Patent ID: 6622620
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
An apparatus for engaging a standing tree, compressing a plurality of branches of said tree toward a trunk of said tree, and binding said plurality of branches around said trunk while said plurality of branches are thus compressed, comprising:a) a support structure attached to a rigid horizontal arcuate frame, said arcuate frame partially circumscribing a vertical channel occupiable by said standing tree and said arcuate frame further having a horizontal channel therethrough through which said tree enters into said vertical channel when said tree is laterally engaged for baling and through which said tree exits at conclusion of baling; b) means for compressing said plurality of branches of said standing tree toward said trunk of said tree; c) a horizontal arcuate guide operatively connected to said arcuate frame, said arcuate guide partially circumscribing said vertical channel, said arcuate guide further having a horizontal passageway therethrough through which said standing tree enters into said vertical channel when said tree is laterally engaged for baling and through which said tree exits at the conclusion of baling; d) an assembly for rotating said arcuate guide in a complete orbit around said vertical channel, said assembly for rotating comprising a drive motor operatively connected to a plurality of rotatable drive wheels, said plurality of rotatable drive wheels being frictionally enpayable with a perimeter of said arcuate guide and said arcuate guide being rotatably mounted upon a plurality of carrier rollers, said plurality of carrier rollers being disposed at points along a path beneath said arcuate frame with a carrier roller among said plurality of carrier rollers being rotatable around a horizontal axis and being operatively connected to said arcuate frame and said arcuate guide being rotatable mounted between a plurality of external guide rollers and a plurality of internal guide rollers with said plurality of external guide rollers and said plurality of internal guide rollers being operatively connected to said arcuate frame; e) means for binding said plurality of branches of said standing tree around said trunk of said tree while said plurality of branches are compressed.