Bale strapping apparatus

A bale strapping apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a floor to receive at least one bale of material, a bar, and means for moving the bar. The bar may include at least one dispenser for receiving and dispensing securing members. The securing members may be permanently attached to the dispenser. Furthermore, the bar may be moved laterally above and across the floor and, accordingly, over the at least one bale of material, thereby causing the dispenser to dispense the securing member around the at least one bale. The apparatus may then tighten the securing members, thus securing the bale to the apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agricultural equipment used in the transport of agricultural products. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bale strapping apparatus for automatically securing bales of material to a transport device.

BACKGROUND

Transportation of large bales of material in the agricultural industry is a difficult and time consuming process. In particular, securing bales of material to a transport device, such as a trailer, is time consuming and requires physically intense labor. Most often, bales are secured to a trailer by straps. Previous methods of securing the straps to the trailer include loading the bales on the trailer, manually attaching the straps to one side of the trailer, manually throwing or otherwise placing the straps over the bales, securing the straps to the opposite side of the bales, and tightening the straps to secure the bales to the trailer. Such a process can take forty-five minutes or more, as well as strenuous manual labor. Accordingly, transporting large bales is a difficult task.

Attempts have been made to automate parts of this process; however, they all have drawbacks. In addition, devices of the prior art do not go far enough in automating the process. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,790 is directed to a covering system for a trailer and method of using same. The disclosed trailer employs a roller which may be positioned to the first side of a trailer. Straps may then be removably attached to a roller, which places the straps across the bales. The straps are then detached from the roller and secured to the trailer. The trailer and method of U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,790 have drawbacks. The user must manually attach the straps to the roller, the primary purpose of which is to position a cover over the bales. Furthermore, the user must manually detach the straps from the roller and secure same to the trailer, thus securing the bales to the trailer. Therefore, the straps are temporarily attached to the roller rather than permanently attached.

Another reference, U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,700 discloses a system and method for strapping a load. The system includes two rollers which are parallel to each other and supported by a frame. In the open position, the rollers are located in an upright position near the top center of the trailer. Strapping is secured on each of the rollers to span between the roller and the lower side of the trailer. Once bales are in place on the trailer, the user manually unrolls the strapping from the roller using a crank and ratchet mechanism. The invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,700 has deficiencies. In particular, a user must still manually unroll and secure the straps to safely secure the bales to the trailer for transport.

Yet another reference, U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,042 discloses a bale transport system wherein straps are attached to opposite ends of a cover that is positioned by a set of two rollers. The straps are positioned via spools. As the cover is unrolled to the closed position, the bale straps are also dispensed from the spools.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,925 discloses an assembly for securing cargo upon a load bed. The assembly includes two tie support arms, one in the front of the trailer and one in the rear. The tie support arms are connected via two parallel, longitudinally extending straps, or ties. The tie support arms may move downward to secure bales or upward for loading and unloading of the bales. Once all bales and crossbars are in place, the ties are moved downward to secure the bales and crossbars. U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,925 does not disclose a bale strapping apparatus wherein straps are laterally positioned over the bales. Rather the reference discloses an apparatus wherein straps are longitudinally positioned over the bales, which is a less safe configuration. Accordingly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,925 also has deficiencies.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a bale strapping apparatus wherein the straps are permanently attached the trailer and automatically positioned over the bales to be transported. Furthermore, the apparatus should position the straps laterally across the bales for transportation. Such an apparatus may include means to automatically tighten the straps across the bales, further securing the load for transport. Such an apparatus should preferably keep the entire space above the trailer open for convenient loading and unloading. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and detailed description to follow.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the invention, a bale strapping apparatus is disclosed. The bale strapping apparatus may include a floor receiving at least one bale of material. Further, a bar having a least one dispenser may be included. The dispenser may dispense a securing member which may be permanently attached to the dispenser. Also included may be means for moving the bar such that it travels laterally above and across the floor and over at least one bale of material, thereby causing the dispenser to dispense the securing member around the at least one bale.

The dispenser of the bale strapping apparatus may include a roller which is capable of dispensing and receiving securing members. Further, the bale strapping apparatus may include a plurality of rollers for dispensing and receiving a plurality of securing members. The securing members may be straps. The bale strapping apparatus may further include at least one tightening means, which may include at least one telescoping member. Moreover, the tightening means may include means for actuating the rollers to receive the securing members. The bale strapping apparatus may further include a hydraulic motor for moving the bar.

In another embodiment of the invention, a bale strapping apparatus is disclosed including a trailer having a floor which receives at least one bale of material, with the floor having first and second ends and first and second sides. The bale strapping apparatus further includes a self-strapping assembly including a bar having a plurality of dispensers. The plurality of dispensers each dispenses a securing member which is each permanently attached to the dispenser which dispenses it. The bale strapping apparatus may further include means for moving the bar from an open position to a closed position. The bar may be near the first floor side in the open position and near the second floor side in the closed position. Furthermore, the plurality of securing members may be in a dispensed position in the closed bar position.

Moreover, the bale strapping apparatus may include at least one tightening means. The plurality of securing members may include a storage position wherein the securing members are not dispensed and a tightened position. A tightening means may activate the securing members to move between the dispensed position and the tightened position. A bale may be secured to the trailer when the securing members are in the tightened position. The tightening means may include at least one telescoping member for moving the bar. In addition, the bale strapping apparatus may include means for activating the dispensers to receive the securing members, thus moving the securing members between the dispensed and tightened positions.

In yet another embodiment, a bale strapping apparatus is providing including a trailer having a floor. The floor includes first and second sides, as well as first and second ends. The floor includes a longitudinal direction extending between the first and second ends and a lateral direction extending between the first and second sides. The floor may receive at least one bale of material. A self-strapping assembly may include a plurality of rollers which dispense a plurality of straps, with the straps each permanently attached the roller dispensing the strap. The bale strapping apparatus may further include means for moving the bar from the floor first side to the floor second side, with the plurality of rollers dispensing the plurality of straps as the bar moves from the floor first side to the floor second side, thereby positioning the straps across the floor lateral direction. In addition, the means for moving the bar may include at least one motor for activating movement. The bale strapping apparatus may further include at least one tightening means for tightening the straps, thereby securing the at least one bale of material on the trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of a bale strapping apparatus100(sometimes “apparatus”) of the present invention. For ease of discussion and understanding, the following detailed description and illustrations often refer to a bale strapping apparatus for use with large round bales of stover material. As is known in the art stover material may include stalks and leaves of plants such as corn, as well as other course roughage from the plant. It should be appreciated that the apparatus100may also be used to transport bales of other shapes, as well as of other types of material, including hay and straw. In one example the stover or other material may be used as feedstock for a cellulosic ethanol plant. In another example, the stover or other material may be used for livestock feed.

Turning toFIG. 1, the apparatus may include a trailer102supported by wheels104. The trailer102may be pulled by a vehicle such as a tractor, semi-tractor, or other type of vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the trailer102is pulled by a semi-tractor (not shown). The trailer may be any type known in the art, now or in the future, including a flatbed or drop deck trailer. In one embodiment, the trailer may be fifty-three feet long. As the semi-tractor is not shown inFIG. 1, a stand105is also used to support the trailer102. Also shown inFIG. 1is a first hydraulic assembly108. The apparatus includes a full load of bales106, such as bales of stover discussed above. The bales106are secured by a series of securing members, such as straps114. Also shown is a shaft or bar116to which the straps114are attached. As will be discussed in further detail hereinbelow, the bar116may be moved from a first side of the trailer to a second side of the trailer, thereby positioning the straps114over the bales106to secure the bales106for transport.

FIG. 2depicts the apparatus100without a load of bales106. Shown is the trailer102, which includes a floor118. It will be appreciated fromFIG. 2, that the floor118may be composed of lateral members120and longitudinal members126which support the bales106rather than a solid floor. Any type of configuration may be considered a floor118without departing from the scope of the invention. The floor118includes a first side122and a second side124, as well as a first end123and a second end125.

In addition, the invention may include one or more movable side rails128. The movable side rails128may be moved between open and closed positions. Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, the movement of the side rails128is shown. As shown inFIG. 9A, the side rails128may be folded in when the apparatus100is empty. Doing so may allow the empty apparatus100to be transported more easily and prevent the apparatus from100being too wide for some or all roads. Referring toFIG. 9B, the side rails128may be rotated outward to an open position. With the side rails128in the open position, the apparatus100may receive one or more bales106of material. Furthermore, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 9B, in the open position, the side rails128are at an angle to the floor118, thus providing support to the bales106from the side of the bottom bales106. In the case of round bales, this may be helpful in preventing rolling of the bales106. The side rails may include longitudinal members132and lateral members134.

Returning toFIG. 2, the apparatus100may include a first hydraulic assembly108, a second hydraulic assembly110, and a third hydraulic assembly112. The hydraulic assemblies108,110,112may provide power to move the bar116from the floor118first side122to the floor118second side124and vice versa. The hydraulic assemblies108,110, and112will be discussed in further detail below. To that end, also shown is the bar116, which is shown in its open position near the first side122of the floor118.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the bar116may include a dispenser for dispensing and receiving the securing members. In the illustrated embodiment, the bar116includes a plurality of dispensers. Specifically, a plurality of rollers130is shown. In one embodiment, twelve rollers130and straps114may be used.FIG. 3provides further detail of a roller130. Shown is the bar116located next to a longitudinal floor member126, as well as the floor118and a side rail128. Specifically, a side rail longitudinal member132and lateral member134are shown. Also shown is a side rail connection136. The side rail connection136is preferably configured to provide rotatable movement of the side rail128, thus allowing movement of the side rail128between the open and closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable movement is provided by a pin138, about which the side rail lateral member134may rotate. Also shown is a hook member140which may be configured to lock and/or hold the bar116in place when it is in the closed and/or tightened positions.

Also shown is the roller130which is located on the bar116. The securing member, or strap114, may be dispensed and received from the roller130.FIG. 3shows the apparatus100in the closed position, meaning the bar116is located near the floor118second side124with the straps114securing the bales in place. Accordingly, the strap114is primarily in the dispensed position, although a portion of the strap114may still be wrapped around the roller130.

Returning toFIGS. 1 and 2, the straps114are secured to the apparatus100on the underside of the trailer102. Specifically, a first end152(shown inFIG. 5) of the strap114is attached to the underside of the trailer102. The second end154of the strap114is connected to the roller130. Turning toFIG. 4, the straps114are received by the rollers130on the bar116so that the straps114may be dispensed by the rollers130as the bar116is moved from the floor118first side122to the floor118second side124, as will be discussed in further detail below. The straps may be permanently attached to the rollers by bolts146. As will be understood by one of skill in the art, any type of connection may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. It is preferred that the connection is permanent, meaning that the user need not attach or detach the straps from the roller130during each use. Rather, the straps114remain attached to the roller130, and the trailer102as discussed below, such that they may be automatically positioned when desired.

Turning toFIG. 5, the attachment of a strap114to the underside of the trailer102is shown in detail. A spool142may be connected to the underside of the trailer102, such as to the longitudinal floor member126. The strap114may be secured to the spool142via a permanent connection such as bolts144. As will be understood by one of skill in the art, any type of connection may be used. It is preferred that the connection is permanent, meaning that the user need not attach or detach the straps from the apparatus100during each use. Rather, the straps114remain attached to the apparatus100such that they may be automatically positioned when desired. The spool may further include a pin148. In some embodiments, the pin148may provide rotational movement of the spool142, and specifically allow the strap114to be rolled and unrolled around the spool142. The spool142may further include a ratchet assembly150, which may allow the straps114to be rolled and unrolled from the spool142. The ratchet assembly150may be manual, automated, or a combination of both without departing from the scope of the invention. The ratchet assembly150, which will be discussed in further detail below, is one type of tightening means which may be employed by an apparatus100of the present invention.

Returning toFIG. 2, as discussed above, the bar116may be moved from a first side122of the floor to a second side of the floor124. This movement may cause the rollers130to dispense the straps114laterally across the apparatus100and, therefore, across the bales106loaded on the apparatus100. The movement of the bar116may be powered by one or more hydraulic assemblies. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes three hydraulic assemblies. Namely, a first hydraulic assembly108is located at the front of the apparatus, while a second hydraulic assembly110is located slightly forward of the center of the apparatus. Lastly, a third hydraulic assembly112is located just forward of the rear of the apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, the three hydraulic assemblies108,110,112are identical. Accordingly, only the first hydraulic assembly108will be discussed in detail. However, it will be understood by one of skill in the art that the apparatus100may include any number of hydraulic assemblies which may be identical or not, or varied from the configuration of the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, without departing from the scope of the invention. The movement of the three hydraulic assemblies108,110,112is preferably simultaneous or near simultaneous so that the entire length of the bar116moves together.

Turning toFIG. 6, the connection between the first hydraulic assembly108and bar116is shown. The bar116is resting near a longitudinal floor member126, which is at an angle to a lateral floor member120. The hydraulic assembly108includes a telescoping arm156, which will be discussed in further detail below. The bar116is attached to the telescoping arm156by a bar coupling158. The bar coupling158may be any type of coupling known in the art now or in the future which serves the function of securely connecting the bar116to the arm156. Such a connection could include, but is not limited to, welding. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm156terminates at a coupling member160. The coupling member160itself may be attached to the arm156by any method known in the art now or in the future, such as by welding or bolts. The coupling member160may be hollow, allowing it to receive the bar116. The coupling member160shown inFIG. 6is located on the first hydraulic assembly108. As shown inFIG. 2, the first hydraulic assembly108is located at the front of the apparatus100. As such, the bar116terminates at the coupling assembly160. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that the second110and third112hydraulic assemblies may include coupling members160which allow the bar116to pass through and extend from both ends of the coupling member160.

Turning toFIG. 7, a view of the first hydraulic assembly108of the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The assembly includes bottom support member162, a first side support member164, and a second side support member166. The three support members162,164,166may form a triangle. Also included are a series of lateral supports163and longitudinal supports165. Furthermore, two central supports167,169extend upward from the bottom support member162. Also included are the telescoping arm156and a hydraulic arm168. The telescoping arm156may be powered by hydraulics and the hydraulic arm168may telescope. However, it will be appreciated that for ease of discussion, the two will be referred to as provided above.

The telescoping arm156and hydraulic arm168are connected via an arm connection170. In the preferred embodiment, the arm connection170is a rotatable connection allowing the telescoping arm156and hydraulic arm168to rotate with respect to each other. In the preferred embodiment, the arm connection170includes a pin172which provides rotation between the two arms. Accordingly, the telescoping arm156is able to move the bar116from one side of the floor118to the other as it rotates about the pin172with respect to the hydraulic arm168. Also shown is a hydraulic motor174, which provides the power for the movement of the hydraulic arm168and, consequently, the movement of the telescoping arm156.

Turning toFIG. 8, an elevation view of the hydraulic assembly108is provided. Shown is the bottom support member162, first side member164, and second side member166forming a triangle. Also shown are the lateral support163and longitudinal support165, as well as a central support167. The telescoping arm156and hydraulic arm168are also shown. The telescoping arm156may include a first end182and a second end184. The telescoping arm156first end182may be connected to the hydraulic arm168via the arm connection170. First175and second177telescoping arm supports are also provided on either side of the assembly108. The telescoping arm supports175,177support the telescoping arm156as it rests on either side of the assembly108. Also shown is the arm connection170including the pin172about which the two arms156,168rotate with respect to each other. The hydraulic motor174has been removed from this view. Attached to the second end184of the telescoping arm156is the bar116.

As discussed above, the bar116may be moved from a position near the floor118first side122to the floor second side124. In doing so, the bar116travels in an arcuate motion up and over the trailer102, floor118, and bales106. In the illustrated embodiment, this motion is powered via at least one hydraulic motor174(shown inFIG. 7). The hydraulic motor174causes the hydraulic arm168to shorten and lengthen. Specifically, the hydraulic arm168includes a large cylinder portion176and a small cylinder portion178. The large cylinder portion176receives the small cylinder portion178. Accordingly, as the small cylinder portion178slides further into the large cylinder portion176, the hydraulic arm168as a whole becomes shorter. Conversely, as the small cylinder portion178slides out of the large cylinder portion176, the hydraulic arm168as a whole becomes longer. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the hydraulic arm168and telescoping arm156rotate with respect to each other about the arm connection pin172. Also included in the assembly is telescoping arm pin180. The telescoping arm pin180acts as a fulcrum about which the telescoping arm156may rotate or lever, as will be discussed in further detail below.

Turning toFIGS. 9A-9G, the operation of the apparatus100will be discussed in further detail.FIGS. 9A-9G, as well as the corresponding description below, will discuss various positions of the bar116, straps114, and side rails128. Specifically the bar116may have an empty transport position, an open position, a closed position, and a tightened position. The straps114, sometimes referred to as securing members, may include a storage position, a dispensed position, and a tightened position. The side rails128may include an empty transport position and an open position. It will be understood that the above-discussed components of the apparatus100may have any number of positions, including more or less than those described. The described positions are intended as illustrative and provided for ease of discussion only.

FIG. 9Ais an elevation view of the bale strapping apparatus100in its empty transport state without a load of bales106. The telescoping arm156is in a shortened state. Accordingly, the bar116is located slightly above the floor118first side122. A strap114is shown which is connected to a spool142underneath the trailer102. The telescoping arm156is resting on the first telescoping arm support175. The telescoping arm156may be extended, thus moving the bar116into an open position, as shown inFIG. 8by arrow A andFIG. 9Bby arrow B. Furthermore, the side rail128is shown inFIG. 9Ain its empty transport position. As discussed above, the side rail128may include longitudinal members132and lateral members134. In the empty transport position, the side rail128is folded inward toward the middle of the trailer102floor118. The side rail128may be moved to its open position, which is shown inFIG. 9Bby arrows C and D. In the open position, the side rails128extend away and at an angle to the floor118. The movement of the bar116and side rails128to their open position may be automated or manual. In a preferred embodiment, this movement occurs manually by the user. Specifically, the user may extend the telescoping arm156to lower the bar116into its open position. The user may then extend the side rail128into its open position. It will be noted that that the telescoping arm156may include a lock (not shown) to hold the telescoping arm156at its desired length. Such a lock may be any type known in the art, now or in the future, without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly,FIG. 9Bshows both the bar116and side rails128in the open position. Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, the securing members, or straps114, are shown in the storage position, meaning the majority of the strap114is wound around the roller130.

Returning toFIG. 9B, the apparatus100may be loaded with bales106, such as with a forklift, tractor, manually, or any other method known in the art now or in the future. Turning toFIG. 9C, an elevation view of the apparatus100with a load of bales106is shown. The bales106are supported by the floor118and side rails128. Specifically, the bales106may rest on the side rail128lateral members134. The apparatus100may then be actuated to position the securing members over the bales106. Referring toFIGS. 7, 8, and 9D, the hydraulic motor174(shown inFIG. 7), may be activated to begin the process. In one embodiment, a wired or wireless user control (not shown) may be activated by the user. This activation causes the hydraulic motor174to shorten the hydraulic arm168. In particular, the hydraulic arm168large cylinder176receives the hydraulic arm168small cylinder178. As the hydraulic arm168shortens, it pulls the first end182of the telescoping arm156downward via the arm connection pin172about which the hydraulic arm168and telescoping arm156rotate with respect to each other. This movement, in turn, cases the telescoping arm156to rotate about the telescoping arm pin180. This movement causes the telescoping arm156second end184to move upward in an arcuate motion, as shown inFIG. 9D. In other words, the telescoping arm156acts as a lever, and the telescoping arm pin180is the fulcrum.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 7, the hydraulic assembly108first side support member164includes a first aperture186, while the second side support member166includes a second aperture188. Therefore, as the hydraulic arm168and telescoping arm156rotate about each other and the telescoping arm pin180, the two arms are received by the first aperture186and second aperture188as necessary. Referring toFIG. 9D, the hydraulic arm168is shown near its shortest state. The arm connection170and arm connection pin172have moved below the telescoping arm pin180. Furthermore, the telescoping arm156second end184has moved just past the midpoint of the arcuate path shown by arrow E. At this point, in the preferred embodiment, the hydraulic motor174stops actuating movement of the arms156,168and gravity begins causing the movement.

Referring toFIG. 9E, gravity pulls the telescoping arm156second end184downward to the position shown inFIG. 9Ewherein the bar116is in the closed position. This movement of the bar116is shown by arrow F. As the telescoping arm156moves downward, it rotates or levers about the telescoping arm pin180. This, in turn, drives rotation of the telescoping arm156and hydraulic arm168about each other via the arm connection170and pin172. As the hydraulic arm168rotates about the pin172, the hydraulic arm small cylinder178is pulled out of the hydraulic arm large cylinder176, thus lengthening the hydraulic arm168. Furthermore, this series of movements causes the hydraulic arm168to move from the second aperture188to the first aperture186. Referring to the straps114, the movement of the bar116from the open position shown inFIG. 9Cto the closed position shown inFIG. 9Ecauses the strap114to be dispensed from the roller130(not shown inFIG. 9E). Specifically, the roller130is able to freely rotate about the bar116as the bar116moves to its closed position. Because the strap114is secured to the spool142, the roller130automatically rotates as the bar116moves away from the spool142. Therefore, the strap114is dispensed from the roller130. Accordingly,FIG. 9Eillustrates the bar116in its closed position and the strap114, or securing member, in its dispensed position.

The apparatus100further includes at least one tightening means. In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus100, multiple tightening means are included. First, the telescoping arm156may be employed to move the bar116from the closed position shown inFIG. 9Eto the tightened position shown inFIG. 9F. In particular, the telescoping arm156may be shortened, thus moving the bar closer to the underside of the bales106and floor118second side124. In this position, the bar is locked under the hook member140. It will be understood that the apparatus100may include a number of hook members140located along the length of the apparatus100to tighten the bar116and hold and/or the bar116in place. This telescoping motion may be carried out manually, automatically, hydraulically, or by any other method or combination of methods. In the preferred embodiment, the telescoping arm156is manually shortened by a user. This movement is shown by arrow G. Again, as discussed above, a lock (not shown) may be used to hold the telescoping arm156at its appropriate length. Next, the bar116is actuated to spin such that the roller130receives the strap114, or in other words winds the strap114around the roller130, thereby tightening the strap114across the bales. This movement may be manual, automatic, or other. In the preferred embodiment, an electric motor is used to spin the bar116. Specifically, an electric motor, such as a hoist motor, may be used to effect spinning of the bar116. However, any type of motor, electric or otherwise, may be employed. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the user actuates a control which causes the bar116to spin. Third, the user may manually tighten the strap114using the spool142ratchet assembly150shown inFIG. 5, which his located on the underside of the trailer102floor118. Accordingly, both the straps114and bar116are in their tightened positions. The securing and tightening process may take ninety seconds or less, which is an improvement over manual methods of the prior art. Turning toFIG. 9G, the apparatus100is shown with large square or rectangular bales106, which may also be secured and transported by the apparatus100of the present invention.

At this point, the bales106may be safely transported to a different location, such as by pulling the apparatus100with a semi-tractor. To unload the bales106, it will be recognized that an opposite series of events may occur. First, the strap114may be loosened slightly if necessary. Next, the bar116may be moved from its tightened position to the closed position by adjusting the length of the telescoping arm156and, in particular, causing the telescoping arm156to become longer. The hydraulic motor174may then be activated to cause the hydraulic arm176to shorten, thereby pulling the telescoping arm156first end182downward. This causes the telescoping arm156second end184to rotate upward about the telescoping arm pin180. As the hydraulic arm168is at or near its shortest state, the hydraulic motor174shuts off, and gravity again directs movement. Specifically, gravity pulls the bar116and telescoping arm156second end184downward. As the telescoping arm156rotates about the telescoping arm pin180, the hydraulic arm168is lengthened and moved to the first side support member aperture186. At this point, the bales106may be removed from the apparatus100. Furthermore, the strap114may be received by the roller130by spinning the bar, such as via the electric motor discussed above. Once empty, the bar116may be moved to its transport position by shortening the telescoping arm156. Further, the side rails128may be moved from the open position to the empty transport position. Alternatively, another load of bales106may be loaded on the apparatus100for transport.

Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification and claims. Joinder references (e.g. attached, adhered, joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. In some instances, in methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Listing the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.