specific motive force carriage element to a linear path.
  • a linear path specific confinement element in some embodiments may include at least one rail (8).
  • Such a rail (8) should be understood to include any rigid elongate structure having relatively long and narrow dimensions such as to approximate a linear path.
  • various embodiments may involve disposing a channel (9) on such a rail (8).
  • a channel (9) should be understood to include any groove-like structure extending along a lengthwise dimension of a rail (8).
  • channels may include V-shaped channels, U-shaped channels, or block-shaped channels having at least one opening.
  • embodiments may involve multiple rails, for example at least two parallel rails.
  • such linear path specific confinement elements in various embodiments may be transversely disposed below a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • Embodiments may further include at least one confinement interface element.
  • Such a confinement interface element should be understood to include any element capable of facilitating confinement of a motion of a linear path specific motive force carriage element to a linear path defined by the linear path specific confinement element.
  • such a confinement interface element may accomplish such facilitation by being disposed between a linear path specific motive force carriage element and a linear path specific confinement element.
  • various embodiments may involve a rail translatable interface element, which may be understood to include an interface element capable of being translated along at least a portion of the length of a rail (8).
  • Such a rail translatable interface element in fact may be a channel engaged rail translatable interface element, which may be understood to include such an interface element situated within a channel (9) of a rail (8).
  • Examples of a channel engaged rail translatable interface element may include wheels, roller bearings, ball bearings, and the like.
  • bale reception surface (11) should be understood to include any surface capable of receiving a bale (3) transferred from another surface, for example from a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • a bale reception surface (11) may be substantially contiguously disposed with respect to a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • the term substantially contiguous should be understood to include fully or perhaps nearly fully in contact along an edge, but may allow for minor discontinuances in such contact, for example perhaps planar displacement along such edges or inexact overlap at the ends of such edges.
  • a bale reception surface (11) may be configured to receive at least one bale (3) unidirectionally transversely transferred across a bale accumulation surface (1) in a neutral orientation.
  • a bale reception surface (11) in various embodiments may have a width dimension. Such a width dimension may be understood to include a dimension measured perpendicularly to a lengthwise axis of a bale reception surface (11).
  • Embodiments may include a bale reception surface (11) having a discrete multiple in-line bale row width. Such a width may be understood to be a width measured in discrete multiples of the width of a row of in-line bales. Accordingly, a bale reception surface (11) may be dimensioned to accommodate the width of one multiple in-line bale row (22), two multiple in-line bale rows (22), or perhaps even more than two multiple in-line bale rows (22).
  • Various embodiments may include a tilt specific motive force application element (12) and a bale reception surface tilt element joined to a bale reception surface (11).
  • a tilt specific motive force application element (12) should be understood to include any element capable of applying a force to a bale reception surface (11) enabling such a surface to undergo a tilting motion about a tilt element.
  • Such a tilt specific motive force application element in various embodiments perhaps may include electric motors, internal combustion engines, or perhaps hydraulics, including perhaps in some embodiments a hydraulic cylinder having a 2 inch by 20 inch stroke.
  • a tilt element should be understood to include any element capable of permitting a bale reception surface (11) to tilt, and in various embodiments may include a hinge element (13).
  • a tilt element in various embodiments may have an axis of rotation transversely oriented with respect to a bale accumulation surface (1). Stated differently, such a tilt element may permit a bale reception surface (11) to tilt in a direction parallel to a lengthwise axis of a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • a bale support surface may include at least one bale alignment zone (14).
  • a bale alignment zone (14) may be understood to include an area of a bale support surface defining a desired configuration to which one or more bales (3) may be aligned.
  • embodiments may include a multiple in-line bale alignment zone (14), which may be understood to include zones having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of multiple in-line bales, or perhaps even a multiple inline bale row alignment zone, which may be understood to include zones having dimensions corresponding to multiple rows of in-line bales.
  • a multiple in-line bale alignment zone 14
  • a bale alignment zone (14) in various embodiments may include at least one bale alignment boundary (15).
  • the term bale alignment boundary (15) may be understood to include boundaries of a bale alignment zone (14) to which at least one bale (3) may be conformed for alignment. It may be appreciated that such bale alignment boundaries may take a variety of configurations.
  • various embodiments may include a bale alignment boundary (15) having a bale dimension coordinated boundary length. Such a length may be a length selected to coordinate to a dimension of a bale (3).
  • such lengths may include lengths coordinated to at least one lateral edge (18) of multiple in-line bales, at least two opposing lateral edges (19) of multiple in-line bales, or perhaps a multiple in-line bale row interlineated lateral edge (20), which may be understood to include the interior edges of two adjacent rows of multiple in-line bales.
  • Various embodiments may include a support surface emplaced bale override alignment element (16) situated at a bale alignment boundary (15).
  • a bale override alignment element (16) should be understood to include an alignment element capable of aligning one or more bales (3) at rest by physical contact, while permitting the same such bales (3) to override the alignment element when sufficient motive force is applied to such bales (3).
  • the term support surface emplaced should be understood to involve emplacing such a bale override alignment element (16) directly on a bale support surface. It may be appreciated that such emplacement may be accomplished by any suitable technique, for example including mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, or the like.
  • Embodiments also may include a support surface contiguous bale override alignment element (16), which may be understood to involve emplacing a bale override alignment element (16) in contiguous contact with a bale support surface for at least one lengthwise dimension of such a bale override alignment element (16).
  • Embodiments may further involve a bale alignment boundary dimensioned bale override alignment element, which may be understood to involve selecting dimensions of a bale override alignment element (16) to correlate with the dimensions of a bale alignment boundary (15). For example, for a linear bale alignment boundary (15), such correlation may involve selecting a linearly dimensioned bale override alignment element (16).
  • Embodiments also may involve selecting a maximum height for a bale override alignment element (16). It may be appreciated that selecting such a maximum height may relate to the ability of a bale override alignment element (16) to align bales (3) at rest versus the amount of motive force required to allow the same such bales (3) to override the alignment element.
  • a bale override alignment element (16) may be an angle iron (21) emplaced on a bale support surface at a bale alignment boundary (15).
  • Certain embodiments may further include a bale override interface (17) provided on a surface emplaced bale override alignment element (16).
  • bale override interface (17) it should be understood that a bale override alignment element (16) may have a surface that contacts a surface of a bale (3) as such a bale (3) may override such an alignment element.
  • such an interface may include a rounded bale override interface or perhaps an angled bale override interface, perhaps including an angle of an angle iron (21).
  • various embodiments may include a bale movement activated linear path specific motive force application element actuation sensor.
  • Such an actuation sensor should be understood to include any sensor for actuating a linear path specific motive force application element, wherein such a sensor is activated by the movement of at least one bale (3), perhaps including by multiple bales (3).
  • such an actuation sensor may include a pivot arm (22) disposed above a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • Such a pivot arm (22) should be understood to include any rigid, elongated member capable of being pivoted about an axis through contact with a bale (3).
  • Embodiments may further include a pivot arm linkage element (24) disposed below a bale accumulation surface (1) joined to said pivot arm (22).
  • Such a pivot arm linkage element (24) should be understood to include any object or assembly of objects capable of being affected by the pivot of a pivot arm (22).
  • Embodiments may further include a linear path specific motive force application element actuator (25) disposed below said bale accumulation surface (1) joined to said pivot arm linkage element (24).
  • Such an actuator should be understood to include any object or assembly of objects capable of actuating a linear path specific motive force application element in response to an effect generated in a pivot arm linkage element (24) by the pivot of a pivot arm (22).
  • Various embodiments may include a bale input end (26) of a bale accumulation surface (1) and a bale sensor end (27) of a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • a bale input end (26) may be understood to include an end of a bale accumulation surface (1) at which bales (3) may be placed onto such a bale accumulation surface (1)
  • a bale sensor end (27) may be understood to include an end of a bale accumulation surface (1) at which an actuation sensor may be placed.
  • such a bale input end (26) and a bale sensor end (27) may be separated by a surface area of such a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • Such a surface area may be any appropriate length for a bale accumulation task, and may for example include a discrete multiple in-line bale length area (28) of a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • Embodiments may further involve establishing a pivot arm (22) at a bale sensor end (27) of such a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • Embodiments also may include a bale movement activated tilt specific motive force application element actuation sensor.
  • Such an actuation sensor should be understood to include any sensor for actuating a tilt specific motive force application element (12), wherein such a sensor is activated by the movement of at least one bale (3), perhaps including by multiple bales (3).
  • such an actuation sensor may include a push-over plate disposed above a bale reception surface (11).
  • Such a push-over plate (29) should be understood to include any rigid plate capable of being pushed over an axis through contact with a bale (3).
  • Embodiments may further include a push-over plate linkage element (30) disposed below a bale reception surface (11) joined to said push-over plate (29).
  • Such a push-over plate linkage element (30) should be understood to include any object or assembly of objects capable of being affected by the push-over action of a push-over plate (29).
  • Embodiments may further include a tilt specific motive force application element actuator (31) disposed below said bale accumulation surface (1) joined to said push-over plate linkage element (30).
  • Such an actuator should be understood to include any object or assembly of objects capable of actuating a tilt specific motive force application element (12) in response to an effect generated in a push-over plate linkage element (30) by the push-over action of a pushover plate (29).
  • Various embodiments also may include a bale input side (32) of a bale reception surface (11) and a bale sensor side (33) of a bale reception surface (11).
  • a bale input side (32) of a bale reception surface (11)
  • a bale sensor side (33) of a bale reception surface (11).
  • bales (3) may be received onto such a bale reception surface (11), for example perhaps in being transferred from a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • a bale sensor side (33) may be understood to include a side of a bale reception surface (11) at which an actuation sensor may be placed.
  • a bale input side (32) and a bale sensor side (33) may be separated by a surface area of such a bale reception surface (11).
  • Such a surface area may be of any appropriate width for a bale reception task, and may for example include a discrete multiple in-line bale row width area (34) of a bale reception surface (11).
  • Embodiments may further involve establishing a push-over plate (29) at a bale sensor side
  • bale accumulation method in various embodiments may be disclosed.
  • Various embodiments may involve depositing at least one bale (3) on a bale support surface and applying a motive force to move such a bale (3).
  • a bale support surface in various embodiments may include a bale accumulation surface (1), and applying such a motive force may include applying a linear path specific motive force.
  • Embodiments may further include applying such a motive force to a bale transfer element and moving such a bale (3) with such a bale transfer element.
  • embodiments may involve moving multiple bales (3), including perhaps multiple in-line bales, or perhaps even multiple in-line bale rows (22).
  • Applying a linear path specific motive force in some embodiments may include cyclically applying and cyclically releasing such a motive force, perhaps even involving steps of cyclically extending and cyclically retracting.
  • Cyclically extending in certain embodiments may involve extending for a discrete bale width distance, perhaps including extending for a distance of about one bale width.
  • embodiments may involve accomplishing a total cycle time of less than about 6 seconds, less than about 5 seconds, less than about 4 seconds, less than about 3 seconds, less than about 2 seconds, less than about 1 second, or perhaps even less than about 0.5 seconds.
  • applying a linear path specific motive force may involve hydraulically applying a linear path specific motive force, perhaps with a hydraulic linear path specific motive force application element (7), which may for example include hydraulic cylinders of suitable dimensions and capacity, and in some embodiments perhaps a 2 inch by 24 inch stroke hydraulic cylinder.
  • applying a linear path specific motive force may include doing so beneath a bale accumulation surface (1) and may further involve delivering such force to a unidirectional orientation neutral bale transfer element disposed above such a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • a force may be delivered perhaps by moving a linear path specific motive force carriage element located beneath said bale accumulation surface (1) as a result of said applied linear path specific motive force, establishing a linear path specific opening (4) transversely disposed through said bale accumulation surface (1), transferring said linear path specific motive force applied below said bale accumulation surface (1) through such a linear path specific opening (4) via a linear path specific motive force transfer element situated through said linear path specific opening (4) and joined to said linear path specific motive force carriage element, and joining said linear path specific motive force transfer element to a unidirectional orientation neutral bale transfer element disposed above said bale accumulation surface (1).
  • Embodiments also may involve elastically retrieving a motive force carriage element, for example perhaps with a spring element (35).
  • elastically retrieving should be understood to include progressively resisting a linear path specific motive force applied to a motive force carriage element, followed by regressively applying a return force tending to return such a motive force carriage element to its original position.
  • Embodiments also may include moving a bale (3) in a specific linear path.
  • Such specific linear path movement perhaps may be accomplished by specifically confining a motion of a linear path specific motive force carriage element to a linear path located below a bale accumulation surface (1) and transversely oriented to said bale accumulation surface (1).
  • Such confinement may be applied to a linear path specific motive force carriage element perhaps by providing a confinement interface along such a linear path located below said bale accumulation surface (1) and transversely oriented to said bale accumulation surface (1).
  • confining a linear path specific motive force carriage element in this manner may consequently confine a linear path specific motive force transfer element joined to said carriage element and a unidirectional orientation neutral bale transfer element joined to said motive force transfer element, thereby resulting in moving a bale (3) along a specific linear path.
  • Specifically confining a motion of a linear path specific motive force carriage element in some embodiments may include using a rail (8) to specifically confine such motion, perhaps even using a channel (9) disposed on such a rail (8).
  • Embodiments also may include using multiple such rails, perhaps including using at least two parallel such rails.
  • providing a confinement interface in certain embodiments may include translating an interface element along such a rail (8), perhaps including engaging such an interface element to a channel (9) disposed on such a rail (8), or perhaps even including situating a bearing (10) within such a channel (9).
  • a confinement interface element between a linear path specific motive force carriage element and a linear path specific confinement element, it may be appreciated that the motion of a linear path specific motive force carriage element may be confined to a linear path defined by such a linear path specific confinement element.
  • moving a bale (3) on a bale accumulation surface (1) may include receiving a bale (3) on such a bale accumulation surface (1) output from a baler and unidirectionally moving such a bale (3) transversely across a bale accumulation surface (1) in a neutral orientation using a unidirectional orientation neutral bale transfer element.
  • Moving such a bale (3) may be over any distance as may be necessary or desirable, including perhaps moving such a bale (3) for a discrete bale width distance, perhaps even for a discrete bale width distance of about one bale width.
  • bales (3) may be moved over such a distance in a period of time of perhaps less than about 6 seconds, less than about 5 seconds, less than about 4 seconds, less than about 3 seconds, less than about 2 seconds, less than about 1 second, or perhaps even less than about 0.5 seconds.
  • Embodiments also may include substantially contiguously disposing a bale reception surface (11) proximate to a bale accumulation surface (1). Certain embodiments may involve dimensioning such a bale reception surface (11) to a discrete multiple in-line bale row width. Embodiments also may involve applying a tilt specific motive force to such a bale reception surface (11) and tilting such a bale reception surface (11) about a tilt element, perhaps even including tiling such a bale reception surface (11) about a hinge element (13). Moreover, such tilting of a bale reception surface (11) may include tilting about an axis of rotation transversely oriented with respect to a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • Various embodiments also may include receiving one or more bales (3) on a bale reception surface (11), and depositing onto the ground such bales (3) received on a bale reception surface (11) through such action of tilting a bale reception surface (11).
  • Various embodiments may also involve aligning bales (3) on various bale support surfaces.
  • Some embodiments may include positioning at least one bale (3) deposited on a bale support surface within a bale alignment zone (14) of such a bale support surface, establishing a bale alignment boundary (15) of such a bale alignment zone (14), emplacing a bale override alignment element (16) at a bale support surface location of such a bale alignment boundary (15), providing a bale override interface (17) of such a bale override alignment element (16), incurring contact between such a bale (3) and such a bale override alignment interface, and aligning such a bale (3) within such a bale alignment zone (14) as a result of incurring such contact.
  • positioning at least one bale (3) in various embodiments may include positioning multiple in-line bales, or perhaps even multiple in-line bale rows (22).
  • Establishing a bale alignment boundary (15) in some embodiments may include establishing a bale dimension coordinated boundary length.
  • Examples of establishing such a bale dimension coordinated boundary length in various embodiments may include coordinating such a length to at least one lateral edge (18) of multiple in-line bales, coordinating such a length to at least two opposing lateral edges (19) of multiple in-line bales, or perhaps even coordinating such a length to a multiple in-line bale row interlineated lateral edge (20).
  • Emplacing a bale override alignment element (16) in certain embodiments may involve substantially contiguously emplacing a bale override alignment element (16) at a bale support surface location of a bale alignment boundary (15). Moreover, embodiments may involve selecting dimensions of a bale override alignment element (16) to coordinate with a bale alignment boundary (15), perhaps including selecting a maximum height of such a bale override alignment element (16) of less than about 3 inches, less than about 2 inches, less than about 1 inch, or perhaps even less than about 0.5 inches. Additionally, providing a bale override interface (17) may include providing a rounded bale override interface, providing an angled bale override interface, or perhaps even providing an angle on an angle iron (21).
  • Various embodiments also may include contacting a bale (3) to a bale override alignment interface while such a bale (3) is being moved over a bale support surface. Such contacting may involve, for example, lateral contact along a side of a bale override alignment interface, or perhaps even overriding a bale override alignment interface. Moreover, contacting a bale (3) may involve contacting multiple bales (3), perhaps including multiple in-line bales (3) or possibly even multiple in-line bale rows (22). Now referring again primarily to Fig. 10, embodiments also may include actuating various motive forces through various bale movements.
  • some embodiments may include activating a linear path specific motive force application element actuation sensor with at least one bale (3), or perhaps multiple bales (3). While it may be appreciated that various configurations may be available to achieve such actuation, some embodiments may involve displacing a pivot arm (22) located above a bale accumulation surface (1) with at least one bale (3), affecting a pivot arm linkage element (24) disposed below such a bale accumulation surface (1) as a result of displacing such a pivot arm (22), and actuating a linear path specific motive force application element actuator (25) disposed below such a bale accumulation surface (1) as a result of affecting such a pivot arm linkage element (24).
  • embodiments may involve establishing a bale input end (26) of a bale accumulation surface (1), establishing a bale sensor end (27) of a bale accumulation surface (1), and separating such bale input end (26) and such bale sensor end (27) with a discrete multiple in-line bale length area (28) of a bale accumulation surface (1).
  • Some embodiments may include receiving bales (3) onto such a bale accumulation surface (1) at such a bale input end (26) and situating a pivot arm (22) at such a bale sensor end (27).
  • some embodiments may include activating a tilt specific motive force application element actuation sensor with at least one bale (3), or perhaps multiple bales (3). While it may be appreciated that various configurations may be available to achieve such actuation, some embodiments may involve displacing a push-over plate (29) located above a bale reception surface (11) with at least one bale (3), affecting a pushover plate linkage element (30) disposed below such a bale reception surface (11) as a result of displacing such a push-over plate (29), and actuating a tilt specific motive force application element actuator (31) disposed below such a bale reception surface (11) as a result of affecting such a push-over plate linkage element (30).
  • embodiments may involve establishing a bale input side (32) of a bale reception surface (11), establishing a bale sensor side (33) of a bale reception surface (11), and separating such bale input side (32) and such bale sensor side (33) with a discrete multiple in-line bale row width area (34) of a bale reception surface (11).
  • Some embodiments may include receiving bales (3) onto such a bale reception surface (11) at such a bale input side (32) and situating a push-over sensor at such a bale sensor side (33).
  • the methods and apparatus described herein perhaps may permit improved efficiencies in moving bales over various bale support surfaces.
  • the total path distance through which a bale may be moved perhaps may be minimized, in as much as bales may be subjected to the perhaps minimal steps of receiving bales on a bale accumulation surface (1), transferring bales transversely across said bale accumulation surface (1) to a bale reception surface (11), and tilting said bale reception surface (11) to deposit bales on the ground.
  • such movements may eliminate perhaps superfluous movements such as flipping, rotating, stacking, lifting, or dropping individual bales, and may eliminate performing such steps on multiple platforms or multiple levels, the foregoing of which may be commonplace in conventional bale accumulation processes to at least some degree.
  • the application of motive forces may be efficiently maximized, for example perhaps by eliminating the need to harness such motive forces to accomplish the possibly superfluous movements described, and perhaps by directing such motive forces in efficient configurations, such as linear path specific configurations and tilt specific configurations.
  • such perhaps minimal number of steps may represent simplified bale accumulation methods and apparatus compared to conventional bale accumulation methods and apparatus, perhaps increasing reliability in bale accumulation by presenting fewer opportunities for errors in the bale accumulation process.
  • bale override alignment elements may permit the alignment of bales on bale support surfaces without substantially restricting the paths by which such bales may be moved through thereon, again perhaps promoting the efficient movement of bales on bale support surfaces.
  • the minimal number of steps, reduced total path distance, and bale override alignment techniques of the present inventive technology may contribute to a more rapid bale accumulation process as compared to conventional techniques, perhaps helping to permit the present bale accumulation methods and apparatus to keep up with the output of modern automated balers.
  • the basic concepts of the present inventive technology may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both bale accumulation techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate bale accumulation.
  • the bale accumulation techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described.
  • some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways.
  • all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.
  • each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners.
  • an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected.
  • This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these.
  • the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms ⁇ even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action.
  • each of the bale accumulation devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, and xii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every
  • any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Storage Of Harvested Produce (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système d'accumulation de bottes qui permet de recevoir, de déplacer et d'accumuler des bottes (3) sur une surface de support de bottes. Le système peut impliquer de déplacer lesdites bottes (3) suivant des déplacements spécifiques à un chemin linéaire et transversalement par rapport à une surface (1) d'accumulation de bottes. Le système peut également consister à recevoir lesdites bottes (3) sur une surface (11) de réception des bottes et à basculer ladite surface (11) de réception des bottes pour déposer les bottes (3) sur le sol. Les bottes (3) peuvent être alignées suivant diverses configurations sur une surface (1) de support des bottes éventuellement sans limiter sensiblement leurs déplacements sur une telle surface (1) de support de bottes éventuellement au moyen d'éléments (16) d'alignement prioritaire des bottes. La configuration du système de support de bottes peut également minimiser une distance de chemin total sur lequel les bottes (3) peuvent être déplacées, ce qui éventuellement réduit le temps nécessaire pour accumuler des bottes (3).
PCT/US2006/016297 2006-04-27 2006-04-27 Procédés et appareil permettant d'accumuler des bottes WO2007133186A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/016297 WO2007133186A2 (fr) 2006-04-27 2006-04-27 Procédés et appareil permettant d'accumuler des bottes
EP07748980A EP2019582A4 (fr) 2006-04-27 2007-01-19 Systeme de manipulation et d'accumulation de balles
CA002685322A CA2685322A1 (fr) 2006-04-27 2007-01-19 Systeme de manipulation et d'accumulation de balles
PCT/US2007/001386 WO2007126451A2 (fr) 2006-04-27 2007-01-19 Systeme de manipulation et d'accumulation de balles
US11/957,299 US7621709B2 (en) 2006-04-27 2007-12-14 Bale handling and accumulation system
US12/623,295 US20100068007A1 (en) 2006-04-27 2009-11-20 Bale Handling and Accumulation System

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/016297 WO2007133186A2 (fr) 2006-04-27 2006-04-27 Procédés et appareil permettant d'accumuler des bottes

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/001386 Continuation-In-Part WO2007126451A2 (fr) 2006-04-27 2007-01-19 Systeme de manipulation et d'accumulation de balles
US11/957,299 Continuation US7621709B2 (en) 2006-04-27 2007-12-14 Bale handling and accumulation system

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/001386 Continuation-In-Part WO2007126451A2 (fr) 2006-04-27 2007-01-19 Systeme de manipulation et d'accumulation de balles
US11/957,299 Continuation-In-Part US7621709B2 (en) 2006-04-27 2007-12-14 Bale handling and accumulation system

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WO2007133186A3 WO2007133186A3 (fr) 2009-09-17

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7621709B2 (en) 2006-04-27 2009-11-24 Lifetime Enterprises, Llc Bale handling and accumulation system

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4951452A (en) * 1989-06-09 1990-08-28 Ezra C. Lundahl, Inc. Large bale hay baler
US20020184870A1 (en) * 1997-09-02 2002-12-12 Spaniol Phillip G. Agricultural bale accumulator having a load bed extension module

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4951452A (en) * 1989-06-09 1990-08-28 Ezra C. Lundahl, Inc. Large bale hay baler
US20020184870A1 (en) * 1997-09-02 2002-12-12 Spaniol Phillip G. Agricultural bale accumulator having a load bed extension module

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7621709B2 (en) 2006-04-27 2009-11-24 Lifetime Enterprises, Llc Bale handling and accumulation system

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