Patent ID: 6302015
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: A01F

Abstract:
In a square baler having an intermittently operated knotter shaft that becomes operably connected with a continuously rotating drive component during each knotter cycle, the improvement comprising:a clutch includinga dog mounted for rotation with the knotter shaft,a driving lug mounted on the component and engageable with the dog at a pickup point on the path of travel of the lug for transferring driving power from the component to the knotter shaft when the lug is engaged with the dog,a spring yieldly urging the dog toward an engaged position in which the dog is disposed in the path of travel of the lug so that the lug engages the dog when the lug reaches the pickup point on its path of travel, thereby placing the clutch in an engaged condition,said dog being holdable in a retracted position corresponding to a disengaged condition of the clutch in which the dog is out of the path of travel of the lug so that the lug passes by the dog when the lug reaches the pickup point; anda control for the clutch includinga releasable retainer for releasably holding the dog in said retracted position against the bias of said spring,a reset device rotatable with the dog when the clutch is engaged and disposed for resetting the released retainer during each knotting cycle such that the retainer is enabled to contact the dog and return the dog to its retracted position when the dog and lug arrive back at the pickup point after completing the knotter cycle,a cam on the component,a follower on the retainer,said cam and said follower being so disposed that the cam blocks release of the retainer when the lug is at the pickup point,said releasable retainer including a support movable into and out of a retaining position and a member mounted on said support in a blocking position for blocking movement of the dog to its engaged position when the support is in its retaining position,said member being shiftable relative to the support out of said blocking position,said retainer further including a relief spring biasing the member toward its blocking position but allowing the member to be forcibly shifted away from said blocking position if necessary to allow the dog to clear the member during rotation of the dog with the component.