Twineball storage for balers

Cylindrical twineballs are stored on their sides with the twine dispensing end of each ball facing outwardly away from the baler to facilitate operator access. The twineballs are stored in a pattern consisting of horizontal rows and upright columns, with the upright columns inclined laterally so as to present an overall, generally skewed parallelogram effect to maximize the packing density within a given amount of space. The balls are supported within cradles that may advantageously be interconnected to present multiple, horizontally extending, transversely corrugated shelves. The shelves are upwardly and outwardly inclined to help retain the balls in place.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to crop baling equipment and, more particularly, to means for storing twineballs on balers in a way that saves space and makes them more accessible to the operator.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

It is well known in the art to wrap compressed bales of crop materials, both “round”and “rectangular”, with twine while still in the baler so as to maintain the shape and integrity of the bale after it is ejected from the baler. Twine is typically dispensed from generally cylindrical twineballs standing on end on horizontal storage shelves on the baler. The balls are usually spliced together so that when one ball is completely depleted, twine automatically starts unwrapping from the next ball without requiring operator intervention. Eventually, all of the balls are used up and the operator must restock the shelves and splice the new supply of balls together in the appropriate manner.

In the present invention a crop baler is provided with twineball storage means that supports the cylindrical twineballs on their sides, with one end facing outwardly away from the baler. Among other things, having the ends of the twineballs face outwardly toward the operator makes it much easier and more convenient as he loads the storage compartment and splices the balls together. Furthermore, having the twineballs face outwardly allows the shelves to be spaced closer together than in the past because the operator no longer needs extra room between the top of the twineballs and the next shelf to splice the twines together. Preferably, the twineballs are supported in an upward and outwardly inclined or tilted up manner to encourage them to stay in place by the force of gravity. This arrangement maximizes the number of twine balls that can be stored within a given amount of space, or, conversely, minimizes the amount of space required for a given number of twine balls. Therefore, the operator has better access to parts of the baler mechanism around and behind the twine storage compartment for servicing and maintaining the baler.

In a preferred embodiment, the twineballs are arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, with each row being slightly offset or staggered with respect to the next row above and below. Thus, the upright columns are inclined so as to present an overall pattern that resembles a skewed parallelogram. By having the centers of the twineballs located midway between the centers of twine balls in the next row above or below, the maximum number of balls can be stored in the least available space. In a preferred embodiment, the balls of each row may be supported in a series of individual cradles or troughs formed by pairs of downwardly converging bottom walls that are interconnected with one another to present a single transversely corrugated shelf.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. While the drawings illustrate and the specification describes certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that such disclosure is by way of example only. There is no intent to limit the principles of the present invention to the particular disclosed embodiments.

The prior art baler10chosen for illustration inFIG. 1happens to be similar in configuration to the baler shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,042 which is owned by the assignee of the present invention. The '042 patent is hereby incorporated by reference into the present specification, although it will be understood that the principles of the present invention are not limited to any particular type of rectangular baler and may, in fact, be utilized in conjunction with round balers as well.

Suffice it to point out, therefore, that baler10inFIG. 1picks up hay from the ground with a pickup12as the machine is towed through a field. Successive charges of picked up crop materials are fed up into an internal, generally fore-and-aft extending bale chamber (not shown) where they are acted upon by a reciprocating plunger that compacts the charge and pushes it rearwardly in the chamber toward a rearmost open end14. As the charges are pushed rearwardly, opposite sides of the forming bale are squeezed by adjustable sidewalls16that cause resistance to movement, thereby causing previous charges to provide a backstop against which new charges may be compressed. After a sufficient number of charges have been compressed to provide a bale of the desired length, twine is placed around the bale and knotted so that the bale will not lose its integrity and shape after it is discharged from the baler through the open end14. In the illustrated embodiment, the twine is supplied from balls stored behind an upwardly hinging side panel or door18of the baler.

FIGS. 2-6disclose a baler20constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Although not all portions of baler20are illustrated in the figures, it is to be understood that, except for the twine storage features, baler20may be constructed closely similar to baler10inFIG. 1and to the baler as disclosed in the incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,042.

As illustrated, baler20includes a pair of ground wheels22and24that support a chassis or frame26for movement through the field. Twine storage apparatus in the nature of a pair of twine boxes28and30are supported on opposite left and right sides of frame26for storing balls of twine used in binding bales formed within baler20. Each twine box28,30has a door32that is hinged along its top edge for swinging movement between an open position as illustrated inFIGS. 2,3, and4and a closed position as illustrated inFIG. 5. The fore-and-aft length of door32is such that, when closed, it covers not only the twine storage area of box28, but also a forward region of frame26in which various other components and mechanisms of the baler20are located.

Twine boxes28and30are of identical construction, except for the fact that they are mirror images of one another. Accordingly, the following description will be set forth with respect to left twine box28, it being understood that such description applies equally as well for right twine box30.

In addition to door32, twine box28includes a top wall34, a bottom wall36, a pair of sidewalls38and40, and a back wall42. Back wall42is disposed in an upright plane that extends fore-and-aft, while walls34-40project outwardly from back wall42in a direction transverse to the normal direction of travel of baler20. Overall, top wall34, bottom wall36and sidewalls38,40define an enclosure that is generally in the shape of a skewed parallelogram as viewed in elevation from the left side of baler20. Sidewalls38,40thus lean forwardly at approximate 60° angles, while top wall34is displaced somewhat forwardly of bottom wall36. A short upper portion38aof sidewall38extends vertically to its junction with top wall34, rather than continuing the inclined attitude of the lower remaining portion of sidewall38.

Walls34-40and back wall42cooperate to define a compartment44within which are disposed three transversely corrugated shelves46,48and50that extend horizontally in a fore-and-aft direction. Shelves46,48and50are arranged one above the other in superimposed relationship. Each shelf46,48and50spans the sidewalls38and40and projects outwardly from back wall42to an outer edge that is recessed slightly with respect to the outer edges of walls34-40. Preferably, each shelf46,48and50is inclined slightly in an outward and upward direction. A single, upright strut plate52is disposed between lower shelf50and middle shelf48to help support shelf48, while four such strut plates54extend between middle shelf48and top shelf46to provide extra support for top shelf46. A hanging divider56is also provided between top shelf46and top wall34.

The transversely corrugated nature of each shelf46,48, and50results in alternating peaks58and valleys60. Such peaks and valleys in each shelf thereby create a series of side-by-side cradles62, such cradles being sized to accept and retain twineballs64when the balls are laid on their sides as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5. Each cradle62has a pair of downwardly converging bottom walls66and68that intersect at the common valley60. It will be appreciated that while in the preferred embodiment cradles62are formed by solid bottom surfaces in the nature of the walls66and68, that function could also be provided by perforated walls or other types of supporting structures such as, for example, rods or pins.

The shelves46,48and50are offset from one another in a fore-and-aft direction in such a manner that the peaks58of one shelf are vertically aligned with the valleys60of the next shelf above or below. This causes the cradles62to be correspondingly offset from row-to-row so that, as illustrated perhaps best inFIG. 4, the cradles62are arranged not only in horizontal rows corresponding to the shelves48-50, but also in upright columns that are upwardly and forwardly inclined. Thus, when twine box28is filled with twineballs64as illustrated inFIG. 4, the balls64are correspondingly arranged in both horizontal, fore-and-aft extending rows and upright, forwardly and upwardly inclined columns that are consistent with the skewed parallelogram configuration of the box28. The center of each ball is disposed at a point that is one-half the distance between the centers of a pair of twineballs in the next row above or below. It will be appreciated that as a result of this pattern, the maximum number of twineballs64can be stored within the minimum amount of space.

In a preferred embodiment, each twineball64is generally cylindrical in overall configuration, presenting an outer end70, a back end72, and a circumferentially extending, arcuate side74. Each twineball64is typically supplied by the manufacture in a plastic wrap (not shown) with front end70exposed and with both leading and trailing twine ends76,78respectively disposed adjacent the front end70of the ball. Each ball64is wound in such a way that it may be unwound or paid out from the inside out by pulling on leading twine end76. Trailing end78is thus the last part of each ball to be paid out. Suitable twineballs are available from a number of sources well known to those skilled in the art, including, for example, Bridon Cordage of Albert Lea, Minn.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the twineballs64are advantageously oriented so that they lie on their sides74within cradles62with twine-dispensing, front ends70facing outwardly away from the baler. This permits the operator standing beside baler20to have easy access to leading twine ends76and trailing twine ends78for the purpose of splicing twineballs together in several groups to facilitate continuous flow of twine until all of the balls are paid out. The leading twine end76of one ball in a group is tied to the trailing twine end78of the next twineball in the group.

Each shelf46-50has a series of rigid eyelets80along the front edge thereof at peaks58, i.e., one for each cradle62, to help guide the twine from one ball to the next in the group of spliced together balls. Additional eyelets82are provided along the front edge of top wall34for the purpose of guiding the twine strands away from the balls and toward needles and knotters (not shown) used in connection with binding of the bales.

It should be apparent from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a space-saving yet very convenient arrangement for twineball storage. By having the twineballs face outwardly with their leading and trailing twine ends76,78correspondingly facing the operator instead of facing upwardly or downwardly, it is much easier for the operator to splice the balls together when the operator loads the box28with a new supply. Furthermore, by having the cradles of each row offset in a fore-and-aft direction with respect to the cradles of the next adjacent row above or below, considerable space saving can be achieved without compromising the operator's access to twine ends76,78for splicing operations and otherwise. The balls are well contained and nested within their cradles62, and with the cradles62angled slightly upwardly and outwardly, there is no tendency for the balls to fall off the shelves and out of the box.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 7-9are directed to an alternative embodiment wherein mesh fabric guards are utilized on the twine box to prevent the accidental escape of twine that may have a tendency to unspool itself from the twineballs under certain conditions. In this regard, during the bale tying cycle of the machine, the needles of the tying mechanism abruptly pull lengths of twine from at least certain of the balls in order to feed the twine to the knotter mechanism. Sometimes the momentum of this abrupt action causes surplus slack to be paid out from the involved twineballs, which then hangs loosely behind the closed door of the twine box. Then, when the door is opened by the operator to inspect or replace twineballs, the accumulated slack drops toward the ground and starts unspooling additional twine from the center of the twineball. Once the unspooling action begins, it is difficult to stop, particularly where more than one twineball is involved. This tendency to “self-unspool”is particularly prevalent on twineballs that are more than two-thirds depleted.

In order to alleviate this problem, the twine box100ofFIGS. 7-9is provided with three swing-down guards102,104and106, one for each row of twineballs in box100. In a preferred embodiment, each guard102,104and106extends the full length of its row of twineballs, although each guard could be divided into multiple such guards with each guard covering only a portion of the row if desired. Each guard102,104and106is selectively positionable in either an upright closed position as exemplified by the guards102and104inFIG. 7, or a swung down, open position as exemplified by the lower guard106in that figure. Guards102,104and106do not replace the main door of the twine box but, instead, are used in addition to it as illustrated, for example, in FIG.9wherein the main door108is illustrated in phantom in its closed position. In order to open one or more of the guards102,104and106, the main door108must be first be opened.

Each guard102,104and106preferably comprises as a primary element thereof a flexible web of material, preferably but not necessarily an open mesh or net-like material. One satisfactory vinyl covered mesh fabric material is available from American Home and Habitat Inc. of Squires, Mo.

Each web110is rectangular in overall configuration and has a pair of elongated loops112and114extending along and comprising the opposite longitudinal marginal edges of the web110. The top loop112receives the horizontally extending main rod116of a generally U-shaped frame118that supports web110. Frame118also includes a pair of laterally extending rod legs120at opposite ends of main rod116that serve to attach frame118to twine box100. In this respect, as perhaps illustrated best inFIG. 8, each leg120is provided with an outturned tip122pivotally received within a hole124in a mounting bracket126to render the frame118swingable between its open and closed positions. Preferably, each leg120of frame118is somewhat L-shaped as illustrated perhaps best in phantom lines inFIG. 9.

The lower loop114of each web110receives an elastic cord128having a pair of hooks130at its opposite ends. Each hook130is adapted to be hooked onto its proximal bracket126through a hole132located a short distance below hole124. As illustrated particularly inFIGS. 8 and 9, holes132are so located that elastic cord128bears against the ends of the twineballs134near the lower extremity thereof. Thus, web110forms a type of safety net that receives and catches surplus unspooling twine as illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 7 and 9.

The open mesh nature of web110is helpful from a visibility standpoint as it permits the operator to view the condition of the twineballs without removing the guards from their raised and closed positions. A suitable retainer, such as a spring clip136, maybe provided to selectively and releasably hold each guard102,104and106in its closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, each spring clip136is attached at an inner end to an upright strut plate138of the twine box, while the outer end of the retainer is disposed to matingly receive and retain the upper extremity of the guard in engagement with the exterior of the upper loop112that receives main rod116of frame118. A simple manual lifting of clip136releases the guard and allows it to swing down to its open, access position as exemplified by the guard106inFIG. 7, while the guard will automatically be relatched by clip136when the guard is returned to its raised and closed position.

FIGS. 10 and 11relate to a second alternative embodiment showing a twine box200having guards202,204and206wherein the guards are solid panels208rather than flexible fabric. In the illustrated embodiment, each panel extends the full length of the row of twineballs, although each panel could be subdivided into a plurality of separate panels if desired.

In the illustrated embodiment, each guard202,204and206is mounted for selective movement between an upright, closed position as illustrated by guards202and204inFIG. 10, and an upwardly swung, open position as exemplified by the guard206in that same figure. Each panel208includes a pair of transversely extending mounting arms210that are located adjacent opposite ends of the panel and project laterally from the upper edge thereof. Such mounting arms210are hingedly connected to twine box200by a mounting strap212that is fixed to the twine box200, and by a horizontally extending hinge bolt214. In a preferred embodiment, each mounting arm210is comprised of a pair of slightly spaced apart members that embrace the mounting strap212on opposite sides thereof. Hinge bolt214serves to clamp the two members of arm210against opposite sides of strap212so as to provide frictional resistance to swinging of the panel208between open and closed positions. Thus, in the closed position, each panel208tends to remain in such position due to the force of gravity and the frictional interaction at pivot bolt214, while in the open position, each panel208is yieldably restrained against gravitational closing by friction alone.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, each panel208is formed so as to be slightly concave, with its concave side facing inwardly toward the proximal end of the bale216. Such concave configuration causes panel208to present a lowermost inturned margin208ahaving an innermost edge208bthat is disposed in close proximity to or touching the proximal end of twineball216adjacent its lower portion thereof This close, intimate relationship between lower edge208band the end of the twineball216positions the panel208to capture and retain surplus slack portions of twine from ball216as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, similar to the guards102,104and106in the embodiment ofFIGS. 7-9.

FIG. 12illustrates a third alternative embodiment wherein each of the spring clip latches136for the mesh fabric guards ofFIGS. 7-9is replaced by a magnetic latch300. The latch300includes a generally L-shaped mounting bracket302bolted to a strut plate138in such a position that a magnetic disc304at the outer end of bracket302is disposed to be engaged by the metal rod116of the guard102,104, or106when the guard is raised to its closed position. The strength of magnetic disc304is such that its attraction for rod116maybe overcome by manually pulling on rod116, yet it remains engaged with rod116during field operations and at other times. Latch300thereby releasably retains its guard in the closed position.

The inventor(s) hereby state(s) his/their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of his/their invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.