Device and method for protecting baled hay from moisture

A circular disk approximately 6 feet in diameter and approximately 0.50 inches thick, having a small hole through the center of the disk for engagement with a screw or a spike, and method of using the same. The user places the disk atop one or more bales of hay standing on end, and secures the cover to the topmost bale by engaging a screw or spike through the center of the cover and into the bale of hay.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The field of the invention relates generally to covers for straw, hay and 
the like, and more particularly to a device and process for covering hay 
that is gathered into bales to protect the hay from moisture and/or sun 
damage. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The need to protect hay from rain or other elements of weather such as 
glaring sun, has long been appreciated. Hay, when left in the cutting 
field or otherwise exposed to the weather, tends to rot and deteriorate. 
Machines are currently used to roll hay into large cylindrical bales 
measuring about 5 to 6 feet in diameter. These bales weigh about 1200 to 
2000 lbs. These machines typically operate in the field where the hay or 
straw is cut. It is readily understood that movement of hay, once rolled 
into bales of this size, is a difficult task. Field storage of such bales 
is therefore appropriate. However, if the baled hay or straw is stored in 
the field, protection against deterioration due to sun or moisture is 
highly desirable. 
As indicated by the prior art, protective coverings for bales of hay are 
not uncommon. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,343 of Schaefer teaches a 
device for protecting baled hay from moisture damage that includes a cover 
that fits over a single bale of hay resting on the ground, on its side. 
The cover consists of a single sheet of flexible material having fasteners 
that project into the bale of hay to keep the cover in place. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,236 of Calhoun et al. discloses a cover for piles of 
hay. The cover of this invention is designed to protect a multiple bale 
stack arranged in a pyramid-like structure. The cover, which consists of a 
single sheet of flexible material is draped over the top of the pyramid 
and extends downwardly over the sides of the pyramid. Along the hem of the 
cover are a series of U-shaped rods to which are attached a series of tie 
strands. The tie strands are attached to the ground along the sides and to 
the center, middle bale in the front and back, to secure the cover over 
the bale of hay. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,672 of Roy et al. teaches a single bale type cover 
which is shaped at the top complimentary to the upper half of a bale lying 
on its side, while the rest of the cover drapes down to the supporting 
surface (in most cases the ground). The cover is gathered at the bottom 
near the supporting surface by a tie rope that extends around all the 
sides. 
Even before the time that machines were available to roll hay into large 
cylindrical bales, and hay was left sitting loosely piled in the field, 
the need to cover the pile of hay was appreciated. For example, U.S. Pat. 
No. 19,689 of Dinsmoor discloses a hay stack cover that resembles a tent 
or tepee-like structure. The cover, square in shape, is draped at its 
center over the top of a pile of hay. The top is fastened to the pile by a 
long spike that extended downwardly through the center of the haystack. 
The sides are fastened to the ground by spikes along the periphery of the 
cover. 
U.S. Pat. No. 720,611 of McFarlane discloses a cover for hay piles in the 
shape of an inverted cone formed of a non-flexible material such as metal. 
The cone has a horizontal flange about the periphery on the lower edge. 
The cone-shaped cap is fastened to the pile of hay by the use of a large 
corkscrew that extends downwardly into the pile of hay. 
U.S. Pat. No. 621,798 of Deems discloses a cover or roof for protecting a 
pile of grain or hay. The cover is secured to the pile of hay by use of a 
long stake or spike pivotally attached to a ridge pole located on the 
inner center of the roof. The roof of this invention is broken down into 
sections fastened to each other by hinges in order to accommodate piles of 
hay of various sizes and widths. 
As seen by the prior art, devices have been developed that cover a stack or 
pile of hay rolled into bales and left in a field. Also, devices have been 
developed that cover hay left loosely in a pile. However, it can be seen 
that none of these devices completely solves the problem of providing a 
hay cover that minimizes the surface area of hay in contact with the 
ground, and provides an easy to use cover that maximizes storage space. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a 
device and process for protecting hay that is gathered into bales so that 
the bales can be stored outside for extended periods of time with little 
damage to the hay. Another object of the invention is to provide a device 
and process for protecting hay that minimizes the surface area and the 
number of bales of hay that rest upon the ground exposed to water damage. 
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device and process 
that eliminates a pyramid shaped stack for storing hay, and therefore 
eliminating water damage at the points where the bales of hay intersect in 
the stack. It is an object of the present invention to provide adequate 
covering for bales of hay stored in cylindrical columns, with a slight 
overlap around the edge of the column that will divert water away from the 
hay while allowing the columns to be placed closely together. 
Other objects of the invention include providing a device of the type 
stated which is capable of being anchored or secured firmly to a hay bale 
so that it will remain in place even in the presence of a heavy wind. It 
is an object of the invention to provide a device that is simple in 
construction and easy to manufacture. 
These objects are achieved by the hay bale cover and method of using 
according to the present invention. In one embodiment, the hay bale cover 
includes a large circular disk and a screw or spike for fastening the disk 
to the hay. 
The large circular disk is approximately 6 feet in diameter, and 
approximately 0.25 to 0.5 inches thick. This is designed to be compatible 
with placement of the disk on top of a bale standing on end, or on top of 
a pile of bales standing one on top of the other. According to the 
practice of the present invention, bales of hay are stacked on end rather 
then on their side, so as to minimize the surface area of the bale left 
resting on the ground as found in the storage methods in the prior art. 
In the center of the circular disk is a hole with approximately 1 inch 
diameter. The hole is designed to be operatively compatible with either 
the screw or spike attachment means. Once the circular disk is placed on 
top of the bales of hay, the screw or spike is engaged through the hole in 
the center of the disk and into the bale of hay. Using either the screw or 
spike, the disk is securely fastened to the flat upper surface of a bale 
of hay. 
In another embodiment, the hay bale cover of the invention consists of a 
reusable waterproof cover shaped to enclose the top portion of a 
substantially large, cylindrical hay bale or several cylindrical hay bales 
standing on end. The cover has a circular top portion with a sleeve 
extending generally downward therefrom. The lower end of the sleeve 
incorporates an elastic draw string hemmed into the lower peripheral edge 
defining the open bottom of the cover, for securing the cover on the bale 
of hay. Alternatively, an elastic bungee strap having a hook on each end, 
the hooks being engaged with a pair of metal rings mounted on the lower 
peripheral edge of the sleeve, may be used to secure the cover over a bale 
of hay. 
In either embodiment of the present invention, the bales of hay are stacked 
on end rather then on their side, so as to minimize the surface area of 
the bale left resting on the ground as found in the storage methods in the 
prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference to FIG. 1 it can be seen that the first embodiment of the 
bale cover of the invention is a disk designed to fit on the flat, upper 
surface of a bale of hay 40. As indicated by this figure, the diameter of 
the disk 10 should be fractionally larger than the diameter of the bale of 
hay 40 so that water may run off the side of the bale cover and not run 
down the sides of the bale of hay. The diameter of the bale cover should 
also be sized to allow multiple columns of baled hay to be stacked closely 
together. Although FIG. 1 depicts a view of three rows of baled hay 
stacked and covered closely together, it is readily understood that the 
practice of this invention is compatible with as many rows and columns of 
baled hay as the user sees fit. 
In comparison to FIG. 2, which depicts one way that baled hay is stored in 
the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are apparent. In 
practice according to the present invention, a smaller surface area of the 
baled hay rests on the ground, thus minimizing water or insect damage to 
the hay. In the pyramid-like structure of the prior art, water runs off 
the topmost bale and down the sides of the pyramid, causing water damage 
to the exposed top and sides of the stacked bales. The present invention, 
in contrast, stacks the bales of hay on end and covers them at the top, 
causing water to run off the side of the bale cover and down to the 
ground, not touching the sides or top of the hay. 
Continuing now with reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen that in a preferred 
embodiment the bale cover of this invention consists of a large circular 
disk having a diameter of 6 feet. This is consistent with yet fractionally 
larger than the diameter of a cylindrical bale of hay. Typically, hay is 
rolled into bales that are approximately 5 to 6 feet in diameter. It is 
readily understood that practice of the present invention could be 
extended to bales of hay having varying diameters. 
As seen in FIG. 3, circular disk 10 of the present invention is formed in a 
unitary fashion of fiberglass, although any semi-firm to firm molded 
plastic material would be adequate. Alternatively, circular disk 10 may be 
formed of a thin, flexible sheet metal such as aluminum. 
Circular disk 10 has a flat upper surface 12, although it is readily 
apparent that the entire circular disk 10 may be slightly curved in shape, 
to aid in water run off over the side. 
Additionally, although not depicted in the drawings but readily understood, 
another embodiment of the invention may consist of a bale cover that is 
square in shape. The size of the squared cover would be fractionally 
larger than the dimensions of a squared bale of hay. 
In all of these embodiments, the bale cover of this invention has a hole 14 
located in the center of the circular disk 10, as seen with reference to 
FIG. 4. The hole 14 measures about 1 inch or less in diameter, and is 
designed to accommodate a screw 18 or a spike 26 used to fasten the 
circular disk 10 to the bale of hay 40, as will subsequently be discussed. 
Resuming the discussion with reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the 
circular disk 10 of the invention is thin. Generally, a thickness of about 
0.5 inch or less would be adequate, although it should be noted that FIGS. 
1 and 3 are intended to be representational only and are not drawn to 
scale. The overall thickness of the circular disk 10 may be thinner or 
thicker than indicated in the drawings, contributing to the cover's ease 
of use. 
Continuing now with FIGS. 5-6, it can be seen that the bale cover 10 of the 
invention may be secured to a bale of hay 40 by using a spike 26 or a 
screw 18 attachment means. With reference to FIG. 5, which depicts a spike 
26 attachment means, it is seen that the spike 26 attachment means employs 
a T-shaped handle 32 on top of a ring shank 30. Securely mounted on shank 
30 is a circular ring 28. The diameter of ring 28 is approximately 2 
inches. The diameter of ring 28 is sized such that when the spike 26 is 
engaged through the center hole 14 of the circular disk 10 and into the 
hay 40, ring 28 rests flush against the upper surface 12 of circular disk 
10 creating a watertight seal. This is understood with reference to FIGS. 
5 and 7 which show a top perspective view of the spike 26 attachment means 
used to secure circular disk 10 to a bale of hay 40. 
Spike 26 is engaged by inserting shank 30 through center hole 14, and into 
the bale of hay 40. The spike 26 is secured into the hay by the serrated 
edge on shank 30. Shank 30 extends approximately 8 inches into the hay 
bale. The serrated edge of shank 30 points in a generally upright manner, 
allowing the spike 26 to be easily inserted but difficult to remove. The 
serrated edge is best understood with reference to FIG. 5. 
Alternatively, a screw 18 attachment means may be used to secure the disk 
10 of the invention to a bale of hay in a similar fashion as the spike 26 
attachment means, as seen with reference to FIG. 6. In a preferred 
embodiment, screw 18 is approximately 10 inches from bottom to top. The 
shank 24 of the screw 18 is approximately 8 inches long, allowing for 
secure engagement into the bale of hay. The t-handle 20 of the screw 18 is 
has a length of about 5 inches. The t-handle 20 of the screw 18 is used to 
twist shank 24 into the bale of hay 40. 
Located on shank 24 of screw 18 is also a circular ring 22, having a 
diameter of about 2 inches. In use, shank 24 is inserted into the bale of 
hay 40 until circular ring 22 rests flush against the upper surface 12 of 
circular disk 10, creating a watertight seal. 
Using either attachment means, disk 10 of the invention remains securely 
mounted on a top of a column of bales of hay, which is desirable during 
windy conditions. This engagement between the disk 10, attachment means 
and the hay bale is readily understood with reference to FIG. 3. 
In use, this embodiment of the bale cover of this invention works primarily 
as follows: Using a typical hay-baling machine, hay is rolled into 
cylindrical bales approximately 6 feet in diameter and weighing 
approximately 1200 to 2000 lbs. 
The baled hay is positioned so that one flat surface of the bale is placed 
in contact with the support surface which may be either the ground, a 
truck, the floor of a barn or the top flat surface of another bale of hay. 
The top flat surface of the baled hay faces upward. As many bales as 
desired may be placed upon one another so as to form a column-like 
structure, up to the limits of the stacking machine. 
The circular disk 10 of this invention is placed on top of the topmost bale 
40 in the column. The circular disk 10 is centered on the bale 40 such 
that a small lip extends about the periphery of the baled hay. Once the 
circular disk is in place, the screw 18 (or alternatively the spike) 
attachment means is placed through the small hole 14 in the center of the 
disk 10 and secured into the baled hay 40. As many columns of baled hay as 
the user sees fit may be placed in close proximity of each other. 
With reference to FIGS. 8-9, it can be seen that the second embodiment of 
the bale cover of the invention is a cap 50 designed to fit over the flat, 
upper surface of a bale of hay 40. 
The bale cap 50 is preferably formed of a relatively lightweight, 
waterproof, tough and durable material such as polythylene or similar 
plastic film material measuring about 3 to 5 mils in thickness. 
Alternatively, the cap 50 may be made of tarping, canvas, stretch plastic 
film, plastic film or any other water proof flexible material. The bale 
cap 50 is easily foldable for compact storage and may be reused many times 
if necessary. 
The bale cap 50 has a central sleeve 46 which extends downward from top 
surface 42. Top surface 42 is circular in shape and is sized to fit over 
the flat, upper surface of a cylindrical hay bale 40 standing on end. The 
sleeve 46 extends downward over the cylindrical bale 40. The sleeve may 
extend partially downward over the bale 40, or alternatively may extend 
the entire length of the bale 40. The circumference of sleeve 46 is 
approximately 19 feet, based on a cylindrical bale having a radius of 3 
feet. 
The lower end of the sleeve 46 incorporates an elastic draw string 48 
hemmed into the lower peripheral edge 44 defining the open bottom of the 
cap 50. The draw string 48 is used for securing the cap 50 on the bale of 
hay. The draw string 48 could also be rope, strong twine or the like, and 
may be also be separated from or attached to the bale cover adjacent to 
the bottom edge 44. Preferably, the bottom edge 44 is provided with an 
interior duct through which the draw string passes. When the drawstring is 
used to secure the cap 50 to a bale of hay 40, it is preferably lined up 
with the wiring used to bundle the bale of hay. This wiring forms a 
crevice that cooperatively receives the tightened lower portion 44 of the 
cap 50. 
Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 8, an elastic bungee strap 56 may be used to 
secure the cap 50 over a bale of hay 40. The bungee strap 56 may vary in 
length, but is optimally 6 inches long, and has a metal hook 52 on each 
end of the strap. On the periphery of the bottom edge 44 of the cap 50 are 
a pair of metal rings 54, which are sewn into the cap 50 or are secured to 
the cap 50 using rivets (not shown). The metal rings 54 are spaced 
approximately 1 foot apart. The metal rings 54 are sized to receive the 
hooked ends 52 of bungee strap 56. 
In employment of this embodiment of this invention, the cap 50 is situated 
over a hay bale 40 standing on end in a generally upright fashion. The cap 
50 is opened and the open bottom moved downwardly to position the cover 
over the hay bale 40. The sleeve is then forced or tucked inwardly at the 
bottom or center of the hay bale 40. If tucked inward at the center of the 
bale 40, the tuck is preferably made at the same place as the bundling 
wire used by the bale machine in forming the bale. This provides a crevice 
or inlet sized to cooperate with the draw string or bungee cord for 
securing the cap on the bale. If the draw string 48 is used for securing 
the cap 50, the opposite ends of the string 48 are drawn together and 
secured to tighten the bale cap 50. If the bungee strap 56 is used the 
strap is extended so that the hooked ends 52 are hooked to the rings 54 
located on the lower periphery of sleeve 46.