Abstract:
A table extension is provide and is adapted for movement between a bagging position and a transport position for use with an agricultural bagging machine. The table extension comprises a table for conveying material to be bagged to the agricultural bagging machine, a frame for supporting the table, and a lift mechanism adapted for moving the table between the bagging position and the transport position with the lift mechanism in operable communication with said frame. The table extension is hydraulically powered and utilizes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders and mechanism assembly to accomplish movement between the bagging and the transport position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a table extension for an agricultural bagging machine, and in particular to a table extension that moves between a bagging position and a transport position preferably under hydraulic power.  
         [0002]     Agricultural bagging machines are well known in the art, and are used to bag all types of agricultural materials into very long plastic bags. The bags are essentially horizontal silos that lie on the ground. The bagging machines consist of some type of a loading device like a conveyer or hopper, which feeds the material to an auger or rotor that forces the material into the bags. Often the machines include some means to control the density or compaction of the material in the bag. As the bags fill, the agricultural bagging machine moves forward in a controlled manner and deploys the bag horizontally along the ground.  
         [0003]     During operation, trucks unload the material to be bagged into the loader of the agricultural bagging machine at a rate controlled by the throughput of the bagging machine. In most situations the trucks can unload faster than the agricultural bagging machine can process the material, as such the trucks tend to back up and wait to unload the material.  
         [0004]     Additionally, the agricultural bagging machines can be quite large. The bags alone can reach 12 to 14 feet in diameter, with the machine at least this wide. Obviously, the machines are of such a size that transportation of the machines can be difficult. Agricultural bagging machines are often too wide to transport safely, or legally, within a single lane of traffic.  
         [0005]     Thus, a need exists for a device that can increase the capacity of agricultural bagging machines and that can be safely transported on conventional roadways.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     An object of the present invention is to provide a table extension for an agricultural bagging machine that moves between a bagging position and a transport position.  
         [0007]     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification, drawings, and claims.  
         [0008]     The present invention intends to overcome the difficulties encountered heretofore. To that end, a table extension is provided and is adapted for movement between a bagging position and a transport position for use with an agricultural bagging machine. The table extension comprises a table for conveying material to be bagged to the agricultural bagging machine, a frame for supporting the table, and a lift mechanism adapted for moving the table between the bagging position and the transport position with the lift mechanism in operable communication with said frame. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a table extension of the present invention in a transport position.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the table extension in a bagging position.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the table extension attached to an agricultural bagging machine.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the table extension attached to the agricultural bagging machine and receiving material to be bagged from a truck.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the table extension with the table removed.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a partially exploded perspective view of a frame, and axle assembly of the table extension.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a partially exploded perspective view of the axle assembly of the table extension.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a partially exploded perspective view of a linkage assembly and axle assembly of the table extension.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a detail view of the circled portion shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a partially exploded perspective view of the table extension and in particular of a hitch assembly thereof.  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a partially explode perspective view of the circled portion shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a partially exploded perspective view of a table of the table extension, and in particular of a motor for powering the table.  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a partially exploded perspective view of the circled portion shown in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a partially exploded perspective view of a table of the table extension, and in particular of a hook thereof.  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a partially exploded perspective view of the circled portion shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the table extension in the bagging position and attached to an intake end of the agricultural bagging machine.  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  is a first side view of the table extension in the bagging position and attached to the intake end of the agricultural bagging machine.  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  is a second side view, opposite to the first side view shown in  FIG. 17 , of the table extension in the bagging position and attached to the intake end of the agricultural bagging machine.  
         [0027]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the table extension in the transport position.  
         [0028]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a portion of the table extension shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     In the Figures,  FIG. 1  shows a table extension  10  of a type that includes a conveyor  11  for conveying material to be bagged to an agricultural bagging machine  12  (see  FIGS. 2-3 ). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the agricultural bagging machine  12  is a Roto-Pac bagging machine provided by Sioux Automation Center of Sioux Center, Iowa. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the present invention is not necessarily so limited.  
         [0030]     The table extension  10  is preferably designed for use as a secondary or additional means of conveying material to be bagged, in that it attaches to a conveyor that is permanently attached at an intake end of the agricultural bagging machine  12 . Again, the invention, however, is not necessarily limited thereby. The use of the table extension  10  adds capacity to the agricultural bagging machine  12 , helps to level out the material to be bagged across the width of the conveyor  11  so as to increase the throughput of the agricultural bagging machine  12 , and due to the unique design of a lift mechanism  14  of the table extension  10 , allows the table extension  10  to easily move between a bagging position and a transport position (see  FIGS. 1, 2 ). Furthermore, the unique design of the table extension  10  is of a width that allows it to be transported on conventional roadways while in the transport position.  
         [0031]     For ease of reference, the table extension  10  is given two distinct frames of reference depending on whether the table extension  10  is in the transport or bagging positions. In particular, in the transport position the table extension  10  is capable of being towed by a vehicle (not shown). Accordingly, in this position the table extension  10  has a forward end  20  located at the end closest to a trailer hitch  18  and a rearward end  22  opposite thereto (see  FIG. 1 ). In the bagging position, the table extension is attached to the conveyer of the agricultural bagging machine  12 . As mentioned, the table extension  10  transports the material to be bagged to the machine  12 . Thus, in this position the conveyor has a forward end  24  were the material to be bagged is loaded from a truck  16 , and a rearward  26  opposite thereto were the material to be bagged exits the table extension  10  and enters the conveyor of the agricultural bagging machine  12  (See  FIG. 2 ).  
         [0032]     It should be noted that the direction of movement of the table extension  10  when in the transport position is perpendicular to the direction of movement is different of the table extension  10  when in the bagging position. The relative directions of movement correspond to the orientation of the forward and rearward ends in the two positions. That is, in the bagging position the agricultural bagging machine  12  moves in a direction that moves the forward end  24  of the table extension  10  ahead of the rearward end  26 . Likewise, in the transport position the table extension  10  is moved under the power of a towing vehicle that moves the forward end  20  of the table extension  10  ahead of the rearward end  22 .  
         [0033]     In operation, the table extension  10  includes a table  30  that utilizes conventional chain and slat means to convey the material from the forward end  24  to the rearward end  26  during bagging operation. The table extension  10  includes a conventional hydraulic table motor  28  mounted to the table  30  for this purpose (the motor  28  is shown in detail but not described as it is of a conventional design and not considered an essential component of the present invention). The table  30  further includes hook plates  33  (see  FIGS. 13, 15 ) that fit over a nose tube  27  (see  FIG. 17 ) of the load table of the agricultural bagging machine  12  in the bagging position. In particular,  FIG. 13  shows the hook  33  portion of the table  30  located on the forward end  20  of the table extension  10 , while  FIG. 15  shows the hook  33  portion of the table  30  located on the rearward end  22  of the table extension  10 . The hooks  33  mount to plates  25  attached to the side of the table  30 . The hooks  33  are shaped to fit over an end of a conveyor axle  124 , which is driven by the motor  28  used to drive the conveyor  11 . The hooks  33  also contain a slot  126  shaped to fit over table brackets  31 . Conventional nut and bolt fasteners  39  secure the hooks  33  to the table  30 . In particular, a rectangular bracket  35  secures to the table bracket  31  on one end of the hooks  33 . On the rearward end  22  ( FIG. 15 ), the hook  33  also includes an angle bracket  37  pivotally attached to an ear  128  on the upper edge of the table  30 , and then the fasteners  39  secure the hook  33  to the bracket  37 . On the forward end  20  ( FIG. 13 ), the hook  33  attaches directly to the ear  128  and uses a rectangular bracket  35 . Finally, a ring  34  is provided to fit around the end of the nose tube  27 . A fastener  29  is then attached to a pin  43  located on the hook  33  to hold the ring  34  in place.  
         [0034]     The table extension  10  includes a lift mechanism  14  that underlies and supports the table  30 . The table extension  10  also includes moveable side panels  23  that move into an upright horizontal position when the table extension  10  is in the bagging position, and lie flat on top of the table  30  when table extension  10  is in the transport position (see  FIGS. 1-2 ).  
         [0035]     The lift mechanism  14  moves the table extension  10  between the bagging and transport position, as well as providing support for the table  30 . The lift mechanism  14  utilizes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders to operate a modified 4-bar linkage  34  to accomplish the movement. In particular, an axle lift cylinder  36  and a main folding cylinder  38  are the primary cylinders for moving the lift mechanism  14  between the bagging position and the transport position. The lift mechanism  14  also utilizes a table angle cylinder  40  and a hitch height cylinder  42  in the process. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the lift mechanism  14  is hydraulically driven and includes a power 4-bank hydraulic valve and manifold  44  (see  FIG. 18 ) for control and supply of hydraulic power to the cylinders  36 ,  38 , 40 ,  42 .  
         [0036]     The structural components of the lift mechanism  14  will now be described in order better understand the movement of the lift mechanism  14  between the bagging and transport positions. These components comprise generally an axle assembly  46 , a linkage assembly  56 , and a hitch assembly  64 , and will be described initially while in, and in reference to, the transport position. The axle assembly  46 , best shown in  FIGS. 6, 7 , of the lift mechanism  14  includes and axle  48  that connects to two wheels  50  used for transportation of the table extension  10 . An axle frame  52  is connected to the ends of the axle  48  with conventional nut and bolt fasteners  49 , and is generally located above and forward of the axle  48 . The axle frame  52  includes two side beams  54  connected perpendicularly to an axle cover  51  of the axle frame member  52 . The axle cover  51  secures directly over the axle  48 , with the side beams  54  extending forward therefrom. The axle frame  52  also includes struts  58  secured to the side beams  54  and the axle cover  51  for additional support. Also, the axle frame  52  includes a cylindrical pivot bar  53  that secures to collars  63  on the forward end of either side beam  54 . A linkage saddle  55  attaches to the center of the axle cover  51 . A pivot lever  66  secures to the pivot bar  53  by attaching a nut and bolt fasteners  47  through a pivot lever bracket  65  that surrounds a portion of the pivot bar  53  and attaches to a rounded bracket end  17  of the pivot lever  66 . The axle lift cylinder  36  secures on one end to a lower ear  67  on the pivot lever  66 , and the other end secures at the junction of the side beam  54  and the axle  48 . The pivot lever  66  also includes an upper ear  69 .  
         [0037]     Turning now to the linkage assembly  56 , shown best in  FIGS. 6, 9 , and  8 , the linkage assembly  56  is comprised of two longitudinally orientated frame members  62 . A plurality of reinforcing blocking members  68  secure and support the frame members  62  along the length thereof. Further support is provided by gussets  70  attached to either side of at least the centermost blocking members  68  closest to the main folding cylinder  38 . Two upright triangularly shaped beams  72  pivotably attach to the inside of the two frame members  62  and extend upward therefrom. The upright beams  72  are secured to the inside of the frame members  62  with elongated bolt and nut fasteners  71  that pass through the frame members  62  as well as the bottom of the upright beams  72 . The connection allows the upright beams  72  to pivot at the juncture with the frame members  62 .  
         [0038]     A support beam  74  pivotably attaches to the top of the two triangular upright beams  72  with elongated bolt and nut fasteners  19 , which pass through the upper ends of the triangular beams  72  and through collar tubes  73  on the end of the support beams  74 . A cotter pin  15  further secures the elongated bolt and nut fasteners  19 . The support beam  74  is the point of connection between the linkage assembly  56  and the table  30 . Collar brackets  76  pivotably attach with conventional nut and bolt fasteners through bracket holes  13  in the ends of the support beam  74  and then latch to the underside of the table  30  for this purpose. The collar brackets  76  detach and then are inserted through holes in collars  95  located on either side of the under side of the table  30 , thereby locking the table to the support beam  74  (see  FIGS. 19, 20 ). Together the support beam  74 , triangular beams  72 , and frame members  62  form the modified 4-bar linkage  34 .  
         [0039]     Additionally, an upright bar  60  pivotably mounts to one of the upright beams  72 , through the side of one of the beam members  62 . The elongated bolt and nut fasteners  71  pass through the upright bar  60 , a collar  45 , the beam member  62 , and the bottom of the upright beam  72  to form the pivoting connection (see  FIG. 6 ). The opposite end of the upright bar  60  pivotably connects to a linkage arm  61  with bolt and nut fasteners  57 . The upright bar  60  and linkage arm  61  also attach to a bracket plate  78  secured to the support beam  74 . The opposite end of the linkage arm  61  secures to the upper ear  69  of the pivot lever  66  with fastener  130 .  
         [0040]     The main folding cylinder  38  attaches to the end of the bracket plate  78  extending laterally outward from the support beam  74  with conventional nut and bolt fastener. The opposite end of the main folding cylinder  38  connects to the bracket plate  75  secured to a support plate  9  extending from the side of the support beam  74 .  
         [0041]     The table angle cylinder  40  secures to a bracket plate  77  secured to one of the frame members  62 , and then extends upward to connect to the underside of the table  30  by attaching at to the back side of hook plate  33  (see  FIGS. 13, 20 ). In particular, spacers  79  insert between the inside prongs of the bracket  77  and the outside of the connector on the bottom of the table angle cylinder  40 . A pin  81  inserts through the bottom of the table angle cylinder  40 , the spacers  79 , and the bracket  77  to secure the cylinder  40 . A cotter pin  83  then secures the pin  81 . The upper end of the table angle cylinder  40  secures in a similar manner by utilizing a bracket  85  and pin  87  that pass through an opening  89  in the top of the table angle cylinder  40 , and through holes in the sides of the bracket  85 . The bracket  85  secures to the table  30  by attachment to the back side of the hook plate  33  with nut and bolt fastener  91 . The table angle cylinder  40  also includes a cylinder lock  98  for use in preventing movement and damage to the cylinder  40  during transportation of the lift mechanism  10 . The cylinder lock  98  secures to the table angle cylinder  40  with fastener  132 . The fastener  132  passes through holes in the sides of the cylinder lock  98 , and through a hole in the center of the table angle cylinder  40 .  
         [0042]     Shown best in  FIG. 11 , the hitch assembly  64  will now be described. The hitch assembly  64  includes a hitch  18  that allows for attaching the table extension  10  to a towing vehicle. The hitch  18  includes two plates  82  separated by a narrow channel therebetween. The plates  82  include upper and lower holes  84 ,  86  for attachment of the structural components of the hitch assembly  64 . In particular, the hitch assembly  64  includes a three beam triangularly shaped yoke  88  that connects the hitch  18  and the frame members  62  of the linkage assembly  56 . The yoke  88  secures to the hitch  18  with a fastener  90 . Holes  92  in the end of the yoke  88  align with the lower holes  86  in the hitch  18 , the fastener  90  and a cotter pin  93  then secures the connection. The yoke  88  is pivotably attached to the frame members  62  and held in place between upper and lower channel plates  94 ,  96  shaped to capture the cylindrical beam  89  of the yoke  88 . The plates  94 ,  96  are then secured to each other with convention nut and bolt fasteners  100 . The upper plate  94  is rigidly attached to the frame members  62  by plates  102  welded thereto. A tierod  104  located above the yoke  88  secures on one end to the hitch  18 , and on the other end to a collar  106  located in the center of the upper plate  94 . The tierod  104  includes holes  110  on either end for attachment. A pin and connector  108  extends through one of the holes  110  in the tierod  104  to secure the tierod  104  to the collar  106 . A similar connector (not shown) extends through the other hole  110  in the tierod  104 , and through the upper holes  84  in the two plates  84  of the hitch  18 , wherein the tierod  104  fits in the channel located between the two plates  82 . A collar  112  is attached to the yoke  88  and includes a hole  114  to secure to a bracket  116  located on one end of the hitch height cylinder  42 . A pin and connector  118  secures through the hole  114  in the collar  112  and through holes in the bracket  116  of the hitch height cylinder  42 . The other end of the hitch height cylinder  42  secures to a bracket  120  located on one of the frame members  62  of the linkage assembly  56 . A cylinder lock  122  is provided to lock the hitch height cylinder  42  in place when the table extension  10  is in the transport position. The hitch height assembly  64  also includes a protective bumper plate  134  located on the upper channel plate  94 . An upright post  135  extends upward from one of the frame members  62  and provides support to the underside of the table  30  when the table extension  10  is in the bagging position.  
         [0043]     Operation of the table extension  10  begins in the transport position. The table extension  10  should be positioned adjacent the agricultural bagging machine  12 , and remain attached to the towing vehicle. A power source is then attached to the 4-bank hydraulic manifold  44  to provide operational control of the various hydraulic cylinders of the table extension  10 .  
         [0044]     Next, the table angle cylinder lock  98  and the hitch height cylinder lock  122  are removed to allow for release of the cylinders  40  and  42 . The table cylinder  40  is then retracted to move the table  30  from its transport position to a more horizontal position. The main folding cylinder  38  is then retracted to begin movement of the linkage assembly  56  and the axle assembly  46  into the bagging position. Retracting the main folding cylinder  38  moves the table  30  toward the forward end  20  of the table extension by pivoting the modified 4-bar linkage  34  in that direction. This moves the center of the weight of the table  30  off of the wheels  50 , where it is when the table extension  10  is in the bagging position, toward the center of the lift mechanism  14  and lowers the table  30  as the triangular beams  72  move from a vertical position to a more diagonal position. Retraction of the main folding cylinder  38  also begins moving the axle assembly  46  because of the connection of the upright beam  60  and the linkage arm  61  to the bracket plate  78 . Specifically, the linkage arm  61  is connected to the upper ear  69  of the lever plate  66 , which as the linkage assembly  56  begins to move toward the forward end  20  of the table extension, will begin to rotate the lever plate  66  as well as the pivot bar  53  of the axle assembly  46  which in turn causes the movement of the axle assembly  46  out from under the table extension  10  and toward the rearward end  26  of the table extension  10 .  
         [0045]     Next, the collar brackets  76  are then inserted through the holes in the collars located on the underside of the table, and latched to secure the table to the support beam  74 . The position of the table extension  10  can be precisely adjusted so that the hook plates  33  are centered over the nose tube  27  of the conveyor  11  of the agricultural bagging machine  12 . The table extension  12  can then be further lowered into position by retracting the axle lift cylinder  36  and the hitch height cylinder  42  until the hooks  33  fully engage the nose tube  27 . Retracting the axle lift cylinder  36  moves the axle assembly  46  further out from under the table extension  10  and toward the rearward end  26  of the table extension  10 . This is accomplished in a manner similar to that described above in reference to retraction of the main folding cylinder  38 . One end of the axle lift cylinder  36  is attached to the lower ear  67  of the pivot lever  66 . After retraction of the main folding cylinder  38  the pivot lever  66  will have rotated counterclockwise from the poison shown in  FIG. 6 , and will be generally held in place thereby. Retraction of the axle lift cylinder  36  will cause the axle assembly  46  to rotate counter clockwise as well, thus raising the wheels  50  off of the ground and into the position shown in  FIGS. 2, 16 , and  17 .  
         [0046]     Next, the table angle cylinder  40  can be adjusted to appropriately level the table  30  and bring the hooks  33  into full engagement with the nose tube  27 , and the lift mechanism  14  is level under the table  30 . The power source is disconnected from 4-bank hydraulic manifold  44  and released from the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle is then moved away from table extension  10  and agricultural bagging machine  12  bagger. The rings  41  can then be locked into place to secure the table  30  to the nose tube  27  of the agricultural bagging machine  12 . The side panels  23  of the table extension  10 , and the side panels  23  of the agricultural bagging  12  can be raised and locked into place. Finally, hydraulic hoses can be connected to the motor  28  to power the table  30 . The system is capable of operating the motor  28  and the motor on the conveyor of the agricultural bagging machine  12  in series from a central control panel of the agricultural bagging machine  12 .  
         [0047]     Converting from the bagging position to the transport position essentially requires reversing the process. The hydraulic attachment to the motor  28  is removed, and the side panels  23  of the table extension  10  lowered. The table extension  10  is then unlocked from the nose tube  27  of the conveyor  11  of the agricultural bagging machine  12 , by removing the rings  41 . The towing vehicle can then be connected to the hitch  18  of the table extension  12 , and hydraulic power connected to the 4-bank valve manifold  44 . The table  30  can then be raised off of the nose tube  27  of the conveyor  11  of the agricultural bagging machine  12  by extending the axle lift cylinder  36  and the hitch height cylinder  42  until the hooks  33  are clear of the nose tube  27  and the wheels  50  are in contact with the ground.  
         [0048]     The table extension  10  can then be transported, however, only short distances. If bagging operations are to continue at the same site the table extension  10  can be transported as needed. If the table extension  10  needs to be transported any substantial distance, complete transition to the transport position will need to be completed.  
         [0049]     To complete transition, the table  30  should be unlocked from the lift mechanism  14  by removing the collar bracket  76 . The axle lift cylinder  36  and the hitch height cylinder  42  can be fully extended. The main folding cylinder  38  should be extended to move the axle assembly  46  and wheels  50  fully under the lift mechanism  14 , and to begin raising the table  30  off of the lift mechanism  14 . Next, the table angle cylinder  40  is extended to place the table  30  in the transport position (see  FIG. 1 ). The cylinder locks  98  and  122  should be engaged. Finally, the hydraulic connection can be removed from the manifold  44 .  
         [0050]     The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.