Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an improved combination hay trailer and tiltable bed and a method related thereto for loading and unloading round bales, the improvement comprising a rotary hinge assembly positioned along the combination and adapted for angular rotation of the bed about the trailer, the hinge assembly including an outer hinge structure spaced from an inner hinge structure, the inner hinge structure associated with one of the bed and trailer, the outer hinge structure being associated with the remaining bed or trailer, and a hinge sleeve extending through said hinge assembly, wherein said tiltable bed is biased downwardly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) and 37 C.F.R. 1.78(a)(4) based upon copending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/242,588 for TILTABLE ROLLER BED TRAILER, filed Sep. 15, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to industrial agricultural equipment and more specifically to a loadable transport vehicle which is constructed to receive large rolled bales of hay or the like, transport them and distribute them to the desired location. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Current hay farming techniques are generally directed toward large commercial farming operations, with automated machinery handling many aspects of farming production. In the past, however, hay was cut from the field using horse drawn wagons, with the hay being collected in the wagons for distribution. As hay production evolved, additional machinery was developed which aided in cutting and gathering the hay into bundles which were later cut, shaped and collected for transport to a destination location where the hay was stored. As methods and technology developed which were capable of handling and transporting more hay in a shorter timeframe, so too did the size and weight of hay bales increase. So much so, in fact, that it is no longer practical for a person to manually manipulate the bales in many cases. Current round hayrolls are often six to eight feet in diameter and in some cases weigh more than a ton depending on moisture content and additional factors. 
         [0004]    While a variety of equipment has been developed for handling standard rectangular hay bales, limited machinery has been developed for handling the larger round hay bales. Equipment which has been developed in this area includes formation machinery such as tines or other tractor attachments for picking up the hay bales and transferring them to another vehicle for transport. However, acceptable transport trailers have not developed apace with other equipment associated with the handling of round bales. Accordingly, there exists a need for a specialized trailer for transporting the hay rolls from the field for even distribution to a delivery site, the rolls being delivered without the need for extra machinery or equipment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides an improved combination hay trailer and tiltable bed and method related thereto for loading and unloading round bales, said improvement comprising a hinge assembly positioned along said combination and adapted for angular rotation of the bed about the trailer, said hinge assembly including a rotary hinge with an outer hinge structure spaced from an inner hinge structure, said inner hinge structure associated with one of the bed and trailer, said outer hinge structure being associated with the other of said bed and trailer, and a hinge sleeve extending through said hinge assembly, wherein said tiltable bed is biased downwardly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a combination hay trailer and tiltable bed in receipt of hayrolls and adapted for receiving and angularly unloading hayrolls. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded side perspective view of the combination hay trailer and tiltable bed in accordance with  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the combination hay trailer unloading hayrolls in accordance with  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4A  is a partial side perspective view of the combination hay trailer and tiltable bed in accordance with  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4B  is a partial side perspective view of the combination hay trailer and tiltable bed in accordance with  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4C  is a partial side perspective view of the combination hay trailer and tiltable bed in accordance with  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a partial side exploded perspective view of the combination in accordance with  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a partial top perspective view of the tiltable bed in accordance with  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Introduction 
       [0014]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
       II. Combination Hay Trailer and Tiltable Bed 
       [0015]    The present invention can be used for transporting round bales also referred to herein as hay rolls and includes features which provide for convenient and expedited loading, transport and unloading. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  includes a combination hay trailer and tiltable bed which are generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . The combination  10  is shown associated with plural hay rolls  2  spaced along a generally horizontal, tiltable bed  20  supported by a trailer  11  and adapted for transport. The illustrated hayrolls are generally large round bales which may vary in weight from about 800 to 1600 pounds and in width from about four to six feet. 
         [0016]    The combination  10  will be fabricated from suitable materials to handle the weight of the transported hayrolls  2  such as wood, metals or others. Also, the tiltable bed  20  is constructed to provide for angular rotation of the tiltable bed  20  from a generally horizontal position to an angled position. The rear portion of the tiltable bed  20  is associated with a loading edge  26  positioned near the ground for receipt or delivery of the hayrolls  2 . 
         [0017]    The tiltable bed  20  is generally rectangularly shaped with a pair of side rails  22  and is traversed by a plurality of rollers  30  positioned in an overlying orientation with respect to the hay trailer  11 . The rollers are adapted for receipt of plural hayrolls  2 . The tiltable bed  20  may have varying dimensions. As illustrated the combination hayroll trailer and tiltable bed  10  allows for transport of six hayrolls  2  in a side-by-side orientation but may accommodate varying amounts according to the size of the tiltable bed  10 , size of the bales  10 , and bale orientation which may optionally be end-to-end. 
         [0018]    In accordance with another feature of the invention, the tiltable bed  20  is selectively rotatable relative to the hay trailer  11  and may be rotated about a hinge assembly  70  to permit loading and unloading of the hayrolls  2 . Generally, the tiltable bed  20  is biased for rotation of the rear portion of the tiltable bed  20  toward the ground in an unloading condition. During transport, the tiltable bed  20  may be maintained in a substantially level or neutral position using a latching mechanism  80 . Hayrolls  2  may be positioned along the bed  20  so as to bias the bed  20  towards the neck  14  or the rear. A pivot axis associated with the hinge assembly  70  also may optionally be located at different points along the length of the trailer  11  to bias the bed  20  towards the neck  14  or rear. A front and rear stop  36 ,  38  allow for positioning of the hayrolls  2  to present a biased or neutral orientation, facilitating delivery of the transported hayrolls upon arriving at the desired destination. While the combination  10  allows for a rotational bias, depending on the desired operation, the operator may align the front and rear stops  36 ,  38  to adjust the bias and prevent clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the tiltable bed  20 . 
         [0019]    As further illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , latching mechanism  80  is located near the front portion of the trailer  11  for releasable latching of the tiltable bed  20  in the generally horizontal position. In addition, a rotating support stand  40  is also provided which supports the tiltable bed  20  in an unloading orientation. In addition, hinge assembly  70  is provided for rotation of the tiltable bed  20  relative to the hay trailer  11  as further described below. 
         [0020]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the trailer  11  is generally defined by a frame  50  including a pair of sides  50   c  and a pair of longitudinally extended members  32  extending from a front  50   a  associated with the neck  14  towards a rear  50   b  generally associated with the wheels  12  and including an inner facing flange  54 . A distal end  52   a  associated with the longitudinally extending members is generally located near the rear  50   b . A plurality of traversing members  56  span the longitudinally extended members  52  between the side pair  50   c  and have complementary angular orientation to inhibit undesired rotational deflection of the hay trailer  11 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the traversing members  56  are interconnected to the longitudinally extending members  52  along the inner facing flanges  54  using traditional fastening techniques such as welding or mechanical fasteners. The traversing members  56  are regularly spaced along the longitudinally extending members between the front  50   a  and the rear  50   b . Near the rear  50   b , the longitudinally extending members  52  present an angled receiver  60  which provides for angular orientation of the tiltable bed  20  in relation to the hay trailer  11 . 
         [0021]    As illustrated more clearly in  FIG. 5 , the angled receiver  60  includes a pair of projecting tabs  62  associated with the rear  50   b  of the longitudinally extending members  52  and a directional surface  64  associated with the inner facing flange  54  for receiving and angularly directing the tiltable bed  20  past a lower inner flange and towards the underlying ground surface. As the portion of the tiltable bed  20  associated with the front  50   a  of the tiltable bed  20  is rotated upwardly, the opposite end associated with the rear  50   b  is rotated downwardly. The angled receiver  60  generally presents an angle between 5° and 60°, and as illustrated is less than 30°. 
         [0022]    The hay trailer  11  also includes a plurality of wheels  12  in a tandem orientation and a neck  14  adapted for towable movement of trailer  11 . As a point of reference in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , in operation the neck  14  is associated with the front portion  50   a , opposite the hinge assembly  70  associated with rear  50   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the tandem wheels  12  are rotationally supported on an axle  66  connected to the hay trailer  11 , for example, by a conventional leaf spring assembly  68 , which optionally may extend from the hinge assembly  70  in receipt of the axle  66 . Typically, the axle  66  in association with the leaf spring assembly  68  is secured to the longitudinally extending members  52  with, for example, a U-bolt (not shown) providing rotatable support of the axle  66  under the leaf spring assembly  68  during operation of the hay trailer  11 . 
         [0023]    The latching mechanism  80  secures the tiltable bed  20  against substantial rotation while the hinge assembly  70  provides for pivotal movement of the tiltable bed  20  about a pivot axis extending through the hinge assembly  70 . Generally, the tiltable bed  20  presents an angle of rotation about the hay trailer  11  from between 0 to less than 45 degrees. However, a different angle of rotation may be provided by adjusting the distal end  52   a  of the longitudinally extending members  52  rearwardly or otherwise by modifying the directional surface  64  for alternate angular orientation. The hay trailer  11  also includes a cantilevered configuration in which the center of gravity of the combination hay trailer and tiltable bed  10  is urged towards the hinge assembly  70  for slightly biased rotation of the tiltable bed  20  towards the ground. 
         [0024]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the tiltable bed  20  generally rotates about the pivot point which is associated with hinge assembly  70  which is illustrated as a pair of rotary hinges  74 , each including an outer hinge structure  76  and an inner hinge structure  78 . While the arrangement may vary, as illustrated the outer hinge structure  76  is associated with the tiltable bed  20  and the inner hinge structure  78  is associated with the hay trailer  11 . Alternatively, the outer hinge structure  76  may be associated with the hay trailer  11  and the inner hinge structure may be associated with the tiltable bed  20 . A hinge sleeve  79  extends through the outer hinge structure  76  into the inner hinge structure  78  and provides for repeated rotation of the tiltable bed  20  in association with the hay trailer  11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the hinge sleeve  79  extends longitudinally through the rotary hinge  74  and may be cylindrically and/or frustro-conically configured. In addition, supporting structure  75  extends downwardly from the side rails  22  for connection to the outer hinge structure  76 . The inner hinge structure  78  extends downwardly from the longitudinally extending members  52  and is adapted for receiving the outer hinge structure  76 . Flanges  73  are mounted to both the inner and outer hinge structures  78 ,  76  for connection to the hay trailer  11  and tiltable bed  20 . Optionally, bearings may be utilized to reduce any undesired friction. 
         [0025]    In operation, the hayrolls  2  may be loaded upon the combination hayroll trailer and tiltable bed  10  using a loading machine like a tractor or loader to place the hayrolls  2  upon the tiltable bed  20 . The hay combination  10  is then transported to the desired location for unloading. As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4C , the latching mechanism  80  releasably secures the tiltable bed  20  to the hay trailer  11  during transport of the hayrolls  2  to the desired destination. The handheld actuator  86  is provided for operating the tilting bed  20  from the transport orientation ( FIG. 4A ) to the unloading orientation ( FIG. 4C ) where the tilting bed  20  is angularly orientated with respect to the hay trailer  11 . In the transport orientation the latching mechanism  80  connectably secures the tilting bed  20  to the hay trailer  11 . 
         [0026]    The latching mechanism  80  includes a catch  84  comprised of a downwardly extending leg section  84   a  with an engageable surface  84   b  extending lengthwise and adapted for receiving the latch which is illustrated as generally hook-shaped and engaging the engageable surface  84   b . As illustrated the engageable surface  84   b  includes an arcuate portion for engagement by the complementary-shaped latch  82 . In the unloading orientation, the actuator  86  in communication with the latch  82  is operated, rotating the latch  82  upwardly away from the catch  84 , releasing the catch  84  and allowing the tiltable bed  20  to rotate about the pivot point. When it is desired to relatch the tilting bed  20  to the hay trailer  11 , the catch  84  positioned near the tiltable bed  20  is rotated towards the hay trailer  11 , aligning the leg section  84   a  for engagement by the latch  82 , rotating an upper portion of the latch  82  inwardly towards the catch  84  for engagement of the arcuate engageable surface  84   b  by the latch  82 . 
         [0027]    Optionally a locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided to secure the actuator  86  in a retained position to help avoid any unintended operation of the latching mechanism  80 . The actuator  86  is designed for simple, easy to use operation, allowing a single user to deliver several hayrolls  2  to the desired destination. In addition, a safety member (also not shown) may be provided for additional security, which if utilized would be removed by the operator prior to operating the latching mechanism  80  to rotate the loading edge  26  of the tiltable bed  20  up or down without the need for any automated devices. 
         [0028]    In addition, as the front  50   a  rotates upwardly during the unloading orientation, the vertical support stand  40  rotates vertically to support the tiltable bed  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4C , the support stand  40  includes a pair of fixed ends  48  opposite a free end  46 , each fixed end  48  being secured to the tiltable bed  20  with a clip pin  44  extending through a clip  42 . The free end  46  of the stand is adapted for engagement by the longitudinally extending members  52  for supporting an end of the tiltable bed  20  while unloading received hayrolls  2 . Once the hayrolls  2  have been delivered, the operator can release the vertical support stand  40  by urging the free side  46  inwardly, rotating the fixed end  48  about the clip pin  44  and rotating the stand  40  towards the tiltable bed  20 . After the stand  40  is retracted by rotating it towards the tiltable bed  20 , the latching mechanism  80  may be reengaged, securing the tiltable bed  20  to the hay trailer  11 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates the rollers  30  generally in a partially exploded view with some of the rollers  30 ′ separated from the tiltable bed  20  for visual clarity of the rollers  30  and roller receivers  32 . In general, the rollers  30  allow for easy unloading and arrangement of the hayrolls  2 . In accordance with one advantage of the present invention, delivered hayrolls  2  are generally arranged similarly to their arrangement while on the tiltable bed  20  during transport. The rollers  30  thus reduce the amount of time and effort required to unload hayrolls  2  in relation to traditional transportation, loading and unloading equipment by allowing the hayrolls to roll off of the tiltable bed  20  in a desirable arrangement at the delivery site. 
         [0030]    Plural rollers  30  extend between the side rails  22  and are spaced along the tiltable bed  20 . Generally, rollers  30  allow for loading of the hayrolls  2  on and/or off the tiltable bed  20 . The rollers  30  may be 4 or 6 inches in diameter or some other dimensioned roller and are fabricated from a material which, depending partly on the numerosity of neighboring rollers, is capable of supporting the weight of the received hayrolls  2 . The rollers  30  as illustrated may have independent movement with each roller  30  freely and independently rotatable, or the rollers  30  may utilize interconnecting structure (not shown) such as a chain and gears for coordinated movement between plural rollers  30 . In addition, a motor (not shown) may be coupled to the chain and gear assembly providing assistance during loading and unloading operations. 
         [0031]    Rollers  30 ′ are illustrated in  FIG. 6  including a cylindrical outer surface  30   a  rotated about a shaft  30   b  having ends  30   c  extending outwardly therefrom. The roller  30  is generally journaled between the longitudinal portions of the side rails  22  with the cylindrical surface  30   a  adapted for rotation about the shaft  30   b . The extended ends  30   c  of the shaft  30   b  are configured for receipt by the side rails  22  and adapted for rotational movement. Optionally, the rollers  30  may include an optional bearing member (not shown) providing rotational movement of the outer roller surface  30   a  in relation to the shaft  30   b . The extended ends  30   c  are received within complementary receiving structure  32  associated with the side rails  22  and preferably space the rollers  30  along the generally horizontal tiltable bed  20 . The receiving structure  32  may include a variety of bearings including, but not limited to, journal bearings, shaft bearings or ball bearings. Oil-impregnated bearings adapted for rotationally receiving the extended ends  30   c  may be positioned along the side rails  22 . In one embodiment, the oil impregnated bearings may be radially compressed into the side rails  22  and adapted for rotationally retaining the shaft  30   b  by a longitudinal channel extending through the bearing. In addition, outer surface  30   a  may be fabricated from a number of materials and may be smooth or frictionally configured to transport the hayrolls  2  onto or off the tiltable bed  20 . 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a rear stop  38  and front stop  36  are provided for preventing unwanted forward and backward movement of the received hayrolls on the tiltable bed  20 . The rear stop  38  includes a pair of rear stop collars  38   a  spaced by a rear retainer  38   b , the collars  38   a  being releasably engaged with a side support  90 . 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , during transition of the tiltable bed  20  from the generally horizontal or transport orientation, the tiltable bed  20  is rotated about the hinge assembly  70  with the front  50   a  of the tiltable bed  20  being rotated upwardly. As the front  50   a  (or the side near the neck  14 ) of the tiltable bed  20  is rotated up, the rear portion  50   b  (opposite the front  50   a ) or loading edge  26  is rotated down. Once the loading edge  26  of the tiltable bed  20  is positioned near the ground, the hayrolls  2  may be unloaded unto the ground. During loading, the hayrolls  2  may be loaded onto the tiltable bed  20  from the ground while the tiltable bed  20  is in a similar angular unloading position or the hayrolls  2  may be loaded from the side associated with the side support  90  while the tiltable bed  20  is maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation. As the hayrolls  2  move across the tiltable bed  20 , the rollers  30  may rotate in a corresponding or counteracting manner to assist in controlling or moving the hayrolls  2  along the rollers tiltable bed  20 . For example, if present, a motor may assist in control or movement of the hayrolls  2  by rotating the rollers  30  in the desired orientation. Motorized operation of the rollers  30  may reduce undesired slippage of the hayrolls  2  during loading. During side loading, a fork lift may be used to lift the hayrolls  2  onto the tiltable bed  20  by inserting a fork into the center of the hayroll  2  and lifting the hayroll  2  onto the tiltable bed  20  between the side supports  90  while the tiltable bed  20  is generally horizontally orientated. 
         [0034]    Once the hayrolls  2  are loaded, the combination hay trailer and tiltable bed  10  is then prepared for transport. To prepare the combination hay trailer and tiltable bed  10  for transport, the rear stop  38  is adjustably secured onto the side supports  90  near the loading edge  26  and the front stop  36  is adjusted nearer to the front  50   a  for proper positioning of the hayrolls  2  during transport. Similarly, the front stop  36  generally includes a pair of front collars  36   a  adjustably secured to the side supports  90 , the front collar pair  36   a  being spaced apart by a front retainer  36   b . Once secured, the front and rear stops  36 ,  38  position and help limit undesired movement of the hayrolls  2  during transport as the combination hay trailer and tiltable bed  10  travel to the desired location for unloading.